DECK
PLANS
Ovation of the Seas is all about innovation and excitement! The third of five Quantum Class ships, this ship boasts many cruise ship firsts - she’s truly a destination in herself. Guests can ascend over 91 metres above sea level in the North Star. The North Star is a glass-enclosed pod, akin to a London Eye capsule, but smaller. It’s attached to a giant mechanical arm that lifts the pod up and down and out over the side of the ship. Onboard you can treat your tastebuds to a whirlwind tour around the world with Italian at Jamie’s Italian, American Steakhouse classics at Chops Grille and the many over the top creations that bring dreams to reality at Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine.
During the day casual clothing is typical, although shorts and swimwear are not permitted in the formal restaurants. There are four nights at sea classified as formal for dress purposes. During the evening on formal nights, a dinner suit or dark suit is recommended (though not essential) for gentlemen and eveningwear for ladies is recommended for the main restaurants. Smart casual attire is required in the public lounges and restaurants.
About a third of people on the cruise travel alone. We will match people in twin-share cabins when available, saving you the single supplement. John Howie and Gill Delaney will be looking after you, to ensure you are not left out. There will be group activities almost every day.
Four fabulous country music concerts, plus six pre-dinner drinks entertainment events, all available only to those who book on the Country Music Cruise to New Zealand. The cruise is fully escorted and will be a great fun holiday with plenty of activities. Each evening you will dine with the group at our reserved tables. You won’t need to book your own on-shore excursions, as we have our own on-shore excursions organised (coaches, guides, etc.), exclusively for our tour group.
The Country Music Cruise to New Zealand represents amazing value. There are no additional extras; port and handling charges, cruise taxes and gratuities are included in the one great price.
With a career spanning over twenty years, half a million album sales, and nine Golden Guitar Awards, Adam Harvey is one of Australia’s most popular & enduring recording artists. He was presented with the CMA Global Country Artist Award in 2007, and has been awarded a Centenary Medal, in Australia, for his charity work. Adam’s most recent solo album, Songs From Highway One, won the Country Album of the Year Golden Guitar at the 2022 Australian Country Music Awards. Adam then recorded a duets album – The Great Country Songbook Volume 3 - with long-time friend, Beccy Cole, and it went to # 1 on the ARIA charts. As at March 2023 Adam is writing a book – Tales From The Road.
Pete Denahy is a musician and comedian from Yackandandah, Victoria. He is an outstanding singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and raconteur. Pete cut his teeth with Melbourne band, the Ploughboys, in the mid ‘90s and went on to tour as fiddle player and comic in Slim Dusty’s Travelling Country Band (1998 – 2002). Pete’s biggest hit is Sort of Dunno Nothin’, which went viral on YouTube. He is a 5 time Golden Guitar winner at the Australian Country Music Awards in Tamworth including for his bluegrass album, Singin’ Shoes. Pete hosts his own music tours, to Japan, each year.
The Crosby Sisters is an Australian country music duo consisting of Jodie and Kelly Crosby. They are known for their outstanding vocal harmonies. They have been entertaining audiences since the mid-1980s, and have gathered a discerning and loyal fan-base. In 2001 they won the Vocal Group or Duo of the Year Golden Guitar at the Country Music Awards in Tamworth. They have opened concerts and toured with many international stars, including Dr Hook, Charley Pride and Foster & Allen. They rate a tour with Slim Dusty as one of the highlights of their career.
An outstanding country band comprising Pete Denahy (vocal/fiddle/guitar), Jeff Mercer (electric guitar/vocal), and Aron McLean (upright bass/vocal), they play honky tonkin’ old style country music (e.g., Ernest Tubb; Buck Owens). Jeff toured with Slim Dusty, in his Travelling Country Band, and it was on the road that Pete and Jeff became musical brothers. Aron has been gigging with Pete for over ten years and has been active in the Australian bluegrass scene for many years. The combination of these three on stage pretty much means “good time had by all”!
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Saturday 2 March, 2024 Departure
Afternoon: Boarding. Ovation of the Seas sails at 5pm. Be on deck as we cruise spectacular Sydney
Harbour and out through Sydney Heads. Evening: Attend a colourful Broadway type show in one of
the ship’s main auditoriums.
DAY 2 Sunday 3 March, 2024 Cruising Tasman Sea
Our first day at sea. During the day there will be time to explore and enjoy the fantastic facilities
and many activities available on Ovation of the Seas. Afternoon: Enjoy our 1st exclusive on-board
concert, featuring Pete Denahy. Evening: We formally welcome our tour group with a Welcome Aboard
Drinks Party. This will be an excellent opportunity for you to meet and chat with our exclusive cruise
performers, tour managers, and other tour group members.
