Ovation of the Seas

[Atleastonce]

We have just booked (at a very reasonable price) a superior balcony room mid ship on the new Ovation of the Seas for May 2016. Accompanied with J EY to Abu Dhabi rewards seats and accompanying complementary limo to departure port in Dubai and J SQ reward seats makes for a pretty good get away.
Itinerary is fly MCY-SYD-AUH in J
Cruise Dubai, Muscat, India, Malaysia, Singapore. (14 days)
Return flights SIN-MEL-MCY in J

Third cruise with Royal Caribbean but first on an Quantum Class and first SQ J experience.

 

[Pushka]

That is one big ship there. We have sailed with RCL once (Liberty of the seas) and Celebrity twice. They offer a great product.

Will be VERY hot in Dubai in June and possibly Ramadan.

For the Indian Visas, follow the photo instructions very carefully. They don't accept passport photos.

Please do a trip report.

 

[bobe]

That is one big ship there. We have sailed with RCL once (Liberty of the seas) and Celebrity twice. They offer a great product.

Will be VERY hot in Dubai in June and possibly Ramadan.

For the Indian Visas, follow the photo instructions very carefully. They don't accept passport photos.

Please do a trip report.

I did did the last cruise on Celebrity Century on the same rout,got my photos at the Indian embassy contractor in Perth, went to one of those photo booths,cost me $5 took only 4 days to get the visa.

 

[Pushka]

I did did the last cruise on Celebrity Century on the same rout,got my photos at the Indian embassy contractor in Perth, went to one of those photo booths,cost me $5 took only 4 days to get the visa.

Yep. Once you get the photos right it is quick. So many people were turned away when we lined up. The photo shop at Adelaide market (where the Consulate is) dies a roaring trade in recreating the passport photos to fit.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Will be VERY hot in Dubai in June and possibly Ramadan.

.

6 June to 5 July 16

 

[Pushka]

6 June to 5 July 16

Dont dare ask on Trip Advisor Dubai forums when Ramadan is. Got the nastiest of responses because I should have known it is all to do with actual physical moon sighting and not a specific calculated date.

 

[Geegeela]

Yep. Once you get the photos right it is quick. So many people were turned away when we lined up. The photo shop at Adelaide market (where the Consulate is) dies a roaring trade in recreating the passport photos to fit.

The visa place at the markets has a correct size photo booth.

 

[Pushka]

The visa place at the markets has a correct size photo booth.

I was lodging for others so the photos were already done.

 

[Atleastonce]

We just got a quote from flight centre to assist with visa for Oman and India. For the 2 of us it is a total of $840. Surely that is way over the top and we can do it much more reasonably ourself.

 

[bobe]

The ship should organise the Oman visa for you,we did as previously said the same cruise in March and Celebrity( Royal Carrabean )did the Oman visa, I did the Indian application online cost aprox for 2 people $ 220, if you want to know go online, it's straight forward and took about 4 days, any thing else PM , me

 

[Fifa]

We just got a quote from flight centre to assist with visa for Oman and India. For the 2 of us it is a total of $840. Surely that is way over the top and we can do it much more reasonably ourself.

We did Singapore to Dubai on the Celebrity Century earlier this year.

I think FC is charging a huge premium to 'help' you!
You can apply for an Indian visa yourself via VFS Global. We actually visited their office in Sydney where they also have photo booths (just be aware the photo size is larger than a passport photo).

We did not require a visa for Oman.

 

[catr13]

Ovation looks amazing! I have the Oasis of the Seas booked and can't wait!

 

[Tazza_0712]

I have Ovation booked for January 2017 Sydney to NZ. Can't wait! Managed to snag a Sky Loft at a decent rate as a result of booking it almost as soon as it went live in the system. Only downside is a very long countdown.

 

[razors_girl23]

Ovation looks amazing! I have the Oasis of the Seas booked and can't wait!

You'll love it. My husband and I have done two cruises on the Oasis and it's amazing. Are you stopping at St Marteen?

 

[catr13]

I have Ovation booked for January 2017 Sydney to NZ. Can't wait! Managed to snag a Sky Loft at a decent rate as a result of booking it almost as soon as it went live in the system. Only downside is a very long countdown.

Aww I have been looking at that cruise, it's so expensive now!

 

[catr13]

You'll love it. My husband and I have done two cruises on the Oasis and it's amazing. Are you stopping at St Marteen?

Yep we are doing the Eastern Caribbean route which stops in St Maarten

 

[razors_girl23]

Yep we are doing the Eastern Caribbean route which stops in St Maarten

Maho beach is the greatest place on earth!!

 

[Atleastonce]

65 days until departure and counting. (Actually only 35 days "in the office days" left). Most shore excursions booked and drinks package and Internet package purchased. Internet on board is claimed to be high speed and equivalent to on land Internet. Previously we have purchased Internet by the hour but you can no longer do that and it is per device and for the complete trip. Sadly Internet is a requirement for our trips away so my wife can continue with some consulting whilst away, so the expensive Internet is a must, and the ability to do trip report on AFF. India visas have been obtained and that was really an easy process through VFS global in Brisbane. They were very helpful and visas arrived in the mail within a week of application. RCL have confirmed no visa requirement for Oman as they do a group visa for the ship. Can't wait and getting close now!

 

[Pushka]

Looking forward to your report!

 

[Atleastonce]

20 days to go.