odyssey boat cruises photos

Inside Look: Odyssey of the Seas Revealed

It’s about the adventure on royal caribbean’s newest ship. here’s what’s in store come..

Odyssey of the Seas is packed with showstopping entertainment and immersive activities.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is setting the stage for the boldest adventure to sail both sides of the Atlantic with the new Odyssey of the Seas . The first Quantum Ultra Class ship to sail in North America will be the latest iteration of the groundbreaking, high-tech Quantum Class —which unveiled cruise industry firsts like the Bionic Bar and the North Star , a glass observation capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for 360-degree views. No one in the family will want to miss the thrills in store, combining the best of Quantum Class with bigger and bolder experiences, only found on Odyssey .

Odyssey will up the ante on vacations with a whole new look to match an action-packed top deck—including the largest indoor activity center at sea —game-changing entertainment and dining inspired by flavors from around the world. Now, imagine all that set against the backdrop of the Caribbean when the ship debuts in North America.

Read on for some of the coolest features and experiences on board Odyssey , so you can get ready to book the vacation your family and friends will talk about for years to come.

From bumper cars to the FlowRider surf simulator, you have plenty of adventures to choose from on Odyssey.

We guarantee you’ve never experienced this much action in one place: Catch a wave on the guest-favorite FlowRider surf simulator; take flight with Ripcord by iFly , a skydiving experience that gives the rush of free falling; or scale the 40-foot-tall rock wall for an epic view of the ocean. You’ll also have a bird’s-eye view of the idyllic destinations you’ll visit, from George Town, Grand Cayman to our private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay , thanks to the North Star—which happens to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for “Highest Viewing Deck on a Cruise Ship!”

At SeaPlex, you’ll find a full-sized sports court, trapeze school, VR games upstairs and the only bumper cars at sea.

Next-Level SeaPlex

One of Odyssey ’s most exciting features is the largest indoor activity space at sea—and this one’s on a whole other level: SeaPlex is where the whole crew can have a blast. Adrenaline junkies can feed their need for speed while dodging and dashing their way across a full-sized sports court in the only bumper cars at sea, soar from the trapeze and play interactive VR games. The space will also double as a glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena, pitting Yetis and Snowshifters against each other as they battle for survival and control of the mythical ice city in Clash for the Crystal City .

Want to catch some on-screen action and root for the home team? Head upstairs to SeaPlex’s second floor for a front-row seat at the ultimate Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade . The elevated views give you the chance to catch the competition below while tuning in to the big games on TV or playing arcade game classics, trivia, tournaments and pool. For a snack between adventures, refuel with buffalo wings, sliders and the signature Playmakers Burger, along with ice-cold brews.

Soak up the sun from a relaxing in-pool lounger on Odyssey.

Upgraded Downtime

Soak up the sun—and the island vibes—on the pool deck. With two resort-style pools and four whirlpools, plenty of fun for kids and where adults can unwind, there’s something for all ages. The youngest of travelers can get soaked at Splashaway Bay , an aqua park that boasts waterslides, fountains, water cannons and more, while adults can head to the Solarium , a relaxing retreat with swimming pools, whirlpools, a full-service bar, daybeds and hidden nooks. There are a variety of ways to enjoy this hot spot: Grab a casita, hammock or in-pool lounger and enjoy a beach read (and a cocktail!) by day, or enjoy entertainment under the stars by night.

Pro tip: Be sure to try a cocktail from The Lime & Coconut , snack on Mexican street fare from El Loco Fresh and catch the live music, too .

By day, Two70 offers expansive ocean views thanks to a 270-degree, floor-to-ceiling wall of windows. At night, the venue transforms into a multimedia theater that showcases entertainment with high-tech video projection, Roboscreens and aerialist performers.

Teched-Out Entertainment

As the sun sets, the curtain rises on new, unrivaled entertainment. Leading the way is Two70 , where guests are treated to mesmerizing shows that not only feature some of the most talented singers, dancers and aerialists but also immersive technology and unparalleled special effects. Two—or technically seven—of the most striking features in this space are the signature Vistarama, which transforms the 270-degree panoramic windows into a seamless projection surface for spectacular digital imagery, and six agile Roboscreens that create scenes as they gracefully soar, twist and dance.

Pro tip: Two70 also houses a gourmet café that’s open during the day. Be sure to grab a bite and take in the gorgeous, sunlit views of the ocean!

That’s not the only entertainment in store: Snag front-row seats at the Royal Theater , where you can take in full-scale original productions and renowned Broadway shows. The dance floor is also calling at Music Hall , a guest-favorite and signature Royal Caribbean venue with a roster of incredible cover bands and an always-revolving setlist of hit after hit. Sip a cocktail at one of two bars, jam out songs you know and love, enjoy the tunes from the lounge seating or head to the pool tables.

Guests can enjoy the “Sunday supper” experience at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, serving classic Italian dishes with a contemporary flair.

Credit: ROYAL CARIBBEAN

International Flavors

When it’s time to eat, get ready to be wowed. Odyssey will introduce Teppanyaki —the first time this venue will make its debut in North America—serving authentic Far East cuisine in the traditional Japanese hibachi style. The menu comes together as expert chefs cook fresh seafood and top-grade steaks at the table.

Italian enthusiasts will love  Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar , which will serve up classics with a contemporary flair—from hand-tossed pizzas to a mouthwatering station of cured meats and specialty cheeses—as well as an impressive selection of wines and limoncellos.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to check out some of our most popular restaurants and dishes, including Izumi’s sushi and sashimi, hand-cut steaks at Chops Grille , an epicurean experience at Chef’s Table and Wonderland’s chocolate dessert ball (it melts before your eyes with caramel sauce!).

The next iteration of our award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program provides children of all ages with immersive, hands-on experiences. Hangout, pictured above, gives kids ages 6 to 10 the space to let loose and lounge with gaming consoles, foosball and more.

Fun for All Ages

Even the tiniest of travelers will be encouraged to play outside the lines at the new Adventure Ocean , our award-winning kids program. 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. The area will also feature a dedicated AO Babies for babies and tots, plus, experiential activities at the multipurpose AO Junior area specially designed for 3- to 5-year-olds.

Social180, an exclusive venue for teens, lets them relax and make friends over movies, music and games, plus a dedicated patio that’s the largest in our fleet.

Teens ages 13 to 17 years old will have hip, cool spaces of their own, too, with the introduction of Social180—located just outside SeaPlex, right in the heart of it all. They’ll be free to take on the competition at SeaPlex or chill with the latest gaming consoles, music and movies in their own lounge or out on the private patio.

Odyssey will be the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to visit Willemstad, Curacao and Oranjestad, Aruba when the ship begins sailing from South Florida.

Seasonal Adventure

In the Caribbean, guests will have as much to do on shore as they will on board Odyssey : Top shore excursions will include snorkeling through the tropical reefs of  Cozumel, Mexico  and digging in to the local cuisine of  Oranjestad, Aruba . (Fun fact: Along with Willemstad, Curacao, Oranjestad is a brand-new destination for Quantum Ultra Class ships). In 2022, when Odyssey heads to Rome, Italy, don’t miss your chance to marvel at the beauty and history of the idyllic isles of the Mediterannean, including Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos, Greece and Limassol, Cyprus.

Your greatest adventure awaits on Odyssey of the Seas . Book your once-in-a-lifetime experience on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship here .

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Odyssey of the Seas Super Guide: Photo Tour, Review, Tips, and Things to Know

As cruise lines return to sailing, they do so while also welcoming exciting new vessels to their fleets. Case in point: Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas.

Odyssey of the Seas is the final ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class. Technically, the ship is in the “Quantum-Ultra” class — incorporating the cruise line’s latest and greatest ideas of what a cruise ship can be.

Coming in at 168,000 gross tons and carrying 4,200 passengers at double occupancy, Odyssey isn’t the largest vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet. That goes to the ships like Wonder of the Seas within the Oasis class.

