OVATION May 13-24 *LIVE* in ALASKA w/lots of photos

[breezy_carol]

Thank you A&L_Ont and deusierdmd for the info on the trail.  DH and I are taking our first Alaska cruise in August on Radiance.  Many of the same ports.  This is getting me even more excited for the trip.

 

[Hoopster95]

We’re docked and cleared in Sitka.

See you all later... maybe 

[NeedsVitaminSea]

24 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

As Biker says, yes. However the 2nd production show is supposedly very racy, “in your face sexual in nature” per the guy beside me in the theatre who had travelled all the way from Sydney and has seen both shows 3 times

Well that is interesting!  I guess that one is still coming up on your voyage...  Doesn't bother me but probably would not be appropriate for my 12 & 9 year old kids!  Thanks for the info.

[Pinopps]

1 hour ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

Would love to show you photos however the internet is so very bad, that for the first time in my RCL “career” I’m going down to GS to hopefully get some kind of credit. Both my photo posts yesterday (whales) took over an hour to load.

 

I may have to leave his thread alone until we get back home at this rate and do a proper review as I normally have done at home. We’ll see

 

right now I’m at 35 minutes trying to load 6 photos from yesterday’s bear watch... only 2 got loaded then I got an error... internet is a joke, and understandably up here, but don’t make me pay $200+ for it when it doesn’t exist.

 

 

 

 

[Pinopps]

Well Babe, I can see you are in your element. Please don't hug the bears!!!

[JessyCruises]

2 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

Would love to show you photos however the internet is so very bad, that for the first time in my RCL “career” I’m going down to GS to hopefully get some kind of credit. Both my photo posts yesterday (whales) took over an hour to load.

 

Hopefully they make it right.  If the wifi is that bad, they certainly should not be charging the same they do on other cruises that have excellent speeds.  Keep us posted!

[JessyCruises]

2 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

See photos below (imagine Diamond lounge photos here)

 

This is attached to The Music Hall, correct?  We are sailing July 5.  We are diamond (almost +) and are traveling with my mom and sister who are NOT Diamond.  I know not to expect for them to be allowed in as they have not earned the status, but Paul and I still want to take advantage of the perks. We are hoping to be able to get our apps/beverages from the DL and then sit with my family in the Music Hall.  Should that be an issue?

 

It looks like you all are having an amazing time!

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

 We are hoping to be able to get our apps/beverages from the DL and then sit with my family in the Music Hall.  Should that be an issue?

No, though if you walk back and forth too many times with a drink the DL concierge may say something. Also, if there are a high number of D and up (unlikely) the upper part of Music Hall may be reserved as an extension of the DL and your friends wouldn't be able to sit there.

[JessyCruises]

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

No, though if you walk back and forth too many times with a drink the DL concierge may say something. Also, if there are a high number of D and up (unlikely) the upper part of Music Hall may be reserved as an extension of the DL and your friends wouldn't be able to sit there.

Thanks Biker!

[edfamily]

On 5/15/2019 at 9:29 PM, cottonballs99 said:

Hoopster95 - THANK YOU for these pics.

And yes, I'm a little nervous about space 😄 Two adults, two teens.  Never cruised before and the other option was an interior, which I wasn't interested in!  So...we shall see!

Don't worry, we will be doing the same thing with a VERY tall 17-year-old and a 12-year-old in June. 🙂 We did this on a previous cruise two years ago and it was close, but we got along fine. They are bigger now, but hoping we all survive. The good thing is the bed doesn't have to be out except at night. One of ours may choose the floor at some point I'm sure. "Family Togetherness"  indeed, but not worth the extra cost of two rooms or a suite. 

[JessyCruises]

18 minutes ago, edfamily said:

Don't worry, we will be doing the same thing with a VERY tall 17-year-old and a 12-year-old in June. 🙂 We did this on a previous cruise two years ago and it was close, but we got along fine. They are bigger now, but hoping we all survive. The good thing is the bed doesn't have to be out except at night. One of ours may choose the floor at some point I'm sure. "Family Togetherness"  indeed, but not worth the extra cost of two rooms or a suite. 

We sailed on Anthem a few years ago with 3 adults and a teen (6'4 now - was probably 6'2 at the time in 1 regular balcony cabin).  It was tight at bed time, but we were fine.  Instead of making the main bed a king, we left it as 2 twins.  Hubby got to sleep in one of the beds every night.  The other three of us took turns in the other one.  We were just fine and would do it again in a heartbeat. I would rather spend my $ elsewhere.  We have 2 cabins this time for 4 adults, but only because hubby and I are both using our free Prime Cruises :)

Edited May 17, 2019 by Canadian Disney Mom

[Hoopster95]

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

your friends wouldn't be able to sit there.

 

4 hours ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

Thanks Biker!

 

The entrance to the Music Hall is Being monitored by an officer, so Biker is correct in saying your non-D family members would not be allowed.

