Odyssey of the Seas: A Guide for Royal Caribbean Cruise Travelers

Five years ago, Royal Caribbean welcomed one of its most exciting ships into service. Here’s a look back at the journey of Odyssey of the Seas.

A Ship Built for Adventure

Odyssey of the Seas was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Royal Caribbean took delivery of the ship on March 31, 2021. It holds up to 4,200 passengers and is the fifth and final ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class.

The Quantum class series is truly impressive in scale. According to Meyer Werft, building all five ships required 840,000 tons of material. The construction also involved 11,000 kilometers of cable lines, 2,000 kilometers of piping, and 10,500 passenger cabins across the entire series.

A Delayed Start Due to the Pandemic

Odyssey of the Seas arrived during a tough time for the cruise industry. The ship spent several months in warm layup before it could welcome guests. It finally set sail with its first passengers on July 31, 2021.

The original plan was to send the ship to Israel. Royal Caribbean had scheduled seven- to nine-night sailings to the Greek Isles and Cyprus, departing from Haifa. Those plans were later changed in favor of Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Christening Ceremony

Every great ship deserves a proper send-off. Odyssey of the Seas was officially christened on November 13, 2021, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. It was a memorable celebration for the ship and everyone involved.

Bahamian paratriathlete Erin Brown had the honor of serving as the ship’s godmother. She gave a special “blessing of safekeeping on the ship and all those who sail on it.” It was a touching moment that set the tone for the ship’s future.

Exploring Europe and the Mediterranean

After its Caribbean debut, Odyssey of the Seas headed to Europe. The ship offered summer cruises to popular destinations like the Greek Islands, Turkey, and Italy. European sailings quickly became a highlight of the ship’s schedule.

Starting in 2026, the ship will return to the Eastern Mediterranean for another summer season. Those sailings will depart from Civitavecchia, the port city that serves Rome, Italy. It’s a great home base for exploring one of the world’s most historic regions.

Sailing From the New York Area

Big news came for East Coast cruisers when Odyssey of the Seas shifted its home port. Beginning with the 2024-25 season, the ship moved to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. This put it right in the heart of the New York City metro area.

From Cape Liberty, the ship offers winter cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. After its 2026 Mediterranean season wraps up, the ship will return to Bayonne for another winter season. That makes it a convenient option for travelers in the Northeast who want to skip the flight to Florida.