Ovation of the Seas

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Royal Caribbean International®
Ovation of the Seas

SHIP OVERVIEW

Pioneer America's Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the biggest, boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Go scenery scoping from the unrivaled perspective of the North Star®, the highest vintage point on any cruise ship. Gaze at brilliant blue glaciers and majestic waterfalls from the pool deck as you sail through Endicott Arm. Then refuel with delicious, globally inspired dishes and robot-crafted cocktails as fresh as the crisp mountain air outside. And in between adventures onshore, fill each sea day with thrilling activities like surf sessions on the FlowRider®, simulated skydiving on RipCord®by iFLY®, and so much more. Only on Royal Caribbean. The cruise line voted Best Overall for 19 years running by Travel Weekly readers.

  • CRUISES
  • STATISTICS

STATISTICS

  • Year Built

    2016
  • Year Refurbished

    2017
  • Year Entered Present Fleet

    2016
  • Country of Registry

    Bahamas
  • Tonnage (GRT)

    168,666
  • PAX (basis 2)

    4,180
  • Max Pax (inc. Uppers)

    4,905
  • Passenger Decks

    16
  • Number of Crew

    1,500
  • Officers' Nationality

    International
  • Cruise/Hotel Staff Nationality

    International

STATEROOMS

  • Suites

    0
  • Balcony

    0
  • Oceanview

    148
  • Oceanview No Balcony

    0
  • Oceanview With Balcony

    0
  • Balconies

    1572
  • Interior

    375
  • Accessible

    20
  • Total Number of Accommodations

    1000
  • SUITE
  • BALCONY
  • OCEANVIEW
  • INSIDE

Deck Plans

SHIP REVIEWS

OVERALL RATING

4.8

Star Star Star Star Star
Based on 12 reviews

SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW

Cruise reviews reflect the opinions of travel editors and cruisers/ readers and may not represent those of our company.

SUBMIT A REVIEW

Alaskan cruise

OCTOBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Beautiful scenery

CONS

Weather was very cold, dreary and rainy in September and October

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Recommend doing the sled dog camp highlight of the trip They canceled our shore excursion to shed dogs in Skagway Refund our money. When we first got on the ship we went to shore excursion desk and we’re able to book a different shed dogs tour in Juneau.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Ok, not great

SEPTEMBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Great attitude of staff

CONS

Food quality, cost of excursions

RECOMMENDED

No

The best thing about this cruise was the positive attitude of all staff including cabin attendants and wait staff. Usually, the food on cruises is outstanding…not this cruise. Food quality was a 7 out of 10. Not once did I think to myself, wow this food is really good. This is the first time that I didn’t gain weight on a cruise as I was never tempted to overeat. Although it wasn’t the cruise line’s fault, the ship did not visit a glacier. The glaciers were the highlight of my last cruise to Alaska. The costs of some of the excursions were 5 times higher than our last cruise on the same itinerary. Overall, cruises are always enjoyable, but this one did not meet my high expectations.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Great experience

AUGUST

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Wonderful staff and dining

CONS

Need to pay for more stuff on this boat than the oasis

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Overall we had a great time ! We were at the main dining or windjammer a lot and the food was delicious. The staff were all wonderful! I would recommend to go in the winter because we didn’t see much of the glacier . It’s still beautiful regardless . I think if there was another stop we could’ve made in Alaska, then it would be better !

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Tremendous Ship

MAY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Balcony Suites and everything about the ship!

CONS

RECOMMENDED

Yes

This is our second Royal Caribbean Cruise and we loved the Ovation of the Seas. The ship is very well laid out and exceeded our expectations.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Lots to do and eat on the Ovation

AUGUST

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Food, cabin attendants, entertainment, stores, pubs, customer service

CONS

Large ship, will need to explore to find things. Do to size of ship we could not dock in Ketchican or Skagway, we had to take a bus from Wards Cove in Ketchikan for 20 miles then walk a long way to the town, while 4 other ships got curb side service at the port. Due to rock slide in Skagway we had to tender ashore in life boats. In both of these ports people with special needs on scooters or wheelchairs could not go into town. It rained the entire time in all of the Alaska ports. Dress warm and bring rain gear.

RECOMMENDED

Yes

We had a couple join us and the woman had a scooter. Due to her disabilities and where we were at piers, two of the 3 Alaska ports could not enjoy this part of trip. We were able to get into Juneau as this ramp was very accessible however it was pouring which made it a bummer on the scooter and they quickly went back on board. No doubt due to the weather my wife and i both got a bug and she tested positive, then basically stated in the room for the last 4 days and missed our excursions. Upon heading back from Juneau, all patrons were treated to a pod of whales breaching on both sides of the ship in open water and fortunately my wife was on the balcony to see them ip close. This was our 2nd cruise to Alaska and probably our last. In both cruises my wife got sick and missed most of it. Cruise was good though and boat is big and beautiful. Not many wearing masks...washy washy before yummy yummy in the windjammer. Oh. The steaks in Chops were fabulous.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Travels to Alaska

JULY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Staff, cleanliness of the ship and several activity and entertainment options

CONS

Elevators were warm when filled with people.

RECOMMENDED

Yes

A great selection of food options and staff on the ship made the experience wonderful, very helpful and always welcoming. The ship was really nice and well kept. With as many people this ship accommodated we never felt that it had 4,000 o or more on board. We had a great experience and will look to do this again in the future. This was the first cruise ever for the family.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Trip of life time

JULY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Food drinks hospitality weather great

CONS

Not enough time to do everything

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Awesome trip

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Alaska

AUGUST

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Scenery

CONS

Need to see more ports

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Few people on the ship so it was much nicer than being overloaded

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Ovation of the Seas - Alaska

SEPTEMBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

CONS

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Wonderful trip and ship was beautiful. Staff always very helpful. Evening shows were wonderful.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Ovation perfect for Alaska

JULY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Ship is ideal for Alaska. Great indoor viewing areas. Excellent food options. Free Port Valet luggage service for departure was an added bonus.

CONS

Not really any. Think RC’s IQ app could be more user friendly for group texting. .

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Seamless boarding and disembarking. As good as it can get. Do take advantage of the Free Port Valet service when leaving.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Alaska Cruise

JULY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Perfect

CONS

n/a

RECOMMENDED

Yes

This was the most perfect trip we have ever been on. From the moment we stepped onto the ship, to the moment we stepped off, everything was absolutely perfect. We could not have asked for anything to be any nicer. Andy, who took care of our stateroom, was phenomenal. We traveled with our grandchildren and our granddaughter celebrated her 7th birthday. Andy, as well as the entire crew, made her feel so special for the entire cruise. Everything was so organized, including the excursions. I just want to give a huge THANK YOU from our family to the family of the Ovation of the Seas for making this the most enjoyable and memorable vacation we've ever had.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Trip to New Zealand

FEBRUARY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

the boat staff, and all the activities on board the ship

CONS

rocky seas going from Australia to New Zealand

RECOMMENDED

Yes

We had a blast on this ship! It was larger than the one we sailed on before, and what a difference that made. There were a ton of activities to do while on board, and the staff on the ship were exceptional. We made friends with several of the bar tenders, and left there feeling sad that we won't see them again. The overnight excursion in Milford Sound was the highlight. I'd recommend that to anyone heading that way. After that excursion, the others were only a repeat of what we had already seen.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

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