Welcome Aboard… Odyssey of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN Cruise Line never ceases to amaze me. They go from strength to strength, offering innovation after innovation, with compelling and remarkable entertainment, fabulous dining and a commitment to excellence and consistency, ship after ship, year after year. They combine new experiences with tried-and-true favourites on each new vessel and continue to wow their guests at every turn!

This cruise line builds some of the most outstanding vessels at sea and continues to be a game-changer. Over many years, I have cruised on almost every ship that Royal Caribbean has launched, and recently, I sailed on one of their newest vessels, Odyssey of the Seas, in their Ultra-Quantum class. I always enjoy my time onboard, discovering everything that makes a trip with Royal Caribbean unforgettable.

This is a great cruise line for both couples and families and those celebrating special occasions, bachelor parties, or girlfriend getaways. The accommodations are also suited to multi-gen travellers with many suites, some specifically for families and adjacent staterooms. And the activities are endless – you might be hard-pressed to fit everything in during a seven-day cruise!

And that’s because there’s always something new to see, try, taste, and be amazed by as the company never rests on its laurels. The kids will love it as much as the adults – and if you’re cruising from Florida, look forward to a sojourn at their spectacular private island and enjoy a Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

It’s Showtime!

The nightly shows on Odyssey are nothing less than spectacular. They’re bold and push all the boundaries. As Royal Caribbean likes to say, “Get Acquainted with Awesome!”

Ingenious productions seem to become the norm using state-of-the-art visuals during a cruise on Odyssey of the Seas. We watched The Effectors in the Royal Theatre – a superhero story that didn’t seem our cup of tea, however, we were wowed by it and the “powers” of creativity that imagined it! Be impressed by the cutting-edge sets; drones flying above the awe-struck audience, and complex technology seamlessly blending video animation, live actors, real-time actions and fantastic stage effects.

Another production in the Royal Theater is Showgirl! Past. Present. Future. The Sequins and Feathers creative team has combined fabulous choreography, impressive vocals, and even more video effects to give Odyssey’s guests a remarkable entertainment event.

This class of ship has one of my favourite lounges – the Two70 venue, which debuted the show titled The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure! It’s a kaleidoscope of action, acting, singing and performance art. It’s hard to describe this space but rest assured you will be wowed by it and by the show you enjoy – watch out for the 36-axis robotics! And know you will see more leading-edge, inventive Broadway-worthy productions.

Lime & Coconut Bar

Time to Dine

Which cuisine to try? Well, on a regular seven-day cruise you can enjoy casual fare at the Windjammer Marketplace, great Italian at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or Izumi for Asian. Then there’s the gorgeous main dining room on two levels, Teppanyaki, and Wonderland, which is part performance and part great food!

Whether you dine before or after that evening’s amazing show, you know there will be a wealth of choices to please your palate. How about reserving a table at Chops Grille for a hearty meal or eating healthily at the Solarium Bistro?

Snacks are on the menu too, and there’s even a Starbucks at Sea. And remember to stop by Sprinkles for your favourite ice cream!

Whatever food you like and whatever amount of time you’d like to devote to a meal, there really is something for everyone and a time that suits every schedule.

Music, Maestro

Let’s not forget the urge to dance and tap your toes to some great music. If you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean before, you know how popular the nautically natty Schooner Bar is – and it’s a perfect meeting point too. The Lime & Coconut caught our attention or a tropical cocktail while we enjoyed some on-deck sunshine. We dropped into Bolero’s, the Crown and Compass Pub and the Music Hall for some tunes to accompany a pre or post-dinner cocktail. The choices are endless and scattered throughout the ship. If you want a robotic bartender to serve your libation, then Royal Caribbean can oblige – it’s also a great photo op!

And we have to mention bumper cars, Splashaway Bay for the kids, the FlowRider, the Ripcord by iFLY, and the large SeaPlex for the kid in everyone. Don’t forget the North Star observation capsule high above the ship – and back to earth – the resort-style pool deck and the serenity of the Solarium.

CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island

Royal Caribbean sails the world over with 26 ships, so whether you want a sun-filled escape to the Caribbean, long to see glaciers and spot wildlife in Alaska, are keen to cruise in the Med, the Greek Isles or Northern Europe, or are ready to head down under, there’s an itinerary and a ship to answer the call.

If it’s a Caribbean sailing you choose, then Perfect Day at CocoCay, one of the company’s fantastic private islands, will delight and amaze you. There are beaches galore, restaurants and beach bars, exciting rides at Thrill Waterpark and the opportunity to snorkel, swim, play beach games, kayak and jet-ski – for a reasonable extra cost. Cabana rentals are also available for your perfect day!

The staterooms and suites are comfortable and attractive, and the onboard amenities are all you could want. And of course, the ships are gorgeous, and the terrific, top-rated staff are focused on your well-being and safety. What more could you ask?

Written by Vanessa Lee for Cruise & Travel Lifestyles (Spring 2022). All photos courtesy of Royal Caribbean.