However, for those who may be overwhelmed by the size of the biggest Oasis-class ships, or who love the Royal Caribbean experience and a trip aboard Odyssey of the Seas fits their schedule or budget, then the ship may be a terrific option for their next cruise.

We were invited aboard Odyssey of the Seas for its naming ceremony and “inaugural” cruise. Here is our insight on the ship, including what you can expect, what to do, and things to know about sailing.

Disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited Cruzely aboard a sailing of Odyssey of the Seas at no cost as a press trip. The opinions below are our own.

First Impressions & Ship Highlights

Stepping aboard Odyssey of the Seas for the first time, there are some noticeable differences from other Royal Caribbean ships that we’ve sailed that make the ship stand out.

Design & Feel First and foremost was how the cruise ship feels more “boutique” and modern than others. How can a nearly 170,000 ton ship feel boutique?

For one, there are fewer wide open spaces on the ship. If you’ve sailed Royal Caribbean before, you are likely used to the large Royal Promenade that runs through the middle of the ships. It’s wide and airy, with shops and restaurants along the sides.

On Odyssey of the Seas, there is a Royal Esplanade, however, it’s a bit smaller with narrower walkways and a more winding path instead of just cutting straight through. The result is a more intimate feel, like a winding street instead of a multi-lane highway.

As well, the ship is also more contemporary in style, as you’d expect from a brand-new vessel. Colors from the interior of the ship to the staterooms are lighter and muted. We felt the colors mixed with the design throughout Odyssey are beautiful, giving the feel of luxury, but still approachable.

Artwork is present throughout the entire ship — a common theme in Royal Caribbean vessels. This includes some spectacular sculptures, including the hanging glass chandelier that descends from Deck 5 down through the main dining room (see above). The two-story sculpture of a cat playing with balls of yarn at the back of the ship near the SeaPlex is also a fun touch.

Activities on the Ship Of course, entertainment and activities are always a major focus of Royal Caribbean, and that’s no different aboard Odyssey of the Seas.

The aforementioned SeaPlex dominates the back of the ship. Inside is a fully enclosed area that houses a basketball court that doubles as the bumper car arena. Circling around the court is an assortment of arcade games and hangout spots for kids. On the upper deck overlooking the court are more games for families or kids to play, along with a Playmakers Sport Bar showing sports from all over the world.

With this setup, mom and dad can have a drink and a bite while also being able to watch the kids play bumper cars, or head to the nearby Zone Zero, which is a virtual reality attraction. Parents can do their thing while the kids play, yet still all be around each other.

Head to the very back of the ship and there’s even more to do. Here you’ll find the RipCord by iFly — an enclosed skydiving experience — the Flowrider, climbing wall, and the Sky Pad.

If you have older kids, there’s no doubt that this area of the ship is where they will want to spend most of their time.

Walk forward on the ship and you’ll find the always popular pool deck. There are two separate pool areas in the open air, along with a Splashaway Bay for younger kids. Odyssey also has a gorgeous Solarium, offering a quieter covered spot for adults to lounge in the sun without having to worry about wind or smaller kids.

You’ll also see a few other things you don’t have on most Royal Caribbean ships.

First are casitas on the pool deck. The small spots provide cover for shade, along with lounge chairs in a more private spot that’s still close to the action. There is also the North Star. This viewing pod rises up over the ship, putting you about 300 feet over the water. If you are scared of heights, it might not be for you, but will offer stunning views.

Entertainment During the Cruise Entertainment extends indoors as well. Of course, there are all the favorites like the casino, theater, nightclubs, Vitality spa, and the Music Hall with live bands. But the real “can’t-miss” is the Two70 theater.

During the day, this spot serves as a two-story lounge area with sweeping views around the back of the ship. There are tables, comfy seating, and even a bar area. During the evening shows, however, it transforms.

Eighteen projectors put up a video backdrop for performances. A multi-dimensional stage rises and falls to provide depth for shows. And six screens, each attached a six-axis robotic arms, rise, fall, tilt and circle to add even more to the show.

During our cruise we watched The Book and were blown away by the performance. Aerialists dropped out of the ceiling. Performers appeared and disappeared into the floor. And it was all accompanied by a multimedia background that we have never seen anything like before.

Food and Beverage What about food? The lineup includes the latest and greatest from the Royal Caribbean lineup of restaurants.

Starting with the free options, you have the main dining room and Windjammer buffet. There is also El Loco Fresh, serving Mexican food for lunch, The Cafe at Two70, serving small bites. Sorrento’s for a slice of pizza and Cafe Promenade also make an appearance. There is also a smaller second buffet at the Solarium Bistro.

As is par for Royal Caribbean, however, there is a strong emphasis on specialty dining. Here you’ll find the most options. Choices include Japanese food at Izumi, fine dining at Coastal Kitchen or Chef’s Table, eclectic meals at Wonderland, and dinner and a show at Teppanyaki. Grab a steak at Chops Grille, or homestyle Italian at Giovanni’s.

Thirsty? You’ll find a number of bars around the ship that have become mainstays in the Royal Caribbean fleet, including the Schooner Bar, The Lime and Coconut, and Boleros. Bionic Bar (where robots mix drinks) and Crown and Compass also are on the ship. And if you can’t live without your coffee, there is also Starbucks aboard Odyssey of the Seas.

Bottom line: Royal Caribbean is known for packing a lot onto its ships, and Odyssey is no exception. There’s a myriad of things to do, places to eat, and all wrapped up in modern style that’s fun and inviting, while also feeling a bit upscale.

It’s also a bit more contained compared to size of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships, making it ideal for those who are overwhelmed by massive vessels.

Odyssey of the Seas Photo Tour

Want to see what the ship looks like? We’ve selected a number of images from around Odyssey to give you a sense of what to expect.

What We Liked

So what really stood out to us onboard Odyssey of the Seas? There were several things that jumped out as must-sees aboard the ship.

Ship Decor & Interior Design From the colors to the styling to the artwork, we loved the decor and design around the ship. Everything was modern, yet approachable and comfortable. Some older ships in the fleet can feel a bit dated in design. That’s certainly not the case here. And we also like that in addition to feeling contemporary, it also felt more “adult” in style. While it’s definitely made for families, you won’t feel like you’re on a ship built to cater only to children.

SeaPlex Blending of Space for Families The SeaPlex at the back of the ship is definitely built for kids, but parents were also considered in the design and it shows. While kids will want to hang out in this area and the rest of the back deck where the climbing wall and Sky Pad are located, there are plenty of spaces for adults to enjoy. There’s Playmakers, but also seating overlooking the sport court. So the kids can go play while mom and dad enjoy a drink or a bite to eat, while still being together as a family.

Entertainment Options Odyssey of the Seas has some fantastic shows that we enjoyed. The Book in Two70 takes full advantage of the technology in the theater to put on a show that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen. It’s a can’t miss.

We also watched The Effectors in the main theater. While the main show itself wasn’t our favorite, there are some amazing effects that we think you have to see. This includes a moment when dozens of drones fly over the audience in a synchronized display.

What Could Be Improved

We’re big fans of Odyssey, but there were some things that we think could have been a little better.

More Open Spaces On a ship, space is limited, but cruise lines do a good job of still giving a feeling of openness. On Odyssey of the Seas, we thought there could be more open space. For instance, the Royal Esplanade is a bit smaller than we’re used to seeing and felt tighter. The pool deck also felt more cramped. Between packing so much on the top of the ship, including casitas, deck chairs, loungers, and more, it just didn’t feel as open.

More Included Dining Options We will always argue for more included options when it comes to dining. On this ship it seemed like for dinner you either had the buffet or dining room. There are other included spots to eat, but they tend to be snacks instead of meals (e.g. Cafe Promenade). For lunch, El Loco Fresh was included, but it closed by dinner time.

