avalon007

On Voyager in March they definitely had the formal nights listed as such in the daily compass.

I think it's the usual teething problems with new ship, first season change over to a new country & culture.

You just have to read the reviews about the first few days she cruised here to see despite them knowing the Australian market they still had issues staffing the bars for example because the Chinese rarely use them.

I recall Voyager had issues when she came to Australia for the first time after doing a Chinese season as well - yet when we went on her earlier this year none of those issues remained.

Seems to always be ship specific issues despite the company as a whole knowing the market - they probably have too many new staff on the new ship & after a season or two those staff get to understand the Australian market - learn better English by being exposed to it every day for months & the people in charge know how to tweak the ships staffing & training to do a better job.

Thanks for posting your review Porky55.

Reviews though are very subjective of course, the age of the person travelling can affect their view greatly for example, as can fitness level, pre conceived expectations etc.

Some people love simple old style cruising, others get bored on smaller ships. Some love spontaneity, others prefer predictability.

I have been on cruises & read reviews from people on the same cruise & couldn't believe they were on the same ship. I have also cruised on the same ship more than once & had different experiences each time due to the destination & also the passenger demographic, but I have never had a bad cruise or said I wouldn't sail on any ship again.

I'm looking forward to all that is different about Ovation, it was the differences that where the attraction for me - disappointed though the Dynamic Dining has been scrapped due to traditional dining enthusiasts wanting all ships to offer exactly the same dining experience. :rolleyes:

I have already pre booked all the Two 70 shows & some of the speciality restaurants online & intend to try IFly, bumper cars, etc. The rest we will just let be what it will. It has more to offer entertainment wise than any of the other 3 Royal cruise ships we have sailed on & we enjoyed them well enough. :)

The trick I find on cruises regards queues is do things out of peak times, buffet at 8am for example can be easy to get around but by 9am can be packed. We rarely wait too long for anything as we are flexible, we also dine at all different times & are happy to share tables & meet new people so really enjoy My Time Dining.

I don't really care much for shopping on ships, so high priced shops are not a problem for me, but I'd rather get high quality than junk if I was wanting to buy something. Most of the general shops on ships don't really sell anything you can't live without anyway. Just get my duty free alcohol sorted & that's it, & maybe the odd T-Shirt but I'd rather spend money at the ports where the shops may be different than here & offer some unique item that I can use or display in my home as a lasting memento of the holiday.

We also take our own selection of 'just in case' medications as we prefer to use brands we know than buy from the ships shop.

Every cruise is different & every person has a different experience, I'm sure Ovation will prove to be much the same & it will be interesting to read the different reviews of our Jan 9 cruise on her.:)

Considering that Ovation has just arrived here more or less I wouldn't think the first Australian cruise will necessarily reflect exactly how they will structure things ongoing. First season cruises in a new country are often a little different & they then adapt to suit the expectations of the new culture.

I have seen in the past different things occur on the same ship only months apart due to subtle readjustments to the clientele & the feedback received.

We are also on the Jan 9 cruise & will still dress nicely for the evening & have some more formal attire if they suggest a formal night - since formal nights are also their big photo shoot nights I would be surprised if they don't work them in somewhere! :D

Thanks, bus route looks OK as well.

Thanks, seems like a taxi job then.

Tender queues are always long I find, even on the South Pacific Islands - mid afternoon is peak time as well, so we will try & avoid that time. :)

Does anyone know where the tenders from Ovation are actually docking in Auckland?

I want to visit a store in Pollen St, Auckland & trying to work out best route & whether it's walkable or we will need a taxi.

Thanks.

Thanks! Though, as the article you linked to states, no matter how many times you wash your hands, etc, you're still at the mercy of the ship's cleaning processes and staff. But, for sure, these are good steps to take. I also intend to avoid the large buffet restaurant with the hand cleaning station - that station is there for a reason! - and only eat at the "specialty" restaurants. Fingers (after washing hands thoroughly) are going to be firmly crossed!

Don't be over concerned, but do be educated about Norovirus. :)

The hand sanitiser stations are everywhere on the ship, not just at the buffet.

Most hand sanitisers don't kill Noro because they are not anti viral only anti bacterial.

