Ovation of the Seas, Australian cruises

[Bpos]

Looking to book a short cruise, Sydney to Sydney next year.  Can someone please advise me of the following:

 

Are tips included in the price of the cruise when you book?

The currency used onboard?

The price of a beer (with tip included)

 

We have Just  got back from an 8 day cruise on the Anthem of the seas (which I will comment separately on)  - our tips for three balcony cabins were $100 USD per day and the price of a can of beer almost $10 USD (with  tip) - ouch!

[Jandex]

Gratuities are included in Australian fares. You can tip extra at the end of the cruise, however this is not mandatory. 

All payments onboard are in USD$. 

Beer on Ovation is about $9 USD from memory.

Australian law requires all gratuities to be built into existing/advertised prices. 

Ovation is a fun ship - you will enjoy the experience! 

[Chiliburn]

Gratuity is included in cruises leaving and returning to Australia and New Zealand.

Onboard All voluntarily purchases attract 18% gratuity. If you purchase things like the booze package,spar,ect on the cruise planner before the cruise it is $au and on the ship is $us.So it is usually cheaper to buy before the cruise and there’s no gratuity.

The beer prices will be the same as anthem,they do have specials.A bucket of beer is one you get 5 for the price of 4.They have Fosters in a 750ml can for the same price.Ive had arguments with younger cruises that it’s not Australian but it used to be calton United breweries,now doctor pepper owns it.

They have a drink of the day usually about $6 they are usually gin,vodka and are good and strong.Afew of those and your good for nothing.

[MicCanberra]

Yep, the cost of cruising on the ships using USD aboard can mount up, luckily the tips are inculded in on the price and as mentioned pre purchasing some things may reduce the on board expenses.

[The_Big_M]

Beer's the same price as you saw on Anthem.

 

Bit weird that you paid tips on Anthem. They would have been included if you booked here, so you either booked elsewhere, or paid extra above those included.

[Bpos]

On 12/9/2018 at 12:18 AM, The_Big_M said:

Beer's the same price as you saw on Anthem.

 

Bit weird that you paid tips on Anthem. They would have been included if you booked here, so you either booked elsewhere, or paid extra above those included.

 

Yes, the cruise was booked and paid for in the USA.

[MicCanberra]

That would explain it.

[Chiliburn]

On 12/8/2018 at 3:11 PM, Chiliburn said:

Gratuity is included in cruises leaving and returning to Australia and New Zealand.

Onboard All voluntarily purchases attract 18% gratuity. If you purchase things like the booze package,spar,ect on the cruise planner before the cruise it is $au and on the ship is $us.So it is usually cheaper to buy before the cruise and there’s no gratuity.

The beer prices will be the same as anthem,they do have specials.A bucket of beer is one you get 5 for the price of 4.They have Fosters in a 750ml can for the same price.Ive had arguments with younger cruises that it’s not Australian but it used to be calton United breweries,now doctor pepper owns it.

They have a drink of the day usually about $6 they are usually gin,vodka and are good and strong.Afew of those and your good for nothing.

Just a edit, I m currently on explorer and the 750 ml foster cans have gone but they have about 600ml Budweiser aluminium bottles 5 for the price of 4

[mr walker]

4 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

they have about 600ml Budweiser aluminium bottles 5 for the price of 4

 

So no beer then??  A meat pie and a Bud doesn't really cut it.

[MicCanberra]

I am sure they have beer that actually tastes like beer as well, just not the large size for the same price.