Cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas - A Perfect Ship for Families and Grown-Ups!
- paigelandrum
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Contributed by
Kelly Westbrook
This summer, I had the opportunity to sail on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas out of Los Angeles, and let me tell you, it was a trip to remember!
While I’ve cruised with Royal before, this was my first time on a Quantum Class ship, and also the first time one of these ships had sailed from Los Angeles. It was actually the largest ship to ever sail from LA, which made it feel extra special to be part of this “first” for Royal Caribbean.
Note: If cruising from LA, it is important to know that the port is not large compared to other ports in Florida, like Miami and Port Canaveral. There were many shipping containers along the way, and it felt like we were going the wrong way until we officially saw this ship!
First Impressions: Big Ship, Big Fun
I sailed with my mom on this trip (a little mother-daughter getaway), but honestly, the entire time I kept thinking...
“This would be perfect for my boys!” or “The boys would LOVE the [insert every fun thing we saw here].”
This ship was made for families, but also has plenty for adults traveling without kids. The variety of things to do was beyond what I expected.
Standout Features (Even Compared to Other Cruise Lines!)
I've sailed on Disney, Princess, Virgin, Celebrity, and more... so I feel pretty confident when I say that the amenities on Ovation of the Seas were next level.
Yes, there was the classic Kid’s Club and Splashaway Bay, like many other Royal ships, but there was so much more!
Activities Kids (and Adults) Will Love:
Rock climbing wall
RipCord by iFly (indoor skydiving!)
FlowRider (surf simulator)
Bumper cars
Ice skating
Even though many of these are totally fun for adults too, I couldn’t stop imagining how much my boys would enjoy them. My mom begged me to go ice skating with her (not my favorite activity) and I told her I would if she would do the skydiving… we decided against both.
A Ship Built for Any Destination
One of the biggest surprises? How well this ship worked even when the weather wasn’t hot and sunny.
With cruises to Mexico or the Caribbean, the pool deck is where everyone hangs out because they want the warmth and sun. But on Ovation, guests were spread out enjoying indoor attractions, entertainment, and lounges - it really didn’t matter what the weather was like there always seemed to be plenty of pool chairs available!
It made me realize, this ship would be perfect for an Alaskan cruise - which are now bookable for 2026. Ovation will be amplified and then brought back to the seas in May 2026 for a season in Alaska! With so many indoor activities and amazing observation areas like Two70 or the Solarium, you're never missing out, even when it’s chilly outside.
Ready to go?
Whether you’re cruising with kids or sneaking away for an adults-only adventure, Ovation of the Seas has something for everyone. It was so fun to be part of this “first” as the biggest ship to sail out of LA - and if you ever get the chance to cruise on a Quantum Class ship, especially this one, I highly recommend it. Now if only I could go back… and bring the boys with me this time.
AMAAB Travel Advisor
Whether you are planning of an adults getaway, or a family cruise, our AMAAB team is ready to assist, and determine which cruise line and ship would be the best for you!
Comments