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Europe’s biggest cruise ship embarks on maiden voyage

<p>Europe’s biggest cruise ship has left on its maiden voyage, departing from its dock in Saint-Nazaire, Brittany.</p> <p>The MSC Meraviglia, which cost $1 billion, measures 37.5 metres tall and 300 metres long.</p> <p>The ship holds 5,714 passengers, boasts 19 decks and has been dubbed as the world’s first “smart ship” due to MSC Cruises inclusion of high technology throughout the ship.</p> <p>It has the world’s biggest LED dome at sea, augmented reality mirror and virtual reality experiences. Daily cruise newsletters have been forgotten on this ship and instead guests book excursions, shows and restaurants on one of the 300 interactive screens on board.</p> <p>Children on board also have a smart bracelet where parents can track them via an app on their phone.</p> <p>The shopping precinct also embraces new technology with augmented reality boards which allow guests to try on different clothes without stripping in a changing room.</p> <p>A highlight of the ship is the Cirque du Soleil show which will be performed for the first time at sea.</p> <p>The show occurs in the ship’s Carousel Lounge, a custom-designed performance space which includes a 180-degree circular glass wall that is fitted with high-tech equipment.</p> <p>The ship also includes an aqua park with several swimming pools, an amusement park and a zipline which runs along the length of the ship.</p> <p>For the adults, there is a 25-metre swimming pool with no children allowed.</p> <p>The ship has attracted a lot of attention – French President Emmanuel Macron was one of the guests that waved the ship off as it departed on Wednesday.</p> <p>The ship will sail the Mediterranean until 2019 and then it will sail to Miami to offer Caribbean cruises.</p> <p>Cabins can be booked via their <a href="https://www.cruiseaway.com.au/ship/msc-meraviglia" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">website</span></strong></a>.</p>

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Australia’s first purpose-built cruise ship to extend maiden season

<p>Last month we told you the world’s newest, biggest, most technologically advanced cruise ship has <a href="/news/news/2016/03/newest-cruise-ship-set-for-aussie-waters/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">successfully completed its conveyance process</span></strong></a>. Now Royal Caribbean’s hotly anticipated Ovation of the Seas is set to extend her maiden season down under.</p> <p>Royal Caribbean has announced four extra cruises for the forthcoming summer 2016/17 season, with Ovation of the Seas set to return for a second season in the summer of 2017/18. Together, these programs add 60,000 new beds to the local cruise market. </p> <p>Final deployment and itinerary details are set to be released later this month.</p> <p>Adam Armstrong, managing director, Royal Caribbean Australasia said, “The level of interest for Ovation of the Seas has exceeded all of our expectations; we’re currently over 90 per cent sold for next summer’s sailings. She is a true game-changer and such was the high demand for the ship that we’ve been able to secure four extra cruises from Sydney, which will extend the season into late February 2017.”</p> <p>“This extension of her maiden season – plus her subsequent return in summer 2017/18 – reaffirms Australia’s position as one of the most significant cruising markets in the world and Royal Caribbean’s position as Sydney’s leading cruise line.”</p> <p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/18559/ovation-of-the-seas-image-two_497x280.jpg" alt="Ovation Of The Seas Image Two"/></p> <p>The Ovation of the Seas will be the third-ship in the ground-breaking Quantum Class, bringing a set of first-at-sea experiences to Australia including the opportunity to experience a heart-pounding skydiving experience, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea and the line's largest, most advanced staterooms ever.</p> <p>The $1.3 billion ship will be biggest and most technologically advanced cruise ship to sail into Australian waters. The mega-liner will feature 18 decks and 2090 staterooms, and a capacity to carry a maximum of 4180 guests at double occupancy.</p> <p>Royal Caribbean has also advised that guests who are booked on the 23 January 2017 repositioning cruise from Sydney to Singapore will be contacted directly and offered first choice of sailings to rebook, including the revised repositioning itinerary scheduled.</p> <p>For more information regarding the Ovation of the Seas <a href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com.nz/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=OV&amp;wuc=AUS" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2016/03/how-to-make-cruise-ship-towel-animals/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to make cruise ship towel animals</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/new-shore-excursions-for-royal-caribbean-cruises/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>New shore excursions for Royal Caribbean cruises</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/03/cruise-lines-cancel-scheduled-bali-stops/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Cruise lines cancel scheduled Bali stops</strong></em></span></a></p>

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