Yesterday we got a chance to see a new ship and it was really special for us because two weeks from yesterday, we will be sailing on her…with our grandkids and…their parents. Because of that we were totally into this tour. So far in our travel agent lifetime we have only toured two ships that we hadn’t been on before…or been on their sister ships. But we had never toured or sailed on this class of ship and we were worried that we might not like it. But all is AOK as we were totally impressed with Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.
We boarded around 10:30 and I had an entire list of questions from the folks on our Cruise Critic roll call that needed to be answered. To start with, I want to state that Ovation is in awesome shape. The ship (which is only three years old) looked super, lunch was great and the food was excellent.
Some general observations:
People were boarding at 10:30. That’s pretty early and it also means they got everyone off fairly quickly.
The buffet was SLAMMED every time we went by from 11:30 (when it opened) on. If you are cruising on this ship, try and find someplace else to eat when you first get on board. Pizza at Sorrento on Deck 4, Hot dogs at the Seaplex Doghouse on Deck 15, lunch at the Solarium Bistro on Deck 14 (if it isn’t reserved for a private party as it was when we were touring), sandwiches and salads at Cafe 270 on deck 5. One place that was completely empty was the Fish and Ships, a very cool Fish and Chips place on Deck 14. It doesn’t show on the deck plans they were passing out so that may be why it was empty.
We were really impressed that all the pools were open, with lifeguards at 11:00 am. Also, we were impressed that for those that have kids, they have life jackets/water wings for kids at both family pools.
The staterooms were really, really nice (so nice that I actually used “really, really.”) Lots of storage…much more than on any ship we have sailed on before including our favorite S-Class.
The ship was recently converted from serving the Asian market. The changes were fairly minor. They removed a high roller’s casino and turned it into a very nice music venue, they flipped a ramen restaurant and turned it into the aforementioned fish and chips restaurant. There were a few other changes we heard about but you certainly could not tell that they had been made.
If you would like to find out more, I have added captions to the pics below. And I will have a full report on Ovation after we finish our Alaska cruise on August 2.
Photos are below and are best viewed as a slide show. Just click on the first photo and then hit your right or left arrows.
Just before we boarded
A quick stop inside the Royal Theater
A typical verandah stateroom
The bath inside that stateroom
Another verandah stateroom
A junior suite
More junior suite
More junior suite
Part of a Grand Suite
Comes with a full tub
A master bedroom
A second bedroom
These are WOW bands which can replace your sea pass card and used to open doors and pay for things.
Looking out at Splashaway Bay
A pretty awesome area for kids
Northstar
Northstar
The indoor pool
The reception desk at the spa
Inside the spa
The thermal suite. Wish it had windows to the outdoors
These are on every deck near every elevator. The screens have everything you need to know, plus a room finder
Inside the gym
More gym shots. Really a nice one. All new machines.
Splashaway Bay from the other side
The Seaplex Dog House. A great place to grab a snack next to the Seaplex
Here’s the menu. I have a friend who will really like this place. And it’s free!
The Seaplex. Can be used for a variety of things
Like bumper cars. Grandma K previews the cards for the grandkids.
The empty of water Surfrider. Opens at 1:00 pm
The iFly—Indoor (but outdoor) skydiving
iFly
iFly check in is one deck below. You must reserve in advance
Rock climbing wall
The pandas
Up close
Inside the Coastal Kitchen, a special dining room for suite guests
The crammed buffet.
The empty Fish and Chips place that no one knows about, right next door.
Inside the adults-only solarium
The Solarium Bistro
Solarium Bistro. Free at breakfast and lunch, chargeable at dinner
Inside the adults-only solarium
So impressed that every pool had a lifeguard!
Inside the adults-only solarium
Inside the adults-only solarium
Inside the adults-only solarium
The Schooner Bar
Chops Grille-much nicer than on Explorer of the Sea
Chops Grille inside
The Japanese restaurant
Looking down into the Royal Esplanade
The Bionic Bar (I like bartenders that talk)
Another alternative restaurant
Interesting look inside
They don’t have a menu for Wonderland. They have this.
Love this sculpture hanging from the Esplanade’s ceiling
Jamie Oliver’s Italian
Jamie Oliver’s menu
Vintages, the wine bar
Inside Cafe 270. Free dining
Paninis and sandwiches…
And salads
If you want a beverage package, this is available on the first day in most restaurants
Inside TWO70, a viewing area by day…
… an entertainment venue at night
Back in the Esplanade
Sorrento’s. Free pizza place on the Esplanade
Inside Sorrento’s
Amber & Oak, a British Pub
Inside Amber and Oak
Looking down into The Music Hall, an evening music venue
The Casino
Inside the Chic dining room. One of four Main Dining Rooms
Dinner menu for night one of the cruise
Dinner menu for night two of the cruise
The four main dining rooms. Chic and The Grande are for scheduled seating and Silk and the American Icon Grille are for anytime dining
The entrance to Adventure Ocean, the kids’s club on deck 12
I’ve had all that you could ask for. The fat lady has sung, and there’s a standing Ovation. —Flip Wilson
