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Alaska Cruise Review: Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas

Constantly captivating scenery. Frequent wildlife sightings. Delicious food. Jam-packed itineraries. Family-friendly activities. These are some of the phrases I would use when describing an Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. We had the opportunity to go on a 7-night cruise from Seattle in August 2019 and had an absolute blast! Here are our thoughts on the ship and the destinations. If you’re considering going on an Alaska cruise, I can assure you that it’s absolutely worth it. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions!

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship, built in 2016, and has more than 2,000 staterooms that can host up to 4,900 guests. That, along with 1,500 crew members, ups the onboard count to more than 6,400! We stayed in a quad-occupancy balcony stateroom on the 6th floor, which gave us some beautiful sea views from the balcony. If you can, though, try to get a room on a higher floor so you don’t have the lifeboats mounted on the side of the ship blocking your view.

Family-Friendly Activities

Ovation of the Seas has no shortage of activities that will keep the whole family busy during the entire cruise! One of the first places we visited was the SeaPlex . The SeaPlex is an indoor space that can be customized to host multiple activities such as bumper cars, skating, basketball, and even circus trapeze swinging! You’ll want to check your Daily Compass to see what time each activity is taking place. Also, be sure to arrive early because there can be long lines for activities, especially on cruising days. There are also ping pong, fooseball and air hockey tables around the space, as well as an Xbox gaming lounge (free) and an arcade with games (at an additional price).

Next to the SeaPlex, on the aft upper levels of the ship, you’ll also find activities like the Ripcord by iFly , which is an indoor skydiving center. Even our 3-year-old daughter Nora was able to participate, so I highly recommend trying it out at least once! You can also do some rock-climbing as well as experience the FlowRider surfing simulator.

Speaking of the upper decks, it wouldn’t be a proper cruise without some pools to splash around in! Ovation of the Seas has several options. The first is Splashaway Bay , which has some waterslides as well as a lazy river-type of roundabout pool that we hadn’t seen on another ship before. There’s also an outdoors pool (with heated water) and two hot tubs, which still let us enjoy ourselves even when the temperature dropped on the way to Alaska. In case of inclement weather, an indoor pool and hot tubs are available, as well as an adults-only Solarium with a pool and bar.

I’m also happy to let you know that Ovation of the Seas offers its Adventure Ocean kids club. There are separate areas for 3-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds, and 9-11 year olds. There’s also a nursery where you can drop off babies at an additional cost. For kids over 11, there are plenty of activities in The Living Room, the designated area for teenagers.

If you’ve sailed on a Royal Caribbean ship before, then you know that the Windjammer Marketplace is ready and willing to serve some delicious meals! The Windjammer serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet options, with plenty of choices for the whole family. You can also get snacks and meals throughout the day at Sorrento’s (pizza), the Dog House (hot dogs), and Fish and Ships (fried fish and chicken). You will also be assigned a time for your seated dinner, which is optional in case you want to partake in some of the specialty dining options. On Ovation, you will find favorites like the Chops Grille and Jamie’s Italian , as well as some creative dishes at Wonderland , mouth-watering sushi at Izumi , and spa-style cuisine at the Solarium Bistro .

The Itinerary

Our cruise was the 7-night Alaska cruise departing from and returning to Seattle, Washington. During that week, the ship sailed to ports of call in Juneau and Skagway in Alaska, and Victoria in British Columbia Canada.

Alaska’s state capital lies on the southeastern corner of the state and borders the Canadian province of British Columbia. It’s a small city of over 30,000 residents, yet it welcomes more than a million tourists each year, primarily from cruise ships. In Juneau, we spent the morning walking along the Gastineau Channel and spent some time relaxing at Bill Overstreet Park , which has a beautiful statue of a breaching whale that also sprays out water every few minutes. In the afternoon, we did the Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest excursion, where we took a shuttle bus to our whale watching vessel, and learned about Alaska’s marine life. We got to see several humpback whales, as well as sea lions and bald eagles. Our tour guide also took us to their crab pot, where we were able to observe their invasive species monitoring activities. Ultimately, we loved our whale watching excursion since we were able to get up close and personal with a magnificent species. There are also excursions to Mendenhall Glacier by helicopter, kayak, and boat, as well as several dog sledding, salmon bake, and zip lining adventures.

Our second port was in Skagway, Alaska, which is the northernmost town on the Alaska Inside Passage. It’s a small but charming town, with a year-round population of about 900 people, except for the summer tourism months, in which 3,000 residents and workers tend to the town. The town was built during the Gold Rush era in the late 19th century, and also welcomes about 1 million tourists a year (mostly from cruise ships). In Skagway, we took part in the Haines Wilderness Odyssey by Jetboat , which started with a short ferry ride from Skagway to the neighboring town of Haines. From Haines, we took a shuttle to the Chillkat river, where we boarded our jetboat in search of brown bears, moose, and bald eagles. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to spot any bears or moose, but we saw plenty of bald eagles throughout our journey. The excursion itself makes for a pretty long day, with a 45 minute ferry, 30 minute bus ride, 1+ hour jetboat ride, and return trips to go along with it. There’s not a lot of opportunities for kids to run around much during the excursion, so just be prepared since you may or may not see wildlife during the tour! The Skagway port also has plenty of hiking, zip-lining, horseback riding, and glacier trekking excursions available, which we hope to be able to do one day!

