HappyCruiserettu Posted March 22, 2019 #1 Share Posted March 22, 2019 (edited) We are regular Princess cruisers, but have sailed Radiance OTS twice several years ago. We are doing the May 2 Hawaii to Vancouver on the Ovation, and need some hints on things to do/not do. We are older seniors, and not very active. I do want to try the bumper cars - loved them growing up. We really enjoy the sea days, which is why we booked this cruise. How is the library? Is there a book exchange section? We enjoy trying the various restaurants, but most often do the buffet. We enjoy some of the shows, especially the comedians. I like the trivia. How many trivias per day? (Princess often has three.) Are there any game shows (like the Newlywed Game?) Is there an ice cream place? All tips appreciated. Edited March 22, 2019 by HappyCruiserettu To improve wording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BekkaW Posted March 22, 2019 #2 Share Posted March 22, 2019 The library on Ovation is pretty small, it’s upstairs inside the 270 lounge at the rear of the ship. Usually 2 trivias per day, and yes there is a Love & Marriage game show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted March 22, 2019 #3 Share Posted March 22, 2019 4 hours ago, HappyCruiserettu said: We enjoy some of the shows, especially the comedians. I like the trivia. Quantum class (including Ovation) has some unique shows which may be difficult to attend without reservations - Pixels just became available for booking in the planner, you may want to reserve some others as well. You may want to take advantage of the Royal IQ app on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEFAN0001 Posted March 22, 2019 #4 Share Posted March 22, 2019 NORTHSTAR - book that. Its only about 5-7 minutes of your time...but the views are amazing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCruiserettu Posted March 22, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted March 22, 2019 2 hours ago, Biker19 said: Quantum class (including Ovation) has some unique shows which may be difficult to attend without reservations - Pixels just became available for booking in the planner, you may want to reserve some others as well. You may want to take advantage of the Royal IQ app on the ship. What the function(s) of the Royal app? What can I do with, or thru, it? 7 hours ago, BekkaW said: The library on Ovation is pretty small, it’s upstairs inside the 270 lounge at the rear of the ship. Usually 2 trivias per day, and yes there is a Love & Marriage game show. Thanks for your input. I feel more comfortable now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted March 22, 2019 #6 Share Posted March 22, 2019 Just now, HappyCruiserettu said: What the function(s) of the Royal app? What can I do with, or thru, it? Daily activities and ability to book activities and restaurants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCruiserettu Posted March 22, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted March 22, 2019 2 hours ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said: NORTHSTAR - book that. Its only about 5-7 minutes of your time...but the views are amazing. I will probably try the NorthStar; my wife - not so much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCruiserettu Posted March 22, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted March 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Biker19 said: Daily activities and ability to book activities and restaurants. Good to know. Can I access the app before boarding, or only onboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadpirate3 Posted March 22, 2019 #9 Share Posted March 22, 2019 11 minutes ago, Biker19 said: Daily activities and ability to book activities and restaurants. 9 minutes ago, HappyCruiserettu said: Good to know. Can I access the app before boarding, or only onboard? You can access the app before boarding, then once onboard you can select items from the cruise planner and swipe to add them to your personal calendar. You can also view menus for restaurants onboard. Please note that the times won't be finalized until a week before boarding. