Ovation of the Seas
Class: Quantum Class | Tonnage: 168,666 GT | Capacity: 4,180 | Launched: 2016
Royal Amplified April 2026 — Ovation completed a major refurbishment in Singapore, adding new dining, an expanded casino, 40 new staterooms, and the Ultimate Family Suite. See what’s changing below.
Quick Take
The only Quantum Class ship sailing Alaska and Australia — now freshly amplified with Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Teppanyaki, and the fleet’s best Alaska itineraries including CruiseTour land packages to Denali.
Why Choose Ovation?
There are 3 Quantum Class ships: Quantum, Anthem, Ovation.
Ovation’s advantages:
- Only Quantum Class ship in Alaska — glacier-viewing from the North Star is unmatched
- Australia & South Pacific winters — the only RC Quantum ship Down Under
- Freshly amplified (April 2026) — newest dining and entertainment upgrades
- First Quantum ship with CruiseTour packages — combine your cruise with Denali/Kenai land tours
Signature Experiences
North Star Observation Capsule
- 360-degree glass capsule rises 300 feet above the ship
- In Alaska: glacier and mountain views from the sky
- Tip: Book the Hubbard Glacier or fjord sailing day — the views are once-in-a-lifetime
RipCord by iFLY Indoor Skydiving
- Vertical wind tunnel simulates free fall
- No experience needed, instructor-guided throughout
- Tip: Book on embarkation day, popular times sell out fast
SeaPlex Indoor Sports Complex
- Largest indoor active space at sea
- Bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, trapeze, circus school
- Perfect for rainy Alaska days
Two70 Panoramic Lounge
- 270-degree floor-to-ceiling glass + Vistarama digital projections
- Daytime lounge transforms into immersive theater at night
- Royal Caribbean’s most innovative performance venue
Key Amenities
| Amenity | Details |
|---|---|
| North Star | Yes |
| iFLY Skydiving | Yes |
| FlowRider | Yes (2) |
| Rock Climbing Wall | Yes |
| SeaPlex Indoor Complex | Yes (bumper cars, skating, basketball, trapeze) |
| Pools | Indoor (Solarium) + outdoor |
| Pesky Parrot Bar | Yes (new 2026) |
| Sound Cellar | Yes (new 2026) |
| Theater | Yes |
| Two70 | Yes |
Dining Options
Complimentary
- Main Dining Room — Three themed restaurants: American Icon Grill, Silk, The Grande
- Coastal Kitchen — Suite guests only
- Windjammer Marketplace — Buffet
- Solarium Bistro — Light fare in the adults-only area
- Cafe @ Two70 — Light bites and coffee
- Cafe Promenade — Sandwiches and snacks
- Sorrento’s — Pizza
- SeaPlex Dog House — Hot dogs and sausages
Specialty (Select)
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen — Tuscan-inspired Italian (new 2026, replaced Jamie’s Italian)
- Chops Grille — Steakhouse
- Izumi — Japanese sushi and a la carte
- Izumi Teppanyaki — Hibachi-style Japanese (new 2026, replaced Wonderland)
- Chef’s Table — Multi-course premium dining
- Starbucks — Full standalone cafe (new 2026, replaced La Patisserie)
Cabin Recommendations
| Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior (Virtual Balcony) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Quantum innovation, real-time sea view projection |
| Ocean View | ⭐⭐⭐ | Standard, fine for short sailings |
| Balcony | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Top pick — essential for Alaska glacier viewing |
| Suite | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Coastal Kitchen access, exclusive lounge |
Virtual Balcony Interior
Quantum Class innovation — interior cabin wall has LED screen displaying real-time exterior views. Best choice for budget travelers who don’t want a “dark room.”
New: Ultimate Family Suite (added 2026)
Two-story suite with a slide and kids’ activity area — the signature mega-suite from newer RC ships makes its Quantum Class debut on Ovation.
New: Panoramic Suites (added 2026)
New suite category with floor-to-ceiling windows, added during the amplification.
Alaska Tip: Book a Balcony
Alaska cruising is all about the scenery — glaciers, fjords, wildlife. An interior cabin means missing the show. A balcony is the single best upgrade you can make for Alaska.
