Ovation of the Seas mega-cruise ship reveals NZ details

Photo/supplied

The USD$1 billion engineering marval, Ovation of the Seas, will make its first visit to Tauranga on December 26 next year, confirms Royal Caribbean International.

Royal Caribbean International unveiled the much anticipated local itineraries and announced bookings are now open for the megaliner's local cruise itineraries featuring Australia, South East Asia, and New Zealand during the 2016/17 cruise season.

The first New Zealand port that it will visit is Dunedin, followed by Wellington, Picton, Tauranga, and Auckland.

In her first season alone, Ovation of the Seas is expected to inject nearly $1.7million into the local economy as a result of two calls in Tauranga.

Ovation of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship to sail New Zealand waters.

At 348 metres long, if stood up end to end, the mammoth ship would be one and half times the height of Mt Maunganui.

Carrying almost 6,500 guests and crew, Ovation of the Seas carries more than the total population of some of the towns that it will visit such as Paihia or Picton.

With 2,090 staterooms onboard, the ship has 25 times more rooms than the Tauranga Hotel Armitage.

"At USD$1 billion, Ovation of the Seas represents the single largest investment in Australia and New Zealand cruising by any line," Royal Caribbean International Asia & Pacific commercial director Sean Treacy said.

"Unsurprisingly, over 20,000 people have pre-registered their interest since we first announced her local deployment. Ovation of the Seas' first season will be historic and we can't wait for Kiwis to experience one of the world's most advanced ships right on our doorstep," Mr Treacy said.

"[The ship is] set to pour $15 million into the New Zealand economy with 18 total calls across the country, and almost 15,000 guests expected to experience the new generation of cruise ship."

"Some of the other delights her guests can look forward to include bumper cars, a circus school, spectacular shows in a custom-built Two70 entertainment venue, 18 different dining options including Jamie Oliver's, Broadway shows and high speed internet."

The brand new ship will depart from Sydney on 15 December 2016, headed to New Zealand shores.

With only four local cruises, Ovation of the Seas' maiden season is expected to sell out fast, especially with launch savings of up to $1,000 (terms and conditions apply.)

Fares start from NZD$2089 per person for the 10-night New Zealand New Year cruise departing Sydney on 30 December 2016.

Ovation of the Seas will offer four sailings from Sydney during the summer season starting from December 15 2016, including:
1. A 15-night New Zealand cruise beginning with an overnight in Sydney on 15 December 2016 followed by calls at Hobart, the Milford Sounds region, Dunedin, Wellington, Picton, Tauranga and Auckland.
2. A 10-night New Year cruise around New Zealand departing 30 December 2016, with calls at the Milford Sound region, Dunedin, Wellington, Napier and Picton.
3. A 14-night cruise during the January school holidays with visits to Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Dunedin, and the Milford Sounds region.
4. Ovation of the Seas leaves Australia on 23 January 2017 with a 14-night Sydney to Singapore cruise visiting Brisbane, Darwin and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang).