Royal Caribbean postpones (once again) the debut of the Odyssey of the Seas
Royal Caribbean reconsiders. One more time. The Odyssey of the Seas, the company's much-anticipated new ship, will debut on 31 [...]
Royal Caribbean he reconsiders. One more time. L'Odyssey of the Seas, the company's highly anticipated new ship, will debut July 31, 2021.
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It was originally supposed to depart from the port of Civitavecchia. Then, had been moved to Haifa for weekly cruises in the eastern Mediterranean. Last June 15, the news: the ship, which will accommodate up to 4,198 passengers, will sail with four-week delay Than expected.
Royal Caribbean's announcement
The reason for the delay? Royal Caribbean announced it: Eight members of the Odyssey of the Seas crew tested positive for Covid-19 last June 10, six days after the ship arrived in the United States. Thus, the departure set for July 3 was postponed. After all, the entire staff (about 1,400 people) received the vaccine only upon arrival on U.S. soil.
"All employees who tested positive are in good health and are being monitored by our on-board medical team. No new cases have been detected since June 10 to date," Royal Caribbean said in a note released to the press. However, the entire crew of the Odyssey of the Seas will remain in quarantine on the ship for 14 days following a strategy that the company itself called "an abundance of caution."
What will happen to those who had already booked their trip? These days, Royal Caribbean is contacting guests and travel agents to propose different options for those who were about to leave. "This was an unexpected but necessary decision, and we will strive to do the right thing for everyone's well-being," the company announced.
What's new at Royal Caribbean
The Odyssey of the Seas is, at present, one of the largest cruise ships in the world. Although it is not as large as the Symphony of the Seas (the world's largest cruise ship), is designed to offer all the opportunities and entertainment of a giant resort. It boasts numerous swimming pools, a water park for children, a skydiving and surfing simulator, and a bumper car track. Plus the many, many types of cabins. Ranging from tiny 15-square-meter windowless interior cabins to huge two-story Royal Loft Suites that are almost 10 times larger.
Odyssey of the Seas was originally given a 2020 departure from Italy. Then its first voyage was postponed because of the pandemic and re-scheduled to Israel. Finally, after the resumption of shelling with the Gaza Strip, she had been brought to America for security reasons, where-again-she had to revise her plans.
But Royal Caribbean's expansion does not stop with the Odyssey of the Seas. On June 17, at Meyer shipyards in Turku, construction began on the Icon of the Seas. Coming in 2023, the Icon series ship will be the first among the company's ships to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). A decision that confirms the company's commitment to preserving the health of the oceans. "We made a commitment to make clean energy at sea, which became a reality when Icon Class was first announced in 2016. We are excited to see the construction of what will truly be a ship unlike any other," said Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley.
