Ovation of The Seas Review

A Note about Our cruise ship reviews

Every cruise ship review we write is based on our own experiences as paying passengers—with no compensation, perks, or consideration provided by the cruise line. That means you’re getting honest, unbiased feedback on what it’s really like to sail on these ships, straight from a cruiser’s perspective.

For this review, we sailed in early September, 2025, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum-class ship known for its modern design and high-tech amenities, and were in a traditional balcony cabin. Below, we’ll dive into the ship’s vibe, standout venues, and hidden gems—plus a candid look at where it fell short.

Here is a quick walk though of a Balcony cabin on this ship.

Quick Ship Facts

The Vibe: A Ship With an Identity Crisis?

While the Ovation of the Seas is close to 10 years old now, the ship has held up well and still feels in many aspects as a “newer” ship.  In our opinion, the design of the ship lacks the dramatic multi-deck atrium seen on so many other ships, and instead the activity centers around a bustling Royal Promenade. With so many bars, shops, and eateries, it felt very crowded rather than a relaxing gathering spot. This is probably more about the Quantum Class ships in general, but just felt the goal was to funnel everyone in Deck 4 and then using Deck 5 as an overflow for less popular venues.

I used the words “identity crisis,” as the Ovation just didn’t have that Royal Caribbean polished and family-friendly vibe we have felt on other RCL ships. In some ways, saw some instances that were more Carnival “Fun Ship” vibes than RCL.

An example of this was in the dining room during the last two nights of dinner service.  While the previous four nights were great, for some reason on night five they decided to do the whole loud music with staff dancing around the room kind of thing.  While I am always open to a good conga line, they went a different direction with the macarena, which was led by the waitstaff with little to no audience participation.  I don’t think it had anything to do with us being a boring group of cruisers, but it was like they were trying to change the whole atmosphere on day five, for no apparent reason.  While it just seemed like a stretch, they did try to top themselves on the sixth night by trying to get everyone to get up and do the chicken dance. Like I said, good or bad, it just seemed like they were grasping at something, but never got it, and came across as very forced rather than festive.

Hidden Gems & Favorite Spaces

Despite the crowds, we found havens of calm:

• Two-70 Lounge & Café: This became our morning go-to spot! We went there on Day 1, and on Day 2, the barista greeted us with, “want the regular?” Exceptional service and a peaceful vibe set this apart from anywhere else on the ship. 
• The Library – Accessed Through Two-70: The library is mostly a quiet escape, where they have big and comfortable chairs facing out with unobstructed ocean views.  As the library sits above the Two-70 Lounge Café, it was a no brainer to grab our afternoon tea (or coffee) and then head up the Library to catch up on reading, game play (Five Crowns is our current favorite) or to just take in the views.  The downside to this location, as much as we loved it, is that when there is an activity going on in the Two-70 Lounge, the Library is no longer a place of quiet and solitude.

It’s finding these out of the way gems on any ship that reminds us how cruising can feel so personal, even on a megaship.

Entertainment & Amenities Highlights

Ovation of the Seas is packed with activities, attractions, and entertainment options that cater to every type of cruiser. From thrill rides, bumper cars and pickleball to Broadway-style productions, there’s always something happening on board.

Signature Attractions

Bionic Bar: While the Bionic Bar isn’t what everyone would call an “attraction”, it certainly does attract a lot of people to it.  It’s Royal Caribbean’s more futuristic and theatrical bar, as it’s staffed not by human bartenders (for the mixing), but by robotic arms that do the shaking, stirring, measuring, and mixing. You order your drinks on a tablet, selecting pre-set “Bionic Classics” or “Bionic Signatures,” drinks. You can even order custom drink combinations where you can pick your spirits, mixers, how it’s shaken/stirred, etc. Once the robot has crafted the drink, it slides it down a slot to you at a pickup point.