DAY 3 Monday 4 March, 2024 Cruising Tasman Sea
Another day at sea. You can spend the day exploring the ship, participating in its many activities, and
browsing in the designer boutiques on board. Morning: Enjoy our 2nd exclusive on-board concert,
featuring The Crosby Sisters. Evening: Enjoy our 1st exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks session, featuring
entertainment by Adam Harvey. Every evening enjoy a fabulous group dinner in one of the ship’s
opulent dining rooms.
DAY 4 Tuesday 5 March, 2024 Picton
Morning: Enjoy a special Music Industry Forum (question & answer session) with Adam Harvey, Pete
Denahy, The Crosby Sisters and The Surreal McCoys. They will give us insights into their lives as musicians
and share some wonderful stories. 11am: Arrive in Picton, gateway to the picturesque Marlborough
Sounds region, including the outstanding Marlborough/Blenheim wine region. Afternoon: Enjoy
a sightseeing coach tour of the Picton/Blenheim region, including the Queen Charlotte Drive
(spectacular Marlborough Sounds scenery) and a visit to one of the region’s outstanding wineries
(including wine-tasting). You may, if you wish, visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, in Blenheim,
rather than the winery visit. Ovation of the Seas departs Picton at 7pm.
DAY 5 Wednesday 6 March, 2024 Napier
Today we visit the city of Napier, known for its Art Deco style architecture. Morning: enjoy a city
tour with local guide. See the National Tobacco building and other fine Art Deco buildings. In 1931
an earthquake levelled almost all the buildings in Napier and 256 people were killed. Visit the MTG
Hawke’s Bay museum, which has an excellent exhibition on the earthquake. Afternoon: enjoy a
sightseeing coach tour of the surrounding Hawke’s Bay region, noted for its rich horticultural and
agricultural industries. Visit Te Mata Peak for spectacular views of the region. Evening: Back on Ovation
of the Seas enjoy our 2nd exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks session, featuring entertainment by The Surreal
McCoys.
DAY 6 Thursday 7 March, 2024 Wellington
Morning: Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Wellington is a
spectacular city, located in a mountainous region that runs right down to the sea. See NZ’s parliament
building - the ‘Beehive’. Travel to the top of Mt Victoria, for stunning 360° views of Wellington. We will
also visit Old St Paul’s, a beautiful timber church (built 1865-66). Mid-morning: ride the Wellington
Cable Car (a funicular railway) to Kelburn (a suburb in the hills) for a wonderful panoramic view of the
city. Afternoon: You have a choice: visit the excellent Museum of New Zealand Te Papa or free time.
Evening: Back on Ovation of the Seas, enjoy our 3rd exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks session, featuring
entertainment by The Crosby Sisters.
DAY 7 Friday 8 March, 2024 Dunedin
Morning: Arrive in Dunedin. Founded by Scottish settlers, the city of Dunedin has a distinctly
Scottish feel. Sightseeing coach tour of Dunedin, with local guide. Visit Dunedin Railway Station,
one of Dunedin’s superb historic public buildings (1906) and enjoy free time in ‘The Octagon’
– Dunedin’s eight-sided central plaza. Afternoon: Coach tour of Dunedin’s spectacular Otago
Peninsula. Also visit beautiful Jacobean style Olveston House (1904-6), which contains a treasure
trove of art and antiques. Evening: Back on Ovation of the Seas, enjoy our 4th exclusive Pre-Dinner
Drinks session, featuring entertainment by Pete Denahy.
DAY 8 Saturday 9 March, 2024 Fiordland National Park
Today enjoy scenic cruising in Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound. This southwest
part of the South Island is one of the most beautiful wilderness regions in the world. Enjoy
amazing scenery as we sail into these spectacular Sounds. Afternoon: Enjoy a fun-filled Country
Music Quiz. Great prizes for the winning teams.
DAY 9 Sunday 10 March, 2024 Cruising Tasman Sea
A relaxing day at sea. Morning: Enjoy our 3rd exclusive on-board concert, featuring The Surreal
McCoys. Afternoon is free for individual activities. Evening: Enjoy our 5th exclusive Pre-Dinner
Drinks session, featuring entertainment by one or more of our talented tour group members.
DAY 10 Monday 11 March, 2024 Cruising Tasman Sea
Today you are free to enjoy the many activities & facilities aboard Ovation of the Seas. Also, enjoy
our final exclusive on-board concert, featuring Adam Harvey. Evening: Our final Pre-Dinner Drinks
session will feature entertainment by all our Country Music Cruise artists.
