Imagine your bags are unpacked, the kids are busy and you’re lying by the pool with a cocktail in hand, all before 1 pm on the first day of a 10-day trip. No more cooking and cleaning, but eating, drinking, relaxing and exploring instead.
I didn’t think this type of holiday was possible with a 1-year-old in tow – until I boarded the Ovations of the Seas with my husband, Paul, and daughter, Amelia. While we’ve never considered ourselves the cruising types, after sailing with Royal Caribbean through New Zealand, our first experience definitely won’t be the last.
All aboard the buffet
With so many restaurants onboard, we never got tired of the food. In the main dining hall, our wonderful waiters, Carl and Albert, treated us like royalty. Each night, a booster seat and fruit salad awaited Amelia, and a glass of sparkling wine for me. If we wanted something different, the Windjammer was always a hit, with its delicious all-you-can-eat buffet.
For the foodies, there are loads of specialty restaurants to try. Chops Grill is perfect for date night with wine, steak and the most incredible desserts. Amelia had the time of her life at the Wonderland restaurant, filled with magic menus and disappearing fairy floss drinks. And then there was our favourite, Jamie’s Italian. Each dish – the arancini, burrata, calamari and pasta – was tastier than the last, and we made sure to finish off with a slice of the delectable meringue-topped cheesecake.
Cruisey itinerary
Before setting sail, my biggest worry was being trapped on a boat with a toddler and running out of things to do. However, our sea days were so packed, that I found myself wishing for more.
We planned our pool sessions for the first and last days. Non-toilet trained babies can’t swim in most pools on the ship, but the baby splash zone was a hit with Amelia – she often had the whole place to herself.
Paul and I braved the indoor skydiving, iFly (for ages 3+), with Paul following it up with a stint on the wave machine, FlowRider. The Royal Caribbean app allowed us to pre-plan our days and fill them with rock climbing, bumper cars, wine and cocktail-tasting, trivia and more.
Abandon ship
The days we looked forward to the most were our port ones. The app has loads of port excursions to choose from, or you can catch a shuttle into town to explore on your own.
Due to bad swells our itinerary was slightly altered, but this turned out to be a blessing as my favourite was a bonus stop, Tauranga. Here, we booked a tour to visit Te Puia, a Maori cultural experience that was a highlight of the trip.
Our second port, the town of Napier, felt like a movie set. We boarded an art deco bus and learnt about the 1931 earthquake that flattened the town. Our tour ended at the National Aquarium of New Zealand. The penguin enclosure was a favourite – Amelia loved it.
Next stop was Wellington – the cable car to Kelburn is a must – and onto Dunedin, before returning to the ship for an afternoon by the pool.
Taking in the spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand was easy and effortless, especially the day we sailed through the Sounds. We had breakfast while cruising through Dusky Sound, and later ate fish and chips up on the deck as we sailed past Doubtful Sound. And, after dropping Amelia at kids’ club – $12 per hour for 0-3 years – we soaked up the views of the Milford Sound from The Solarium, the adults-only pool area, with cocktails. Bliss!
Win a family cruise
Leave your worries behind and enjoy one memory-making moment after another as you and your family island hop across the sands of the South Pacific. Whether you want to indulge, explore or surprise yourself, you’ll be treated to unforgettable experiences for all ages the moment you step aboard. Take your tastebuds on a tantalising gourmet getaway – first stop, the dreamy culinary creations at Wonderland restaurant. Then, unlock a new level of Zen with a massage at Vitality Spa. Finally, wind up the night with a mind-blowing performance at Two70. Talk about getting everything out of your holiday! What will you experience on your next Royal Caribbean getaway? To win one of four seven-night South Pacific cruises valued at up to $5996, head to who.com.au/cruise
Price based on Quantum of the Seas, January 24, 2025, seven-night South Pacific cruise (as of September 6, 2024).