North Star Observation Pod: The North Star is a glass capsule that rises high above the ship, offering incredible panoramic 360° views of the sea and ports of call. While in port, they often offer a complimentary “ride” for less than 15 minutes, on a first come first serve basis.  During at sea days, or if you want to confirm a date and time, you can book via the Royal Caribbean app for a fee. there is no cost for this 15 minute “ride”, on a first come first serve basis, though you can enjoy a longer rider at a cost.

iFly Indoor Skydiving: This is a skydiving simulator that lets you experience the thrill of freefall in a safe, controlled environment. For me, it should be called iNoFly instead.

FlowRider Surf Simulator: A Royal Caribbean classic where guests can test their balance and skill on artificial waves.  Every time we passed by the FlowRider it was crowded, but not in a bad way.  Whether you want to try surfing, body surfing or boogie-boarding, they offer designated times for all three.

SeaPlex: The SeaPlex is the largest indoor activity space at sea.  Picture it like a very large indoor gym, which at different times of the day becomes home to bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, pickleball and even where you can take a trapeze class.

Shows & Live Entertainment

During this sailing, Ovation offered a wide variety of shows in both the main theater and the innovative Two70° venue, along with daily and late-night activities for all tastes.

• Broadway-Style Productions: We caught Spectra’s Cabaret, The Beautiful Dream, and Live. Love. Legs. While these shows were polished and entertaining, we had already seen them on a previous Ovation cruise two years ago. For those who enjoy sailing the same ship on different itineraries, which many of us do, a refreshed lineup would keep things more exciting.
• Comedy & Variety Acts: Two standout shows on our cruise were fresh additions to the lineup:
  • Adam Trent – Comedy Magician: Adam blended magic and humor into an interactive, high-energy performance. It was clever, family-friendly, and had the audience engaged from start to finish—a show suitable for all ages.
  • Kivi Rogers – Stand-Up Comedian: Though we hadn’t heard of Kivi prior to this cruise, it’s not a name I am likely to forget anytime soon. He has been performing for more than 20 years and delivered a masterclass in comedy. His most memorable bit for me, and one that hit home to most of the audience, was a nostalgic 20-minute routine about growing up in the 70s and 80s—riding in cars without seat belts, drinking from garden hoses, and only being expected home when the street lights came on. The audience was laughing out loud the entire time and just couldn’t get enough Kivi.

Between Broadway-style productions, variety acts, live music in lounges, and the immersive shows in Two70°, Ovation ensures there’s never a dull moment onboard.

Dining Venues: Variety, Surprises, and a Few Quirks

Main Dining Room: Two Venues, One Menu

Ovation of the Seas offers a “Main Dining Room” experience, but here’s the twist: it’s actually split into two distinct restaurants—Silk and American ICON Grill—located side by side at the aft of the ship. While the menus are identical, the ambiance couldn’t be more different.

We were first seated in Silk, which has an Asian-inspired décor and a rather formal vibe. That elegant setting made the staff-led sing-and-dance-along nights feel awkward and out of place. Later in the cruise, we tried the American ICON Grill, which felt more open, comfortable, and relaxed—a much better match for our style.

Regardless of décor preferences, the dining staff was exceptional throughout, especially our Silk servers, who made each meal a real pleasure.

Windjammer Marketplace Buffet

The Windjammer Café, perched on Deck 14, offers the classic Royal Caribbean buffet experience with a few standout perks.

Pros:

• Diverse Food Selection: A wide array of international options kept meals interesting, along with several cook to order stations, whether for breakfast or dinner.
• Surprisingly Manageable Crowds: While finding a table at cruise buffets can be a struggle in itself, Ovation’s layout seemed to make it easier than we’ve experienced elsewhere. We never really had that “walk around the room twice to try and find seats together” experience that frustrated us on so many other cruises.

Cons:

• Staff Engagement: Service at Windjammer felt less attentive compared to the rest of the ship, and not really sure why. The only thing we could really put our finger on, was the lack of staff coming around asking for drink orders. We think this ties into our take on Ovation’s Beverage program, as outlined below.
• Early Closing Hours: OK, so we are normally in bed before 10pm, but finding that the buffet closes at 9 PM left no option for a late-night snack.  What happened to the late night food fests, cookie runs, ice cream socials? (deep sigh.) As a saving grace though, you can head to Sorrento’s Pizza on Deck 4, which happily serves a wide variety of slices from 11 AM to 3 AM daily.

