Odyssey of the Seas

Odyssey of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean second Quantum Ultra Class ship when she debuts in November 2020, and she already promises to offer a number of firsts for guests to enjoy.

The days of subsequent cruise ships in a class being carbon copies of the ships that came before them are gone, and when Royal Caribbean builds a new ship, it starts with a blank canvas to bring new ideas, enhance existing venues, and spice up everything else along the way.

While we do not know quite everything yet about Odyssey of the Seas, here are five ways Odyssey will be different from any other Quantum (Ultra) class ship that came before her!

First Quantum Class ship with Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Class ship to offer guests Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. 

Not only is this the first Quantum Class ship not to offer Jamie's Italian, it also will be one of the first ships in the fleet to offer Royal Caribbean's refreshed look at Giovanni's Table.

Royal Caribbean promises pizza, cured meats and specialty cheeses, as well as an impressive selection of wines and limoncellos. 

Playmakers in the SeaPlex

The addition of Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade to Odyssey of the Seas is a first for the Quantum Class, but Royal Caribbean went above and beyond by moving it to the SeaPlex.

Located on the second floor of the SeaPlex, Playmakers will serve up the beers, wings, sliders and burgers it is known for, while giving guests a choice of watching the action below them in the SeaPlex, or catching a game on one of the many televisions throughout the bar.

On other ships, Playmakers has been located either on the Royal Promenade or Boardwalk. With views of the ocean on one side, and the SeaPlex fun on the other, I think this Playmakers location may be the best one yet.

Revamped Adventure Ocean

Odyssey of the Seas will usher in the cruise line's new take on supervised fun for kids with the new Adventure Ocean club.

Adventure Ocean has been completely revamped, and was first offered on Navigator, Oasis and Freedom of the Seas.  

Children and their families can choose their own immersive adventures and discover whimsical rooms with climbable creations at Play Place; hands-on art, science and tech fun at Workshop; friendly competition in physical, interactive games at Arena; and make new friends over gaming consoles or while just sitting back in Hangout.

Younger children (ages 3-5 years old) have their own space and will benefit from experiential activities at the multipurpose AO Junior area.

Just like other Quantum Class ships, babies and toddlers will have access to AO Babies.

Royal Caribbean has also redesigned its teen club concept with Social180. Located just outside the SeaPlex, the new teens-only area features gaming consoles, music and movies in their own lounge or out on the private patio.

Two-level pool deck

I think families are going to love the new approach to the pool deck with the two resort-style pools and four whirlpools.

Odyssey of the Seas will feature two open-air, resort style pools that are surrounded by casitas and hammocks. This new pool deck concept has been a hit on other recently Amplified cruise ships, and it promises much more pool deck space than on other Quantum Class vessels.

In addition, you can expect Splashaway Bay aqua park for kids to enjoy waterslides, fountains, water cannons and more. Adults can escape to the Solarium that has swimming pools and whirlpools, a full-service bar, daybeds and hidden nooks for prime napping.

The Lime and Coconut will make its Quantum Class debut next to the pool with two stories of drinks and island vibes. If you get hungry, the first El Loco Fresh on a Quantum Class ship is available.

More to come

There are still more surprises to come with Odyssey of the Seas, including entertainment.

Nick Weir is the Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, and he has hinted at some big shows and fun coming to Odyssey of the Seas. 

Mr. Weir has said Odyssey will feature the biggest drone project ever onboard, as well as brand new productions.  Needless to say, these new shows will be brand new to the fleet.

Coming soon in November

In November 2020, the ship’s inaugural year will kick off with 8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Odyssey will then sail to her homeport of Rome in May 2021 and become the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise Europe for the summer. 

More Odyssey of the Seas info

• Odyssey of the Seas activities, dining and things to do
• Odyssey of the Seas inaugural itineraries
• Odyssey of the Seas 2021 European sailings

Royal Caribbean's second Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship is under construction at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and we have a look at the Crown and Anchor logo that will eventually be on the side of the ship.

The shipyard released new photos of the work being done to prepare the giant Crown and Anchor logo that will eventually be placed near the top of the ship.

Photos by Meyer Werft

Odyssey of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in Autumn 2020. When Odyssey of the Seas makes her North American debut in November 2020, she will offer  8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. She will then sail from Rome in May 2021 for the summer. Odyssey will return to Fort Lauderdale in November 2021 for a second winter.

Shipyard Meyer Werf has released a set of new photos that show off the construction progress being made on Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas.