Our opinion is that having another included dining option — especially for dinner — would be a nice touch.

Odyssey of the Seas Tips & Things to Know

During our time on the ship, we noticed a few things that could make your trip aboard Odyssey even better. Here’s what to know…

Elevators Buttons Are Touchless One thing that got a lot of people confused — including us — is that the elevator buttons (both in the elevator and to call one) are all touchless. So instead of pushing it with your finger, you simply put your finger close to it and hold it there to select it.

Truth be told, it’s a good idea but doesn’t always work perfectly. You have to put your finger near it and then pause for a second or two for it to register on the button.

Reserve, Reserve, Reserve There is plenty to do on Odyssey, but unfortunately, you need to plan ahead for lots of things. Whether due to popularity or for crowd planning purposes, Royal Caribbean requires reservations on things like specialty restaurants and the theaters (including Two70) on the ship. In addition, we noticed that activities like RipCord and the North Star were also regularly full.

(In full disclosure, we were able to snag a seat at Two70 without a reservation, but the daily planner does say they are required.)

The good news? Reservations are easy. You can do it within seconds in the Royal Caribbean app. It’s just something you need to remember to do.

Want a Thrill? Check Out the Glass Walk Over Water If you’re scared of heights, then maybe avoid it, but for a quick thrill, head over to the Sky Pad. There’s a walkway around the huge ball that juts out over the water. Here the path turns from the deck of the ship to glass panels that allow you to look down and see the ocean 16 decks below. It will definitely get the blood flowing.

Snag an Upper Deck Seat for Two70 Shows We’ve mentioned that the shows in Two70 are a can’t miss. One tip is to head upstairs to the balcony seating to watch. There’s not a bad seat in the house, but in some of the lower seating your view of the stage (which is down below the audience) can be a bit obscured by other people. Instead, the upper seating gets a full view of all parts of the stage without worrying about those in front.

Both North Star and RipCord Have Charges (But North Star Is Free in Port) Two of the big attractions on the ship are the North Star observation pod and the RipCord skydiving simulator. But there are charges, so be aware. During our cruise, we were told the charge for RipCord by iFly was $49.

For North Star, the pricing works a little differently. Staff told us that if the ship is underway, then there is a $29 charge for a ride. That’s because the pod will go out over the side of the ship on a longer ride. But if the ship is in port, then taking a ride is free. The only difference? In port, the staff told us, the pod only goes straight up.

No, That’s Not a Real Woman in the Solarium During our cruise, one moment that made everyone blush was when they walked into the Solarium. There you’ll see an ultra-realistic sculpture of a woman in a bathing suit sitting on a float. Until you get right up to it, it’s hard to tell if it’s an actual person or a fake. The realism is amazing, down to the wrinkles in her feet.

But what might make you blush is the angle she is positioned. Her backside is pointed right toward the entrance of the Solarium. So as you make your way in, you’re getting a full view from a very compromising angle.

Casitas Require Reservations One of the popular additions to Royal Caribbean ships are casitas on the pool deck. They offer a little more space — and shade — compared to the typical lounger. If you want one, then you’ll need to head to The Lime & Coconut bar for a reservation. We’d suggest getting there early if you’d like one. There are only a limited number available.

Finally! Plenty of Plug Space Anyone who has cruised knows that on older ships, plug space is at a premium. That’s why we always suggest bringing along an outlet adapter. On Odyssey of the Seas, it’s not a bad idea to bring one, but if you don’t, you’ll be ok. Our cabin had two outlets, plus two USB charging ports. There was a third outlet next to the bed. That should be plenty to get anyone through a weeklong cruise.

Final Thoughts on Odyssey of the Seas

In our opinion, Royal Caribbean has hit another home run with Odyssey of the Seas. The ship is modern, beautiful, and has packed a ton onboard. Whether you are a family sailing with kids or a couple traveling on your honeymoon (or anything in between), we think it would be hard not to enjoy the ship. It offers broad appeal that offers a feel of luxury without feeling stuffy.

We will say that we prefer the Oasis class over this Quantum-Ultra class, simply due to the more space on the ship. Our one real complaint is that the interior promenade and the pool deck could feel more cramped than usual.

That said, we found it to be just a quibble. If you have an upcoming trip aboard Odyssey of the Seas, then you should be excited. If you are trying to determine if you should sail on Odyssey for an upcoming cruise, then we would say it’s a definite yes.

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Great article, thank you! We JUST got off of our Harmony of the Seas cruise and it’s REALLY hard to consider ever going on a non Oasis class ship (we LOVED the split level). Buuuut I’m about to book the Odyssey this November 2023 b/c I feel like it has more activities that my 7 and 4 y/o sons can enjoy (too many heigh restrictions on the HOTS).

How was the kids club? I hate sending them away b/c these are family trips but they love going.

Personally haven’t experience the kids clubs, but have sailed several times on Oasis class and Quantum class. And yes, when I do sail with the kid, he wants to always go to the kids area, too!

I agree with you that Odyssey may actually be better for that age. The enclosed sport court with arcade games and bumper cars is a big draw.

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Royal Caribbean International Odyssey of the Seas Deck Plans & Reviews

Royal Caribbean International Odyssey of the Seas

Activities & entertainment

• Casino Royale *
• Royal Esplanade
• Guest Services
• Shore Excursions *
• Retail Shops *
• Focus Photo Gallery *
• Art Gallery *
• Next Cruise *
• The Boardroom
• Adventure Ocean - Kids Club
• Whirlpools (6)
• Splashaway Bay
• Vitality At Sea Spa *
• Running Track
• Social 180 - Teens Club
• Social 180 Patio - Teens Terrace
• Fitness Center
• Sports Court
• Bumper Cars
• Roller Skating
• Rock Climbing Wall
• RipCord by iFly
• Suite Lounge - Suite Guests
• Diamond Club - Diamond Guests
• Dance Classes
• The Royal Theatre
• Production Shows
• Film Screenings
• In-Room Entertainment
• Dining Room - Main
• Crown and Compass - Pub *
• Sorrento's - Pizza
• Cafe Promenade - Coffee & Snacks
• Starbucks - Coffee Bar *
• Boleros - Latin Bar *
• Chops Grille - Steakhouse *
• Chef Table - Gourmet *
• Schooner Bar - Nautical Bar *
• Izumi - Japanese *
• Bionic Bar - Robotic Bar *
• Wonderland - Tasting Menu *
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen - Italian *
• Giovanni's Wine Bar - Wine Bar *
• Cafe Two70 - Light Fare
• Solarium Bistro - Light Fare
• Solarium Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Lime & Coconut - Pool Bar *
• El Loco Fresh - Mexican
• Teppanyaki - Japanese *
• Coastal Kitchen - Suite Guests
• Windjammer - Buffet
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade - Sports Bar *
• Room Service *
• Excellent 18
• Very Good 7
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4 things you'll love about Royal Caribbean's new Odyssey of the Seas

Call it the Royal Caribbean ship that got lost in the shuffle.

The Miami-based line's new Odyssey of the Seas , which was christened Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, originally was scheduled to debut way back in 2020. But then COVID-19 happened, and its arrival was delayed multiple times .

So many times, in fact, that even cruise industry watchers like me sort of forgot about it.

It didn't help that the 16-deck-high ship finally began sailing out of Fort Lauderdale at the end of July -- with no media unveiling -- during the very same week that Carnival Cruise Line's giant new Mardi Gras was starting up service. Topped with the first roller coaster at sea , Mardi Gras was the story of the summer in the cruise world, and it sucked up a lot of the attention.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Still, as I saw firsthand over the weekend during the ship's long-delayed unveiling event for media and travel agents, Odyssey of the Seas isn't a ship to be ignored.

Indeed, in my book, it's one of the most alluring Royal Caribbean ships to date.

