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Ovation of the Seas Reviews
Ovation of the Seas Reviews
4.5
Editor Rating
★★★★☆
Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum-class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. Launched in 2016, it is the third ship in its class and is among the largest cruise ships in the world, with a gross tonnage of approximately 168,666 GT, a length of 348 meters, and a passenger capacity ranging from about 4,168 to 4,905, supported by 1,300 crew members
Summary
Very positive experience overall. Guests particularly appreciated Innovative technology and features like the North Star, RipCord by iFLY, and FlowRider, Variety of dining options, including Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland, Family-friendly with activities like bumper cars, roller skating, and kids’ areas, among other positive aspects. However, concerns were raised about Change in Dynamic Dining not well received, No smoking room available, Repetitive entertainment schedule requiring reservations, and other issues. Overall, this cruise option is highly recommended by most passengers.
Pros
- Innovative technology and features
- Efficient ‘smart’ check-in process
- Stylish and well-designed cabins
- Variety of dining options with excellent food
- Family-friendly with plenty of entertainment and activities
- Exceptional staff and customer service
- Spacious and easy to navigate
- Great for families and couples
- Impressive entertainment options including Broadway-style shows
- Modern decor and ambiance
- Plenty of bars and shops
- WOW bands for convenience
Cons
- Changes in Dynamic Dining not well-received
- Lack of a smoking room
- Repetitive entertainment schedule
- Cancellation of formal dress requirement upset some passengers
- Some service issues in certain restaurants
- Expensive designer shops
Other Traveller Reviews
★★★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Adventure of the Seas. Western Med Cruise with an overnight stop in Lisbon (August 2023). Every RCI cruise that we’ve ever been on the itinerary/ports of call, service, cuisine, standard of cleanliness and comfort have been good to excellent. And on the very rare occasion where something hasn’t been quite right (and we’ve brought it to the attention of staff) RCI have always sorted things out. Anthem of the seas is a fine ‘half glass full’ ship with something for everyone. 10/10.
James & Sally – 5 September
Source: Bolsover Cruise Club
★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Adventure of the Seas. Our family have just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Adventure of the Seas and after reading negative reviews before we departed we are happy to report that we could not fault the ship…it’s far from tired even though it’s due the re-fit early next year. We have cruised on a number of ships previously and found the Adventure to be one of our new favourites. A fantastic experience!
Peter Spill – 17 December
Source: Bolsover Cruise Club
★★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Adventure of the Seas. The ship itself is looking tired and our balcony was very claustrophobic with too much steel, which they can’t do anything about, but having previously cruised on the Independence, does seem if that RCI are fobbing the Brits off by using an inferior ship. However, we had a lovely fun table and the dinner in the main dining room was OK, not brilliant, but OK. The entertainment was very good with some good acts. The main shows were excellent as were the guests artists. There is always a bun fight in the Windjammer buffet restaurant whatever time you eat. The excursions are still very expensive and you would have thought that RCI with all their negotiating power of bringing some 3,000 guests to a town that the local authority would provide free shuttles buses, but we had to pay in some towns for this basic service. The vegetarian snacks in the promenadeCafewere the same every day. The staff in the main were very good and tried to compensate for any shortcomings there may have been elsewhere
Amanda – 18 April
Source: Bolsover Cruise Club
★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Adventure of the Seas. The ship itself is looking tired and our balcony was very claustrophobic with too much steel, which they can’t do anything about, but having previously cruised on the Independence, does seem if that RCI are fobbing the Brits off by using an inferior ship. However, we had a lovely fun table and the dinner in the main dining room was OK, not brilliant, but OK. The entertainment was very good with some good acts. The main shows were excellent as were the guests artists. There is always a bun fight in the Windjammer buffet restaurant whatever time you eat. The excursions are still very expensive and you would have thought that RCI with all their negotiating power of bringing some 3,000 guests to a town that the local authority would provide free shuttles buses, but we had to pay in some towns for this basic service. The vegetarian snacks in the promenadeCafewere the same every day. The staff in the main were very good and tried to compensate for any shortcomings there may have been elsewhere
Peter Spill – 17 December
Source: Bolsover Cruise Club
★★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Adventure of the Seas. Pasengers who commented on ships stability are talking a load of rot she,s a lovely stable little ship ,my husband and myself traveled in a force ten and had no problems ,she is looking a bit jaded now but after her rifit she will be just as lovely as she once was . the only quibble that we had was the bar prices if your in a duty free zone why cant your bar prices reflect this ,over the last ten years P&O have let the entertainment side slide they to upgrade theatre shows and visiting artists . our cabin steward thomas was wonderful very attentive and freindly nothing was to much trouble.
bernice benbow – 15 December
Source: Bolsover Cruise Club
★★★★★
We sailed with Royal Caribbean on board Adventure of the Seas. A week aboard the Adventure of the Seas out of Newark. Wonderful cruise, food and entertainment, however everything is about gratuities unfortunately. We had a couple of transfers and reminded to give money to the driver. Our baggage handler asked for money. We were advised on the day of arrival, via the ships paper, that each person would be asked to pay an additional $14.50 gratuity, per day. And then had an envelope in the cabin being asked to pay additional gratuity to those we felt gave additional service. I am a father of 3 children and feel that I should be asked to pay any gratuities, not them. When you budget for a holiday, and it is expensive, and I do choose to go on these holidays, it is difficult when you arrive to learn I am being asked to pay an additional $58 dollars a day for gratuities. This then meant I couldn’t afford one of the excursions I had planned, which is what we enjoy most beyond the cruise itself. Great holiday though, despite the plane cancellation on the way home.
James & Sally – 19 August
Source: Bolsover Cruise Club