DO NOT CRUISE WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Item: Ovation of the Seas
Rating: 1
Author: ReneCG

Ovation of the Seas Cruise Review to South Pacific - Australia

ReneCG

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Vote: 1

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

11 Night New Zealand (Sydney Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 29, 2024

Ship: Ovation of the Seas

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 months ago

Review summary

If i could do a review for a MINUS score i would because i am appalled at the plain and simple discrimination and dictatorship by Royal Caribbean cruise line. I do not drink alcohol and avoid any type of processed food, sugary drinks, artificial colors etc... i choose to drink filtered water only, i know what you are all thinking BORING, i know. however it is my choice. I was just informed by Royal Caribbean that i HAD to book an alcohol package or at the very least refreshment package if my husband wanted one, and if i booked this to be eligible for a refund i would need to send proof in the form of a medical certificate to state why i didn't want these other drinks and that would be the only consideration they would make was due to a medical condition. I have never been so appalled and i have contacted the Federal Maritime commission to take this further but just for anyone to be aware, do not give this company a cent of your money.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Ship tip

DONT GO

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Sydney, Australia

1 out of 5

Picton, New Zealand

1 out of 5

Napier, New Zealand

1 out of 5

Wellington, New Zealand

1 out of 5

Christchurch, New Zealand

1 out of 5

Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand

1 out of 5

Cruise Dusky Sound

1 out of 5

Cruise Doubtful Sound

1 out of 5

Cruise Milford Sound

1 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

12 Comments

CapDug 2 months ago

Make your week long reservation at a hospital. They can accommodate your needs. Geez it’s a cruise ship. You didn’t think about that before getting on the ship. You’re overboard with the maritime. Like really!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

ddme 2 months ago

What a great itinerary you had for this trip. Australia and New Zealand are marvelous. Sorry that one issue ruined your trip.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Gravel6 2 months ago

Karen, you are the issue. Not the cruise line.

Thumbs Up 6

Flag

Flcruisepro 2 months ago

So basically because of one issue that most cruiselines have as policy, you rated the whole review and cruiseline one star and even filed a complaint with a maritime authority. WOW. There is a certain name that comes to mind with your review.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Dumfy75 2 months ago

You’re being a tad dramatic here plus this is standard policy across all cruiselines so maybe you shouldn’t cruise at all.

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

AuntPinkie 2 months ago

Appreciate that you have a regimental lifestyle. Because we don’t drink enough for a two drink packages (a standard from most lines), we don’t buy it. We buy our drinks as we go and have saved money. Sorry this one issue ruined your cruise. Perhaps cruising is NOT for you.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

Gwbigdog 2 months ago

Oops sorry thanks

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

missnotanlines 2 months ago

Read before you go if you don't like it cancel and stay home

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

cruising2004 2 months ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

HeavySeas 2 months ago

Ok then.....

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

shopaholic6 2 months ago

So why not just pay for drinks as you go then?

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

racen00 2 months ago

All the cruise line have that same policy. Sorry I do agree that I should have to purchase a product that I don't want, because some else does. But to understand why does kinda make since from the cruise lines point and sad but true there profits. Hopefully you will look past the one big sticker of the trip and see the fun enjoyment of the rest of the cruise.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Amazing!

Need Vacation from my Vacation

It was a wonderful cruise on a great ship. We were very disappointed that we had to miss the port of Dunedin and cruising through the Milford and Dusky sounds due to weather. Seeing the sounds were the main reason that we chose this cruise.