New Straits Times

OVATION CRUISING TO MALAYSIA

Country’s ports of call have always been popular destinatio­ns, says Royal Caribbean

- KUALA LUMPUR

OVATION of the Seas, Asia’s largest and latest cruise ship offering from United Statesbase­d global company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, is setting sail out of Singapore this month and next.

The cruise operator foresees many Asians choosing cruise holidays because of their great value-for-money packages and unbeatable convenienc­e.

“With more disposal income and increased marketing efforts from cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean Internatio­nal in the recent years, cruise holidays are fast becoming a novel, popular alternativ­e to traditiona­l vacations, thus driving this growth,” said Sean Treacy, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd managing director for Asia Pacific.

He said Royal Caribbean could expect continued strong growth in the cruise business not only in Malaysia, but also in the region as the industry is known to be relatively resilient in any economic cycle.

“In fact, we expect to double our business in Malaysia this year,” said Treacy.

He said Malaysia’s ports of call had always been highly popular destinatio­ns for Royal Caribbean’s Southeast Asian cruises all these years.

“With our ship Voyager of the Seas, which is returning this May to June, there are 13 sailings out of Singapore, making calls to the ports in Penang, Port Klang and Langkawi. Our company will continue to make a high number of calls in Malaysia in the upcoming years, given our guests’ great attraction for its ports,” said Treacy.

Ovation of the Seas, a technologi­cally advanced cruise ship, will be offering 10 sailings leaving from Singapore, including three to five nights to Penang, Phuket and Bangkok, as well as a 12-night one-way cruise to Tianjin with stops at Ho Chi Minh, Hue or Danang, Hong Kong and Seoul.

The ship comes equipped with its unique iFly skydiving simulator, North Star elevated glass capsule, SeaPlex the largest indoor activity space at sea, Two70 transforma­tive venue, Bionic Bar as well as food and beverage options, including Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland.

The North Star elevated glass capsule provides a view from 90m above sea level for a stunning 360 degree view.

 ??  ?? The Ovation of the Seas’s SeaPlex is the largest indoor multi-purpose sports complex at sea.
The Ovation of the Seas’s SeaPlex is the largest indoor multi-purpose sports complex at sea.

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