‘Interesting’ cruise

Ovation of the Seas Cruise Review to Asia & Indian Ocean

julieNmike

Contributor Level: Cruise Director

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 14

Helpful Votes: 439

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Ultimate Japan

Sail date: May 14, 2018

Ship: Ovation of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8680

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Fabulous ship and excellent itinerary which was Hong Kong, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Shimonoseki and back to Hong Kong, not as the app lists it. As noted, facilities on the ship are universally excellent and two many to list here. We felt that the food menu especially was compromised by the location and ethnicity of a proportion of the passengers which is very understandable, but this had a big impact on the lack of choice on the main dining rooms. We love trying new foods, but it all got very ‘samey’’ after the first few days. One casualty that we didn’t know about was Jonny Rockets, which has been replaced with a permanently empty noodle bar. I don’t eat many burgers, but a do enjoy a Jonny rocket or two - not at the same time... The lack of manners and poor treatment of staff was very evident all over the ship, primarily by passengers from a specific country. We were not at all happy to see this, but the brilliant staff dealt with it very well. Overall a very enjoyable cruise, with some aspects that were a little disappointing.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Lots of stopping and starting, but no real issues with embarkation.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The ovation ran out of our favourite Sauvignon Blanc less than 48 hours after leaving Hong Kong, and no, that wasn’t down to our excessive consumption. Disappointing.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

We did the Ifly again which is great, but too little time spent flying. The bumper cars were also great, but really disappointed that the Norhh Star only went up and down - not side to side, even when out at sea. Excellent facilities in general on the ship.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Excellent service in general, despite staffs understandable irritation at times with a certain ethnicity of passenger and lack of manners.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Only two banks of stairs and lifts which might be a bit lacking for older passengers on a large ship, but not an issue for us.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

It might be worth while avoiding balcony cabins numbered x670 to x684 on the port side as there is a large smokers accommodation on deck 5. There wasn’t much smoke but we were usually aware of it when on the balcony.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Nagasaki, Japan

5 out of 5

Excellent location. Please make sure to visit the Atomic Bomb related points - very humbling.

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Disembarkation

4 out of 5

12 Comments

julieNmike 6 years ago

That is good to know, but sadly education and actions are miles apart if the individuals involved are used to acting selfishly. I’d like to say that would help, but I can’t see it having much of an effect in the short term. Leopard and spots etc...

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DFromATX 6 years ago

I know what I’m about to say might offend some, please know that’s not my intention... I have read that tourism for the Chinese is somewhat new and that they don’t always act appropriately when vacationing and that even their government is trying to educate them so as to avoid embarrassment.

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julieNmike 6 years ago

Well, these were mainly made up of Australasian, Japanese chinese, British and American passengers. The rude ones were from the east, but were not From Japan. Members of this nationality were seen to refuse to wash their hands, take chairs while the incumbent was at the bar, not be prepared to stand in line and make a scene when challenged. We heard of some fisticuffs at customer services about the latter, but didn’t see it ourselves. Odd really as I’ve always found their countrymen really pleasant, bur I’ve only ever seen this nationality in their own country in the past Please understand that this wasn’t happening all the time, but it did happen often enough to be annoying.

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mbbarnes80 6 years ago

Dare I ask which people were the rudest to the staff on board? When I cruised on Ovation in March the staff had to put with some pretty rude passengers.

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julieNmike 6 years ago

robinmariah Enjoy your cruise, I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

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robinmariah 6 years ago

We leave on the Ovation June 11th.

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julieNmike 6 years ago

dlorimer. IFly was charged at $29 but this was refunded the day after my ‘flight’. I understand that this varies depending on the itinerary. Enjoy October, she’s a beautiful ship.

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dlorimer 6 years ago

Was there a charge for the iFly? Looking forward to October to sail on the Ovation. I would expect there to be more Asian food than Western, but wherever we are in the world we’ll try the local cuisine.

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IkeDeb 6 years ago

Great!

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julieNmike 6 years ago

I added the following to the review, but for some reason it doesn’t appear above. It might be an idea to consider carefully before booking a port side stateroom numbered between x670 and x684 as there is a large open (glass screened) smoking area directly below on deck 5. There really wasn’t much of an issue with smoke as I suspect some form of extraction is employed, but we were always conscious of it when on the balcony.

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canalview 6 years ago

The Ovation is a wonderful ship,on my sailing which ended in Singapore,the democratic was European, Australasia and a mix of Asian.There was no lack of Western food,the Noodle Bar was very empty,this food offering replaces Johnny Rockets,owing to the area's sailed,but it sounds that this reasoning may not be working.From a meeting that I attended,the staffing levels,after Singapore, switches greatly between the number of Bar Staff,to the increased number of Casino Staff, obviously,this is just one of the area's which change,happy and safe Cruising xxxx

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Emo507 6 years ago

Great to know, been thinking of cruising on this ship. Thanks

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