cdwh1902

Or Ovation OTS leaving Sydney on a 15n cruise to New Zealand return with lots of warm sunny weather and Christmas is celebrated onboard!

Several years ago we were on HAL's Volendam for a Christmas cruise around New Zealand and back to Sydney for NYE. The ship was beautifully decorated and Christmas was celebrated on Christmas Eve, which was something different for us Aussies as we usually celebrate on Christmas Day. We are booked again this year (same cruise) but on the Ovation OTS - should we expect the same celebration on Christmas Eve, as I'm not sure if this is an American thing? :)

They do change - when I originally booked our 15n Christmas Cruise, last year out of Sydney to New Zealand on the Ovation OTS - it was AUD 1148 per person (inc 20% disc + grats), then in September this year it dropped to AUD 1035 per person (inc. 20% disc & grats) and then 2 weeks ago it dropped to AUD 996 per person (inc.20% disc & grats). Each time I cancelled and rebooked the packages, so it pays to keep an eye on them.

I agree with others. The prices of the packages vary according to the ship and the itinerary. If you are on a cruise out of Australia, then the gratuities are included in the price quoted.

Also they do change - when I originally booked our 15n Christmas Cruise, last year out of Sydney to New Zealand on the Ovation OTS - it was AUD 1148 per person (inc 20% disc + grats), then in September it dropped to AUD 1035 per person (inc. 20% disc & grats) and then in October it dropped to AUD 996 per person (inc.20% disc & grats). Each time I cancelled and rebooked the packages, so it pays to keep an eye on them.

You can always join us on the Ovation OTS Christmas cruise out of Sydney to New Zealand return! No nasty cold weather to worry about, only warmth and sunny skies!

We are not prudes, but found the comedy show on the Allure absolutely pathetic - just dirty and not funny. We got up and left, it was that bad. You don't have to be lewd to be witty!

Just curious, how do they make you vote?

 

looked it up $20 fine (around $15 US)

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app

Good point! I think most Australians feel that as a true democracy it is their obligation and right to do so, and therefore have a say in the process - you get what you vote for, and therefore can't complain if you didn't vote . It works for us and I would say that approx. 99% of eligible Australians vote. Our process is not as drawn out as yours (thank goodness) - from the announcement that an election is on until voting is over is usually around 2 -3 months and is also based on the Westminster system. Not so disruptive!

Re the fines, I don't know of anyone personally who has been fined, but there again, they would be in the minority. We are only a population of 24 Million.

In Australia voting is compulsory and therefore if we are going to be away when an election is on, we have to vote before we go (up to 4 weeks). I realise that voting isn't compulsory in the USA, but if you do, can you pre-vote if you are going to be away and do they count those votes on the night?

I am an Insulin-dependent Type 2 Diabetic and I find it easy to order off the main menu.

The main thing you need to remember is to use common sense and stay off the breads, soda and fruit juice (both very high in sugar) - the V8 juice they serve is a vegetable juice and has a much lower sugar content. The Diabetic Educator will reassure her that it's not the end of the world. True Diabetic Diets are so boring, it's easier to modify your own normal diet.

In saying that, personally I find Red Wine has no effect on my BSLs - so not all is lost! :p

I agree with what others have said - it is not until you book that you will find out what the package on that particular cruise costs. You don't say which cruise you are looking at. The below are Deluxe Drinks Packages.

We are booked on the Ovation OTS in December for a 15n Christmas Cruise to NZ - so far I have booked 3 times and cancelled twice the drink packages as they have dropped in price. Last year I paid $1148 pp - including the grats and 20% Discount, last month I cancelled it as it dropped to $1035pp (including grats and discount) and cancelled again in October because it dropped to $996pp (incl grats & 20% discount). Whilst ever it drops I shall be doing the same, so it is worth keeping an eye on their prices on a regular basis.

We are booked on the Legend OTS in February for 11n Brisbane to Singapore -currently the drinks package is $1507 pp (incl grats and discount).

Then in August we are booked on Vision OTS on a 16n TA from Copenhagen to New York - and that package is currently $2,193pp - excluding grats.

As you can see the drinks packages are different on every cruise - and it depends on the itinerary and the ship. All cruises out of Australia include grats.

Hope you have a great cruise.

It could be right. There's nearly 5000 of us arriving in Picton on Christmas Eve on the Ovation of the Seas! Hopefully Santa will be generous to the inhabitants of Picton!

However in Australia, UK and Canada the gratuities are usually included in your package (and that's why our prices are a lot higher, but at least you know what your cost is from the outset) which is different to the USA, where they are not included in the package, but are added when you buy the package. Yes, it is confusing - but we are use to it!! :)

However in Australia, UK and Canada the gratuities are usually included in your package (and that's why our prices are a lot higher, but at least you know what your cost is from the outset) which is different to the USA, where they are not included in the package, but are added when you buy the package. Yes, it is confusing - but we are use to it!! :)

We are booked on the Ovation OTS on a 15n Christmas Cruise to NZ. When I booked last year, I purchased 2 Premium Packages at AU 1148 each including 20% discount and grats. When they changes the packages in September to Deluxe, there was a drop to AU$1035 each including discount and grats So I cancelled the original package and rebooked, saving $$$. Today I have had to do the same exercise as they have now dropped to AU$996 each, still with discount and grats. Whilst ever they continue to drop their prices I shall continue to cancel and rebook. it is worth the exercise, so keep an eye on the cost of the packages.