Our last cruise stop was in Victoria, also known as the “City of Gardens.” And that nickname is truly earned! In 2018, there were over 3.4 BILLION blooms. There are countless amounts of floral arrangements throughout the city, and the colorful flowers give the town a vibrant feel. In Victoria, we did the Bites and Sights tour, which was a walking tour that took us throughout the city over three hours, with 3 stops along the way to sample local cuisine. We began by walking to Fisherman’s Wharf, where we stopped by for local tea and took a water taxi to Victoria’s Chinatown, which is the oldest in Canada. From there, we sampled snacks at a local brewery, ate chocolate-covered waffles, and witnessed some beautiful architecture near Bastion Square and the Parliament building. The tour itself gave us a great inside look into what life is like in Victoria, and learned some of its history along the way. Another excursion to look into would be a trip to Butchart Gardens , which is a scenic and beautifully maintained property that welcomes 1 million visitors a year.

Bottom Line

Simply put, we loved our time on our Alaska cruise aboard Ovation of the Seas! The pacing of the trip was perfect, with the two Alaska port stops on the 3rd and 4th days, and Victoria on the 7th day. We were surprised by the amount of family-friendly activities on the ship, from the SeaPlex, to the pools, to rock-climbing and indoor skydiving! The cruise gave us a great sample of the many adventures that Alaska has to offer, and we hope to be able to return to dive deep into their culture and activities sometime soon!

This post was produced in partnership with Royal Caribbean who provided our family with an all expenses paid cruise  Despite working with them all views and opinions are our own.

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4 responses.

Is the FISH and SHIPS complimentary dining too? Thanks

There are complimentary fish and chips and chicken tenders, and also some additional options that you can pay for!

We are traveling as a family of 4 on the same ship this summer. How did your kids like the Adventure Ocean program? Also what did the kids like to eat most on the ship? Thanks!

Hey Cherish! Ovation is an amazing ship and you’ll have a great time! The kids love Adventure Ocean, they were always excited to go and there were plenty of activities to keep them busy, from arts and crafts, games, and more. Most of the times we ate at the Windjammer buffet, where they have kind-friendly meals like burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and pizza. There’s so many options that I’m sure you’ll find something that works for you.

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Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas Review – First Impressions

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Unlike the previous summer, in 2019 I ventured further into Alaska aboard a cross-gulf cruise. Instead of boarding in Seattle, embarkation for Radiance of the Seas was in Vancouver, Canada. Destination:  Seward, Alaska and beyond.

Radiance of the Seas Review

Getting to Vancouver without flying

My trip to Alaska from Florida involved four bone-jarring Amtrak trains across the most breathtaking parts of America just to reach Vancouver. I was ready to relax aboard Radiance of the Seas . This is the perfect ship for an Alaska cruise; huge expanses of glass windows let in sunshine and provide stunning vistas all around. 

The seven-day northbound, cross-gulf voyage would be a new experience for me. It was also my transportation to Seward; the doorway into the heart of Alaska and two weeks to explore from Seward to the Arctic Circle and back.

Year Built:  2001 Passengers:  2,501 Crew:  859 Weight:  90,090 Dining Hours:  5:30PM and 8:00PM Self-Service Launderette:  No Outdoor Movies:  Yes

First impressions:  Welcome Aboard Radiance of the Seas

I knew when I booked that this ship was nearly 20 years old. Launched in 2001 and with barely 2,500 passengers, Radiance of the Seas is a smaller cruise ship by today’s standards. When I set foot onto the deck and walked into the Centrum (not Atrium) as it’s called on Radiance Class ships, there was an instant wave of nostalgia. Sister ship to Jewel of the Seas , Brilliance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas , I was familiar with the layout and decor.

My first impression of Radiance of the Seas ‘ Centrum was…wow. Still as pretty as ever. A terrific gathering place throughout the day and night, with live music or cruise director-led fun and games.

Radiance of the Seas is a very elegant ship. Back in 2001, this was more the standard than the deviation. Sure, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas were still years away to launch, but this ship was a game-changer when it debuted. Beautifully polished hard woods accented by shiny brass railings and fixtures. Multi-colored glass art installations grace the stairwells. Designed for cruising Alaska, the use of glass and open space is significant.

I don’t know if most passengers take the time to note the attention to detail that was put into this ship.

Radiance of the Seas Review: The Fabulous Aft Balcony Stateroom

Finding my way to my stateroom was pretty easy. It was all the way at the very end of the ship so as long as I knew which way was forward and aft, all was good.

It doesn’t get much better than this, unless you have a suite. Even then, it’s not aft. Aft staterooms are amazing.

A quick glance outside and I had my bearings on which way to walk. I squeezed past all the people asking directions and blocking the Centrum entrance, and over to the main elevator bank. Up to Deck 10 and I just kept on walking.

