Had an amazing time, was great weather. Ship lacked some entertainment. Other Lifts wouldn't stop if a lift was already at that level. Good variety of shops and eating areas.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
It was so quick and easy. From baggage drop was told we could board straight away as the ship had been cleared to board earlier than expected
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
All food we had and places we ate were all awesome.
Main dining room Silk, Solarium bistro and American Icon Grill, was great food.
Always nice variety of food at Windjammers, also Sorrentos, hot dog place and fish and ships had nice food.
American Icon Grille
5 out of 5
Always had good food, could choose for lunch to sit down and be served or use the buffet area or even a bit of both
Silk
5 out of 5
Our waiters were amazing in here as to all the staff. Very apologetic if something was found to not be of standard
Bionic Bar
5 out of 5
Was amazing how this worked and the variety of drinks to be able to order
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Pools and spas were great. Solarium was always packed out so never got to utilise this part.
Northstar was an amazing exeperience just wasnt in there long enough and thought it went out over the sea not just up and down.
Hubby was booked for IFly but both days were cancelled due to weather(safety first though).
Port Merchants
5 out of 5
Staff was very helpful.It did lack pricing on items which staff said they can give prices but i and many others preferred to be able to look at a price than to ask for prices specially if staff was busy serving.Loved the night of taste testing and free shots
Pool
5 out of 5
Always plenty of area to swim of use the spas. Lifeguards always on the watch and making sure everyone abided by the rules
Focus Photo Gallery
5 out of 5
Staff very helpful when looking at photos
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The performances they had were amazing, it does lack a bit in this area as there was a lot more comedy and the likes than stage performance. Some of the muscians we seen were great.
The Ovations of the Seas performance done by crew members was amazing and full of life.
North Star
4 out of 5
I thought it went up and out of the sea. But it was very quick and only went up and back down
Children's Programs
Had no children
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our waiters in Silk, Rowell and Shawn nothing was to much to ask for, they were both very friendly and chatty.
Room steward Beau was an amazing person, room alwaya clean and tidy twice daily. Nothing was to hard when asked.
The staff we dealt with otherwise were amazing including the photographers.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Always seem very clean including the toilets. Well set out for sure.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Room was a little small but overall wasnt an issue. Cupboard space could be a bit more.
Bed was a bit close to one of the cupboards making it slightly hard to get to the side of the bed when needed. Had one lounge type chair and another chair to sit at the desk. Tellys pull out from the wall as we finally found out over half way through the cruise.
Ship tip
If you have sailed before on another cruiseline then you maybe able to notice some of the experiences some being better and some noy so on Ovation. We did enjoy the cruise and ship though but did find some days not much to do.
After getting off the tender went into the township by the bus and did a local cruise out to the Hole in The Rock. This was awesome as we managed to go through the Hole in the Rock and on the other side was many birds and also lots of trout. The charter boat put their line out and caught one of the fish another got away.
Went to the Treaty house which is also amazing
Highly recommend going there.
Bay of islands township also has an awesome pie shop
After getting off the tender at the pier was easy 2 min walk to the township.
Was railway work being down for their new train lines but still easily accessible. Many shops to see.
Macccas has free 30 min wifi or throughout the city many free wifi areas.
We hired a car and drove to the township of Huntly 91 klm south of Auckland .
Enjoyed our day there
We did stop at this port but i was not well enough to go off the ship. Hubby got off and went for a look around he said it wasnt that much to boast abt.
We were going to go on the Cable car but being sick stopped this.
Nice port, dudnt realise that local.tours could be brought here at first. We had purchased our ticket for the transfer bus to Dunedin, then we noticed the tours on offer. Had to ask for a refund on the transfer bus ticket.
We decided to do a tour to Lanarch castle with headfirst tours. They were awesome dealing with. The castle was more than amazing. Take the opportunity to visit if you can. Only thing half way up the castle i felt very sick so had to go back down. But loved the country side heading to and fro. Lanarche Castle.
Managed to be feeling sick before going through and was stuff in my cabin. Did watch some of it on the telly and able to liaten to the commentary abt it.
Managed to be feeling sick before going through and was stuff in my cabin. Did watch some of it on the telly and able to liaten to the commentary abt it.
Milford sounds was amazing. Got to see snow on the mountains. Never have i seen snow before in person. The views and waterfalls are worth seeing. Seen some dolphins also.
It was all very easy. Dissappointed we had to be off by 7:30 due to taking out own luggage off. The lifts were quute slow but its was to be expected with so many on the ship.
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