A familiar design

Like all of the Royal Caribbean ships that have debuted over the past decade, Odyssey of the Seas is a massive vessel loaded with all sorts of fun zones that make it particularly appealing to families with kids. You'll find everything from multiple pool areas and a kiddie splash zone on board to a skydiving simulator, a virtual reality bungee trampoline, a rock-climbing wall and a surfing pool.

And that's just on its open-air top decks.

Step inside Odyssey of the Seas, and you'll encounter a bumper car pavilion that doubles as a sports court and can transform into a trapeze school and a laser tag arena, plus all sorts of other amusements for both children and adults.

If, like me, you've been on a lot of Royal Caribbean ships over the years, you'll recognize many of the aforementioned features as hallmarks of the line's Quantum Class series of vessels. Odyssey of the Seas is the fifth and final ship in the series, which began rolling out in 2014 with the debut of the then-groundbreaking Quantum of the Seas.

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

But as I saw during my visit to the ship, Odyssey of the Seas isn't a carbon copy of the earlier Quantum Class vessels. Across the ship's public decks, there are tweaks both big and small to the basic Quantum Class design -- a design that many cruise writers (including me) already have heralded in recent years as one of the best from a major big-ship line.

Built to hold up to 5,510 passengers with every berth filled, Odyssey of the Seas isn't for everybody. If you prefer intimate, uncrowded cruise vessels, it's probably not for you. But if you're a fan of the latest crop of floating megaresorts with every sort of amusement known to humans, Odyssey of the Seas surely deserves a place on your list of new vessels to try.

Below, a look at some of the features that set this vessel apart:

A revamped top deck

Royal Caribbean ships are known for some of the liveliest, most activity-packed top decks at sea, and Odyssey of the Seas is no exception. In fact, it offers one of the most enticing mixes of deck-top attractions around.

Like earlier Quantum Class vessels, the ship boasts open-air areas that are home to a FlowRider surfing pool, a skydiving simulator (dubbed RipCord by iFLY), a rock-climbing wall and a giant mechanical arm called North Star that takes passengers up into the sky for aerial views. But the ship's designers also found a way to squeeze in a virtual reality bungee trampoline attraction called Sky Pad -- something you won't find on any other Quantum Class ship based in North America.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean

In addition, Odyssey of the Seas offers a new-for-the-Quantum Class, Caribbean-themed central pool area with colorful lounge chairs, umbrellas and (extra-charge) cabanas surrounding two main pools and a kiddie area called Spealashaway Bay. This main pool area also is home to a laidback, two-deck-high Caribbean-themed bar zone called The Lime and Coconut (a concept that first debuted in 2019 on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas).

On previous Quantum Class ships, one of the two pools in this central pool area was covered by a glass magrodome. But both of the pools on Odyssey of the Seas are open to the sun.

My take is that this is a smart change for a vessel that's scheduled to spend the coming year sailing in the Caribbean during the winter and the warm waters of the Mediterranean during the summer.

Of course, it could morph into a drawback if Odyssey of the Seas ever is redeployed to a cooler destination such as Alaska, where an enclosed pool area can come in handy.

As is the case with previous Quantum Class ships, the top deck of Odyssey of the Seas also is home to an adults-only Solarium.

More family-focused fun

In addition to all of the family-friendly top-deck attractions mentioned above, Odyssey of the Seas also is home to the largest SeaPlex ever on a Royal Caribbean ship. These giant, multiuse activity complexes, only found on Quantum Class ships, offer everything from bumper cars to basketball and even trapeze lessons.

But on Odyssey of the Seas, the SeaPlex also brings what Royal Caribbean is billing as the first fully immersive 4D virtual reality experience at sea.

Called the Virtual Adventure Zone, the venue wasn't running when I was on board the ship, so I didn't get to try it out firsthand. But the experience involves donning a virtual reality headset and virtual reality gloves and entering a pitch-black room with up to three fellow players. Once inside, you work together on an inside-a-faux-world group mission (welcome to the Metaverse!).

Honestly, I'm sort of happy the venue was closed after reading the lengthy warning sign outside the attraction that was topped with a "Severity of Experience HIGH" declaration and a warning that "disorientation is possible." If this is what fully immersive 4D virtual reality is all about, I want no part of it.

Related: The 12 cruise ships with the most over-the-top attractions

What I did try, though, was a mini-burger and wings at the nearby Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade -- another family-friendly venue that's been added into the SeaPlex area on Odyssey of the Seas. I can declare that the severity of experience there was low, even if the level of yumminess was high. I just shouldn't have have eaten all those cheese-covered fries.

New dining options

Odyssey of the Seas harbors many of the iconic Royal Caribbean eateries that you'll find on other Quantum Class ships, including a Chops Grille steakhouse, an Izumi sushi restaurant and the fanciful food-serving Wonderland. But you'll also find several new venues that haven't appeared on most if not all of the other ships in the series.

Among the most notable is Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, which takes the place of the Italian-serving Jamie Oliver restaurant found on all four of the other Quantum Class ships. Giovanni's serves up an array of pasta dishes and a (very limited) number of meat and chicken dishes. But we suspect the casual and family-style restaurant will make its name on Odyssey of the Seas for its pizza offerings, which are at the core of its menu.

Royal Caribbean brought in a well-known Italian pizzaiolo (that's a fancy Italian word for pizza expert) to help craft what they're boasting is the best pizza at sea.

As someone who spent part of his childhood living in Italy, where I was exposed to some of the best pizza anywhere, I feel confident in saying that they are, indeed, delivering something truly top-notch. The only issue I have with Giovanni's is the sky-high cost of the restaurant, which has been set at $49.99 per adult, not including drinks (kids pay just $10).

Maybe they can get it. There aren't all that many tables at Giovanni's to fill. But $49.99 per adult seems steep to me, given that my wife and I can gorge on an equally wonderful pizza at our local Blue Mountain Pizza outlet in Weaverville, North Carolina, for under $25 for the two of us, not including drinks.

Odyssey of the Seas also is the first Quantum Class vessel in North America with a Teppanyaki restaurant. I'll admit that I find Teppanyaki restaurants about as hokey as can be (and generally steer clear of them). But kids love them, and the venue's arrival is just another sign that Royal Caribbean is leaning in ever more to the family market with its onboard offerings.

And new entertainment, too

One thing that's all new on Odyssey of the Seas (at least for a North American crowd) is its marquee entertainment. None of the main shows you'll find in its giant Royal Theater (it can hold nearly 1,300 people) or its innovative two70 entertainment space are repeats from earlier Royal Caribbean ships based in North America (though some have played on an Asia-based Royal Caribbean ship). And they're all elaborate productions that are keeping with Royal Caribbean's reputation for some of the best shows at sea.

The standout production on the ship, by far, is The Effectors show in the Royal Theater. It's a big, Royal Caribbean-created musical tale of superheroes taking on an evil nemesis that dazzles with a combination of video animation, live actors and next-level special effects (we're talking characters shooting beams of light from their hands and other lighting effects that are created with synchronized, lit-up drones that fly above the audience).

Regular readers know I'm no big fan of cruise ship shows. I often have trouble sticking around to the end of them. But the special effects I saw during The Effectors show (along with the eye-catching costumes and catchy pop tunes -- I admit I'm a sucker for Kelly Clarkson) had me glued to my seat to the last standing ovation.

Also dazzling, as I expected, was The Book, the new part-video, part-live action and very high-tech show in seven "chapters" that Royal Caribbean has created for Odyssey of the Seas.

For those who haven't been on a Quantum Class ship before, the two70 venues found on the five vessels in the series are truly groundbreaking spaces. Two decks high with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning, 270-degree views (hence the name two70), they transform at night into high-tech, amphitheater-like showrooms with giant wraparound screens, moving robotic screens and trap doors above and below that allow for aerialists, singers and dancers to appear right in front of theatergoers.

