Dubai (by which we mean the city’s super enthusiastic residents) welcomed Royal Caribbean’s brand new billion dollar vessel Ovation of the Seas at Dubai Cruise Terminal 3 over the weekend. On its way from Barcelona to Singapore, with Beijing as its final destination, the magnificent vessel is a third of its kind (the first two being Quantum of the Seas in 2014 and Anthem of the Seas in 2015) by the award-winning global cruise brand.

It’s arrival highlights Dubai’s growing popularity not just as a tourist but also cruise destination

The vessel features a number of first-at-sea innovations

• North Star – a jewel-shaped capsule suspended 300 feet above seal level
• RipCord by iFly – a skydiving simulator
• SeaPlex – the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea (we’re talking bumper cars, video games, roller skating and even flying trapeze classes)