The new Royal Caribbean International (Rccl) ship – Odyssey of the Seas – will debut in the Mediterranean with Civitavecchia as homeport in the summer of 2021.
It will be the first Quantum Ultra class to stop in Civitavecchia (and therefore Rome), offering some pluses, such as longer stays in each destination, overnight stays in Mediterranean cities and famous seaside destinations.
Reservations are already open; the ship’s debut will take place in November 2020, where it will sail from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean, to continue its inaugural year in Europe.
Starting from May 2021, Odyssey of the Seas – with itineraries of 7, 9 and 12 nights – will bring its guests to the discovery of enchanting coasts and ancient ruins sailing between Santorini, Mykonos, Athens and Rhodes, Ephesus (Turkey), Naples, Heraklion (Crete) and Haifa and Jerusalem.
Cruise passengers will have the opportunity to spend more time ashore thanks to longer stops – which can go up to 15 hours in each port – and enjoy the beaches of Mykonos, or the taverns on the Santorini promenade.
Also scheduled destinations with overnight and two full days in Athens and Naples, both in the 9 nights package in the Greek Islands and in the 12 nights package in the Holy Land.
Onboard The Odyssey of the Seas
The ship of the Quantum Ultra class will have technological innovations such as SeaPlex: the largest internal space for sea recreational activities, which has the first Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade inside, the venue that has many TV screens to follow the team of the heart or major sporting events; or the completely revised Adventure Ocean children’s program and a children’s room with video games, music and movies.
As regards the restaurants, guests on board will have a wide choice: Teppanyaki, with the flavours of Japan; or the Italian Giovanni’s Kitchen & Wine.
On the two-tiered terrace of Odyssey of the Seas there will be two outdoor resort-style pools and four hot tubs with casitas and hammocks.
The favourite classics of RCL cruise passengers will also be back, such as the North Star, a transparent capsule with a 360 ° panoramic view, attached to a mechanical arm that allows passengers to be brought to 90 meters above sea level; RipCord from iFly, the skydiving and surfing simulator, FlowRider, and also the Bionic Bar with the robot bartender.
Odyssey of the Seas destinations
Guests of the Odyssey can immerse themselves in the heart of unique destinations. Here are the proposals: Sorrento and the Amalfi coast during the Neapolitan stop, with excursions in the famous area with its rich craftsmanship, culinary heritage and unique scenery; Athens, where in addition to the classic visits, it is possible to discover the culinary culture shopping at the market with a local chef; Mykonos for a relaxing day on the Cyclades beach; Crete, which for gastronauts is the possibility of visiting Boutari in the Fantaxometocho estate, one of the most modern wineries on the island; Jerusalem and Bethlehem with a visit to historical monuments such as the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Nativity and the Mount of Olives; Nazareth, reachable from Haifa.
Meanwhile, next November Odyssey will be the first ship of its class to cross the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean and to visit distant destinations such as Curacao, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Mexico, with itineraries for 6 and 8 nights departing from Fort Lauderdale, where the ship will return after the Mediterranean summer to start a second season the following winter.