The Top 10 Things To Do Onboard Ovation Of The Seas

This Quantum Class cruise ship is perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers. Here are some of guests’ favorite onboard activities and experiences.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on March 8, 2022

If you’re looking for the perfect mix of world-class entertainment, palate-pleasing dining experiences, adrenaline-amping thrills, and plenty of room to chill, Ovation of the Seas® checks all the boxes. It’s home to beloved Royal Caribbean classics like the FlowRider®* surf simulator, the Solarium adults-only oasis built for any climate, a 40-foot rock climbing wall, and an expansive pool deck perfect for soaking up the sun or scoping out the scenery. Not to mention the cutting-edge experiences that characterize the cruise line’s groundbreaking Quantum Class. Like the robot-manned Bionic Bar®, tech-infused spectaculars at Two70® and awe-inspiring views from more than 300 feet above sea level in the North Star℠, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship.

One of the most popular ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet with some of the most impressive things to do, Ovation of the Seas offers something for every traveler onboard — from attractions that are fun for kids to elevated dining, lively bars, and vibrant nightlife sure to enhance getaways with your grown-up friends or significant other. With so many unforgettable discoveries waiting for you on deck, it can be helpful to plan out some of your sea days in advance — especially if you want to make sure you hit all the top things to do during your Ovation of the Seas cruise. Keep reading to find out which onboard activities, shows, and dining experiences top guests’ lists year after year.

Gallons Of Cruise Fun For Kids At Splashaway Bay

Ovation of the Seas is hands-down one of the best cruise ships for families vacationing with small children. It’s home to the cruise line’s much-loved Splashaway Bay, a fun-filled aqua park designed just for toddlers, tots, and tweens. Little ones will have a blast with the park’s colorful mini waterslides, point-and-blast water cannons, surprise-splashing fountains, and multiple pools and whirlpools. There’s even a giant drench bucket that tips over periodically, soaking anyone standing beneath it. Parents, make sure you keep your cameras ready for this — it’s the perfect photo opportunity.

Indulge In Some Adult-Only Vacation Time At The Solarium

If you’re craving some sun-soaked relaxation among other grown-ups, there’s no place like the adult-only Solarium. Open to guests aged 18 and older, this tranquil indoor-outdoor retreat is the perfect spot to unwind in the sun or shade while sipping your favorite drink and soaking in captivating views of the surrounding scenery. The space is climate-controlled and enveloped in translucent glass windows, so you can bask in all the beauty whether you’re island-hopping in the tropics or sailing past snow-covered glaciers in Alaska. Here’s a pro tip: if your muscles are feeling tense after a day filled with onshore adventure vacation activities, slip into one of the Solarium’s heated whirlpools and let the steam soothe away any lingering knots.

Enjoy The Awe-Inspiring Views As You Ride The North Star

The Quantum Class by Royal Caribbean is known for setting records, and the North Star is one of its most impressive feats. This sleek observation capsule is an engineering marvel — and it holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. Guests can step into the translucent pod and take in 360-views of the ocean, ship, and surrounding sights as it ascends over 300 feet above sea level. Rides are totally complimentary to cruise guests, so make sure you come back at different times of the day to see how the changing light transforms the scenery around you. Reserve your ride via the Cruise Planner app.

Power Up Vacation Playtime With The Whole Family At Seaplex®

You can always count on Royal Caribbean to go big and bold when it comes to onboard cruise activities and attractions — and the sprawling SeaPlex is the perfect example. The largest indoor activity space at sea, this epic adventure zone offers endless thrills for guests of all ages — like a full-size basketball court that can transform into a dance floor at night, a circus and trapeze school, and a roller skating arena. SeaPlex is also home to the only bumper cars track at sea. It’s free and open to guests aged five years and older. If you’re looking to add some classic arcade games to your vacation at sea then you’ll find those here — think foosball, air hockey, and table tennis.