The ship is actually being constructed in two different places at once: the shipyard harbor, and the indoor building dock.

Odyssey of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in Autumn 2020.

Royal Caribbean released additional new 2021 European sailings for booking on two ships, Odyssey of the Seas & Adventure of the Seas.

Odyssey of the Seas will offer a transatlantic sailing in April 2021 from Fort Lauderdale to her summer homeport of Rome, Italy.  Odyssey will then offer a variety of Mediterranean cruises from Rome, to destinations in Italy, Greece and Israel. Royal Caribbean is highlighting the fact Odyssey will offer overnight stays in Athens, as well as late night stays in select ports on select itineraries.

View Odyssey of the Seas 2021 European sailings

Adventure of the Seas will offer an 18-night transatlantic sailing from Galveston to Copenhagen in April 2021.  Once she arrives in Europe, Adventure will sail in summer 2021 to Scandinavia & Russia.  Adventure will alternate homeports between Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden.

View Adventure of the Seas 2021 European sailings

These new sailings are open for booking to Crown & Anchor Society members on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, and the general public on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

Royal Caribbean announced today the features, activities, entertainment and more coming to Odyssey of the Seas in November 2020.

The first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America, will feature a two-level pool deck, as well as a collection of restaurant choices to enjoy.

Thrills & Activities

Odyssey of the Seas will feature a variety of new offerings for the family ro enjoy, including the next generation of Royal Caribbean’s signature SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea. The most interactive arcade to ever sail will dominate the upper level of SeaPlex with VR games for individual and group play, augmented reality walls and floors for high-tech competitions and family experiences.

The SeaPlex on Odyssey will have a full-sized sports court with bumper cars, and a flying trapeze. The space will also double as a glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena in Clash for the Crystal City. 

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is coming to the SeaPlex, which will offer club-level views of the competition in the SeaPlex as well as on onscreen. Playmakers will serve up buffalo wings, sliders and the signature Playmakers Burger, alongside ice-cold brews. Guests can also enjoy classic board games, step up to the most interactive arcade at sea, play trivia and pool. Also available is the Owner’s Box VIP area.

Also onboard Odyssey of the Seas will be the FlowRider surf simulator, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, 40-foot rock climbing wall, and SkyPad bungee trampoline experience.

Pool time

If you want to relax and unwind, the pool deck on Odyssey of the Seas will feature two open-air, resort-style pools and four whirlpools, surrounded by plenty of shady casitas and hammocks.

The Lime & Coconut will also be onboard, featuring two stories of drinks and pool views. El Loco Fresh will also be nearby, with authentic Mexican grab-and-go fare, from tacos and burritos, to quesadillas and an array of fresh salsas.

Kids will be able to enjoy Splashaway Bay, an aqua park that boasts colorful waterslides, fountains, water cannons and more.

Adults can retreat to the Solarium, an exclusive space on the top deck, for some much needed “me time,” including swimming pools and whirlpools, a full-service bar, daybeds and hidden nooks for ultimate relaxation.

Entertainment

Two70 will be on Odyssey of the Seas, boasting 270-degree panoramic windows with sweeping ocean views that can transform into a 135-foot-wide and 22-foot-tall screen to utilize the Vistarama technology.  The iconic venue at the aft of the ship becomes a multidimensional theater – where a troupe of six agile Roboscreens come to life in sync with music, special effects and multitalented live performers and aerialists.  

Guests looking for live music will head to the Music Hall to enjoy cover bands, dancing and lounge space.

The Bionic Bar will also be onboard, which features robots serving up drinks on-demand.

Dining

A number of specialty dining choices will be on Odyssey of the Seas including:

• Teppanyaki, the restaurant serving authentic oriental flavors cooked in one of Japan’s traditional styles.
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Royal Caribbean’s new take on its signature Italian trattoria.
• Izumi, serving sushi and sashimi.
• Chops Grille steakhouse
• Chef's Table
• Wonderland

Debuting in 2020

In November 2020, the ship’s inaugural year will kick off with 8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Odyssey will then sail to her homeport of Rome in May 2021 and become the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise Europe for the summer. 

Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO Michael Bayley seems very excited about its next new cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas, because he recently talked about some big things coming with this ship.

According to trade publication Travel Market Report, Bayley spoke to a number of travel agents about Odyssey of the Seas and the impact it will have on the industry.

"We’re not going to talk about it yet, but it will be a game changer with a lot of brand-new ideas, just as Oasis class was a real game changer. We’ve got a huge amount of innovation and new stuff coming online in the next couple of years that’s going to change the game.”

