Testing out family-friendly features and excursions on Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas

FAMILY FUN

Royal Caribbean is a family brand, so I’ve brought my teenage daughter Nathalie with me for a five-night voyage to the Bahamas.

The ship’s teen club has an enviable outdoor hangout zone at the heart of the ship overlooking the pool and, as we circumvent Odyssey’s bold, bright, tropical top deck, we discover a range of activities including surfing, skydiving, rock climbing, as well as bumper cars and bungee trampolines.

Plus there’s the iconic, record-breaking North Star – a glass observation capsule that whisks guests to a giddying 92 metres above sea level for a bird’s-eye view of the ship and sea. Better still, the North Star is wheelchair accessible.

Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International, explains how Odyssey differs to other Quantum-class ships: “Top deck has a bigger, extended pool space and it’s the only ship to have an open three-tier dining room. Plus it has SeaPlex – the biggest indoor play area at sea.” With a twinkle in his eye, Bayley adds Odyssey’s North Star has the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship ever, by a whole 1.2 degrees.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

As we set sail for the Caribbean, we check in to our balcony cabin. Its midnight-blue lounge area, sparkly handles and geometric prints give it a stylish, modern feel and it has impressive storage space. The piece de resistance is its glass shower door instead of a curtain.

There are plenty of wheelchair-accessible cabins near the lifts and later we get a peek at an inside cabin with a “virtual” balcony (actually pretty convincing), as well as the ship’s most expensive accommodation, the two-floor Royal Loft Suite.

The suite sleeps six and, with a floor space of 1,640 square foot, is nearly 10 times bigger than most staterooms. As well as a dining area and cinema room it has a gargantuan panoramic balcony. Other touches include jewellery boxes for bling and a “genie” (aka personal concierge) to grant guests’ every wish. It costs between £13,000 and £52,000 depending on the week and sells out fast, so you’ll need to book it a couple of years in advance to reserve it for your clients.

Cabins provide face masks and hand sanitiser and, as we enjoy Odyssey’s thrills, Covid-19 safety measures are evident. Steering wheels are sterilised in between bumper car rides. Skydiving goggles are cleaned after use. Masks are compulsory in the North Star, with fewer people allowed in at a time.

All activities are included in the fare and you’ll feel safe doing them. “The prevalence of Covid-19 on a Royal Caribbean ship is lower than anywhere else on the planet,” Michael Bayley assures me. 

PRIVATE ISLE

We have two ports of call, both in the Bahamas. First up is Nassau, where we visit a local beach. Next is Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, which opened in January 2020.

We spend a couple of hours in its water park, braving the Twister raft slide and Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest water slide in North America, with plenty of terrifying sheer drops and swerves.

Turquoise water laps idyllic white-sand beaches everywhere on Coco Cay. New to the island is its exclusive beach club, complete with floating cabanas, which cost £1,300 to rent for the day – not cheap, but perks include unlimited food and drink and the chance to spot stingrays and sharks swimming beneath your private villa.

Cuisine is of a consistently high standard, from Coco Cay’s barbecue and salad lunches to the all-inclusive restaurants onboard Odyssey. Our top picks are tacos at the poolside Mexican cantina and the small plates (such as calamari, shrimp ceviche and lamb tagine) at the Solarium’s bistro. 

Splurging on speciality dining venues isn’t necessary but Japanese restaurant Izumi is worth it, serving sushi and sashimi alongside Californian-style rolls laced with champagne sauce.