Some Guidance For A Cruise Virgin

[RB]

Some mates have been trying to convince us to take a cruise. They have booked to go on this cruise
Cruise Details - Where You'll Go - Royal Caribbean International

So I would appreciate any guidance
1/ Would this be a good ship for 1st timers?
2/ Is such a large ship suited to the 3 Sounds?
3/ Any general thoughts or advice appreciated-We have had 2 previous visits to NZ in motorhomes & saw a lot of both islands but did not cover the SW (below Hokitika) or Far South

 

[Pushka]

I think an AFF’er has done a review of the ship? In Singapore I think a couple of years ago. Lots of fun I hear in terms of activities on board and book them early to get a spot. A very large ship so that has pros and cons. It will be stable in heavy seas. NZ can be fabulous in great weather but I’ve never cruised there. It will be better managed than the Carnival cruise from hell.

 

[odysseus]

Some mates have been trying to convince us to take a cruise. They have booked to go on this cruise
Cruise Details - Where You'll Go - Royal Caribbean International

So I would appreciate any guidance
1/ Would this be a good ship for 1st timers?
2/ Is such a large ship suited to the 3 Sounds?
3/ Any general thoughts or advice appreciated-We have had 2 previous visits to NZ in motorhomes & saw a lot of both islands but did not cover the SW (below Hokitika) or Far South

1) Depends why you're going. But if you like high tech things and modern conveniences it's a good match. It's my favourite mass market ship class. But as a first timer, the experience is pretty similar between ships of the same line.
2) Yes, they're plenty wide so navigable.
3) NZ is a great option for cruising though the itinerary is a bit short thanks to a) the ship being a bit large, and the ship being the attraction itself (and hence prices are also higher). The compressed itinerary also means your arrival in Wellington is a bit late so you only get a half day there.

Just prioritise why you're doing it which you haven't stated - if you mostly want to see NZ, look at itineraries on other ships to see if they suit you better, and compare pricing. If you want to see a modern ship and want lots of activities so it's as much about the ship, and less about NZ then it's a good choice.

 

[tgh]

Another perspective :

Top 5 Brawls on Carnival's Fun Ships : Cruise Law News

 

[Pushka]

Another perspective :

Top 5 Brawls on Carnival's Fun Ships : Cruise Law News

RB isn’t going on Carnival. Royal Caribbean is a completely different company.

 

[RB]

We have had more contemplation. As we are both drinkers a package looks like a good option-another $55 per day each (US$ I think) plus 18% gratuity. So at the current pricing, looking like around $AU5,000 for unobstructed balcony (2 people) plus costs to get to Sydney plus drinks. Makes for an expensive 12 day jaunt to catch up with mates which is basically why we would go.
I recall reading the review on here and was impressed. Not worried re the recent bad publicity, I figure the same stuff can happen at the pub/club, at the footy etc.
I am thinking we might give this a miss

 

[n7of9]

I recently went on my first cruise, I chose a 4 night/5 day cruise (out of Florida) because I was unsure if I'd like cruising. I ended up loving it, but mostly because I had Ports every day - each morning a new port to explore all day, then back on the ship for pool/spa/dinner. You can do as much or as little as you like on a cruise, and watching a movie on a huge screen in the moonlight by the pool (with coughtails) was bliss for me and made for one of the most relaxing holidays I've ever had

Your cruise has 3 consecutive 'cruising' days before you can get off...you'll have some nice scenery at times, but you'd want to partake in on-board activities to fill the hours. The ships are huge, but you can only walk the same path so many times. You'll get an overwhelming timetable of stuff you can do on the ship every day, but unless you'd also like to spend some quality time reading or exercising, I can't see how those 3 days will pass without boredom setting in

You mention 'catch up with mates' and '$5,000 for 2 people' - will 2 mates be sharing a room? The rooms are SMALL, the beds are small, the bathroom is small, the wardrobes are small. I had a double bed with a couch and a balcony all to myself, and it was just bearable for 1 person

Like I said, I loved it, and have already booked my next cruise, but it is definitely not for everyone, and a 10 night cruise with so many cruising days is a risky way to find out if you like it or hate it. Is there a shorter cruise you can do?

 

[odysseus]

We have had more contemplation. As we are both drinkers a package looks like a good option-another $55 per day each (US$ I think) plus 18% gratuity. So at the current pricing, looking like around $AU5,000 for unobstructed balcony (2 people) plus costs to get to Sydney plus drinks. Makes for an expensive 12 day jaunt to catch up with mates which is basically why we would go.
I recall reading the review on here and was impressed. Not worried re the recent bad publicity, I figure the same stuff can happen at the pub/club, at the footy etc.
I am thinking we might give this a miss

Fair points. Drink prices on RCL have gone up a lot the past few years - it's clear they see it as an easy revenue source. Whether buying individually, or as a package, alcohol prices will add a fair whack to the cruise if you go for that, and there isn't much alternative. You can bring two bottles of wine, and some 'smuggle' drinks on, but then it has to be covert, so there isn't much alternative if you want to consume onboard.

