I’ve all the time cherished cruising, and am all the time wanting ahead to attempting a brand new cruise ship and/or a brand new cruise line. Royal Caribbean’s giant, epic ships have all the time intrigued me.
After I was invited to the Inaugural Voyage and naming ceremony of the Odyssey of the Seas, I used to be excited to attend. Whereas my mission was particularly to write down an Odyssey of the Seas assessment, this was additionally my introduction to Royal Caribbean’s choices.
I eagerly anticipated experiencing their well-known mixture of high quality and vitality for myself aboard the primary Quantum Extremely Class Ship to be in the US.
I used to be solely on the ship for 2 nights, however I used to be in a position to expertise and see a lot of its choices throughout my first time on the Royal Caribbean cruise line. I cherished my expertise, and really feel that this needs to be an incredible choice for household enjoyable, notably these households with older youngsters. Actually, I cherished it a lot that after this complimentary media journey, I returned to the Odyssey of the Seas with my household on a 6-night journey we paid for on our personal.
I used to be additionally very impressed by the crew members and the service aboard the ship. Everybody appeared to like their job and have been really there to assist make my journey as memorable and worry-free as attainable. Right here’s my information and assessment of the Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas.
Disclosure: my journey and crusing have been complimentary in order that I may expertise the ship. My second crusing was 100% at my very own expense. All opinions are my very own. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, and a click on by one in all these hyperlinks could lead to a fee paid to us for free of charge to you.
See costs and itineraries on Odyssey of the Seas right here.
Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas Overview
Odyssey of the Seas is presently crusing out of Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean routes on Southern, Jap, and Western Caribbean itineraries and stops at Good Day at CocoCay. This summer time and fall, it heads throughout the Atlantic for sailings in Greece, Italy, and Turkey.
Port Everglades is an especially handy port to sail from. Fort Lauderdale Airport is only a 5-10 minute drive away, and Miami is about 40 minutes away. The 2 flight choices imply you usually tend to discover a flight that works finest to your finances and schedule.
I flew into Fort Lauderdale Airport and was on the terminal in line to verify in inside a couple of minutes of touchdown. Regardless of the proximity, I nonetheless advocate flying within the evening earlier than, simply to be secure.
Earlier than crusing, you’ll must obtain the Royal Caribbean app and verify in to your crusing. Throughout this course of, you’ll choose a port arrival time, take a photograph of your self, and add images of your passport. It was simple to do and saved time upon my arrival.
Make sure you deliver your SeaPass (by the Royal Caribbean app, arrange prematurely) and your passport/citizenship paperwork. I needed to present all of those earlier than I used to be in a position to board. Examine the particular particulars of your crusing to be sure you know precisely what you’ll want.
When you get on the ship, you may entry your stateroom key playing cards. They are going to be at your door, ready for you.
As I entered this ship, I used to be instantly impressed with the vitality of this new Royal Caribbean ship. There’s vigorous music, pleasant cruise workers, and a formidable foyer – known as the Royal Esplanade (or Royal Promenade aboard some Royal Caribbean ships). It’s simple to really feel like you might be instantly on trip once you stroll onboard.
Actions on the Odyssey of the Seas – What You’ll Do
The joy and vitality carry throughout to the actions on the ship – which is able to hold you busy through the mornings, evenings, and days at sea. Teenagers will particularly take pleasure in these, and doubtless received’t even wish to get off the ship at ports. A few of these are provided at a further price, and visitors ought to guide them prematurely as quickly as attainable.
SeaPlex: The SeaPlex is a big part of the ship that’s the house base for a lot of of those thrilling actions. It’s nice for the entire household. The principle space contains a big house that’s used for a number of actions all through the day, together with bumper automobiles, desk tennis, and basketball.
In style arcade video games, together with Mario Kart and Ski Ball, encompass the realm. As well as, a sports activities bar, Playmakers Sports activities Bar Arcade, is situated on the 2nd ground, overlooking the SeaPlex.
North Star: This clear statement capsule travels 300 ft above sea degree for superb panoramic views. I had the chance to experience on North Star whereas we have been docked at Good Day at Coco Cay. The complete journey is about quarter-hour, and it’s a light experience up. I’d advocate checking it out – take footage of the nice view while you’re up there!
Splashaway Bay: This kid-friendly water play space features a splash bucket, water geysers, and a small water slide. It’s finest for youthful youngsters who take pleasure in cooling off whereas having enjoyable.
RipCord® by iFLY®: This expertise is a manner for visitors to expertise the fun of skydiving with out leaving the ship. It’s obtainable to visitors ages 3 and up, so it’s one thing nearly all youngsters can take pleasure in!
FlowRider: Browsing with out even leaving the ship? One other teen favourite, the FlowRider, is a 40-foot-long surf simulator. Personal classes are additionally obtainable.
Digital Journey Zone: a 4D digital actuality expertise the place you may full a mission together with your group. That is obtainable to visitors 13 years outdated and older.
Rock Climbing Wall: This 40-foot rock-climbing wall is obtainable at no extra cost.
