![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/chef-1024x782.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGiven the interest there was in readers wondering about my sanity, booking a cruise with 2,500 kids on board, I thought I would report back to let you know just how everything went and if my sanity is still intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s first discuss the positives. No, let\u2019s do the negatives so we can end on a positive note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The obvious is there were lots of kids, but there were also so many kids\u2019 areas \u2013 kids\u2019 pool, kids\u2019 clubs, kids\u2019 games, etc. So, yes, lots of kids, but I never felt they were under foot\/in the way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The food could have been better, much better. There was plenty of it and a good variety, but, based on other cruises, this was below expectations. When we mentioned something about food quality at one of our dinners, the chef came out and explained to us that it was difficult to cook for 5,000 people. Duh!!! Isn’t that what you signed up to do? Isn’t that your job?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The only other disadvantage that I experienced, was when I went back to the \u2018adults only\u2019 section of the ship and looked for a place to sit down, by the pool, anywhere on the deck, with a view, any seat! \u2013 all were taken. Apparently, a lot of parents were looking for some \u2018quiet time\u2019 away from their chaotic kids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What I liked about the cruise was . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The ship, Royal Caribbean\u2019s Ovations of the Sea<\/em>, was much better than I expected for a large ship with 5,000 passengers. Great layout, lots of restaurants with a variety of cuisines, lots of bars, lots of shops, excellent show venues, did I mention lots of bars?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lots of things to do, especially for kids, basketball, pickleball, bumper cars, roller skating, rock climbing, surfing, various rides, arts & crafts, arcade, ping pong, etc., etc., etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fun casino that both giveth and taketh away<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We had a nice room that allowed all 13 of us to gather a few times<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The staff, the Filipinos, were especially nice<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Heard the gym was very well equipped.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We didn’t get off the ship in Ensenada<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The thing I liked most was that we had our whole immediate family on board with everyone enjoying all the activities and the adults enjoying the kids enjoying all the activities . . . and the drink package!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Some family photos . . . <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/kids-1024x960.jpg\")
Grandkids: Dylan, Mac, Addison, Emma & Brooklyn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Sparrow-Family-1024x732.jpg\")
Original Sparrows: Linda, me, Steph, Jeff & Dana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Shomers-1-1024x865.jpg\")
The Shomers: Dylan, Emma, Steph & Jason<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Borrellis-846x1024.jpg\")
The Borrellis: Dana, Joe, Addison, Mac<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Jeff-Sparrows-847x1024.jpg\")
Brooklyn, Jeff & Pam Sparrow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pina-Colada-935x1024.jpg\")
Most popular adult ride: Pina Colada<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/B-Emma-731x1024.jpg\")
OK, maybe this one’s better<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Emma-768x1024.jpg\")
I promised beautiful Emma
I’d put a photo of her in the blog. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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by Bob Sparrow Given the interest there was in readers wondering about my sanity, booking a cruise with 2,500 kids on board, I thought I would report back to let you know just how everything went and if my sanity … read more
- The ship, Royal Caribbean\u2019s Ovations of the Sea<\/em>, was much better than I expected for a large ship with 5,000 passengers. Great layout, lots of restaurants with a variety of cuisines, lots of bars, lots of shops, excellent show venues, did I mention lots of bars?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The only other disadvantage that I experienced, was when I went back to the \u2018adults only\u2019 section of the ship and looked for a place to sit down, by the pool, anywhere on the deck, with a view, any seat! \u2013 all were taken. Apparently, a lot of parents were looking for some \u2018quiet time\u2019 away from their chaotic kids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The food could have been better, much better. There was plenty of it and a good variety, but, based on other cruises, this was below expectations. When we mentioned something about food quality at one of our dinners, the chef came out and explained to us that it was difficult to cook for 5,000 people. Duh!!! Isn’t that what you signed up to do? Isn’t that your job?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n