Bottom line

A lot of the buzz around Royal Caribbean right now is related to its next new ship, Wonder of the Seas . Scheduled to debut in just over three months, it'll be the new world's largest cruise ship and chock full of over-the-top attractions that will make it a top pick for megaship lovers.

But that doesn't mean cruise fans shouldn't get excited about the line's long-delayed but finally sailing Odyssey of the Seas. While not quite as big as Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas is a megaship that is right up there with the best of them.

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Odyssey of the Seas Photo Gallery Pictures

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This page shows actual pictures for Odyssey of the Seas Photo Gallery. Most of our pictures are contributed by actual cruisers. You will find that all the Odyssey of the Seas Photo Gallery pictures on this page also posted directly onto our deck plans near the actual location the photo was taken. You can browse the pictures here or you can click on them as you are viewing the Odyssey of the Seas deck plans. For deck plan viewing click on the ship button above or scroll down to view the pictures on this page.

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Public area.

Photo Gallery Focus Photo Gallery displaying photos taken by ships photographers. Also camera shop and supplies.

• Number of pictures: 5

Photo Gallery pictures

Photo Gallery Location

Odyssey of the Seas Photo Gallery is located on Deck 5 (deck). We have provided the deck plan image for your reference.

• Links to Public Areas on Odyssey of the Seas
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• Adventure Ocean  -Deck 11 (18 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Adventure Ocean  -Deck 12 (18 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Bionic Bar  -Deck 5 (17 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Boleros  -Deck 4 (16 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Cafe Promenade  -Deck 4 (9 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Cafe Two70  -Deck 5 (26 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Casino Royale  -Deck 3 (11 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Chefs Table  -Deck 5 (0 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Chops Grille  -Deck 5 (9 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Coastal Kitchen  -Deck 14 (12 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Crown & Compass Pub  -Deck 4 (14 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Diamond Club  -Deck 4 (10 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Dining Deck 3  -Deck 3 (9 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Dining Room  -Deck 4 (17 pictures in photo gallery.)
• El Loco Fresh  -Deck 14 (17 pictures in photo gallery.)
• FlowRider  -Deck 16 (9 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Giovannis Italian  -Deck 5 (22 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Giovannis Wine Bar  -Deck 5 (10 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Guest Services  -Deck 4 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Izumi  -Deck 5 (20 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Library  -Deck 6 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Lime & Coconut  -Deck 14 (16 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Lime & Coconut  -Deck 15 (16 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Main Pool  -Deck 14 (33 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Music Hall  -Deck 3 (33 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Music Hall  -Deck 4 (33 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Next Cruise  -Deck 5 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• North Star  -Deck 16 (19 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Outdoor Pool  -Deck 14 (25 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Outside Promenade  -Deck 5 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Photo Gallery  -Deck 5 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Playmakers Bar  -Deck 16 (18 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Ripcord by iFly  -Deck 16 (7 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Rock Climbing Wall  -Deck 15 (6 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Royal Esplanade  -Deck 4 (43 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Royal Esplanade  -Deck 5 (43 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Royal Theatre  -Deck 3 (27 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Royal Theatre  -Deck 4 (27 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Royal Theatre  -Deck 5 (27 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Running Track  -Deck 15 (36 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Schooner Bar  -Deck 5 (14 pictures in photo gallery.)
• SeaPlex  -Deck 15 (46 pictures in photo gallery.)
• SeaPlex  -Deck 16 (46 pictures in photo gallery.)
• SeaPlex Doghouse  -Deck 15 (0 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Shore Excursions  -Deck 5 (3 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Sky Pad  -Deck 15 (13 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Social 180  -Deck 15 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Social 180  -Deck 16 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Solarium  -Deck 14 (56 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Solarium Bistro  -Deck 14 (5 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Sorrentos  -Deck 4 (10 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Spa and Fitness Center  -Deck 15 (43 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Spa and Fitness Center  -Deck 16 (43 pictures in photo gallery.)
• SplashAway Bay  -Deck 14 (16 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Starbucks  -Deck 4 (8 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Teppanyaki  -Deck 14 (11 pictures in photo gallery.)
• The Via  -Deck 5 (15 pictures in photo gallery.)
• The Workshop  -Deck 6 (0 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Two70  -Deck 5 (61 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Two70  -Deck 6 (61 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Windjammer Marketplace  -Deck 14 (63 pictures in photo gallery.)
• Wonderland  -Deck 5 (19 pictures in photo gallery.)

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Odyssey Of The Seas

Cruise line Royal Caribbean

• Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy)
• Cape Liberty Bayonne (New Jersey)
• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)

Odyssey Of The Seas current position

Odyssey Of The Seas current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 37.25429 N / -20.85479 W) cruising at speed of 18.4 kn (34 km/h | 21 mph) en route to MALAGA. The AIS position was reported 21 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Odyssey Of The Seas

Odyssey Of The Seas current cruise is 14 days, one-way from Fort Lauderdale to Civitavecchia-Rome . Prices start from USD 1112 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 21 Apr, 2024 and ends on 05 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Odyssey Of The Seas

•   Itineraries
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Odyssey Of The Seas Itineraries

Odyssey of the seas review, review of odyssey of the seas.

The 2021-built Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship is RCI-Royal Caribbean's second Quantum-Ultra class vessel - with sistership Spectrum OTS (2019). Quantum-Ultra is an upgraded (enlarged and enhanced) version of the Quantum-class ships Anthem OTS , Quantum OTS and Ovation OTS . Odyssey OTS was initially scheduled for inauguration in November 2020, but due to COVID-related issues, the ship's entire itinerary program was canceled through July 2021.

The vessel (IMO number 9795737) is currently Bahamas- flagged  (MMSI 311000912) and registered in  Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US passenger shipping company, trademarked travel brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

Decks and Cabins

Most Odyssey OTS staterooms (2105 total, in 31 grades) include 125 Suites, 1482 Balcony, 132 Oceanview, 366 Inside (including Virtual Balcony) and also 28x Studios (Balcony and Interior single cabins). Most cabins are sized 180-200 ft2 / 17-19 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 55 ft2 / 5 m2. The largest is the Royal Loft Ultimate Family Suite (1660 ft2 / 152 m2 plus 620 ft2 / 58 m2 wraparound terrace).

The boat has 16 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Compared to the Oasis-class, Quantum-Ultra ships have larger staterooms, more connecting family cabins, new studio staterooms (for solo travelers), more and larger restaurants.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Passengers on Odyssey of the Seas are offered plenty of dining options to choose from, with multiple choices for light bites as well. Reservations for all restaurants can be made online ahead of the cruise. Though not required, reservations are definitely recommended to ensure guests get to eat where they want, when they want. Food and service at the main restaurants are varied and offer an array of dining experiences.

Follows the complete list of Odyssey of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• 3-level Main Dining Room restaurant (capacity 1844 seats) also serves a la carte menu. Regular menus rotate each day of the voyage.
• Silver Dining (Suite-passengers only) complimentary restaurant
• Golden Dining and Lounge (complimentary and exclusive / Suite-passengers only) complimentary restaurant
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi specialty restaurant)
• Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine (reservations-only specialty restaurant on 2 levels - overlooking the stern and served by its own bar / on upper level)
• Windjammer Marketplace is a buffet restaurant offering Early Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. The restaurant is complimentary and approx 1/5 larger in comparison to Quantum-Class liners. Among the dishes offered at the buffet restaurant are noodles, pizzas by the slice, Teppanyaki (Japanese iron griddle-cooked meals) and Chinese hot pot food.
• Chops Grille (specialty restaurant - steakhouse and seafood)
• Chef's Table (14-guest capacity, gourmet private dining package)
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen (specialty restaurant and Wine Bar, reservations recommended) is popular for the hand-tossed, electric oven-baked pizzas, as well as specialties like Holy Cheesus (7-cheese pizza), Muffuletta-Style Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak, Chocolate Ravioli.
• Izumi Japanese Cuisine (specialty restaurant)
• The Cafe at Two70 (casual dining marketplace)
• "Leaf and Bean" is a Cafe Restaurant / Patisserie / Coffee Shop selling beverages and snacks, authentic teas, coffee drinks, fresh-baked pastries, gourmet desserts.
• Solarium Bistro (healthy dining menu, ex-Devinly Decadence)
• Sorrento's Pizza (complimentary, with daily changing selections)
• Splashaway Cafe (poolside indoor food bar)
• Sichuan Red (Asian specialty restaurant)
• Lime and Coconut (2-deck bar with swimming pool views)
• El Loco Fresh (grab-and-go Mexican food / tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fresh-made salsas)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Odyssey OTS has 16 passenger-accessible decks and popular (RCI signature) facilities and venues like the top-deck forward Solarium (adults-only complex), pool deck with 4 whirlpools and 2 swimming pools (covered by a glass dome / retractable roof), Splashaway Bay (kids aqua park with waterslides, water cannons, fountains, toys), FlowRider (surf simulator), Rock-Climbing Wall (40 ft / 12 m above deck), 2-deck wellness complex (spa and fitness), casino, outdoor theater (huge LED screen for movies nightly and live media streaming daily).