We are booked on the 15 nights Ovation OTS in December out of Sydney to New Zealand for Christmas. When I originally purchased 2 Premium Packages (including grats and 20% discount) they came to AU$1148 each; in September when they changed the packages to Deluxe, the price dropped to AU$1035 each (including 20% discount and grats) - so I cancelled and rebooked. Today, I have had to do the same as they have dropped to AU$996 each - again with the discount and including grats. Whilstever they continue to price drop, I will keep on cancelling and rebooking.

Welcome! We are also booked on the same cruise. From what I have read there won't be any rotations through the restaurants (as in DD) and new menus have been developed to reflect those changes (have seen them on CC). What you can do now is to book your times - you don't get to choose which restaurant you are in though. Re the size of your table, you can either see the Maitre'D when you board or phone RCI with your request.

Have you signed up for the Meet n Mingle and also the roll call?

Chris

Won't speak for Staten Island, but I've lived in New Jersey my entire life and have to highly recommend Jersey City as a place to bunk down while you are here. The Westin, the Marriott Courtyard, and the Hyatt Regency are all along the Hudson River, with easy access to the PATH rail system into New York, as well as cross river Ferry's if you want a "view" as you cross. Jersey City is a hop skip and a jump to the Bayonne Cruise Port, and there are plenty of taxis. As for restaurants, some of the best restaurants my wife and I have ever been to are here including Komagashi (Japanese), Confucious (Chinese), Dorian's (Irish Pub) and many others.

 

Just my 2 Quid, but you'll be well set in Jersey City ... and I highly recommend staying here.

 

Michael

Thanks Michael, I shall lock all your info in! Everyone has been most helpful. I visited New York in 1977, so no doubt it has changed!

The train takes more than 90 minutes, the NE regional is about 3.5hrs and the Acela Express about 3hrs, a little less if you board at the Newark Station. For DC, there's only a slight advantage coming into Union Station on the train with Reagan National airport is so close to town and on a metro line. Its best to stay in NW DC in the vicinity of the White House or in No. Virginia in Crystal City, Pentagon City and Rosslyn are close and conveniently located on metro line, in fact Crystal City and Pentagon City are very close to Reagan National airport, some hotels are actually walkable from airport, well as long as you don't have a lot of heavy luggage, otherwise the short metro or cab ride is between 2 and 5 minutes.

Thanks Rustybuttons - my mistake re the times. I have had difficulty locating flights on a Sunday, but I will keep pursuing them. I have booked the Washington Marriott at Metro Center, because of it's proximity to the Metro.

If you have time in NYC walk the new High Line trail. It is a elevated train from west 34th street to about 11th street near the Whitney Museum. It is a trail that has no cars and gives great views of the Hudson River and the tall buildings going up.

Thanks Ken -actually it is on my list, as I have seen it on the TV and heard about it on the radio in Aus!

Once again, many thanks everyone for your advice. I have made a booking at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel & Suites, New Jersey.

Still weighing up the options train vs plane for Washington. My thoughts are with flying - the time it takes to get to the airport, check-in, security, waiting and then boarding, exiting and making your way into the city usually equates to the around the same time as taking the train. Train takes 90 minutes, and takes you into the city and cost is $76-$96 each. But always open to ideas!

Thank you all very - it's exactly the information I was after and will definitely inform our choices.

My husband and I are on a transatlantic cruise on the Vision OTS arriving into New Jersey on the 7 September 2017. We are intending on spending a few days in the New York environs before catching a train down to Washington DC.

As accommodation is already starting to become booked out at that time - it is the 9/11 Memorial Anniversary - I'm looking for accommodation and would appreciate advice about Staten Island being an option, plus any other suggestions.

Only requirements - need to be close to transport and not be of exorbitant pricing (less than US200 per night) !!

Cheers

Chris

In 2010, we were on the Brilliance and tendered into Villefranche. Had a lovely day in Monaco and Nice, where a storm quickly developed and played havoc with umbrellas etc. Upon our return to the ship about 3.30pm we noticed a ship sailing away into the distance..it was the Brilliance. What we had experienced was only the tip- there had been a natural disaster which decimated the port of Villefranche wiping out a number of boats (including the Police Boat) and the port itself. It was deemed unsafe for tendering and for the ship itself.

There were 3,000 of us (passengers and crew) stranded on the dock. RCI quickly arranged for all of us to be fed and watered at the local restaurants and later they arranged for 40+ buses (from Italy and France) to shuttle us to Provence, about 4 hours away. We finally boarded the ship about 1am and the last passengers arrived at 5am. Everyone was safe and sound.

Under such difficult and unexpected circumstances RCI did a marvelous job.

We always self-embark and take our luggage with us, for the very reason you mentioned.

Check your prices - we are booked on the Ovation OTS in December. In June I purchased 2 Premium Packages (with the 20% Discount). They have recently dropped their prices, so I cancelled the packages and purchased 2 new Deluxe Packages (also with 20% discount). I saved AUD225! :)