I booked this cruise nearly seven months ago as an inside guarantee. When I received my stateroom  confirmation I was shocked. Whomever was in charge of stateroom assignments put me into an aft-facing balcony stateroom.

Maybe my being a Diamond Plus member in Royal Caribbean’s Loyalty Club helped or maybe someone was having a good day. What ever the reason, I was so excited to finally experience what so many cruisers rave about with this type of stateroom.

Lunch in Windjammer Buffet

On my early morning train to Vancouver from Everett, WA, I had coffee and a slice of banana bread so I really didn’t need lunch. But I wanted to see how well Windjammer did on embarkation day. Only one flight up and I was there.

Some things never change and Royal Caribbean’s embarkation lunch is one of them. I used to work at Port Canaveral for embarkation on the old Sovereign of the Seas. One of the perks was a 20-minute lunch break onboard.

Though the selections these days are vastly wider, the smells and elbow-to-elbow commotion are the same. My first impression of Radiance of the Seas buffet wasn’t a surprise. To find a good selection at the Vegetarian Station was an improvement.

It was tricky juggling a full plate of salad, iced tea, iPhone and wallet while trying to find a table. Finally, I heli-hovered nearby a table for two that was clearing and all was fine.

READ MORE: Eight Tips to Booking Your Own Shore Excursions

Cruise Maven Solo Traveler Tip:

Remember, if you cruise solo, always bring something to leave on the table. Then, if you should want return to the buffet mid-meal, the wait staff will know not to clear your plates.

Radiance Outdoor Areas

I had a little time to walk around the outdoor areas before muster. Radiance of the Seas arrived into Vancouver at dawn, after cruising from Australia. Maybe that was the reason for the outdoor recreation areas to look so worn down and downright dirty. The kid pools, splash areas and almost all outdoor spaces desperately needed scrubbing.

Best Feature on the Radiance of the Seas

This Radiance of the Seas review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the best spot on the ship:  the Heli-Deck. There’s nothing much better than to be able to park yourself in one of the two benches and gaze out at the sea and scenery.

Believe it or not, except for sailaways and glacier-viewing, this area is usually empty. The wind can turn incredibly fierce and most guests don’t want to get battered about while the ship is underway.

Sailaway was beautiful on this sunny Vancouver afternoon. The Heli-Deck was a popular vantage point, as you can see from the photo. As we turned into the channel and the wind picked up, the crowd quickly dispersed.

First Impression: Dinner in the Main Dining Room

Because I chose My Time Dining , I could in theory have dinner any time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exactly work that way. Royal Caribbean highly recommends that My Time Dining people call ahead and book a particular time, each day.

When I read this, I immediately called the four-digit phone number and placed on hold for 24-minutes. Luckily, as a solo, you can fit into just about any timetable. My dinner reservation was at 7:30pm. There were two lines at the Deck 4 entrance;  one for those with reservations and the other for walk-ups.

The procedure was very smooth and I asked for the largest available table, with other solo passengers. I was seated at a table for ten…already occupied by four couples.

Here’s a brief run-down on my meal:

Overall, I’d give the welcome aboard dinner a C- grade. Some of the people at my table finished every morsel while a couple of others, like me, left most of it. There’s a pizza counter in the Solarium that I planned to visit. If it would be anything like Sorrento’s on Majesty, I’d have a tasty late-night snack.

Wrapping Up the First Night

The evening consisted of the usual Welcome Aboard show in the Aurora Theater, which I chose not to attend. I had been up and running since 6 a.m. and by 10 p.m. I was slowing down. Plus, with this stupendous balcony and fabulous stateroom, I really just wanted to enjoy the space and the clear, cool night air.

Radiance of the Seas Review in a Nutshell

• Beautiful ship on the indoors
• Outdoor areas are dirty
• Wood railings on the outside in desperate need of varnish. Avoid getting splinters.
• Aft balcony is enormous
• Blanket is the perfect weight; doesn’t crush your feet
• Crew is very helpful and friendly
• Main dining room food gets a failing grade, in my opinion
• Solarium is a very nice place to relax (if you don’t mind the pervasive chlorine smell)
• Windjammer Lido buffet offers good vegetarian and wide selection of gluten-free options
• TV programming is mostly Royal Caribbean sales pitches. No free movies.

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Hi Cher, Thanks for reading my article and taking the time to comment. I think you’re on the right track. From my galley tours I’ve learned that dinner orders are prepared individually and not pre-lined up under a heat lamp. However, a dish may sit under a heat lamp for too long if the waiter falls behind schedule or there’s some other interference. Or an item (in my case the baked potato) may just not be cooked enough because they’re rushing to plate everything. From past experiences, that’s what I think happened in my experience when it was served lukewarm. But who really knows what goes on during the dinner rush?

Thanks again and happy cruising!

Do you think food from MDR was lukewarm due to not having traditional dining time? Makes me wonder if your food was was “on schedule” to be served 1st seating and put in a warmer.

