Ovation of the Seas Review

Gorgeous ship, wonderful staff, beautiful cabin, delicious food

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Ovation of the Seas
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Jacq2010
6-10 Cruises • Age 50s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
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Additional details

Sail Date: Jan 2017
Cabin: Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

Embarkation - very efficient! Our check in time was scheduled for 11.30am, we were on board at 11.40am. Their statement of kerb to ship in 10 minutes was true. Very well organised which it needs to be when around 4,000 people are boarding. I had done all of our pre check in online before hand, this is a must do - it truly helps keeps things running smoothly. Our cabin was marked as being ready at 1.00pm and they have the doors to the corridors closed until the cabins are ready. The cruise cards (your seapass card) for accessing our cabin, on board spending, getting on and off the ships in port where at our cabin unlike other cruises (Princess, P&O) where you get them before you board. Again, this is another thing that helps speed up embarkation.

Cabin - we had a balcony cabin on deck 13 (568) and found it to be in the perfect spot. Near to the front stairs and lifts and close to the Solarium on Deck 14. The cabin was set out really well with plenty of room and storage and a lovely sized balcony. The bathroom was compact but, again, set out very well with a great use of space. Our cabin had two wardrobes and lots of drawers as well as two cupboards above the beds. It also had a bar fridge, safe and kettle with tea. If you want to make your own coffee you will need to bring that with you. The suitcase could fit either under the bed or in the wardrobe. Our cabin was below deck 14, the pool deck, but we found we only heard any noise out on the balcony and it was very minimum. Just heavy footed people walking but nothing that bothered us at all. Inside the cabin was very quiet.

Food - loved everything we ate (maybe except for the turkey chipolatas). We had our breakfast in the Solarium Bistro which is a small buffet style restaurant at the front of the ship near the Solarium (the adults only - 16+ area). This had a selection of hot food ie bacon, eggs, toast, waffles etc plus a selection of pastries, fruits, muesli, porridge. A drinks station for tea, coffee, hot chocolate as well as fruit juices. Lunch we mainly went to Windjammers Buffet at the back of deck 14. Many choices and we always enjoyed our meals. Obviously this can get busy but we never had an issue finding a table. We generally went down the back after getting our food and always found a table there. There is also an outside area right out the back to sit. The dessert station did not disappoint :-) They sure know how to make great cakes!

Cabin Review

Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

Cabin D4

Beautiful cabin, very spacious with plenty of storage (two wardrobes and lots of drawers as well as two large cupboards above the beds. Our suitcases fitted under the bed and in the wardrobe) and a lovely sized balcony with two chairs and a table. Compact but well laid out bathroom. Great to have a kettle in the cabin and make a cuppa to enjoy out on the balcony. If you drink coffee you will need to bring your own as there were only tea bags. Bar fridge and safe plus a large lounge and huge TV. We found the cabin to be a good spot location wise, close to the front stairs and lifts and not far from the Solarium on Deck 14. Just remember that it is a BIG ship so some things are going to be a bit of a distance from your cabin, great way to walk off all the yummy food :-)

Port Reviews

Sydney (Australia)

We arrived on the Thursday before our cruise which left on Saturday. We've been to Sydney many times and have always enjoyed our time here. This time we caught a train out west to where we once lived, for old times sake. Previously we've gone to Taronga Zoo and Luna Park. We've also climb the Harbour Bridge (fabulous experience!), did the Skywalk (we loved this too) and went Jet boating (another fabulous experience). Lots to do and see in Sydney.

Noumea

We just walked around Noumea and took a few happy snaps. We have been here a couple of times and previously done the Hop on Hop off bus which we organised once we got to the cruise terminal. This was a great way to see a bit more of Noumea. Lovely harbour. Quite an expensive place but you can get some nice souvenirs in the markets above the terminal.

Mystery Island

Mystery Island is gorgeous. Beautiful water and a great place to make the most of being in the pacific. I thought the shore tours were quite expensive for that they were but did not doing any so can't say if they were value for money. I think you're best to just bring (or hire) your own snorkel gear and do your own thing. It takes about 20 minutes to walk around the whole island and about 3 minutes to walk across it. It isn't very big but it is lovely!

Tauranga

Lovely place. We walked around Mount Maunganui and along the beach side then through town. Busy little place when two huge cruise ships arrive. The Emerald Princess was also docked here. Quite a busy little harbour with a large container port. There was a complimentary shuttle to Tauranga but we ran out of energy and didn't end up catching it. It was around a 20 minute trip to the main town of Tauranga.

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