Odyssey of the Seas-does the good outweigh the bad?

[rolloman]

Just came back from the Spring Break 8 night to Aruba. I think there have been plenty of reviews about this relatively new ship but I would like to present a few of my thoughts. This particular sailing set a ship record for the number of passengers, and it certainly felt like it.                                                                                       

 

Two thumbs down- the elevators...whoever came up with the bright idea of touchless floor selection buttons on a cruise ship should be fired immediately. These buttons are so sensitive that if you came within 3 inches of the panel it would light it up like a Christmas tree and then you were headed to every floor. The concept may work fine if you have 2-3 guests... but on an overcrowded ship...absolutely horrible.  In addition, countless times, the elevator would just sit there trying to figure out what to do...prompting people to get off thinking it was broke.

 

Continuing with two thumbs down- The Casino. Since this ship was originally set to go the Asia route and then did a Covid re-route... most of the slot machines onboard are marketed towards passengers from that area. A lot of the machines normally found on other ships were not present. Outside of a small spattering of hand-pays, these machines were cold as ice...the worst I have witnessed in 30 years of cruising. Rooms are smaller, our balcony room had less space and overall storage was at a premium. The two biggest storage areas are above the bed...not what I consider to be a place which can easily be accessed. Dining- We had early seating... like real early...like are you kidding me early...5:00pm... what happened to 6pm....or the super early 5:30pm? I can only imagine this is another ploy to push even more passengers to go the buffet or specialty route. Even with the now condensed menu the dining room staff were overwhelmed. Do not try to use your D+-Pinnacle vouchers in the dining room...good chance you will earn a chance to head to guest services to get the charge removed. After a couple fails, I proceeded to get my drink before dinner and enter the dining room with it.

 

Ok...now for Two thumbs up-The Sea-Plex, not because of the super-sized Playmakers or the countless events which actively take place throughout each day.... but because of the venue itself. All kids had a place to hang out and interact. This cut-down on the clogged stairwells and mischief normally found on a sailing this time of year. The I-Fly and North Star... both are a really a great experience. They go out of their way to ensure safety and is a must do while onboard. The Diamond lounge is in a super convenient location...fwd. of the ship right off the stairwell on deck 4. These days, I usually never bother to venture in but due to this great location I actually visited a couple times...and no it was never crowded. This cruise was a milestone cruise and on the last day I did receive the crystal block...however, it was not in color as the latest benefit updates suggested. Captain Per is an awesome Captain and goes out of his way to socialize with his passengers.

 

In closing...will I cruise Odyssey again??...probably not...maybe one of its sister ships (if it happens to sail out of Port Canaveral). I like the Oasis class as I find them easier to navigate and have better crowd control. All in my opinion. 

Edited March 21, 2023 by rolloman
Added paragraphs.

[kruzerci]

Agree with a lot of what you posted here, but please consider using paragraphs 😫

[rolloman]

6 minutes ago, kruzerci said:

Agree with a lot of what you posted here, but please consider using paragraphs 😫

Fixed it for you...😜

[Cruiselovey]

I was on the odyssey two weeks ago.  I really loved the inside of the ship!  The entertainment was also really good.  Liked the vibe in the music room.  The pool area was very small with limited seating around the pool.  I got up every at sea day at 6:30

to get chairs.  There was always multiple chairs already taken.  One lady slept on her blanket and said she had been there since 5:00.  The staff was already tagging chairs at 6:30 and did remove towels and items all morning.  They would put sticky notes on the back of the chair.  I did like the location of El Loco, so close.  I also visited the buffet, much more than usual and really  liked the layout.  The biggest issue I had was dinner.  We thought going in that dinner was at 5:30.  That afternoon I found out it was now 5:00, which is ridiculously early.  A lot of people must of been confused, because they made an announcement during dinner that dinner was at 5 and not 5:30.  A couple of nights we ended up not making it and this is the first time in all of our cruises.  I talked to the head waiter and he said 3/4 of people on the cruise wanted early dinner, so they moved it to 5 and late to 7:45 to hope more people would take late.  I will be sure to check this going forward.  All in all I really loved the ship and would for sure book it again.