Beverage Stations: Souvenir Cups & Self-Serve Convenience

Like most cruise lines, Royal Caribbean offers a range of beverage packages—from alcohol-inclusive to non-alcohol options. What makes Ovation of the Seas unique is that every package includes a 16oz souvenir cup that unlocks access to the ship’s self-serve soda stations.

At first, this was a fun perk, especially for families with kids. Kids love creating “dirty sodas” by mixing different flavors at the machines. However, by Day 2, carrying the cup everywhere just became a hassle.

As you are encouraged to use your souvenir cup at one of the three self-serve drink stations (on Deck 4 at Sorrento’s, Deck 14 at Windjammers, and on Deck 15 by The Doghouse hot dog stand), drink service in venues like Windjammer felt less attentive, with fewer servers circulating to take drink orders. Even at bars, ordering a soda sometimes came with a subtle suggestion to use the machines yourself. While the system is probably quite cost-effective for Royal, is easy to use and a clear win for families, the novelty wore off quickly for us as adult cruisers.

Specialty Dining: Extra Flavor at a Price

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas offers several specialty dining restaurants beyond the included Main Dining Room and other “included” options. These specialty dining venues come at an extra cost but provide a more intimate atmosphere, higher-quality ingredients, and themed experiences. Among the most notable are Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille, Izumi Japanese Cuisine, and the whimsical Wonderland. During this trip, we only had the opportunity to experience one, so we chose Wonderland, as it just seemed so out of the ordinary that we had to see what it was all about.

Wonderland: Dining With a Twist

This venue is less of a restaurant and more of an interactive dining experience. The décor is quirky, imaginative, and playful—straight out of a storybook. The menu presentation itself is whimsical, with dishes designed to surprise both visually and in flavor. Each course felt like part of a performance, with servers guiding us through unusual combinations and creative plating that made the entire evening feel unique.

For us, Wonderland was memorable and fun, though it’s not necessarily a place we’d revisit as a couple. But with a younger crowd—kids, teens, or grandkids under 16—it becomes an absolute must. Watching their reactions to the magical presentations and unexpected dishes would take the experience to another level.

Other Specialty Options

While we didn’t sample all the others, Ovation also features:

• Jamie’s Italian – Rustic Italian pastas, antipasti, and family-style portions curated by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
• Chops Grille – Royal Caribbean’s classic American steakhouse with prime cuts and hearty sides.
• Izumi – Sushi, sashimi, and hot Japanese dishes in a casual yet stylish setting.

Each of these provides an alternative to the main dining room, perfect for those looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply change up the dining pace. have an easy go of things on your “turnaround day”, we suggest:

Cabins & Staterooms

While we didn’t explore every stateroom type on Ovation of the Seas, we stayed in a Balcony Cabin, which offered a comfortable retreat after long days of exploring the ship. The room featured the expected Royal Caribbean touches: a functional layout, efficient storage, and a private balcony perfect for morning coffee or evening sunsets.

Rather than walk through every detail here, we created a video walkthrough of our cabin so you can get a first-hand look at the space.

Pricing & Value: A Last-Minute Steal

One of the best parts of this cruise? The price tag. Booking within 120 days of sailing, we scored a rate well below standard fares—proof that timing matters when planning your next getaway. When I told my wife that I found this 6-night cruise for less than $1K for both of us in a Balcony room, her only response was, “why haven’t you booked it already?”

For more tips on snagging a great deal, check out our Best Time to Cruise Calendar, where we break down when and where to book for the best pricing throughout the year.

Overall Impressions

Ovation of the Seas is a feature-packed megaship that delivers moments of genuine warmth—like the Two70° Café staff—but also suffers from design choices that make it feel crowded and a bit chaotic. If you enjoy constant activity and variety, this ship will keep you entertained. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, you’ll want to plan your quiet spots early in your sailing.