KWofPerth

Having seen some of the prices for these cabanas, I am amazed that anyone would bother. One of the prices I saw on Matt's blogpost was over $2.5K. I mean, seriously.

Having recently disembarked from Quantum OTS I can attest to this comment. ^^ The Solarium is simply gorgeous, while the indoor pool was where my family found itself gathering on a regular basis. The AC was not too cold, just the right temp to provide relief from the harsh south-east Asian sun, but still warm enough to want to hop in the pool. I loved the 270* theatre as a space to relax and dreamily watch the wake of the ship. The Music Hall was also an excellent venue. On the downside, I did not enjoy the Esplanade. It lacked a certain vibe that is present with the Promenade and Centrum from other classes of ships. I also didn't feel much of a connection to the ocean, which is ample when on Radiance class for instance. It seems that you do not necessarily share this view Twangster? It's all a question of personal preference, after all. Love reading your blogs!

The incentive for doing a better job would be: a) you get to retain your employment, but mainly... b) you might even get a tip in addition to a full wage. Employers would have to charge more, yes, but the customer still pays the same overall amount, without the awkwardness of working out what they are supposed to tip. Anyways, different countries, different approaches. It's fine.

These touchscreen buttons are going to be a huge hit with small children. Oh boy!

Similar situation here in Australia Darren2706. No tipping culture whatsoever, as service staff are paid a fair wage. The cruise gratuities are included in the price we pay when we book our cruises (or at least they are with Royal cruises). Which, in the Aussie view of things, is how it should be. The service staff are getting their cut, and everybody knows upfront what the cost of the cruise actually is.

Occasionally on dive charters I will be dizzy for a few hours afterwards. Not sure if the bonine has any effect on this phenomenon? The only time I am dizzy in relation to cruising is in the days leading up - dizzy with excitement that is!

It won't mean anything to you guys, at all, but Aussie Rules footballer Hayden Ballantyne was on my last cruise. He plays for my team's (the West Coast Eagles) most hated rival, the Fremantle Dockers. I wore a West Coast Eagles polo shirt around the ship, which he noticed. There was awkwardness whenever we walked past each other, as I am sure he cops a lot of trash-talk from Eagles fans in regular life and was half-expecting it from me, lol.

I would agree, except the bookings have only today appeared in the cruise planner, so I can't believe they have booked out so fast. The exact same thing happened with iFly. I suspect a bug in the system.

So, when trying to book North Star via the cruise planner for a Quantum sailing next month, the planner will allow a maximum of 3 people. If I select any more than that (we are a group of ten, across 3 linked reservations. Regardless, my family is a group of 4) then the planner does not provide any dates/times in the dropdown box. Is this a common problem? The same thing happened when I booked iFly. I could only book a maximum of two people at a time, or else the dates/times were not displayed.

For anyone considering a cruise to NZ, please please please don't let this tragic incident put you off. I have travelled New Zealand a few times and it is a magical place. I even experienced some earthquake aftershocks (late 2011) and this has not put me off revisiting in the future. The Kiwis are big of heart, with amazing natural landscapes and a brilliant culture. I look forward to my next trip there and showing my kids around.

Don't leave any children behind by mistake.

Thanks for the update JetlaggedAgain. And all the best for the remainder of your holiday and all the best to your wife.

This is one of the more dramatic live blogs I've come across. It started off like an engrossing novel, then it took a dark twist that nobody saw coming. Now I want to find out what happens...

There is an ABC journalist onboard. He submitted this article about the aftermath on the ship - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-10/what-it-was-like-aboard-ovation-on-the-seas-after-volcano/11782188

“It’s an eerie mood here in Mt Maunganui tonight. Looked out my window at #OvationoftheSeas sitting in dock. … quiet & sombre, waiting to see if, in the light of day, it’s passengers & crew are returned,” https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/passengers-describe-strange-mood-on-ovation-of-the-seas-cruise-ship-after-white-island-volcanic-eruption/news-story/96a700bf6d70db5c64408b00ce5ef388

Goodness knows what the vibe must be like on Ovation right now. Terrible turn of events.

Passengers from Ovation of the Seas are among the injured and missing people, and at least one person has died, after a volcano erupted on New Zealand's Whakaari (White Island). Initial reports suggested 100 visitors were on or near the island at the time of the eruption, but police have since halved the estimate as some of those people have been transported to shore, according to an report in the NZ Herald. Tourism Bay of Plenty spokeswoman said a helicopter and a tour boat have still not been accounted for, the article states. The eruption occurred on Monday afternoon around 2.15pm, with several rescue helicopters attending. An emergency operation centre has also been set up at Whakatane Hospital to work alongside Civil Defence. Royal Caribbean's 4,905-passenger Ovation of the Seas docked at the nearby Port of Tauranga this morning and it is understood that many of the missing tourists were from the ship, visiting White Island on a tour boat. Ovation of the Seas was due to depart this evening but instead will stay in Tauranga tonight. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Cruise Critic: “We can confirm that a number of our guests were touring the island today. We do not have any additional details to share at this time. Ovation of the Seas will remain overnight until we learn more about the situation. We will offer all possible assistance to our guests and local authorities. Please keep all those affected in your prayers.” New Zealand Cruise Association released a statement that it is "very concerned" about the welfare of the cruisers. “Our primary concern right now is with the wellbeing of the passengers and all those involved. We would like to extend our heartfelt concern to the passengers and their families,” NZCA Chief Executive Officer Kevin O’Sullivan said. “Our hope is that everyone will be recovered quickly and unharmed, but at this time we have no further information.”

From Royal's Australian homepage - White Island Volcanic Eruption (New Zealand) - Monday, 09 December, 2019 4pm - During Ovation of the Seas call to Tauranga today, a shore tour was visiting White Island at the time of the volcanic eruption earlier this afternoon. We do not have any additional details to share at this time. Ovation of the Seas will remain overnight until we learn more about the situation. We will offer all possible assistance to our guests and local authorities.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/white-island-volcano-eruption-plumes-of-smoke-reports-of-injuries-in-bay-of-plenty/news-story/5cb1553515e0da994d4ad3587df99ff8 An evolving situation, it appears cruisers from Ovation may be caught up in a volcanic eruption at New Zealand's White Island, near the Port of Tauranga.

PS. Nice photos, too!

I am always grateful to learn new words, so thanks Twangster. Agglomeration.

I'm very glad to hear he Solarium is not restricted access. It's one of the areas I am most looking forward to enjoying next month.

Letting my sister-in-law convince me that we shouldn't drink the water onboard and needed a bottled water package. And waiting till boarding day to buy it.

As a non_American, the way you guys say this phrase really grinds my gears. RCIfan1912 got it correct. Sorry CruiseGus, the Grammar Police will let you off with a warning this time ?

You may need to go back a screen and highlight (click on) everybody's name. This happened to me too.