This West Coast–based Cruise Ship Is Perfect for Family Vacations—but Doesn't Skimp on Luxury

Travel + Leisure

09-07-2025

Ovation of the Seas Ovation of the Seas brings exciting onboard attractions like indoor skydiving and bumper cars to the West Coast, for journeys along Mexico's Baja California.
Royal Suite Class accommodations have spacious, luxe living spaces and come with VIP privileges.
A solid mix of free and extra-fee restaurants give guests plenty of choice, even on longer sailings.
Ideal for multigenerational groups, Ovation of the Seas delivers a combination of kids- and adults-only attractions and tons of all-ages entertainment.
'I'm going roller skating at the SeaPlex,' my brother texted me. 'I'll meet you at 11 a.m. for indoor skydiving.'
'OK,' I messaged back. 'We can climb the rock wall while we wait.'
It's not the kind of exchange I'd expect to have in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the way from Los Angeles to Mexico—but this ship was no old-school Love Boat.
Specifically, we were aboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, which since June has been based in southern California. Its arrival means West Coasters, like my brother, can now enjoy the many mind-boggling attractions the line has pioneered without flying across the country to board one of the latest and greatest. Things like robot bartenders, a remarkable sightseeing capsule that rises on a 300-foot-long mechanical arm, and an extensive array of exciting activities are now available within driving distance.
Royal Caribbean has a knack for creating ships that cater to all ages and vacation vibes, and Ovation of the Seas strikes the right balance with active all-ages fun, kid-friendly play areas, and vibrant nightlife. It's the perfect ship for a multigenerational family vacation or group trip.
We should have brought the rest of our family.
Had we turned the cruise into a reunion, my teenage son and nephew would have spent hours in the SeaPlex, an indoor gaming space with bumper cars, roller skating, pickleball, foosball, Xbox—and a strategically placed hot dog stand. Our parents would have staked out a spot at one of the several pools when my mom wasn't killing it at trivia in the Schooner Bar. My sister-in-law would have found her happy place in the gym, with its expansive sea views; my 11-year-old daughter would have loved the science lab in the kids' club.
But not all families want to brave the crowds of a mega-ship. And Ovation of the Seas certainly qualifies, with 2,091 cabins and a maximum guest capacity of 4,900. But Royal Caribbean has an answer for that with its Royal Suite Class. Guests who book these accommodations get VIP treatment: access to a private lounge, sun deck, and restaurant; skip-the-line privileges; and other perks including free specialty dining, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Families can insulate themselves—while still enjoying the high-energy onboard fun—in luxe loft suites with two-deck-high glass walls, oversized private balconies, and upscale living spaces, as well as two-bedroom, one-level suites that can sleep up to eight.
As it was, my brother and I were perfectly fine having zero familial responsibilities, choosing a different restaurant for dinner each night, wandering between shows and bars, and passing the time on our balcony with some good books. We didn't even mind sharing a room.
For more on the fun that awaits on Ovation of the Seas, here's my review of the staterooms, restaurants, and onboard attractions of the newest mega-ship to hit the California coast.
The Staterooms
The views from an Ultimate Panoramic Suite.
Michel Verdure/Royal Caribbean
I stayed in a balcony stateroom, the most commonly booked room type on the ship, and it felt roomy with enough storage for all of our belongings. The minimalist decor wasn't particularly exciting, but it made the cabin feel calm and uncluttered.
Royal Caribbean has several options when it comes to suites. The Sea, Sky, and Star categories deliver, in order, an increasing number of perks: a private restaurant, concierge lounge, and sun deck; expedited boarding and disembarking; dining and drinks packages; free Wi-Fi.
Solo travelers can choose from two types of rooms specifically designed for single occupancy, with no surcharge. Studio Ocean View Balcony rooms feature a full-size bed and a private balcony, while Studio Interior rooms offer a 'virtual balcony,' an LED screen that broadcasts live footage from outside the ship to create the impression of a window.
On the other hand, if you want to stay in a showstopper, Ovation of the Seas has some lavish, light-filled Loft Suites that span two floors and sleep up to six. Owner's and Grand Suites, meanwhile, accommodate up to eight. These high-end options have expansive private balconies (some with hot tubs and dining tables), in-suite living areas spacious enough to entertain, and oversized bathrooms, some with sea-view showers.
Bars and Restaurants
Ovation of the Seas has 15 dining venues, a mix of casual complimentary spots and extra-fee restaurants focused on a specific cuisine. Among the latter, Jamie's Italian was our favorite, with a menu by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. A friend recommended the chicken parm, but I indulged in all the dishes featuring truffles: arancini, burrata, and tagliatelle. I also enjoyed Wonderland, where the molecular gastronomy—and playful platings—had us grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
I was impressed with the buffet offerings (I'm a sucker for Indian breakfast dishes) and found Cafe Two70 to be a hidden gem at lunchtime. Its salad bowls and famous Kummelweck roast beef sandwich were both excellent. Sorrento's pizza was not my favorite, but the smell of baking pies was certainly enchanting after a night listening to live music at the Amber & Oak Pub next door.
Suite guests have exclusive access to Coastal Kitchen for all three meals, where the food is several notches above the all-access dining rooms.
