uncw89

I'm on the June 28th sailing and would love to see them and hear some reviews of the 7 night cruise too!! Hoopster 95's thread is awesome!! 

3 hours ago, Biker19 said:

On most ships you can grab one from elsewhere and bring it wherever - on Ovation most rows of loungers seemed to be chained down so you couldn't do that.

Interesting!!

Sunny AZ Girl- Just curious, did you buy the photo package? I usually do so I can get family photo's, not sure if I will this time though! Great CC group photo!!

Hoopster95 and Druisedrmd-I see you both have a Sony a6000!! I have one too!! Did you shoot raw or jpeg? Did you use that for all the video's you took or did you have a video camera as well? Great photo's and video, by the way

18 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

One of the few disappointments on this ship was the aft deck right above the WJ (just behind the Florider)... on Quantum, they had wonderful furniture lined up along the back railing, with superb views and the ability to have lunch/read/star gaze/etc. here on Ovation this deck was bare. A real shame imo.

 

 

 

 

And here is what I believe to be a very rare photo for two reasons... from NorthStar:

 

1. I believe Ovation will only be in Vancouver 3 more times, once more this coming Sept and then 2  more times in 2020. In 2021, her transpacific is from Tokyo (instead of Sydney) to Seattle, and thus no need to stop in Vancouver as a foreign port to allow for the PVSA (Jones Act).
2. Note the funnels retracted, in full view from Northstar. You don't see this often if at all (or ever?) from Anthem or Quantum either.

 

Thanks for the advice on the rooms!

That's too bad there is no seating back there!! Maybe by the time I cruise (end of June), they will have some out there!

Where are some good outdoor spots to sit, relax, and take in the scenery? Weather permitting, of course!!

What about photo op's? Were there any RC photographers taking any outdoor photo's or just the standard indoor photos and backdrops?

Thanks to all the contributors on this thread!! I loved all the pictures and advice!!

1 minute ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

I was in 7606. 7246 is on the hump. Did you check the deck plan when you booked?

There a youtube video of this cabin (google). Circled in red below... Primo location imho.

 

 

Thanks!! I did pick the cabin and thought it seemed like a good location, but then I saw you talk about the "obstruction" on deck 7 and was second guessing myself!! I got an email from Royal Up and a,trying to decide whether to bid or not. My options are a Jr Suite (which we were in one on the Allure and liked it) or a Grand Suite (which we've never been in one before, so I think that would be really nice)....but the bids seem a little high to me, but Alaska cruises tend to be pricey...

Hoopster95, what was your cabin number? We will be in 7246, hope the view is good

On 5/18/2019 at 5:47 PM, Scottishmum40 said:

Wow Hubbard Glacier looks spectacular.  

 

Thanks everyone for all the awesome information and photos.  We cruise on 28th June and cant wait.  

 

Ive been on Anthem before and can’t wait to be back on a Quantum Class.  270 is my favourite place to be out of any ship I’ve ever been on. 

We are on the same cruise!! We can't wait either!! This will be my first Quantum class cruise!!

Thanks to all the cruisers posting on this thread!! I love all the pictures and videos!! Keep them coming!! 

On 4/4/2019 at 1:58 AM, Sunny AZ Girl said:

I have a Sony a6000 that I took to Europe last fall with the two kit lenses (16-50mm & 50-210mm).  I just bought a 18-200 lens so I won't have to interchange lenses on my upcoming Alaska cruise. There is a discussion on this camera, along with samples of photos on this thread:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2566338-new-at-sony-a6000/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-57175863

 

I will carry my Samsung S8 phone for random photos on the ship.  I won't usually be carrying my a6000 around with me unless we are in port or on tours.

Another vote for the A6000!! I have the same lenses, except my new one is 24-240. On my other Alaska cruise, I had the A6000 and a 5r. My son used the 50-210 on the 5r and it did well. We got some amazing pictures!! I can't wait to use my lens on my A6000

Hi, 

We are going on the June 28 Alaska Ovation of the Seas cruise out of Seattle. I've never done any cruises out of Seattle before. I was wondering if any 11:30 flight home out of Seatac would be possible. Also, looking for hotel recommendations. Thanks!!

So, if you have been spoiled by the bigger ships, Radiance may seem small to you. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant to book her after being on Freedom, Harmony, and Navigator - I was expecting something like Grandeur, which we sailed on twice and loved, but it was just not in the same league as the bigger ships. BUT, we were pleasantly surprised with everything that Radiance had to offer. We liked it so much, we booked Serenade for Christmas 2019.

 

We chose to do the Southern Route, because we wanted to do a land tour first and then cruise. This was an excellent choice because the land tour is exhausting - early mornings, lots of travel between places, and so much to try and squeeze in with later excursions. It was wonderful to board the ship and sleep in on that first sea day :D Also, the overall flight time was almost 2 hours shorter flying home from Vancouver vs. flying to Anchorage (and more flight options).

Ahh, that makes sense doing the land first. Yes, I'm afraid we have been spoiled by the bigger ships!! It's good to hear that the Radiance still has a lot to offer. Good to hear that about the flight home too.

I believe most fly to Anchorage and take some sort of transport to Seward.

Gotcha!! Thanks!!

Very much different. Many fewer guests. Views to the outside from nearly every public venue. No Royal Promenade.

Hmm, that's interesting. I've only been on ships with the Royal Promenade. I've also done the Disney ships and Alaska on Disney. So, it sounds like it's an older/smaller ship......Too bad the Ovation isn't doing the more interesting itin.

The one-way itinerary gets farther north and you have the opportunity to add a land portion.