Alcohol-based gels or wipes do not kill Norovirus. Anything marked “antibacterial” but not “antiviral” may not necessarily kill viruses of any kind. The ingredients benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride are effective against Norovirus in concentrations of at least .013%.

Norovirus - Emetophobia Help

http://www.emetophobiahelp.org/norovirus.html

So what we do is use 2 products that contain this ingredient - one is wet ones - we wipe down our cabin handles, light switches, door knobs, TV remote etc on first arriving.

Then we use an Aussie hand sanitiser called Hands First that contains 0.1% benzalkonium chloride, it has no alcohol in it so doesn't dry your hands out & last up to 5 times longer than most hand sanitisers & continues to remain active for up to 4 hours after application - which is perfect for cruising- also it's a foam so much easier to apply. You can get a handy purse size that is great for taking to the restaurants.

Things to be aware of - don't avoid the windjammer buffet - just be aware - we always take our food from the back rather than the front of the trays which are closest to where unthinking people place the handles of the serving utensils on top pf the food or kids just use their hands!

Also, we never rest our cutlery on the table but rest them on the side of our plate or on a spare plate so they never contact the potentially not so clean table.

Noro is often transferred into your mouth by your own hands, so when eating an ice cream cone for example I always throw away the part I was holding, same for toast or biscuits.

Also, don't eat unwashed fruit like apples - give them a good wash first.

The drinks staff usually always give you drinks with a part covered straw if you use one, this way their hands never contact the part you put in your mouth. Make sure that always happens.

Try not using the hand rails down the side of the halls etc unless you have to, use a knuckle rather than a finger tip to press lift buttons.

Always wash your hands with soap for an extended time especially when leaving public toilets on the ship & use a paper towel to open the door if it isn't automatic so you don't touch the handle after the dirty non washers!

So far I have been on 12 cruises & never had Noro - doesn't mean it can't happen, but just by being conscious of what you touch & put into your mouth can help.

When I get home, we use no anti bacterial products at all in our house - but when cruising I just apply the appropriate common sense approach as I know I'm mingling with thousands of people, some who are clueless, selfish & to be honest down right dirty! :D

Have fun - I'm on your cruise I think - 9 Jan?

Yep Mic and Rosie are definitely on board, scanned their set sails myself. You could say I gave them a ......standing Ovation:rolleyes:......Sorry about the delays getting on .see what happens when I am not around to organise things. Have a great cruise and Happy New Year to you both......and everybody else on CC.....you too Gut:D:D ....might see you next week when you pick up your sister and bro in law.

Hi Gbenjo,

Hope you will be about next cruise on the 9th when we have our turn on Ovation? No standing Ovation required, just be nice to see you again in person to say THANKS for all your inside info for the cruise addicted on here!

Happy New Year :D

Mic - have a great cruise!

UPDATE - FIXED by using keyboard keys to tab through & activate option.

Anyone having issues with the online check in today?

It lets me complete all sections but the expense account part - it doesn't have the tick box activated for confirmation I have read the credit card terms.

I have double checked & I have filled out everything - tried a few times to start fresh, log out & logged back in the usual drill - but no luck

Odd, never had issues before.

Has anyone discovered any sweet and fruity drinks that can be made with the free diamond drinks? I typically only go for frozen drinks, and I can settle for Baileys or white zinfandel or champagne, but curious if there are any other cocktails that I could get that are sweet.

 

 

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Last cruise the DL drinks waiter made us chocolate martinis that were nice.

Avalon007,

We dine early so can only comment on those times - 6pm looked awful but you would think it might get quieter as it gets later - not as many families with children?

Thanks.:)

6pm is always busy for My Time as it's peak time, so I expect it's likely to be much the same as most cruises with the later dining times when we normally turn up having low wait times.

Excellent Graham, thanks so much for finding out for us. :)

Mic - sorry, didn't notice any buzzers, but Grande and Chic are a deck below My time dining restaurants :)

Did you notice at what time of the night the my time queues seem longest? Was it during the peak dining times or even later after say 7.30pm?

So it is the same as the other ships..

Inside cabin on the VOTS and it was the shampoo and the shower gel dispensers.

Junior Suite on the EOTS and it was the little bottles.

Either way, bringing your own shampoo and conditioner is what most people prefer.

Exactly. I don't get people wanting cheap hotel style 'one type fits all' shampoo/conditioner.

