Cruisingthesuitelife

Just came out of the same showing. They didn't look like real cigarettes. What I do find odd is that them 'smoking' caused such offence but you are seemingly ok with the swearing, gesticulating, references to teen pregnancy etc.

The show was outstanding, the cast superb and the only thing that hacked me off were the many guests who decided it was appropriate to talk loudly, have cell phones ringing and generally cause ongoing disturbances throughout the entire performance.

You clearly know Grease and were aware of the themes that run through the show. Why should the show should be adapted from the way it was written? As you said, it references a time where things were different and therefore to alter it would mean it is no longer keeping with the time in which it is set.

Rather than view this so negatively if you are that concerned, use it as an example to teach your children that things were different 40+ years ago and that the show represented accurately life for teenagers in that time. Explain that now it would be portrayed differently as people are aware of the dangers of smoking.

No, you only earn points on completion of the cruise so will receive the benefits from the next cruise.

However, if the robes are what you are after, sometimes asking you stateroom attendant really nicely might work.. no guarantees though!

Thanks! :D

 

We have two more Radiance cruises coming up for Australia/ New Zealand and I have 1060 booked for them also. I would sure be interested in your opinion of 1556. ;)

I always put a review of the cabin with pictures on the sticky thread at the top, so definitely will put something up by early November.

I am actually really looking forward to having 1556 for the location and views both forward and aft.

I had 1060 on an Alaska Southbound cruise last year, it was lovely. No, there is no view directly forward but this wasn't too important to me - the view aft is fantastic. The balcony is enormous and that extra space was lovely. A lot of the balcony is visible to the other balconies down the side of the ship but this didn't worry me too much.

Personally, I would pick this cabin for a future Alaska cruise. I have 1556 on a cruise later in the year, so will be interested to see which I prefer!

Ship - Ovation of the Seas

Deck - 12

Stateroom # - 638

Stateroom Category – Owners Suite

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? - (With comments on problems) – Yes, pretty much. Sandwiched between passenger decks, so no noise from food venues or pool deck but our neighbours above were pretty loud so we heard them moving quite often.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – No obstructions. Great view as on most protruding hump of ship, so good views forward and aft.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal for class

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - No, it was a great cabin. However, some of the other Owners suites are actually on the forward part of the hump, so have an extra part to the balcony that this cabin didn't

Any other comments? - Convenient for elevators. Muster station American Icon restaurant.

Sorry to hear that some were not feeling well during and after the cruise.:(

This question is off topic...Did Royal do anything special for this inaugural?

I am just curious if they had any special celebrations and gifts on occasion in your cabin after turn down like they did before in the past for most inaugurals.

It seems that Royal has been moving away from inaugural cruises with all the celebrations and gifts to fatten their profit margin, but still charging absorbent prices for inaugurals with Quantum of the Seas being a first example of huge cutbacks on inaugurals.

 

Just curious to find out if they did anything special for you all on this inaugural?

OP, sorry you aren't well, hope it clears soon. I didn't get sick following the 5 night luckily.

On the 3 night, as far as I understand, there wasn't anything. However, on the 5 night which RCI considered the Maiden Voyage, we received a gift almost every day; hats, commemorative heineken bottles, books, gold coin, photos in display book etc.

Sorry, couldn't get anything else out of Joff, he wasn't sure!

Yeah, Joff is by far the best Cruise Director we've had - I'm not sure if his wife was also onboard or not....

Great review so far. Looking forward to reading how the B2B part was handled as I'll be doing that in Southampton next month.

I agree about Joff, he is great. I thought I saw Amber one morning on the 5 night but was surprised she wasn't helping at Love & Marriage like she used to on Independence.

Thanks for your reply! I hear a lot say they don't like the 'bigger' ships but also hear the Oasis class are really well laid out so they don't feel as huge as they are!

 

We'll start with Ovation, then hopefully will have chance to experience an Oasis class ship to compare (we are from Oz so unless they come to us like Ovation is, it's a big trip for us with some loooong flights involved!).

 

Cheers

Matt

Bigger ships definitely aren't an issue for me, if they are done right. I'd agree that Oasis Class and the neighbourhood layout does disperse people well and it doesn't feel crowded. I love the layout of Oasis Class, easy to navigate and very accessible.

At the top tier event I think the figures were 400 Diamond, 180 Diamond+ & 8 Pinnacle, that could answer why it was hard to find a seat in the Diamond Lounge. :rolleyes:

I made a note of the specific numbers: 444 Diamond, 182 Diamond+ and 23 Pinnacle... would make sense why I couldn't find a seat in peak times in either lounge!

Hi! What is it you don't like about the Quantum class? Obviously not too big as you're off on Harmony shortly...that should be fun checking out those slides!!

