Royal Caribbean Ovation Overview: Excessive-Tech out West

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas is making waves — not only for its skydiving simulator or bumper vehicles, however as a result of it’s bringing megaship cruising to the West Coast.

Traditionally, most of Royal Caribbean’s largest, most enjoyable ships have stayed within the Caribbean, leaving West Coast cruisers with older, smaller and fewer revolutionary vessels. However in June 2025, Ovation of the Seas began crusing from Los Angeles, providing itineraries to Mexico and past. With a capability of simply over 4,100 passengers, it’s the most important ship to sail out of Los Angeles.

I joined a three-night trade crusing — which was restricted to journey brokers, media and different trade gamers — to preview what this ship brings to California cruisers.

Whereas Ovation debuted in 2016 and isn’t the latest within the fleet, it’s nonetheless loaded with high-tech thrills and sensible design. In the end, I’d want crusing on a more recent, bigger vessel — however this ship nonetheless feels sufficiently trendy, with sufficient actions to maintain me entertained. And provided that it usually is available in at a lower cost tag than different Royal Caribbean ships, it’s onerous to argue with its worth.

First impressions: Surprisingly tech-forward

For West Coast vacationers craving a big-ship expertise with out the cross-country flight, Ovation is a game-changer. It contains a skydiving simulator, robotic bartenders and an remark capsule (which is a glass pod that lifts up and out over the ship to supply panoramic views).

It’s not as all-inclusive as some cruises, although. You’ll should pay additional to expertise a few of these technological marvels. But it surely’s nonetheless one of many best-value ships in Royal Caribbean’s lineup.

Cabin costs differ relying on itinerary and season, however you possibly can rating a balcony room for lower than $800 for 2 adults for a three-night crusing to Ensenada from Los Angeles. Longer sailings price extra. Count on to pay nearer to $3,000 for 2 adults on a seven-night crusing alongside California’s coast. Nonetheless, that may be about half the worth of what you’ll pay for a trip on one among Royal Caribbean’s newer ships.

That shakes out to lower than $150 per individual per day, assuming two adults are sharing a balcony room. That worth consists of limitless meals (outdoors of the specialty eating), a number of actions and the room itself. It may be robust to discover a lodge room for that worth, not to mention one that features meals and leisure.

It’s unimaginable to overlook the North Star (that’s the remark tower) protruding from the highest of the ship. The ship’s quirky design additionally options two enormous panda statues reaching for one another throughout the floor-to-ceiling home windows on the highest flooring.

The place Ovation shines most is in its versatile use of area. The SeaPlex is a multiuse indoor area that transforms all through the day. I performed pickleball within the morning, laced up curler skates within the afternoon, bumped my approach by way of bumper vehicles earlier than dinner and shot hoops at night time.

There are set occasions for every exercise. When, say, the pickleball time is over, employees filter out the nets and convey out helmets and skates for curler skating. Later, bumper vehicles — that are stacked up on the perimeters of the partitions — are rolled out onto the ground.

Whereas some cruise ships have pickleball courts that sit vacant for a lot of the day, this method of reworking areas works higher. Certain, it requires some additional planning for when you possibly can play basketball versus pickleball, however it’s an environment friendly method to squeeze extra actions right into a single area.

Elsewhere onboard, the considerate design continues. There are hand-washing stations in all places, together with this one on the buffet entrance. The ship additionally cleverly tucks away the locations I needed to keep away from. The on line casino, which I contemplate a smoky eyesore, is on a decrease ground and simple to keep away from. Smoking areas are sequestered to an out of doors walkway that I didn’t even discover till midway by way of the crusing.

However one ingredient that missed the mark was the operating monitor, which wraps round the primary deck. Massive sections of it are lined with lounge chairs, turning my jog into a clumsy loop previous individuals sipping mai tais. Not like different ships that commit whole decks to loungers, this ship appears to cram them in wherever they match.

Actions: Excessive-adrenaline enjoyable

Certain, it won’t have a rollercoaster or 10-story waterslide, however Ovation continues to be jam-packed with actions. Listed here are a number of the highlights.

I’ve all the time needed to go skydiving, however the concern of the parachute not deploying has held me again. Lastly, Ovation of the Seas let me expertise skydiving through a skydiving simulator referred to as RipCord by iFLY, which has skydiving simulators like this one throughout the U.S. With it, a vertical wind tunnel blasts you into weightlessness for 2 minutes. And sure, it was one of the vital enjoyable actions I’ve finished all yr.