DAY 11 Tuesday 12 March, 2024 Sydney
Tour members will disembark the ship this morning and tour arrangements conclude.
| Grade | Description | Deck | Twin Fare Per Person | Single Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4U | Interior with Virtual Balcony | 7,8,9,10,11,12 | $4,499 | $5,999 |
| 2E | Obstructed Ocean View Balcony | 6,7,8 | $5,099 | $7,199 |
| 4C | Large Balcony | 12 | $5,299 | $7,499 |
| 2C | Large Balcony | 7,8,10,11,12,13 | $5,499 | $7,799 |
| Included port & handling charges and taxes | $824 | $1,334 | ||
John was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as The Howie Brothers. John has been leading successful music tours for over 25 years. As long as we get sufficient numbers on the tour, the assistant tour manager will be Gill Delaney.
Gill is an accordion/ piano/ukulele/mouth organ player from Wangaratta. She has played in bands most of her life, and knows a million tunes. Her evening singalong sessions have been a very popular feature of previous John Howie/Travelrite music cruises and they will be happening again, most nights on this cruise. The sessions are open to everybody on the ship and people are encouraged to bring their instruments & voices and join in. John Howie will join Gill for these singalong sessions.
It is important that all tour participants have a basic level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817
078) is the tour organiser. Ovation of the Seas is operated by Royal
Caribbean Cruises Lines and New Zealand music cruise arrangements
are subject to the terms and conditions and general information
detailed in the Royal Caribbean Cruises brochure /website. All
passengers must complete the Royal Caribbean Cruises online checkin
and Travelrite International booking form.
Deposit and Payment
A deposit of $900 per passenger should be
sent with a completed Travelrite International booking form that lists
your requested cabin category. As soon as the booking is confirmed,
(usually within 24 hours), a cruise confirmation advice will be posted
to the client. The confirmation advice will contain all details. Final
payments are due to be paid to Travelrite International 90 days prior
to the commencement of the New Zealand music cruise. A 1.5%
administration fee applies to payments by credit card.
Cancellation ChargesNumber of days before sailing.
| Days prior to Departure | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| Over 90 days | $900 |
| 90 days or less | 100% of full fare |
| Non appearance/no written notice | 100% of full fare |
Refunds
This cruise is based on arrangements which do not allow
for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or
other services not utilised after the respective tour has commenced.
Travel Documents
All passengers will require a valid passport. If
not an Australian passport holder, check with Travelrite International
for visa requirements.
Travel Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is highly
recommended to cover cruise members for the consequences of
unforeseen events during the cruise and for cancellation fees that
could result from events such as illness, accident, death etc.
Baggage
Passengers qualify for a 20kg free baggage allowance on
flights to join or return from the cruise.
Minimum Tour Numbers
The cruise arrangements have been
made on the basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling.
In the event that less than the required number of passengers
have confirmed their booking 90 days from the date of departure,
Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a
full refund of monies paid, or offer arrangements to proceed with the
tour at a modified fare.
Tour Participation
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibilities
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour
organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, its agents, officers,
affiliates, and/or suppliers of services, pursuant to or in connection
with these fly/ cruises, shall act only as agents in making
arrangements for hotels, transportation, including transportation by
ship, restaurants, or any other service and do not assume any liability
whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to
person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any
hotel, carrier, restaurant, company or person rendering any services
included in fly/cruises, terrorism, acts of God, acts of government
or any other authorities. Further, no responsibilities are accepted
for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes,
machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather
or other causes beyond our control. No responsibility is accepted for
any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any
government authority. Baggage is at owners’ risk throughout the fly/
cruise. The passage contract between the carriers concerned when
issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and
the purchasers of these fly/cruises and/or the passengers. The right is
reserved to withdraw any fly/cruise and/or make such changes in the
fly/cruise as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience
of the parties and the proper carrying out of the fly/ cruise. This
contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be undertaken in the
State of Victoria. Attention is also directed to the terms and conditions
of the fly/cruise passage contract with Royal Caribbean Cruises Lines,
detailed on the back of the reservation form. If you do not have a copy
of this form please contact us and we will send one to you.
Delays and Unforeseen Events
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite International may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite International reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite International in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
Vaccination Policy
While highly recommended, COVID-19
vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling
with Travelrite International. It is your responsibility to comply with
specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines,
cruise lines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as
requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be
more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if you are
unable to undertake some or all of your vacation due to failure to
comply with these requirements.
How to Book:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form
and sending it with a deposit of $900 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
www.travelrite.com.au
www.musictours.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty
Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business
that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than
35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian
Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS
(A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines
of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and
transport operators.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
