This is a great cruise itenarary if you want to get a sample of ports of New Zealand. One disappointment was that Royal Caibbean at onbe time offered Hobart, Tasmania as a port of call. On should also be aware that you may experience rough seas, but a ship such as the Ovation of the Seas can handle it fairly well, and that is part of the adventure.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkation experience went smoothly using the key pass program.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We experienced the main dining room one night until we learned that because we had a junior suite that we could dine for dinner only at the Coastal Kichen. The dining room was intimate with a great view. Staff there was excellent from making reservations to the table service. Wait staff was expremely attentive.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
There was a plethora of onboard activities whether the ship was in prot or at sea, The forward pools were amazing and the outdoor pools were inviting with a good staff of lifeguards and bars nearby. Scheduling prevented us from experience the Northstar experience or the Fly-In exexpereince.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We enjoyed much of the onboard ship's enterntainment including the classical guitarist Voychek, the lounge piano bar act Pat O'Sheal the magician, the hypnotist, the commedian, as well as the incredible cabaret act in the Two-70 lunge. That was a sense experience!
Children's Programs
We did not take children.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our stateroom attendant was attentive, however we did notice that Royal Caribbean has cut down the number of service vistis per day. Breakfast room service was on time and was still no charge. Bar staff was excellent. Melchor, the barman at the main pool was able to concoct beverages quickly and to you needs.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The Ovation of the seas is a wonderful ship that is laid out for easy access to most venues. It was clean. Our minisuite was spacious, well laid out and offered us outstanding views.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
This minisuite is well laid out with a large comfortable bed. Bath and shower are separated with separate toilet. Balcony was roomy and offered spectacular views.
Ship tip
If you neuralgia, or pain from gout, make sure you bring plenty of medicine even if it is over-the-counter (OTC) as none of it is available in the ship stores. You can get motion sickness pills such as Bonine or Benadryl but you can't purchase ibuprofin or Naproxin. You must make an appointment to see the ship's doctor anmd thye will charge you at minimum $150. This does not include the cost of the medicine. also if you have activities ashore, you may be limited on time to vist a pharmacy as thir hours are limited. If you are lucky some small markets may carry these items. If you do happen upon a pharmacy, you will find them very helpful, and off you medicines that are a bit stronger than the OTC varieties
We visited this city after our inboard flight. Used the first day to visit the Tuaranga zoo. This is an exceptional experience as one can see many of the native animals of Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania in natural-like habitats, that sometimes make them a challnge to spot.
This old port in southern New Zealand is a treat as this is your first encounter with country of New Zealand. The off-road tour of the beach with seal and penguin habitats are a must sea. the ATV ride is definitaly an advenure. It can rival the Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona, Arizona.
We chose to the Maori Experience. This consists of a walking tour of the dental city area of Christchurch, which was repurposed after a devastating earthquake. Reconstruction is ongoing. Maori guides explained the history of the area and their culture. We paddled a waka (canoe) on the Avon River, which in itself is an entertaining experience.
We also fistied a wildlife center, which houses a number of New Zealand native creatures. The zoo was busy on the day we visited because of a teachers' strike that day So where do parents take their children? Of course, the zoo.
In Tuaranga, we expereinced another Maori experience where we visited a wildlife and Maori cultural center that included a visit to mujd pits and geysers where your luch is prepared, a small zoo, and and Maori crafts factory. Also, included was a visit to a kiwi farm where we could see how they are grown sample different varieties, and taste kiwi juice, kiwi fruit, kiwi liqueur, and a host of other products.
We chose the Hobbiton tour from Aukand as the Tuaranga tour was sold out. this tour sells out early so if you plan to visit Hobbit/Lord of the Rings venue, decide early. This tour did become available later on but it begins in Aukland, which is a long bus trip of sevearl hours depending on traffic. Ours and several other buses arrived back after the ship was set to sail. fortunately tthe captain delayed his departure.
The island vistas at this port are amazing. We chose to visit the kauri tree forest ( think American Redwood forests) and the Glowworm Caves, a worthwhile adventure. Unfortuantely, no photgraphs are allowed once inside the caves.
While we had an early disembarkation because our flight schedule, their was a snafu with the shuttle busses to the airports. because Sydney as two airports, one for international and one for domestic flights, it can be come a bit confusing. Our bus driver took us through downtown to the domestic airport first, which can cause some anxiety as most airports require an earlier check in for international flights. However, it seems to me that the Australian security system is much more efficient because it is automated in checking bags, as well as forgiving than what we experience with TSA even with Precheck back in the USA.
Love the comment about the zoo having native animals from Australia, NZ, and Tasmania.
Tasmania is Australia. And NZ have no native animals. Only some birds.
Glad you enjoyed the cruise. Have just done B2B NZ. Lovely
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