purdo

Great information, thanks for sharing.  We're on Celebrity Eclipse Feb 2021, a while away yet, but will keep Dewa in mind when over the next couple of months we'll be looking at booking excursions.

Mary

Thanks for Sharing, we're booked on Celebrity Eclipse Feb 20 2021, a while away yet!

Great information, thanks for sharing.

JayCrusing, What Lens did you use for that shot.  I bought the A6000 last November and just bough a Sony 18-200, 3.5-6.3 Lens.  Hubby will bring our old Canon 450D.

Lovely photo everyone.  Wow, hope I get to see Whales breaching.

I took this photo of  a Common Dolphin taken in the Straits of Gibraltar last April, with our old Canon 450D and a Tamron Telephoto lens 18-270.

18 hours ago, Sunny AZ Girl said:

Hi Mary,

 

Is the 18-200 lens a Sony?  If it is strong enough to use for typical whale watching I may look into that.  

Hi Ginny

Yes, its the Sony Lens 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 with Optical Stabiliser, which makes a big difference.  I've only had it out once,  I'm still getting to grips with the camera too.  I'm pleased enough with the lens as I read the reviews before buying it as it cost as much as the camera.  It is quite sharp, especially at the lower and mid zoom, it is sharper then the kit lens 18-55mm that came with the camera. The other advantage is I won't have to change the lens and it isn't too heavy.   I had a 30 day return on it, I'm going to keep it. It is quick to autofocus. I'm hoping it will get me decent photos of Whales.  I'm no expert, but I do like taking photos.  Here are a couple of photos I took.

Mary

Hi Ginny

I too have the A6000 only bought it last November, we had intended getting another Canon but changed our minds.  Just bought a  18-200 mm telephoto lens a couple of weeks ago for it so practicing with that before the cruise.   Will  bring the kit lens but this new lens should do the job, it will save me having to change lenses.  The camera is a lovely size and easier to carry  than the bigger camera which hubby will now use.  Just have to buy extra batteries, don't want to run out of juice halfway through an excursion.  I too have a Samsung (S9) and they do take a pretty decent photo.

See you on board OTS 13 May!!  If you see a lonely figure hanging over the side of the ship, scanning the horizon for wildlife, it will probably be me.

Mary

Excellent spreadsheet, thanks.  Before I bought the beverage package for myself, I added up roughly what the drinks would cost, then had to take the exchange rate into account  (Sterling), definitely will be saving money and not having to worry about a big bill at the end of the cruise!

This spreadsheet just makes it so much easier to see the savings or not!

I phoned RC up and was able to book a beverage package for hubby and a refreshments package for myself as I'm not a big drinker.  When the prices were reduced slightly, I phoned up again cancelled the original packages and booked a beverage package for myself, thinking well I'm on holidays might as well try out some cocktails etc and not have to worry about a bill at the end of the cruise.  As previous posters have said they prices would certainly add up with the 18% on top of every bill.

Fabulous photos.

Fabulous photos!

Hope everyone keeps well!!

See you on Ovation in May John & Marilyn.

Great, I'm going to keep watching in case there is another reduction, here's hoping. 

We're on Ovation to Alaska 11 nights in May 2019.  I had booked in September  the beverage package for hubby @ £39.50 + 18%= £46.61 which worked out at £512.71 & myself the refreshments @ £20.54 + 18% = £24.43 = £266.61.  It is a lot of money and I deliberated over booking it, but looking up the drinks prices on-board, thought it would be peace of mind and no shock bills at the end of the cruise.  I'm not a big drinker, but totalling up a couple of drinks, coffee, water per day, it soon adds up. Don't forget if you are looking at prices per drink in US$  there is 18% on top of them.

Saw the price reduction especially for the refreshments @ £13.43 don't forget the 18% gratuity on all published prices = £15.85, this is definitely a bargain. The beverage package had also reduced to 37.13 + 18%=£43.81 a saving there of £30.80.  So phoned up RC a couple of hours ago and cancelled both, then re booked both of us the beverage package.

It's about the only thing in the UK that we can cancel and re book!! As i had asked when I originally booked the drinks package in September if it is reduced can I cancel and re book, they said yes.  On the phone to them this afternoon they said if it is reduced again, don't forget I can cancel and re book again.

Mary

We're Ovation to Alaska in May 2019, 11 nights from Vancouver returning to Seattle.  There are 4 ports - Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Juneau & Skagway. Plus scenic cruising to Hubbard Glacier & Endicott Arm Dawes  Glacier.

Were sailing on Ovation of the Seas in May 2019 and I've bought a drinks package for hubby and a refreshment package for myself.  Couldn't buy it online had to phone RC direct.

Happy Birthday 🎂🎉🎇🎆🎇🎉🎈🎂🎈🎁

I believe the gratuity is already in the advertised price of beverage packages in the UK web site, isn't it?

No, it wasn't when I went to checkout as a test, it added it on. Ended up phoning RC instead as it wouldn't let me just add one beverage package on, it wanted to add both, bought it for Hubby and I have the Soda Package which in itself it expensive enough but will cover me for coffees, teas, non alcoholic cocktails, orange juice etc!!

If the price drops I can cancel the beverage package and buy it again, can't see that happening. Pity it doesn't apply to the cruise itself here in the UK once we pay our deposit that is it, we cannot avail of a price drop!! Unless, it is worth it to cancel the cruise, forfeit the deposit and rebook at a lower price.

We're on Ovation of the Seas to Alaska 11 nights May 2019. Drinks package was £36.42 now £37.92.

It has increased again now £39.50 didn't realise that the 18% was in top of the price , so that would work out at £46.61 x 11 £512.71= with the exchange rate approx $60.60 per day. I'll see if I can purchase it for hubby as I don't drink much and don't drink coke or soda.

We're on Ovation of the Seas to Alaska 11 nights May 2019. Drinks package was £36.42 now £37.92.

Thanks for that information, good to know.

Hi Maxx :)

 

Lunch & snacks on embarkation day onboard Ovation Of The Seas can be found at:

 

Cafe Two70

Coastal Kitchen

Izumi Japanese

Solarium Bistro

Jaime's Italian

Cafe Promenade

Brass & Bock Pub

La Patisserie

Sorrento's Pizza

SeaPlex Doghouse

 

Also, Vintages may have some Jaime's Italian snacks available.

 

Hi

 

Are all above included or are they extra. First time on RC, on Ovation to Alaska in May 19.

 

Mary

It's our first time in Barcelona too, whilst I cannot answer your questions, I've booked the Sagrada Familia for 10.30, I've booked the audio tour for €29 including the tower and after reading up on Trip Advisor the Nativity Tower.

We're going to upgrade once we board, so the staff can get whatever gratuity is available to them for the sa!e.