Best For
| Traveler Type | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Cruisers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Only Quantum ship in Alaska, North Star glacier views |
| Australia/NZ Cruisers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Only Quantum ship Down Under |
| Tech Enthusiasts | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | North Star, iFLY, Two70 immersive shows |
| Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | SeaPlex, Ultimate Family Suite, Adventure Ocean |
| First-Time Cruisers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent all-rounder, not as overwhelming as Oasis Class |
| CruiseTour Seekers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | First Quantum ship with Denali/Kenai land packages |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Alaska + North Star — No other ship offers a glass capsule 300 feet above glaciers
- Freshly amplified — Brand new restaurants and venues as of April 2026
- All-weather facilities — Indoor pool, SeaPlex, Two70 — perfect for Alaska’s unpredictable weather
- CruiseTour packages — Combine cruise with Denali, Kenai, or Homer land tours
- Dual-hemisphere deployment — Alaska summers, Australia winters
Cons
- No Central Park — Quantum Class lacks the Oasis Class signature outdoor garden
- Smaller than Oasis Class — 168K GT vs 225K+ GT, fewer neighborhoods
- Alaska weather — Can be cold and rainy regardless of ship amenities
- Some paid extras — iFLY and North Star sometimes cost extra
Royal Amplified 2026
Ovation entered dry dock at Seatrium Tuas Shipyard, Singapore in March 2026 for a month-long Royal Amplification. She returns to service April 17, 2026 on a repositioning voyage to Japan and then Alaska.
What’s New
| Addition | Details |
|---|---|
| Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen | Tuscan-inspired Italian, replaces Jamie’s Italian on Deck 5 |
| Izumi Teppanyaki | Hibachi-style Japanese, replaces Wonderland on Deck 5 |
| Pesky Parrot Bar | Tiki-style bar, replaces Bionic Bar — Quantum Class debut |
| Sound Cellar | New nightclub/music venue, replaces upper Music Hall |
| Starbucks (full standalone) | Replaces La Patisserie on Royal Promenade |
| Ultimate Family Suite | Two-story mega-suite with slide, Quantum Class debut |
| Panoramic Suites | New suite category with floor-to-ceiling windows |
| 40 new staterooms | Added across Decks 5, 9, 12, 13, and 16 (total: 2,131) |
| Expanded Casino Royale | Takes over lower Music Hall on Deck 3 |
| Revamped Pool Deck | New private casitas and additional whirlpool |
What’s Removed
- Jamie’s Italian (Deck 5) → replaced by Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
- Wonderland (Deck 5) → replaced by Izumi Teppanyaki
- Bionic Bar → replaced by Pesky Parrot
- Music Hall (lower level, Deck 3) → absorbed into expanded casino
- Music Hall (upper level) → converted to Sound Cellar
- La Patisserie → converted to full Starbucks
- Conference Center (Deck 13) → converted to new staterooms
- Concierge Club/Suite Lounge (Deck 12) → converted to suites
- The Living Room (teen club) → replaced by new Suite Lounge
Post-Amplification Schedule
- April 17, 2026: Returns to service, repositioning via Japan to Vancouver
- Summer 2026 (May–Sep): Alaska season from Vancouver and Seward
- 7-night northbound: Vancouver → Ketchikan → Sitka → Skagway → Hubbard Glacier → Seward
- 7-night southbound: Seward → Hubbard Glacier → Juneau → Skagway → Icy Strait Point → Vancouver
- First Quantum Class ship to offer CruiseTour land packages (Denali, Kenai, Homer: 9–13 nights)
- Winter 2026–27: Returns to Sydney, Australia for South Pacific and New Zealand season
Sources: Royal Caribbean Press Center, Royal Caribbean Blog
Common Itineraries
- Vancouver & Seward departures — Summer 2026 Alaska season
- Alaska 7-night (glaciers, Inside Passage, ports of call)
- CruiseTour 9–13 night (cruise + Denali/Kenai/Homer land tour)
- Sydney departures — Winter 2026–27 season
- South Pacific (Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu)
- New Zealand (Milford Sound, Dunedin, Wellington, Bay of Islands)
- Tasmania & Adelaide short cruises
Ingrid’s Take
Ovation is my top recommendation for Alaska cruising. No other ship lets you rise 300 feet above a glacier in a glass capsule — North Star in Alaska is genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
With the 2026 amplification, the ship is better than ever. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Izumi Teppanyaki are major dining upgrades, the Pesky Parrot is a fun replacement for the aging Bionic Bar, and 40 new staterooms mean more availability on popular sailings.
The dual-hemisphere schedule is also unique: Alaska summers, Australia winters. If you cruise both regions, Ovation becomes a familiar friend.
My advice: Book a balcony cabin for Alaska — you’ll want to watch glaciers from your private space at 6am before the crowds wake up. The 7-night Vancouver-to-Seward (or reverse) itinerary is the best way to see Alaska. If budget allows, add a CruiseTour to Denali — it’s the complete Alaska experience.
Last updated: April 2026