Odyssey of the Seas

Daytime Fun

Odyssey of the Seas was designed for fun, with options for guests of literally all ages. Royal Caribbean says it aims to please families, with children making up more than 10 percent of its passenger base every year. You can see it on Odyssey of the Seas, where the massive pool deck has both a traditional pool as well as a kids' play area, called Splashaway Bay. This aqua park is designed for pint-sized cruisers, with water cannons, big dump buckets, playful fountains and little slides.

Adults have their own pool as well, in a gorgeously designed, multilevel Solarium. This massive complex is for guests 18 and older, and it offers several pools, hot tubs and loads of loungers. It's covered, so you feel the sunshine without baking in the heat, and it offers lovely views from the front of the ship. The Solarium is serviced by the nearby Solarium Bar, so passengers have a tendency to linger for hours at a time.

Because of its size, Odyssey of the Seas has lots of sundeck space on the ship's top decks. It features colorful clamshells, bright lounge chairs and even a few "casitas," small, covered cabanas that offer a little shade and some guaranteed space to call your own. Royal Caribbean has introduced these on several ships fleetwide, fee-free. On Odyssey of the Seas, however, you'll have to pay for them, which feels like a miss for something that was such a great included perk on other ships.

Odyssey of the Seas offers such a lengthy list of things to do each day, guests could elect to stay onboard rather than go ashore and keep themselves plenty busy. In addition to the pool areas, the ship offers a rock climbing wall,

FlowRider

surf simulator,

RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator

,

Sky Pad

virtual reality bungee trampoline, and

a North Star capsule

, which is held on a mechanical arm that extends about 300 feet above sea level, providing tremendous views of the ship and ports.

One of Odyssey of the Seas' standout features is the SeaPlex, a multipurpose indoor space designed to keep guests thrilled no matter the time of day. It is used for sports, including things like free-throw contests and pickleball or table tennis. But the can't-miss activity here is the bumper cars. At appointed times throughout the day, the space is transformed, with full-sized bumper cars banging alongside themed music (disco or the 2000s, for example). Adults and kids on our sailing loved this, coming back again and again. The SeaPlex also includes a two-level arcade, with games galore. Playmakers sits atop the space, so parents looking to grab a drink and watch a game can do so while keeping an eye on their kids below.

Adjacent to the SeaPlex is a virtual reality venue, where guests put on the full VR kit (headwear, plus chest, hand and foot sensors) to dive into a virtual world, battling aliens in a fantastical but real-feeling environment. This was our favorite activity onboard, and we saw other passengers emerging with big smiles. It's only open during certain times of the day, and capacity is limited, so we suggest you make reservations on the first day you board.

At Night

Odyssey of the Seas truly transforms at night, offering live music in a number of spots as well as cutting-edge theatrical performances in its main theater and innovative

Two70

.

The Royal Theater

Spanning two decks at the front of the ship, the Royal Theater serves as the ship's main spot for production shows. The theater does a solid job integrating technology with the live performances, making shows feel special and modern, even if all of the components of the shows aren't. (We caught a show that included a French can-can homage that felt dated and out-of-touch.)

Several shows are offered throughout the week, and they are well-attended. We were impressed by the high-flying acrobats and fun approach to modern and classic music, which often were woven seamlessly together.

The Royal Theater also hosts solo acts, jugglers and magicians.

Tip: Views from the wings on the side are good, and shows do move the action around so everyone gets a great look. If you don't want to sit with everyone else, pick the sides.

Two70

Two70 is the most innovative space we've seen on a cruise ship. During the day, its complexity hides behind big, beautiful sea views, thanks to its location at the back of the ship and sweeping, multistory windows. But the daytime serenity hides the pulse that beats just under the surface, emerging at night to reveal multiple stages that drop and rise, holes in the ceiling from which acrobats hang, six giant, dancing HD screens, and the 100-foot-wide, 20-foot-tall ultra-HD "Vistarama" screen.

When Two70 hosts a production show, you can see the full expanse of what the venue has to offer. Performances are a bit -- or a lot -- offbeat, featuring stories that are magical, loosely held together by threads that are a little out there. Guests might leave wondering what they just watched, but in the best possible way. Shows are fun feasts for all the senses that include hip music and dancing/acrobatics/contortionists that are impossible not to watch. The Two70 experience is wild, weird and wonderful.