Swimming pools: I cherished the Caribbean-themed two-level pool deck, with a number of swimming pools, sizzling tubs, and lounger chairs. Chaise beds are additionally obtainable for rental. That is the proper spot to loosen up and get some solar throughout a day at sea.
Laser Tag: Expertise glow-in-the-dark laser tag on the Conflict for Crystal Metropolis. It’s a 15-minute, included expertise, that’s obtainable for these at the least 5 years outdated and 40 inches. Notice that closed-toed sneakers are required (one thing I don’t all the time pack for a Caribbean trip).
Solarium grownup part – if you’re touring with out youngsters, or if they’re having fun with some enjoyable on the youngsters’ golf equipment, you’ll wish to go to the Solarium. This adult-only part contains cascading swimming pools, a transparent glass roof, a bar, and ample seating to take pleasure in a drink and browse a guide.
Programming – along with these spectacular actions, there are different applications provided for visitors. These embody varied instructional classes like jewellery making, karaoke, sport exhibits, and trivia. Yow will discover the schedule in your app.
Meals on the Odyssey of the Seas – What You’ll Eat
I used to be extremely impressed with the variety of numerous eateries situated on the ship. No matter when you’re hungry, or what you’re feeling like consuming, one can find someplace nice to eat. I appreciated the “Hungry Now?” part of the app, the place you may shortly look to seek out an open restaurant.
Do you or a member of your loved ones have meals allergy symptoms or different dietary restrictions? I used to be impressed with how the buffets had meals clearly labeled, with a complete part within the Windjammer with gluten-free choices. It’s essential to point restrictions in your reservation, and the crew may also help you with something you want.
Seven eating institutions are included together with your cruise. These embody the Windjammer buffet, the Principal Eating Room, the Solarium Bistro, El Loco Recent, the Cafe at Two70, Sorrento’s Pizza, and Cafe Promenade. Room service can be obtainable (for a supply price).
Throughout my two cruises, I had the chance to check out a couple of of those – the Windjammer, the Principal Eating Room, Coastal Kitchen, and the Solarium Bistro. The amount and high quality of meals choices are really spectacular.
The Windjammer is a big buffet providing breakfast and lunch. I visited for breakfast and was instantly shocked by the staggering quantity of meals stations and choices.
Even choosy eaters will discover one thing good for his or her meal. It is a nice choice particularly within the morning since you may arrive at any time and eat at your leisure.
Friends are assigned a predominant eating room time and desk for dinners through the period of their cruise (or can select anytime eating). This two-story restaurant is the place most visitors have dinner. Whereas I didn’t go to the primary eating room for lunch, I did go to for breakfast.
I loved chatting with my pleasant waiter who advised me about his 18 years working for Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean additionally gives an choice the place you may select your personal eating time.
Along with these included eating places, Royal Caribbean additionally gives seven specialty eating places (eight together with Starbucks). Usually, these have to be booked prematurely to make sure availability.
Specialty eating places embody Chops Steakhouse, Wonderland, Teppanyaki, Izumi Sushi, Coastal Kitchen (open completely to suite visitors), Chef’s Desk, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.
As an Italian meals lover, I used to be desirous to strive Giovanni’s, which is probably the most family-friendly of the specialty choices. Giovanni’s is just not new to Royal Caribbean cruises, however this model on Odyssey of the Seas has been reimagined to be extra informal and family-friendly.
It options pizzas created by Miami pizza chef Renato Viola. Initially from Southern Italy, Chef Viola got here to the US on an O1 visa years in the past.
Whereas the pizza is scrumptious, I opted for his or her linguine with clams and shrimp as my entree. However first, we have been handled to a number of appetizers together with a charcuterie plate, gigantic meatball, and garlic knots. The meals at Giovanni’s is superb, and though there may be a further cost, I’d advocate consuming there for one particular dinner.
Coastal Kitchen is an included restaurant provided completely to visitors staying in a suite-level room. We had a collection on our 6-night crusing and had a number of meals in addition to breakfast most mornings right here.
Retailers on Odyssey of the Seas – What You Can Purchase
As an avid shopper, I’m all the time excited to see the choice of retailers and merchandise on any cruise ship. A lot of the retailers on the Odyssey of the Seas are concentrated across the spectacular Royal Promenade space of the ship.
These ships, like these on all cruise ships, are solely open when the ship is crusing, attributable to port restrictions. They provide Royal Caribbean merchandise and name-brand attire, in addition to luxurious gadgets like cosmetics, purses, jewellery, and watches.
Forgot one thing at house?
On the finish of the retailers, you’ll discover a room with merchandising machines stuffed with necessities like toiletries, sunscreen, machine chargers, and extra. Just like the retailers, these are solely open when the ship is just not at port.
Staterooms on the Odyssey of the Seas – The place You’ll Sleep
Your stateroom is the primary trip element you’ll be deciding on once you guide your cruise. However, with all the actions on and off the ship, you hopefully received’t be spending an excessive amount of time within the room.
When selecting, take into consideration what sort of expertise you’d wish to have. Whereas I don’t often keep within the room for very lengthy, I do take pleasure in having a morning cup of espresso whereas sitting on my balcony.
Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas has a number of room classes to think about. These embody three ranges of suites, ocean-view rooms with a balcony, inside staterooms, ocean-view staterooms with no balconies, and digital balcony staterooms.
I had an ocean-view room with a personal balcony for my keep. The room features a pull-out sofa, a cushty king mattress, a tv, a rest room with a bathe, a desk, and a balcony with a small desk and two chairs. There’s additionally a hairdryer and quite a few retailers.
I did discover that there isn’t lots of house for putting folded garments. There’s, nevertheless, a closet the place you may dangle gadgets.
I’d advocate packing your suitcase utilizing packing cubes, so you may simply entry outfits out of your bag. Then, you may slide the suitcase beneath the mattress and pull the cubes out as you want them.
Toiletries within the room embody hand cleaning soap and a mixture physique/hair wash. When you want to have separate shampoo or conditioner, it’s finest to pack your personal with you. Conditioner is offered on the ship and can be supplied to suite visitors.
Leisure on Odyssey of the Seas – How You’ll Spend Your Days
Whereas I really loved the whole lot about my expertise on the ship, the leisure is what dazzled me. By means of each my immersive session with the top of leisure, Nick Weir, in addition to watching two of the exhibits on the ship, it turned very clear that Royal Caribbean is elevating the bar on what leisure at sea may be.
There are two separate theaters on the ship – the Two20 Theater and the Royal Theater. The Royal Theater exhibits two stay exhibits whereas the Two20 Theater exhibits one. Throughout my crusing, I had the chance to look at two of the exhibits – the Ebook (within the Two20 Theater) and The Effectors (within the Royal Theater).
Each exhibits run for lower than an hour and are value watching. Whereas they aren’t particularly kid-friendly exhibits, older youngsters will in all probability take pleasure in seeing them for the results and expertise.
Presently, you’ll must make a reservation to see the present. You’ll present your cruise key card on the entrance entrance to point out your reservation and achieve admission. There’s loads of seating, together with chairs at tables in Two20.
I totally loved each exhibits, though I feel the Effectors was my favourite. It was extremely entertaining, with good particular results. Though I didn’t have the possibility to see Showgirls (the second present within the Royal Theater), I’m certain it was additionally entertaining.
Along with these exhibits, there are different leisure choices together with bands and singers. This leisure is unfold throughout the ship’s venues, together with Music Corridor and the Crown Bar.
There are additionally a number of implausible bars to take pleasure in a drink in case your youngsters are off exploring on their very own. One must-visit is the Bionic Bar, which is staffed by two robotic bartenders. You’ll must see it to imagine it! When you take pleasure in tropical alcoholic drinks, strive a Lime and Coconut within the Lime and Coconut bar on the pool degree.
Youngsters’ Golf equipment on Odyssey of the Seas
There are a number of youngsters’ membership choices to your kids. Though my youngsters are older now, they all the time loved spending time within the golf equipment on cruise ships, the place they might have enjoyable and meet different youngsters.
For youthful youngsters (as much as twelve years outdated), Journey Ocean gives programming all through the day. There are additionally AO Infants and AO Juniors. Admission to the children’ membership is included together with your journey, though there may be an additional price for AO Infants and the Late Evening Get together.
In case you are touring with teenagers, they’ll hand around in the teenager membership. There, they’ll discover gaming, motion pictures, and different programming, and might meet different teenagers on board the ship.
Good Day at CocoCay – a Port of Name on Caribbean Itineraries
Our brief media crusing solely stopped at one port – Good Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean Worldwide’s personal island within the Bahamas. This small island is filled with one thing for everybody, whether or not you might be on the lookout for thrills or would similar to to loosen up on the seaside.
CocoCay is staffed by a inhabitants of Bahamian residents who stay on the island full-time. I discovered the workers to be pleasant and useful. The island accommodates as much as two ships at a time. Throughout our go to, we have been joined by Freedom of the Seas for the day, and the island didn’t really feel crowded in any respect.
There are some actions and excursions provided at a further price. These needs to be booked prematurely to make sure availability. These embody the Up, Up, and Away sizzling air balloon experience, zip traces, jet-skiing, glass-bottom boat rides, and swimming with pigs.
Love water slides? The Chill Water Park (admission cost applies) gives the Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest water slide in North America. There’s additionally a wave pool, Splash Summit waterslides, and Journey Pool.
Different actions at Good Day at CocoCay embody Chill Seaside, Splashaway Bay, Captain Jill’s Galleon, Hideaway Seaside, and Oasis Lagoon. Varied cabanas, together with overwater cabanas, are scattered all through the island. These may be booked for a further price.
Different Itineraries
Whereas the Odyssey of the Seas is presently working within the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, it will likely be transferring to Europe for Greece, Italy, and Turkey itineraries later in 2024.
See our internet story right here.
Contemplating a household cruise? Take a look at our information to household cruising, with posts about in style cruise terminals, cruise ships, and cruise traces, in addition to suggestions for cruising.