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted March 22, 2019 #10 Share Posted March 22, 2019 2 hours ago, dreadpirate3 said: You can access the app before boarding, then once onboard you can select items from the cruise planner and swipe to add them to your personal calendar. I should have specified Royal IQ app in my posts - you can’t do anything with it before connecting to the ship’s WiFi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadpirate3 Posted March 22, 2019 #11 Share Posted March 22, 2019 13 minutes ago, Biker19 said: I should have specified Royal IQ app in my posts - you can’t do anything with it before connecting to the ship’s WiFi. My error then. I've used the other app and not the Royal IQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted March 22, 2019 #12 Share Posted March 22, 2019 3 hours ago, HappyCruiserettu said: Good to know. Can I access the app before boarding, or only onboard? Just to be clear, Ovation uses the Royal IQ app not the RCI app. You should install it before getting on the ship but you can't use it till you connect to the ship's wifi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonsai3s Posted March 22, 2019 #13 Share Posted March 22, 2019 15 hours ago, HappyCruiserettu said: We are regular Princess cruisers, but have sailed Radiance OTS twice several years ago. We are doing the May 2 Hawaii to Vancouver on the Ovation, and need some hints on things to do/not do. We are older seniors, and not very active. I do want to try the bumper cars - loved them growing up. We really enjoy the sea days, which is why we booked this cruise. How is the library? Is there a book exchange section? We enjoy trying the various restaurants, but most often do the buffet. We enjoy some of the shows, especially the comedians. I like the trivia. How many trivias per day? (Princess often has three.) Are there any game shows (like the Newlywed Game?) Is there an ice cream place? All tips appreciated. Just echoing what bekkaW said...the library is upstairs the Two70...walk to the back/aft towards Two70, then walk upstairs...don't think there was a book exchange. The computers are there as well. For us, (Hong Kong - Australia), trivia was 4 times a day...in the morning, early afternoon, around 5:30, then last one around 8-8:30. The newlywed show is called "Love and Marriage". If I remember correctly, there's a soft serve ice-cream machine on Deck 14 towards the back/aft before entering the Solarium. Just one tip: We didn't plan on doing the iFly...like you we thought we were too old.......turned out it was the highlight of our cruise. We did the iFly with a 5 year old girl and a 92 year old wondergreatgrandma! Happy Sailing! 😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCruiserettu Posted March 23, 2019 Author #14 Share Posted March 23, 2019 5 hours ago, bonsai3s said: Just echoing what bekkaW said...the library is upstairs the Two70...walk to the back/aft towards Two70, then walk upstairs...don't think there was a book exchange. The computers are there as well. For us, (Hong Kong - Australia), trivia was 4 times a day...in the morning, early afternoon, around 5:30, then last one around 8-8:30. The newlywed show is called "Love and Marriage". If I remember correctly, there's a soft serve ice-cream machine on Deck 14 towards the back/aft before entering the Solarium. Just one tip: We didn't plan on doing the iFly...like you we thought we were too old.......turned out it was the highlight of our cruise. We did the iFly with a 5 year old girl and a 92 year old wondergreatgrandma! Happy Sailing! 😊 Thank you, bonsai, and others. I feel like I'm getting a lot of good information. As for the iFly, I may not be too old, but I do have an occasional inner ear problem, so I don't think I will be flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCruiserettu Posted March 23, 2019 Author #15 Share Posted March 23, 2019 (edited) We have MyTime Dining. I expect that we will most often eat in the WJ buffet, but how does MyTime work with the MDR's? And is there a difference in the food at the various MDR's, or is it just the decor? I gather that we can either make reservations, or just drop in, like a land-based restaurant. At the appropriate times, can I expect to find grits, prime rib, bread pudding and creme brûlée? Are the sodas Coke or Pepsi products? Is there an omelet station? Food, obviously, is high on my list of things to do. Edited March 23, 2019 by HappyCruiserettu Correct typo. Add questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonsai3s Posted March 23, 2019 #16 Share Posted March 23, 2019 51 minutes ago, HappyCruiserettu said: We have MyTime Dining. I expect that we will most often eat in the WJ buffet, but how does MyTime work with the MDR's? And is there a difference in the food at the various MDR's, or is it just the decor? I gather that we can either make reservations, or just drop in, like a land-based restaurant. At the appropriate times, can I expect to find grits, prime rib, bread pudding and creme brûlée? Are the sodas Coke or Pepsi products? Is there an omelet station? Food, obviously, is high on my list of things to do. You are correct, the menu is the same at all the MDR's and MTD. When we sailed the Ovation, the Silk was designated as MTD. (The different names and decor was from the unpopular "Dynamic Dining" concept...that did not last long.) Yes, you can make reservations or just drop in for MTD. Yes, you can expect all those foods, but I can't tell you if they have Coke or Pepsi. Perhaps someone who drinks sodas will chime in. Yes, there's an omelet station. Please try CafeTwo70 for breakfast or for a snack...you'll be pleasantly surprised. And if you are looking for a slightly healthy venue...try the Solarium Bistro. (We used to sail Princess and have made many friends playing trivia. ) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BekkaW Posted March 23, 2019 #17 Share Posted March 23, 2019 It’s Coke products on all RCI ships Yes you will be able to find all those food items, and there is an omelette station in the Windjammer at breakfast time. Also a crepe station! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEFAN0001 Posted March 23, 2019 #18 Share Posted March 23, 2019 I make it a point to try every new thing on every new ship we cruise. Ovation was our first Quantum class - we've been on all the other size ships. We're no spring chickens...but HAD to try this at least once: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted March 23, 2019 #19 Share Posted March 23, 2019 Watch out on the bumper cars. Safety strap goes across your neck and can really chew you up. Wear something that protects your neck! (And yes, they are fun). In our 60's, and iFly was a lot of fun. Best person in our group was about 4 - instructor flew him around like Superman. Had a 6 year old freak out and exit. You only have about a minute in the tube but well worth doing. Mostly older folks just got into a stable position and floated for their photo. Anthem only had about 50 books in library and no exchange section - worst we have seen on any ship. Cafe in 270 seems to have items you can't get elsewhere, including a lot of interesting desserts. We liked Solarium for breakfast and lunch. Windjammer buffet is pretty similar to Princess. Closes between meals. What we miss most is the Princess grill on deck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyitsmema Posted March 23, 2019 #20 Share Posted March 23, 2019 12 minutes ago, LeeW said: Watch out on the bumper cars. Safety strap goes across your neck and can really chew you up. Wear something that protects your neck! (And yes, they are fun). In our 60's, and iFly was a lot of fun. Best person in our group was about 4 - instructor flew him around like Superman. Had a 6 year old freak out and exit. You only have about a minute in the tube but well worth doing. Mostly older folks just got into a stable position and floated for their photo. Anthem only had about 50 books in library and no exchange section - worst we have seen on any ship. Cafe in 270 seems to have items you can't get elsewhere, including a lot of interesting desserts. We liked Solarium for breakfast and lunch. Windjammer buffet is pretty similar to Princess. Closes between meals. What we miss most is the Princess grill on deck. I agree with the bumper car warning. We have done them a few times on Anthem and we do not like that they just let people go free with no direction of travel. There were way too many head on crashes. Most bumper car rides make people travel in a circle and don't allow head on hits. Last time we rode I ended up being hit head on by one guy and then t boned by the guys friend immediately after. Ended up with a couple of good bruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted March 23, 2019 #21 Share Posted March 23, 2019 So how much extra are the costs for bumper car, ifly, and northstar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonsai3s Posted March 23, 2019 #22 Share Posted March 23, 2019 2 minutes ago, AF-1 said: So how much extra are the costs for bumper car, ifly, and northstar? When sailing out of China...everthing's free/included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted March 23, 2019 #23 Share Posted March 23, 2019 3 minutes ago, AF-1 said: So how much extra are the costs for bumper car, ifly, and northstar? No extra charge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted March 23, 2019 #24 Share Posted March 23, 2019 1 minute ago, Host Clarea said: No extra charge. Thank you very much for the quick response. I have not yet sailed on anything bigger than Allure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos A. Posted March 23, 2019 #25 Share Posted March 23, 2019 1 hour ago, reallyitsmema said: I agree with the bumper car warning. We have done them a few times on Anthem and we do not like that they just let people go free with no direction of travel. There were way too many head on crashes. Most bumper car rides make people travel in a circle and don't allow head on hits. Last time we rode I ended up being hit head on by one guy and then t boned by the guys friend immediately after. Ended up with a couple of good bruises. I'm confused. Isn't bumping the point of riding a bumper car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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