When a show isn't going on, Two70 might host a late-night party (we

boogied to 70s hits

while we were onboard). Or it could be just a cool bar with great music. Two70's versatility is what makes it special and keeps people coming back for more.

Tip: Production shows are open to all ages, and we had fun listening as the kids seated near us reacted to the action.

Music Hall

Odyssey of the Seas' Music Hall is straight-up rock and roll. This two-story bar, decked out in black and crushed red velvet, feels like the kind of place a rock star would have happily called home, no matter the era. At its heart, the bar is exactly what the name not-so-subtly implies: a music hall. This is the spot for late night music and after parties. You can turn your full attention to the stage, or you can engage in a game or two of pool.

The Music Hall also hosts late-night game shows and trivia contests throughout the day.

Casino Royale

The ship's casino is located midship on Deck 3. It offers slot machines as well as table games.

Bars & Nightlife

There's no shortage of bars to visit on Odyssey of the Seas, which has found a way to carve out unique venues around the ship. Guests tend to find their spots and stick to them, coming back night after night.

Our Picks

Heart of the Action

During the day,

Lime & Coconut

, a two-story bar on the ship's top decks, is the place to be. The bar features swinging seats and bartenders who offer up a little flair while serving fruity, beachy cocktails.

For a Singalong

The

Schooner Bar

features a grand piano, and a pianist will play favorites (and take requests) until late in the evening.

For Dancing

Dance floor? Check. Latin rhythms? Yep. Boleros is a blast that keeps going till late.

To Have a Quiet Pint

Feeling like a traditional British bar, the Crown & Compass Pub offers a casual atmosphere and occasional live music (of the solo singer/guitar player type). It's quiet but set in the heart of the action on the ship's promenade, so you never feel completely out of touch. Try the beer cocktails.

For Beer and a Game

You'll find the best selection of beer onboard at Playmakers. If you're craving craft beer or a juicy IPA, this is pretty much the only spot to get it. Luckily, you can enjoy your brew while watching sports on one of the 56 TVs here.

For Live Music

Don't miss the Music Hall, which has a large stage and different options most nights.

To Try Once

The

Bionic Bar features robot bartenders

, who make up drinks that passengers order on tablets. Watch as they mix and shake your concoction, then deliver it to you, contact-free. It's worth doing once for the novelty of it, but if you crave human interaction, you likely won't linger here.

Odyssey of the Seas offers more than 15 restaurants onboard, and many of them are included in the price of your cruise fare. It's especially appealing because of the sheer variety of options, from casual grab-and-go spots to buffet offerings to more formal, traditional dining. We found passengers trying a little bit of everything on our sailing. 

Free Restaurants on Odyssey of the Seas

The star of the ship is the main dining room, which takes up a massive amount of space on decks 3 and 4. This wide-open space features a colorful two-deck chandelier and LED walls with rotating art that makes the room a true spectacle to behold. (If you're familiar with Odyssey's sister ships, this is a departure from the original Quantum Class approach, which broke up this space into four small, separate dining rooms, introducing the defunct Dynamic Dining concept.) Here, passengers can elect to dine at set times or on their own schedule, and breakfast and dinner are served every day, with lunch available on sea days.

If you're staying in the ship's suite class, Coastal Kitchen is your exclusive included option for meals. Depending on which class of suite you fall under, you can eat here for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Windjammer Buffet

Windjammer is the cruise line's signature buffet space, located on Deck 14. Guests can pick from salads, made-to-order pastas, carving station items and plenty of desserts. It even has a spot specific for vegetarian choices. Crew serve guests at the buffet (rather than self-service); passengers just ask for what and how much they want. Drinks are ordered and delivered at your table, though the buffet offers Coca-Cola drink machines that let you make your own flavors if you wish. (Because of COVID-19, these currently are served by waiters, though they are designed to be self-service.)

Solarium Bistro

Located just off the adults-only Solarium pool, the buffet-style Bistro offers a quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of the Windjammer, and a faster option than the Main Dining Room. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant has fewer options than the Windjammer but offers delicious small plates.