RipCord by iFLY costs differ by crusing (and a few ships have it totally free on port days), however usually count on to pay $50.

North Star is a glass capsule that lifts you greater than 300 ft above sea degree for panoramic views. Cool? Sure. In truth, it holds the Guinness World Document for being the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship.

However is it price roughly $30 to trip? Provided that you are crusing in a scenic space like Alaska or a metropolis port. My trip provided views of fog and seagulls.

One word: Actual charges differ by cruise. Some sailings supply it totally free, however different clients have reported it costing practically $100. Time of day tends to play a giant function in pricing, with sunsets on sea days commanding larger costs, than say, noon on a port day.

Many actions on the ship come included, although, like a 40-foot-tall rock-climbing wall.

The FlowRider surf simulator can be included together with your fare. That stunned me, given the trouble concerned in sustaining what’s basically a trampoline-like floor with fast-flowing water.

I discussed the SeaPlex earlier, and I spent most of my time right here, because it’s a multipurpose sports activities court docket devoted to completely different actions relying on the time of day, together with bumper vehicles, curler skating, pickleball and basketball. The outer rim of the sports activities court docket has areas for archery, ping pong and video gaming.

All of those actions are included together with your cruise fare, although some require reservations so plan forward.

There are a number of swimming pools together with two principal swimming pools — one indoor and one outside.

There’s additionally an adults-only pool area referred to as the Solarium, that includes lush gardens and a devoted bar.

A children’ water play space referred to as Splashaway Bay has water cannons and small waterslides.

There are additionally extra conventional cruise choices: nightly reveals, trivia contests, karaoke and reside music within the Royal Esplanade.

Cabins: Not flashy, however a very good measurement and format

Rooms on Ovation of the Seas received’t win design awards — the decor leans beige and boxy — however they’re good for teams. Beneficiant under-bed storage and a number of closets make it straightforward to retailer baggage out of the best way.

Good touches embody an in-room espresso maker and drink cooler.

Royal Caribbean put me in a balcony cabin, which strikes the stability between extra respiration room than an inside room with out the opulence of a collection (which I discover a bit overkill anyway, as I’m out of my room a lot of the day exploring).

Nonetheless, for a traveler on a price range, inside “digital balcony” rooms are a enjoyable compromise: They function huge floor-to-ceiling digital screens that show real-time views outdoors the ship. These can usually price about 30% lower than a real balcony — contemporary air not included.

Suites supply more room and perks (like entry to the Coastal Kitchen restaurant), however in contrast to another cruise strains (say the MSC Yacht Membership and Princess Cruises’ Sanctuary Assortment, Ovation’s suite program doesn’t really feel particularly elevated — no unique swimming pools right here.

Eating: Price splurging on the specialty eating places

The meals that’s included on Ovation is ok. It’s neither nice nor horrible. Choices just like the Windjammer buffet, a cute sizzling canine stand within the SeaPlex and principal eating room cowl the fundamentals, however don’t count on culinary innovation. The true gems although have been the specialty eating places, which include an additional price.

Right here have been a number of the key eating places that I both visited usually (or discovered significantly memorable):

It was straightforward to eat wholesome through the salad bar which had extra topping choices than simply the same old assortment of uncooked tomatoes and carrots.

There was additionally no scarcity of pizza and burgers for choosy eaters.

So far as the primary entrees, the Mexican meals was disappointingly bland, a giant letdown for a crusing to Mexico. However different meals did a greater job of reminding me of the enjoyment of a large buffet — the power to attempt a style of all types of dishes. I went again for seconds of kheer, an Indian rice pudding with a subtly candy, cardamom taste.

It may be robust to advocate splurging on a specialty eating restaurant when there’s a lot free meals out there onboard. However Jamie’s Italian, led by superstar chef Jamie Oliver, is price the additional price.

Pasta is made contemporary onboard from a small machine that sits on view in a nook of the restaurant, a far cry from the tasteless noodles you get on the buffet. The meals at this restaurant have been indulgent with out feeling heavy.

Costs differ by crusing, however count on to pay about $25 for lunch or $55 for dinner per grownup.

This restaurant is extra concerning the spectacle than the flavour — suppose cotton sweet cloches and menus that reveal textual content when painted with water. For followers of theatrical eating or Instagrammers who love posting picturesque meals, it’s a must-visit. Once more, costs differ by crusing, however count on to pay about $60 per grownup for a meal right here.

