This was published 7 years ago
Ovation of the Seas: On board Australia's new, billion-dollar cruise ship
By Anthony Dennis
I'm skydiving above Singapore, my facial cheeks temporarily embedded somewhere deep inside the recesses of my skull from the force of the wind (you know the look). The main and most notable features of the city-state's skyline like Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Wheel and that concrete water-excreting white lion, are flashing before me when, suddenly, I start spinning out of control.
My body is rotating like a speck of lint inside an oversized dryer, that spectacular skyline now a blur. Eventually, with the help of a more experienced skydiver, I regain control, allowing for something approaching a soft landing. But, though it sure as hell feels like skydiving, it isn't skydiving in the truest sense.
In reality, I'm floating on a 180km/h blast of warm air inside a huge transparent Perspex tube about 18-storeys above the water. I'm aboard Royal Caribbean's mammoth $1 billion Ovation of the Seas, the newly commissioned, fourth largest cruise passenger ship on the planet, which is heading Australia's way for the summer cruising season from December 15.
Anthony Dennis in the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator.
The Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator – among the longest and more thrilling 60 seconds of my life and an experience which took place even before the ship left the wharf – is just one of a multitude of stunning attractions aboard this state-of-the-art megaship (which Royal Caribbean prefers to refer to in its marketing as a "supership").
Megaship or Supership – call it what you will – Ovation of the Seas will be biggest and most technologically advanced ship to ever sail in our region. While I may have fibbed about the skydiving above Singapore bit, I would be lying, too, if I didn't admit to some personal trepidation about spending three days on such a massive vessel.
It can to be honest, at first intimidating sight, seem like a cross between a modern resort-style apartment block turned sideways and a Westfield. But here I am, aboard what's known as a "sampler cruise", an easy three-day jaunt around the Straits of Malacca between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (or at least Port Klang, its distant and forgettable port).
It's an opportunity to assess and preview this brand new ship headed our ways in less than six months. And I needn't have worried. Although this style of megaship is not going to appeal to everyone – I was pleasantly surprised – and, gosh, I even enjoyed myself – the experience also providing the perfect chance to explode some misconceptions (mine included) surrounding this style and size of ship.
Megaship mythbuster one: All those days at sea – I'll be bored
Hardly. Small towns in Australia boast fewer facilities and attractions than a ship like Ovation of the Seas and, of course, longer itineraries, can include multiple port visits even though a lot of passengers, utterly seduced by the ship and its attractions, do opt to stay aboard.
If a simulated skydiving experience doesn't excite then there's a range of other attractions including, above all (literally) North Star, a mobile observation deck that rises 90 metres high above the ship, delivering 360 degree views. Attached to a massive hydraulic retractable arm, North Star also reaches out to the sides of the ship, giving passengers an amazing view of the vessel itself let alone the surrounding sea or landscapes.
Then there's FlowRider, a stand-up surfing simulator that allows passengers to ride the waves while all at sea with water flowing at nearly 130,000 litres a minute. I drew a line at that one – public humiliation has its limits but, hey, I did succumb to Ovation of the Seas dodgem cars and the adjacent Yankee-style gourmet hot dog stand.
Megaship mythbuster two: I don't want to be stuck on a ship with thousands of people
True, Ovation of the Seas does have a whopping capacity for a total of nearly 5000 "guests" (Royal Caribbean's doesn't call them plain old "passengers" anymore) with the ship also hosting a further 1500 multi-national crew.
You may, therefore, be surprised to learn that it's a lot less crowded than you think. Even when dining at Jamie's Oliver's Jamie's Italian aboard the ship the restaurant was somehow only three quarters full and there were few, if any, queues for casual food and coffee elsewhere.
On disembarkation back in Singapore, there was a delay in getting off the ship (due, I think, to the city state's fastidious immigration officials). But once given the green light was given the lines of departing passengers flowed freely and there were plenty of taxis for the ride to the airport and elsewhere outside Singapore's new and state-of-the-art cruise passenger terminal (check it out, Sydney).
Megaship mythbuster three: It'll just be like a floating RSL club
Aside from being disrespectful of RSL clubs this myth represents one of the most common objections of cruise sceptics. They tend to base their view of this kind of holiday around the larger passenger ships such as the Ovation of the Seas. But it's anything but tacky (and I didn't even manage to stumble across the ship's gaming area and I would actually need to check to tell you where it's located).
