Ovation, No more Diamond Lounge

[beachump]

They closed it the day we were headed into Singapore. Two days later, here's what it looks like. They just couldn't wait to start catering to the chinese.

[bogofman]

What are the smoking rules now that the ship is in a different market?

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

For anyone wondering, it will supposedly be changing back to a DL once she arrives in Australia.

[jonbgd]

are they changing Giovannis?

[xpcdoojk]

So, I assume it will be 3 drinks per evening on your sea pass card on Chinese/Singapore trips?

 

JC

[Alohaaloha]

We guessed this would happen on our Ovation cruise a few weeks ago. We were puzzled as to why there were so many security cameras in the Diamond Lounge, and one of our group suggested a casino.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Missus Makkem]

For anyone wondering, it will supposedly be changing back to a DL once she arrives in Australia.

Not so sure about that, what will they do with all the gaming tables etc

We were told once it reached Dubai the Diamond lounge would be gone.

[swoopy2110]

It's a high roller casino I believe?

[Firefighterhoop]

I haven't sailed the market yet, but I have been told by people that do that due to the low number of D, D+, and PC that cruise over there right now, everyone that would go to the DL is just invited into the CL on other ships? Can anyone confirm/deny?

[Missus Makkem]

I haven't sailed the market yet, but I have been told by people that do that due to the low number of D, D+, and PC that cruise over there right now, everyone that would go to the DL is just invited into the CL on other ships? Can anyone confirm/deny?

 

The Ovation does not have a CL but a Suite lounge.

[nelly55]

The Ovation does not have a CL but a Suite lounge.

 

Web site still shows the CL on deck 12, think suite lounge is only on the 3 Oasis class and Liberty.

[u401226]

Oh no... now i'm getting worried if they do this kind of changes just to please the Chinese market.

 

We are cruising on Voyager in September out of Hong Kong on a 8 nights Japan cruise. Since it is our honeymoon trip, we have booked a Grand Suite.

 

I hope they offer all the perks for Gold Card guests on China sailings too (and that they don't forget for example to send us invitations in english for events etc), since things like this do happen on RCI :) and if the focus in on the chinese guests, it's easy to forget about us....

[driftychick]

We just returned from 30 days on the Ovation, Barcelona to Singapore. Lots of languages and Nationalities among the passengers and ALL of the written documentation, including Menus, Cruise Compass, Daily Planner, Signage etc. was done in almost all languages! So, I would say, not to worry. Also the audible announcements were done in various languages as well as the morning show and other RCI internal TV Programing and the navigational chart/channel.

 

We did notice the "subtle" changes that were occurring as we sailed closer to the "Chinese Market" addition of more oriental signage and changes in staff, especially Guest Services and the Dining Room. We were also told that for the Chinese Market the "style" of service in the dining room is being adapted ore to family style instead of "course" service for those who prefer family style which I guess the "new" market does. If you want "course" service it will also be available upon request. We saw this being slowly implemented on the later part of our 30 days for the Indian and Middle Eastern guests.

[voyager70]

We just returned from 30 days on the Ovation, Barcelona to Singapore. Lots of languages and Nationalities among the passengers and ALL of the written documentation, including Menus, Cruise Compass, Daily Planner, Signage etc. was done in almost all languages! So, I would say, not to worry. Also the audible announcements were done in various languages as well as the morning show and other RCI internal TV Programing and the navigational chart/channel.

 

We did notice the "subtle" changes that were occurring as we sailed closer to the "Chinese Market" addition of more oriental signage and changes in staff, especially Guest Services and the Dining Room. We were also told that for the Chinese Market the "style" of service in the dining room is being adapted ore to family style instead of "course" service for those who prefer family style which I guess the "new" market does. If you want "course" service it will also be available upon request. We saw this being slowly implemented on the later part of our 30 days for the Indian and Middle Eastern guests.

 

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

[Biker19]

We were also told that for the Chinese Market the "style" of service in the dining room is being adapted ore to family style instead of "course" service for those who prefer family style which I guess the "new" market does. If you want "course" service it will also be available upon request.

 

I assume this is what RCI calls "Cosmopolitan Dining" (as opposed to Dynamic) for that market.

Edited June 10, 2016 by Biker19

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Not so sure about that, what will they do with all the gaming tables etc

We were told once it reached Dubai the Diamond lounge would be gone.