 

[casanovawa]

I've been on several cruises and i find them enjoyable for certain types of itineraries... On one i bought a soft drink pacakge but I would never waste my money on an alcohol package...

Maybe $5000 might be a bit much to blow on your first taste of cruising... You could go and opt for a cheaper room etc...

 

[Pushka]

I've been on several cruises and i find them enjoyable for certain types of itineraries... On one i bought a soft drink pacakge but I would never waste my money on an alcohol package...

Maybe $5000 might be a bit much to blow on your first taste of cruising... You could go and opt for a cheaper room etc...

Indeed but not sure if an inside will give the necessary experience.

 

[RB]

The figures I was quoting above were for 2 adults in the cabin. At the moment on the RCL site they are quoting $4,698 for an outside ocean view while an obstructed ocean view balcony is $5,196. As per another post that Pushka had on another thread, Isabel Travel are $4,550 and $5,020 for apparently the same categories (Isabel had a quote to me within an hour on Sunday morning). Currently $4,198 for a interior with virtual balcony is the cheapest cabin for 2 people on the RCL site.
One mate who has cruised previously thought that perhaps in a few months there may be a few deals arise but he is also cautious about this because the ship is relatively "new" & proving very popular.

 

[straitman]

We caught Ovation of the Seas from Singapore to Sydney in November. Ovation of the Seas is a BIG ship and from my perspective has a lot of wasted space. For the size of the ship there is nowhere that you can watch a decent cabaret show as, other than the theatre, there is nowhere that has enough seats. The Music Hall at the Bow end and Two70 at the other are very nice but cannot handle the capacity crowds when there is a good show on.
The elevators have a mind of their own though that is a common comment about many ships.
The specialty restaurants could be bought as a package and that was pretty good value. Wonderland, Chops Grill and The Chefs Table were all very good. Jamie's Italian Restaurant is overrated IMHO. The package also gives 40% off wines at all those dinners.
The regular restaurants are OK but do not compare the the restaurants on the Princess ships. There are also various other smaller eateries and a Bionic Bar.
Cabins/staterooms are about standard for a ship with slightly larger than average bathrooms. I'm not sure where the small beds comment came from above but I would have said they were average though no where near as comfortable as the new beds on the Princess ships.
On deck 15 there is a walking/running track and there was a walk with a ships officer every sea morning. On our cruise it was always the Hotel Manager (from the Gold Coast) and he was great value.
Personally I prefer the centre Atrium setup of the Princess ships but that's a very individual thing and very subjective.

I've added a couple of photos comparing the central mall on Ovation of the Seas with the Atrium on Majestic Princess. (These are both the newest ships in each fleet)


Ovation of the Seas centre mall.



Majestic Princess Atrium


As a comparison:
Ovation of the Seas is 167,800 tonnes and 4905 pax & 1500 crew. (3.27 pax per crew member)
Majestic princess is 143,700 tonnes and 3560 pax & 1346 crew. (2.64 pax per crew member)

 

[drron]

RB reading your TRs I don't think you are the big cruise ship type of person.I guess you like to be up close and personal so if cruising the sounds the day cruises in much smaller vessels would be better.If there are say dolphins on the big ship you are going to be a fair distance from them.much better to be closer to their level.
I am presuming that if you do a cruise you would enjoy Expedition cruising.We do this with Silverseas but they are expensive.There are though a few much less expensive expedition ships.if going to NZ I would consider a cruise of the sub Antarctic islands.Really different.And if you can get one that goes to Macquarie Island all the better.It is fabulous.

That said we are going to gruise the sounds early next year in the biggest ship we have been on for any length of time.
Luxury Cruise from Sydney to Auckland 02 Feb 2019 | Silversea
But it is expensive.We'll see if we cope.

 

[tgh]

I am not so sure about this "expensive" spin DrRon..
As a cheerleader you could be more…er ..constructive….
I am currently flirting with a really interesting ride on the Explorer in April
Panama to Guatemala 12 Days for $9100aud if you live in 'Oz ..or $6500usd with Vtg.
For this you get to visit places that are not easy to get to or particularly safe.
Every day the ship will do something.. or many things.
Some will be quite adventurous/strenuous and some will be easy.
You buy the ticket and that's (substantially) the end of the cost.
For an opportunity to see really different places such as the Darien Jungle ...it's an absolute bargain IMnsHO.
There are many similar deals where the expedition ships are relocating from the high yield areas and the per diem rate is heavily discounted.

 

[drron]

I do agree tgh that for what you do get to see it is not expensive.But it is still a lot of money for many people.When I can no longer work I doubt we will be going on many Silverseas cruises.So making hay whilst the sun shines.
The Darien jungle is so worth it I totally agree.I really cant believe the number of places we have visited on Expedition ships.