WaveSplasher

Be wary with this card for now, people have been reporting that it's a punch per espresso shot, not per drink. Ergo, a large counts as multiple punches which obviates most, if not all, the "value". I do hope that was a limited interpretation on one ship, but I've seen enough people complaining of it I'm wary.

 

I'm on oasis in a week, and will see which way they go.

I'm interested too in whether its for any sizes or just that shot. On paper looks great but not sure when the it's actually applied, I can get any size of drink for free. Should be that way right?

Do keep us updated. Thanks.

Nope. They haven't offer it since last year and the upcoming cruise on the Ovation, they offer it as a separate tour.

One is the Ten Thousand Buddhas as a standalone tour. Did it last year and was pretty good.

The other is the Habitat Nature Discovery ontop of Penang hill.

Heck, even the Penang Bridge is a separate tour as well.

Wish they would come up with excursions that include Penang Bridge, Temple Tour and the Hill all in one package. I think people will like that.

You could do both of the places by yourselves though.

Hoping for some Euro taster revenue cruises..

Well, there might not be a taster but according to the Ports schedule, you can try the re positioning from Hamburg to somewhere in Spain probably Barcelona or Rome

OK...time to put this to bed, yes? :rolleyes:

 

 

This excerpt is from the DHS page explaining ESTA:

 

"ESTA approval authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the United States under the VWP. Private carriers must be a signatory visa waiver program carrier. See list of Signatory Carriers. While CBP recommends that you apply at least 72 hours before travel, you may apply any time prior to boarding. In most cases, a response is received within seconds of submitting an application."

 

One should make note that "Private carriers must be a signatory visa waiver program carrier.".

 

Here is a link to latest list of private carriers who are approved by CBT to transport passengers traveling under ESTA: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2016-Jun/Signatory%20VWP%20Carriers%28June%202016%292.pdf.

 

While some cruise lines (for example: Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean and even Oceania and Regent Seven Seas) are on the approved list, Norwegian is NOT. Since Norwegian is NOT a signatory visa waiver program carrier, it only stands to reason that you can't travel onboard under this program.

Well this is new, I didn't know this existed. Thanks for the info. It's always the case of just needing the ESTA to enter the USA and that's it.

So i have to get a Visa which is stick to a page in my Passport and not Esta just to travel NCL? Well if that's the case, then I will refrain from cruising NCL due to the hassle.

I used the ESTA on a closed loop cruise on RCL in 2015. They did asked about whether I have a visa or they wouldn't allow me to board. But then when I explained that I was under the VWP and wanted to let them see the documentation, they said it was fine and let me through. Returning to the US, the same thing. Just tell the immigration that I'm on Esta and they let me through.

This whole thing could have gone wrong if I had chosen to cruise NCL instead.

Has anyone else been able to cruise NCL if you are under VWP (ESTA) before? This is weird.

WaveSplasher, I notice you have 2 bookings on the Ovation so you must have a lot of confidence or hope things will be alright in the ship.

Being a local boy here like you I will take your advice and try and pre book everything once I confirm my booking after Jan 11.

Ovation is spending as much time here in Singapore as in Sydney i.e. about 2-3 months. But my sense is it is feeling its way around.

It is one of a few ships station in northern china offering gambling to the Chinese national. Big bucks are made here in the casino knowing the Chinese and Asian propensity for gambling. If there is no change in Chinese government policy on this they may just change their future schedule and cut out the long haul to Sydney. It is a matter of making their most buck for their ship.

I'm using the March cruise as a test for the December cruise. But then again, the way they do it in Australia and Asia is different.

You can probably book your entertainment already. RCL rep told me it was 90 days and onward to your cruise date. By the way, the one thing I'm not happy about was that the North Star and the Rip Cord is Chargeable.

2017 Season for Ovation in Singapore I belive is use as a test bed for RCL to see if it works. If yes, they will probably do another Ovation season in March/April 2019. If not, its back to Australia and China doing the normal route.

