Ahoy there, fellow cruising mommas of teens! If you’re getting ready to book a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, you’ve dropped anchor in the right place. As a bona fide teenage cruise connoisseur, this article spills all the salty details on the must-dos, must-sees, and secret tips and tricks to the perfect family cruise vacation. Here is my teen’s review of the Odyssey of the Seas.
The Skinny On Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas
We are avid cruisers. Up until recently, cruising had always been our go-to vacation. Our son was entertained in the kids’ club, we only had to unpack once, and food and drinks were at our beck and call. How could it not be the perfect vacation?
Unfortunately, our son has grown up and entertainment for him is no longer racing to the kids’ club as soon as it opens. Our last cruise vacation was on a small cruise ship (with a completely different cruise line). Because there was little to do for his age group, our son spent the majority of his vacation on his phone. My husband and I decided our next cruise vacation would cater to our teenage son. We needed a ship and a cruise line that provided not only fantastic entertainment for us but also one that would lure our son from the room tempting him to leave his phone behind. We opted for the Odyssey of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas is a maritime marvel. One of the newer ships having set sail in 2021, this Quantum Ultra-class ship stands tall at a staggering 1,138 feet in length and accommodates over 4,000 passengers. So what does it have to offer?
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Teen-Approved Amenities Of The Odyssey of the Seas
One of the main reasons I chose the Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship was the variety of teen-focused activities that were advertised. I wanted more than anything for my son to get out of the room and have fun. I wanted him off his phone for more than 5 minutes. Check out my thoughts and specifically my teen’s review of the Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship amenities.
North Star
Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas boasts cutting-edge amenities like the North Star observation capsule. Surrounded by windows, the North Star observation capsule lifts passengers 300 feet above sea level for panoramic views.
For an extra fee, you can book an extended North Star experience. The difference between the complimentary ride and the one that costs additional money is the time spent in the pod. In addition to a longer ride, for the additional fee, the North Star will move above the water.
Mom’s Thoughts:
I would recommend just sticking with the complimentary ride. Make sure to reserve your complimentary lift on the North Star via Royal Caribbean’s app once on board the ship. I did it on the first day, as soon as I got on board, to make sure I got the day/time of my choice. This experience did not take us over the water, however you could see everything.
Save your money for something else. The cost for the premium ride was upwards of $30 per person.
Teen’s review:
Just took us like 20 minutes, but the North Star hooked us up with this sick view of Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. And get this, we were parked right next to the Wonder of the Seas – that thing’s a beast compared to the Odyssey of the Seas!
The ride itself was kinda meh. Super slow up-and-down action. If you want a good view, you gotta snag it right at the start because if you step away, someone else is gonna swoop in. And here’s the kicker – you gotta share this tiny pod with a bunch of other peeps. Not my vibe.
Once you’ve done it once, that’s it. No second chances. We were itching to hop on during the ship’s chill times, but they shut us down. Bummer, right?
RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator
Thrill-seekers can get their fix at the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator. Complimentary rides at RipCord by iFLY involve watching a short skydiving instructional video, changing into skydiving apparel, and putting your flying skills to the test with a one-minute ride.
Two minute rides are available at The North Star for a cost of $49.99 per person.
Mom’s Thoughts:
We paid the extra money for the extended experience. This gave our son two, one-minute, skydiving experiences as well as a designated time to do it. Should you choose the complimentary experience, you can book it via the Royal Caribbean app once on board. I recommend booking it as soon as you get on the ship on day one to ensure you have the opportunity to do it. The complimentary experience gives you only one, one-minute skydiving experience.
Teen’s review:
I hit up iFly on the last day at sea. Having a reserved thing to do was clutch ’cause we pretty much knocked out all the other ship stuff earlier in the week. My parents paid for more time, and it was legit, but dang, I wish it went on for longer.
Thought they’d let us hit the tippy-top of that air tunnel for that extra fee, but no dice. I’ve done this iFly thing in Orlando, FL, and that one was way better. The instructors there took you all the way up.
FlowRider
Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider experience is a must-try for thrill-seekers on board. The FlowRider offers two types of waves – the “boogie board” wave and the more advanced “standing wave” for those looking to try their hand at surfing. To amp up the challenge, participants need special wristbands to access the standing wave, ensuring a progressive and safe learning experience. These wristbands act as a ticket to the next level of excitement, allowing riders to graduate from the boogie board to the standing wave once they’ve mastered the basics.
Before hitting the waves, participants – or their guardians, in the case of minors – are required to sign waivers of liability.
Mom’s Thoughts:
We booked this cruise in December so my son was not itching to get wet. It was chilly on the deck especially while the boat was moving.
If your kids plan on experiencing the Flowrider, make sure you go down to the deck below it to fill out all the waivers. We stood in line for a while and then were told we had to go do this. By this time, the timeframe for the easy ride was over.
SeaPlex
The SeaPlex on the Odyssey of the Seas is a multifunctional haven for entertainment enthusiasts. This innovative space boasts a variety of activities, catering to different interests. Sports aficionados can engage in games like basketball, soccer, and volleyball on the full-size sports court.
