Standing Ovation from the Land Down Under - New Zealand 11 Nights Feb. 2, 2020

[twangster 25,707]

Ovation of the Seas, 11 Nights departing from Sydney Australia to New Zealand

For many years I avoided Alaska cruises on the premise that bikinis are better than parkas.  Then I finally did an Alaskan cruise.  Just wow!  Why did I wait so long? 

That experience got me looking even farther from home and I realized the same could be said for Australia and New Zealand.  Learning from Alaska I decided to just do it. YOLO! 

I've always wanted to visit both Australia and New Zealand so hopefully this will be a rehearsal for more cruising down under.  Practice makes perfect.

This is me doing my single digit dance.  

It's a long flight to Australia,  I take off early one day and land two days later.   Somehow it ended up being 2 days and a few hours to get there with a connection.  Fortunately it takes less than 6 hours to fly home.  Strong tailwinds I guess.

With the time change it's already well into tomorrow there.  I can never keep that straight.   All I know is that this cruise is costing me two days of my life just to get there so I have high expectations. 

This is an 11 night cruise but weather permitting we'll have one day sailing through Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds.  With the three sounds all on day 9 the itinerary looks longer than it is.  Here's hoping for good weather.

Just one tender port so that's a plus.  I tendered on Ovation in Hawaii so that doesn't concern me. 

With the time change it seems that Sydney always celebrates New Years Eve before North America so on that basis I'll get to watch the Super Bowl a day before you folks in North America.  I'll post the outcome here, get ready to place your bets.  Super Bowl Monday here we come.  The game starts mid-morning so there may be some day drinking involved.  At least it's on a sea day.  

Flying into Sydney two days prior and staying downtown my plan is to take the train into the city and sleep for the rest of the day.  Other plans include the Sydney Bridge Climb and a tour of the Sydney Opera House after which I'll either crash hard or have some gas left in the tank to explore a little bit more.  If I have time I may try to find Alice.  Maybe I'll get up early (or be up already) to watch Ovation come into port.

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go... 'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

[JohnK6404 1,166]

Jealously following! 

Have an amazing time!

 

[IRMO12HD 118]

Barangaroo Reserve is a great place to walk -- with great views of the Sydney Bridge from the other side.  Have a great time; I, too, will be avidly (and enviously) following :-)

 

[SpeedNoodles 4,535]

+3 on the entire envy issue - can't wait to follow along!

[Blundeni 5]

Now this is a live blog that I am looking forward too!

We are on roughly the same cruise in October - similar ports - with the addition of Auckland and an extra day cruising between Dundin and Wellington - also the ports for us are in reverse order - so the Sounds are first not last.

I am a Sydney local and going on a Voyager 3 night 'trip to nowhere' (also called a booze cruise) departing on the 31st Jan and returning on the 3rd Feb - just in time to visit a pub in the Rocks area (right next to the Cruise terminal) to watch the SuperBowl on Monday morning - great minds think alike!

Enjoy the cruise!

 

 

[F1guynz 550]

I have done that itinerary on Radiance. You will love it.

i can recommend the Early Settlers museum in Dunedin for a look at the history of the region. If you have time Speights Brewery is also worth a visit.

Enjoy your time down under. The weather has been great for the last two weeks in NZ. Around 28 degrees celsius most days .

[WAAAYTOOO 11,598]

Wow !  You’re getting very adventurous.  Safe flight and fun all around.  

[WannaCruise 913]

Wow....what an amazing cruise!  It's incredible how you are able to experience all these different Royal ships and locations around the world.  

So crazy to think of the time change (or day change) and the difference in your travel there vs travel back.

Safe travels.  I look forward to following along...as always!

[GregD 1,578]

Another great cruise that I am looking forward to reading. Time to clear my schedule. Have a great time. I cant wait to see the pictures.

[JLMoran 6,795]

Wow, what a trip! I'm impressed that Ovation goes to so many ports and sounds. I thought a port-intensive trip like that pretty much had to be done on a Radiance class ship like @F1guynz did, so I'm going to be following this with extreme interest. And, yeah, jealousy.  

Have a safe flight and a fantastic trip!

[Lovetocruise2002 10,790]

This is going to be fabulous and breathtaking blog!  I already know it! 

Jealous and envious as always....

[melmar02 1,195]

Ohhh! One of my bucket list cruises! I can't wait to see your amazing photos!

[Lolospringmann 1]

Can’t wait to follow along. So excited for your adventure! 

[Ampurp85 1,189]

New Zealand and Australia used to be my bucket list....until I watched Animal planet. As a chubster I am good eating for all the beasties, don't want to die down under. But your photography skills make everything look enviable. So they may go back on the list which be an feat.

[Srp431 147]

19 hours ago, JohnK6404 said:

Jealously following! 

Have an amazing time!

 

following as well. This is on my bucket list for cruises 

[Guy Gadwa 127]

Following.  Have a great trip!!!

[twangster 25,707]

Excursions

I've watched the cruise planner for months and booked these very early on.  With regular checking I've managed to get several price drops and great pricing on all of them.  A big lesson here is to understand that excursion pricing can fluctuate over time regardless of announced sales or major holidays.  Check often and rebook when needed for the best deals.

My general strategy is book something through Royal then begin to review 3rd party options.  At the same time I check the cruise planner for price changes frequently.  In doing so I often save anywhere from $5 to $75 per person on excursions by cancelling and rebooking when I see price drops.   Quite often I end up sticking with Royal's excursion unless I see something that jumps out at me through a 3rd party.

