There’s something about the monsoon in Kerala. The cloudy grey skies and pitter-patter of rain are mesmerising to watch – through a glass window, while you’re cosy inside of course. It’s even better when you are 18 storeys above sea level – a view we were treated to from the Solarium aboard the Ovation of the Seas. Asia’s largest and the world’s most technologically advanced “smartship” from Royal Carribean International docked at Kochi harbour last week. And its towering presence was the talk of the town.

The impressively tall cruise ship takes a while to take in, as your eyes scan all 18 decks – and finally stop at what looks like a giant Panda bear, trying to climb down. If you’re as puzzled as we were, don’t worry, apparently adding larger-than-life-sized art installations shaped-like animals is a trademark of the Quantum class ships, and the mother-and-child Panda bear duo is unique to the Ovation. Quirky art aside, there’s much more to the Ovation that can keep a traveller entertained for the exaggerated amount of time it takes to go from port to port.

The good life If you really believe in the saying that ‘It’s all about the journey not the destination,” then here’s your test - trade in the three hour flight it takes to go from Kochi to Singapore for an eight-night sail on the cruise ship. Don’t worry, the ship has WiFi, and enough to keep you and your extended family of various ages and tastes entertained and relaxed. Perhaps, even a bit spoilt for choice.

We stepped into the air-conditioned interiors of Ovation, and forgot about the grey, drizzling humid Kochi outside – we could have been in any star-hotel lobby in the world – the multi-cultural staff adds to the happy confusion. If you’re looking for a holiday to ‘get away’ from your daily life, but without giving up on any of the luxuries you can’t do without – then a cruise may be just what you need.

Plush interiors give you a general impression of luxury without making too much of an impact, familiar restaurant names (like Jamie’s Italian) and even some stores make it look like you’re walking down high-street; it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of the sea. But if you want to be reminded, just take a walk up to the Solarium, the sun deck where lounge chairs and a bistro make for a great way to take in a view of the moment. We got to see Kochi in its monsoon glory from a whole new vantage point, but considering the Ovation sailed from Dubai to India, and goes onwards to Singapore, Malaysia, China and more, there’s no limit to the sights to be seen.

Sailing smart With everything adding the prefix ‘smart’ to its label, this ship isn’t far behind, but it does justify the ‘smartship’ tag. A RoyalIQ app that can be downloaded is an all-access pass and brochure that helps you keep track of everything from dinner reservations to tours on port when the ship is docked, and even a map to help you find your way around the cruise ship. Tablets with the app are placed strategically around the ship; easy access to check on something even if you’ve forgotten your phone.

Hate making small talk with the bartender? Head to the Bionic Bar where you can order your drink off a tablet and watch as two really cool robot arms whip up your cocktail. This is what the bars of the future look like – zero human interaction, and a perfectly blended drink. ‘Virtual balconies’ are what those who opt for the interior staterooms get – large digital screens projecting real time views, to make you feel like you’re waking up to the sight of the sea.

While cruises are generally long-winded affairs, ranging anywhere from a few weeks to a month or two, since it’s a relatively new concept for Indians, the option of segmented sailing (for about 8 or 9 nights) is here to give us a taste of the cruise life. All this, with a ship that’s set to impress – 18 restaurants to choose from, rock climbing and skydiving aboard the ship for thrill seekers, a theatre with regular shows, a surf-simulator, bumper cars for the young (at heart) and the cherry on the cake – the North Star, an “observation capsule that rises to 92m above sea level.” If there’s a view worth showing off, it’s definitely from up here, about 300 feet above sea level!

Taking the tour of the ship, we were promised a ride on the North Star – but only if the weather got better. That was probably the first time Kerala’s monsoon made us feel as grey as the clouds. Unfortunately, the weather prevailed and it was, sadly, time to de-board the ship without getting on the North Star.

As we drove out of Willingdon Island, the road that curved onto the mainland, toward Kochi Airport, gave us one last view of the Ovation of the Seas, making an impressive dent on the otherwise calm harbour skyline.

(The writer was in Kochi on invitation of TIRUN Travel Marketing)

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