Ovation of the Seas.
The moment I stepped on board Ovation of the Seas, I was awe inspired. It is instantly clear that serious thought went into the planning of the ship. The decor was plush and elegant with an up market finish. Stunning feature lighting gives a warm and welcoming feeling. We could not wait to start exploring.
Staterooms consist of Inside Staterooms with virtual balcony, Ocean View Staterooms and Balcony Staterooms. We had the pleasure of viewing the Sky Loft Suite and the Grand Loft Suite which has to be seen to be appreciated. Superb sea views from both tiers of the staterooms and extra-large balconies. The attention to detail in suite categories is clearly visible and is a luxury home away from home option.
We enjoyed lunch in the Windjammer Marketplace Café. This café is open 22 hours a day, and complimentary so you will never go hungry on board Ovation of the Seas. Sorrento’s Pizza Parlour and the American Icon Grill and Solarium Bistro offer casual dining also.
Evening meals are served in either Silk, The Grande or Chic and in contrast to the original Royal Caribbean 3 tier main dining setting this now provides a more private dining experience. The food was delicious with an excellent choice and 5* qualities. The speciality restaurants with a small extra charge are Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille, Izumi and Wonderland.
There are plenty of entertainment venues on board including the famous Schooner’s Piano Bar, Two70 Entertainment Venue, the Music Hall for live bands and the Royal Theatre featuring some of the best theatrical shows. No trip would be complete without a visit to the Casino. You can watch a movie under the stars wrapped up with a hot chocolate or glass of champagne at the outdoor cinema at night.
For the more energetic person, you will not be disappointed with the variety of activities on board. For myself the Ripcord by iFLY is by far a must do skydiving experience. Try your skills on the Flowrider which looks like a skill in itself. You can join the circus and learn some acrobatic skills, rock climb, use the running track, dodgems, roller skates, sports court, table tennis, Xbox and more. The famous North Star which rises 300ft into the air for jaw-dropping views that you’ve never even dreamed of. Younger guests will not feel left out with their very own Adventure Ocean. For the teenagers, they offer a teens disco, the living room chill out zone and the fun-packed arcade. Not forgetting the H20 Zone with mini splash area for the children.
There are 2 main pools, the H20 Zone and the indoor pool. Both feature a bar and entertainment during the day at H20 Zone.For those that love to be pampered the Vitality Spa is probably one of the biggest I have witnessed at sea and offers some wonderful relaxation areas and a huge range of treatments. My favourite area on Ovation of the Seas was the indoor Solarium with magnificent ocean views from the top deck, relaxing music and feature pools.
24 hours on board Ovation of the Seas was certainly not in any way enough time to sample all of the facilities on board this beauty and a minimum of 7 nights would be required to take full advantage of it all. If you are considering taking a cruise for your next holiday as a couple, a family or a group please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be delighted to share my experiences with you and steer you in the right direction.