Jamesszy94 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 Fish and Ships is honestly so underrated!! Same with SeaPlex Hot Dog House! I do want to experience the Royal Promenade on the Oasis class ships one day.... SweetPea, Yesiamthere6 and FloatyBoaty 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 Gonna go to the side of the ship and see if we can spot pier runners FireFishII and Yesiamthere6 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 Parked in port right now enjoying dinner... Night 4's dinner menu. Would recommend the Asian FireFishII, SweetPea, MaryS and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted March 6, 2023 Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 On 3/4/2023 at 4:01 PM, Jamesszy94 said: Watching the beautiful ocean. We're almost at our first port.. but she's started rocking again! Rough seas all week...I swear... are her stabilizers legit broken or something? It wasn't this bad last time I sailed on her. A couple of years ago, I was cruising in the Caribbean. The seas were so rough that the captain announced that he had to pull in the stabilizers. This was done to prevent the stabilizers from breaking. The ship was rolling so bad, I could not walk a straight line. I just bounced from wall to wall. LOL! I had to kid my sisters, who had only cruised in the Mediterranean. They tried to convince me that I would not feel the ship move. Fortunately, I did not listen to them and brought my motion sickness medication with me. Jamesszy94, SweetPea and Yesiamthere6 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 3 hours ago, FireFishII said: A couple of years ago, I was cruising in the Caribbean. The seas were so rough that the captain announced that he had to pull in the stabilizers. This was done to prevent the stabilizers from breaking. The ship was rolling so bad, I could not walk a straight line. I just bounced from wall to wall. LOL! I had to kid my sisters, who had only cruised in the Mediterranean. They tried to convince me that I would not feel the ship move. Fortunately, I did not listen to them and brought my motion sickness medication with me. Yikes. I mean the seas here are rough, but they're not that rough, the captain hasn't announced anything about pulling the stabilizers, it is pretty hard to walk in a straight line Day 5... sea day Hoping to get out and do more trivia... FireFishII, SweetPea and KristiZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 I've missed the towel animals... and there's no in room magazine for you to buy stuff anymore, but you also can't buy/rent movies on your TV anymore...what's up with that No teleportation Yesiamthere6, FionaMG, FireFishII and 2 others 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 4 hours ago, FireFishII said: A couple of years ago, I was cruising in the Caribbean. The seas were so rough that the captain announced that he had to pull in the stabilizers. This was done to prevent the stabilizers from breaking. The ship was rolling so bad, I could not walk a straight line. I just bounced from wall to wall. LOL! I had to kid my sisters, who had only cruised in the Mediterranean. They tried to convince me that I would not feel the ship move. Fortunately, I did not listen to them and brought my motion sickness medication with me. Steve from Canada just announced that we're expecting rough seas ahead for a while due to the weather.. hoping it gets better when we get to Hobart FireFishII 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 I think it's kinda cute that Pinnacle members get a name badge to identify who they are, I was in the lift with a woman about 3 days ago and she was all dressed up had earrings in the shape of the Royal logo on and she had a nametag identifying her as a Pinnacle member! Yesiamthere6 and FloatyBoaty 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 2 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said: No teleportation Wow, someone who actually reads the signs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 Day 5 dinner menu. Do they have complimentary anymore?? If so what night(s)? Rough waves again!! Surprisingly she hasn't rocked as much as she did last night... but I might have just jinxed it Also I asked Matt on the live Q&A stream today but he said he wasn't sure, does anyone know why Port Merchants isn't open??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 Tonight's dinner was way better than last night. I would say Night 4's dinner was the weakest of the cruise. KristiZ and SweetPea 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 I read somewhere that the lobster night is the 2nd sea days on 7 night cruises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 Day 6. We've finally arrived in Tasmania. Been here before, so not really much to see or do, our shore excursion isn't till tomorrow. Never tried an overnight port before. Kinda like it, we don't have to rush back to the ship. But also, considering she's a 7 year old ship, she's still in very good condition on the outside, staff members painting and cleaning her rust! I'm still in shock of how big she actually is seeing her from far, I mean, I know Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony and Wonder are still bigger, but she's still the biggest ship I've been on! FloatyBoaty, JohnK6404, FireFishII and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 Sorrento's Pizza! SweetPea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 Admittedly, I don't spend as much time inside 270 as I'd like to. Yesiamthere6, FireFishII and SweetPea 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 Day 7. Final day in Tasmania. The overnight was interesting. Most of the restaurants