Vanuatu says Welkam Back to Royal Carribean
Villa: This weekend Royal Caribbean celebrated Ovation of the Seas’ arrival to Vanuatu marking the beginning of the cruise line’s long-awaited return to the island destination.
Ovation arrived on Saturday for a special overnight visit featuring celebrations in Port Vila, further sailings are planned throughout the 2022-2023 summer season on both Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest ship sailing in the region, now homeporting in Brisbane. Saturday evening saw a gala dinner take place in Port Vila featuring the Erakor children’s choir, fire dancers and a live band.
The Dinner was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Sato Kilman, the Minister of Foreign Affairs representing the Minister of Tourism, Jotham Napat, the Minister of Public Utilities, Marcellino Telukluk, and the Minister of Youth and Sport, Tomker Netvunei, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
Key representatives from Royal Caribbean AUNZ were also in attendance including vice president and managing director Gavin Smith and director of marketing Kathryn Lock.
On Sunday Ovation of the Seas hosted an intimate ship tour and formal lunch, attended by Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and local dignitaries including to showcase the world class ship. Pre-pandemic, cruising was a key source of income and employment for Vanuatu, providing jobs and security for Ni-Vans who rely on the economic cruising supply chain says Mr. William Naviti Acting Director for the Department of Tourism, as well as the current Chairperson of the National Cruise
Tourism Management Committee. “It’s been more than two years since we’ve welcomed cruises to our islands, and we welcome Royal Caribbean’s safe return to rebuild our economy and support recovery of our tourism industry with open arms”.
Royal Carribean International
Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director, Royal Caribbean International, Australia and New Zealand says: “The resumption of cruising to the region is a testament to the value of Royal Caribbean’s partnership with the local community and tourism industry of Vanuatu. This island paradise has proven to be a top holiday choice for our guests,
with picture perfect beaches and a warm welcoming community, guests continue to choose Vanuatu as their destination of choice”.
Vanuatu Tourism
Adela Issachar Aru, Chief Executive Officer of the Vanuatu Tourism Office, expressed her delight for Royal Caribbean’s return to the region, stating cruises to Vanuatu continue to prove hugely popular for Australian guests.
“Vanuatu has always been one of the top regional cruise destinations in the South Pacific and we have noted a huge demand from international visitors looking to explore Vanuatu via a cruise holiday”.
With 20 sailings to the South Pa
cific across both Quantum Class ships this season, Royal Caribbean will be returning to some of the most picturesque ports of call in the world such as Mystery Island, Vanuatu, and Noumea, New Caledonia.
Travellers can look forward to a range of first-at-sea experiences on board both Quantum Class ships, including indoor sky diving with RipCord® by iFLY®, dodgem cars at the largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex, and the FlowRider surf simulator.
Both ships also host over 18 restaurants for guests to choose from, including Chop’s Grille and Jamie Oliver’s Tuscan inspired restaurant, Jamie’s Italian.