Ship Reviews

Ship Preview: Odyssey of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International’s first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship for the North American market, Odyssey of the Seas, will have the same exterior design and look as her Quantum-class sisters, but will be packed with new experiences.

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Royal Caribbean have said Odyssey of the Seas will have the most action-packed top deck of any Quantum Ultra Class ship to date with the popular RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, the Sky Pad (new to the Quantum Ultra-class), the new-to-Odyssey glow-in-the-dark laser tag game Clash for the Crystal City, and more.

The SkyPad virtual-reality bungee experience

There’ll also be a 40-foot rock wall up here, and the SkyPad bungee trampoline experience will transports travelers to another time, place or planet using a VR headset.

The Pool Deck

The ship will have a two-level pool deck with resort-style pools and four whirlpools, surrounded by plenty of shady casitas and hammocks. Nearby, The Lime & Coconut serves up two stories of prime pool-front views.

Odyssey of the Seas will debut a reimagined double-level top deck

For a splash-filled day, the youngest globe-trotters can head to Splashaway Bay, an aqua park that boasts colorful waterslides, fountains, water cannons and more.

Adults can retreat to the Solarium, an exclusive space on the top deck, for some much needed “me time,” including swimming pools and whirlpools, a full-service bar, daybeds and hidden nooks for ultimate relaxation.

Giovanni’s aboard Odyssey of the Seas

The Restaurants

There’ll also be a collection of several dozen restaurants from steakhouses and New York-style pizzerias to Mexican and Italian cuisine for passengers to enjoy as she cruises the islands of the Caribbean and idyllic coasts of the eastern Mediterranean.

The Asian themed Izumi Cafe aboard Dubai-based Jewel of the Seas

When it comes to dining, Royal Caribbean have confirmed Odyssey of the Seas will feature hand-rolled sushi at Izumi, Far East fare with flair at Teppanyaki, and classic Italian favorites at the new Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

Chop’s Grille

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There will also be steakhouse classics and white tablecloth service at Chop’s Grille, and an exclusive five-course feast at Chef’s Table. And at Wonderland, guests will be able to feast on imaginative plates served with a heaping helping of awe.

El Loco Fresh

At the pool, grab and go Mexican flavors will be on offer, like tacos and beef burritos, from El Loco Fresh. Enjoy a slice of authentic New York Style pizza in between thrills at Sorrento’s. Or head to the fan-favorite Windjammer for all your favorite self-serve eats.

Then there will of course also be breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the Windjammer and the main dining room.

The Entertainment

Up top, the ultimate SeaPlex activity space will deliver a dose of adrenaline with new thrills, a little friendly competition and the most interactive arcade at sea. The arcade will dominate the upper level of SeaPlex with VR games for individual and group play, augmented reality walls and floors for high-tech competitions and family experiences.

Odyssey will have a SeaPlex like the one aboard Spectrum of the Seas’

There’ll also be a full-sized sports court with the only bumper cars at sea as well as a flying trapeze. The space will double as a glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena, pitting Yetis and Snow Shifters against each other as they battle for survival and control of the mythical ice city in Clash for the Crystal City.

Playmakers sits above the SeaPlex where the most interactive arcade to date and the popular bumper cars will be located

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade will boast a prime location within SeaPlex, with TVs at every angle and serving fare like buffalo wings, sliders and the signature Playmakers Burger, alongside ice-cold brews. Guests can also enjoy classic board games and play trivia and pool.

This SeaPlex space will complement the reimagined Adventure Ocean where young adventure seekers can choose their own immersive experiences across an entirely new layout, while a new maxed-out teen lounge with gaming consoles, music and movies will provide endless hangout options indoors and outdoors on an exclusive patio.

Also up top will be the iconic North Star glass capsule, boasting 360-degree views as it rises 300 feet above sea level.

Entertainment across the ship will be punctuated by high-tech signature productions in the Royal Theater and Two70, where art and multimedia merge for immersive performances new to the line and exclusive to Odyssey of the Seas.

Music Hall debuted aboard the Quantum-class ships

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Fusing art and technology, Two70 boasts 270-degree panoramic windows with sweeping ocean views from an expansive open area living room.

As day turns into night, the iconic venue at the aft of the ship becomes a multidimensional theater – where a troupe of six agile Roboscreens come to life in sync with music, special effects and multitalented live performers and aerialists – to create unimaginable visuals.

Guests looking to hit up the dance floor can head to Music Hall for an always-changing set list of live performances but not before grabbing a drink at the Bionic Bar. While some of the best cover bands take center stage, music lovers can dance, sit back and sing along with friends, or take it all in from intimate lounge spaces.

Royal Caribbean haven’t yet said what some of the new shows and entertainment experiences will be, but the line’s CEO says they’ll be worth the wait.

Odyssey of the Seas will be the first sister ship to Spectrum of the Seas, which launched last year.

“Odyssey of the Seas will set an all-new standard created to deliver the most memorable vacations by combining immersive experiences, the best of Royal Caribbean’s trendsetting innovations and the signature ‘Royal Way’ service of our dedicated crew members,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “This Quantum Ultra Class ship introduces a new way to see the world as she becomes our first purposefully built vessel for island hopping on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The Itineraries

Odyssey of the Seas will be launched in November, 2020 and will cruise the Caribbean, visiting far-flung destinations like Curaçao, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Mexico on 8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Odyssey will then sail to her homeport of Rome in May, 2021 and become the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise Europe for the summer.

Ashore, travelers can explore storied towns in Turkey and Greece, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the ruins of Ephesus, the ancient Acropolis of Athens, the classic Cycladic architecture of Mykonos and more.

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