OVATION OF THE SEAS
May 11, 2023 | Vancouver, British Columbia
Ovation of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) was docked at Canada Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 11, 2023. The 2016-built Quantum-class cruise ship was photographed alongside the city's downtown cruise terminal, with Vancouver Harbour and the mountains of the North Shore forming the backdrop.
Ovation of the Seas was docked at Canada Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 11, 2023. With the ship alongside Vancouver's downtown cruise terminal, the setting provided views of the 2016-built Royal Caribbean cruise ship against Vancouver Harbour and the mountains of the North Shore.
Built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, Ovation of the Seas was the third ship constructed for Royal Caribbean's Quantum class. The class introduced a new generation of large cruise ships incorporating extensive indoor public spaces, observation areas, entertainment technology, and attractions including the North Star observation capsule and RipCord by iFLY. At more than 168,000 gross tons and approximately 1,141 feet long, Ovation of the Seas represented one of Royal Caribbean's most technologically ambitious ship designs when she entered service.
Information List
Name: Ovation of the Seas
Operator: Royal Caribbean International
Ship Type: Cruise ship
Class: Quantum Class
Builder: Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany
Delivered: April 8, 2016
Maiden Voyage: April 17, 2016
Godmother: Fan Bingbing
Gross Tonnage: 168,666 GT
Length: 1,141 feet / 348 meters
Beam: Approximately 136 feet / 41 meters
Draft: Approximately 28 feet / 9 meters
Total Decks: 16
Guest Decks: 14
Staterooms: 2,091
Guest Capacity: Approximately 4,182 at double occupancy
Crew: Approximately 1,550
Location Shown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Terminal: Canada Place
Date Shown: May 11, 2023
History and Features
Construction and Entry Into Service:
Ovation of the Seas was built by Meyer Werft at Papenburg, Germany, for Royal Caribbean International.
Construction began with the ship's first steel cutting in September 2014.
She became the third ship in Royal Caribbean's Quantum class, following Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.
Meyer Werft delivered Ovation of the Seas to Royal Caribbean on April 8, 2016.
Her maiden voyage began on April 17, 2016.
Chinese actress Fan Bingbing was selected as the ship's godmother.
Quantum-Class Design:
Royal Caribbean developed the Quantum class as a new generation of large, technology-focused cruise ships.
The design combines extensive interior public areas with large windows and observation spaces intended to maintain a connection with the surrounding sea and destinations.
Ovation of the Seas measures approximately 1,141 feet long and 136 feet wide.
At 168,666 gross tons, she was among the world's largest cruise ships when she entered service.
The ship has 16 total decks, including 14 guest decks, and more than 2,000 staterooms.
North Star:
One of the ship's most recognizable features is North Star, a glass-enclosed observation capsule mounted on a mechanical arm.
The capsule rises above the upper decks to provide elevated views around the ship.
North Star became one of the signature visual features introduced with Royal Caribbean's Quantum class.
Its distinctive arm and capsule make Ovation of the Seas readily identifiable from shore.
SeaPlex:
SeaPlex is a large indoor activity complex designed to support multiple recreational uses.
Depending on programming, the space can accommodate activities including bumper cars, basketball, roller skating, and other events.
Its enclosed design makes the venue particularly useful on ships operating in regions where weather can limit outdoor activities.
SeaPlex became another defining feature of Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships.
Two70:
Two70 is a multi-level entertainment and observation venue located at the stern of the ship.
Large windows provide expansive views during the day.
The venue can transform for entertainment using projection technology and movable robotic screens.
The combination of observation lounge and technology-based entertainment reflects the emphasis on adaptable spaces found throughout the Quantum-class design.
RipCord by iFLY:
Ovation of the Seas includes the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator.
The attraction uses a vertical wind tunnel to create an indoor skydiving experience at sea.
Together with North Star and SeaPlex, it helped distinguish the Quantum class from earlier generations of Royal Caribbean ships.
Public Spaces and Amenities:
The ship includes the Royal Theater, Music Hall, Casino Royale, Solarium, Vitality Spa and Fitness Center, pools, whirlpools, and a rock-climbing wall.
Dining venues include the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Café Promenade, Chops Grille, Izumi, Jamie's Italian, Wonderland, and other restaurants.
Bars and lounges include the Schooner Bar, Bionic Bar, Boleros, Vintages, and North Star Bar.
The range of venues reflects Royal Caribbean's emphasis on combining dining, entertainment, recreation, and technology within a large resort-style cruise ship.
Service:
After entering service in 2016, Ovation of the Seas operated internationally rather than remaining in a single cruising region.
Early deployments included Europe and Asia, with the ship traveling from Southampton toward China after entering service.
She subsequently became closely associated with seasonal cruising from Australia.
Royal Caribbean has also deployed the ship to Alaska, where her enclosed public spaces and large observation areas are well suited to scenic cruising.
Vancouver has served as an important port for Royal Caribbean's Alaska operations.
Vancouver – May 11, 2023:
Ovation of the Seas was alongside Canada Place in Vancouver on May 11, 2023.
Canada Place is Vancouver's primary cruise terminal and occupies a prominent location on the city's downtown waterfront.
Its distinctive white roof structures are visible alongside the ship in this gallery.
Vancouver Harbour and the mountains of the North Shore provide the broader setting behind the terminal.
The photographs document Ovation of the Seas during her 2023 season in the Pacific Northwest.
Canada Place:
Canada Place has developed into one of the principal cruise gateways for voyages between Vancouver and Alaska.
Its downtown location places visiting ships directly alongside Vancouver's central waterfront.
The terminal can accommodate multiple large passenger ships during the Alaska cruise season.
Ships departing Vancouver travel from the harbor toward the coastal waterways of British Columbia before continuing north toward Southeast Alaska.
The combination of the terminal, city skyline, harbor, and surrounding mountains gives Vancouver one of the most recognizable cruise-port settings on the Pacific coast.
Royal Caribbean and Alaska:
Royal Caribbean has operated seasonal Alaska cruises using ships designed to combine destination viewing with extensive onboard amenities.
Quantum-class ships such as Ovation of the Seas offer large areas of glass and enclosed public spaces that allow passengers to view the surrounding landscape even during cooler or wet weather.
North Star provides an additional elevated perspective from above the ship's upper decks.
Vancouver's position on the British Columbia coast makes the city an important gateway for these northbound and southbound Alaska itineraries.
Legacy:
Ovation of the Seas represents the expansion of Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class concept into worldwide cruise service.
Her combination of North Star, SeaPlex, Two70, RipCord by iFLY, extensive dining venues, and large observation areas reflects Royal Caribbean's emphasis on technology and onboard activities.
Since entering service in 2016, the ship has operated across several major cruising regions, including Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and Alaska.
Her May 11, 2023 visit to Vancouver places the ship within the city's continuing role as one of the major gateways to Alaska cruising.
OLP Social: The third Quantum-class ship combines enclosed recreation spaces with panoramic observation areas suited to cooler cruising regions. Her North Star capsule rises above the upper decks to provide elevated views.
