Is the solarium included for standard cabins on Ovation of the Seas?

My interpretation of that would be NO ... but always best to call the cruise lines and check for a certain answer

Well, as in anything related to cruising, the more you pay the more you get. You buy a Top end-Butler type---built in pool and hot tub suite with servants and a private helicopter---then you get a bit more perks than an Inside guaranteed lower deck stateroom.

True, but this is a pretty big departure for RCI! The solarium is included for all cabins on every ship except Quantum and Ovation. Even Anthem, the third of the Quantum class ships, includes it.

I've looked a lots of ship tours on youtube and lots of reviews. Nobody has ever mentioned this. Is it new?

I hope RCI isn't trying this out before sending it fleet wide!

That is because of the size difference .. the other ships house 2500 - 3000 passengers ... Anthem ~ 4000 .. when you hit the Ovation class you are now at + 6000 passengers hence the difference ... Yep ... size does matter

Access to the solarium was restricted when we were on Quantum of the Seas last year. We had access because of reciprocal status, we are Elite+ on Celebrity, and we had to use our cruise card to enter. Many things were different on this cruise. The passengers were about 80% mainland Chinese who used the casino far more than bars. The solarium was almost empty most of the time.

Wow that stinks, if the Chinese guests hardly ever use it compared to how much Americans like it, maybe they should allow unrestricted access to everyone even though the ships ARE bigger!

I jut got off the phone with RCI. They assured me that this restriction only applies to sailings originating in China.

I don't really understand why China is unique, but several things are different, including extra charges for the skydiving simulator.

I don't think it was to do with the numbers. There was no Diamond Lounge, so I think this was an enhancement for Diamond and above as well as the suite guests. Drinks were available all day and there was a counter with snacks too. Other changes were charges for iFly and North Star (I think that is the name) that takes people up high over the ship. We hadn't been on Royal Caribbean for many years, but others told us that these features were usually free.

You really have to go on these Chinese cruises with an open mind. We had a great time and were treated very well by the crew, but some people we met were expecting a regular cruise and were disappointed. I have read reviews from people who said that they would not recommend these cruises to any Western cruisers. I wouldn't say that, but I would say that you should do research and adjust your expectations accordingly. We have travelled on land in China several times, so knew hat to expect in the way of crowding and different concepts of personal space, particularly among the older generations. Young Chinese are more in tune with Western attitudes and quite a few speak English.