Just back from 2 weeks on Symphony - questions? Ask away!

[MD_Dan]

2 hours ago, wolfcathorse said:

was Capt Angel Oviol your master?

Captain Angel was our master on the 11/13-20 cruise.  He was very informative of all events (planned and unplanned delays).

[MD_Dan]

3 hours ago, sunny_shores said:

Are masks really required just walking around the ship? 

To expand on Cayman's answer here ... They defined it very clearly.  If outdoors (pool deck, Central Park, Boardwalk, etc), no mask required.  If you are in a vaccinated only venue (lower level of theater; bars with music; etc), no mask required.  If you are seated and eating on indoors, no mask is required while you are eating.  But if you are walking indoors, even if you are carrying a drink and an ice cream in the other hand, you must wear a mask.

Edited November 25, 2021 by MD_Dan

[DaKahuna]

Was there still a reserved seating area for suite guest at the shows or did everyone have to make reservations ahead of time?

[taylortime05]

On 11/23/2021 at 7:21 PM, blueslily said:

 

Hello, I'm on the same sailing. Just logged in around an hour ago to check today's prices as I'm hoping for a price drop. The Unlimited Dining Package is showing up now. I'm not sure if you've looked since posting your question earlier today. Hope it shows up for you also. Only 18 days to go. Woohoo! 

 

Hi.  I'm on that sailing too.  I just logged in again today to check prices on the Premium Beverage Package and to see if the Unlimited Dining Package was available.  It's not showing up now.  Do you remember what the price was for the unlimited dining package? ?  I'm wondering if it will be higher price on board. 

[Palm City Cruiser]

On 11/17/2021 at 5:55 PM, Cayman Turtle said:

If you mean the Solarium, it was wonderful. Not as hot as some of the other ships since this one has some open roof areas. There are a couple of hot tubs in there, a smaller circular pool, bar and the Solarium Bistro is also accessed from there. Lots of seating and loungers with comfortable cushions and some of those basket type seats you can lie down in. It was open every time I went there. Be sure to check out the lower level and head out to the wings - the one on the port side has a section of glass floor which is pretty neat.

The main pool area had 4 areas - sports pool, main pool, beach pool and the H2O zone for kids. The beach pool has umbrellas over the loungers which is nice if you can snag one. It wasn't too busy on our trip but we sailed with only 42% capacity. I would expect this area to be highly sought after once she sails full.

All the specialty restaurants were open. We went to Jamie's Italian, Johnny Rockets, Wonderland and Play Makers. The main dining room was open for breakfast and dinner, with lunch available on sea days as per usual. The Windjammer was closed for dinner but we were told it would be opening up again when the pax count got over 50%. If you didn't want a specialty restaurant or the dining room for dinner you were limited to Cafe Promenade or Sorrentos. Park Cafe closed around 5 or 6 each evening but was open for breakfast and lunch. 

We were on the 11/6 cruise and the Solarium Bistro was available for buffet dinners. Reservations suggested.

[Cayman Turtle]

15 hours ago, wolfcathorse said:

what day did you get off?

November 13th.

[Cayman Turtle]

9 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Was there still a reserved seating area for suite guest at the shows or did everyone have to make reservations ahead of time?

As far as I know everyone had to make reservations, but there were definitely areas in some venues that were reserved. At the comedy club there was an entire row near the front reserved and about 10 minutes or so before the show started a group was shown in and took those seats. That might have been with a Genie though. The theatre still had the suite/pinnacle seating area but since I wasn't either of those I'm not sure if they still had to make reservations. I'm thinking yes since they had to limit the number of people in the theatre at one time and reservations were the only way to ensure their numbers.

[Cayman Turtle]

8 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

Hi.  I'm on that sailing too.  I just logged in again today to check prices on the Premium Beverage Package and to see if the Unlimited Dining Package was available.  It's not showing up now.  Do you remember what the price was for the unlimited dining package? ?  I'm wondering if it will be higher price on board. 

I didn't look into the unlimited dining package for our party before we boarded but there were definitely staff around trying to get people to make reservations. My husband and I get a BOGO for a specialty restaurant and one lady did offer 40% off to our travelling companions if we all wanted to go together. 

[blueslily]

8 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

Hi.  I'm on that sailing too.  I just logged in again today to check prices on the Premium Beverage Package and to see if the Unlimited Dining Package was available.  It's not showing up now.  Do you remember what the price was for the unlimited dining package? ?  I'm wondering if it will be higher price on board. 

 

Unlimited Dining was $217. 

[blueslily]

26 minutes ago, Cayman Turtle said:

I didn't look into the unlimited dining package for our party before we boarded but there were definitely staff around trying to get people to make reservations. My husband and I get a BOGO for a specialty restaurant and one lady did offer 40% off to our travelling companions if we all wanted to go together. 

 

Do you remember the exact dollar amounts. I've learned that with Royal Caribbean, percentages are not helpful because the base number varies so much. Like 40% off is not the same if its $80 versus $50 thats 40% off. And the true base numberbis rarely provided. Its just shown as a % off. 

[Cayman Turtle]

1 hour ago, blueslily said:

 

Do you remember the exact dollar amounts. I've learned that with Royal Caribbean, percentages are not helpful because the base number varies so much. Like 40% off is not the same if its $80 versus $50 thats 40% off. And the true base numberbis rarely provided. Its just shown as a % off. 