All Quantum-Ultra ships have the unique facilities "iFly by RipCord" (skydiving simulator), "North Star" (rotating glass capsule 300 ft / 92 m above sea level) and SkyPad (bungee trampoline). North Star is at a fee (and reservations-only) and also can be privately booked (for special events). At "iFly by RipCord", each passenger is provided with goggles, helmet, and jumpsuit before jumping into the chamber (1-min sessions). These vessels also have Bionic Bar where "bartending robots" mix up cocktails ordered via a tablet.

Follows the complete list of Odyssey of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Royal Theater (1299-seats lounge) hosts 3D Movies, aerial acrobatic performances, Broadway-style productions, popular gameshow (Family Feud, Majority Rules, Blankety Blank, etc). Grand-production shows include "Mamma Mia!" (themed on ABBA's greatest hits - with dancing and sing-alongs), "Showgirl - Past. Present. Future" (Las Vegas 1940s-themed), "The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure" (a librarian working in a mysterious library explores book chapters thru singing and dancing).
• Music Hall (2-deck high live entertainment venue, nightly karaoke and "HUSH Silent Party"/headphones are provided)
• Two70 Lounge (3-deck high relaxation observation lounge with live entertainment and 270-degree window walls transforming nightly into a huge video screen / projection surface with Vistarama technology), "RED" (nightclub party). Exclusively for Two70 on Odyssey OTS, Royal Caribbean created two show productions - "Oceanides" (featuring artists performing in boxes filled with water) and "The Book / Seven Chapters, One Adventure" (with main character The Librarian / mysterious man doing research in a library with a special book collection).
• Photo Gallery and Shop; SeaTrek Shop (diving equipment)
• Crown Lounge (fka Diamond Club Lounge & Bar for past guests only); Concierge Club and Lounge (suite- and past guests only); Golden Room / Card Room
• Bionic Bar, NorthStar Bar, Schooner Bar (piano bar); Sky Bar; Vintages Wine Bar
• Royal Esplanade (an area between the boutique shops and restaurants on decks 4 and 5; part of it is "The Via" with the Vintages wine bar, Port Merchants and Jamie's)
• Casino Royale (complimentary gaming sessions); Casino VIP
• Star Moment (Karaoke Room)
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Cafe Promenade (24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks specialty coffee)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
• Focus (Photo Gallery and Shop)
• Solarium Lounge (includes Solarium Cafe, pool bar, adults-only pool and sundeck area); Solarium Bar
• Video Games Arcade; The Living Room and Night Club teen areas; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area; Workshop (family venue); H2O Zone family and kids area; Kung Fu Panda
• SeaPlex (largest-at-sea sports complex, with roller-skating, bumper cars, circus school, full-sized basketball court); North Star; FlowRider (surf simulator); RipCord by iFly; Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall
• Sky Pad topdeck aft-located bungee trampoline with optional virtual reality gaming headsets
• Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade (part of SeaPlex) has large HDTVs (for live sporting) and serves fast food favorites (burgers, buffalo wings, sliders) and various beverages, including a large selection of beers (international and domestic). Here can be played popular board games, arcade and trivia games, darts, billiards. The Playmakers Bar has a dedicated Owner's Box (VIP seating area).
• SeaPlex also doubles as a laser-tag arena hosting the "Clash for the Crystal City" - Royal Caribbean's team gaming experiences.

On Odyssey OTS, Royal Caribbean introduced (fleet's first) drone technology for new show production at the ship's Royal Theater. The new (most advanced) show is based on 48 drones (quadcopters) with a human performer who commands them. The new show (TBN) was specifically developed for the Odyssey ship and designed while the vessel was still under construction in Germany.

Itineraries

Odyssey Of The Seas itinerary program is based on Caribbean cruises leaving roundtrip from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA) . The 6-7-8-night itineraries visit ports in Bahamas ( CocoCay ), Jamaica (Falmouth), Grand Cayman (George Town), Aruba (Oranjestad), Curacao (Willemstad), St Thomas USVI (Charlotte Amalie), Puerto Rico (San Juan), Haiti (Labadee), Mexico (Cozumel).

Seasonally, the ship is repositioned (via Transatlantic crossings) from Florida to Europe (homeported in Civitavecchia-Rome) for 6-8-9-12-night Greek Isles and  Holy Land cruises, visiting ports in Greece, Turkey and Israel.

• Odyssey OTS had its Inaugural Cruise planned in 2020 (on November 5) out of Fort Lauderdale. However, due to delayed delivery (Coronavirus impact), the liner was rescheduled to start operations in 2021 on April 21, then May 9, June 6 (Mediterranean Europe), November 15 (Caribbean) and finally for August 8 (Caribbean/Maiden Voyage).
• Following all the COVID-related cancellations (2020-2021), Odyssey OTS' inaugural season was initially planned to be in Europe (Eastern Mediterranean, roundtrips from Civitavecchia-Rome), but eventually canceled and the boat relocated to the Caribbean-USA.

in early-March 2021, RCI rescheduled Odyssey's inaugural season to start in June, but open for residents of Israel only. The revised itinerary program offered 3- to 7-night roundtrips from Haifa-Tel Aviv Israel (homeport/first-time for RCI). The Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean itineraries were planned to visit only Greek islands/ports - Rhodes , Mykonos , Santorini , Piraeus-Athens , Limassol Cyprus . Due to "unrest in Israel and the region" (Israel's airstrikes on Gaza), this Cyprus and Greece program was officially canceled on May 15.

The Maiden Voyage (also the liner's first Caribbean cruise) was rescheduled to start on November 15 (5-night "Labadee and Perfect Day" itinerary) from Fort Lauderdale to CocoCay and Labadee Haiti. Prices started from USD 730 (EUR 600) pp.

In winter 2024-2025 (November thru April), Odyssey OTS is homeported in NYC (New York/leaving out of Port Bayonne NJ) taking over the schedule of Anthem OTS. The new deployment is based on 7- to 12-day roundtrips to Florida (Port Canaveral), Bahamas (Nassau, CocoCay), Eastern and Southern Caribbean (Barbados, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Kitts, St Thomas, Antigua, Puerto Rico).