If I'm going to buy specific types of shampoo to suit my hair type whilst at home why would I change when on holiday when typically your hair is likely to be more under attack from the sea water, hot tub chlorine, air conditioning & more time in the sun? :rolleyes:

Actually...... Yes you can........Once we have green stamped your set sail ( inside or outside or anywhere else for that matter) You are free to go wherever you like and then return and board whenever you like :rolleyes::D BUT..... once you go through Customs and board the ship you cannot come off again......unless of course you are Brisbane 41 / Sutho/ Karate Man :eek::eek:

Wow, I didn't realise that people could check in & then come back whenever to board. Hopefully they come back at staggered times, otherwise some big queues at customs if they all decide to site see around Sydney until the last minute! :eek:

I want to get on the ship asap & stay there - best time to explore whilst the ship is half empty & I don't feel relaxed until I'm actually on board.

Regards the new photo thing - is that something that comes up during online check in? I'm still not clear about the change as never heard about it prior to reading it on here.

Once you check in outside or inside ( just realized if the CIAs are working outside they will be "undercover " agents :D ) you will head straight to Customs and providing they have started embarking the will be no waiting L believe we now have a "priority" line into Customs but don't hold me to that but I will check tomorrow.

Thanks! You are the best. :)

So regards the CIA's, does that mean those working inside are 'under deep cover'???? :D No name badges on those inside CIA's, anonymity is essential!

MicCanberra, (and anyone else)

My Time Dining has not improved, sorry.

We went to deck 3 on arrival, saw the lady who handles the traditional dining which turned out to be in the Grande Dining Room on 3 - and booked a permanent time and table.

Every night MTD still has lines. If you enjoy that type of thing, by all means - line up :)

Porky55 - aka Glenn

 

 

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Did you happen to notice what time of the the night the My Time lines where most noticeable?

We have found on Voyager & other Royal ships that if we arrive closer to 8pm for dinner then we have no issues being seated - we also never insist on any table size & say we are happy to share a table. I have found if you make it easy for the staff they tend to seat you faster than those wanting a table for 2 or 4 etc.

But even if My Time is a wait I won't change to set dining, we never eat at the same time every night because we are usually in conversation with people we have met in the Diamond Lounge around the dinner times. Sometimes we have even totally missed dinner & even the windjammer because we lost track of time & ended up just grabbing a snack from the cafe! :D

Hopefully the weather is more favourable when we sail on her in mid January.

Any semi long range forecasts for Dunedin for those dates that anyone has heard about?

Yes The "CIAs" will be outside the terminal in the covered area in front of the terminal entrance, as well as inside the terminal and also on level three (customs area) just in case someone "sneaks "through and also outside on level three where taxis will now be allowed to drop off. As I have said before, with the speed of the check in and the large number of CIAs operating even if "some" people ignore their appointed check in time there should not be any queues.

Thursday was the first time we have used the Next Gen system and there obviously will be "situations" that arise but there is a plan B for most scenarios but until they happen we should just enjoy the new experience and not get too concerned with the what ifs.(they may never happen):D

Thanks for some more info on the new check in system.:)

Could you confirm though that after check in with a CIA whether it be outside or inside the terminal, do you then just go straight to customs or do you still wait in the seating area where they had the coloured card system if the ship isn't ready to board passengers yet?

The reason I'm asking is because it was in this area last cruise earlier this year that the staff didn't seem to understand priority boarding, so the whole concept broke down at that stage. Two staff members were quite abrupt in their attitude despite my being very polite. I recall we discussed it on here & you advised that the situation was handled incorrectly by the staff. Another member on here also had the same problem around that time.

I just want what Royal give us for staying loyal to them as Diamond members, nothing more, nothing less. But I do resent being put in the uncomfortable position of having to ask for something that should be automatically sorted at check in & being treated like you are demanding special favours when you are only asking for what is promised.:rolleyes:

Thanks - really appreciate it if you can clarify it for me, so that this cruise start will be better than the last. :)

It is envisaged that with the new check in system (next generation) that the Ovation is using, "mobile" check in agents (and lots of them), on line check in at home and no issuing of seapass cards in the terminal ( they will be in your stateroom) and nominated check in times there will be virtually no queues so the need for priority lines is eliminated.

