BHappy2Day

Thank you for all of your really good advice. I plan to write a detailed trip report at the end of our cruise to give my own experience with cruising with a baby. I also want to give my review of our unusual Stateroom 1054–4 of the 8 of us (including the baby) will be on that space. 
 

So far, what I have gleaned from your posts:

1.  Have realistic expectations. The Serenade of the Seas, and cruise vacations in general, were not designed for babies.  Baby will cry more than once, and you need to roll with that and always be considerate of other cruise guests. Get up and walk away from the table if you need to—you brought the baby, and your fellow guests did not. 
2.  Have plans and backup plans for child care. The 7 adults—mom, dad, aunt, grandmother, great aunt (me), and other relatives—need to have a schedule for baby-watching “turns.”  Use ship-provided child care when it makes sense and if the baby likes it.  (Her mom and dad need time to relax, too.  In our case, the mom and dad originally booked this cruise to go by themselves—the rest of us (okay, me) piled the rest of the group onto the roster.)
3.  Pack all the stuff!!!  Extra diapers, wipes, toys, so many clothes, hats, beach toys. Bring all the snacks!!!  Bring the baby-version iPad!!! Baby needs those things from home to feel at home.
4.  Most importantly, ENJOY the baby. Play. Take pictures. This is family time in a different setting. 

Njsmom—I totally get that. She is traveling with 7 adults—mom, dad, grandmother, aunts, and other adults. Not sure 7 is enough, lol!

Leaving next month on Serenade with a one-year-old. 

1.  Does Radiance class have water play area for babies still in diapers (underneath waterproof diaper cover, of course!). Expecting not, but would like to know. 

2.  For good reason, we can’t take food off the ship. But how about the baby’s food?  She will be with us in Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan. Do RCCL and the ports make an exception?  
3.  Any experience and/or tips with the nursery on board?  Do you know the price?  
4.  Is in-room baby sitting available?  Price?
 

We intentionally chose this suite for our upcoming April Serenade 7-day cruise because we are traveling with a one-year-old—overly safety-cautious, maybe, but that is how we chose 1054. I think it’s an amazing deal for the money, space wise. 2 full bathrooms. 3 door-separated sleeping areas. Panoramic ocean view.  Basically the same price as a GS, but twice the space. We have family in 2 GS’s down the passageway as well, and I’m the bill payer for one of those—I believe 1054 is the better deal if you have 3 or more people in the space and want a full suite  I will post a review after the cruise, because it’s such an unusual stateroom. 

Hi, Cruisers!  We are a family of 4 sailing on Independence of the Seas in a few weeks. We booked on line and prepaid Chops Plus 1 for the our family. This includes a set reservation at Chops plus another reservation at an unspecified specialty restaurant at an unspecified time. 
 

for those of you who have experience with Chops Plus 1. 
 

1.  How do we make that second reservation?  Can we do it on line, or do we have to do this onboard ship?  If onboard, where do we go on ship to get this done?

2.  What restaurant do you recommend?  Is Giovanni’s the only real choice, or can we select Izumi or a second Chops reservation?

Thank you!

The COVID pause and all of the RCCL policy changes have returned me to newbie status, to some extent.  I think I used to know the answers to these questions, but my cruise world has been rocked.

I am cruising November 8 on Allure of the Seas in an Owner's Suite with 2 others.  I am Diamond on the customer loyalty ladder, but the others do not have loyalty points.

1.  When and where do we get free drinks for being suite guests?  Do we have to be in the suite lounge?  Can we order them with dinner in the MDR or specialty restaurants?  How many do we get per day?  What time of day can we order them?

2.  Same questions for Diamond:  When and where do I get free drinks for being a Diamond member?  .......and so on, same questions as for suites.

Would I cruise this August?  It depends on 

1.  Infection rate globally with pandemic, since cruisers are international--maybe summertime is a partial reprieve

2.  Infection rate in areas local to terminals and ports of call

3.  Cruise line agreements with U.S. ports and other ports of call in case of outbreak--i.e., would not cruise if there is a chance of a stranded ship

4.  Screening and testing ability pre-cruise and during cruise; denial of passage and fly-home protocols

5.  Mitigation and containment measures aboard ship

     a.  Anti-virus cleaning, and if available, anti-viral fogging

     b.  Crowd management to maximize social distancing---very difficult, but whatever can be done should be done

     c.  Limiting total passenger count to help with crowd management

     d.  Spreading out in space and time meals in food and entertainment venues 

     e.  Availability and requirement to wear masks in public spaces other than dining

     f.  Closure of high-spread environments--pools, spas, gyms, beauty treatments

So-----for many or most people, the above list would render cruising useless.  And, that list might be too expensive or impractical for cruise lines.  But I really, really want to cruise, and I hope we find a way to do it!

