Ovation of the Seas, Australia’s newest, smartest and biggest homeported ship, has been officially named by Chinese movie superstar Fan Bingbing.

The ceremony culminated in the maritime tradition of the breaking of a champagne bottle on the hull of the ship to wish good fortune to all who sail on her.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said: “With the arrival of Ovation of the Seas in Tianjin, Royal Caribbean now has the largest fleet in the region.”

Royal Caribbean’s blog tonight said: “This was the first ever naming ceremony in China and the ship also features the first Chinese Godmother, world famous actress Fan Bingbing.

“Ovation of the Seas is a ship of many firsts, including the first to make China its homeport immediately after its delivery.”

Ovation of the Seas will be based in Sydney at the end of the year, and will sail from the port next year as well.

She is proving a big hit with Australians, even though she has yet to hit our shores.

She has just completed a tour of Asia, where she has been treated like a superstar, with civic receptions and media interest.

 

Ovation of the Seas will also offer return trips from Singapore in 2017 in March and April, ranging from 3 to 5 nights to Penang, Phuket, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), and a one-way cruise to Tianjin with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) for an overnight, Hue/Danang (Chan May), Hong Kong and Seoul (Incheon).