Ovation of the Seas Sailing Through Dawes Glacier, Endicott Arm, Alaska

The Best Family Cruise Activities On Ovation Of The Seas

Royal Caribbean offers plenty of options when it comes to planning the best family cruises. Here’s why Ovation of the Seas® should top your list.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on February 20, 2023

There’s no doubt about it — the best family cruises are offered by Royal Caribbean. This award-winning cruise line never fails to deliver on thrilling attractions, spectacular entertainment, delicious dining and world-class activities for guests of all ages. You’re sure to have a wow-worthy getaway no matter which cruise ship — or cruise ship class — you choose to sail with. That said, Ovation of the Seas has been a favorite among parents and kids since it debuted, and with good reason.

The third cruise ship in the acclaimed Quantum Class, Ovation of the Seas checks all the boxes for an adventure-fueled family getaway you’ll be talking about for years to come. Whether you’re into sun-soaked days spent relaxing by the pool, panoramic views from the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship, adrenaline-amping activities like bumper cars and trapeze training or nightly whirls on the dance floor to the hottest cover bands in the industry, this epic ship was designed to keep the vacation vibes going strong every moment of your getaway. Here are just some of its top hits for families.

1. Engage Some Friendly, Family Competition At Sea

Cruise getaways onboard Ovation of the Seas are the perfect opportunity for parents and kids to earn some bragging rights. Challenge someone in your family to a climbing contest on the ship’s 40-foot Rock Climbing Wall, which yields spectacular views of the surrounding sea and shores. Guests as young as six years old can harness up for this complimentary onboard cruise activity. Likewise, you can rally up the crew and head to SeaPlex — the largest indoor activity space at sea. You’ll find a seemingly endless selection of competitive games and activities here that is sure to wow guests of all ages. Like plenty of dribbling, dunking action on a full-sized basketball court. Video-gaming face-offs in cushy consoles equipped with state-of-the-art screens and sound systems. High-flying training sessions at the onboard trapeze school. And adrenaline-amping rides across the cruise ship’s bumper cars course — one of guests’ favorite onboard attractions. The best part? Most of the activities that are waiting for you at SeaPlex are free for cruise guests and open to younger adventure-seekers, so the whole family can get in on the action.

2. Chase Thrills Designed Guaranteed To Wow Guests Of All Ages

If you’re traveling with thrill-seekers and adrenaline-chasers, this is the best cruise ship for you. True to its class, Ovation of the Seas is an engineering marvel filled with far-out, futuristic feats. Like the North Star®, a transparent observation capsule that holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. It gently lifts guests 300 feet above sea level, offering dazzling, panoramic views sure to thrill little ones and parents alike. Ovation of the Seas is also home to the FlowRider® surf simulator, a Royal Caribbean mainstay that funnels 30,000 gallons of rushing water in order to create the perfect swell all day, every day. Guests can grab a board and try to tame the waves upright, or carve the surf boogie-style on their bellies while friends and family cheer them on from the surrounding stadium seating. What’s more, rides on both the FlowRider and North Star are fully included in your cruise fare. And then there’s RipCord® by iFLY®, a skydiving simulator that lets guests as young as three years old experience the thrill of free-falling without ever leaving the cruise ship. These are just some of the many thrilling experiences that make Ovation of the Seas one of the top options when it comes to planning the best family cruises.

3. Bond Over Delicious Flavors At Windjammer, The Main Dining Room, And More

Foodies, rejoice — Ovation of the Seas offers one of the best dining scenes at sea, no matter what you or your family members are in the mood for. One of the most popular cruise dining options onboard for parents traveling with little ones is Windjammer. This casual spot will most likely become your go-to hub for delicious and complimentary flavors during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drop by in the morning for coffee and tea, flaky pastries and other breakfast staples — from crispy chicken and waffles to omelets made just the way you like them. Or visit during lunch and dinner for a rotating selection of global fare that runs the gamut from tender carved meets to steaming lo mein, fresh-pressed paninis and beyond. For dinner, there’s the Main Dining Room — another crave-worthy, complimentary cruise dining options that families love. This elegant, multi-level venue transforms any family dinner into an unforgettable event, complete with five-star service and a menu that takes guests from Jamaica to Jaipur. If you’re looking for family-friendly, fast-casual options, there’s Dog House, Café Promenade and Sorrento’s Pizza. Each serves up mouthwateringly good bites you can enjoy at the restaurant or take with you on the go as you hop from one onboard activity to another. And that’s in addition to guest-favorite specialty restaurants like Izumi, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, Chops Grille℠ and Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver — all great options for anyone cruising onboard Ovation of the Seas.

4. Let The Kids Play At Splashaway Bay Or Adventure Ocean While You Soak Up The Sun Poolside

The pool is always a great place to spend a day onboard any Royal Caribbean cruise ship — especially Ovation of the Seas. This Quantum Class favorite is home to the cruise line’s iconic Splashaway Bay^SM, a fun-filled aqua park built for little ones and located right on the pool deck. Kids will find all kinds of unforgettable thrills here, including interactive water cannons and fountains, tot-friendly whirlpools and mini waterslides — plus a drench bucket that doubles as the perfect photo opportunity onboard.

Parents will also be pleased to know that Ovation of the Seas is home to Adventure Ocean, an award-winning youth program by Royal Caribbean designed exclusively for kids aged 3-11. Little ones who join the program are broken out into groups depending on their age, then kept busy and engaged with all sorts of fun, hands-on, educational activities supervised by vetted childcare professionals. From arts and crafts to scavenger hunts, science experiments and themed parties, it’s the perfect way to keep your tots or tweens occupied onboard. Meanwhile, young adults and parents can relax and unwind at the tranquil Solarium, open to guests aged 18 and older. This idyllic hideaway offers plenty of room to unwind in the sun or the shade, as well as whirlpools with dazzling views and a full bar serving delicious wines, beers and other adult libations. Access to both Splashaway Bay, Adventure Ocean and the Solarium is totally complimentary for cruise guests, so you can visit as often as you like during your cruise getaway.

5. Elevate Your Evening Onboard With Incredible Performances

Royal Caribbean is known for its amazing entertainment and shows, and you can count on spectacular nightly performances when you cruise onboard Ovation of the Seas. Gather up the family for a night out at the theater — you’ll find several options to choose from when sailing onboard this one-of-a-kind cruise ship. There’s the thrilling, tech-infused original production, Live. Love. Legs. — a high-octane extravaganza that combines aerial stunts, electrifying choreography and mesmerizing multimedia displays. There’s also The Beautiful Dream, a haunting love story that takes viewers on a fantastical journey into human hopes, fears and — you guessed it — dreams. And there’s Pixels, a one-of-a-kind experimental showcase that blends live performance with music and cinematography. Catch a different show every night of your stay — all you have to do is reserve seats via the Cruise Planner app or onboard at the box office.

If you’re in the mood for something a little more low-key, you can snuggle up with your family during a laid-back movie night poolside with popcorn under the stars. Or leave the little ones with their grandparents and hit that always-buzzing Music Hall, a sweeping, multi-level concert venue where cover bands specializing in multiple genres rock out each and every night. No matter what kind of evening you’re in the mood for, Ovation of the Seas beckons with all kinds of nightlife and family entertainment.

These are just some of the best cruise activities for families sailing onboard Ovation of the Seas — there are plenty more thrills, experiences, entertainment and dining waiting for you on your unforgettable cruise getaway. Check out everything this award-winning cruise ship has to offer and start planning the perfect family vacation.