Royal Caribbean has been modernizing its bar menus with craft cocktails that go beyond the expected. Among the ship's 11 bars, the Schooner Bar is popular for trivia by day and piano singalongs by night. Boleros is always packed with the Latin dance crowd, though I was digging the three-piece band playing '80s covers one evening. The Bionic Bar isn't the most inviting space, but it's fun to watch the robot bartenders mix what tend to be sweet, fruity drinks.
Where Ovation of the Seas Sails
Ovation of the Seas will sail three- to eight-night Mexico cruises from the Port of Los Angeles through the summer of 2025, and will return again from September 2026 through at least April 2027. Shorter cruises visit Ensenada and Catalina Island, and longer sailings overnight in Cabo San Lucas for two or three days. (The nearly identical sibling ship Quantum of the Seas will sail from L.A. while Ovation is away.)
In between, the ship will cross the Pacific where it will be based mainly in Singapore, cruising to Malaysia and Thailand. In spring 2026, it will return to North America to offer one-way weeklong sailings between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska. These cruises can be extended with land tours to places like Denali, Homer, and Fairbanks.
Shore Excursions
On a short, three-night cruise, I had a tough choice to make: book a tour that would take up most of my day in port or spend more time on the ship. I opted for the latter to enjoy the lack of crowds in the adults-only Solarium, and headed out with my brother on our own in Ensenada for an hour or two. It's quick and easy to walk along the harbor and into town; you can also get a shuttle from the port for a few dollars. There, you can shop for souvenirs, order up fish tacos, or enjoy a truly Mexican margarita.
If you'd rather explore farther afield, the ship offers a variety of excursions for all interests and activity levels. The area around Ensenada is becoming more known for its wineries, and several tour options can take you to the vineyards. There are also plenty of food and tequila tours, while those interested in active adventures can try hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Amenities and Entertainment
One of Royal Caribbean's calling cards is entertainment, and Ovation of the Seas has many onboard attractions that aren't found on other ships sailing from southern California.
My brother and I set out to try as many as we could, starting with bumper cars and roller skating before moving on to iFly indoor skydiving and the rock-climbing wall. We were too chicken to try boogie boarding or surfing on the FlowRider surf simulator, but we did brave the North Star, a glass-enclosed sightseeing pod attached to a mechanical arm that rises 300 feet above the ship then swings slowly out over the ocean.
Two70 is a tiered observation lounge by day and high-tech performance space at night, complete with video screens on robotic arms. The high-tech, creative sets and props got two thumbs up from us—but the loose plot threads earned more of a confused shrug.
Nightlife centers along decks 4 and 5, between the ship's theaters and main dining rooms. The Music Hall was popular for its cover bands and large dance floor, but we preferred the pub next door with its talented singer-guitarist.
The pool deck is ideal for warm-weather departures like the ones Ovation of the Seas operates, with an outdoor pool and little kid water play area; there's a second covered pool for cool or rainy days. I could have spent all day in the adults-only Solarium with its cascading plunge pools and hot tubs; I arrived early to snag a lounge chair.
We found the fitness center to be fairly quiet in the late afternoon when folks were getting ready for early-seating dinner. At the spa, one deck below, you can plan your own pamper party with a treatment or visit the windowless thermal suite. Walkers and joggers made use of the running track on the top deck, and the SeaPlex has a daily schedule of pickleball.
One additional thing to note about the onboard amenities: Royal Caribbean announced in June that it would renovate Ovation of the Seas in 2026. Among the changes to expect:
Jamie's Italian will be replaced by Giovanni's Italian Kitchen.
The Bionic Bar will become the Pesky Parrot tiki bar.
Izumi, the ship's sushi restaurant, will add hibachi cooking.
New accommodations, including the Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suite, will be added.
The casino will grow in size.
At-extra-cost casitas will be added on the pool deck.
Family-friendly Offerings
Part of me regretted not bringing my kids on this cruise because they would have loved the ship. (But the majority of me was grateful for adult time!) Ovation of the Seas caters to kids aged 6 months to 17 years with a drop-off nursery; a two-story, multiroom kids club for supervised activities for children 3 to 11; and a chill hangout and lively dance club for teens 12 to 17. With the exception of the extra-fee nursery, youth activities are free from morning until fairly late at night.
But kids don't have to be sent 'away' to have fun. A water play area for kids in diapers is a rare find on cruise ships, while the SeaPlex, arcade, and rock wall will keep older kids entertained.
The pizza/hot dog/fried chicken venues were staples for many kids on my sailing. And I would have overlooked the pool deck's soft-serve ice cream machine but for the line of kids waiting out in the sun for cool treats.
Accessibility
Ovation of the Seas has 33 wheelchair accessible cabins across inside, ocean-view, balcony, and suite categories. They have features such as roll-in showers, ramped or flat thresholds, and lowered closet rods. The ship also has amenities for hearing- and visually impaired travelers.
Accessible public bathrooms are found throughout the ship, and the main pool and hot tub have lifts. The North Star is wheelchair-friendly, with an elevator to the loading platform and a ramp into the sightseeing pod itself. In addition, the ship's tenders are designed so wheelchairs can roll onto them.
The kids club on Ovation of the Seas has staff members that are specifically trained to work with kids with autism spectrum disorder. Royal Caribbean offers detailed information about 'autism friendly ships' on its website.