Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas to begin sailing out of Florida in November

Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas has officially become the 25th ship in the cruise line’s fleet, following a virtual rendition of the traditional delivery ceremony.

The ship will set sail from first-time homeport Haifa, Israel in May 2021, followed by Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in November.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley, and Master of Odyssey of the Seas Captain Per Kristoffersen received the ship from Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer and Managing Director Jan Meyer in the customary handover gone virtual.

“Receiving Odyssey of the Seas into the Royal Caribbean family is a welcomed breath of fresh air. The ingenuity, passion and hard work our dedicated crew, teams on land and partners at Meyer Werft put into building a new ship always deliver, and to pull it off so well during a time unlike any other is incredible,” said Bayley. “We are looking forward to delivering the memorable vacations we’re known for today on a ship that will mark several firsts for us, from making Israel a first-time homeport to introducing Quantum Ultra Class to North America. Every new ship is a blank slate to go bolder and be different, and Odyssey is bringing the very best of the new and guest-favorites across two continents for the years to come.”

After its inaugural summer season, the ship will embark on a transatlantic crossing for its North American debut in November. The ship is slated to offer 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale to ports of call like Aruba, Curacao, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas.

Coming in at 169,000 gross tons and measuring 1,138 feet long and 135 feet wide, Odyssey will be the newest and largest ship to homeport in Israel and the first of its kind to call Florida home later this year. Vacationers of all ages can enjoy a lineup of 12 new and first-to-brand experiences alongside the signature offerings guests love, including:

• Caribbean-inspired pool deck — Sporting a new look across two decks, Odyssey’s two open-air pools, four whirlpools and Splashaway Bay, anchored by a Quantum Ultra Class first — The Lime & Coconut bar — are designed for travelers to enjoy the outdoors in style.
• SeaPlex — The next-generation of a Quantum Class favorite, this SeaPlex is the largest indoor and outdoor activity center at sea, and will debut the venue’s first Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and Teppanyaki — Two Royal Caribbean restaurants new to North American will join the lineup of dining options on board. The fresh take on the cruise line’s signature trattoria is the first to introduce its new wine bar concept, while the other will serve up East Asian flavors in the traditional Japanese style for which it’s named.
• Action-packed top deck — Returning guest-favorites include the gravity-defying SkyPad virtual reality bungee trampoline adventure, FlowRider surf simulator, skydiving with RipCord by iFly, and the North Star all-glass observation capsule that offers 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.
• One-of-a-kind entertainment — Odyssey’s full-scale productions take top billing in venues like the Royal Theater and Two70, where immersive technology, special effects, and performers and aerialists take the stage alongside six agile Roboscreens for a multidimensional live show.