[Hoopster95]

Let’s see how wifi is at this time...

Sorrento’s unch on my balcony 

 

Edit... hmmm, normal speed at this

time!

Edited May 17, 2019 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

Sorrento’s here is good, but not outstanding. There’s no “make your own” area for pizza, however they have various anti-paste including grilled zucchini, tomato & bocconcini, a bean salad and a few others.

 

Better yet... how many of you experienced RCL cruisers remember the chocolate flourless cake in the MDR? Well, I had never noticed until today that The Cafe Promenade next door has mini versions with the flourless recipe

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 17, 2019 by Hoopster95

[eel]

A few highlights from our tour in Icy Strait.

Including a strategic photobomb by Hoopster95!😄

 

[Hoopster95]

Let’s backtrack a couple of nights...

we were at Chops for dinner which I was really looking forward to, unfortunately it was not as good as usual. I’m fact, the ambiance and food was very “MDR-like”... the lack of staff had the waiters running around everywhere and barely saying anything to us, and all courses (especially the sides) came out cold. When we asked for more sides , they came out cold as well. Thankfully my filet was done perfectly else this dinner would have been a real disappointment.

 

Chops has been go-to For me on the last few ships... goes to show you RCI = “Really  Consistently Inconsistent”

 

wild mushroom soup

tuna tatare 

9oz fillet med-rare with sides 

warm chocolate cake

 

 

 

 

Edited May 17, 2019 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

Nicely done eel 😁

[tinkr2]

😜 That tuna does look cold...

[AlanF65]

16 hours ago, perfect match said:

AlanF65, what was the whale watching excursion you were on? I’m so optimistic about booking Alaska that I’m taking notes now! Well, actually, I’ve been taking notes on Alaska for a while, but I’m being a bit more detailed in my notes now! 

I will look up the tour company name when I get back. I arranged it through a big box store TA.

I think every whale watch boat saw whales yesterday.

The captain said it was unusual to see this many Ocras and humpbacks on an excursion.

Last year I was on a big catamaran, excellent naturalist, facilities, food.

 

Yesterday was a small boat very minimal comfort wise, you are either sitting when moving or standing outside or inside when stopped.

 

The advantage of a small boat is they can be 500m away and drive fast to where they have to cut there engines off and float close to the whales.

I think yesterday was a lucky day to see whales, more than tour operator skill. He did get us close.

[AlanF65]

I went on a tour today that included the fortress of the bear, a home for orphaned bears and the raptor center a home for injured birds that they rehabilitate  and let loses if they can fly and protect themselves.

 

[Hoopster95]

Since my last post wifi has continued to be garbage, knocking me out several times Requiring me to log back in. I’ll Try to load some Of today’s events now

 

On every cruise I can remember, I’ve always had at least one DIY day planned, and this was it for me In Sitka. This is a very very easy city to do on your own.

 

Check on line for Sitka tourist walking

maps and You’ll see a couple of good ones. They had maps ready for cruisers there at the port as well.

 

It’s normal in the past to tender in Sitka, instead we docked at the Old Sitka Dock, a commercial pier about 15-20 bus ride from downtown. Shuttles were provided free of charge.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 18, 2019 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

The walk to the National Historical Park takes you from the shuttle drop off area downtown Sitka, through a part of town past the Russian Bishop House (museum) and Sheldon Jackson Museum. It’s an easy walk along the beautiful shoreline trail with excellent views around only 20-30 minutes.

 

The inside of presentation center is excellent, with some clear easy to follow exhibits and great quality photos/displays... and also one of the best explanations of the “language” of totem poles.

 

They also have in house artists and wood carver on site, with specialty items for purchase. Note the oars in the display 3rd photo... that entire room is dedicated to the wood carver/finisher. Some world class One-of-a-kind pieces in there

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 18, 2019 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

This one’s for Lloyd55, as I sit in Two70 Bar enjoying my D+ Captain & coke, enjoying Ovation spinning around in the bay to sail away before Jamie’s dinner tonight ... Lloyd, the sailaway view out of here is phenomenal! Can’t wait to get some inside passage shots from in here 😁

[perfect match]

Hoopster and Alan, thanks for the answers about the whale  watch trip. I was able to find and bookmark their website.  🐳

[travelplus]

On 5/13/2019 at 1:22 PM, Hoopster95 said:

I’m in an “obstructed” balcony cabin... great choice imho, especially at same price as an interior! I’m in 7606 mid-ship... sea pass card clipped on the door entrance

 

 

 

Note toiletries 

 

Great storage. 

 

 

however very small safes

 

 

Note, my D+ amenity is missing.

also note the tea kettle... no coffee, just Lipton tea 

 

Lipton Tea Ugh Call up the Diamond Concierge  and ask them to bring you the same tea you can get from the WIndjammer Coffee Station !