Royal Caribbean has taken delivery of Odyssey of the Seas, its latest Quantum Ultra-class cruise ship and the 25th ship in the fleet.

The delivery of Odyssey of the Seas was carried out virtually due to ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions within the US and EU.

According to the cruise line, following a virtual rendition of the time-honored maritime tradition known as a delivery ceremony, Odyssey of the Seas was officially accepted by Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean and Meyer Werft executives take virtual delivery of Odyssey of the Seas

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The ship was handed over by Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer and Managing Director Jan Meyer, with Master of Odyssey of the Seas Captain Per Kristoffersen accepting the ship on behalf of Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain, and President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley took part virtually.

“Receiving Odyssey of the Seas into the Royal Caribbean family is a welcomed breath of fresh air,” said Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “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.”

“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,” he added. “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.”

Odyssey of the Seas

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Odyssey of the Seas will debut in her homeport of Haifa, Israel in May, 2021, marking not only the first time that Royal Caribbean has sailed from Haifa, but also the first time it has debuted a new ship in the Middle East.

She will then reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November to sail a winter season of Caribbean cruises.

Odyssey of the Seas is the second Quantum Ultra Class ship after Spectrum of the Seas, which cruised from Dubai on her repositioning maiden voyage to Asia.

At 169,000 gross tons and with a length of 1,138 feet (347 meters) Odyssey of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship ever to homeport in Israel and the first of its kind to homeport in Florida.

Odyssey of the Seas will feature a combination of 12 all-new and first-to-brand experiences as well as the signature experiences well-known to Royal Caribbean regulars, such as Splashaway Bay, the SeaPlex, SkyPad, RipCord, NorthStar and Two70 show lounge.

Odyssey of the Seas mini-Preview:

Odyseey of the Seas will feature a Caribbean-inspired pool deck with two open-air pools, four whirlpools and Splashaway Bay. The Lime & Coconut bar will also debut for the first time aboard a Quantum Ultra Class ship.

The SeaPlex is the largest indoor and outdoor activity center at sea, and debuts this venue’s first Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and Teppanyaki are two Royal Caribbean restaurants new to North America. The fresh take on the cruise line’s signature trattoria is the first to introduce its new wine bar concept while the other serves up East Asian flavors in the traditional Japanese style for which its named.

Returning guest-favorites on the top deck 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 boasts 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.

Odyssey of the Seas’  full-scale entertainment productions will be held in teched-out venues such as the Royal Theater and Two70, where immersive technology, special effects and world-leading performers and aerialists take the stage alongside six agile Roboscreens for a multidimensional live show.