I realize that posting about airfares for next year's cruises might appear frivolous in light of all of the suffering around the world right now.  But, we are all stuck at home, and we are anticipating the time that our lives start to head back toward normal.  I am booked on Ovation in February 2021 for an Australia-New Zealand cruise, which originates in Sydney.  

I just wanted to share that airfare prices to Sydney from California are very inexpensive right now.  Business Class on Qantas is basically more than half off for LAX and SFO round trip travel in a new category called "Business Class Sale."  This sale category is not available for every flight, but I found two great flights for our cruise.  I did buy trip insurance in my Qantas booking to cover a possible cruise cancellation.

I hope everyone stays safe and healthy.  And I hope we all can resume cruising because it gives us so many happy experiences and great memories with our loved ones.

Hi--My friends and I are considering hopping on a May 3-nighter from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas on Mariner of the Seas.  I am disappointed that RCCL does not offer similar itinerary for Oasis or Quantum class.  I believe RCCL Grand Suites are nice, so no big risk there.  My questions are -- (1) Is there a Coastal Kitchen on Mariner, of the Seas, and is it good?  (2) Are the suite perks overall good on Mariner? (3) Is the ship in good condition? and (4) for anyone who has done this itinerary, how are the shows? 

Bonsai3s--you bring the cruising discussion to its very heart.  Seeing a 5 year old and a 92 year old having such a wonderful adventure transcends inconveniences.  Maybe reviews are windows inward.  They are useful for hints and tips and we all like to live vicariously at times, but the party is what you bring. 

Again, I am happy to see so many stick up for Ovation.  

I subscribed to the Hoopster95 thread and read it.  The photos were beautiful, and clearly much work and energy went into this very well done and comprehensive daily report.  

Ovation and Quantum are dead last in the RCCL line up overall reviews, which considering the newness and innovation in these ships, surprises me--that's where I am coming from.  https://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=32&section=Reviews

But, posters on this thread discount the reviews, and I guess there is no consensus that a systemic problem exists.

That said, I will write a review at the end of my cruise.  I will absolutely have a blast even if there are hiccups on Ovation. 

I am glad that people are sticking up for the ship--that's a positive sign.  But I am not pulling bad reviews from thin air.  https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=985

The ships overall Cruise Critic reviewer rating is 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.  Last 15 review--ratings and headers--spanning from March to May 2019--were as follows:

Rating 1.  "Thumbs Down-No Ovation"

Rating 2.  "Excuse After Excuse"

Rating 2.  "Incompetent or Didn't Care.  Hard to Tell"

Rating 2.  "Ovation Hawaii Cruise--What a Nightmare"

Rating 2.  "Ship Is Beautiful But Terrible Itineraries and Food"

Rating 2.  "Disappointing"

Rating 2.  "Not the Best RCL Experience"

Rating 3.  "All Bells No Whistles"

Rating 2.  "Somewhat Disappointing"

Rating 2.  "Repositioning Cruise Sydney to Honolulu.  3 Days in Sydney and 2 Days in Honolulu"

Rating 5.  "Fabulous Cruise"

Rating 3.  "RC Good for Some, Not for Me"

Rating 2.  "Great Anniversary Cruise"

Rating 4.  "Bora Bora Was the Highlight"

Rating 2.  "She Ain't Pretty, She Just Looks That Way"

If Ovation is misrepresented, perhaps those who love her are not writing reviews on Cruise Critic.

Regardless, OF COURSE I will have a good time and appreciate the luxury and privilege of seeing beautiful Alaska from such an amazing platform.

The majority of reviews of this new and technology-packed ship are very negative, and the reviews are not on par with other ships.  Much of the criticism is focused on ineptitude of the staff.  We are booked for July 26 sailing to Alaska.  I have set my expectations accordingly low.  Does anyone know what is going on?  Is the leadership on the ship just plain bad?  Or is the ship disconnected from Royal Caribbean standards because its sailings have been in Asia/Australia/Alaska?  Anyone with tips on how to enjoy this ship that most reviewers have panned?