[RRTcruiser]

Rolloman, sorry to hear of your experience.  We did a transatlantic on her last fall and found the Odyssey to be awesome to say the least. But every cruise experience can be different and as always YMMV applies.

Hopefully your next cruise will be better, thanks for sharing. 

Edited March 21, 2023 by RRTcruiser

[John&LaLa]

Yea, I hated the elevators.

 

Loved everything else

 

FWIW, I can't believe one ships casino payouts are statistically different from another.

[Mikew0805]

Odyssey was never destined for the asian market. That would be the Wonder that was rerouted.

 

I have done Odyssey several times, and I love the ship. I have spent more time in that casino than I care to talk about, but I really have no idea what you mean about the machines, as I played the same machines on Odyssey that I play on any other ship. If you mean no older slots, then yeah I hear ya. Those are disappearing all together. 

 

I do love that Playmakers as well, and of course 270! I love Oasis class as well, but it's really hard for me to pick my fave between the two.

[RRTcruiser]

My wife leaned too close to the elevator floor panel one time, needless to say we got a lot of cold stares on that ride because it caused every floor to be selected.

[Mikew0805]

2 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

FWIW, I can't believe one ships casino payouts are statistically different from another.

They're not. They are a CLIA member cruise line, so they follow the gaming regulations of Nevada, New Jersey, and/or England. 

[rolloman]

8 minutes ago, Mikew0805 said:

 

 I have spent more time in that casino than I care to talk about, but I really have no idea what you mean about the machines, as I played the same machines on Odyssey that I play on any other ship.

Thanks for your opinion...I too have spent my share of time in the casino...last year alone I went on 11 casino royale cruises on multiple ships...so...machines like Scarab, the Devil Wicked Wheels, Tiki's, Captain Riches, Golden Egypt, Rich little pigs... just to name a few...all missing...matter of fact...I found it to be a small casino. Fact is...for whatever reason...It did not pay out like normal on "this cruise"...maybe you should be glad you were not on it. 

[Thisguylikestocruise]

I’m really looking forward to the Odyssey. It’s being used for our 9 night-fall 2024 Greek Isles cruise. First junior suite. Hope we like the ship as much as Wonder which set the bar pretty high. 

[little britain]

There’s a young guy called Kevin on the entertainment team: don’t miss his “name that tune/movie”… it’s hysterically funny. 

[crewsweeper]

We like a lot about the Odyssey.  We didn't do the casino, so can't opine.  But enjoyed Playmakers, the dodge cars, I-Fly, NorthStar.

Handicap balcony was spacious.  Lots of USB ports so no need for bringing several. 

Wasn't overly impressed with several specialty restaurants squeezed into one area. With Izumi being more open and Wonderland a bit of an afterthought.  Chops behind the Schooner Bar was strange. Liked the open lounge setting of the Wine Bar. 2 deck Music Hall was always packed.

Shops seemed limited, except for the watch stores; but maybe a few less than on Oasis.  🙃

 

[bajathree]

9 hours ago, rolloman said:

Thanks for your opinion...I too have spent my share of time in the casino...last year alone I went on 11 casino royale cruises on multiple ships...so...machines like Scarab, the Devil Wicked Wheels, Tiki's, Captain Riches, Golden Egypt, Rich little pigs... just to name a few...all missing...matter of fact...I found it to be a small casino. Fact is...for whatever reason...It did not pay out like normal on "this cruise"...maybe you should be glad you were not on it. 

I was on this sailing and I absolutely agree......THE WORST paying out casino I have seen. And it wasn't just me....other than a couple big trophy payouts to a couple people....these machines were absolutely dead....saw people drop thousands in them and absolutely nothing in return. There is little doubt in my mind that they manipulate them to have a couple trophy hits for everyone on the ship to talk about to get people to play....and then shut them down to take everyones money.

