“LIVE” Symphony! A greatly anticipated return to the Sea 🤗

[niksmom630]

41 minutes ago, udamom said:

Thanks for the info and pics!! Boarding Symphony Saturday and so excited to finally be cruising again! Looks wonderful with the crowds so light! Have they told you how many are on the cruise? Does it seem like many kids are onboard? (under 12 and medical exceptions are the only ones that can be unvaccinated right?)

How crowded is Coastal Kitchen? We are in a Jr Suite and have always been able to use KC a few nights a week at least......but am hearing probably not on my sailing full suite guests only?

We are gamblers. How does the casino seem?  Oasis class are a pretty big casino so hopefully feels a little uncrowded and is not very smoky. I play on the non smoking side but sometimes on a crowded sailing can still feel smoky. 

Excited to see the entertainment schedule as that is something I am use to booking shows before we go. Have you had any issue booking anything?

Thanks for any info!

Trish

 

hi trish, 

will do my best to answer!

 

- think I heard around 2,000 on this sailing

- seems like more little ones than teens, but yes, not many kids on this sailing, or what I am used to seeing on Oasis class. 
- on my roll call I had heard that this sailing was only for fully vaccinated over 12, and adults  were notified that had to rebook if they were not fully vaccinated. Yet someone I was talking to said that they heard from the cruise director that only 80%  on this sailing are vaccinated. I tend to believe that’s wrong tho. 
- coastal kitchen is not very crowded, but the app states they are running at 50% capacity, and there are tables blocked off for social distancing. I did overhear a woman providing her cabin number who was making reservations state she was in a junior suite. Best advise us to head there immediately after boarding to try and get your reservations. 
- the casino is not very crowded at all. I’m a former smoker, and heavy indoor smoke definitely bothers me. It hasn’t seemed bad at all, and I was on the smoking side playing cards. 
- I actually went to the concierge to make my dinner reservations and show reservations on boarding day, expecting it to be difficult to book. There was a woman ahead of me trying to book shows and meals for her family of 6 😬😩 while I was standing in line, I made every show reservation and dinner at hooked using the app, and It was super easy to do. No issues getting the times I wanted, picking the vaccinated shows only.  By the time it was my turn, I only needed coastal Kitchen reservations, but there are only two times available - 5:30 or 8 

 

[niksmom630]

Finally got to the Park Cafe for lunch. In every venue they have signs on the tables showing which are open, or still waiting to be cleaned. The staff is flipping these over as soon as you sit down. There are also tables blocked off for distancing 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

@A&L_Ont 

 

how could I have forgotten about the raisins in the cole slaw 🤢🤮 needless to say, it did not get eaten

 

 

portrait mode can make almost anything look good but sadly the pecan pie was not 

 

[udamom]

Thank you Niksmom for all the great info!

Yeah the only 80% vaccinated doesn't make sense unless you have 400 kids under 12 on board I guess

Have a great rest of your week! 

Trish

[DaKahuna]

This has made us even more excited for our December 11 sailing. 
 

When we stay in Ft Lauderdale the day before sailing we always stay at the Renaissance hotel you mentioned.  Obviously, dinner and drinks at The Boatyard is a must. 

[maggieq]

36 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

This has made us even more excited for our December 11 sailing. 
 

When we stay in Ft Lauderdale the day before sailing we always stay at the Renaissance hotel you mentioned.  Obviously, dinner and drinks at The Boatyard is a must. 

Hopefully, staying there again for our 9/4 edge cruise. 

[A&L_Ont]

Chris, what’s the plans for today?  Where are you taking us?

[Grandma Petania]

Are plastic bottles of water still available?

[irishgal432]

On 8/29/2021 at 9:38 AM, Lionesss said:

Excited to read about your adventures.

 

How are you getting from Fll to port?

 

Safe travels.

Just to jump in, but we just did FLL to Miami and used SAS transportation.  15.00 each way and was the best shuttle service I have ever used.  Clean and comfortable vans.  Very accommodating. 

[niksmom630]

Day 4…..Cozumel 

 

 

 

 

[A&L_Ont]

7 minutes ago, niksmom630 said:

Day 4…..Cozumel 

 

Chris, forget the CVS Wine.
 

Señor Frog's!  Señor Frog's!  Señor Frog's!

 

One, two, three, floor. 😁

[BecciBoo]

14 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Chris, forget the CVS Wine.
 

Señor Frog's!  Señor Frog's!  Señor Frog's!

 

One, two, three, floor. 😁

And the appendidge head gear!

[niksmom630]

2 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Chris, what’s the plans for today?  Where are you taking us?

 

HERE! You know where I’d normally be today @A&L_Ont 😉

 

Vaccination rates are pretty low in Mexico. Not taking any chances…..saving my adventuring “off” for Cococay   

 

 

[niksmom630]

2 hours ago, Grandma Petania said:

Are plastic bottles of water still available?

Grandma P, you mean for purchase while onboard? Most definitely. Or via pre cruise planner? 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

If you like stashing your phone in the safe and completely disconnecting, it’s increasingly difficult as restaurant menus, departure info, PCR testing are all moving to scanning a QR code for links. You can get actual menus if you ask. 
 

departure info 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

Carnival view….

[Lionesss]

Question in regards to departure on above form.

 

Since you are to wait in your cabin till your number is called.

I did not see this mentioned about luggage, only if you need assistance.

 

Does the ship still collect your big suitcases the night before and place them in the pickup area as you leave the ship before  customs?

 

I just cannot see me and the DH managing two big suitcases, two carryons, camera bag, purse.

 

 

 

TY

[island lady]

2 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Chris, forget the CVS Wine.
 

Señor Frog's!  Señor Frog's!  Señor Frog's!

 

One, two, three, floor. 😁

 

With balloons on your head.  😄 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

5 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Does the ship still collect your big suitcases the night before

yes, that's the one called "luggage assistance". As opposed to "self-assist" when you lug your own suitcases.

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Itchy&Scratchy

[niksmom630]

30 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Question in regards to departure on above form.

 

Since you are to wait in your cabin till your number is called.

I did not see this mentioned about luggage, only if you need assistance.

 

Does the ship still collect your big suitcases the night before and place them in the pickup area as you leave the ship before  customs?

 

I just cannot see me and the DH managing two big suitcases, two carryons, camera bag, purse.

 

 

 

TY

Hi Lionesss , yes, only the first and last time available were for self assist. The rest of the times available are luggage assisted, meaning you leave you bags out the night before and retrieve in the terminal 🤗

[niksmom630]

sky class details 

 

[niksmom630]

Boardwalk photos…..

 

Probably in the minority here, but I prefer Sabor over Playmakers. There are a host of restaurants around Chicago where you can get good bar food. Not something I crave on a cruise.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]