Bazza

And thanks!

Any luck???

Hi Under ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES heading...hope it is there for you!

Hi @MandM I have not cruised yet BUT having read things on here and other sites I took the chance to book North Star and Rip Cord I Fly for my Ovation cruises in March. Strongly suggest you do too - if they are still available - as if you don't you could end up queuing for quite some time apparently. Enjoy.

I had never heard of Invicta so using the power of Google I found their WEBsite (you will see the pun shortly) but I did have to read the headline twice....

Thanks all. I am sure I will find some equally refreshing fizzy drink even if the Dr is not there.... Is Mr Pibb quite similar and part of the Coke empire? Or is that just in North America??

Hi beverage-gurus Similar question to another thread (didn't want to take it off track this time!)...do the ships offer Dr Pepper on board?? I am under the impression it is not 'owned' by Coke or Pepsi and as such hoping it is on tap! It's the only Dr I am hoping to see on the ship!! Thanks Barrie

@F1guynz thanks for this. Strange thing is I have managed to book North Star and Rip Cord for all 3 sections of the cruise plus Pixels for the NZ part but Pixels is not showing for the taster section nor Sydney to Singapore! I have booked the All Access tour for the 3rd cruise and it was also listed for the middle cruise but not listed for the 1st! All very confusing this lack of consistency. I am sure there is a perfectly sensible reason!! Enjoy your cruise next week and share the pros and cons!!!

Mattski

I saw the topic headline and I automatically assumed it was a large family asking about photo packages on board!! Always safer to read the subtext!!

The only 'show' listed on Ovation for the 3 B2Bs I am on in March is Pixels, and only on cruise 1 so have booked that to feel like I have planned something!! I would like to think it will also be on cruise 2 and 3 but if so can't understand why not listed. Quick question - based on something I read somewhere on this vast encyclopedia of RC facts - if there are still none of the shows listed on the cruise planner before we go, will the funky Royal IQ app allow me to book when on board? I get the impression that is the kind of role it will play???! Diolch yn fawr iawn (Google it if you want!)

Hi. Thanks for answers but wasn't asking for me just thinking other possible solutions to the initial question. Good to learn something new though. Every day's a school day!

Question (from Mr Ignorant himself!) - Can you book for 3 then add a 4th if #4 decides to come?

Just wish I hadn't hijacked the initial post and gone off on a tangent Hope @Travel Addict Oz forgives me on his/her first ever post!!! Fingers went to work before my head processed the subject...BUT it is a great site/community!!

Sorry - misread the thread and totally missed the point of the post - my bad. That's a bugger that they can change things like that.

I like thought of Oasis in Europe for a while after refit. (Listen to me - talking like I know what I'm on about after finding and chatting on this site - having never cruised before!!) Can't wait for my Ovation in March so I can fully appreciate all the excitement!!

Just hope your other half has not joined this blog!!! Good luck - and I hope she says yes!!! PS May be worth waiting until last night 'just in case'!!! PPS How about getting a waiter involved in the process and ring being 'delivered' under a silver cloche?

More ships on the App maybe? Still only Allure and Oasis isn't it?

Hi DanielleAmy96 I'm on ovation March/April. Shore excursions include day at beach in Brisbane. Happy to help if not had any joy by then....assuming model available! PM me if need. Regards Barrie

Happy days - appeared today.

Interesting topic and it almost makes my head hurt!! Great example of how countries vary on how they perceive service. In the UK, although not the 'tip dependency' culture of our American cousins, it is the norm to tip at around 10-15% of a total bill for meals. Interesting thing is we vary rarely tip bar staff 'for doing their job' especially when we are at the bar and not having waiter/waitress service which is what we do in most pubs. Many places now automatically add the gratuity to the final bill, especially if more than say 6 people eating. If the service was bad then we would obviously challenge that! To me a service/process involved in getting a drink to a person is the same whether it is a $5 drink or a $25 drink (ok cocktails may be a little more involved and theatrical as per Tom Cruise!) so 18% is either 90 cents or $4.50 in the examples given. If reliant on tips, who is the bar person going to be more focused on - the person with Dr Pepper or with Jack Daniels!?? I agree with one of the previous posters, the gratuity should be personal choice - if they do a better than expected job, tip them. If they are doing what they are getting paid to do then maybe you don't. But their wage should be based on that. If they are guaranteed to get 18% no matter what is there an incentive to do more? Not a moan but an opinion on a hot topic! PS the screen grab below is on the booking page on my cruise - I am in UK, cruise is Australia/NZ/Singapore - is this standard across other areas?

Hi. Anybody on the Ovation in March from Sydney, the cost of the refreshments package and shore excursions are all cheaper today than they have been for last few weeks. Refreshment package down to £15.96 ($20.85 US based on currency rate) which includes the drinks gratuities. Bargain IMO - but will still check back every day as you never know what deal they have hidden away!! Having picked up tips on this great site I have cancelled everything I had already booked and now re-purchased on the lower rates - even if only to save around $60 (every little helps!)....not bad for 5 minutes work.

Wonder if my post confused things. Sorry if it did!! There is a standalone Evian package which seems to be still water only hence my question!! Not sure if the refreshments package will be Evian or RCI's own branded bottled water!

BrianAlt (or any other expert cruiser) - do they offer still and sparking water options with the bottled water? Reason I ask is the Evian package on offer for Ovation appears to be still only so just wondered. We have booked the refreshment package not the Evian package so hoping sparkling is available for the wife! Thanks

OK I am little bit confused about my status!! I have signed up for C&A ahead of my first cruise - which happens to be 3 cruises back to back. I assume day 1 of 1st cruise I am amongst the unwashed despite having a number?! Anybody know how this will work in Sydney please? Day 11 (which is Day 1 of the 2nd cruise) I will have moved into a real Gold position having cruised for 10 nights but as I already have a room will I already have the relevant sea pass to just walk on and off at my leisure?! Day 14 (which is day 1 of 3rd cruise) still loitering about half way up the Gold rankings now, but again hopefully just able to run up and down the gangplank as much as I like without queues?! Somebody able to enlighten me please?!