were empty, probably cause people were either staying overnight or they just decided not to stay on the ship for dinner etc. Oysters and Wine today! Then it's one final sea day tomorrow! Then it's back to reality. I wish cruising would never end SweetPea, WAAAYTOOO, Yesiamthere6 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Staff painting her! Keeping her in pristine condition! Quite nice to see. She really is an ovation! FireFishII and SweetPea 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Day 7 MDR menu. Minestrone!!! FireFishII, Yesiamthere6 and SweetPea 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 The Beautiful Dream! FireFishII and SweetPea 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Final sea day tomorrow! Where did all the time go. I don't want to get off SweetPea, Yesiamthere6, MaryS and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 The Beautiful Dream was such a great show! Props to the cast!! FireFishII, FloatyBoaty and SweetPea 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottD Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 These look like the old menus, which is pretty cool. Thanks for the inside look, we did Oasis last month and have been considering a Quantum class ship, so it's nice to get a little inside look at one! WAAAYTOOO and Jamesszy94 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Crazy Quest inside SeaPlex... let's just say things got super raunchy... I think maybe once Ovation returns back to the US for the Summer period, they'll implement the new MDR menu? Who knows. FireFishII, SweetPea and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Last day final thoughts (I'll do another one post cruise): While I definitely did enjoy my time on board, I didn't nearly do as much this time around, not sure if it's because I did everything last time already and I knew what to expect, either way, admittedly, I slept and ate a lot which I guess is what you go on vacation for... to relax I still attended the trivia's though so that was fun! I really did like trying out the different cuisines in the main dining room. I could have sworn they used to have a sushi section in the Windjammer... now there's THREE whole sections just for fruit and deserts....The Casino has also changed quite a bit from what I remember, not as many people gambled this time around.. but also I miss the towel animals in the room each night, it was a fun little treat from the hardworking room attendants! Also Port Merchants was closed the entire trip so not sure what was up with that.... SweetPea, FireFishII, MaryS and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Spectra's Cabaret tonight! But also love the fact that the Quantum class ships have an entire sports court for the different types of sports and activities. Especially the Bumper Cars! Maybe when we get the 3rd Icon-class they'll add Dodgems to that ship or an amusement park ride, maybe a pirate ship FireFishII, SweetPea and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Night 8 menu. Last night of the cruise I don't want to get off, but unfortunately we have to She'll be back next season!... that or I can travel to Singapore. FireFishII, SweetPea, FionaMG and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Waiting for Spectra's Cabaret! SweetPea and FireFishII 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 I guess since Ovation no longer sails to China, they got rid of all the Chinese around the ship! I'm assuming Spectrum has Chinese around the ship though, since she's homeported in Singapore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 I have noticed little things being different since I last sailed on Ovation back in 2017 though. Like some furniture placement, the Casino has changed the most and I know they combined all 4 dining rooms into a single MDR, instead of having 4 seperate ones - Silk, American Grille, The Grande and Chic. SweetPea and MaryS 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 I love the effort that Cecilia and her cruise entertainment staff put into all the trivia's and fun activities! I want to give a huge shoutout to Cruise Director Steve from Canada, all the crew (no matter what department - food and beverage, restaurant staff, housekeeping, chefs etc) and all the wonderful cast for the shows! Spectra's Cabaret was definitely an interesting experience to say the least, people talking throughout shows are the worst. Especially kids! And it's worse when their parents just sit there and let them misbehave!! KristiZ, MaryS, FireFishII and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Only 12 more hours before I have to get off. It's been a great 9 days and 8 nights, but alas, all good things must come to an end. Maybe when she returns down under in October, I'll be able to sail on her again, or I can sail on Brilliance when she also comes down under in October. SweetPea and MaryS 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Disembarkation date! I don't want to get off. Someone invent a time machine so I can go back in time! FionaMG, MaryS, SweetPea and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 1 hour ago, Jamesszy94 said: Disembarkation date! I don't want to get off. Someone invent a time machine so I can go back in time! I feel your pain. Wouldn't that be wonderful!? Thanks for sharing. Safe travels home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 WAAAYTOOO, Jamesszy94 and FionaMG 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Post cruise thoughts: It was nice to get away from reality for 8 days and just relax, watch the ocean, eat whenever I wanted, and sleep whenever I wanted, I think like I said in my final day thoughts, I didn't