On certain days and times, the SeaPlex transforms into a bumper car arena. Still, at other times, the area is filled with a blow-up laser tag course called Clash for the Crystal City.
Whether you’re into sports, gaming, or high-energy fun, the SeaPlex on the Odyssey of the Seas ensures there’s never a dull moment at sea.
Mom’s Thoughts:
Make sure you reserve a spot for the laser tag via the Royal Caribbean app. You can still do the laser tag without a reservation, however you will have to wait in a line to do so.
Teen’s review of the Odyssey of the Seas Sea Plex:
Dude, let me tell you about the epic laser tag game on the cruise ship – it was like stepping into a sci-fi battle zone. The moment I geared up and entered that arena, it was game on! The futuristic vibes, flashing lights, and high-tech sound effects had me feeling like I was in some action-packed video game. Dodging lasers and diving behind obstacles made it an adrenaline-fueled experience. I positioned myself behind an obstacle and annihilated my opponents. Straight-up blast – definitely one of the highlights of the trip for this gaming aficionado!
Two70 and Broadway-style shows
When it comes to entertainment, the ship offers Broadway-caliber shows. Some of the best entertainment was because of the incredible technology aboard the Odyssey of the Seas.
Teen’s review of the Odyssey of the Seas Entertainment
There are two nightly shows I highly recommend.
The first is “The Book”. Performed in the state-of-the-art theater Two70, this show is one that must not be missed. I absolutely loved Chapter 2. You will have to see it to understand! Two70, a 37 million dollar venue, features high-tech Vistarama screens including six robo-screens that move around and tilt with impressive precision.
The second show is called “The Effectors”. This is kind of like Royal Caribbean’s theatric take on Marvel. The light portion was quite impressive.
In addition to these two shows, I quite enjoyed the many trivia shows as well as Bingo.
Dining and Drink Experiences
The dining options and the staff manning these venues are nothing short of amazing. In addition to complimentary dining venues such as a pizza restaurant, sandwich shop, the main dining room, and buffet, there are also specialty restaurants like Wonderland, Giovanni’s, and Chops Grille catering to various tastes.
Mom’s Thoughts:
Having never eaten at a specialty restaurant on a ship, Royal Caribbean spoiled us with a complimentary lunch at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant. It was delicious. The food was flavorful and plentiful for the $25 per person price tag. You could order as much as you wanted. The tiramisu was some of the best I have ever had!
Royal Caribbean was also gracious enough to offer my son the unlimited Refreshment Package. He enjoyed every second of slurping down those sugary drinks I never allow him to have at home! Unlimited sodas, specialty coffees, and virgin alcoholic drinks made him feel like a King!
Teen’s review of the Odyssey of the Seas Food:
Let’s talk about the grub on the Odyssey of the Seas – it was next level, no lie. First off, Sprinkles hooked it up with unlimited ice cream, and I basically lived there. El Loco Fresh was the real MVP with those bomb nachos – like, loaded with all the good stuff. And don’t even get me started on Sorrento’s – unlimited pizza? It’s a dream come true.
What is better than Italian food? The food at Giovanni’s was amazing. As a Fettuccini Alfredo connoisseur, I would rank this dish second (right after my mom’s)! Royal Caribbean’s food game on the Odyssey was straight-up legendary.
Cabin Comfort
The cruise cabin on The Odyssey of the Seas was one of the best we have experienced. Having only been sailing since 2021, the room was modern and a great size. We booked a large Balcony as there were three of us. My teen son is taller and larger than both my husband and I. Basically, there were three adults in the room.
Mom’s Thoughts:
I really loved the multiple areas for storage. Traditionally, a cruise cabin is small and there seems to be no room to store anything. This cruise cabin had two closets, a full dresser, storage above the bed, and plenty of shelving in the bathroom. Our suitcases fit under the bed so they, too, were out of the way.
If you are sailing in one room with more than just two people, I highly recommend at least a balcony room! You need the extra space. The actual square footage of the room may not be bigger, however, just the extra light from the sliding glass door makes things feel less cramped. You can also go out to the Balcony to escape the close quarters.
Teen’s review of the Odyssey of the Seas Balcony Cabin:
The best part of the room was the balcony. I loved just sitting out there listening to the waves and watching the ocean pass us by. The room was pretty large in comparison to some much smaller cabins we have stayed in on other ships. My bed, on the other hand, was well….keep reading.
What Could Have Been Better?
As always, I like to start with all the great things Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas had to offer. Overall, we truly loved our cruise and cannot wait to book our next Royal Caribbean adventure. There were, however, a few things that we were disappointed in. So here we go.
Bed Size
As stated before, we booked a Large Balcony room. Having cruised recently in an inside cabin with our teen who is bigger than both myself and my husband, we knew we needed a bigger room. As mentioned before, we absolutely loved the room. It was spacious, modern, and had so much more storage space than any other cruise ship we have been on. The one disappointing feature was the bed for my son.
