I Went Skydiving in the Middle of the Ocean — On a Cruise Ship

I’ll be honest: I never thought I was one of those cruising people. You know the type — planning their next cruise before they’ve even stepped off the ship. The idea of being stuck on a boat in the middle of nowhere? Didn’t exactly appeal.

It also doesn’t help that Titanic is one of my all-time favourite films. So for obvious reasons, booking a cruise was never high on my bucket list.

But this one? It changed me. I’d call myself a bit of an adrenaline junkie — I love the thrill of doing adventurous things. And this ship had me skydiving in the middle of the ocean, sipping robot-made cocktails and basically rethinking everything I thought I knew about cruising.

I boarded Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, the largest ship to ever sail from Los Angeles, for a three-night getaway packed with tech, tacos and the kind of over-the-top fun you’d never expect at sea. It’s now running regular itineraries from LA to the Mexican Riviera, and for Aussie travellers heading to the U.S., it’s easily one of the most fun and surprisingly affordable ways to do something different while you’re there.

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Skydiving at Sea (Yes, Really)

Let’s talk about the main event: RipCord by iFLY. It’s basically a vertical wind tunnel that simulates skydiving — no plane, no parachute, no chance to bail last minute. Sure, it’s way safer than jumping out of an actual airplane (which, for the record, I’ve done over the Swiss Alps). But even then, this was a standout. Not many people can say they’ve “skydived” in the middle of the ocean.

After a quick tutorial (and a healthy dose of nerves), our group of 10 made our way up to the top deck where the clear wind tunnel was waiting. It definitely looked more intimidating up close. And naturally, I drew the short straw and had to go first — no chance to watch everyone else and pick up tips.

Was it terrifying? A bit. Honestly, my mind was racing the whole time: legs straight, but not too straight; head up; arms out. Just as I started to get the hang of it, the minute (yep, only one minute) was over. I won’t pretend I didn’t want longer in there. But even with the quick flight, it was unforgettable — and hey, I can officially say I skydived in the middle of the ocean.

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But That’s Just the Start…

From there, things got even more surreal. Enter: the Bionic Bar — where your cocktails are shaken and stirred by actual robots. I spent way too much time here, not just ordering drinks but low-key hypnotised by how smoothly the whole setup runs.

Here’s how it works: you scroll through a screen to choose your drink (there’s a bunch of pre-made options or you can build your own), then wait as the screen tells you which robot is making it. Watching the robotic arms zip between ingredients, shake with precision, and pour without spilling a drop? Weirdly satisfying.

It does cost extra, but honestly, the novelty is worth it — at least once. And after that, it’s almost just as fun standing back and watching them whip up drinks for everyone else.

There’s also North Star, a glass capsule that lifts you more than 300 feet above sea level. It actually holds a Guinness World Record for being the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship, and if you time it right — like sailing past somewhere scenic or catching a sunset — it’s a must-do.

Unfortunately, my slot was at 11am in the middle of the ocean, so there wasn’t much to see beyond endless blue. But we did get some pretty amazing views of the ship itself, which was still worth it.

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You’ll Never Be Bored (Unless You Want To Be)

I didn’t expect to spend so much time at SeaPlex — a giant indoor space that rotates activities throughout the day. In one afternoon I played pickleball, roller-skated, rode bumper cars and accidentally wandered into a dance class. There’s also a surf simulator, rock climbing wall, sports courts, and live entertainment every night. One show, Spectra’s Cabaret, was part live concert, part sensory overload, and I weirdly loved it.

Let’s Talk Food (Because I’m Always Thinking About It)

As an Aussie, I wasn’t sure what to expect from cruise food. But the buffet at Windjammer was wild. Think make your own tacos, deli meats, burgers, salads, cheese platters — and at least eight dessert options every time I walked through. I’m still dreaming about the DIY pancakes.

If you’re willing to splurge a little, there are several specialty restaurants onboard. Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver was the standout, offering indulgent but balanced meals like fresh pasta, arancini balls and a chicken parmigiana that, frankly, was better than most I’ve had at home. Expect to pay around $25 for lunch or $55 for dinner — and it’s worth it.

The Vibe

While the ship isn’t brand new (it launched in 2016), it still feels fresh. It’s got all the tech perks you’d want — RFID wristbands to tap into your room, a planning app to book shows or dinner, USB ports in every cabin, and fast satellite Wi-Fi (for a fee).

Sure, there’s a casino and plenty of bars, but if you’re more of a “sip a cocktail and stare at the ocean” kind of traveller, the Solarium is your spot. It’s adults-only, has multiple hot tubs, lush greenery, and daybeds with actual shade (crucial). It became my go-to zone when I needed a break from all the chaos.

But what really stood out was the entertainment. I caught a different show each night, and honestly, the onboard vibe felt more like a city hotel than a cruise ship. There’s Spectra’s Cabaret — a high-concept performance mixing live vocals with dramatic visuals — and Two70, a glass-walled lounge that transforms into a multimedia theatre after dark. It’s slick and high production without feeling over the top.

Oh, and there was even a comedy show one night, which totally surprised me and was a real standout.

We stopped off for a day in Ensenada, which was a highlight. It’s a laid-back port town with colourful markets, local taco joints and wineries to explore. Honestly, wandering the markets and sampling street food was such a great way to get a real taste of Baja California without needing to plan a big overland trip.

So, Is It Worth It?

If you’re already heading to the U.S., tacking on a cruise like this is a seriously fun way to explore the West Coast or dip into Mexico without booking five more flights or planning every detail.

Cabins start from around $398 AUD per person for a three-night sailing. That covers your room, most of your meals, and loads of onboard entertainment. Things like the RipCord skydiving simulator, drinks at the Bionic Bar, or dinner at Jamie Oliver’s do cost extra — but honestly, they’re the kind of splurges that make the trip special.

You’ve got options too: from quick three- or four-night cruises to Ensenada or Catalina Island, to longer five- to eight-night itineraries with an overnight (or even two) in Cabo San Lucas. So whether you’re after a quick taste of Mexico or a proper mini holiday, there’s a cruise to match.

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