Bay of Islands - Lunch cruise

Our first stop is a tender port.  On a large ship like Ovation I always try to do a Royal excursion at tender stops simply because it makes the tendering process seamless.  If it's anything like past tender days, my excursion will meet in the theater and we'll be escorted down to a tender used just for Royal excursions.

Tauranga - Deluxe Rotorua

Booked through a 3rd party this tour operator picks up right outside the cruise port area.  Only downside is a 24 hour cancelation policy so if there are last minute itinerary changes I may be out this money.  The Māori culture run deep in New Zealand heritage so this guy alone sold me on this excursion.  Can't wait to meet him

 

With watching sales the next three were good deals versus anything offered through a 3rd party and it will hopefully give me an area overview and local awareness for another future visit.

Napier - Hawkes Bay Panorama

Wellington Panorama

Dunedin - Taieri Gorge Train

I wanted to do this through a 3rd party but their times didn't work for me so I accepted taking it through Royal at a slightly higher cost for timing and convenience.  At least my sale pricing came close to the 3rd party.  It went up after that and stayed up.

[WAAAYTOOO 11,598]

Eek. That Maori looks pissed !

[KWofPerth 333]

Just watch out for the infamous drop bears when you're in Sydney, Twangster. Those things are vicious...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-13/uk-journalist-pranked-into-holding-a-drop-bear-during-bushfires/11863942

[twangster 25,707]

For any non-resident looking at cruising out of Sydney there are some documentation requirements to consider.  An eTA or Electronic Travel Authorization is required.  Delta wouldn't check me in for the flight without proof of an Australian eTA so I'm glad I had a printed copy with me.  I also have a separate eTA for New Zealand.

I don't normally cruise with the eDocs booklet or things like hotel confirmation printed out but traveling internationally I've bought printed copies of everything in case immigration asks for them.

Here is a copy an email recently received from Royal:

 

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

Dear Guest,   We can’t wait to welcome you onboard for our February 2nd Ovation of the Seas sailing. Before you board, we’d like to remind you to have your travel documentation ready. We want to kick off your vacation right and ensure your boarding is as smooth as possible, so below we’ve shared some packing and check-in tips to help you get ready.   TRAVEL DOCUMENTS   Since we’ll be visiting New Zealand, you’ll need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and you may need to pay an International Visitor Levy. To check your requirements, please click here. And, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your sailing as some countries we visit will deny you if it expires sooner. Traveling with a minor who is not your child? In addition to their travel documents, you'll need to bring a letter of permission. Click here to learn more. PACKING TIPS   Don’t forget to pack your camera, a comfortable pair of shoes, and a thirst for adventure!  There are some items like, travel irons, steamers, and power strips, that must remain on land to ensure we maintain a safe environment. So, click here to check out the entire list of prohibited items so that whatever you bring isn’t taken by security!  An adapter is a must! Onboard, we have US and European outlets. If you need a power cord to operate any medical equipment, your Stateroom Attendant can provide you with one for the sailing. Keep your passport book handy until you’ve completed your check-in at the terminal. Then, feel free to secure it in one of your bags. CHECK-IN TIPS   If you haven't already done so, please check-in online at www.royalcaribbean.com/onlinecheckin and print the SetSail Pass for everyone in your party. You can do this up to 72 hours prior to your sailing. Online check-in is the best way to expedite your embarkation. Then, on boarding day, arrive to the pier at your selected time for a breezy check-in! Securing the right travel documentation is very important. We want to ensure you enjoy your vacation and that nothing gets in the way! Governmental rules require that guests who do not have the proper documentation be denied boarding and we really don’t want that. We want your time with us to be perfect!   Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to seeing you soon!   Sincerely,   Royal Caribbean International

[twangster 25,707]

Day -4 (or is it -2?)

I booked my flights on Delta using Skymiles.  Then as we got closer and with the thought of 14 hours in one airplane seat on my mind I upgraded to Premium Select.  This gets you more legroom, more space between seats, a larger TV and an upgraded meal service.

The menu:

Somewhere around the equator the pilot couldn't line up with the equatorial gate so we had to run along near the equator until he found it.

We crossed a few time zones along the way.

With 90 minutes left it was time for our breakfast so last map photo, I promise.

While boarding I spotted some Royal luggage tags on some carry on bags.  The couple across the isle where boarding HAL on Saturday and the lady next to me was taking a sampler cruise on Voyager next. 

Coming off the plane... smack.  There's that summer heat and humidity that Australia if famous for. 

Walking through the duty shops towards immigration I spotted a passport kiosk just after the shops on the right that was empty so I did the passport scan thing and got my ticket.  That got me through to luggage where 10 minutes later our luggage started flowing.  

I queued up to leave and handed my ticket and passenger record I filled out in flight and that was it.  My passport already had the eTA so it was all very easy.  

This morning I would take the train to downtown.  The train was packed with morning commuters but I managed with my suitcase and backpack.  No opportunity to take pictures when you are a sardine in a sardine can.

Coming off the train at the Circular Quay station and low and behold... Voyager of the Seas!

I walked towards my hotel in the direction of the ship spotting a very good doggie.

[WAAAYTOOO 11,598]

So glad you made it. That’s a LOOOONG flight.  Is it your first time down unda ?

[Jaymac Radio 1,116]

Glad You Made It Down Under Safely @twangster. I  Have To Say Voyager Looks Great With Her Paint Job. I Wish Royal Would Do That To More Ships.  

[Cruzinfun 44]

You made it! I wish it was warm here.  

[JLMoran 6,795]

Happy to hear you had an uneventful flight, apart from that problem with the equatorial gate. 

It's odd seeing Voyager with a hull the same (or very close) shade of blue as Anthem.