Once you drop your luggage off there will be check in agents standing in the forecourt of the terminal with handheld tablets and scanners etc and once they do a quick check of your setsail and a "verbal" health questionaire, your setsail is stamped and you are on your way onto the ship. The CIAs (check in agents..I just thought of that :D .. might use it) will also be spread throughout the terminal and you can be "processed" anywhere. Setsails can be reprinted photos retaken etc and if need be the old level two check in area is set up to handle any "problem" documents .

 

Obviously this system is new to us in Sydney but once any little wrinkles are ironed out and, judging by the first embark last Thursday, it will be a smooth, hassle free, speedy check in for everybody. I think many people do resist change but, given a chance, this new system will have them wondering how they could ever check in any other way, the old way will seem archaic.

Hmm, OK, so hypothetical for you - what do you do if you are a diamond or suite guest & there is already 200 people lined up because they just all happened to arrive at the same time?

Are we supposed to go to the front of that queue & show our set sail pass proving we should have priority boarding? This has happened before where they put people in a position of either not getting their priority boarding which they are entitled to, or seeming to be queue jumpers.

I'm all for the new system if it does actually work well, but in cases where an unexpected queue does form they should really have a system in place for priority boarding.

Does this mobile check in occur outside the terminal or at the top of the escalator, then after that I assume you go straight to customs if there is no card issue prior to boarding?

Do you have your photo taken by the mobile check in device etc etc?

Also, as someone else asked do they enforce boarding times for the passengers that don't qualify for priority boarding?

Just would like to know some of the finer details if possible.:)

Thanks! - So good having someone on the 'inside' aka a bonafide CIA operative to give us a heads up!!:D

Ah, just read the check-in info: "Your SeaPass card will be placed outside your stateroom in a sealed envelope with your name on it."

I can see that being problematic - kids being kids comes to mind to start! :rolleyes:

We had 8-9 metres waves crossing on the much smaller Radiance from NZ to Sydney a few years back, bumpy but not overly distressing.

But if you are prone to sea sickness then it wouldn't be much fun I'm sure!

I will be doing a review on my return and my wife may be doing some live posts as we go.

Regarding DD, disappointingly, t is not going to happen. :(

Dazza is on the ship now and posts on the roll calls, they have done B2B2B and has clarified quite a few issues for people.

 

Apparently it is better to book the dining packages onboard as you can get a 3 restaurant package for $85 USD.

Maybe not. That is actually a tad more expensive than what I can book online for - $85USD at today's rate is $116.38AUD & online I can book it for $113.05AUD.

I'll check out the roll call threads for Dazza's posts.

WOW...if that is not a suck up.... I have never seen one::D

 

By the way Mic, I normally only do the "Apass" photo scan on the Radiance and possibly now the (Standing) Ovation seeing that we had about eight or nine doing so on the first turn, otherwise I am at check in (normally 1B )

 

PS. I think you left out the "handsome debonair" from my description:eek::eek:

 

See you and Rosie on the 30th.

Sadly with the Ovation "next generation" check in system there is no need for priority lines so the "Spethial" people are now a thing of the past :cool:

Hi Gbenjo,

So, what happens now with priority boarding? Usually as C&A Diamond members we turn up around 10.30-11am when they first open the gates & get on board in fairly quick time. Will that still happen in some form or another? :confused:

Thanks.

Thanks for the review, I look forward to comparing your thoughts and experience when I board in just under two weeks.

Hopefully some of the organising issues have been resolved or streamlined at least. I am also My time and am somewhat apprehensive about how well it will work, I like to eat around 7.30-8pm which is normally a bit quieter as most people prefer to eat earlier or go for late traditional. I was unable to book for the I-fly and North Star but have been assured we can book once on board, hopefully this is true and being a 10 night cruise, we should have a better chance of getting to try them than on your shorter cruise.:D

Mic, I think you are on the cruise before us. Will you be doing any live posts? I'm interested in hearing about the Diamond Lounge & if they are doing anything different regards the Dining set up once she is sailing out of Sydney before we board.

I tried several times to confirm with the RCCL head office staff member that told me they would reintroduce Dynamic Dining after the repo cruise, but so far no reply - I cc'd the last email to one of the managers as well asking them to clarify one way or the other.

Thinking of booking one of the meal packages anyway as want to try the new speciality restaurants.