Fascinating footage of life on board Royal Caribbean’s new ship Odyssey of the Seas, from a trip in a giddying glass observation pod to a peek inside the £52k-a-week Royal Loft Suite

• The footage has been filmed by Jo Kessel, who boarded for a trip to the Bahamas 
• Jo soared to 300ft in the North Star pod and pulled up a stool at the poolside bar
• However, she left indoor skydiving to her daughter, who said it was ‘intense’ 

Travel writer Jo Kessel filmed fascinating footage of life on board Royal Caribbean’s new ship Odyssey of the Seas, including a trip on the highest viewing deck at sea to a sneak peek of a two-floor suite that costs $70,000 (£52,000) a week. The video also takes in showstopping shows and the best places to eat when hunger pangs strike.

It’s impossible to be bored on Odyssey of the Seas, as I found out when I hopped on board for the ship’s recent Naming Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, followed by a five-night voyage to the Bahamas.

My mission was to film everything that Odyssey has to offer, a tall order for a ship this scale – she can accommodate 5,498 guests – but I think I’ve pulled it off.

Travel writer Jo Kessel, pictured, filmed fascinating footage of life on board Royal Caribbean’s new ship Odyssey of the Seas

‘It’s impossible to be bored on Odyssey of the Seas,’ says Jo, pictured

ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS BY THE NUMBERS 

Odyssey of the Seas, built in Meyer Werft, Germany, is Royal Caribbean’s third Quantum-class ship. She measures 41m (135ft) wide and 347m (1,138ft) long – and weighs 167,704 gross tonnes. Guests can roam 16 decks – eight of which have balcony staterooms overlooking the sea. The ship can accommodate 5,498 guests and there are 1,550 international crew members onboard. 

Odyssey is big and bold with tropical vibes. The video starts by exploring the passenger ship’s top deck, with its extended open pool space and an aft boasting so many thrilling activities that there’s no chance of apathy from the young or the young at heart.

There’s a rock-climbing wall, a surf simulator, a bungee trampoline pod, bumper cars (beware the whiplash) and an indoor skydiving tube. 

I longed to try the latter, but a recent injury ruled it out and my daughter Nathalie had a go instead. 

She suited up and, for a few minutes, experienced the sensation of freefalling. ‘It was intense, crazy and amazing to fly like a bird,’ she told me.

All these activities are included, including the record-breaking North Star, a glass observation capsule in which I soared to a giddying 300 feet (92m) above sea level.

First, the capsule hovers over the ship, then it swings sideways so that passengers dangle over the ocean – definitely not for vertigo sufferers.

Odyssey’s two-storey poolside bar, The Lime & Coconut, has a signature namesake cocktail. We watch a barman shake one up – think oodles of Malibu coconut rum with guava syrup – and then put it to the taste test. Sweet, but delicious!

Next, we look at Odyssey’s spanking new cabins.

Jo says Odyssey of the Seas is ‘big and bold with tropical vibes’

Odyssey of the Seas’ features include a surf simulator, pictured, a rock-climbing wall, a bungee trampoline pod, bumper cars and an indoor skydiving tube

This still from Jo’s footage shows her trying a cocktail at the ship’s two-storey poolside bar, The Lime & Coconut

The film offers a sneak peek at the poshest, most expensive accommodation on offer: the Royal Loft Suite (pictured)

The Royal Loft Suite, pictured, sleeps six and boasts a floor space nearly ten times bigger than most staterooms

They’re modern, stylish and refreshingly spacious. After a quick tour of my balcony stateroom the film offers a sneak peek at the poshest, most expensive accommodation on offer: the Royal Loft Suite.

This two-floor cabin sleeps six and boasts a floor space nearly ten times bigger than most staterooms.

As well as a dining area and cinema room, it has a gargantuan panoramic balcony complete with whirlpool and a second smaller balcony kitted out with a swing chair.

Other touches include a decadent freestanding bathtub, jewellery boxes for bling and a ‘Genie’ (aka personal concierge) to grant your every wish.

Book for Christmas or New Year and it’s yours for $70,000 (£52,000) a week.

As well as a dining area and cinema room, the Royal Loft Suite has a gargantuan panoramic balcony complete with whirlpool and a second smaller balcony kitted out with a swing chair

Jo’s film takes in the locations to head to when hunger pangs strike

Odyssey of the Seas’ amazing three-tiered dining room

The focus then turns to cuisine, from the poolside Mexican cantina (top pick) to the buffet in the main dining room and the speciality restaurants that cost extra, such as Japanese Izumi.

As well as serving standard sushi and sashimi, it dishes up inventive Californian-style rolls laced with Champagne sauce.

Lastly, the film heads indoors, checking out the state-of-the-art solarium and Playmakers – the biggest sports bar at sea – before taking a seat in the theatre.

Odyssey of the Seas, built in Meyer Werft, Germany, is Royal Caribbean’s third Quantum-class ship

Guests can roam 16 decks – eight of which have balcony staterooms overlooking the sea. The ship can accommodate 5,498 guests and there are 1,550 international crew members onboard. This video still shows Jo striding around the top deck running track

From May till October, 2022, Odyssey will be in the Mediterranean, sailing to Greece and Turkey from Rome

A June 2021 picture showing Odyssey of the Seas arriving at her homeport of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the first time

Odyssey of the Seas will be sailing Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until April 2022

On stage exclusively to Odyssey are two new shows – The Effectors and The Book. Both use aerialists and sophisticated robotic and lighting technology to create toe-tapping, multi-dimensional spectaculars.

The video’s finale includes snippets from these ground-breaking shows.

A fitting end for a tour of a showstopping ship.

For more videos from Jo, visit her YouTube channel – Go with Jo.

TRAVEL FACTS 

Odyssey of the Seas will be sailing Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until April 2022. From May till October, 2022, Odyssey will be in the Mediterranean, sailing to Greece and Turkey from Rome.

For more information: www.royalcaribbean.com. 

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