Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas Review

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has many different ships, and the Ovation of the Seas truly stands out as a Quantum Class ship. This means it's one of their newer, more inventive ships with amazing features for both adventure and relaxation. The ship was updated in 2021, making it big, modern, and full of cool technology and entertainment.

 

 Agent Adela, and I were excited to join the first West Coast sailing of the Ovation of the Seas. It was a short trip from L.A. that included a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. We loved having time to explore this beautiful ship and learn all about its layout, dining options, and staterooms. 

Our balcony room on Deck 7 was the perfect home base. The space felt open and modern, with a comfortable bed, a sitting area, a large closet, and an updated bathroom. The best part, of course, was the private balcony ideal for enjoying morning coffee. Our room attendant was friendly and always made sure everything was spotless.

Let's check out some of the ship's most popular public spaces. Deck 5 is truly the heart of the ship, thanks to the Royal Esplanade. It's always lively and filled with shops, bars, and restaurants. Guest Services and Shore Excursions are located here, too, which is super convenient if you need help or want to book something fun on shore. You can also find Schooner’s Bar, Izumi, and Wonderland. And don’t forget the Bionic Bar! This was really fun to watch.

 

Heading down the stairs, the Royal Esplanade continues onto Deck 4. We found ourselves at Café Promenade a lot for quick snacks and coffee, and Sorrento’s Pizza was our go-to for a late-night bite. Whether you're looking for souvenirs or that one thing you forgot to pack (like Dramamine!), the shops here have you covered.

The Main Dining Room starts on Deck 3 and stretches across three decks. We ate dinner here several times and were impressed every night. The service was amazing, and the menu changed daily, so it always felt like something new. The Main Dining Room is a popular spot for dinner and is included in your cruise fare. It's spread across two decks and offers two dining options: traditional dining, where you have the same table and time each night, or My Time Dining, which lets you choose a different time each evening. We went with traditional dining and were seated on Deck 4. We loved the different choices we had for dinner, and of course, the desserts were delicious.

 

Deck 4 is also home to Casino Royale, more dining room seating, and Boleros—a fun Latin-themed lounge with live music and dancing. You'll also find another Sorrento’s location here, just in case you're craving a slice after a show. Speaking of shows, The Royal Theater is also on this deck, and we were amazed by the performances in "The Beautiful Dream."

For breakfast and lunch, we often headed up to Deck 14, home to the Windjammer Café. This casual buffet is open for all three meals and always has something for everyone—whether you want a made-to-order omelet, stir fry, international dishes, or fun themed nights. We really liked how clean and organized everything was, the friendly staff, and the plenty of seating available no matter when we showed up.

Deck 15 is where you can truly enjoy yourself. It's home to the main pool area, whirlpools, and live music that plays throughout the day. Whether we were hanging out by the pool or walking around, it always felt like something exciting was happening. When we wanted to relax, the adults-only Solarium was our top choice. It was quiet, with comfy chairs, peaceful pools, and some of the best views on the ship.

 

 

This deck also has a spa and fitness center. Whether you're into morning workouts or treating yourself to a massage, it's all just steps away. For a little more excitement, RipCord by iFLY is located on this deck—it’s a skydiving simulator that’s unlike anything we've tried before. We also had the opportunity to try rock climbing. And the SeaPlex is definitely worth checking out. It’s a huge indoor space with bumper cars, roller skating, and even a basketball court. Just remember to reserve your time to participate in these activities.

 

One of the most unique features on the Ovation of the Seas is the North Star—a glass observation capsule that lifts you high above the ship for breathtaking views of the ocean and ports. It gently rises over 300 feet above sea level, giving you a 360-degree view. Adela and I reserved our time while we were at the port. It offered beautiful views of the ship and of the Port of San Pedro.

 

We truly enjoyed our time aboard Ovation of the Seas and felt so lucky to be part of its first sailing from the West Coast. As the largest ship to ever sail from the Los Angeles area, it delivered big on entertainment, dining, and unforgettable experiences. We’re incredibly thankful to Royal Caribbean and Kingdom Konsultant Travel for giving us the chance to explore everything this amazing ship has to offer. It was a cruise we won't forget, and we can't wait to help our clients experience it for themselves!

Elisa Mendoza loves helping others create magical memories with their family and friends. You can email Elisa at elisa@kingdomkonsultant.com.