With Australia as another emerging market with high yields as well, even with Radiance, Explorer and Voyager there and Celebrity Solstice, RCL will have no doubt keep Ovation in Sydney. It does this so as to capitalize on both markets. China as a Casino, shopping cruise and in Australia during Summer (school holidays I believe).

BIG M is right, RCL does not pride itself as a casino cruise line unlike Genting Dream. If they do, Quantum will be having 3 floors worth of Casinos. They are more of a family cruising cruise line. Bumper Cars, Xbox, flowrider, rock climbing.

The differences are listed below:

No Port Talks of each port

Limited MDR menu (apprently they scale down the menu from the normal RCL MDR dinning menu to a limited one.)

No Lobsters on Formal Nights (chargeable)

Escargots only on one night (you can request for every night)

Food is generally Asian Based (though western dishes are available. Windjammer remains the same.

Entertainment: You will still get the usual production shows from RCL/ Ice Show and guest entertainers including one show that is geared for Asians.

Bars might be empty and not much people hanging around.

Don't expect a lot of Trivia, Bingo this and that... But you will get a Poolside BBQ.

The dress code is rather relax on sailings in Asia if you get what I mean.

Avoid November- December sailings (School Holidays) unless you don't mind

PS: Asia Ports are usually at the container terminal due to lack in port facillites for cruise ships, examples are Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur. So be prepared for a 2hr drive each way.

I'm on the cruise after you and I'm not worried at all. Just afraid that the shows, activities were be booked out before I even got a chance to get into the cruise planner. The toughest part of booking a Quantum Class ship. But I'm checking daily.

I read reviews of the mariner the first time it came to Asia, Bad reviews; but when i went on it, it was totally the opposite. Voyager, though a little bit of a letdown, was still a great cruise in the end.

Different people have different experiences and opinions. There are bad reviews of the Ovation, but they have been good ones.

Keep the Cruise on the Ovation to use it as a test bed for future Quantum Class ships. If you don't like it you can always go back to the good old RCL ships with the Royal Promenades.

It's 11.45pm in Singapore and we're due to leave in 15 minutes. Theres been no official announcement this evening but it looks like we're going to at least try to leave.

 

All in all I think NCL have handled the situation reasonably well. It's frustrating for everyone but I fail to see how it could be handled better given the circumstances.

 

My biggest disappointment was immigration / customs in Singapore. Having flown though Singapore numerous times and arrived by ship into the Marina Bay terminal I always thought Singapore had a professional and courteous immigration, not this time. Not only did we have to go through the full immigration process every time we left the ship they were pretty unfriendly and some downright rude. Last night on arriving back to the ship they were treating the crew going ashore appallingly, some gave up after standing in line for over an hour and returned to the ship.

 

 

Just being untied now so it looks like we're heading to sea.

Yup! Looks like you are on finally on your way. Enjoy the cruise and hope that you can get to Hong Kong without any more bumps.

Sorry about the immigration, though. Been through the Marina Bay Terminal a couple of times now and haven't experience this. Hope this was a one off thing.

Still wondering whether they have already fixed whatever was going on with the Pods. Edit: Just saw new updated itinerary of the next sailing and I guess they still haven't fixed it yet. This is going to have a rollover effect into the sailing after the next and the next until they can get it fixed(drydock or something?)

We're waiting on technicians from the manufacturer, they've been delayed and our departure has been pushed back tentatively until midnight. Passengers have to be back onboard by 9pm.

 

 

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This is bad :( Lets hope the ship will be able to get underway.

On another note: Singapore has drydock facilities if Norwegian wants to drydock her as soon as possible.

@chengkp75, Thanks for the information

 

Our new itinerary.

 

 

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Lets hope tomorrow the ship will sail as scheduled. If they do this with one Azipod, are they going to use only this Azipod until they get back to USA? I hope not.

What time is the Ship leaving tomorrow again? Thanks

HUH???? What is the problem?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2430886

Not sure whether you have seen this thread.