We were going to Jamie's Italian and I believe the cost was $59 US per person. They were offered 40% off which meant they would have paid $34.50 per person US.

[wolfcathorse]

3 hours ago, Cayman Turtle said:

November 13th.

thanks, btw I love the Gros Mornes!

[DaKahuna]

13 hours ago, Cayman Turtle said:

As far as I know everyone had to make reservations, but there were definitely areas in some venues that were reserved. At the comedy club there was an entire row near the front reserved and about 10 minutes or so before the show started a group was shown in and took those seats. That might have been with a Genie though. The theatre still had the suite/pinnacle seating area but since I wasn't either of those I'm not sure if they still had to make reservations. I'm thinking yes since they had to limit the number of people in the theatre at one time and reservations were the only way to ensure their numbers.

Thank you very much.  I will see about making reservations once we board. 

 

[brillohead]

23 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Was there still a reserved seating area for suite guest at the shows or did everyone have to make reservations ahead of time?

Reservations are required of everyone for (almost*) every single show.

There is no designated seating area for upper level CAS and suite guests, but those people are allowed entry into the venue 45 minutes before the show starts to pick out their choice of seats; the general public (with reservations) are allowed entry at 30 minutes prior.


*The comics did one family-friendly show in the big theater that required no reservations.  

[DaKahuna]

14 hours ago, brillohead said:

Reservations are required of everyone for (almost*) every single show.

There is no designated seating area for upper level CAS and suite guests, but those people are allowed entry into the venue 45 minutes before the show starts to pick out their choice of seats; the general public (with reservations) are allowed entry at 30 minutes prior.


*The comics did one family-friendly show in the big theater that required no reservations.  

Thank you for the amplification.  Will sort it out onboard or via the App once we see what entertainment is being offered and when. 

 

 Two weeks and a wake up before we board Symphony .. have a cruise on Celebrity Reflection between now and then to enjoy first. 

[JordanAndJJ]

Did you have the coffee card? Is there restrictions on what you can get for one punch? I’ve seen some people saying it varies per ship on whether they allow fraps and whether larges are one punch or two. 

[Chickadees]

1 hour ago, JordanAndJJ said:

Did you have the coffee card? Is there restrictions on what you can get for one punch? I’ve seen some people saying it varies per ship on whether they allow fraps and whether larges are one punch or two. 

On the Symphony now…we just get lattes every morning. Large or an extra shot of espresso are two punches.

[dayzees13]

On 11/16/2021 at 4:33 PM, marktwothousand said:

also, any idea how the night life is and the late night scene in general? (11 PM+). It seems a bit light on the schedule with only one real blowout club night, no theme nights or parties. I saw silent disco on there a couple times but that’s not my idea of a fun night.

 

 

Where would I find info on theme nights/parties?  I never know when those are planned but it seems like all the other travelers always know, haha.

[dayzees13]

Do you have a cruise compass you might post? I'm wondering specifically about shows at night.

[Cayman Turtle]

10 hours ago, dayzees13 said:

Where would I find info on theme nights/parties?  I never know when those are planned but it seems like all the other travelers always know, haha.

I usually find out once on board. If you haven't downloaded the royal app yet, do so. It is free to use on board and it has all the event info there for each day. Sometimes it shows schedules before you board. Or if you prefer, it is always in the printed Cruise Compass you get in your room each night.

[dayzees13]

3 hours ago, Cayman Turtle said:

I usually find out once on board. If you haven't downloaded the royal app yet, do so. It is free to use on board and it has all the event info there for each day. Sometimes it shows schedules before you board. Or if you prefer, it is always in the printed Cruise Compass you get in your room each night.

Thank you.  I'm wondering how people know ahead of time so that they can pack.  For example, how does everyone on the ship but me seem to know about white parties?  I wouldn't pack a ton of white clothing unless I knew 😉

[CruiseTobey]

Quick question about Hooked: Were they doing the daily happy-hour specials and allowing folks to sit at the seafood bar?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited December 10, 2021 by CruiseTobey

[shofer]

On 11/19/2021 at 4:19 PM, Maitaivegas said:

What do you suggest I do to be able to stay on till last call to leave? I am spending an extra day in Miami so I will be homeless till late afternoon.

I’m not planning on walking around Miami.

TIA

You might want to check the boards for Florida Departure and Miami in particular for things to do in the area.

[Cayman Turtle]

On 12/10/2021 at 4:48 PM, CruiseTobey said:

Quick question about Hooked: Were they doing the daily happy-hour specials and allowing folks to sit at the seafood bar?

 

Thanks in advance.

I'm afraid I can't help with this one. I didn't go to Hooked and honestly I don't think I even saw the restaurant.

[chiguy67]

On 12/10/2021 at 2:18 PM, CruiseTobey said:

Quick question about Hooked: Were they doing the daily happy-hour specials and allowing folks to sit at the seafood bar?

 

Thanks in advance.

We were on Symphony and n October and ate at Hooked a few times for both lunch and dinner. It was very very good. I did not see anyone ever sitting at the bar or anything about a happy hour.