Ovation, No more Diamond Lounge

[vino123]

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.

 

Good to know thanks!

I also managed to find out about the suite class question. I looked on Royal Caribbeans Singapore website and it says Ovation will have suite class on Sydney and Singapore departures.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass

[xpcdoojk]

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.

 

Thanks that sounds good to me. Hopefully, the same on our cruise next April.

 

JC

[bertrande]

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?

 

 

We just booked an April 2017 sailing on Ovation while currently onboard the Harmony. The NextCruise manager told us (after checking with some counterpart of his through the office chat) that as the Royal Suite Class will not be in operation for sailings out of Singapore, Junior Suites will not be entitled to dine in CK at night. Grand Suites and above would continue to be able to avail themselves of the CK but no free internet etc. Hearing that, we booked a JS only for the double C&A points instead of paying USD500 more for the GS.

[BEENSAILING]

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.

 

They were doing this on the Quantum after the ship went on its Global Odyssey - in May. We did Bayonne to Barcelona and loved the ship. The DL was altered after either the Barcelona to Dubai leg or Dubai and after. But looking now at deck plans it looks like on Quantum they still have DL and a Casino VIP area on deck 4.

 

Royal is going to cater to the market.

[besberry]

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

 

I spotted the numerous cameras, but didn't cotton on as to why.

 

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.

 

The upper section of the Music Hall was used as an overflow to the Diamond Lounge on the Ovation when she sailed out of Southampton.

Edited June 11, 2016 by besberry
spelling

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

We just booked an April 2017 sailing on Ovation while currently onboard the Harmony. The NextCruise manager told us (after checking with some counterpart of his through the office chat) that as the Royal Suite Class will not be in operation for sailings out of Singapore, Junior Suites will not be entitled to dine in CK at night. Grand Suites and above would continue to be able to avail themselves of the CK but no free internet etc. Hearing that, we booked a JS only for the double C&A points instead of paying USD500 more for the GS.

 

I would definitely still ask once onboard. You MIGHT be able to snag some reservations.

[bertrande]

I would definitely still ask once onboard. You MIGHT be able to snag some reservations.

 

 

Hopefully by April (with the March sailings under the belt), a clearer picture will emerge as to what happens on the sailings out of SG. The website on the Royal Suite Class still shows that it is available for the Ovation on Sydney AND Singapore departures so it is all extremely confusing.

[lovesthebeach2]

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.

 

They do love to shop. We stayed at Disneys Aulani Resort in Hawaii and there was a quantity limit on how much they could buy on souvenirs in the gift shop. I had trouble purchasing a stuffed toy for a friend and the salesperson told me they were getting more and exactly when to come. The place was PACKED and it was like a Black Friday holiday sale. The salesperson said they go back home and sell it for a huge profit.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

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.

 

Oh sorry, should have said things, not crap. With high markups.

[direptor]

Just back from the 3N Singapore sailing and I can confirm that the upper deck of the music hall was closed each night for the diamond event and the royal suite class programme is active during this sailing as my family saw people with purple seapass cards.

[Gordo]

We are saying on Ovation in November and are disappointed that they aren't offering the Royal Suite Class program during our sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore.

 

At least it sounds like we will have access to the CL for this sailing since we are in a Sky Loft Suite. And being diamond will get us the three drink coupons. It just would have been nice to be spoiled even moe on our first Asian cruise.

[Panda3]

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.

 

I think that's great they cater to their clientele. I'm sure there are other places to get a drink on that cruise.

[sweetgirl26]

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....

 

We took a cruise out of Hong Kong last Sept. The big difference is in the MDR. They do not have assigned tables. It is open seating. But by day 3 we were able to get a table for 10 with people that we met in the CL. Don't worry you will have a great time!

[sweetgirl26]

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

 

We just got home from a cruise on the Ovation. There is a CL on deck 12. There is not a SL. The DL was turned into the Golden Room on 6/8. They used the Music Hall for the DL on the last night of the cruise. Not sure what happened on the next cruise. The Golden Room has - 8 tables for the high rollers. The max bet is $50,000. I heard ( from a reliable source) that on a Quantum cruise that a man from Asia spent 1.7 million in the casino during a cruise. With that kind of $$$ I would rent or buy my own yacht!

