Ovation of the Seas Reviews
If you’re thinking about booking Ovation of the Seas (one of the most beloved cruise ships) for the upcoming season, you’re not the only one. This Quantum-class ship has built a bit of a cult following in Australia, and for good reason. It’s big, it’s packed with stuff to do (from skydiving simulations to bumper cars), and it sails to some pretty stunning places.
Whether you’re chasing sunshine closer to home or heading north to see Alaska’s glaciers, Ovation’s got a solid lineup for the 2025/26 season. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from itineraries and cabins to what’s worth doing on board (and what you can probably skip).
Summary
Very positive experience overall. Guests particularly appreciated amazing dining experience at Wonderland, good included restaurants, fun activities for kids and teens, such as bumper cars and indoor skydiving, among other positive aspects. However, concerns were raised about mixed reviews on food quality, especially in main dining room, internet connection can be unreliable and slow, crowded areas like Windjammer buffet, and other issues. Overall, this cruise option is highly recommended by most passengers.
Pros
- Amazing dining experience at Wonderland
- Good included restaurants
- Fun activities for kids and teens, such as bumper cars and indoor skydiving
- Great for families with kids
- Nice solarium for relaxation
- Enjoyable specialty restaurants like Izumi and Jamie’s Italian
- Good entertainment options
- Helpful and friendly staff
- Clean and well-maintained ship
- Nice views from the ship
- Variety of activities and entertainment on sea days
- Great excursions in Alaska
- Good food options at Solarium Bistro and Cafe 270
Cons
- Mixed reviews on food quality, especially in Main Dining Room
- Internet connection can be unreliable and slow
- Crowded areas like Windjammer buffet
- Hard beds reported by some passengers
- Limited nightlife options
- Elevator congestion and rude behavior
- Some excursions and activities canceled due to weather
- Issues with room service food quality
- Limited onboard shopping options
- Smoking allowed on board, which can be bothersome
Other Traveller Reviews
★★★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Ovation of the Seas. On Monday 11 April we enjoyed an overnight visit aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest addition to their Quantum Class, Ovation of the Seas?. Docked in Southampton before setting sail for the Far East, Australia and New Zealand, Ovation boasts the very same innovative technology and a-mazing features as sister ships Anthem and Quantum of the Seas. At Southampton city terminal nearby Fred Olsen’s Boudicca, Ovation look ridiculously huge! We boarded straight away with Royal Caribbean’s ‘smart’ check-in (a friendly representative with an i-pad) and were soon in our stylish balcony cabin on deck 7. There were lifts aplenty and many plans of the ship dotted about so despite her size it was easy to make our way around.
Katie Anderson, 20 October
Source: bolsovercruiseclub.com
★★★★☆
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Ovation of the Seas. Big boat, big expectations, which in the main were realised. The North Star, Robot Bar and multi function sea pass cards were good though I don’t think many cruisers would go to the robot bar more than a couple of times. Liked Michael’s Pub were the bar staff were alot more chatty than the robots! Took time to work out and adjust to “Dynamic Dining”. A better introduction would have been good. The best food and service was in the complimentary restaurants, no doubt. Particularly annoyed that some faceless individual decided to cancel the need for Formal dress altogether in the Grande. We weren’t alone. The explanation was that the Chinese didn’t understand Formal Dress? Surely the Ovation knew that before we set off. Would have packed differently.
Keith O’Neill, 25 January
Source: bolsovercruiseclub.com
★★★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Ovation of the Seas. We did not like the change in the Dynamic Dining. There was not a smokiing room on the ship. Not impressed with the way they are doing the entertainment as the same thing is on for 3 nights in a row which you then had to book a place as the theatre was not big enough. No street party as the esplanade was not big enough.
Mary Kearnan, 22 November
Source: bolsovercruiseclub.com
★★★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Ovation of the Seas. Yesterday, we were lucky enough to spend the night on board Royal Caribbean’s newest arrival, Ovation of the Seas, before it begins a series of taster cruises, followed by an epic 52-night ‘Grand Voyage’ repositioning cruise to its future home port of Tianjin. Check-in was effortless and we were happy to find that ship deck plans were to be found all over the ship, along with plenty of lifts. Getting around was a breeze. Our first port of call once on board was the pool deck, despite it being a grey old day in Southampton. Family favourite Johnny Rockets has been replaced with a noodle restaurant based on Disney’s popular Kung Fu Panda, whilst the colourful Splashaway Bay managed to bring a rainbow of colour to Southampton.
Rebecca Martin, 31 January
Source: bolsovercruiseclub.com
★★★★★
I sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Ovation of the Seas. WOW! is the one word i repeated several times when i was lucky enough to be offered the chance to visit the ship whilst she was in Southampton. Having cruised several times with other major Cruise Liners, I would have to say Royal Caribbean do it hands down for me! The ambiance on-board was incredible, she had a lovely flow walking around, plenty of entertainment, shops, bars, restaurants and more.. The ships decor was very modern and innotive. As the ship is re-positioning to Japan, it had plenty of influence of this around the ship. The staff, and food was absouletly amazing, so much choice and such a range.
Samantha Ward, 22 November
Source: bolsovercruiseclub.com
Related Posts
-
Ovation of the Seas Cruises 2025-27 Schedule, Cabins & Destinations Published by Jane Archer Published on 27 November 2024 Deck Plans Reviews 2025/26 Itineraries and DestinationsDining and Culinary ExperienceOnboard Activities…
-
Regent, one of the world's leading luxury cruise lines, has unveiled "Iconic Explorations" offering guests a wider choice of free, multi-day land excursions on sailings in Europe and Alaska next…
-
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled a new specialty restaurant, Azure serving exquisite Mediterranean cuisine aboard its new Seven Seas Prestige to be launched next year.
-
There was plenty of 'Cheer Cheer the Red and the White' when the inaugural Sydney Swans Member Cruise set sail. Find out how you can get on the second voyage.
