Scottygirl1

Hi - I live in Auckland and the new Waterview tunnel makes the trip to the airport faster. Also, after 9 am the worst of the peak traffic has gone - there is a big build up around school drop off time. Definitely allow an hour but it shouldn't take longer unless there is an accident or similar. I'm like you though - always leave plenty of time!!

Interesting about the comment being made on the hull being able to withstand a torpedo.

Makes you wonder why they need a cruise ship that strong but our warships were not.

No you misheard - it's not the ship that can withstand a torpedo blast but the dry dock.

Here is a news item about Pacific Jewel in Dry Dock. https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/03/08/21/49/behind-the-scenes-at-garden-island-s-dry-dock

Pacific Jewel needs to pick up its game

 

 

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No doubt about that. Sadly the aren't doing anything to the cabins which would be good.

Could have been a noro outbreak.

 

I read best practice is to dry dock for a thorough clean. ;p

This was planned for awhile - here's how she'll look.

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18522-p-o-australia-to-refurb-pacific-jewel.html

My sister and niece are on the first sailing from Auckland and I'm on her in June - looking forward to the renovations. My daughter used to call the Connexions Bar "The bar where people go to die"... it was so depressing. Thankfully that is one of the renovations.

Phone the cruise line - I know P&O Australia let you change name but there is a small fee depending on the fare type you have bought.

There were some instances of fighting on our cruise recently too - on Ovation of the Seas. Seems people can't handle deluxe drink packages? There were people being abusive to bar staff as well. Thankfully a small minority as I didn't witness this myself.

I just got off Ovation of the Seas last week and it really is a beautiful ship! The Two70 lounge at the back gives an amazing view and of course, the Solarium area would be perfect for cruising in colder weather like Alaska.

We had no problem getting a drink in the MDR on Ovation of the Seas. We really enjoyed our meals there and our wine (on our deluxe drink package) was there very quickly :)

I noticed that on the live cricket coverage they flicked to the Ovation of the Seas which was berthed next door!

I didn't enjoy Chops at all. We just sailed on Ovation of the Seas and the restaurant had a horrible musty smell upon entering (I noticed this firstly when we toured the ship and then when we went for dinner there). We were seated no more than six inches from another couple - hardly a private, romantic meal! We could each hear what the other was saying and while we chatted to them, it wasn't what we had in mind. I could see how fast their meals were coming out - only about 5 minutes from starter to main so when I didn't like my starter (lobster bisque which tasted really awful after the lobster bisque the previous night in the MDR), the lovely waitress offered to get me another starter. The trouble was, I knew I'd then be eating that when the mains were coming out! I said no thanks.

Then onto the main which did come out very quickly! The menu said "sides to share" so I presumed they would serve 2. We ordered asparagus, potato and creamed spinach. Out came literally a tablespoon in each little bowl so clearly we couldn't share. We called over the waitress again and she bought out more but of course by that time we'd been sitting awhile and it really spoiled the night for me. We don't eat dessert or the bread rolls so for the money paid I was very disappointed to say the least. The atmosphere was zero, the speed of the meal was ridiculous and we were in and out within about 20 minutes.

I know this is not the experience others have but it left me really unhappy and I expressed as much on my ship survey. Thankfully we loved everything else about our cruise!!!!! :)

The 16oz bone in ribeye is very big - you can order more starters and desserts and as many sides as you want. You won't go hungry.

Thanks so much for the reply :)

It's a bummer that they don't offer it. We seem to miss out on a lot of stuff that gets offered in the US. The drinks package is so expensive and can't be shared. It would be $1580 for 2 of us for drinks and I don't know if we can justify that :(:(:(

It depends on how much you'll drink, how many sea days, etc. If you drink mainly beer then that's cheaper - wine was around $US 14 a glass. Remember no gratuities added on the ships out of Australia. It is a lot of money but we did a graph and were up about $USD 50 to 100 each day (for two of us). That included coffee, lots of water (sparkling too), cocktails and wine. Also there was the ease of getting the drink - they just take your seapass and hand it back. No signing or having to check your account etc.

How long is your cruise?

We just got off Ovation of the seas on Monday - it was so much fun and everyone was just so friendly.

I've just come home an Ovation of the Seas cruise and I didn't see any cards offered - we had the drinks package (bought earlier when it was a good price). Most people onboard seemed to have the drinks package and it paid for itself many times over I think! I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have :)

Hello,

 

We are sailing on RCL in April, and I am keeping an eye on the drinks packages, but right now our sailing is nearly $80AU - a down side to our strengthening dollar, I guess. Even at this price, it will probably work cheaper than waiting until on board to purchase them, so I am think of buying in now.

Can anyone tell me if the price goes down after I purchase, can I cancel the packages and rebook at the lower price?

Yes, if the price goes down you simply cancel and rebook the new price. You have nothing to lose. There might be cheaper prices and they seem to be random so keep checking!!

Scottygirl1 - Departing Sydney with a swell running can cause the cruise ships to roll before they get some speed for the stablisers to do there work. The wind will be a strong SE Trade & will swing south as you pass the storm. By midnight the storm will be on a line Noumea to Sydney & they will no doubt go further to north & west to get round it passing west or near Lord Howe Island. The Ovation should handle the weather with no trouble & swell will be less in your area towards Noumea.

Thanks - as long as I don't spill my cocktail I should be fine! Hopefully they will go further north and west.

Cyclone Gita will be in mid Tasman at midnight Mon.19th on a line from North Cape NZ to NSW/Qld. border, moving quite fast to south. Arcadia is in Bay of Islands 19th.

By midnight Tue. 20th Gita will have dissipated over North Island.

Will not affect QE that is not due in Auckland until 23rd from east.

Arcadia will miss the cyclone by probably deviating a bit to the north of it - even so it will be a rough ride to Sydney.

By the way - rocking & rolling is a DANCE - not the motion of a ship.

Better sea ships than Vista class are the ex HAL - P. Eden & Aria.

Good weather info on windy.com

So what's your thoughts on us leaving Sydney on 18th Feb sailing up to Vanuatu/Noumea on Ovation of the Seas? Just big seas? I'm thinking there will be a day or so of rough weather but hopefully will settle after that (looking at the forecast wind etc for that time).

We sail from Sydney on Sunday towards the cyclone... hopefully Ovation of the Seas will handle well!

Wouldn't it be that US (or any OS passengers) would be paying a cheaper rate for their room when they book overseas ... because it is expected that they have to pay the gratuities on top of their room? We all know that booking through a US agent can be cheaper - but when you add in the extra gratuities requirement, that is where the cost somewhat evens out.

I was told this by my travel agent. Apparently gratuities are built into the fares from New Zealand and Australian travel companies (and cruise companies).

cruiserke;55247386']We just cruised the Ovation last week and the Seapasses all came with a hole pre-punched so they could be attached to a clip lanyard. No need to punch them yourself.

Can I ask - was the card left on your cabin door or given to you on checkin?

cruiserke;55247386']We just cruised the Ovation last week and the Seapasses all came with a hole pre-punched so they could be attached to a clip lanyard. No need to punch them yourself.

Awesome, thank you!!!!!!

If you know exactly where to put the hole without destroying the embedded electronics you can hole punch it. Chances are high to destroy the card when hole punching it. I´m saying it might be doable but certainly not advisable unless you absolutely know what you are doing.

I was meaning getting it hole punched at Customer Services - they would know how to do this? I'm thinking of all the people getting on our ship with standard lanyards that might be no good.

So you think they can't be hole punched? I have a plastic sleeve but know most people won't. Thanks.