LIVE-Ovation of the Seas Simulation 7-30-21

[Blizzard54]

My plan is to post from the ship during this 5 night voyage. 

It has been 537 days since we disembarked the Allure and are looking forward to board the Ovation in a few hours.

[Hogbay]

But what are the pre boarding protocols ?

[Blizzard54]

Must be vaccinated.  This is the test cruise for the CDC to evaluate all protocols to resume regular sailings.

I will report on how things go at the terminal and boarding. 

[Lorey2007]

Following have a great time. Pictures please we will be Ovation August 2022.

[Blizzard54]

I expect that the passenger mix with be similar to  the Allure test with a mix of travel agents, media, Royal execs, pinnacles and they may have invited some other C&A members.

Along with everyone needed to show proof of full vaccination, within 24 hours of sailing we needed to fill out a health questioner.

Masks will be required to enter the terminal.

I expect they will chose some pax to be randomly tested before boarding.

We have a 12:30 boarding appointment and my understanding is the time are enforced.

We will arrive at the pier a little early to allow time to park our car and shuttle or walk to the terminal.    

If I can figure out how to post pics from my phone I will do that as we go along.  Otherwise I will post them with my laptop from time to time. 

[JessyCruises]

Enjoy your trip!!  Can you do me a huge favour and post the onboard prices for the 1 & 2 devices pages for surf & stream?

 

thanks!

[vplsh]

Can you please check and see if there's a future cruise desk open for sales? On board Independence for a simulation cruise Sunday and thinking about booking if there is someone.

[BSR]

Enjoy your cruise. Looking forward to reading your review. 

[barbeyg]

Thank you for doing this.  Since we don't cruise till December (or later), I love reading these live threads! 🙂

[Blizzard54]

17 minutes ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

Enjoy your trip!!  Can you do me a huge favour and post the onboard prices for the 1 & 2 devices pages for surf & stream?

 

thanks!

That should be easy enough.  Since C&A benefits are not allowed, we will be purchasing a package.  

[Blizzard54]

13 minutes ago, vplsh said:

Can you please check and see if there's a future cruise desk open for sales? On board Independence for a simulation cruise Sunday and thinking about booking if there is someone.

I am pretty sure they will be open.  I will check. 

[JessyCruises]

6 minutes ago, Blizzard54 said:

That should be easy enough.  Since C&A benefits are not allowed, we will be purchasing a package.  

Thanks!  It’s great they are giving you 50% off!

[vplsh]

5 minutes ago, Blizzard54 said:

I am pretty sure they will be open.  I will check. 

Thanks!!!

[AnM&E]

Excited for you!  Thanks for sharing your experience.  Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Makes me even more excited to be coming on board in September.  Yippee!

[bonsai3s]

Thank you for taking the time...safe and happy sailing!

 

Looking forward to a few things:

* Traffic into Pier 91 and embarkation.

* Test to all prior to boarding?

* DL and CL concierge. (List of bar drinks with prices.  We know the drink vouchers are for drinks $13 or less...we wanted to make sure we know what to order. 😁)

* Loyal Ambassador.

* Captain Henryk Loy onboard?

* Lastly, what is the anticipated passenger capacity for the paid sailings?

Thanks again!

[newmercies]

Thanks @Blizzard54

Love following the simulation cruises. 

See you in September.

[long4acruise]

*Traffic into Pier 91 was a breeze at 10:40 today.

 

*Embarkation was good, but didn't board til 11:30-ish as first group time slot wasn't until 12 noon. Must have SetSail doc readily available, along with passport and vax card.

 

*Loyalty Ambassador is Nicol Torcende.

 

*Interesting, the 2nd folks I met were a couple who've never cruised before!  Said they weren't sure what to do.  And several others mentioned they'd only cruise several times prior. RC probably planned it this way.

Edited July 30, 2021 by long4acruise

[janabelle61]

Thanks for doing this!  I'll be on Serenade in a month, rather than Ovation, but I don't think anyone posted about their test cruise and protocols seem to be changing almost daily. 

 

Will really enjoy hearing about ports - what's available, what restrictions do you run into?

[Blizzard54]

Some of the offerings in the windjammer. 

 

 

[The sea calls my name]

I can easily eat 5 pounds of crawfish by myself ( yes I grew up in Louisiana). They would need an extra big pot for me . I have never seen them offered before.  

[Coralc]

It looks really good, but those are odd looking clams?  Edit: Okay, they are New Zealand green lipped mussels. (I would prefer steamed clams ) And the crawfish look good! 

Edited July 30, 2021 by Coralc

[Baowen]

Wow - The lobster looks amazing.  Can you tell me what time sail away is? I plan on being there to watch the ship and take some photos/videos.

[Peckishpixie]

1 hour ago, Blizzard54 said:

Some of the offerings in the windjammer. 

 

 

I found the lunch to be better than normal at the Windjammer. Did you? Also, I'm the one with ridiculously pink hair. Wave to me when you see me!

[Peckishpixie]

48 minutes ago, The sea calls my name said:

I can easily eat 5 pounds of crawfish by myself ( yes I grew up in Louisiana). They would need an extra big pot for me . I have never seen them offered before.  

My grandma is from Baton Rouge and she would have been disappointed in these. A wee bit over cooked but yhe liquor in the heads was still good and the warm butter helped! 

[floatn]

If you just boarded today, how does she have an orange status for COVID cases already? Isn't this the first sim cruise for this ship?