If the statistics are to be believed, around 1.25 million Australians—or roughly five per cent of the entire population—opt to spend their holidays on board a gigantic floating resort. Trudging all the way down to the docks and shuffling on single file never really grabbed my attention, but after spending nine nights aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas , I finally understand why.

As someone who has spent nearly a decade planning family holidays, I know the drill: the logistics, the packing and unpacking, the constant scurry from airports to hotels, and the exhausting attempt to keep everyone entertained. But this family holiday? This one was different. Allow me to explain.

The Real Luxury: Not Having to Think Too Hard

Luxury means different things to different people. For some, it’s butlers and private villas. For others, it’s a designer shopping spree in the streets of Milan or Paris. For me? It’s not having to mentally juggle a million things just to ensure a holiday runs smoothly. It’s actually feeling relaxed in the moment, not just when you’re reminiscing about it later.

From the moment we stepped on board, everything was taken care of. No stressing about restaurant reservations, no worrying about transport, and no debating over activities—because everything we could possibly want was already on the ship. As Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean’s VP and managing director, puts it:

“Nothing else quite matches the ease of being able to visit multiple countries and only unpack once, without the need to spend precious holiday time in airports or pay for expensive hotels in peak summer periods.”

And he’s 100 per cent right. Cruising takes the most tedious parts of travel (especially with kids) and tosses them overboard.

Entertainment for Everyone

What surprised me most wasn’t just the huge variety of things to do—it was how seamlessly Ovation of the Seas catered to every type of traveller.

For the thrill-seekers? You had the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, FlowRider surf machine, bumper cars, and even roller skating. For those who just wanted to chill out and not move a muscle? The Solarium was a serene, adults-only retreat with infinity pool vibes. And for kids? A non-stop lineup of entertainment, from arcade games to splash zones, and a well-staffed kids club program meant they were never bored.

“This year, we anticipate continued growth in the popularity of multigenerational family cruises,” Smith told me. “There’s not many other travel experiences where the entire family can choose their own adventure throughout the day and reunite in the evening for quality time over family dinner.”

Unpack Once, Travel Everywhere

Of course, a huge part of any cruise is the destinations. The appeal for me here is waking up each morning in a new place without ever having to repack a suitcase. You can literally go to sleep in one destination and wake up the morning after, already docked at the next.

While our itinerary was the nine-night South Pacific cruise, there are heaps of other itineraries to choose from—whether it’s hopping between tropical islands in the South Pacific, cruising through New Zealand’s epic fjords, exploring Australia’s coastline, or even making the trek across the Pacific to Hawaii or the U.S. With Royal Caribbean, the journey is just as much fun as the destinations. Over nine nights, we island-hopped our way from Sydney through the South Pacific, stopping at:

Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Taking a picture anywhere on Mystery Island would look like a postcard. It’s an uninhabited white-sand tropical island with no roads, no cars and no shopping centres, just paradise vibes. You can literally spend all day here just lounging on the beach, sipping on a coconut and leisurely perusing local market stalls.

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Port Vila is the harbourside capital of Vanuatu, so expect vibrant local markets, picturesque coastal drives and the famous Blue Lagoon, where you can float in ridiculously blue water for hours. I’d recommend booking a local tour here to make the most of your day and make sure you don’t miss out on all the hotspots. Hot tip: make sure to visit the Duty Free store where you can pick up bottles of booze of as low as AUD$20.

Noumea, New Caledonia

Nouméa has one of the most unique blends of cultures, with a mix of French-style architecture, European cafés and bakeries, and a strong indigenous Kanak heritage woven into its markets, cuisine, and traditions. We booked a local hop-on-hop-off bus tour which allowed us to casually explore the island at our own pace.

Dining at Sea

I’d heard mixed reviews from cruise food, before experiencing it for myself. Onboard, there are a decent handful of dining options to cater to every taste and preference from 24/7 pizza places to upscale fine dining restaurants. Windjammer is the main buffet venue and can be described (by me) as the final boss of all-you-can-eat buffets when it comes to selection and variety.

For those who get overstimulated by choice, the Main Dining Room provides a sit-down a la carte option with a rotating menu that heroes different cuisines each day. One thing that unifies all the venues onboard: all-you-can-eat, well and truly means all-you-can-eat. Take a liking to the cafe cookies? You can literally ask for an entire plate to take home to your cabin.

For guests who want to take their dining options to the next level, there are several premium ‘Speciality Dining’ packages you can add to your fare, giving you access to exclusive restaurants featuring world-class cuisine and elevated dining experiences not available to your regular cruiser. Our personal favourites were Jamie’s Italian, of course, known for its rustic Italian flavours, and Wonderland, a fun and whimsical take on molecular gastronomy that turns dining into a whacky, artistic experience.

The true standout, though, was the crew. The hospitality service was next-level, with their attention to detail, warm personalities, and ability to remember our preferences (right down to how we take our coffee) making all the difference.

The Pros & Cons of Cruising

Is Cruising For You?

I get it now. I get why cruising has become the go-to holiday for so many Australians. It’s the rare kind of trip where you can actually relax. Where the hardest decision you’ll make is whether to hit the outdoor pool or watch a live magic show.

For families, it’s a game-changer and I now understand why there are always huge groups in matching tropical-themed shirts at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. For groups, it’s effortless. And for anyone who just wants a stress-free escape, it might just be the best way to travel.

Would I do it again? Without a doubt. Will I be donning a matching tropical-themed shirt anytime soon? Only time will tell.

Disclaimer : The author of this review, John Guanzon, was hosted on board the Ovation of the Seas as a guest of Royal Caribbean.

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