I am hanging on your every word, Hoopster.  Those of us sailing on follow Ovation Glacier, including my party of 4 on the July 26 sailing, are quire short of information, of course.  Also, other posters hint that you are an entertaining reviewer.  Bon voyage!!!

Sunny AZ Girl--please let us know how you like the cruise and kindly give any pointers if you have the time and inclination.  I, too, am concerned about the ship's level of customer focus, based on the Ovation reviews on Cruise Critic.  Common themes are bad main dining rooms, overselling on board, crowded public spaces, useless high end shopping venues, and lackluster service from the crew.  Three out of five stars is the ship's average rating--this is not confidence inspiring.  I am traveling with husband, sister and her husband on July 26 7-night Alaska glacier sailing.  I hope I have a better experience than the majority of the reviews.

We are on the July 26th Ovation Seattle round trip sailing.  I agree that the itinerary is Alaska Lite, but I am excited to get just a taste of this great frontier with maximum luxury and minimum hassle.  270/newest technology/great food choices---I am looking forward to all of it.

But what's really driving us to choose this simple itinerary is that we don't want to leave our dogs for more than 8 days.  We should get them each a Service Dog vest and parade them on board (jk!), but they are ridiculously exuberant and would not fit in.  I'm pretty sure they would be terribly disobedient mushers as well so they would have to stay away from the dog sleds.

We are traveling to Alaska in July.  My sister and husband have an accessible inside stateroom, Cabin 8141.  She and I cannot find a lot of information on these rooms.  Does anyone have pictures or website url or other information?  Much appreciated.

I also got an e-mail about 10 days before on Oasis. We were Sky Class, not Star Class, so just regular concierge instead of a Royal Genie.

I could not care less whether the couple in the next table wears casual clothes to the MDR, so long as there is nothing political and nothing obnoxious written on any of their attire. Their choice, and I am fine with it.

I have to say, though, that I think the opportunity to dress up for dinner for me is a plus, not a burden. And I do appreciate it when others make an effort. I love fashion, and being dressed up enhances the evening.

Coastal Kitchen is a wonderfully quiet and relaxing alternative to the MDR. Everything about it is light and airy and tranquil. The breakfast menu is loaded with healthy options. I think the evening menu is much closer to MDR than the specialty restaurants, but still good.

I live by the runner's motto, "I Love Running, Just Not While I'm Doing It." I am absolutely certain I will run on the OASIS track, so I can eat a ton of food and get my endorphins and feel normal. Has anyone used the track? Is it a nice, smooth continuous track, or are there bends or stairs? Is it crowded? What is the distance of one lap? Is there water available on the route? How much of the track is outside? What is the surface made of?

Okay, that's a lot of questions. I will include track info in my cruise review. We are leaving in 5 days!

I am fine with service dogs. I believe they do enable people to be comfortable in situations they would otherwise not try. I understand some service dog arrangements are scams, and that I will never know the difference. I can deal with that. Dogs are healing and helpful beings. I love them all. I have 3, who stay home with a house sitter when I cruise--so my only reservation is how much I miss my own dogs when I see a service dog. Bless them all.

I am thinking about getting to Oasis a little early--like 11 am--to make any schedule and reservation changes and to gawk at the ship. That means my husband and I would be lugging our carry-ons until 1 pm. Any recommendations--small wheeled case, backpack, etc? I know the 2 bottles of wine have to be in one of these. Is it better to just wait until 1 pm?

Traveling June 10th Eastern Suite 14640--first time in a while in an regular Owners Suite--not the Loft, i.e., Sky Class instead of higher Star Class. Anyone have recent experience--do they bring any free wine during the cruise? Do you get continuous supply of bottled water? Do you pay for the soda in the minibar? Any other in-suite food or drink info would be much appreciated!

Yes--I looked at Deck Plans for Ovation and could not locate the Diamond Lounge--had to research to find that the Asian reconfiguration replaces the RCCL loyalty program lounge (which would probably not apply to a large percentage of Asian passengers) to the "Golden Room," a gaming room. This make sense.

You know, maybe I would risk coming out of my comfort level a little and vacation in Asia with a predominantly Asian passenger group---I think I would have to do some research first, and keep a focus on learning about and appreciating the people and the way they live and vacation in these close quarters. The language issues and occasional disconnectedness might be more than offset by new insights. But, I think just showing up on ship and expecting a business-as-usual American Style experience would be frustrating and disappointing.