Ovation of the Seas | ShermansTravel

by ShermansTravel Editorial Staff

Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

The 4,180-passenger Ovation of the Seas became the third in Royal Caribbean's Quantum class when it launched in April 2016, joining its two sisters, Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas. Like those ships, Ovation of the Seas has the high-energy and tech-focused amenities that the line has become known for, including robot bartenders, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulators, and bumper cars.

While Ovation of the Seas initially cruised from Shanghai, serving the Chinese market, the ship has now been spending summers in Alaska, offering seven-night sailings from Seattle, and then cruising the South Pacific and New Zealand during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring and summer (October to March). Sister Quantum-class ship Spectrum of the Seas marked Royal Caribbean’s return to the China market, cruising from Shanghai as of April 2024.

What We Love

The Dining Mix: There are 16 dining venues onboard Ovation of the Seas and seven of them are included in the cruise fare (eight if you include Coastal Kitchen, which is available to suite guests). Complimentary favorites include Dog House for hot dogs ranging from mustard-and-relish-topped classics to Bavarian-style sausages covered with sauerkraut and Cafe@Two70 for breakfast burritos, hot-pressed sandwiches, and yummy soups. Among the extra-fee specialty restaurants, perennial crowd-pleasers are Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, Chops Grille for a steakhouse menu, and Izumi for fresh sushi and flavorful dumplings and spring rolls.

Two70 Theatrics: Featured on all Quantum-class ships, Two70 is a multimedia theater featuring robotic dancing screens and aerialists that synchronize to create daring and exhilarating performances.

Best Known For

North Star: Sightseeing from more than 300 feet in the air — which is how high this elevating capsule rises — is a pretty cool sensation, especially when the scenery surrounding Ovation of the Seas is the beautiful landscapes of Alaska or New Zealand or the blue lagoons of the South Pacific.

SeaPlex: This indoor multipurpose space is a magnet for tweens and teens, offering everything from court sports and bumper cars to Xbox gaming stations.

Solarium: When it’s time to escape the adrenaline-rush vibe of Ovation of the Seas’ thrill-inducing attractions, adults (age 18+) can head to this glass-enclosed pool and hot tub area located at the front of the ship to relax, read, and sip their favorite cocktail.

Who It's Best For

Families & Couples: Depending on the itinerary, Ovation of the Seas attracts a different passenger mix — families in Alaska during the summer school break and couples on longer South Pacific and New Zealand itineraries — but overall this ship is well-suited for both couples and families with tweens/teens.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

There are no Waterslides or Broadway Shows: If you or your kids love to make a splash or watch an award-winning musical, a Quantum-class ship isn’t for you. You’ll need to book one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis- or Icon-class ships for those kind of thrills.

ShermansTravel Editorial Staff

Deal Expert / Travel Blogger