Nowadays cruise ships like this one, in terms of design, owe more to upmarket hotels and resorts than they do to the old style of passenger liner with its nautical (think Neptune, seahorses and fishing-nets) inspired decor. Staterooms are stylish, contemporary and four-to-five star-like with many boasting small balconies with my cabin featuring a separate shower and toilet.
Megaship mythbuster four: The food is all buffet-syle and too American
As cruising becomes more international – with China emerging as a new and potentially massive market – major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean are accordingly adapt their menus to suit differing tastes and dietary requirements.
On my Ovation of the Seas cruise the "American classics" food station of one restaurant had been turned into a space for Singaporean dishes in honour of the main national group aboard. And, how's this for consideration: during Ovation of the Seas' maiden season in Australia from mid-December this year there's a plan to have the existing American coffee provider swapped with an Australian one in order to satisfy the fastidious expectations of the local market.
Fine food and wine, as well as a good coffee, are an integral part of the contemporary cruise experience (though do take the stairs rather than the lifts to keep those extra kilos in check). The number of restaurants and dining experiences aboard the ship totals a remarkable 18 and includes everything from al la carte steakhouses to fully fledged sushi bars.
Megaship mythbuster five: I'm too young to take a cruise on a big ship, they're only for old people
Wrong again. The average age of cruise passengers is declining, according to the latest industry research, with the typical passenger being in their late 40s (quite a change, that). And a ship like Ovation of the Seas has been designed accordingly with a close eye on families and keeping them entertained with features such as SeaPlex, the "largest indoor active space at sea", according to Royal Caribbean.
Even the once fuddy-duddy entertainment has been upgraded. Two70 is a breathtaking, multi-storey venue is located at the stern of the ship, delivering 270 degrees panoramic views by day and a hi-tech entertainment space by night.
Aside from the high-quality stage shows, which nowadays own more to Cirque du Soleil than Vaudeville, the "sky-high" glass walls become part of the entertainment along with a bank of seen-to-be-believed video screens which can dance along the beat of the music.
TRIP NOTES
MORE INFORMATION
CRUISING THERE
Ovation of the Seas arrives in Sydney on December 15 to begin for her maiden Australia-based season. Fares start from $1299 a person twin share for an eight-nights Tasmania voyage from February 9, 2017. The cruise includes an overnight stay in Hobart and a visit to Adelaide.
HOW TO BOOK
Demand for cruises aboard Ovation of the Seas has been so high her maiden and second season confirmed for the 2017-18 summer have had to be extended. To book a cruise phone 1800 754 500 or visit your travel agent or see ovationoftheseas.com.au
Anthony Dennis travelled as guest of Royal Caribbean
FIVE MORE OVATION OF THE SEAS FEATURES
BEST BAR NONE Even teetotallers are transfixed by this bar which is headed up by two robotic barmen who shake, muddle and mix a wide variety of drinks (including mocktails) for passengers, all in sync with music. The only thing missing is the normal barman-customer chitchat with drink orders placed via tablets.
BALCONY SCENES Missed out on a view from your interior stateroom? No need to worry. Everyone on Ovation of the Seas receives a view from their stateroom. "Virtual balconies" are high-definition LED screens that display "real-time sights and sounds of the sea", meaning that all staterooms feature a vista.
CASTING THE NET Due to new satellites launched by a partner of Royal Caribbean, Ovation of the Seas boasts an impressive bandwidth. Speeds – claimed to be the fastest at sea – now match broadband connections on terra firma, allowing for not only the checking of emails and social media but also streaming videos and music.
CLEAN MACHINE Royal Caribbean has declared Ovation of the Seas to be "cleaner and greener" due to the ship's reduced energy consumption due to efficient hull configuration, engine design and energy saving devices. Incandescent bulbs have been eliminated with all lighting now delivered by low-energy LED or fluorescents and motion sensors that dim hallways when no one is present.
WRIST-TAKERS Pop on your special "WOWBand" and you're king of the world. Well, sort of. These electronic plastic wristbands – free or for sale at a nominal fee – can be worn aboard Ovation of the Seas at all times allowing passengers to make onboard purchases with ease as well as acting as room keys and for other purposes.
