Odyssey Of The Seas: A New Era In Cruising?

OK I’m by no means a tech geek, but as the world gets more and more modern with it’s gadgetry, I can’t help these days getting more and more excited when Royal Caribbean brings out a class of ship which they are coining ‘Quantum-Ultra Class’. I mean the very name sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie!

Their latest ship, Odyssey Of The Seas is due out late 2020 and promises to surely deliver some of the most high tech experiences at sea, signalling perhaps a new dawn in cruising, and the way things are done on board.

Of course, Royal Caribbean have really led the way for a number of years when it comes to this sort of stuff. The rapid rise of technology really hitting a new level upon release of Quantum Of The Seas, which saw introductions such as the Bionic Barman, a totally new concept on a ship.

But prior to this they were always  big on firsts and new new developments, no doubt an obsession for the guys at the top of this enormous brand.

I remember setting foot on Freedom Of The Seas when she was released, must have been 13 or 14 years ago, at the time, the world’s largest ship. It was the first ship I’d been on since starting in the industry and it completely blew me away with it’s ‘floating resort’ style design. Everything you wanted from your accommodation whilst sailing around various places. I was hooked. In short, I would say that Freedom OTS was primarily responsible for my interest and excitement in the industry over the years, and it’s partly the reason I am still selling cruises almost 15 years on.

Since then, I’ve sailed aboard Independence Of The Seas twice, which is essentially the same design with a few modern improvements, but am yet to sail aboard one of the mega liners that Oasis Class falls into, or likewise Quantum Class, the ultra tech obsessed ships, or Smart Ships as some like to call them! Perhaps the company will put me on one in the near future? Ahem…hint hint.

A lot will argue that it’s too much too soon for an industry that is built on traditional style values, and to a point, I understand that perhaps tech of this level and cruising may not go hand in glove. However, on the other hand, I think it’s more and more likely that Royal Caribbean’s future ships will almost become the norm for their competitors.

We are already seeing more mod-cons appearing on other ships that have until now been rather-more traditional. The likes of Holland America, Princess, Cunard, Costa, among others, all looking ahead to the future with new ideas and concepts on their ships, and not just in the public areas either, we are talking about the engineering side too. Costa for example building their new ship and using an LPG fuel, considered far ‘greener’ that the current crop of dirtier fuel ships out there.

We cannot avoid technology advancements, and in my opinion, nor should we.

The wife is going crazy with me at the moment because I’m refitting (when spare cash is available) everything in the house to be voice controlled, it’s amazing. “Alexa turn the heating/light/lamp on” etc etc I absolutely love it, it’s like living in the future….

I tell her this will become the norm, and to be honest it’s far more hygienic, and it’s that which is key for me……..but that’s for another day….hygiene & cruise ships…..hmmm might be a few things to talk about there eh!

Thanks for reading and as always, until next time…….