Hi John, Thank you for reading my Radiance article. Odd…Royal Caribbean’s website states that Radiance has a Sorrento’s. I do not recall anything except for a very small area near the solarium that cooked pizzas to order late at night. There have been some small dining changes since I was on the ship right before the pandemic started. Hopefully, your kids will find late night pizza! Have a wonderful cruise and thank you again for stopping by to read and leave your comment.

So, how was that late night pizza? We are going on the Radiance in December and we had only been on bigger ships with Sorrento’s. I am hoping my kids will still have a late night pizza option.

Hi Liza, You will be in for a really fabulous experience. I think that in a couple of weeks, a lot of the hiccups will have been smoothed out. Cleaning on the exterior has begun and I’ve seen some fresh varnish on the railings, so not to worry about splinters. Good idea, too, for you to purchase the specialty dining package. Less crowds, better service. The ship is one of my favorites. It’s smaller, very spacious, beautiful, and slightly outdated, which I like! Have a wonderful cruise. Sherry

Thank you, Sherry, for posting. We will be on the southbound Radiance in mid-July, so following along for comparison and we just can’t wait! Hopefully, the meals will rebound for you. We selected the Ultimate (now Unlimited) Dining Package and I’m thinking that was the right choice. Have a fantastic trip!

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Updated on October 17, 2022 by Sherry Laskin

• Royal Caribbean International

Ovation of the Seas 7-Day Alaska Cruise **LONG Review**

By SacCaliCruiser , August 5, 2019 in Royal Caribbean International

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SacCaliCruiser

We were first time cruisers and had been looking forward to our July 26, 2019, cruise for many months - and it did not disappoint. We had an amazing time. We loved the ship, the rooms, the staff and the activities. The scenery was stunning but note: we did NOT get close enough to see Dawes Glacier because there was too much ice, which was disappointing. Still the Endicott Arm is spectacular. We saw lots of whales from the ship and tons of bald eagles in Juneau. We heard a lot of experienced cruisers unhappy about the elevators, the crowds and "upselling" and the food. But overall we give the cruise an A grade and recommend it, especially for new cruisers and families with children ages 6-16.

Here is a breakdown:

The ship: Ovation is simply breathtaking, inside and out. It is huge! But we found the layout to be easy to navigate after getting used to it and our kids had no trouble finding their way around. The art is fascinating and fun, the decor is beautiful down to the smallest details such as the lighting and signage. Many many people were unhappy with the elevators, but we were relaxed about it and didn’t mind waiting or taking the stairs (however they were slow and packed at times which was difficult especially for those who had scooters, strollers or wheelchairs).

The rooms: We had adjoining balcony staterooms on Deck 10 toward the aft and loved them. Our attendant opened the balcony partition for us right away, adding another way to pass between the rooms and additional space. We are spoiled forever now because the staterooms are modern, spacious and have tons of storage (including plenty of hangers). The beds are quite firm but comfortable and the bedding is so cozy. Couple of notes: some room tours showed hot water kettles but ours did not have one and we were told there wasn’t one available but it appeared some of the suites have them. No biggie. Also the showers have a pump dispenser with a 2-in-1 body wash and shampoo but no conditioner or lotion so be sure to bring your own.

The crowds: We braced for huge crowds everywhere because of other reviews. Indeed, the times we found it to be overwhelming were directly after the muster drill when everybody was in the same place, trying to do the same thing (ride the elevators), in the Windjammer Marketplace at peak hours (around 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.), and occasionally on the Royal Esplanade when a lot of people were shopping at the many tables set up in the open space (see pic below). But otherwise it was fine. We always found a nice place to sit in public areas.

The staff: Nearly every single service person we encountered was friendly and professional, although a small few were a little over the top and seemed to be looking for an extra tip. We were beyond thrilled with our room attendant Habibie. He was a pure gem. Our room was beautiful and always fresh and clean. We did the "Find the Nations" scavenger hunt and were SO impressed with every single staff member - from the photographer to the salespeople. They all were patient and friendly as children besieged them to ask where they were from. I found this to be a real testament to the quality of all staff. We found Cruise Director Joff and his sidekick Angelle to be so entertaining and fun - don’t miss their morning show on the room TV, it’s so entertaining and informative. We were hooked and even missed the morning show once we got home (yes we are nerds). When we saw Joff in the elevator our children felt as though they’d met a celebrity and he was so friendly and down to earth. We didn’t have anybody being pushy to sell us stuff, as I’ve seen in other reviews.

The activities: The pools are great, our kids loved the indoor family pool and the weather was beautiful on our sailing so we used the outdoor pool quite a bit. The splash area is for very little kids so we didn’t use it. We tried to roller skate but learned too late that we didn’t have the required wristbands. Go to the iFly desk on Deck 15 to get wristbands early on the day that rollerskating is offered. The FlowRider was fun and we got on it with about a 30-minute wait. The FlowRider staff are terrific. You need advanced reservations for iFly - if you can’t get them ahead on Cruiseplanner, go to the iFly desk on Deck 15 as soon as you get on board to get a time slot because it did sell out. Some people said you also can book on the Royal IQ App as soon as you are onboard but we did it in person. iFly is fun - a little short and the staff were a little bit “too cool for school.” A suggestion: if your whole family is doing iFly at the same time, break up your group into two sessions or ask someone to take photos for you because the official camera was not working when we went and you’re going to want pics of your kids!

