Symphony Review - 11/23-11/30

[DesireeC03]

Out first time on an Oasis class ship and we didn't have one complaint the entire week - we were so WOWed and pleased!

Room - we had a Central Park balcony on the 10th floor.  With your encouragement we chose to stay with it and not attempt a Royal Up.  We were surprised with how spacious the room was and really enjoyed the balcony for people watching and general tranquility.  Each evening a woman played her acoustic guitar and the timing was perfect as we were always getting ready for dinner - we opened the balcony door and closed the curtains and had live relaxing music.  Our stateroom attendant was Hendrick and he kept our room tidy and was always on it.  We used the bands for entry to the room which was convenient as we could keep the sea pass card in the light switch.

 

Food - There are so many options for complimentary dining that we didn't even see the Windjammer until day 3.  We had breakfast and lunch in the Solarium Bistro - excellent food and service with lovely ambience.  We also ate breakfast at Central Park Cafe which had yummy egg wraps and bagels with different schmears and fresh fruit.  Windjammer had so much variety including burrata cheese and pesto - (YUM) , there was a crepe night, jerk chicken...  We ate in the MDR and our servers were Roland and Meixia (ask for them - you won't regret it) - excellent service and the one meal I didn't enjoy (beef stroganoff -which had all different bell peppers in it- not a traditional cream sauce) they replaced right away.  Hands down the best Risotto I have ever eaten - we were shocked with how good the food was.  The drink servers kept replenishing our alcoholic beverages and after dinner shots were always offered by Roosvelt.  Oh and we chose to have lunch at Jamie's - DELICIOUS!  fresh pasta and beautiful sauces - the details were in the succulent flavors.

 

Entertainment - the shows were of the highest caliber in our experience with Royal.  Not one of them disappointed - seating was efficient if you had reservations.  I recommend to arrive to the show at least 20 minutes prior to showtime to get the best seats.  Hairspray could have been on Broadway - the energy, the acting, the voices!!  Hiro - so many things going on at once your eyes don't know where to go.  My guess is you experience it differently every time.  1977 - beautiful costuming with a clear story line and lovely skating.  Flight - strong singers, awesome set design, and beautiful music.

 

Around the Ship - there was always something to do.  The karaoke bar was a blast and it featured both family and adult sessions.  The casino is spacious and had a wide variety of machines - and there were tables on both the smoking and nonsmoking sides. Bionic Bar is a must try- simply to watch the robots make a drink.  There was a jazz room, a small theatre for the comedians, Boleros, Schooners... Boardwalk had the sports bar along with the carousel and johnny rockets - a candy store and arcade - my guess is littles would have a lot to do here.  Central park was relaxing and romantic.   Solarium blew us away - beautiful and simple.

 

Surprises - we never felt like we were on a ship with 5000 other guests.  We never had a problem finding a lounge chair in the solarium, always had an elevator within 1 minute of requesting it, moved through the ship freely - never ever felt crowded (except for the promenade parties).  Whoever designed this ship must be a city planner because there was a beautiful flow to how it all ran together.  The service was impeccable and like I said 0 complaints.  I now understand the price point and hope to cruise her again one day.

 

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, DesireeC03 said:

I now understand the price point and hope to cruise her again one day.

You can get just about the same experience at a lower price point on Oasis and soon, Allure.

[DesireeC03]

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You can get just about the same experience at a lower price point on Oasis and soon, Allure.

Nice!  thanks

[toothy26]

It sounds like I could have written this review. We were on Symphony the week before you and absolutely loved the experience!

[BNBR]

We were on the same week and have similar sentiments.  It was absolutely A game by Royal.  Best food so far, consistent, and there was a noticeable extra bit of friendliness with the service.  Outstanding all around.  Even felt like more servers were roaming the bars and public spaces than normal.  You can tell the management on the ship is on top of their game.

[DesireeC03]

2 minutes ago, BNBR said:

We were on the same week and have similar sentiments.  It was absolutely A game by Royal.  Best food so far, consistent, and there was a noticeable extra bit of friendliness with the service.  Outstanding all around.  Even felt like more servers were roaming the bars and public spaces than normal.  You can tell the management on the ship is on top of their game.

there were servers everywhere - good point!

[luv2sailAgain]

This thread is just making me more excited for my upcoming Symphony cruise! Thank you!

[luv2sailAgain]

7 hours ago, Biker19 said:

You can get just about the same experience at a lower price point on Oasis and soon, Allure.

Good to know!  Hoping Allure really does sail into my back yard in 2021!!

[shofer]

16 minutes ago, luv2sailAgain said:

This thread is just making me more excited for my upcoming Symphony cruise! Thank you!

We are sailing early next year and glad to read this review.  I have been anxious about the crowd control.  Since we are scheduled the week before the East Coast School Winter Break, I am hoping for minimal children.

