Royal Caribbean has announced future plans for the first Quantum Ultra-class ship to be based in the Asia-Pacific region. Set to launch spring 2019, the yet-to-be-named ship will be the next evolution of the Quantum class and will join her sister ships, the Quantum of the Seas and the Ovation of the Seas, according to a press release.
The new ship will specifically be designed for guests in the region, featuring what the cruise line calls “even more cutting-edge and unprecedented experiences and amenities.”
As part of the deployment plans for 2018-2019, the Mariner of the Seas will reposition to a new home in Miami, embarking on a “Global Odyssey” from Asia that features three long sailings from Singapore to Dubai; Dubai to Barcelona; and Barcelona to Miami.
The Voyager of the Seas will have her first full season in Singapore in 2018-2019, offering three- to seven-night cruises throughout Southeast Asia with stops that include ports in Thailand and Malaysia.
The new 2018-2019 deployment season presents additional highlights, including an expanded offering of open-jaw itineraries Down Under with new 10-night itineraries between Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne or Sydney, Australia on the Radiance of the Seas. During the winter, the Ovation of the Seas will reposition to Sydney for her longest season in Australia, reclaiming the title as the largest ship based in the region.
Royal Caribbean’s China 2018-2019 itineraries for the Quantum and Voyager are available to book beginning April 26, 2017, followed by the Ovation on April 27. Australia and Singapore sailings will be open as of May 16, 2017.
The Quantum will continue to sail from Shanghai for her fourth consecutive season, offering 78 sailings to and from Japan, beginning January 2018. Highlights include a six-night Japan itinerary, visiting Nagasaki and over-nighting in Okinawa; and an eight-night Japan itinerary, calling in Kobe, Tokyo and Nagasaki.
The Ovation will return to Tianjin for her second season, offering a lineup to explore Japan, including two new ports: Sasaebo and Shimonoseki. The season begins in April 2018. Highlights include a five-night Japan itinerary sailing to Sasaebo and Shimonoseki; and a seven-night Japan itinerary, calling at Sakaiminato, Maizuru and Nagasaki.
The Voyager will offer 77 sailings from Singapore, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, across Southeast Asia, beginning April 30, 2018. Itinerary highlights include a four-night Malaysia itinerary sailing from Singapore and visiting Penang and Phuket; and a five-night Vietnam itinerary from Hong Kong to Chan May and Nha Trang.
The Ovation of the Seas will sail from Sydney, Australia for its third and longest season in the country, offering 13 sailings beginning November 2018. Highlights include a 10-night New Zealand itinerary with stops in Milford Sound, Napier and Picton; and a 14-night Singapore to Sydney open-jaw sailing, including calls in Adelaide and Hobart, Tasmania.
The Radiance will sail an expanded open-jaw program with three new itineraries venturing out into Australia in 2019, including a new 10-night cruise departing from Auckland to Melbourne, calling at destinations throughout the Tasman Sea.
The Explorer of the Seas will join the Ovation for her fourth season in Sydney with 23 sailings exploring the island destinations of the South Pacific and Fiji. The ship’s cruises range from three- to 14-night itineraries, and will begin in October 2018. Highlights include a 12-night South Pacific to Fiji cruise, calling at Noumea, Caledonia; Port Vila, Vanuatu; Lautoka and Suvai.