Apprently, there will be 2 cruise ships in port tommorrow, which is the Diamond Princess and the Mariner Of THe Seas.

if the problem still persist, Norwegian has to be towed by tugs out of the Pier to give way to Diamond and Mariner.

Edited: I found the problem that is currently happening on the Star. Hope the problem will be fixed soon. :(

Ovation Sydney Schedule:

12 Dec 2018

13 Jan 2019

2 Feb 2019

14 Feb 2019

She is on the Dunedin schedule on 10 March 2019 but only appears at Sydney from 12 Dec to the 14 Feb 2019?

She then appears on the 5th April 2019 at Hong Kong. Will she be skipping Sydney on her repositioning cruise to Hong kong?

I'm thinking a one way cruise to Auckland, and a one way cruise back from Auckland. Its either that or Sydney port isn't updated yet.

2019/2020 I guess she will be doing the same thing as well.

Hi everyone!

I havn't been able to find any information about what pier we will be at in Laem Chabang cruise terminal (Bangkok)and wonder if someone knows anything.

We are going to visit some friends and they need to know where to pick us up.

 

There are no information of ANY arrivals of Millennium at the official port site from this date to February 2017?

Thanks in advance for any information!

Laem Chabang Cruise Terminal is actually a container port, not much to do there and its quite a long way from Bangkok, over an hour or two hours.

https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%8C+(A3)/@13.0705823,100.893896,685m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x3102b97cc22c2acb:0x40d23b540ab1e057!8m2!3d13.070837!4d100.894159

There is a house which looks out of place among all the container equipment. That is the terminal

You might be pushing it trying to do all that in four hours. Is there a particular reason why you want to go to Mt Victoria? If not, I suggest walking to the cable car first, then going to the museum. That way you'll know exactly how much time you have left to spend at the museum. There should be a shuttle bus that leaves from outside the Information Centre on Wakefield St, to take you back to the wharf.

Thanks for replying.

It's mainly for the views of the city. But if it's a little rush, then we will skip Mount Victoria.

Appreciate the helpful suggestion, It's definitely a better option then the one we were thinking to do.

Port Of Lisbon has Norwegian Joy on their schedule.

Arrival

08-05-2017

ETA: 0800

Previous Port: Vigo

Departure:08-05-2017

ETD: 1700

Next Port: Valencia

Therefore

: Probably Southampton?

7 May: Vigo (Confirmed)

8May: Lisbon (Confirmed)

: Valencia ( Confirmed)

: Barcelona (

: Suzel Canal

: Dubai

: Somewhere in India

: Either Penang Or Port Klang, Malaysia

: Singapore

: Bangkok?

: Ho Chi Minh

12 June: Hong Kong

13 June: Hong Kong

Most of the unconfirmed Ports are just a guess of the Major ports most cruise ship will take to Asia.

Hi,

I know this is a long way off but i will like to check if the following is doable since the ship arrive at 1pm and leaves at 7pm which only gives me at most 4 hours.

If there are taxis available at the port, we will like to go Mount Victoria first before heading to Te Papa Tongarewa and finally the cable car before walking back to the port via the Parliament buildings and the railway station.

I know there is a bus available from Mount Victoria back to the city, should i opt for that or just take a taxi?

We plan to be back by 6pm or latest 6.30pm.

Thanks.

I'm guessing this was done all all Voyager and Freedom class?

Voyager gives out Ice show tickets at a set time, usually early in the morning at a location they specify. We had 4 shows on our cruise and there were still many seats available you could go a second time.

Mariner does the tickets via muster station. If you watch once, they won't let you back in.

Depends on ship really.

Ovation: Australia and China

Quantum: China

Mariner: China and Southeast Asia

Voyager: Australia and China

Explorer: Austrlia, South Pacific (Alaska?)

Radiance: Ausralia, New Zealand (Alaska?)

No changes I guess.

As for another RCL ship in Asia, I doubt so it will happen. I will be very surprise if they do send another one here, especially the new-builds.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Royal-Caribbean-commits-to-send-second-mega-vessel-to-Jamaica_81549.

