hammo

Thanks for the wonderful posts , and all the photos . We are doing this cruise cruise in August 2025 , but also SO interested in your Singapore to Hongkong which we are on in January this year on Solstice . Please do the same as you have previously posted , its just a wonderful insight and an inspiration to us who have followd your travels .

Just some advice please , We are Aussie sailors and given the poor state of our $ and wanting to cruise a Japan itinerary , we will most likely book and inside cabin . The itineraries are heavily port intensive so economics will win out and we will spend more time off ship and up on deck early and late to compenstae . We are looking at the August 18 cruise 2025 following our Thailand , Vietnam cruise in January and see many comments about the August heat - - we travel in Asia and Indonesia often and are used to the humidity and wondering if this will be the same in Japan in August . Also a question re the two itineraries , there is an earlier sail that is slightly different ,sailing further north - any preference from those who have done both ? Thanks

We had the UDP on Ovation and the Izumi menusadly is reduced to the online menu offerings - no dumplings for example and the same lunch and dinner so just a lunch and dinner over the 10 days . We even chose the MDR on one night as you can only enjoy Wonderland , Jamies and the Grill so many times given that we had 7 sea days where lunch was also included at the speciaalty restaurants with the UDP . Great value obviously .

Just off Ovation - Live Love Legs was the usual dozen troupe of statuesque "dancers" who parade , singers very good and similar to the Quantum show we saw recently . Be forewarned that if you are sailing the NZ route , weather affects the schedule and as we missed Picton , had 3 sea days returning , the second show was never performed and Two70 had similar no shows. The Two70 Quantum show far superior to the Ovation offering in my opinion . There are a couple of fantastic booths - 4-6 seats down front which are slightly raised so grab those if you can . The venue is fabulous . Seating obviously subjective but we like to be close to the action and dont mind a head turn to see the drummer / sax player directly behind us and dancers leaving their jackets with us. lol.

Golly Gosh Bah Humbug , 5 minutes of fun . My Grandchildren love it . Its not fine dining and not every night .

thankyou both for the reply - advice well taken

So just off Ovation Of The Seas from a fantastic 10 night sail to New Zealand and apart from missing Picton due to the weather and a rocky-old ride 3 days back to Sydney it was a mighty time . Perfect weather for the Sounds so happy cruising all round . Now I need help with cabin advice ( which I can normally access if we are cruising Celebrity ). We are keen to book another short cruise on Ovation in November for our family of 10 again ( we had a wonderful time on Quantum togeter in January ) Need advice on cabins we can get together on deck 6 aft - 6686-6688 , 6690- 6692 , and 6682 . Hoping someone has sailed on these and can give advice regarding The proximity to Two 70 - the noise , sound , activities being the concern for cabin noise in these particular cabins . We will have grandchildren 5,6,7,8 with us . Any advice much appreciated

Thanks Mic and Possum its mighty that you are here on CC , So in summary , we are on Ovation of the seas to NZ - 10 nights - in 12 days time - can you tell us what we need to satisfy all authorities regarding entry to NZ on a cruise ship - Aussie citizens obviously with passports ..

This was just a short cruise and we didnt need anymore OBC . Onboard at GR they said yes we see charges made against your cc incorrectly and we will have the refund back to that card within 7 days . turned out to be well over 3 months . I should have taken the OBC -( that was never offered ) - and gone to the casino 😁

How confusing is this then from the same page https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/your-journey-to-new-zealand/before-you-travel-to-new-zealand/arriving-by-cruise-ship - Australian permanent residents If you are an Australian permanent resident you must request an NZeTA before you travel to New Zealand. Who does not need a visa or an NZeTA If you are a New Zealand or Australian citizen you do not need a visa or an NZeTA.

Thanks boeckli , I was not aware of that - strange that we didnt require it on arrival last year in Auckland via air - we were only asked for passports . Thanks for the headsup .

