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Ovation to Alaska 6/7-6/14 Sailing *Live Review*

CMcJones
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cottonballs99

cottonballs99

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17 hours ago, CruiszBug said:

In regards to Uber and Lyft: gotta cruise again posted on 06.04.2018:

Did Uber at Pier 91 yesterday, 6/3/18. Easy walk from front of terminal to the new ride-share area but shuttles are also available if you prefer.

 

Wonderful experience!! Well organized!! Little covered area with some folding chairs. Guy announces who has a car coming up! We ordered out XL, he drove up, the 4 of us with carry-on bags only (2 wheeled bags, 5 other smaller duffles/totes) hopped in for the $26 ride to airport (tip added later). Ride was a Lexus too. Soooooo much better experience than the tiny, $40 cabs. Highly recommend and kudos to the port for implementing this easy way to find your Uber or Lyft ride...probably easier to find this ride than if you were being picked up by your own family member!!

Thanks for this feedback about Uber.  Question (as we've never Ubered before, but likely will in Seattle)...there are 4 of us.  I thought we could just use UberX -- did you just do XL for comfort?

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KimA75

KimA75

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On 6/9/2019 at 3:42 PM, 66classic said:

Question on the RoyalIQ app. We are sailing on the August sailing and I have downloaded the app. However, when I open the app, while it does list my reservation,  under the list of ships it covers the Ovation is not listed. Just wondering if the app requires one to be connected to the ship's wifi to work on the Ovation.

They have two apps, so just make sure you have the correct one. 

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AshleyDillo

AshleyDillo

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2 hours ago, cottonballs99 said:

Thanks for this feedback about Uber.  Question (as we've never Ubered before, but likely will in Seattle)...there are 4 of us.  I thought we could just use UberX -- did you just do XL for comfort?

 

I would do XL for both comfort and more space for luggage.

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KimA75

KimA75

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19 minutes ago, 66classic said:

have an android phone and the app I installed is titled Royal

I have an Android as well and I have two apps. Royal, which worked for Adventure, and Royal IQ, which will work for Ovation. Go back to the play store and look for Royal IQ. It will download, but you can't access ship features and reservations until you are on the ship.

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CMcJones

CMcJones

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On 6/10/2019 at 4:39 PM, malakie said:

Can you ask if you can purchase transfers to the airport on the ship and how much they are?  Also, are they offering the program where they take your luggage and deliver directly to the airline your flying and what is the cost?

 

Also - thank you for answering my question concerning show reservations, I very much appreciate your help.

 

Have a great rest of your cruise!!

 

All this info will be in your cruise compass and staterooms!  Port Valet forms and transfer info.  I’ll post pics when i get home!

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CMcJones

CMcJones

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RoyalIQ is the app for Ovation.  Download prior but it will not work until you board the ship and are on Royal wifi.  It will have the compass daily activities, dining options, casino, entertainment and activity info.  If you pay the $7.95 flat fee you can call and text with others on the ship.  We have utilized the app a LOT and it is great.

 

We were very lucky to get into the glacier yesterday and supposedly we were the closest they have gotten this year.  It is AMAZING!! Make sure you are up and watching.  We spent the whole time on our balcony!  

 

The water got a little rough last night and we heard some seasickness complaints and it is again today.  So be prepared that it can happen.

 

Last night we ate in the Solarium Bistro and it was probably my favorite!  It was quiet and tons of food options and everything was delicious.

 

Bingo was a ton of fun and I ended up winning the third game WHOOP WHOOP!

 

let me know if you have any specific questions and I will try to answer them before we get off or when we get home!  

 

Ps..  i have a TON of picture ls but can’t load them but will share once we are on land.

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CruiszBug

CruiszBug

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Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, cottonballs99 said:

Thanks for this feedback about Uber.  Question (as we've never Ubered before, but likely will in Seattle)...there are 4 of us.  I thought we could just use UberX -- did you just do XL for comfort?

This was posted by Cruise Critic member "gotta cruise again". So I am unsure of the reasons for the choice of Uber type? 

Edited by CruiszBug
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CMcJones

CMcJones

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3 hours ago, Biker19 said:

You should be able to text anyone, including off the ship, without buying the texting option.

 

We haven’t had that experience.  Only in certain spots when there was decent cellular service.   Previous cruisers had said iMessage was working, however on this ship it is not working very often.  It also likely depends on your cell company and what coverage you have as well.

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Biker19

Biker19

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Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, CMcJones said:

 

We haven’t had that experience.  Only in certain spots when there was decent cellular service.   Previous cruisers had said iMessage was working, however on this ship it is not working very often.  It also likely depends on your cell company and what coverage you have as well.

The texting I mentioned doesn’t depend on cell service but the ship WiFi. You put your phone in airplane mode, turn on WiFi, connect to the ship WiFi and magically, iMessage just works (assuming your carrier supports texting over WiFi). 

Edited by Biker19
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CMcJones

CMcJones

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1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

The texting I mentioned doesn’t depend on cell service but the ship WiFi. You put your phone in airplane mode, turn on WiFi, connect to the ship WiFi and magically, iMessage just works. 

 

We had read that about previous cruises, but unfortunately that is not the case this week.  

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Clarea

Clarea

Posted
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5 minutes ago, CMcJones said:

 

We had read that about previous cruises, but unfortunately that is not the case this week.  

 

You're saying that iMessage no longer works on Ovation  without VOOM?

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CMcJones

CMcJones

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15 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

You're saying that iMessage no longer works on Ovation  without VOOM?

 

Correct.  It is spotty at best both with or without Voom.  Sometimes they go through, sometimes they don’t.  The most consistent way to communicate has been the chat feature on RoyalIQ.

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Clarea

Clarea

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1 minute ago, CMcJones said:

 

Correct.  It is spotty at best both with or without Voom.  Sometimes they go through, sometimes they don’t.  The most consistent way to communicate has been the chat feature on RoyalIQ.

 

Thanks for the update.  I believe your's may be the first report that Royal may have plugged the iMessage hole on Ovation.

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AlanF65

AlanF65

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Posted (edited)
55 minutes ago, Annicruise2014 said:

Can you tell us where the smoking areas are please?  I only saw one in my research and am hoping my cabin is not above them!!  

One of them was deck 14 starboard side on the May 13 sailing

Edited by AlanF65
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AlanF65

AlanF65

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1 minute ago, Annicruise2014 said:

That helps. We are on deck 11 starboard. So smoke will be above me.  I read the other one is a lower deck 4 or 5 ? But port side. 

 

Thanks for the info. 

 

I was mistaken, its the port side, I was forward and it was my right walking to the aft, sorry.

 

I was on deck 10, pretty far forward on starboard side, I didn't notice any smoke on my balcony. I did notice on the transverse to WJ or anywhere aft  on THE PORT SIDE

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timf2001

timf2001

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1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Thanks for the update.  I believe your's may be the first report that Royal may have plugged the iMessage hole on Ovation.

 

I don't think they plugged the hole.  It sounds like the internet coverage was very spotty, and since iMessage requires the internet to send and receive messages, that when the coverage dropped it didn't work whether they had the VOOM service or not.  The RoyalIQ messaging service is entirely ship-based so even when the outside internet goes down, that service still works.

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