You’ve seen her in images, you’ve seen her in promotional ads, and now Australia, you get to see her in real life. She’s Royal Caribbean’s newest gigantic and technologically advanced beast, and she’s finally here.
For a year-and-a-half – since the day Ovation of the Seas’ visit was first announced – the country’s biggest cruisers (and some of the newbies that caught that enticing Royal Caribbean ad on the telly) have patiently waited for her arrival.
They read through KarryOn articles on where she’ll be sailing during her time Down Under, all the many features she has onboard and they even scrolled through pics of her floating out of the shipyard.
Ovation of the Seas sails into Fremantle. Image: CruiseAdvice.com.au
It’s been a long wait, but you know what they say, the best things are always worth the wait.
So now she’s finally arrived with yesterday marking her very first visit to Australia, more specifically Perth’s very own Fremantle Port.
Ovation of the Seas is as grand in person as she is in pictures. Image: CruiseAdvice.com.au
While KarryOn couldn’t be there for the grand arrival, Matt Lennon, the Editor of Australian online cruise publication, CruiseAdvice.com.au, told us that the ship raises the bar for what can be expected on a cruise ship, and said during his first wander around the vessel he was “very impressed”.
“The ship is around 30 metres longer than Australia’s next biggest ship, another from Royal Caribbean in Explorer of the Seas, but with that extra size comes better passenger flow so spaces rarely feel crowded.”
Matt Lennon, CruiseAdvice.com.au Editor
“I found it interesting that there are only two main banks of elevators – one at mid-ship and one forward – so the restaurants and Two70 theatre at the rear requires guests to walk to mid-ship to catch a lift. Many ships have three main banks or more. Despite this, there’s rarely a wait for a lift.
“Jamie’s Italian is a quality epicurean experience worthy of his name. Planks of cured meats, cheeses and olives were a nice touch along with more traditional Italian mains, pastas and breads.
“Australians are going to love Ovation of the Seas. Like anything in travel, it’s wise not to go in thinking it’s infallible but it certainly comes close in many ways. Never a shortage of things to do but plan your days or you could spend a lot of time in queues.”
Lennon was even kind enough to share a few pictures of the vessel’s arrival, and boy, we’re impressed.
Like, how much does this make you want to stroll through the ship’s Royal Promenade?
Image: CruiseAdvice.com.au
Or catch a performance in the Music Hall?
Image: CruiseAdvice.com.au
Or watch dancing robots in the Two70 theatre?
Image: CruiseAdvice.com.au
OR better yet, get a record breaking view of the water and destination?
Image: CruiseAdvice.com.au
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