By the way: This news might interest you on Oasis 4...

Hi

What was Celebrity Definition of a Immersion Cruise seeing as this was an immersion cruise, not a regular cruise in terms of the entertainment, food and the activities on board?

Thanks.

Yes I was looking at the same marine traffic map. Cannot believe they would keep on doing the same wrong think. I have my dream cruise book for Feb. 2017 and hope they don't make any schedule changes again as I have my air ticket book now.

They change schedule for the Virgo a few days ago on the Nov. 21. Now it is 4 and 5 days cruises for Jan. to Mar. 2017 from Shenzhen. Not going to get the local on the ship like that. I think they could change the schedule again as it wouldn't sell. Maybe even pulling the ship out of China and maybe back to Singapore.

How about the second Dream ship coming next year. What are they going to do with it.

They better hope Dream is selling good in China or they will have difficulty trying to place World Dream. If they do well, then its China. However, with Ovation,Quantum, Majestic and Joy hanging around, Dream Cruises could be in a tight trouble if their ships don't sell.

Honestly I wouldn't mind it being in Singapore.

If you do the re-positioning the other way round like for example Hong Kong to Singapore and if the ship is continuing to Australia like the Voyager then you find things that are useful below:

Entertainment:

Catered to the Australians such as Comedian from Australia ( Duck Cameron) and (Nathan Foley) Singer from Australia. Love & Marriage Show, Dancing Rocks Party. No Asian productions.

Songs are all sung in English. There is no band singing Chinese songs.

Announcements:

All in English, rarely in Chinese or none at all.

Food MDR:

All Western Style with a one or 2 dish being Indian. You will get to taste a new menu that is prepared for the Australian Season.

Food Windjammer:

Asian food only includes DIY noodles and some other things. Not a lot. Most of them are Western.

I noticed they remove the Soya Sauce and the Vinegar from the Windjammer and the MDR as opposed to the Asian Season.

Passenger Count:

Majority of them are Australians over 800 of them, with over 1/3 continuing on to Sydney. And there are a good number from Scotland, UK and the USA.

China is mostly tour groups.

Just to add.

I was on the sailing before the ship left for Australia, the repositioning cruise to Singapore.

I agree with most of the comments made here. Most of the time, the doors weren't really working well and the Bridge viewing area, the doors were spoilt throughout the cruise. I was stuck outside for a while until a someone helped to activate the door from inside as you couldn't enter from outside as the door was spoilt.

C&A welcome back letter wasn't there with all the benefits, neither was the Cruise Critic Meet-up. Had to queue at GS for quite a bit to get this settled

There were definitely issues with the ports and RCL doesn't tell the important stuff that you need to know. On the last night, My Time dining was a screw-up. And the staff couldn't bother to do the service well.

I would like to do a Singapore to Australia in the future, and though i will still cruise with RCL, i will need a better performance from Voyager.

Sadly, her itinerary to Sydney is quite interesting.

Ship - Voyager Of The Seas

Deck -12

Stateroom # -1852

Stateroom Category –P2

Starboard or Port Side -Bow

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Vibrations can definitely be heard.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? -No

Ocean View - However the Windows were very large, and the only slight obstruction was the Antenna; though it wasn't a bother to us.

Oceanview Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal like a balcony class stateroom

Was wind a problem? -NO

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? No

Any specific problems with this cabin? - Toilet does choke a few times. You will feel some rocking as this cabin was right in front of the ship.

Any other comments?

Large with many storage space and the sofa bed looks like it was from the Quantum Class. Bed was by the Window. And if you open the curtains, people will be able to see you from the deck below( Bridge viewing area). Room was also near the Spa with easy access to Solarium, pool and the gym. However most of the Dining options are at the opposite end of the ship, therefore it requires a walk through the open deck 12 to the other side. Or wait for the lifts to bring you down to Deck 5.

Check out the Video of the Cabin that I took