Thanks!!

Is there an airport in Seward? Is that where you would fly in/out of? Sorry, if this is a stupid question. I haven't researched this much yet.

If you are looking for itinerary, Radiance wins hands-down. You get four stops in Alaska, with plenty of time for excursions deeper into Alaska. Ovation has only two stops - Juneau and Skagway. If you like a new ship, with bells and whistles, and more sea days, then Ovation wins.

 

Now if they put Ovation on the north/south route, then you would have the perfect ship and itinerary ;)

Thanks!! I was wondering how the Radiance itinerary was. I don't know much about either ship. How does the Radiance compare to Allure or the Freedom? Is one direction better than the other (North or South)?

We are thinking about doing Alaska on RCCL next summer. We've only done Carribbean cruises on RCCL. I was glad to see this thread. I had seen that the Radiance did Alaska, now that the Ovation is going to do Alaska. Which ship/itinerary would be the better one to do ?

I was just on the Allure and didn't see many bananas.

I just got off the Allure in a Jr Suite and my Sea Pass was turquoise blue.

I have had 5 pending charges since I got off the cruise, one of which fell off today and one of which just posted and it included the bogus water bottle charge. I still have 3 pending charges, one of which is another $12.36 bogus water bottle charge.

 

I've never seen so many pending charges. It started on day one, with a $50xx charge, and a weird amount was charged every day thereafter. $108, $44.01, etc. All I spent was gratuties and a couple of gift shop purchases. Dinners were prepaid. By the end of the cruise, I actually owed ~$350 and pending charges to my account were ~$575. Just annoying.

Same here! They were weird amounts, $94.64, $2, $1.93, $50 and $100.50. Strange!! I, also prepaid my excursions and stuff, so I basically just had gratuities and a few other charges. No water bottle charges though!!

Same here, but the last cruise we were on this past October was different. This time I saw several pending charges (besides the final onboard account charge) that persisted for about a week after the cruise.

Be warned they do daily authorizations on your credit card. I have $972.14 still pending even though they have run the final charge. Been on hold for 40+ minutes with RCCL trying to get them released. She told me that Citi Cards usually drop 30 DAYS after the cruise ends.

I know this a somewhat old thread, but this just happened to me! I was wondering how common this is.I was onboard the Allure 6/18-6/25. I still have pending charges. I called Citi last night and they told me I had to call RCL. I called RCL last night and the girl told me they were closed, call back today between 8-8. I called after 8 tonight since that's when I got home and I got the same it could take 30 days to come off!!! That's crazy!! They already charged my card for the bill. The girl told me they had to get some merchant # or something from whatever dept, which of course it closed and also closed tomorrow since it's a holiday!! So, basicallyI have to call back yet again and hope that someone will be able to get whatever # and call Citi to get it dropped!! The girl did act like she was trying to figure out a way to fix it, but she couldn't and kept telling me the same stuff over and over and put me on hold a few times!!! This is really annoying!!

Thanks!! Can't wait to read your thoughts!! We will be getting on next week when you disembark!! I can't wait!! We are also staying on deck 8 near Central Park, our first time in a Jr Suite. Are you in a Jr Suite? Have fun!!!

I did the all access tour on the last day of this Allure cruise. It was way different then the bridge, theater, galley tour you get as a C&A benefit. You go deep into the ship. The laundry room was 40 foot below sea level.

 

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I didn't know/realize that you can do those as a C&A benefit. How can you book those?

Thanks for the pics!! It looks like a good tour. I think we are going to book it. :)

i think the all access tour would be amazing - and if i didn't have the perks i do, i would most likely purchase it just to see how everything works on a ship! I say go for it, and i don't think the price is unreasonable for what you get :d

thanks!!:d

I am not sure what tour you are referring to? Is that the "All Access Tour"?

 

No, we didn't purchase a photo package.....we just got the 3 free D+ pics we were allowed for free. To be honest, we usually avoid the photographers lol :o

 

Glad you enjoyed the review!!

Yes, I meant the All Access Tour. We are only gold (this is our third RCL cruise), so we don't get a lot of the perks!!

Is the only ship tour the $119 one or are there other ones? I was thinking about doing it but it seems a little $$.Great report Robyn!

Also, did you do any photo packages?

I believe it stands for Diamond Lounge (for Diamond and above Members)

Thanks!!

Are you going to the M&M?

My gosh Robyn, you couldn't have Ordered better weather and Seas this week. I'm envious and can only hope for similar for our June 18th Sailing.

 

Last October (Oasis) we departed FLL when Hurricane Matthew was wreaking havoc in the Caribbean, but it had little if any impact on our Cruise, so you just never know.

 

Again, I'm enjoying and look forward to your Reports.

We are on the same cruise!! I'm getting excited!!

I'm in the DL for another 15 minutes, then heading to Chops for dinner..... you should really pop in here so we can clink a few glasses [emoji41]

 

 

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So, this is probably a stupid question, but, what's DL stand for? I'm enjoying your report although I need to get caught up!!

The menu looks good!! We might have to try it!! Is there anything to do around the Fairfield Inn? We should get there late afternoon.What night is formal night? I booked Giovanni's for the second night, which ,might be formal night. Are there any nights that would be better to eat in the MDR vs. specialty or Coastal Kitchen?

We are going Eastern, San Juan, St.Maarten, Labadee. Any good excursion recommendations? In San Juan, I booked the Old and New city tour. Labadee, the zip line. Haven't booked anything yet for St. Maarten, we've done Bernard's twice and would like to do something different this time>