Shows: We loved the welcome and farewell shows (go to the early ones if you are bringing kids) and the game shows they put on (ie Finish That Song Lyric and Love and Marriage). We did not see the main productions, Beautiful Dream (we really wanted to see this but it was shown the evening we had been in port in Skagway and we were exhausted) or Live Love Legs (we were warned it isn’t kid friendly). Pixels is the only show you can reserve in advance and is shown every night. It is not the best show ever but is fun and short with impressive dancing and some cool technology. It’s worth checking out but try to sit on the first floor for the best views.

The food: We loved the Windjammer service and food - in fact we ate most of our meals there and always found the food to be hot (when it was supposed to be) and yummy. Breakfast was great; there were always international choices (I loved the Indian and Chinese food!) and comfort food (we liked the daily soups). There were many choices for kids including tons of fruit, pasta, mac and cheese, pizza and chicken tenders. We did not go in expecting great food based on reviews but were pleasantly surprised. The main dining room was hit or miss - we loved lobster night but had a less than stellar meal another night. The service was a little slow in the main dining rooms at dinner for My Time Dining. My daughter LOVED Sorrentos and visited it at least twice a day for a slice of pizza. We did not eat in the specialty restaurants. A note about the two formal nights: One night we all got dressed up and we had a giant, loud table of teenagers wearing shorts and t-shirts next to us (the parents and grandparents sat at a different table) and it kind of put a damper on the “formal” part of the night. Other tables had people in suits and dresses. So don’t look for this dress code to be enforced/followed. We had the refreshment package and found it worth it for the unlimited sodas, “mocktails,” bottled water (we had to ask for it at the bars), and particularly the specialty coffees at La Patisserie, Cafe 270 and the Windjammer. BTW You don’t have to have the souvenir cup - you can order soda anywhere but there are the soda freestyle machines in the Windjammer and at Sorrentos with a gazillion choices.

"Upselling" : We just didn't experience this to be a problem. There were people walking around with alcoholic beverages on carts offering them for sale and tables to buy beverage packages but they never were pushy about it, and only on the very first day did a bartender offer to sell us the all-inclusive beverage package. Otherwise, the only place where "selling" was really going on was in the shops and at the Royal Esplanade tables. And even then we didn't feel very pressured to buy anything.

The Ports: Juneau and Skagway are very cute, crowded, commercial little port towns full of jewelry and gift shops. It’s worth getting off the Main Streets on excursions because the scenery is breathtaking. Our shore excursions were fun and well organized. Juneau’s Mt. Roberts Tramway is spectacular and we were surprised to find it not too crowded (we went straight there after the ship docked at noon). Prepare to shop at the giant gift shop at the top, take a walk on the easy short trails through beautiful rainforest, and leave some time in case there are lines to come back down. Highly recommend the Mendenhall River Float Trip in Juneau (our guide Julia was absolutely fantastic!) Bring rain coats or ponchos, they go rain or shine and we got drenched in a short downpour right at the beginning. The White Pass train in Skagway has amazing views and interesting history. The only slightly obnoxious thing about the train ride was when the tour guide/announcer walked through each train car at the end in a poorly veiled quest for tips. Victoria is fabulous. If you have time, walk from the ship to the adorable Fisherman’s Wharf (15-minute walk) and then take a water taxi to the Inner Harbour. We checked out the area on foot, including quick stops at the Empress Hotel and Parliament building. We skipped Butchart Gardens because we have pre-teens who weren’t interested, it is 40 minutes from town and we wanted to get back to the ship to enjoy it on the last day and to pack. But those who went said they are fabulous and worth every minute. Note: There were at least three ships in each port at a time-making for some crowds but we loved chatting with the other cruisers and everybody else was in awe of the size and beauty of the Ovation.

Voom Surf and Stream WiFi/Royal IQ: We expected the worst because of the many poor reviews but for us it was fine the entire time. We just used it for texting, google and some other websites, and some YouTube streaming, and never had any major issues. A note-we paid for the Royal IQ texting app but never used it. We have iPhones and turned on iMessage and texted the entire time from everywhere on the ship without a problem).

The Key: As this was our first cruise, we had no loyalty perks whatsoever and this made The Key ABSOLUTELY worth it. We breezed on to the ship at embarkation, had a private lunch in the MDR with a nice menu; had some private time slots at the FlowRider, bumper cars and rock wall (I’ll post a pic of the times); had priority disembarkation at the ports (even though we weren’t using tenders at any port); and had priority disembarkation on the last day; and it included the WiFi. I would recommend The Key to anyone who is new or relatively new to RCCL and has no perks. For those with higher status, it probably is not worth the extra expense.

Some small suggestions: The first day's morning show and Cruise Compass (and the cruise details ahead of time) should make it very clear that it is not a guarantee to see the Dawes Glacier. The teen club activities were a little bit on the late side for us. Beautiful Dream should be shown on a sea day because Skagway is a long day. The Captain should repeat his announcement about the Glaciers because several people did not hear it early in the morning. It was slightly annoying for a few staff to ask us for good reviews on the after-cruise survey. And a “Find The U.S. States” scavenger hunt would be fun. But these are nitpicking because we honestly had the time of our lives!

