Coronavirus delays hottest new ship from the world's largest cruise line until 2021
Bad news, Royal Caribbean fans: Odyssey of the Seas won't be arriving until 2021.
The much-anticipated, 4,198-passenger cruise ship -- one of the largest ever built -- won't debut until April, nearly six months behind schedule, Royal Caribbean announced on Tuesday.
Odyssey of the Seas originally was scheduled to being sailing in November. All departures of the ship from Nov. 5, 2020 through April 17, 2021 have been canceled.
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Royal Caribbean blamed recent coronavirus lockdowns and port closures for the push in the vessel's arrival date.
"The impact of worldwide port and shipyard closures have created delays in the construction schedule and delivery of Odyssey of the Seas," Royal Caribbean said in a statement.
Royal Caribbean fans in North America have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Odyssey of the Seas, which had been scheduled to spend the coming winter sailing to the Bahamas and the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale. It would have been the first of Royal Caribbean's new Quantum Ultra Class ships to debut in North America.
Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles
Royal Caribbean has taken delivery of one other Quantum Ultra Class ship, the 1-year-old Spectrum of the Seas. But that vessel was deployed to the Chinese cruise market.
Royal Caribbean on Tuesday said Odyssey of the Seas initially would sail to the Eastern Mediterranean out of Rome when it debuts in 2021. It will reposition to North America in November 2021, the line said.
If unveiled today, Odyssey of the Seas would be the 10th biggest cruise ship ever built. It's actual rank in size when it begins sailing in April will depend on the timing of the unveilings of several other ships currently under construction.
Related: Why cruise ships keep getting bigger
Like Spectrum of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas is a larger version of the Quantum Class-vessels that Royal Caribbean began rolling out in 2014. While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Symphony of the Seas (the world’s largest cruise ship), the ships have all the trappings of a major megaresort, including multiple pool areas, a kiddie aqua park and such amusements as a sky-diving simulator, a surfing simulator and a bumper car pavilion.
Quantum Ultra Class ships also have a something-for-everyone array of cabin classes that range from tiny, 166-square-foot “interior” cabins without windows to massive, two-deck-high Royal Loft Suites that are nearly 10 times that size.
Odyssey of the Seas is just the latest in a string of major cruise ships to see its debut pushed back due to coronavirus-related disruptions at shipyards around the world. Princess Cruises and Crystal Cruises are among other major lines that have pushed back the arrival of significant new ships.
Related: Is cruising done until 2021? This line thinks so
The coronavirus pandemic also has prompted start-up line Virgin Voyages to push back its inaugural season of voyages until at least October.
Odyssey of the Seas was one of eight ships that TPG named to its 2020 list of the most exciting new cruise vessels of the year. The list was published before the coronavirus pandemic began causing widespread cruise cancellations and ship construction delays.
Royal Caribbean and other major lines canceled all departures starting in mid-March as the coronavirus outbreak grew, and few have resumed any sailings since then. Last week, Royal Caribbean — the world's largest cruise line by passenger capacity — canceled nearly all departures through mid-September.
On Tuesday, Royal Caribbean said it was working directly with Odyssey of the Seas passengers and their travel agents to address the disruption to their vacations.
"We are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience and disappointment," the line said.
Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak:
- When will cruising resume? A line-by-line guide
- Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon
- How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
- Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? Here's how long it will take
- Some of the year's hottest new ships could be delayed
- Stream these 13 movies, television shows to get your cruise ship fix
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.