Just got off a last minute Alaska cruise on Ovation of the Seas. It was fantastic. Only 1342 guests on a ship that holds up to 4800. We got lucky with incredibly good weather for this time of year in Alaska. It was rainy and windy the weeks before and a big storm is coming in this next weekend. The boat felt perfect for the number of guests. There were 1300 crew, only 200 less than when the boat is full. Service was great, food very good except for some gluten free bread I eat by accident. The main dining rooms and the Royal theater were the only places I really noticed the smaller crowds. But I think it is because we hadn't cruised in two years and forgot what it is usually like.
This class of ship is very well designed to spread the guests out between the forward upper Solarium area. The lower forward entertainment area connecting via the Royal Espionage of shops and bars with the main restaurants. The upper stern has the activities with the outdoor flow rider, rock climbing wall, Ifly sky diving simulator and North Star. Also the indoor SportsPlex with basketball and bumper cars. Then at the lower stern is the 270 theater and restaurant. Great design for a ship. We love this class.
The shows were the same we had seen a coupe times before with a few new variations. But still enjoyable. The Royal Swedes were not so good the first night we saw them and then were great the last two nights. ?? I loved the stainless steel pet bowls used for the screening x ray machines. I wondered how that worked? I bet they found a lot of metal dog bowls!!
Well designed cabin. Royals good bathroom design and glass tub shower. No clingy shower curtains. More storage than most people will need.