Mom’s Thoughts:
The bed was a tiny couch. The couch did not pull out. There was no other option for him such as a pullman bed to fold down from the wall. My son is almost 6 foot tall so his feet and sometimes his head and arms hung off the bed.
The other issue was the couch was located between two closets. If he was sleeping, my husband and I could not get into the closets because either his feet or his head was hanging off the bed and blocking the door opening to the closet.
Teen’s Review of the Odyssey of the Seas Bed:
Dude, let me tell you about this so-called “bed” they gave me on the cruise ship. It was a joke. This super small couch was supposed to be my sleeping spot. I mean, seriously? I’m not even that tall, but my feet were hanging off the edge all night. I get it, space is tight on a ship, but come on, at least let the bed pull out at night.
Zone Zero and Sky Zone Closed
When booking the Odyssey of the Seas, one of the main reasons I chose this ship and not the Symphony of the Seas which had a similar itinerary, was Zone Zero and the Sky Zone. Both of these activities bragged they were virtual reality havens. I knew my gaming teenager would be in love.
When we boarded the ship, I immediately got onto the Royal Caribbean app to attempt to book both of these experiences. They were not available to book. Thinking they would be available later in the cruise, I continually searched the app. On day one, we went on a quest to find both of these activities so we would know where they were. The Sky Zone had no trampolines set up, but instead cornhole boards. The Zone Zero area’s doors were closed.
It was not until I asked a cruise employee manning The North Star, that we learned both Zone Zero and Sky Zone would no longer be offered on the ship. Wow! Huge disappointment!
Friends of ours had sailed on the ship only weeks before and had been able to do the Sky Zone. They, too, said Zone Zero was not open for their cruise.
Recently, both of these activities have been taken off the Royal Caribbean website as Onboard Experiences. According to the Royal Caribbean blog, other guests were told Zone Zero was constantly broken so they will replace it was a game room. This is a good thing because their current Arcade is also disappointing. More on the arcade….well, now!
Arcade
The arcade, though spread out on two different floors within the Sea Plex, was a huge disappointment for a teen. The games were geared more toward smaller kids. The highlight of the arcade area was the air hockey.
Mom’s Thoughts:
My son was given a gift card for $50 for the arcade as part of his Christmas present. He did not spend more than $20 on the gift card because the games were lame. For a teen not to want to game, you know they were not the best!
Teen’s Review of the Odyssey of the Seas Arcade:
Let me spill the tea on the arcade situation on this cruise ship. It was straight-up disappointing. Since the ship was fairly new, I was expecting some next-level gaming action, but instead, there were a lot of games for little kids. I was hoping for an epic gaming haven, but this arcade was a major letdown.
Bionic Bar
The Bionic Bar on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship is a cutting-edge experience where robotic arms craft personalized cocktails with precision and flair. Guests can use tablets to customize their drinks, choosing from a wide range of ingredients and flavors. The futuristic ambiance makes the Bionic Bar was so unique.
Mom’s Thoughts:
The concept of the Bionic Bar was epic. Who wouldn’t love to have a robot create and pour you a drink? Especially a teen boy who is interested in engineering! The drinks were all very tasty and we were happy with the experience.
Here’s the underwhelming part. You scan your sea card, enter your date of birth, and order your drink from an iPad-like device. No issue if you are an adult. It was, however, an issue for our teen son. He had the refreshment package and could get whatever non-alcoholic drink he wanted throughout the ship. At the Bionic Bar, however, this was not the case. When he scanned his sea card, he was not permitted to be served.
Do not get me wrong! I appreciate Royal Carribean wants to ensure a teen is not able to get an alcoholic drink, but couldn’t he just be limited to the non-alcoholic drink options. You did have to put your date of birth in prior to ordering and it was attached to his sea card. What made this different than him walking up to any bar on the ship and ordering a virgin daquiri?
Teen’s review of the Odyssey of the Seas Bionic Bar
A robot bar is legendary. My mom and dad had to order my non-alcoholic drinks for me. Not a big deal at all. It would have been cool, however, to be able to stop by the Bionic Bar when I had ditched my parents to have a robot crafted virgin drink. Instead, I just went to another bar!
Overall Teen’s Review Of The Odyssey of the Seas
As a mom on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, I was thrilled to discover a plethora of family-friendly activities and amenities that catered to everyone’s interests. This cruise offered the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. What truly made the experience memorable was witnessing my teen boy’s enthusiasm as he navigated the ship’s vibrant entertainment options. The Odyssey of the Seas proved to be a haven for both family bonding and individual exploration, creating memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/609534130848064974/About the Author:
Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a mother, wife, college professor by trade and micro-influencer by hobby. I am a bargain hunter, jack of all trades, and master of chaos.
Thank you for reading my random thoughts on travel, my stories of life as an under appreciated mother of a teenager, and my easy recipes that have won no awards but instead my family’s love and adoration (which is WAY better, right?).