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7 minutes ago, SacCaliCruiser said: The rooms:  Couple of notes: some room tours showed hot water kettles but ours did not have one and we were told there wasn’t one available but it appeared some of the suites have them.    

Typically the kettles are only in JS cabins and up.

Nice of them to get out on the Flowrider in what I assume were less than ideal conditions.

Thank you for the review.  We sail next year on Ovation.   ☺️

We are doing this cruise next year and are looking at airfare.  What time were you able to disembark the ship?

37 minutes ago, SacCaliCruiser said:   The Key: As this was our first cruise, we had no loyalty perks whatsoever and this made The Key ABSOLUTELY worth it. We breezed on to the ship at embarkation, had a private lunch in the MDR with a nice menu; had some private time slots at the FlowRider, bumper cars and rock wall (I’ll post a pic of the times); had priority disembarkation at the ports (even though we weren’t using tenders at any port); and had priority disembarkation on the last day; and it included the WiFi. I would recommend The Key to anyone who is new or relatively new to RCCL and has no perks. For those with higher status, it probably is not worth the extra expense.  

Thanks for your review, did the Key benefits include any private time slots for Northstar or iFly?  Thanks again.

14 minutes ago, JeffT237 said:   Thanks for your review, did the Key benefits include any private time slots for Northstar or iFly?  Thanks again.

(Corrected), yes they did have private time slots for these but both of these still required reservations. When we arrived on board for the private lunch there was a person there helping Key users make reservations. I think the "key" to getting on these is to board as early as you can and book them ASAP. I will add a photo to this thread with The Key dedicated private time slots on various activities.

Two corrections: you go to the Box Office, Guest Services or the iFly Desk (although I'm not sure what time it opens) on Embarkation Day to book reservations for iFly and Northstar.

And yes there are dedicated Key Times for iFly and Northstar but you still need reservations for these and they do fill up early on Embarkation Day.

1 minute ago, SacCaliCruiser said: Two corrections: you go to the Box Office, Guest Services or the iFly Desk (although I'm not sure what time it opens) on Embarkation Day to book reservations for iFly and Northstar.   And yes there are dedicated Key Times for iFly and Northstar but you still need reservations for these and they do fill up early on Embarkation Day.

Thanks, we sail next May and are looking forward to Alaska and the Ovation.  Great review!

Clarification about the drink cups: If you have the soda or refreshment package, you DO need the special cups to use the freestyle machines that are in Windjammer, Sorrentos and the SeaPlex. But if you don't have the cup with you, you can still order a soda as part of your package and get it in a regular cup at any bar or restaurant.

On 8/5/2019 at 12:05 PM, Nkelly14 said: We are doing this cruise next year and are looking at airfare.  What time were you able to disembark the ship?

We stayed on the ship until 9:50 a.m. and were the last ones on our floor. You can disembark as early as 8:30 a.m. for sure and perhaps earlier if you are doing self disembarkation (ie walking off with your own luggage). The ship docks in Seattle at 4:30 a.m.

The taxi lines were insanely long at about 10 a.m. because the Celebrity Solstice also was in port that morning. We walked to the app ride lot (about a 10-minute walk) and waited about 20 minutes for an Uber. 

On 8/5/2019 at 11:58 AM, Biker19 said: Typically the kettles are only in JS cabins and up.   Nice of them to get out on the Flowrider in what I assume were less than ideal conditions.

We were pretty chilly waiting in line!

Do you happen to have the daily cruise planner that you can share? 

Great post and review, and pics! Thank you for sharing. One of my coworkers was on this 7/26 sailing and he had a blast! We sail in a few weeks on 8/30, can't wait!!! So excited!!!

9 hours ago, seapad said: Do you happen to have the daily cruise planner that you can share? 

I do have it- I am just a bit technologically challenged. I will try to upload a PDF or at least pics of it. 

We were on the Ovation in June and we too had perfect weather. We have been on many cruises but this was our first west coast venture. We flew into Seattle two days early and loved the city. This was our first cruise on this class of ship and we really enjoyed it. We thought the Windjammer was the best of any of our cruises. One last note. Be sure to fill out the Port Valet form if you are flying. They will take your luggage to the airport for you and if your bags are overweight they won't charge you an extra charge!

OK I'm giving this a try. Here are (I hope) the daily planners - except Day 5 seems to have disappeared for some reason - and a couple examples of the Kids Planner, Teen Planner, and the show and theme night/dance party schedule. Fingers crossed you can see them. Please let me know if it doesn't work and I'll try something else.

Ovation Daily Planners 7.26.2019.pdf

Thank you, SacCaliCuiser! It works. Just missing Day 5. Appreciate the extra info in the kids program. 

On 8/8/2019 at 9:13 AM, SacCaliCruiser said: OK I'm giving this a try. Here are (I hope) the daily planners - except Day 5 seems to have disappeared for some reason - and a couple examples of the Kids Planner, Teen Planner, and the show and theme night/dance party schedule. Fingers crossed you can see them. Please let me know if it doesn't work and I'll try something else. Ovation Daily Planners 7.26.2019.pdf 13.8 MB · 15 downloads

Thank you for these! We leave in 3 weeks and this will be some good reading before we head out!

Thank you for posting the daily schedules! They are a little cut off on the edges, so if you have a chance, could you tell me what time the evening North Star rides were on Day 3 (Juneau)? We hope to do it when we return from our excursion while the ship is still in port. 

We were on this same cruise and loved every minute of it. Probably going to do it again next summer. I think the Key is worth it on this ship just for the ease of making reservations on North Star, I Fly and bumper cars.

20 hours ago, cft8 said: Thank you for posting the daily schedules! They are a little cut off on the edges, so if you have a chance, could you tell me what time the evening North Star rides were on Day 3 (Juneau)? We hope to do it when we return from our excursion while the ship is still in port. 

Yes it is 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and of course it will stay light that entire time. I’m sorry for cutting off the edges, I didn’t have a scanner available to me. Happy to answer any other questions about times. The Flowrider (just above the Northstar) is 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hello SacCaliCruiser, do you recall which night is the lobster night? Trying to get organized for the specialty dining. Thanks!

6 minutes ago, seapad said: Hello SacCaliCruiser, do you recall which night is the lobster night? Trying to get organized for the specialty dining. Thanks!

I believe it was night 6 - the second formal night - in the MDR. 

So much great information on here, thank you!!

• 2 weeks later...

Did they open the solarium pool up for kids to use?  I believe this is the only indoor pool correct?

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Royal Caribbean to fix cruise infrastructure issue in Alaska — but it’s not what you think

Ah, scenic Juneau, Alaska — where the allure of lush forests, cascading waterfalls and majestic glaciers draws as many as 16,000 cruise passengers a day. The downside? The constant influx of visitors is putting a strain on local infrastructure.

Royal Caribbean Group — which operates Royal Caribbean International , Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises — has partnered with Alaska Native corporation Goldbelt, Inc., to eliminate the problem of slow, unreliable Wi-Fi in port by bringing Starlink to several public areas and Juneau businesses.

You might think connectivity isn't a big concern for people visiting the 49th state's remote, nature-forward capital, which can only be reached by air or sea, but it turns out that isn't the case. When the port is at maximum capacity, up to six ships can call there in a single day. With that many people in town, public Wi-Fi offered by local businesses is often difficult and frustrating to use for both visitors and locals.

"The number one complaint from this summer was a slow-down of internet speed during busy days downtown," McHugh Pierre, Goldbelt's president and CEO, said in a press release. "We are excited to collaborate with Royal Caribbean Group to explore a solution and add satellite internet capacity to town. This project will help locals and visitors have a better internet experience every day of the week."

Installation began the week of Aug. 26 at the Goldbelt Tram Lower Terminal and will continue north on Franklin Street. The pilot program's full range will be activated in the coming weeks. As each new hub becomes available, passengers, other visitors and locals will be able to connect for free and stay connected via one seamless network as they move about Juneau's downtown.

Royal Caribbean isn't new to Starlink, which was developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX company. In 2022, the Royal Caribbean family of brands was the first to commit to adding Starlink to its ships for faster connections at sea that allow everything from surfing the internet and checking email to video calling and streaming.

Cruise terminals where Royal Caribbean home ports its ships also provide connectivity for passengers, but this is the first time a cruise line has outfitted a large part of a downtown port area ashore with Wi-Fi.

"We are constantly striving to find innovative solutions to support our communities and enhance the travel experience for residents and cruise guests alike," Preston Carnahan, associate vice president of West Coast destinations for Royal Caribbean Group, said. "Our new pilot program aims to alleviate internet congestion and provide additional bandwidth for locals while providing internet connectivity for our guests from ship to shore."

The line's statement also stresses the need for user feedback to evaluate the program's effectiveness and determine whether similar initiatives will be rolled out in other ports.

For years, Juneau's borough officials have heard complaints that the influx of cruise passengers detracts from everyone's enjoyment of the city. On June 3, several major cruise lines — including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line , Norwegian Cruise Line and others that are members of the Cruise Lines International Association — agreed to limit the total number of ships per day to five and the total number of passengers to 16,000 Sunday through Friday and 12,000 on Saturdays.

Want to learn more about Alaska cruises? Check out our other articles below.

• Alaska cruise guide: Itineraries, planning tips and more
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• The best time to cruise to Alaska
• The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler
• Alaska cruise packing list: Here's everything you should bring
• The best Alaska cruises for families
• How to see the northern lights on a cruise

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7 Night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier

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Day 3: juneau, alaska.

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Day 4: Skagway, Alaska

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Margaritaville at Sea Islander 2024 Updated Review + Cruise News [Podcast]

Doug Parker

• September 2, 2024

Doug Parker discusses recent cruise news with staff writer Richard Simms. Richard covered a landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, which caused damage and casualties but did not directly affect cruise passengers.

