In a heartwarming turn of events, a cat named Ovie has been granted a second chance at life after being smuggled onto Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas cruise ship. The feline’s journey took an unexpected twist, leading to a fortunate outcome and a new home in Miami.
Ovie’s adventure began when the unsuspecting cat was discovered onboard the cruise ship on November 18. According to Michael Bayley, the CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Ovie was “smuggled” onto the vessel, presumably hidden in a guest’s sweatshirt. Bayley suggested that the cat might have been sedated during this unauthorized boarding.
The cat’s presence came to light when a vigilant crew member spotted Ovie and reported the incident to New Zealand authorities, following bio-security protocols. Royal Caribbean, in a statement to PEOPLE, explained that they collaborated with local authorities and the guest to explore the possibility of legally bringing the cat into the country. Unfortunately, federal regulations prevented this option.
Bayley shared on Facebook that, as a result, authorities in Australia and New Zealand decided that Ovie was not allowed to disembark and was slated for euthanasia. Despite this grim outlook, Royal Caribbean remained committed to finding a solution for Ovie.
According to the company’s statement, Royal Caribbean worked closely with authorities to explore alternatives for the cat. After adhering to local quarantine protocols, Ovie was flown back to the United States. Here, a heartwarming twist occurred as the cruise line’s guest service team orchestrated a plan to secure a forever home for Ovie.
Bayley expressed his gratitude on Facebook, stating, “Our guest service team stepped up to the plate, and after several weeks and much back and forth, safely brought Ovie halfway around the world to be adopted by one of the guest service team members in Miami.”
Now residing in Miami, Ovie has found a loving forever home, marking a triumphant conclusion to a journey that began with uncertainty. This heartening tale underscores the compassion and dedication of those involved in securing Ovie’s well-deserved second chance at a happy life.