Free-Fall Into Vacation Adventure With RipCord® By IFLY®

Craving the ultimate adrenaline rush? One of the most impressive things to do onboard Ovation of the Seas — and in general — is to add skydiving to your sea day itinerary. Just kidding — it’s only a simulation, but it feels just like the real thing. Suit up and step into RipCord by iFLY, a skydiving simulator that lets you experience the rush of free-falling as you float weightless in the air. This top-rated, gravity-defying attraction is a guest favorite, and it’s no surprise why. Where else can you unlock all the thrill of skydiving without ever having to leave the top deck of the cruise ship? Kids can also get in on the high-flying action — RipCord by iFLY is open to guests aged three years and older. Reserve a session onboard or via Cruise Planner.

Order Cocktails From A Master-Mixing Robot At Bionic Bar

Cutting-edge technology is behind every crave-worthy cocktail you’ll find at Bionic Bar, a Quantum Class staple and one of the top spots to grab a drink onboard Ovation of the Seas. At this photo-worthy hangout, two robotic bartenders shake, stir, and sling delicious drinks coded in binary all day and night. The menu here spotlights well-known classics and creative signature drinks, but you can also submit your own recipe for an original cocktail or mocktail. Just punch the ingredients and proportions into one of the bar’s iPads and let the mecha-mixologists manning the bar bring it to life. Keep an eye on Bionic Bar’s electronic display boards while you’re waiting for your drinks — they showcase cool stats about what guests are requesting and where your order is in the queue.

Take Your Taste Buds On A Wild Culinary Tourism Journey

You can expect delicious flavors at every restaurant onboard Ovation of the Seas — but for a truly out-of-this-world dining experience, there’s nothing quite like Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. At this unique specialty restaurant, the surprises begin the moment you arrive. You’ll get to brush a menu at the entrance with a paintbrush dipped in water, then watch as each tantalizing dish appears on the page as if by magic. Every appetizer, entrée, and dessert at Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine pushes the culinary envelope, spotlighting unexpected flavor combinations and wow-worthy presentation. Guests love the crispy crab cones topped with fluffy avocado mousse and the spicy, smoky Buffalo chicken eggs. Liquid lobster served with bone marrow and caviar is also a fan-favorite, as is the Berkshire pork belly paired with apples and cracklin.

Put Your Hands Together After A Show-Stopping Original Production

A night at the Royal Theater is a great way to end any adventure-filled day, and the shows onboard Ovation of the Seas will give you plenty of reason to cry “Encore!” Live. Love. Legs. combines edge-of-your-seat aerial acrobatics, extravagant outfits, awe-inspiring visual effects, and flawless choreography in one unforgettable spectacle. Its sister show, Pixels, celebrates the Quantum Class’s ties to technology in an epic fusion of music, live performance, cutting-edge light, and sound effects as well as experimental cinematography. Both original productions are complimentary to cruise guests — just make a reservation via the Cruise Planner app or onboard at the box office.

Enter A New Age Of Onboard Cruise Entertainment At Two70

During the day, Two70 is the ultimate place to kick back and take in the sights — 270 degrees of windows span two stories, offering unobstructed views of the ocean and the surrounding scenery as you sail from one destination to the next. When the sun goes down, this tranquil space transforms into a multimedia theater that’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Shows here include dazzling displays across robotic dancing screens, wow-worthy performances by artists and dancers, light shows set to pulsing beats and so much more. Every scene-stealing spectacular is free to cruise guests. You can reserve your spot onboard at the box office or through the Cruise Planner app.

Hit The Dance Floor During A Live Concert At Music Hall

If you’re in the mood to jam out or go dancing, head to Music Hall — a huge multi-level concert venue that hosts some of the best cover bands in the industry. The music varies from night to night — sometimes it’s all about jiving disco grooves, sometimes it’s all about classic rock or big band and swing. In between whirls on the dance floor, you can catch a breather by kicking back in one of the venue’s comfy and intimate lounge spaces with a drink from the bar. Admission to every show is free for cruise guests, so come back as often as you like.

While these are ten of the top things to do onboard Ovations of the Seas, the cruise ship offers plenty more family-friendly activities, delicious dining options, and unforgettable entertainment to get excited about. Whether you’re chasing thrills or want to fill every moment onboard with chill vibes, you’ll find this Quantum Class stunner totally lives up to its reputation as one of the best cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet.