Royal Caribbean has revealed itinerary details for its 2018/19 summer cruise season, which will see the line known for the industry’s largest and most incredible ships return to Australia with three megaliners. Bookings for the 2018/19 summer season open 16 May 2017.
Australia’s newest, largest and most modern cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, will return for her third and longest season yet based down under. Culinary favourite, Radiance of the Seas, will offer Royal Caribbean’s very first departure from Melbourne, as well as three cruises departing from Auckland. Meanwhile Explorer of the Seas – the South Pacific family favourite – returns down under for her fourth season. Sister ship Voyager of the Seas will not return to Australia for the 2018/19 summer cruise season, instead remaining in Singapore and China for a year-round season.
“Melbourne as a new turnaround-port for Radiance of the Seas was an easy choice for us to make. Victorians are known the world over for their love of great food so our culinary ship is the perfect fit. And in Auckland, our style of cruising is continuously growing in popularity so we’re thrilled to offer cruises from our Kiwi neighbours’ doorstep,” Armstrong said.
“After six seasons pioneering BIG ship cruising in Australia and carrying more than 300,000 guests, we will say farewell to our beloved Voyager of the Seas for the 2018/19 cruise season, as she will instead sail from Singapore and Asia year-round,” said Adam Armstrong, managing director, Royal Caribbean Australia & New Zealand.
“This deployment change makes possible the early return of Ovation of the Seas to her summer home in Sydney, where she will operate her longest ever Australia season. Our most popular local cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas is the flagship for modern Australian cruising, delivering a whole new way to holiday, known as SuperCruising”, Armstrong continued.
The 2018/19 season will kick off with the arrival of Radiance of the Seas to Sydney on 6 October 2018. Explorer of the Seas will return down under on 27 October 2018 and Ovation of the Seas on 2 November 2018. Together, the three ships will offer 61 sailings, ranging from three to 23-nights, sailing to nine different countries including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Singapore, the USA and Vanuatu.
Australia’s biggest, newest and most modern ship, Ovation of the Seas, as well as culinary favourite Radiance of the Seas will primarily offer guests a range of Australia and New Zealand itineraries to ports in the North and South Island as well as Hobart. Ovation will sail exclusively from Sydney, while Radiance of the Seas will offer one new sailing from Melbourne and three from Auckland, as well as voyages from Sydney.
Ovation of the Seas will also offer one unique New Zealand and South Pacific hybrid sailing as well as eight- and nine-night South Pacific voyages to New Caledonia and Vanuatu, a 14-night Singapore to Sydney sailing via Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, a five-night Tasmania cruise and a 14-night Sydney to Singapore voyage with calls to Brisbane, Darwin and Malaysia.
As well as her New Zealand voyages from Sydney and Auckland and her new departure from Melbourne, Radiance of the Seas will also sail a range of shorter voyages perfect for first time cruises, including a three-night sampler cruise to nowhere, a new four-night cruise to Melbourne and a five-night Tasmania sailing. Guests can also cruise on eight, 10 or 12-night South Pacific sailings and two 18-night Hawaii repositioning sailings at the start and end of her season.
Australia’s second largest ship, Explorer of the Seas will continue her focus on South Pacific voyages, with a range of eight to 14-night sailings. Her fantastic onboard amenities, including the FlowRider surf machine, rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, Broadway-style shows and full sized sports court, as well as the idyllic island destinations she visits, such as Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu, make her the ideal family getaway destination.
She will also offer a new six-night Tasmania sailing with calls to Newcastle, Wollongong and Hobart, as well as an eight-night Queensland sailing and two epic repositioning voyages between Seattle and Sydney, with calls to Hawaii, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
“We expect that local demand for Royal Caribbean’s innovative and ground breaking ships will see a fourth Royal Caribbean ship return to Australian shores in 2019/20. Our determination to remain the number one cruise line in this region is undiminished,” Armstrong concluded.
Bookings for the 2018/19 season will open 16 May 2017. For further information or to book a cruise, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au, phone 1800 754 500 or contact your local travel agent.
SOURCE: Royal Caribbean International