He also addresses ongoing propulsion issues with the Carnival Vista, itinerary changes, and Royal Caribbean’s plans for new mega-ships. Additionally, Richard reports on travel chaos in Seattle due to a cyberattack, arrests for credit card fraud at Port Miami, and the delayed launch of the Villa Odyssey.

Doug then interviews guest Mitch, who shares his experiences from a recent cruise on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Mitch describes a cumbersome embarkation process, mixed dining experiences, and vibrant onboard entertainment.

He highlights the ship’s Margaritaville theme, noting positives and improvement areas. Mitch also recounts excursions in Key West and Nassau, emphasizing the need for better coordination and amenities for cruise passengers.

Overall, he finds the cruise enjoyable but suggests enhancements for a smoother experience.

Timestamps:

• Landslide in Alaska (00:00:41) : Discussion of a landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, causing injuries but no cruise passenger involvement.
• Carnival Vista’s Propulsion Issues (00:02:07) : Update on ongoing propulsion issues with Carnival Vista and itinerary changes for upcoming sailings.
• New Mega Ships from Royal Caribbean (00:03:55) : Announce new Icon class ships from Royal Caribbean, including themed supper clubs.
• Cyber Attack in Seattle (00:06:11) : Details on a cyber attack disrupting flights and baggage claims at Seattle airport.
• Credit Card Fraud Arrests at Port Miami (00:07:40) : Four individuals were arrested for using stolen credit cards at a casino on MSC Magnifica.
• Update on the Villa Odyssey (00:09:37) : Status of the Villa Odyssey, allowing guests aboard but requiring them to stay in hotels.
• Margaritaville at Sea Islander Review (00:13:20) : Mitch shares his experiences aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander , including the embarkation process.
• Embarkation Process (00:15:53) : Mitch describes the security and check-in process, noting it was slow and laborious.
• First Impressions of the Ship (00:17:05) : Mitch is excited about the Margaritaville-themed decor and unique lobby design.
• Stateroom Experience (00:17:48) : Mitch compares his interior room to the Margaritaville hotel with bright, themed decor.
• Storage Availability (00:18:40) : He mentions limited storage in the cabin, making it challenging for three guests over five nights.
• Buffet Area Overview (00:19:24) : Mitch introduces the buffet area, called “the port of indecision,” and discusses its setup and lines.
• Food Quality and Service Issues (00:20:51) : Mitch expresses disappointment with the food quality and scheduling gaps in dining options.
• Complimentary Pizza and Burger Options (00:22:26) : He describes the complimentary pizza and burger options, noting long lines during peak times.
• Specialty Restaurants (00:23:46) : Mitch mentions a steakhouse experience shared by another guest, highlighting its positive reviews.
• Main Dining Room Experience (00:24:33) : He discusses the mixed dining experiences, including long wait times and friendly staff.
• Entertainment Options (00:27:05) : Mitch describes the entertainment atmosphere, noting the quality of music and limited theater shows.
• Crowd Management and Pool Layout (00:29:00) : He shares thoughts on pool areas, noting crowd dynamics and preferences for pool versus hot tub.
• Cruising Experience and Guest Demographics (00:31:10) : Mitch reflects on the mix of seasoned cruisers and newcomers, particularly Jimmy Buffett fans.
• Day in Key West (00:32:35) : Mitch prepares to discuss his experience in Key West, hinting at what was memorable.
• Getting Off the Ship (00:32:36) : He describes a challenging disembarkation experience due to delays and crowding.
• Jet Ski Tour Experience (00:33:06) : After disembarking, Mitch shares his enjoyment of a privately booked jet ski tour.
• Nassau Visit Overview (00:34:05) : Mitch discusses the short time spent in Nassau and the late arrival.
• Exploring Nassau’s new port area (00:35:13) : He appreciates the area’s layout and accessibility.
• Jenkins Beach Visit (00:35:53) : Mitch talks about visiting Jenkins Beach and suggests shared privileges with the Margaritaville Hotel.
• Casino Experience (00:38:04) : Mitch mentions his casino experience, noting he didn’t notice smoke and played slots.
• Demarcation Process (00:38:29) : Mitch describes a smooth demarcation process and a quick return home.
• First-Time Tips for Cruisers (00:39:11) : Mitch advises bringing a watch due to the lack of functioning clocks on the ship.
• Room Key Concerns (00:40:02) : He raises safety concerns about room keys displaying room numbers.
• Cruise Highlights (00:40:53) : Mitch reflects on the enjoyable theme and staff of the cruise.
• Survey Feedback (00:41:40) : Mitch discusses the crew’s emphasis on completing surveys during the cruise.
• Final Thoughts on Margaritaville at Sea (00:42:18) : If the price is right, Mitch recommends the cruise for Buffett fans and first-time cruisers.
• Craft Cocktails on Board (00:42:52) : Mitch mentions a craft cocktail bar called Havana Daydreaming as a highlight for unique drinks.
• Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Ship Departs on First Cruise from Tampa
• Margaritaville Cruise Line Doubles Fleet, Sailing from Tampa in 2024
• First Margaritaville at Sea Sailings Pushed Back Two Weeks

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