Odyssey Of The Seas - user reviews and comments

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Other Royal Caribbean cruise ships

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• Explorer Of The Seas
• Freedom Of The Seas
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• Harmony Of The Seas
• Icon Of The Seas
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• Jewel Of The Seas
• Liberty Of The Seas
• Mariner Of The Seas
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• Oasis Of The Seas
• Ovation Of The Seas
• Quantum Of The Seas
• Radiance Of The Seas
• Rhapsody Of The Seas
• Serenade Of The Seas
• Spectrum Of The Seas
• Star Of The Seas
• Symphony Of The Seas
• Utopia Of The Seas
• Vision Of The Seas
• Voyager Of The Seas
• Wonder Of The Seas

Odyssey Of The Seas Wiki

On February 1, 2019, was held the steel-cutting ceremony, with which officially started vessel's construction at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg Germany . Vessel's keel-laying ceremony (May 3, 2019) was attended by RCI representatives. Stephan Schmees (Meyer Werft's Executive Project Management) placed the traditional lucky coin under ship's first block before the keel was lowered into position. This first (keel) block weighs 970 tons. The assembly process includes a total of 79 blocks (hull and superstructure). All these mega-blocks were constructed and pre-assembled at Neptun Werft Shipyard ( Rostock Germany ), then loaded (via hydraulics) onto pontoons and transported down Ems River to the Papenburg Shipyard.

The vessel's powerplant (hull module plus the engines) was delivered (barged into the shipyard) on September 4, 2019. The ship's engines produce 67,2 MW (total power output) plus 41 MW propulsion power.

Odyssey is the second "Quantum-Ultra" class and RCI fleet's 27th liner. Unlike the sistership Spectrum OTS (2019-built, Asia-deployed), Odyssey OTS is homeported in the USA (Florida), with seasonal deployment in Europe (Mediterranean).

On September 11, 2020, the shipbuilder revealed the vessel's name on the bow, with a new (enlarged) livery design in which the first letter (O) has height 11,2 m (36 ft) while the entire name has length 87,4 m (286 ft). In comparison to other RCI ships, Odyssey OTS has its name positioned way lower on the light-blue colored hull (O letter's bottom even goes below the waterline).

The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on November 28, 2020. Once docked outside the shipyard's Building Hall (indoor dock), on Odyssey OTS started outfitting works including the installation of its North Star facility (top-deck mounted glass-walled pod). At Meyer Werft's outfitting pier are also completed interior works.

The vessel's conveyance on Ems River (from Papenburg to Eemshaven Holland /20-mi-30-km distance) was conducted between February 27-28, 2021. Ems River was dammed (between Feb 26-28) in order for the water level to be raised between Papenburg and Ems Barrier (at Gandersum-Nendorp). The ~10-hour operation was assisted by 2 tugboats moving Odyssey OTS in reverse/backward up the river to the North Sea. The conveyance started from Papenburg on Feb 27 at 4 am. The ship passed Friesenbrucke (railway bridge in Weener Germany) at 8:45 am, Jann-Berghaus-Brucke (bascule/movable bridge in Leer Germany ) at 12 pm, and arrived at Emssperrwerk (Ems Barrage in Gandersum-Nendorp) at 0:30 am (Feb 28). North Sea trials started from Eemshaven on March 14 and were conducted to test the vessel's engines, propulsion, navigation and other equipment.

The vessel's official delivery from Meyer Werft to RCG was on March 31, 2021. The "virtual ceremony" was conducted by Richard Fain (RCG's Chairman and CEO), Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO), Per Kristoffersen (the cruise ship's Captain), Bernard Meyer (Meyer Werft's Managing Director), Jan Meyer (Meyer Werft's Executive Director).

On November 10, 2021, was announced the name of the ship's Bahamian Godmother - Erin Brown (1980-born Grand Bahama Island native, a single mother of two kids).

• She is an amputee since 2004 when (due to osteosarcoma/bone cancer) she received an above-the-knee amputation of the left limb.
• Erin Brown competed in the Summer Paralympics 2020 (aka Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games), the 16th organized by IPC-International Paralympic Committee.
• Due to the global health crisis, this international multi-sport event (for athletes with disabilities) was rescheduled/postponed by a year and held in Tokyo Japan in the period August 24 thru September 5, 2021.

Odyssey OTS' christening ceremony was held on November 13, 2021, at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA) . The special event (held on Pool Deck) was attended by Richard Fain and Michael Bayley.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2021

Due to the COVID crisis, the vessel's delivery was delayed and a total of 25x Caribbean plus 6x Mediterranean voyages were canceled.

Next tables show the ship's maiden voyages with indicative lowest prices (per person, in USD) with double occupancy.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2020/canceled) 4-day "The Inaugural" - from $620 pp

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021/canceled) 3-day "Weekend Getaway Cruise" ($460 pp)

(repositioning 2021/canceled) 5-day from Southampton to Barcelona ($1660 pp)

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021/canceled) 5-day "Spain France and Italy Cruise" ($580 pp)

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021/canceled) 12-day "Greece, Turkey and Israel Cruise With Overnight In Athens" (from $2170 pp)

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021/canceled) 7-day "Greece and Italy Cruise with Late Stays In Santorini and Mykonos" ($2550 pp)

(Transatlantic crossing 2021/canceled) 14-day from Europe to the USA ($ 1100 pp)

(2021/CHANGED ITINERARY) 9-day inaugural "Southern Caribbean and Bahamas" itinerary ($ 1190 pp). However, in mid-April, due to "planned events", the ship's inaugural Caribbean voyage was altered (departure date changed to Nov 15, the itinerary shortened to 5-day). All bookings were automatically moved to November 15, 2021.

( MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021/first cruise ) 5-day "Labadee and Perfect Day" itinerary (US$ 680 pp)

(2021) 8-day inaugural "Southern Caribbean" itinerary ($ 1730 pp)

(2021) 6-day inaugural "Western Caribbean and Perfect Day" itinerary ($1220 pp)

(2021) 7-day inaugural "Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day Holiday"/New Year cruise (US$ 2600 pp)

(inaugural Transatlantic crossing 2022) 14-day from Fort Lauderdale to Rome (US$ 1570 pp)

Inaugural Mediterranean itineraries (2022)

Next tables show the scheduled for 2022 Eastern Mediterranean itineraries as call ports and times. All are roundtrips from homeport Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) .

9-day "Greek Isles" itinerary

11-day "Holy Land" itinerary

7-day "Greek Isles Cruise" itinerary ($1730 pp)

8-day "Greek Isles Cruise" itinerary ($1770 pp)

6-day "Greek Isles Cruise" itinerary ($2500 pp)

12-day "Holy Land Cruise" itinerary ($5080 pp)

Odyssey of the Seas arrives at Port Everglades…

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An epic odyssey continues – royal caribbean welcomes brand-new ship.

The Game-changing Cruise Line Takes Delivery of Odyssey of the Seas

MIAMI, March 31, 2021* – Setting course for a lifetime of adventure, Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas completed the final chapter in its construction odyssey today. The highly anticipated marvel officially became the 25 th ship in the cruise line’s award-winning fleet, following a virtual rendition of the time-honored maritime tradition known as a delivery ceremony. Odyssey will now set the stage for a bold, new way to vacation when it debuts from first-time homeport Haifa, Israel in May 2021 and Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley, and Master of Odyssey of the Seas Captain Per Kristoffersen received the new ship from Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer and Managing Director Jan Meyer in the customary handover ceremony with a virtual twist.

"Receiving Odyssey of the Seas into the Royal Caribbean family is a welcomed breath of fresh air. The ingenuity, passion and hard work our dedicated crew, teams on land and partners at Meyer Werft put into building a new ship always deliver, and to pull it off so well during a time unlike any other is incredible,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We are looking forward to delivering the memorable vacations we’re known for today on a ship that will mark several firsts for us, from making Israel a first-time homeport to introducing Quantum Ultra Class to North America. Every new ship is a blank slate to go bolder and be different, and Odyssey is bringing the very best of the new and guest-favorites across two continents for the years to come.”       

Later today, fans will have front-row seats to the ceremony celebration during an untraditional Facebook premiere event – a first in the cruise line’s 52-year history. In store is a truly global lineup that includes the ship’s blessing led by Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, a show-stopping performance from signature venue Two70 on board Quantum of the Seas sailing in Singapore, and executives of Royal Caribbean in Florida and Meyer Werft Yard in Papenburg, Germany. The celebration exclusively takes place on Royal Caribbean International’s Facebook page at 5 p.m. EDT.