[happymanitee]

We were on this cruise too and I agree the ship is amazing!  My favorite show was Hiro.  I was amazed with dancing in the water and I enjoyed the music.  I also loved El Loco Fresh.  Chips and guacamole is my favorite snack!  

This was my first experience with with using the WOW bands. I liked wearing it and leaving my seapass in the room, but I thought it was odd that you had to have your seapass to check your kids out of the kids club.  I dropped my daughter off and gave her check-out privileges because she is 11.  Then when I went to pick her up, they said the bands don’t work there and I needed my actual seapass card.  Even though she had check-out privileges, they wouldn’t let her leave because she didn’t have her seapass either.  So, I had to go back to the room to get it and she had to carry it with her whenever she went into Adventure Ocean.  It wasn’t really a big deal, but I thought other parents might want to know that.  

I agree with you that the ship never seemed over-crowded.  We didn’t even have trouble finding chairs on the pool deck on a sea day.  Since I am a Texas girl, I can’t wait for Galveston to get an Oasis class ship.  This is definitely my new favorite class.  

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review!

[DesireeC03]

8 hours ago, happymanitee said:

We were on this cruise too and I agree the ship is amazing!  My favorite show was Hiro.  I was amazed with dancing in the water and I enjoyed the music.  I also loved El Loco Fresh.  Chips and guacamole is my favorite snack!  

I never made it to El Loco - darn!!  I don't think I even saw it - lol.  Hiro was phenomenal - I can't wait to see it again.

8 hours ago, happymanitee said:

This was my first experience with with using the WOW bands. I liked wearing it and leaving my seapass in the room, but I thought it was odd that you had to have your seapass to check your kids out of the kids club.  I dropped my daughter off and gave her check-out privileges because she is 11.  Then when I went to pick her up, they said the bands don’t work there and I needed my actual seapass card.  Even though she had check-out privileges, they wouldn’t let her leave because she didn’t have her seapass either.  So, I had to go back to the room to get it and she had to carry it with her whenever she went into Adventure Ocean.  It wasn’t really a big deal, but I thought other parents might want to know that.  

I agree with you that the ship never seemed over-crowded.  We didn’t even have trouble finding chairs on the pool deck on a sea day.  Since I am a Texas girl, I can’t wait for Galveston to get an Oasis class ship.  This is definitely my new favorite class.  

You also need a sea pass card to get off of the ship - we had to go back to our room at the first port - good advice!!

[JohnBudge]

Great review!  We're sailing on the Symphony for Christmas.

[BNBR]

On 12/3/2019 at 8:31 AM, DesireeC03 said:

I never made it to El Loco - darn!!  I don't think I even saw it - lol.  Hiro was phenomenal - I can't wait to see it again.

You also need a sea pass card to get off of the ship - we had to go back to our room at the first port - good advice!!

 

Was that you I saw?  Lol.  Some lady seemed frustrated and unhappy she had to go back and get her cards.

[DesireeC03]

10 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

Was that you I saw?  Lol.  Some lady seemed frustrated and unhappy she had to go back and get her cards.

Possibly - I sent my partner back to the room as I ended up supervising someone else's kids so he could go sans children back to his cabin

[karena1]

We have been on all the Oasis Class ships except Symphony a number of times.  Leaving Saturday for Symphony and cannot wait

 

[DesireeC03]

1 minute ago, karena1 said:

We have been on all the Oasis Class ships except Symphony a number of times.  Leaving Saturday for Symphony and cannot wait

 

Enjoy!  Curious how you will see it through the lens of someone who has been on all of them!

[Irishfam7]

Great review! Gets me so excited for our cruise in 16 days!! 🎄🎅🏼

[elaineb]

On 12/2/2019 at 1:06 PM, DesireeC03 said:

Solarium blew us away - beautiful and simple.

 

 

 

I have a question regarding the solarium.  I like to hot tub and then swim in the pool.  I understand this is more a dipping pool than a swimming pool, is this correct?  Do you have any pics of this you could share?

[DesireeC03]

11 minutes ago, elaineb said:

I have a question regarding the solarium.  I like to hot tub and then swim in the pool.  I understand this is more a dipping pool than a swimming pool, is this correct?  Do you have any pics of this you could share?

It is a standing and enjoy a few feet of water pool - no room for a swim - however the main pool is right outside the solarium door

[BNBR]

4 hours ago, elaineb said:

I have a question regarding the solarium.  I like to hot tub and then swim in the pool.  I understand this is more a dipping pool than a swimming pool, is this correct?  Do you have any pics of this you could share?

 

The solarium pool is essentially a large hot tub size.  Plenty of seating space.  It's actually quite nice and there are 2 large hot tubs right next to it as well.

 

The pool is absolutely not a pool you can swim in, however.  It's to cool off.  There are seats right down the middle of it.  I found it an awesome spot to socialize with new peole and cool off with an amazing view.  Right next to the bar as well.

Edited December 6, 2019 by BNBR