robdep Cruise Review on Ovation of the Seas on Feb 09, 2017

Ovation of the Seas Cruise Review

robdep

Contributor Level: Purser

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 20

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Sail date: February 09, 2017

Ship: Ovation of the Seas

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I will be honest! I was optimistic before I boarded Ovation of the Seas in Adelaide in February 2017. I have been cruising now for over 20 years – and I love the traditional style of cruising. So when I was invited onboard Ovation of the Seas, I had already made up my mind that: “Ovation of the Seas is way too big, and I won’t get the feeling I normally get when I cruise.” You know the feeling… Your worries are left ashore, your now fully relaxed and enjoying a week long cruise lounging in the Aussie sun, with a Long Island Ice Tea in hand, watching the wide blue ocean. [wds id=”36″] Boy was I wrong! Two words come to mind to describe Ovation of the Seas – Huge, and mind-blowing! “That’s what she said!”. Okay now get your mind back on cruising! I was only onboard for a few hours, but what I saw changed my view on cruising forever. She is like the perfect partner – She has it all! Style, Elegance, Fun Filled, Thrill Seeking! Bare in mind I am still talking about Ovation of the Seas. Okay you back with me? Good… She is Australia’s heavy weight champion of the seas weighing in at 168,666 GT, and she towered above Adelaide’s tiny cruise terminal with 18 decks – Welcome to Super Cruising. Ovation of the Seas is two and half times the size of Adelaide Oval! I kid you not! Adelaide Oval is 167m in length, and wait for it! Ovation of the Seas is 347m in length – and no before you ask, you can’t she her from space. Carrying an astounding 4,180 passengers (double occupancy) 4,905 passengers (maximum occupancy) and 1,500 crew, and is the fourth largest cruise ship cruising the ocean, and the largest cruise ship to be based in Australia, taking the title way from Explorer of the Seas. With my heart nearly beating out of my chest from sheer adulation I made my way onboard. The minute I wheeled onboard I was wowed by how spacious Ovation of the Seas is, and I was not overwhelmed with the feeling I was in a crowded arena. As I made my way up the gangway and inside the promenade, my jaw dropped. The promenade in the Royal Esplanade was beyond belief and I was speechless (which is a first for me). When I actually saw Sky Wave (the first kinetic sculpture at sea) with my own eyes I was mesmerised, as I am wondering how on earth does this masterpiece swivel mirroring the flow of wind and ocean. In prime position at the centre of the ship’s promenade, between the restaurants, wine bar and the shops which I can only describe as a department store with names like Cartier, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Omega, is a splendid piece called Red Thread. The work of Chinese artist Bieli Liu, it denotes a tale about invisible threads holding children to their soul mates, well so they say (I am not big on fables). Ovation of the Seas is jampacked with ground-breaking features, that I never imagined would be onboard a cruise ship, and also come to quiet old Adelaide. I truly felt like a kid in a candy store. I never thought I would be star struck by the innovations onboard. The most mind blowing feature onboard for me was the Bionic Bar where you are served drinks by robots reminded me of the classic cartoon “The Jetsons”, which blew my mind; as you order onscreen and watch the robot mixologists mix, shake, and pour your drink right in front of you, The only downfall is you can’t flirt with them in the hope they make your Long Island Ice Tea more potent. (ahem remember responsible service of alcohol). I know what you’re thinking as I thought the same thing, “ How am I going to make my way around the ship, I can only use the lifts, and with such a huge amount of guests onboard I am going to have to wait hours for the lift.” Wrong! Ovation has 16 lifts, so there is no need to worry that you will miss the night time aerial show in Two 70 which during the day, I must say has the best view I have experienced onboard a cruise ship. The Royal Theatre is state-of-the-art featuring award-winning Broadway-style theatre productions, aerial performances and 3D movies, and has a capacity of 1,299 seated, and has the most seating for people who use wheelchairs and scooters I have ever seen. If you’re after a dining experience you won’t forget then the Chef’s Table is a must. This private experience treats 14 people to a five-course, upgraded steakhouse menu and wine tasting. Wonderland is gorgeous, the first thing I noticed you can’t see the menu! But don’t worry you won’t go hungry, just pick up the paint brush next to the blank menu, and as you paint it with water the menu magically appears, Revealing a menu with fantasy gourmet dishes, enchanted elixirs this is something I have never-before-seen before. What more can Ovation of the seas have? I am already in love! My excitement went into overdrive when I entered the Seaplex which I can only describe as an amusement park, where the inner kid in you can play basketball, go roller skating, and ride bumper cars. But wait th1ere is more, on the outside deck. As I made my way to the open deck, the first thing I saw was the Jewel-shaped capsule called North Star, that towered above us (I am petrified of heights so there was no way I was going to experience it), as it ascends over 300 feet above sea level. The North Star gives guests 360 degree views of the sea and our lovely city (Damn Acrophobia!). Never tried skydiving, but have always wanted to? Onboard you will find iFLY which is the first skydiving simulator at sea that allows you skydive in a safe and controlled environment, or if you’re after a bit of adventure, you can climb the 30-foot high Rock Climbing Wall, but the pièce de résistance was the FlowRider surf simulator, I had so much fun watching the guests “hang ten”. ‘ Ovation of the Seas has the coolest pool I have ever seen onboard a cruise ship. From the adults-only Solarium pool complete with bar and retractable roof, to the kids area with the H20 Zone kids’ waterpark, you have zero excuses not to bring out your swimsuit. I was not able to view the accessible staterooms, as you can probably guess, they were all occupied and not available to view. But there are 34 accessible stateroom on offer If you’re a baby boomer, and are thinking that all this hi-tech is intimidating. Cruise Compass, which summaries daily activities, comes as a hard copy paper format, but everything is on screen, including bookings for excursions, restaurants and shows. If you are looking for an experience at sea, onboard a gigantic cruise ship that accommodates people who use wheelchairs and scooters, or have limited mobility then Ovation of the Seas is a must to add to your bucket list.

robdep Cruise Review on Ovation of the Seas on Feb 09, 2017

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