It's just personal preference. It isn't size, it is layout and concept more than anything. I find the other ship classes suit my cruising style far more than Quantum Class does.

Allure is my favourite ship, so I am really looking forward to Harmony.

I too am happy to skirt round the debate as it normally degenerates into the type of conversation I am not looking forward to with... You know.

But yeah, staying on message. It's seemed a bit strange that your paying $4,000 per passenger and I'm paying for 6 of those and we might not make use of the lounge. I think if the kids were older I would try Azamara.

Yes, I agree.

I think for now I am happy to pay what I do until such time as the product no longer suits me.

The new Royal Suite Class, in my opinion of Sky Class, is not what I expected, based on how much I paid. However, I'm putting it down to new programme on a new ship that won't even be offering that product on a permanent basis. I'm looking forward to comparing it to how things are when I sail on Harmony next month and also hope they use any feedback received from these first few sailings on Ovation to ensure a smoother process on other ships offering it.

It sounds, from other posts/threads that there's an, ahem 'elite' of C&A member who are squirrelled away in their $1,000 per pax cabin bullying those paying 6 times that from even getting a seat in the 'suite' lounge. Sorry, I am no snob, but that would really annoy me...I just want to get a seat and a drink....

I won't get into that debate, I'm avoiding that thread but it is frustrating that it can sometimes be very hard to find a seat in there when I've paid for a suite with lounge access to find it difficult to use that lounge at peak times.

Having said that though, at least this lounge is larger than some others in the fleet and that does help considerably.

Was it only for suite guests?

Was it nice?

The lounge is lovely. Beautiful views over the aft of the ship. JJ, the Concierge, was so lovely. Really did her best to make sure we had a great cruise and resolve any issues.

It is quite a long walk there and back from the aft elevators and for those with mobility issues, it isn't particularly well placed.

Honestly, I'm not 100% certain but I believe D+ and (definitely) Pinnacle are allowed in... Let me put it this way, during peak times, the lounge was always incredibly busy, far more so than I would expect based on the number/occupany of Suites and there were only 23 Pinnacle onboard, so that wouldn't have impacted it too much.

We were on the Maiden, maiden voyage (first ever paying passengers) last week and didn't get a thing! Lovely presents to receive hope you had a great time on her!

 

 

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We honestly didn't expect a thing but appreciated what we were given, lovely mementos of the cruise. I loved our cabin (owners suite on deck 12) and the staff were fantastic. However, Quantum class is definitely not for me (which I have said before but wanted to give it another try) and I wouldn't sail on any of those ships again but plenty of other ships I love to sail on! Looking forward to comparing this experience with the Harmony Maiden Voyage next month.

Hope you enjoyed your cruise on her.

Just off Ovation. No priority service offered in ports. This morning for disembarkation in Southampton, the Concierge gave a meeting place and a time period she would be available to escort us to the gangway. Suites and Pinnacles were given luggage tag 1 (other ships I have had a red suite/pinnacle label) and these bags were the first ones you came to in the luggage hall.

"if" ;)

Just off Ovation and can confirm it was 5pm to 8.30pm :)

Ah ok well I'm in now so will have to take my chances. I made the reservation using my full UK address, implied nowhere that I have a US address and linked my C&A number which obviously has all my details in too. Nothing at all suggested there would be any issue. In fact the TA I used has a UK toll free number suggesting it's a frequent way of booking. Thanks for the info

Think I know which one you mean. I'm just on the last night of my first sailing booked through them and everything from booking to now (that they have been involved with) has gone perfectly. Really impressed. Hope you have the same experience :)

Departing gift...

Was this all the passengers ?

I would assume so but honestly not sure. Everyone seems to have received the other gifts so far.

Just come back from Darren Day's show (who was phenomenal) to this beautiful coin in a special box.

thanks for reporting to us directly from the CD on the ship! Do you know (or can you find out) if Gordon Whatman is the next CD of Ovation?

 

Bon Voyage!

I'll see if I can find out :)

Currently on Ovation. Joff has confirmed he is on until the ship reaches Dubai May 26th. He then flies home and joins Independence May 28th.

Info on what you get.

Thank you so much for this. Hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Great to hear you received your email! Which sailing are you on and in which class of suite? I'm on the April 22 sailing in a Star-class suite and haven't heard anything yet. I'm assuming they're likely really busy with getting set up and with guests on board now, but just wanted to check. :)

I get on Sunday and am in Sky class, I received the email on 10th. To be honest, I was completely surprised to receive it as I thought they would be far too busy. The email came from Hajeong Shim (JJ).

I hope you have a great cruise on 22nd and enjoy star class!