The server handed us framed, blank canvases and motioned to the paintbrushes awaiting us. We dipped them in water, and with each stroke, words emerged on the canvas, gradually unveiling the night's menu. From a play on gazpacho served in test tubes to an imploding chocolate sphere filled with salted caramel ice cream, our dinner at Ovation of the Seas' Wonderland was filled with creativity and surprises.
It's hard to imagine that a 4,182-passenger ship can serve meals at such a high level, but continuously surprising and delighting guests is exactly what Royal Caribbean Cruises has planned for the West Coast this summer. With the addition of Ovation of the Seas sailing out of Los Angeles for the first time, Royal Caribbean is investing heavily in both Southern California and the short cruise market.
Royal Caribbean's West Coast Strategy
Beginning in May, Ovation of the Seas began offering three-night vacations to Ensenada, Mexico, as well as five- and six-night sailings to Ensenada and Los Cabos, Mexico. (In October, Quantum of the Seas will take over these itineraries.) Ovation joined the 3,368-passenger Navigator of the Seas, which is sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles through September 2026.
Additionally, more product is slated for the shores of California, including the line's first homeport in San Diego. From October 2026 through April 2027, Serenade of the Seas will serve the San Diego market with cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Baja California. During that same period, Voyager of the Seas will replace Navigator of the Seas, offering short cruises to Ensenada and Los Cabos from Los Angeles.
"It's the right time for Royal Caribbean to be back on the West Coast," said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International. "With all the capacity growth we have at Royal Caribbean, the demand from the West Coast — plus the drive market and the easy fly market — it just clearly makes sense to have a great product out here."
With Ovation of the Seas sailing out of Los Angeles for the first time, Royal Caribbean is investing heavily in both Southern California and the short cruise market.
Credit: 2025 Royal Caribbean CruisesRoyal Caribbean has reversed the traditional approach to short cruises by putting forth some of its newest and most-loved vessels. As proof of concept, the cruise line had tested this strategy with Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, paving the way for a new era of shorter premium cruise experiences.
"Putting our best hardware forward makes sense," Freed said. "Short products from the West Coast give clients other choices besides Las Vegas or an air trip to Cabo San Lucas. Between entertainment, activities and dining, our cruises offer flexibility and the best ROI on their vacation dollar. Consumers want value more than anything else."
The great value Ovation of the Seas provides is particularly evident during days at sea. On our sea day, I played pickleball in the ship's SeaPlex sports complex, attended a Q&A in the Royal Theater, played trivia at the pub, ate grilled lobster and ceviche at Windjammer's included seafood buffet, rode in the North Star observation capsule and met my step goal around the jogging track — all before 1 p.m. I couldn't believe how productive (and fun) the day was. By sunset, I had even tried the ship's skydiving simulator RipCord by iFly and attempted to surf (but mostly wiped out) on the ship's FlowRider surf simulator.
Our sailing, the Ovation of the Seas Welcome Event, brought together more than 3,000 travel advisors and their companions for adventure and learning opportunities, including a trade show and tours of the ship's suites. Events like this are just one of the ways Royal Caribbean nurtures relationships with the travel trade and gives back.
"We're grateful that our travel advisor partners took the time to experience the product, because it's going to help them tell their clients about it," Freed said. "Travel advisors play an important role in our success; they help articulate what our brand stands for, and they help recommend our brand to consumers. We depend on the travel advisors to make a difference for our brand — and they have."