"We’re working on something super-special for Odyssey. We were in a meeting yesterday and I’m very excited about what we will be announcing, a twist we will be very pleased to announce."

Mr. Bayley also mentioned Odyssey of the Seas will be sailing out of Rome into the Eastern Mediterranean. Following the ship's inaugural season out of Port Everglades, Odyssey will sail back to Rome in the spring for seven- and nine-night sailings in summer 2021 and then return to Fort Lauderdale.

Odyssey of the Seas will also re-focus on its kids programming with new features for children. The ship will feature an area known as The Play Place and include:

• Climbable creations
• Art and science projects workshop
• Tech studio
• "The Arena" for competitive sports and games
• The Hangout with video games
• Revamped Adventure Ocean babies program, with lots of interactive and learning play and music
• Adventure Ocean Junior space (for 3-5 year olds)

Senior VP of Sales, Trade Support and Service Vicki Freed talked about a significant change to the teens area on Odyssey.  The teen club will feature a secret Speakeasy entrance. “It won’t have a sign; it will be a secret place,” Freed said. “To get in, you have to know where it is.” Teens also will have a private outdoor deck and a new arcade lounge with arcade games teenaged guests have suggested.

Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas, will sail from her homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2020.

Odyssey’s Caribbean cruises are now open for sale; and Europe itineraries will open in November 2019. Odyssey of the Seas begins with an inaugural cruise on November 5, 2020 out of Port Everglades. 

Odyssey of the Seas will then offer 8- and 6-night Caribbean cruises, which include visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to call on Aruba and Curacao as part of its 8-night itineraries. 

In summer 2021, Odyssey will offer sailings in Europe for summer 2021. 

Odyssey of the Seas will be the second Quantum Ultra Class ships, and offer a number of activities and entertainment.  Royal Caribbean will announce new, soon-to-be-announced experiences soon.  The ship will offer a number of Quantum Class activities, including:

• RipCord by iFLY sky-diving simulator
• North Star observational capsule
• Two70 entertainment venue
• SeaPlex
  • Trapeze school
  • Full-size basketball court
  • Roller-skating rink
  • Bumper cars

Odyssey of the Seas will be the cruise line's second Quantum Ultra Class ship and is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Shipbuilder Meyer Werft released photos of engines being delivered for Royal Caribbean's next cruise ship that is currently under construction.

The engine module was delivered to Papenburg, Germany last night for installation on Odyssey of the Seas. The engine module consists of four systems with a total power of 67,200 KW.

Set to debut in fall 2020, Odyssey of the Seas will sail from the United States. Additional details on Odyssey will be revealed later this year.

A keel laying ceremony was held today for Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas, at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

The ship's keel is the first block, and was officially lowered and put into place. This block weighs 970 tons and is one of a total of 79 blocks for the new cruise ship. The keel laying ceremony marks the official start of construction for Odyssey of the Seas. The ship will have a gross tonnage of about 169,000.

The first steel parts for Odyssey of the Seas were cut to size in the Meyer Werft Laser Center already back in February 2019. 

Representatives from Royal Caribbean International and Stephan Schmees, Executive Board Member Project Management at Meyer Werft, placed the lucky coin under the block of the new ship before it was lowered into position. 

“With the keel laying for Odyssey of the Seas at Neptun Werft it becomes clear again, how well our teams at the different locations are working together. It is our great pleasure to build these innovative ships for Royal Caribbean International and to continue our long-standing business relationship”, said Stephan Schmees.

Odyssey of the Seas is scheduled to be delivered by Meyer Werft in Papenburg in autumn 2020. 

Odyssey of the Seas’ deployment and itineraries will be revealed later this year.

Royal Caribbean has posted an update for its remaining 2020-2021 deployments, with some additions to the schedule, as well as date changes.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Pippa Madden alerted us to an updated schedule, which expanded on the previously posted schedule.

• Week of March 11, 2019 Caribbean (Phase II)
• Week of March 25, 2019 Dubai
• Week of April 1, 2019 Australia & Transpacific
• Week of April 8, 2019 Hong Kong
• Week of April 29, 2019 China
• Week of May 20, 2019 Singapore
• Coming Soon Cuba
• Coming Soon Odyssey of the Seas

The updated schedule added releases for Hong Kong, as well as referencing a deployment schedule for the recently announced second Quantum Class ship, Odyssey of the Seas.

All itineraries and openings are subject to change without notice.