Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship will officially join the fleet this week.
Odyssey of the Seas is scheduled to be delivered to the cruise line on March 31, 2021.
Up until Wednesday, Meyer Werft shipyard still technically owns the ship.
Delivery of a cruise ship is similar to buying a new car: until you sign off on everything, the dealership owns the vehicle until all the paperwork has been signed.
Quantum of the Seas delivery
Traditionally, cruise ship delivery is a major event with representatives from the shipyard and cruise line on hand to sign the deal and shake hands. With the global health crisis still looming, things are very likely going to be different.
To celebrate, Royal Caribbean is holding a special Facebook Live event at 5:00 p.m. EDT hosted by Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, Nick Weir.
You can tune into the event by visiting Royal Caribbean's Facebook page.
The event will include Odyssey of the Seas' ship's blessing, and a performance from onboard the show in Two70.
Participating in the event will be Royal Caribbean International President & CEO Michaely Bayley, along with Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain.
Read more: Why are new cruise ships still being built?
Odyssey of the Seas just finished her sea trials in the North Sea, which went off without any incidents.
′′All systems work great and we have reached another important milestone for the ship with the successful test drive," said project manager Thorsten Kroes von Bord.
Odyssey's delivery has been a long time coming, as she was delayed from her original completion date in 2020.
Read more: Royal Caribbean updates new cruise ship delivery schedule
What makes Odyssey different?
Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship to sail from Europe and North America, giving a new audience the opportunity to experience this class.
Like all new cruise ships, Royal Caribbean always makes an effort to include other changes and new features that make a ship stand out from the rest of the fleet.
Here are a list of the major features on Odyssey of the Seas that we know about:
- SkyPad bungee trampoline experience
- SeaPlex - the largest indoor space for recreational activities at sea
- Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade with club-level views of the SeaPlex
- Reimagined Adventure Ocean kids program and a maxed-out teen lounge with gaming consoles, music and movies
- Teppanyaki restaurant
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
- Two-level pool deck will feature two open-air, resort-style pools and four whirlpools with shady casitas and hammocks
- FlowRider surf simulator
- Skydiving with Ripcord by iFly
- North Star glass capsule
- Robot bartenders at Bionic Bar
Odyssey of the Seas will also be the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to sail roundtrip from Haifa, Israel.
Her summer 2021 cruise season will be available exclusively to Israeli residents who are fully vaccinated.