 

Check the deck plans, the space's name changes based on the dates the ship is in Asia or Australia. Directly from the deck plans:

 

Diamond Club (UK / Global Odyssey and Australia sailings)

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club Crown & Anchor® Society members enjoy access to this lounge, created to serve these loyal guests with concierge access, complimentary continental breakfast, and evening drinks.

 

Golden Room (Asia sailings)

An elite, invitation only lounge reserved for our VIP Casino Royale guests.

[MattInFLL]

Whether it's called a CL or an SL there's nothing to prevent the ship from inviting D and D+ to deck 12 on Ovation on the China sailings.

[Missus Makkem]

Whether it's called a CL or an SL there's nothing to prevent the ship from inviting D and D+ to deck 12 on Ovation on the China sailings.

 

Hope you are right but on our sailing the Suite lounge was only if you were in a suite or a Pinnacle member.

[MattInFLL]

Hope you are right but on our sailing the Suite lounge was only if you were in a suite or a Pinnacle member.

 

 

 

Right, but on your sailing the D lounge was open, correct?

 

I'm just saying the hotel director has discretion to open it up to D and above when on the China sailings. And since those sailings attract so few of us, I bet they will.

[xpcdoojk]

Right, but on your sailing the D lounge was open, correct?

 

I'm just saying the hotel director has discretion to open it up to D and above when on the China sailings. And since those sailings attract so few of us, I bet they will.

 

Matt, I hope that you are right, in fact I am betting on it. That said, if not, I assume 3 drinks in any bar will be the process. That cruise will be the crossover to Diamond Plus cruise for us. Theoretically.... Since everyone knows that they are going to change the numbers to 50 bazillion next week.:D

 

JC

[lucymorgan]

Oh no... now i'm getting worried if they do this kind of changes just to please the Chinese market.

 

We are cruising on Voyager in September out of Hong Kong on a 8 nights Japan cruise. Since it is our honeymoon trip, we have booked a Grand Suite.

 

I hope they offer all the perks for Gold Card guests on China sailings too (and that they don't forget for example to send us invitations in english for events etc), since things like this do happen on RCI :) and if the focus in on the chinese guests, it's easy to forget about us....

 

I'd say you will be fine and will receive all the benefits of sailing in a suite including access to a lounge. Congratulations!

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Several years ago I was watching one of the business channels and they were interviewing Adam Goldstein when he was still President of Royal Caribbean. The interview was mainly about how Royal was heading into the Chinese market in a big way. I swear Adam was literally wetting his pants when he talked about how in the Chinese market all they want to do is gamble and shop. He said they couldn't keep enough crap in the shops. The Chinese would buy it all up. Now mind you he didn't actually call it crap, but the meaning was solidly put across. Gambling and shopping for overpriced stuff. Pure GOLD for the Cruiseline, no wonder they call that casino the Golden room.

Edited June 11, 2016 by Zou Bisou Bisou

[vino123]

We are most likely going to have to switch our 6 March 2017 sailing on the Mariner to the Ovation. Looks like Royal have moved the Mariner of the seas sailing to the 3rd March sailing to accommodate the Ovations new itineraries. Not that they have even told us mere passengers yet!

 

So can anyone who has done the Quantum in China tell me what they do for Diamond members in place of the lounge? Is its just the coupons instead?

 

Also I notice they don't offer the new Royal suite class benefits on Asia sailings,as we were hoping to book a JS will we still be able to dine in Coastal Kitchen?

[Missus Makkem]

Several years ago I was watching one of the business channels and they were interviewing Adam Goldstein when he was still President of Royal Caribbean. The interview was mainly about how Royal was heading into the Chinese market in a big way. I swear Adam was literally wetting his pants when he talked about how in the Chinese market all they want to do is gamble and shop. He said they couldn't keep enough crap in the shops. The Chinese would buy it all up. Now mind you he didn't actually call it crap, but the meaning was solidly put across. Gambling and shopping for overpriced stuff. Pure GOLD for the Cruiseline, no wonder they call that casino the Golden room.

 

Having just been on the Ovation the shops and their goods are diffidently not crap.

All high end boutiques selling goods I could not afford...Gucci for one.

[woodyren]

When Quantum sailed to China last year they used the upper section of Music Hall for the diamond lounge once the original diamond lounge closed in order to be changed to the Golden Room.