nearly do as much this time around - I've sailed on Ovation before and she felt pretty much the same, except for like some differences here and there, but the experience was relatively the same. I did attend shows that I hadn't seen before, so that was refreshing (Spectra's Cabaret, Beautiful Dream, James Bustar and Duck Cameron)... unfortunately I missed out on Live. Love. Legs. But I also tried other things that I didn't try last time; Using NextCruise, attending the art auction, ordering room service, Fish & Ships and even the SeaPlex Hotdog House! The main dining room menus did change every night, but I don't think it was the same as how Royal had changed their other ships MDR menu's on the other ships, I'm guessing when she heads back to the United States in April - they'll put her into Dry Dock for a few weeks or something to implement all the changes.. Port Merchants was closed the entire trip - not sure what's up with that, but I think it's probably got to do with Australian law or something idk lol, I also bought a few "Ovation of the Seas" shirts.... hey, I'm on holidays - why not. But also, this time around, most of the product they sell weren't that nice (at least in the "Royal Promenade), they used to sell nice dresses, bags, hats etc, now all they sell are watches and jewelry that most people don't care about tbh - I didn't see a single person buy a watch. Not gonna lie, the Windjammer was pretty meh - it was the same thing every day; like they would have different cuisine options (every night, it would tell us on the Cruise Compass), but it would only be for like one booth and then everything else was like the classics - pasta, burgers, chips, beef, pork etc etc. I think that's why I've always preferred the MDR. They actually have different things for you to try as well as classics if you're into that, but also it's a nice feeling not needing to fight/spend 10 minutes looking for seating or feeling like we have to rush to get out of there (different people have different preferences I suppose). The MDR provides guaranteed seating every day and 90% of the time, the wait staff you get are actually very nice people who will accommodate you to the best of their abilities. I like being able to relax and enjoy a nice meal. It's definitely nice to see that she's still in very good condition despite being a 6 year old ship (I mean I guess in the grand scheme of things, compared to Royal's older ships *looking at you Vision-class* she's basically brand new). I did something that I normally don't do on cruise ships - which is buy internet; don't even get me started on the VOOM internet; it was alright at best and downright garbage at worst - it would cut out often and it was so slow that it sometimes took almost 1 hour to load a 3 minute YouTube video - luckily we were in port when Matt did his Live Q&A - so I just used my mobile data. I guess that's what happens when you have 4000+ people trying to connect at one time... as much as I disapprove of Elon and his recent shenanigans (that's a whole other can of worms that I'm not going to get into) - I really do hope that when she returns to the United States; they give her StarLink internet. I keep hearing all these horror stories about chair hogs on the pool deck and not being able to find a chair, but I walked around the pool deck (didn't swim, just walked around) and it wasn't that hard to find a chair... although, it did rain a few days, (so noone really used the outdoor pool). -that's all the post-cruise thoughts I have at the moment, just go home a couple of hours ago, so still a bit ship-lagged (is that even a thing? ) will add more thoughts if and when I have any- MaryS, JohnK6404, FionaMG and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 The Oysters & Wine Shore Excursion is definitely not worth $129 - the Oysters were nice... but the wine wasn't that great..... My biggest regret is not doing the All Access Tour, I kept telling myself, do it, do it, but never got around to... Oh well, maybe next time SweetPea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 Not even been a day since I returned and I'm already looking at booking my next cruise.... I only wish they'd change up the itineraries for the Australia sailings - the past few years it's all been one of the following: New Zealand cruises (which are all fine and good, but it gets boring after a while) South Pacific Around Australia SweetPea, JohnK6404 and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPea Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 27 minutes ago, Jamesszy94 said: Not even been a day since I returned and I'm already looking at booking my next cruise.... I only wish they'd change up the itineraries for the Australia sailings - the past few years it's all been one of the following: New Zealand cruises (which are all fine and good, but it gets boring after a while) South Pacific Around Australia Thanks for taking us along. Did you book with Cruise Next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 1 hour ago, SweetPea said: Thanks for taking us along. Did you book with Cruise Next? Haha no I didn't unfortunately. Hopefully I see something I'm interested in in the next few months. SweetPea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishRobbie Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 On 3/10/2023 at 6:16 AM, Jamesszy94 said: I think maybe once Ovation returns back to the US for the Summer period, they'll implement the new MDR menu? Who knows. I was on Ovation last month and enquired about the menu change - was told it'll happen after the move to Alaska Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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