Tip: The menu at dinner doesn't change, so it might not be a repeat spot at night, but it's worth visiting, especially for the excellent seafood.

Cafe@Two70

This was our favorite casual spot on Odyssey of the Seas. At breakfast, it offers hot egg sandwiches and savory burritos, plus fresh doughnuts. And at lunch, you can create your own salads or get hot-pressed sandwiches. We liked the portion sizes, which let us sample a little bit of everything. You can grab coffee creations here, too (for a fee).

Sorrento's Pizza

Located on the main promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza is a great spot for a quick slice and people-watching, thanks to its open seating that sprawls out to the edges of this highly trafficked spot. Several really good pizza options are available every day, including pepperoni and veggie. You can also choose from salads. Best of all, it's open until very late, so you can grab a bite after a night at the lounges.

Cafe Promenade

Adjacent to Sorrento's, Cafe Promenade offers sandwiches and desserts, plus a tea and coffee station. It's open 24 hours a day.

El Loco Fresh

Located in the open air of the pool deck, El Loco Fresh is Odyssey of the Seas' Mexican restaurant. Diners can choose from tacos or burritos, nachos and quesadillas, plus there's a salsa/hot sauce bar.

Tip: Menus for all of the restaurants on Odyssey of the Seas are available on the Royal Caribbean app, so you can check out what's available before making a decision.

Odyssey of the Seas Restaurants That Cost a Fee

If you're looking to splurge a little on something special, Odyssey of the Seas' for-fee restaurant choices can take you on a culinary journey, thanks to Asian and Italian options, alongside an inventive gastronomy venue. The quality of all of the restaurants is high, and you'll leave feeling like you've had a special night out, regardless of where you dine.

Several of the restaurants, including Izumi and Giovanni's, are open for lunch, providing a scaled-down but just as good version for those who might not want to go all in or battle for reservations for dinner.

Tip: Odyssey of the Seas offers dining packages, where you can purchase multiple dinners for a reduced price. If you know you want to try several restaurants, buy a package to save some money. You can even buy it before you sail.

Chops Grille

($$) It's tough to go wrong with a good steak restaurant, and this one is indeed very good. Choose from a variety of cuts, along with sides for sharing and big, wonderful desserts.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

($$) This is Odyssey of the Seas' modern take on family Italian, and we think it's the best restaurant onboard. Make sure you're hungry when you arrive, because portions are made for sharing, and there's a lot to choose from. Highlights for us were the lasagna, piping-hot fresh pizza and charcuterie board. And of course, the tiramisu for dessert. Service is excellent, with waitstaff making great suggestions.

Izumi

($$) Izumi offers a good selection of sushi and Asian items, available for lunch or dinner. Pricing is a la carte, though packages are available that combine items for some savings. The restaurant also hosts sake and sushi pairings, which go off-menu and are a real treat.

Wonderland

($$) Wonderland offers a playful menu with items designed to delight all your senses (think smoked deviled eggs or avocado mousse served to look like an ice cream cone). If you're adventurous, put yourself in the hands of your server, who can pick out just the right combination of fantastical foods, finished off by one of the superb desserts.

Teppanyaki

($$) Diners sit around hibachi grills as chefs put on a show for them, flipping eggs, tossing rice, chopping onions and cracking jokes. The result is a fun dinner featuring traditional hibachi dishes.

Chef's Table

($$$$) For people who really love food and learning about it, the Chef's Table is a five-course guided dinner, with each course paired with wine.

Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade

($) This is the ship's excellent sports bar, offering a variety of bar bites like juicy burgers and chicken wings. Prices at Playmakers are a la carte, and they're pretty reasonable when compared with sports bars ashore. The atmosphere is all about the games on any of the bar's 56 TVs.

Read more about Playmakers on Odyssey of the Seas

.

Our Favorite Restaurants on Odyssey of the Seas

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen has the best variety onboard, and the menu items are delightful, with a great variety that had us wanting to go back several times. If you're looking to splurge for a great steak, you can't go wrong with Chops Grille. For families, Teppanyaki is a whole lot of fun that will keep everyone entertained. Kids will love every cornball joke and tossed egg.