Due to unprecedented popular demand, Royal Caribbean International has today confirmed Australia's very first new-build cruise ship, the ground-breaking US$1 billion Ovation of the Seas, will extend her second Australian season by six extra cruises, spending a further five weeks home ported in Sydney during the summer of 2017/18.

New cruises in 2018 include an eight-night South Pacific sailing departing 18 February priced from $1,449 per person, a five-night Tasmanian cruise departing 8 March from $1,049 per person, two 10-night New Zealand cruises departing 13 and 26 March starting from $1,819 per person and a three-night sampler departing 23 March priced from $669 per person; all roundtrip from Sydney. As well, she will add a 14-night repositioning cruise from Sydney to Singapore, departing 26 March 2018, which stars from $2,069 per person.

Royal Caribbean only recently confirmed the biggest, newest and most technological advanced ship ever to be deployed to Australia would return to local waters for a second season in the 2017/18 summer.

“Such is the excitement and anticipation of Ovation of the Seas' arrival that we're extending her second season before she has even commenced her first in Australia,” said Adam Armstrong, managing director for Royal Caribbean in Australia and New Zealand.

“The really special thing about Ovation of the Seas is that she's appealing to an incredibly wide range of travellers. Existing cruisers are excited about the new amenities she offers, but she's also fascinating Australians who have never cruised before. She is redefining the concept of cruising and we are delivering an entirely new way to holiday,” Armstrong continued.

When she debuted in April, Ovation of the Seas became the equal fourth largest cruise ship in the world – eclipsed only by Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. She will become the biggest, newest and most technologically advanced cruise ship ever based in Australia.

“There is no denying that Ovation of the Seas is big; at around 6,400 passengers and crew, she's the size of a small Australian town. But with that size comes more choice, space, variety and options.  Choose to do it all, or nothing at all – this is what makes a ship like Ovation of the Seas so exciting,” concluded Armstrong.

Ovation of the Seas is the third ship in the ground-breaking Quantum Class and delivers first-at-sea experiences to Australia like Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; the North Star glass viewing pod, a stunning new way to see the world from 90 metres above sea level;  cutting-edge venues that change from day to night, including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, a circus school and more, and Two70 an immersive, multimedia entertainment venue complete with dancing Roboscreens; and the robotic Bionic Bar, where robots stir and shake your drinks.

Ovation has reimagined dining with 18 unique restaurant concepts, including Jamie's Italian, Michael's Genuine Pub, the enchanting Wonderland and Royal Caribbean favourites like Chops Grille steakhouse and Izumi Japanese.

Technology has been amped up with high speed internet offering the fastest bandwidth at sea so guests can connect and stream as quickly as they would onshore, while the Royal iQ app makes keeping track of your onboard schedule simple with all bookings and cruise details stored and updated automatically.

Ovation of the Seas launched in April, sailing from Southampton for a short sojourn in Europe before repositioning via Dubai and Singapore on her 52-day Global Odyssey to arrive in Beijing (Tianjin) for her inaugural China season commencing 24 June 2016. On 30 November 2016, she will set sail on a 15-night Singapore to Sydney voyage via Fremantle, Adelaide and Hobart, repositioning to her new home down under for her maiden Australian season in December.

For further information, visit www.ovationoftheseas.com.au, phone 1800 754 500 or see your local travel agent.