[IsanTom]

No smoking! Good Idea! Diamond Lounge! Good Idea!

[sweetgirl26]

We just booked an April 2017 sailing on Ovation while currently onboard the Harmony. The NextCruise manager told us (after checking with some counterpart of his through the office chat) that as the Royal Suite Class will not be in operation for sailings out of Singapore, Junior Suites will not be entitled to dine in CK at night. Grand Suites and above would continue to be able to avail themselves of the CK but no free internet etc. Hearing that, we booked a JS only for the double C&A points instead of paying USD500 more for the GS.

 

We just got home from the Ovation.

 

I think for $ 500 more a GS would be worth it on the Ovation. You will be able to go to the CK for all 3 meals. The CK is great. The food is great! The service is great! You don't need to go to the specialty restaurants. Also, you will have access to the CL if you are not DP.

 

Also they give tours to the bridge for guests in GS and above.

[troykahack]

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

 

As it should be. Suite guests should have higher priority than Status guest.

[roquejo]

I just got back from Ovation and will sail her again in November in Asia as well.

 

The setup is similar to Quantum while Ovation is in Asia, the Diamond lounge is the Golden Room for casino high rollers while in Asia and will revert back to Diamond lounge once it enters Australia.

 

As a Diamond member, no benefit is lost, happy hour continues at the 2nd floor of music hall and the Diamond concierge is holding office there. It is a change of atmosphere from a lounge to a bar event. An advantage is we have a full staffed full sized bar beside us so drinks came in a flash, there is a billiard table and lots of space.. the only drawback is it is a noisier bar atmosphere.. so depends on what you prefer.

 

As for the morning continental breakfast of the Diamond lounge, it is being held at Chops.

 

As for the coffee machine. We can get premium coffee at 3 venues. If Starbucks is your brand, you get it at La Patisserie. If you prefer Seattle's best, you get it from Cafe 360 and the 3rd venue is Winjammer Coffee shop where they serve another brand... and it comes with Starbucks and Seattle's best branded paper cups... just show your seapass, no need to sign, get unlimited servings but one at a time.

 

So hope this clears things out... for me this is a better setup, especially coffee has became more convenient and more brands to choose from, and it is something different for a change.

Edited June 17, 2016 by roquejo

[vino123]

Sounds great to me, thanks for the update!

[Jestocost]

We just got home from a cruise on the Ovation. There is a CL on deck 12. There is not a SL. The DL was turned into the Golden Room on 6/8. They used the Music Hall for the DL on the last night of the cruise. Not sure what happened on the next cruise. The Golden Room has - 8 tables for the high rollers. The max bet is $50,000. I heard ( from a reliable source) that on a Quantum cruise that a man from Asia spent 1.7 million in the casino during a cruise. With that kind of $$$ I would rent or buy my own yacht!

 

With that kind of money he probably already has one but is bored with it.

[troykahack]

We just got home from a cruise on the Ovation. There is a CL on deck 12. There is not a SL. The DL was turned into the Golden Room on 6/8. They used the Music Hall for the DL on the last night of the cruise. Not sure what happened on the next cruise. The Golden Room has - 8 tables for the high rollers. The max bet is $50,000. I heard ( from a reliable source) that on a Quantum cruise that a man from Asia spent 1.7 million in the casino during a cruise. With that kind of $$$ I would rent or buy my own yacht!

 

They probably own several and no need to rent. What is wrong with people that have money. Nothing

[Paulxyz2004]

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

 

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

 

This is completely wrong !!!

 

Ovation has a CL on deck 12 and D+, Pin and Suite guests have Access.

[Missus Makkem]

This is completely wrong !!!

 

Ovation has a CL on deck 12 and D+, Pin and Suite guests have Access.

So having been on Ovation I am wrong, must have been dreaming then.

[troykahack]

So having been on Ovation I am wrong, must have been dreaming then.

 

I have not been on Ovation. However, there are several deck plans by date. Current date deck plans are exactly how you said, CL deck 12, DL deck 4.

 

Wonder when they were aboard as the deck plans seem to be changing by port of call

Edited June 17, 2016 by troykahack

[troykahack]

Some sailings, the deck plan has a DL on Deck 4, some sailing dates have a Golden Room. I assume the Golden Room is a high roller casino.