Im a bit confused ? Just reading the Immigration NZ website re cruise passengers. We Visited NZ last year without any visa , or NZeTA requirement as an Aussie . Travellers who do not need an NZeTA Visa holders and some other travellers do not need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before they travel to New Zealand. Who does not need an NZeTA You do not need an NZeTA if you: are a New Zealand citizen travelling on a New Zealand passport are travelling on a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement are an Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport have a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa have a valid visa for New Zealand are a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty — you may need evidence to support this, or are a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty — you may need evidence to support this.

Several threads about being charged for specialty dining even with the Premier package when making reservations in advance -- as we were . Turned out OK but we had to endure many emails with a helpful responder who was hamstrung by people further on and it took several months to get the refund . All well that ends well but it was not a pleasant experience regaining the money incorrectly taken .

Our experience is in a similar thread and we were charged for our 2 specialty dinners despite having the Premier Package . Onboard told yes we would be refunded and had constant help and advice from the Princess person back home tasked with finding out why the refund was not returned . The refund came approx 4 months later , happy that it was resolved but there were many emails involved and a fair amount of angst . Seems a shame that Princess is still mis managing this . Having said that , our next cruise later this month seems to have the 2 reservations in place with no charge yet !🤷‍♂️

Will keep following this - flying to Thailand this morning - no cruise this time and from past experience equally expensive wines and way more expensive spirits .

Is the Pepperjack the Mc Claren vale one or the Barossa one ? If its the graded McClaren vale ( it will have a cow on it and something about Scotch fillet on the label 🤣 it retails here around $30AU . The Barossa Pepperjack around $20 so give that a go by the glass . They are quite popular here .

Thankyou so very much Little Britain , very good of you to do that . Meagre options for wines by the glass sadly - Most of those Aussie offerings are at the bottom of the selection pool here at home and at a mind boggling markup .For example the Eaglehawk sells here for about $AU8 a bottle anywhere in store ( at Dans 😆) and seldom seen at any restaurant cause why would you drink that if you were going out for dinner ? . Thats about $5US , so $34a bottle onboard --- and the cheapest "wine " available .Preempting the 40% diamond discount comment about to follow Im sure lol .

We have the UDP ,and are sailing in April , so wine is important to us ( our son is a winemaker here ) . The Beverage package price has come down to $AU98 pd ,which is sort of bearable, so we bought it although Im told the wine by the glass offered in all the specialty restaurants is even poorer than you would hope for - just a couple of white and red choices. We are Diamond and had planned on using the 4 drinks during the day for cocktail sort of drinks and buying a bottle of wine or 2 at lunch and at dinner using the 40% discount . Thats why Im trying to see what wine is available in the specialty restaurants , thinking I might cancel the Bev Pge if it worked out . I understand there is variance in what is actually offered onboard . Thanks for the input here .

I've tried that and get "We're putting the finishing touches on your cruise Check back for updated information "

Been trying to find the wine lists for Ovation of the seas - Can locate the menus but struggling to see the wine offerings just for the specialty Restaurants as we have the UDP . Thanks for any assistance

Well this is all very disappointing - guess it will be the charge to the reservations desk and some happy diners and some not so happy diners first impressions of the UDP , expecting it will take the staff a long time to arrange the 10 dinners and 5 lunches we have purchased along with many others I assume . Ill keep watching here in case a miracle does occur and RCCL does deliver on a "promise " ( assuming they did such a thing )

You were able to book these with UDP prior to the cruise ?

Yes I guess we do thats for sure .

We are still waiting for a refund for complimentary dining that was charged to our CC last October after being told onboard at Guest Relations it would be returned straight away . Frustratingly angry with Princess after several email contacts that promise but provide nothing .

Also just checked on our UDP for April - cant see any way to make early dining reservations either . Any idea on how we will be able to do this , we have 10 nights with 5 sea days so expect a race to the lengthy reservation process onboard if we cant pre book times and choices .