The action-packed vacation adventure Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas returned to Sydney Harbour on Friday for a sixth season Down Under. With a summer itinerary of 3- to 11-night excursions to New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific, the arrival marks the start of the cruise line’s largest and boldest season in Australia.

When sailing on Ovation, guests can select from up to 20 different itineraries. Adventures await along New Zealand’s rugged coastline in destinations like Milford Sound, Wellington, and the Bay of Islands, as well as on the idyllic South Pacific islands of Noumea, New Caledonia, Mystery Island, and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Guests looking to see Australia’s beautiful scenery may visit Hobart, Adelaide, and Eden, as well as a wide range of land activities ranging from wine tasting to city tours and hikes.

The addition of Ovation completes Royal Caribbean’s summer lineup of three award-winning holiday experiences in Australia, including Brilliance and Quantum of the Seas. Royal Caribbean will welcome 90,000 passengers on Ovation alone among the more than 250,000 guests from across the world who will visit Australia this season.

Additionally, ingredients sourced from NSW will be served up in many dishes across Ovation’s 20-plus restaurants, bars, and lounges, as well as those on Brilliance and Quantum, including more than 4,950 kilograms of bok choy, 53,000 kilograms of oranges and 85,360 organic, free-range eggs.  A new agreement with Australian-owned Ponting Wines, which provides a range of locally and sustainably sourced wine blends from South Australia and Tasmania.

“Ovation of the Seas’ sixth season in Sydney’s iconic harbour underscores just how much Australians seek a holiday that has experiences for everyone in the family and all ages,” said Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean International.

It’s exciting to see all three of our award-winning holidays now in Australian waters for what promises to be Royal Caribbean’s biggest and best season ever! In fact, 30% more holidaymakers have joined us for their summer holidays than last year, where they’ll experience everything from show-stopping entertainment to the utmost in leisure for a lifetime of memories.”

Travellers can maximise every minute of their holiday as they sail from one idyllic destination to the next aboard Ovation. There’s the one-of-a-kind North Star – the all-glass observation capsule that holds the world record as the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship – and the signature RipCord by iFly skydiving experience that will get your adrenaline pumping.

The list continues, from surfing the FlowRider surf simulator to scaling the rock-climbing wall and enjoying bumper cars, a full-size sports court, roller-skating, and more at SeaPlex, the largest indoor entertainment complex at sea.

Adults can enjoy the Vitality Spa or the adults-only Solarium – one of several indoor and outdoor pools – in between quality time spent together. At the same time, kids participate in the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth programme, and teens relax at their dedicated retreat.

When it comes to recharging, guests can unwind with a drink or mocktail and a bite to eat at various restaurants, pubs, and clubs that cater to everything from casual family dining to an elegant date night.

For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there’s an array of cuisines to discover, such as sushi and sashimi at Izumi, family-style Tuscan classics at Jamie’s Italian, and imaginative cuisine at Wonderland. And to end every night on a high note, there is live music of all genres and show-stopping original entertainment in the Royal Theatre and Two70. This transformational multilevel venue merges artistry and cutting-edge technology.