It’s not for choosy eaters. The principally seafood-based menu is served in small plates so that you attempt a bunch of every little thing. And plenty of dishes have been issues in contrast to something I’d ever tried earlier than. The waiter needed to clarify find out how to toss again the tomato water concoction like a shot, which was all a part of a enjoyable expertise.

Probably the most visually interesting dishes have been usually the least satisfying. Everybody at my desk needed to {photograph} the mushroom dessert I ordered, however it ended up being a flavorless meringue.

One exception to the rule was a spin on deviled eggs referred to as The Chicken’s Nest. This was mainly smoked deviled eggs served on prime of skinny, crunchy noodles resembling a chicken’s nest.

Wonderland felt worthwhile as a result of it was greater than only a meal — it was a full-on culinary expertise. My eating companions and I spent greater than two hours right here — and the time flew by — as we labored our approach by way of distinctive menu objects.

Consuming: Generic choices, with a few standouts

As is the case with most cruises, the one included drinks are water, espresso, tea, sizzling chocolate, milk and juice. Alcohol, specialty coffees, fresh-squeezed juice and soda all price additional.

Royal Caribbean sells beverage packages. The most cost effective consists of soda solely (and the various Coca-Cola Freestyle machines all through the ship are enjoyable). There’s a fancier nonalcoholic package deal that additionally consists of objects like premium coffees (suppose lattes or cappuccinos), mocktails and contemporary juices. The Deluxe Beverage package deal consists of alcohol too. Drinks can in any other case be bought a la carte.

On Ovation of the Seas, the bars are fairly anticipated and generic. There’s one by every pool. Lots of the indoor bars have reside music within the evenings, which brings good vitality to the bar and surrounding areas.

However there’s little in the best way of over-the-top memorable, save for 2: the aforementioned Wonderland and the Bionic Bar. Wonderland’s must-order drink is the Cheshire Cat Cosmo, which takes the normal cocktail (served with Gray Goose vodka to make it upscale) and tops it with raspberry cotton sweet. It’s additional candy and crowd pleasing.

The opposite must-stop bar is Bionic Bar. There, robotic arms shake, stir and pour drinks whereas cruisers watch and snap photographs. In the end the drinks are the identical high quality your roommate can shake up in your lounge, however the robotic arms are a enjoyable occasion trick.

Is Ovation of the Seas price it?

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas isn’t the flashiest ship at sea, however it doesn’t attempt to be. As an alternative, it affords a sensible mixture of tech-forward options, multigenerational enjoyable and cleverly used area — all at a worth that undercuts the cruise line’s latest vessels.

Its strengths lie in its versatile exercise areas like SeaPlex, surprisingly good specialty eating, and well-thought-out logistics that make life onboard really feel straightforward. Certain, most of the finest points of interest require an upcharge. However even with out spending additional, there’s sufficient to do and luxuriate in.

I like megaships like Ovation of the Seas for the sheer selection they provide. Inside an hour, you can scale the rock wall, take a number of laps across the curler skating rink and take a dip within the pool.

Simply be careful for the expensive add-ons. It’s robust to stroll previous iFLY and never need to ebook a skydiving flight. Wi-Fi, drinks, the spa, on line casino and specialty eating aren’t important to benefit from the cruise, however they will add up and drain your pockets.

Don’t be fooled by the low upfront price when you’re the sort of traveler who may spring for the upcharges. Royal Caribbean — and Ovation of the Seas particularly — is impressively reasonably priced, however you want some willpower if you wish to preserve it that approach.

Who’s Ovation of the Seas finest for?

With its new homeport in Los Angeles, Ovation of the Seas is good for cruisers looking for a giant ship expertise who’re already inside shut proximity to the Metropolis of Angels.

Royal Caribbean is a model that has lengthy focused households, and this ship suits the invoice too.

That stated, I’d usually advocate that somebody who doesn’t already reside on the West Coast stick with an East Coast crusing. Whereas not a assure (significantly throughout hurricane season), sailings out of Florida to the Caribbean usually imply calmer seas than what you’ll expertise on the Pacific. The East Coast affords extra dates and ships to match your schedule and price range. Miami, which is the cruise capital of the world, has a significantly better port expertise in comparison with the dingy Los Angeles Cruise Terminal.

However for West Coasters, the flight to Florida simply to expertise a cruise isn’t essentially straightforward neither is it low-cost. Cruises could make for the most effective methods to have an reasonably priced, easy-to-plan multigenerational or group journey. And for individuals on the West Coast, Ovation of the Seas affords one of the simplest ways to make it occur.

 (High picture by Sally French)