OVATION OF THE SEAS: THE FACTS
4905 Total number of passengers
2091 Number of staterooms
1572 Number with balconies
347 Length in metres
41 Width in metres
18 Number of decks
16 Number of elevators for passengers
BIGGEST CRUISE SHIPS AFLOAT
HARMONY OF THE SEAS, ROYAL CARIBBEAN
LAUNCHED 2016
MAXIMUM PASSENGER CAPACITY 6780
LENGTH 362 metres
*TONNAGE 226,963
CRUISING Caribbean and Mediterranean
FEATURES There are three waterslides, two rock-climbing walls, an ice-skating rink and a 10-storeys high "dry-slide" featuring a series of twists and turns and flashing lights. Harmony is slightly bigger than its Oasis-class sister ships Oasis and Allure of the Seas.
OVATION OF THE SEAS, ROYAL CARIBBEAN
LAUNCHED April 2016
PASSENGER CAPACITY 4905
LENGTH 347 metres
TONNAGE 168,666
CRUISING China, Australia, New Zealand
FEATURES Virtually identical to Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas features an array of fabulous playthings including a sky-diving simulator and an extendable viewing capsule platform.
NORWEGIAN ESCAPE, NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
LAUNCHED November, 2015
PASSENGER CAPACITY 5,400
LENGTH 335 metres
TONNAGE 164,600
CRUISING Eastern Caribbean
FEATURES Thrill-seekers flock to Norwegian Escape's ropes course, Sky Rails and its massive Aqua Park.
NORWEGIAN EPIC, NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
LAUNCHED 2010
PASSENGER CAPACITY 5183
LENGTH 329 metres
TONNAGE 155,873
CRUISING Mediterranean and Caribbean
FEATURES Norwegian Epic features the biggest bowling alley at sea as well as the popular Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Burn the Floor stage shows.
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS, ROYAL CARIBBEAN
LAUNCHED 2006
MAXIMUM PASSENGER CAPACITY 4375
LENGTH 339 metres
TONNAGE 154,407
CRUISING Western and eastern Caribbean
FEATURES Freedom of the Seas was the first of the Royal Caribbean ships to feature the FlowRider surfing at sea simulator.
QUEEN MARY 2, CUNARD
LAUNCHED 2004
PASSENGER CAPACITY 3090
LENGTH 345 metres
TONNAGE 148,528
CRUISING World cruises, transatlantic crossings
FEATURES There's a planetarium, traditional English-style high-tea in the Queen's Room and the only dog kennels at sea.
NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY, NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
LAUNCHED 2013
PASSENGER CAPACITY 3998
LENGTH 325 metres
TONNAGE 146,600
CRUISING Bermuda, Bahamas, Caribbean
FEATURES Similar to Getaway, its one year younger sister ship, one of Breakway's highlights is Spice H20, a day and night adults-only on-board retreat.
REGAL PRINCESS, PRINCESS CRUISES
LAUNCHED May 2014
MAXIMUM PASSENGER CAPACITY 3600
LENGTH 330 metres
TONNAGE 141,000
CRUISING Caribbean, Northern Europe
FEATURES Like its sister ship Royal Princess, Regal features SeaWalk, a cantilevered glass walkway off the side of the ship.
BRITANNIA, P&O CRUISES WORLD CRUISING
LAUNCHED March 2015
MAXIMUM PASSENGER CAPACITY 3647
LENGTH 330 metres
TONNAGE 143,000
CRUISING Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Caribbean
FEATURES A quintet of British "food heroes" designed the menus for the ship's signature restaurants.
MSC PREZIOSA, MSC CRUISES
LAUNCHED 2013
MAXIMUM PASSENGER CAPACITY 4345
LENGTH 333 metres
TONNAGE 139,400
CRUISING Mediterranean and South America
FEATURES MSC Cruises' Yacht Club is "ship within a ship" and offers 69 suites, a private pool and sundeck, and its own restaurant.
*Tonnage is not how much a ship weighs but the volume inside it. On cruise ships the volume, or interior space, determines how many passengers the ship can accommodate. Some ships may be of a similar tonnage but may carry fewer people, based on the size of the ship.
SALLY MACMILLAN
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