Royal Caribbean International Takes Delivery of New Ovation of the Seas

by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 10:00 AM ET, Mon April 11, 2016

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International has officially taken delivery of its third Quantum-class cruise ship - the new Ovation of the Seas - from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Following the vessel's conveyance from the yard to the ocean via the River Ems, a handover ceremony was held.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain had the honor of accepting the new ship from Meyer Werft's Managing Partner Bernard Meyer. Fain said, "Ovation of the Seas is magnificent. Our thanks to the Meyer Werft team for their ongoing partnership in designing and building awe-inspiring ships with us."

Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, added, "it's wonderful to welcome Ovation of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family of ships. We have once again introduced yet another one of the most technologically advanced cruise ships and the very first that has been built for the China market - a market we continue to demonstrate our commitment to expanding. Quantum Class has redefined the status quo, and we are excited for our guests in China and Australia to enjoy their extraordinary vacations onboard this stunner."

Ovation of the Seas will next sail to Southampton, U.K. and then on a 52-night "Global Odyssey" ahead of her first season in China, cruising from Tianjin beginning in June 2016. Together with the Quantum of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Legend of the Seas; Anthem of the Seas will lead the largest fleet of any cruise line in the Asian region. The Ovation of the Seas is then set to head for Australia for the 2016-2017 winter with a return already planned down under for the following season in 2017-2018.

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