[colesc15]

The interesting part is I've been on Odyssey twice now within the last year, and I've had some of my best weeks in the casino on both of those trips. Just all depends on the luck of the person at the time, nothing to do with ship specific. Newer games are more volitale than older ones, so with Odyssey having mostly newer machines, yes you'll see less smaller payouts but all averages out in the end. 

[bajathree]

13 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

The interesting part is I've been on Odyssey twice now within the last year, and I've had some of my best weeks in the casino on both of those trips. Just all depends on the luck of the person at the time, nothing to do with ship specific. Newer games are more volitale than older ones, so with Odyssey having mostly newer machines, yes you'll see less smaller payouts but all averages out in the end. 

Was on Odyssey in Dec and it was the same thing....terrible paying out casino. I don't believe it was the luck of the person when I watched people drop close to 10 grand over the 8 nights and nothing....not 1 handy pay. Very different payout than what you see on land based casinos like Hard Rock in comparison. Normal land based casinos usually have something like a 92% return....Odyssey casino seems  more like a 25% return....if that.

Edited March 21, 2023 by bajathree

[basenji56]

As someone who doesn't gamble, I think the pros far outweigh the cons (of bad elevator button design).

 

 

[mafig]

Considering Odyssey for a Jr. Suite (the one with two bathrooms) in November.  

Any opinions of that category room and that time of year.  We would avoid Thanksgiving week.

 

Also, would try to get CK for dinner a few times and then some Specialty to avoid that 5 PM dinner time.  What are they thinking?  

[xxHadleyxx]

10 hours ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

I’m really looking forward to the Odyssey. It’s being used for our 9 night-fall 2024 Greek Isles cruise. First junior suite. Hope we like the ship as much as Wonder which set the bar pretty high. 

We sailed Odyssesy in October and loved her.  She and Wonder are both brilliant IMO.  

[Norwich Cruiser]

We all thought Odyssey was excellent and had no complaints whatsoever.

[Pandamonia]

1 hour ago, basenji56 said:

As someone who doesn't gamble, I think the pros far outweigh the cons (of bad elevator button design).

 

 

 

What pros?

 

Touchless systems are a gimmick. If you dont touch the lift controls then you will touch something else equally dirty..... 

 

Hand rails

drinks handled by bar staff

chairs

drinks dispensers 

food serving spoons

tables

 

Any surface can be made anti bacterial and anti viral by a simple nano coating. I have one. The cruise lines were not interested or bothered. If you think they care about your health.. they dont... they just care about $$$ 

 

Touchless controls are a cheap gimmick to fool dumb people in to thinking they are safer

[rolloman]

2 hours ago, bajathree said:

I was on this sailing and I absolutely agree......THE WORST paying out casino I have seen. And it wasn't just me....other than a couple big trophy payouts to a couple people....these machines were absolutely dead....saw people drop thousands in them and absolutely nothing in return. There is little doubt in my mind that they manipulate them to have a couple trophy hits for everyone on the ship to talk about to get people to play....and then shut them down to take everyones money.

Omg...can't believe I didn't see you in there...of course it has been a few years since I last met you. I saw one big hit on the Wheel of fortune...three 5X pay symbols and he won 5K...outside of that...brutal...for an 8 night cruise there should have been considerably more action. Now that you say it was not an anomaly actually bums me out further lol.

[moposh]

I like 5:00 p.m. dining.  

[rolloman]

2 hours ago, basenji56 said:

As someone who doesn't gamble, I think the pros far outweigh the cons (of bad elevator button design).

 

 

I agree with Pandamonia...what pros??? People touched the buttons anyway...so yeah..it is a non-working gimmick to make a few people feel better. Reminds me of the time a friend of mine told me his wife always complained about the house being too hot or too cold. So he put in a fake thermostat...each night she would go over to it and move the dial...and then proclaim how much more comfortable she was. 

[crewsweeper]

13 minutes ago, moposh said:

I like 5:00 p.m. dining.  

As does my DW who would probably do 4PM dining if offered.😁  7P works best for me.