Odyssey is the second Quantum Ultra Class ship, and just in time for summer, it will welcome Royal Caribbean’s first guests to cruise from Israel on sailings where travelers above the age of 18 and crew members are fully vaccinated. Israeli residents can embark on 3- to 7-night getaways through October to visit sun-soaked destinations in the Mediterranean, including Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, Greece and Limassol, Cyprus. Following its inaugural summer season, Odyssey  will embark on a transatlantic crossing for its North American debut this November, where it’s slated to offer 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale to idyllic ports of call like Aruba, Curacao and Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean’s game-changing private island destination in The Bahamas.

            Weighing 169,000 gross tons and measuring 1,138 feet (347 meters) long and 135 feet (41 meters) wide, Odyssey  will be the newest and largest ship to homeport in Israel and the first of its kind to call Florida its home later this year. Vacationers of all ages are in for a combination of 12 all-new and first-to-brand experiences as well as the signature adventures guests know and love, including:

• Caribbean-inspired pool deck – Sporting a whole new look across two decks, Odyssey’s two open-air pools, four whirlpools and Splashaway Bay, anchored by a Quantum Ultra Class first – The Lime & Coconut bar – are designed for all travelers to enjoy the sun and stars in style.  
• SeaPlex – The next-generation of a longtime Quantum Class favorite, this SeaPlex is the largest indoor and outdoor activity center at sea, and debuts this venue’s first  Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade .
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and Teppanyaki – Two Royal Caribbean restaurants new to North America join the varied lineup of dining options on board. The fresh take on the cruise line’s signature trattoria is the first to introduce its new wine bar concept while the other serves up East Asian flavors in the traditional Japanese style for which its named.
• Action-packed top deck – Returning guest-favorites include the gravity-defying  SkyPad virtual reality bungee trampoline adventure, FlowRider surf simulator, skydiving with  RipCord by iFly , and the iconic  North Star  all-glass observation capsule that boasts 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.
• One-of-a-kind entertainment – In typical Royal Caribbean fashion, Odyssey’s full-scale productions take top billing in teched-out venues such as the Royal Theater and Two70 , where immersive technology, unparalleled special effects and world-leading performers and aerialists take the stage alongside six agile  Roboscreens  for a multidimensional live show.

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas,  Perfect Day at CocoCay ,   the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the  Travel Weekly  Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following  @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its  Healthy Sail Panel  of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites. *June 2021 Update Odyssey of the Seas will now debut in July when it sets sail as the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise from the U.S. The brand-new ship will cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a series of 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries. For more details, visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates .

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Protect Your Trip »

Here's when you need (and don't need) a passport to cruise.

It's the type of sailing – closed-loop or open-loop – that largely determines whether or not you need a passport to cruise.

Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

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A passport isn't always required for cruising.

To determine whether or not you need a passport to cruise, you first need to figure out if the itinerary is closed-loop or open-loop (also known as open-jaw).

Closed-loop cruise: A closed-loop cruise typically doesn't require a passport since it begins and ends in the same U.S. port (though there are some exceptions to this rule).

Example: Royal Caribbean International 's seven-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise stops in several countries – the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti and Grand Cayman – but the itinerary is considered closed-loop because it starts and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Open-loop cruise: An open-loop cruise begins in one U.S. port and ends in a different U.S. port.

Example: Carnival Cruise Line 's 16-day Panama Canal from Seattle itinerary is not considered closed-loop because it departs from Seattle and completes its journey in New Orleans.

All of the above regulations have been determined by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: a plan by the departments of State and Homeland Security that determines which documents are acceptable for proving identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

Where to cruise without a passport

There are several destinations where you can cruise without a passport on a closed-loop sailing. They include the following:

• The Bahamas

When looking at cruises to these locations, be mindful of the home ports. The Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada are all foreign ports, which means they only qualify for the passport exception if they are a stop along your cruise itinerary . If the cruise originates in any of these countries, it is likely you will need a passport.

Since Alaska, Hawaii and New England are all U.S. destinations, any closed-loop routes departing from these locations will not require a passport. However, keep in mind that it can be hard to find closed-loop cruises originating in Hawaii or Alaska.

To find closed-loop itineraries for a Hawaiian voyage or Alaskan cruise , try searching for sailings departing from major cities on the West Coast, like Seattle or Los Angeles . By contrast, quite a few closed-loop cruises leave from New England ports, but they are often marketed as Canadian cruises.

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When you need a passport for closed-loop cruises

Some cruise itineraries include foreign ports that require a passport for disembarkation. This is most commonly an issue for travelers on a closed-loop Caribbean cruise. Barbados , Guadeloupe , Haiti, Martinique , St. Barts , and Trinidad and Tobago all require U.S. citizens to present a valid passport to disembark and enter the country, despite WHTI regulations not requiring a passport for these destinations. Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private island , is an exception and does not require a passport despite its location in Haiti.

If your itinerary includes a country requiring a U.S. passport, your cruise line will require you to have the passport at check-in. Note that your passport must not expire within six months of your arrival in a foreign country or else it won't be considered valid for international travel.

Read: The Easiest Way to Renew Your Passport

Acceptable forms of ID

All travelers – U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike – must present documents that show identity and citizenship when entering the United States. A U.S. passport can show both. If you don't have one or don't want to bring one, be aware that you may need to present more than one document.

U.S. citizens 16 and older

If you're a U.S. citizen age 16 or older sailing on a closed-loop cruise without your passport, you will need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license. In addition, you must present a document that proves your U.S. citizenship. These include:

• Passport card
• State-issued enhanced driver's license (EDL)
• Government-issued birth certificate
• Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST)
• American Indian Card (Form I-872) or Enhanced Tribal ID Card

The Trusted Traveler Programs are risk-based programs to facilitate the entry of travelers who have been vetted and preapproved. Most of these programs will provide you with a machine-readable card that allows you to pass through border checkpoints quickly. Keep in mind, some of these IDs are only available to travelers 16 and older.

Read: TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry

U.S. citizens younger than 16

U.S. citizens younger than 16 are only required to present proof of citizenship, such as one of the following documents:

• Original, notarized or certified copy of their government-issued birth certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by U.S. Department of State
• Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Read: How to Get a Passport for Kids

Non-U.S. citizens

If you are a lawful permanent resident (or LPR) of the United States, you are required to present a permanent resident card or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.

Non-U.S. citizens, with the exception of Canadians and Mexicans, are not subject to passport exceptions, so a valid passport will need to be provided. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program card. Mexican citizens must present a passport with a visa or a Border Crossing Card.

Unacceptable forms of ID

While most common forms of identification are accepted, there are a few exceptions. U.S. military identification cards and U.S. Merchant Mariner documents are valid forms of identification, but only when traveling on official orders or in conjunction with official maritime business, so it is unlikely they will be accepted when traveling on a cruise.

Here are some other documents that will not be accepted as proof of citizenship:

• Voter registration cards
• Social Security cards
• Baptismal papers
• Hospital certificates of birth (for anyone older than a newborn)

It is important to note that many of the permitted forms of identification, such as a passport card or EDL, are only accepted at land and sea border crossings. Unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical air evacuation, may cause you to return to the U.S. by air travel. In this case, these documents won't be accepted when you try to reenter at the border crossing.

To avoid extra delays in your return to the U.S. following unforeseen travel complications, the Department of State recommends that everyone taking a cruise from the United States carry a valid passport book in case of emergency.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Erin Vasta has traveled extensively to international destinations, gaining a deep knowledge of travel regulations in the process. Her expertise in this area has saved her family and friends from unnecessary travel delays and ensured stress-free trips through border security in nearly 15 countries. To write this article, Vasta used her international travel experience and research skills.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Passport Holders
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials to Bring
• Safe at Sea: The Best Cruise Insurance

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