I recently returned from a 9 night Royal Caribbean, Odyssey Of The Seas cruise that sailed over the New Years Eve holiday. I have for years wanted to celebrate ringing in the new year at sea. I have been to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, Dallas, Chicago and many other cities for New Years celebrations, but never on a cruise, even though I am obsessed with cruising. This year was the year. I found a fantastic deal for this 9 night cruise and it clicked off so many bucket list items for me that I couldn’t pass it up. Within the course of one cruise I was going to be checking off, New Years Eve at sea, Solo cabin, 9 nights on a ship, and the Southern Caribbean.
When I booked this cruise I had expectations that this was going to be a cruise that skewed a little older in age demographic being that it was a 9 night cruise, and that the energy on the ship would be a little more on the relaxing side, and I have to tell you. I was wrong. This ship was full of families, couples, singles, veteran cruisers, new cruisers, and solos. This was the most diverse group of cruisers that I have ever been a part of and at one point our cruise director told us there were 62 nationalities represented on board and it showed. The energy of the ship was bright and alive, the excitement was contagious and the party lasted from day one all the way to the end of the cruise.
The New Years Eve celebrations on the ship were very well planned and they had something that was going to fit everyone’s style of how they wanted to ring in the new year. Odyssey of the Seas had the celebrations broken up across the ship to keep any one area from having to carry the bulk of the passengers. There was a party under the stars up on the pool deck, where there was a DJ playing some awesome music and a member of the entertainment staff was keeping everyone hyped up and moving. The dance floor was packed all night and everyone was having a great time. Down on the Esplanade the Staff had arranged a Times Square style countdown, with a Balloon drop, There was a band playing live music and it was packed wall to wall just like Times Square. Back in the 270 Lounge ( a multi use space on the quantum class ships) there was a premium VIP celebration that was actually an up-charge event that included Champagne toasts, VIP bar service and a private celebration for the midnight countdown. People that were looking for a quiet and peaceful celebration had the option to go to the Royal Theater up at the front of the ship where they simply played the Times Square Traditional countdown for a nice quiet night, while still being part of the fun. Royal Caribbean went above and beyond and set up celebrations for children that lasted all the way until 2AM this way parents that wanted to celebrate could, while knowing that there kids were in good hands and having their own special New Years Eve events.
I was thoroughly impressed with the attention that Royal Caribbean gave to the special celebrations. That attention was carried on for the rest of the week, there wasn’t a slack off after the new years celebrations, as a matter of fact the energy just kept growing. Entertainers throughout the ship were bringing their A games and on several occasions I saw scheduled entertainment times extended by the entertainers that were caught up in the energy of the crowd and the ship. The night club was full and dance floor active every night of the cruise, the Bars were full of energy and excitement, and the pizza joint Sorrentos was full until 3 am each and every night. I was most impressed that even as the ship was alive with energy and sailing almost full, there was always a spot to go enjoy some serene peace and quiet.
When I ask the question is a New Years Eve cruise right for you, the answer is simply YES. There is absolutely something for everyone on a holiday cruise and If this type of cruise is on your bucket list you won’t regret checking it off, and if its not on your bucket list yet, Add it.
