JUST GOT OFF SYMPHONY

[Daycare Provider]

Thank You for the information.  We do have excursions planned for all ports.   

 

Did you try any of the specialty restaurants?  How was the spa?  My husband gets a massage every trip.

[Tlbecker1]

11 hours ago, blueslily said:

Sounds great. We fail on her in two weeks. Would love to hear more about your experience this week. Ate Christmas decorations finally up? Did the ship feel overly crowded?

Yes, the decorations are all up.  The ship didn’t feel overly crowded except for in the Windjammer.

[blueslily]

2 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

Yes, the decorations are all up.  The ship didn’t feel overly crowded except for in the Windjammer.

Wonderful, thank you!

[blueslily]

13 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

Yes, they put up Christmas decorations all week…should be fully up by your cruise if not already!

 

Honestly, for us the ship never seemed full.  Windjammer was busy at times but we never had to wait and always found a table.  We also wait to get off the ship so never got caught in the initial mad rush.

 

would be happy to answer any other questions!

Wonderful about not feeling full and that you found a great way to avoid the crowds for disembarking.

 

I have a couple questions that may seem odd. 1) I saw in a couple photos from summer and fall sailings with images of balloon drips over the promenade. Was there something that that during your sailing? 2) How was the cruise director? I read on here that there was a switch in CDs in November. Just wondering if you have any thoughts to share about the experience with her. 3) How was the Quest since its returned now? 4) Any tips to share based on your recent sailing experience? 

 

Thank you so much!

[ARandomTraveler]

2 hours ago, Daycare Provider said:

Thank You for the information.  We do have excursions planned for all ports.   

 

Did you try any of the specialty restaurants?  How was the spa?  My husband gets a massage every trip.

We did all of the specialty restaurants. They were all good in their own way.
 

Wonderland was really unique. I wasn't that interested in trying it, but was really glad we did. I would go again and it was the most memorable of all the specialties. 
 

The Hibachi was delicious. They had the most tender steak I ate on the whole ship. And the fried rice was much better than the fried rice they serve on the Izumi Sushi side (probably because they mix it with huge heaps of garlic butter).
 

150 Central Park was great, flavorful food and nice dining. I would have liked to eat here more than once, but didn't have the opportunity.
 

 Hooked was great (if you like seafood). You can get whole main lobster there, or warm-water lobster tail, shrimp dishes and a good clam chowder.
 

 Chops was a standard steakhouse. But it was good.
 

Izumi was ok, but not the best sushi I've ever had. I prefer more simple sushi with less "stuff" in it (one of the rolls we ordered was covered in some sort of flavored mayonnaise which ruined the roll to me). The ramen wasn't the most flavorful I've had, it was ok but not great. I'd eat there again and try ordering something else.
 

Jamie's was good, but it didn't taste like fresh made pasta like they advertise (but this is my snobby critique after having just come back from Italy). I liked dining outdoors here. 
 

Playmakers was low-quality pub food. Good for snacks and late night eating but I wouldn't have a real dinner here. The campfire cookie everyone talks about was good. Very rich though, two of us couldn't even finish half of it, but we went and got one twice (maybe 3 times?) throughout the week.

 

Johnny Rockets was better than I expected. The burgers were better quality than I expected them to be. I was expecting a thin hard meat patty, but these were nice and juicy. Fries weren't the best but they're good enough. They had kind of a hollow texture to them which is why they weren't my favorite, but flavor wise they were fine. 

 

I think that was all the paid specialty restaurants. 

[joeyancho]

On 12/2/2022 at 1:38 PM, firefly333 said:

I've said my time dining is only good for those who like to eat any time and late ... earlier you might as well take a set time and work into the others. Rcl is horrible on my time. Imo. 

 

Idk about the shows, I used to book as soon as i boarded but never got on at 1 pm and then booked. 

 

Couldnt book ahead until dec and now jan . .its changing thankfully. I would have gone to the shows on standby rather than miss them.

 

I'm on allure sunday but shows are booked. Hope i have a better experience than yours. Sorry you were disappointed. 

My Time Dining is anything but.   It's a joke

[Husky1987]

11 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

150 Central Park was great, flavorful food and nice dining. I would have liked to eat here more than once, but didn't have the opportunity.

 

11 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

 

 Hooked was great (if you like seafood). You can get whole main lobster there, or warm-water lobster tail, shrimp dishes and a good clam chowder.

 

11 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Playmakers was low-quality pub food. Good for snacks and late night eating but I wouldn't have a real dinner here.

 

11 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Izumi was ok, but not the best sushi I've ever had.

 

I would +1 all these thoughts

 

11 hours ago, blueslily said:

Wonderful about not feeling full and that you found a great way to avoid the crowds for disembarking.

 

I have a couple questions that may seem odd. 1) I saw in a couple photos from summer and fall sailings with images of balloon drips over the promenade. Was there something that that during your sailing? 2) How was the cruise director? I read on here that there was a switch in CDs in November. Just wondering if you have any thoughts to share about the experience with her. 3) How was the Quest since its returned now? 4) Any tips to share based on your recent sailing experience? 

 

Thank you so much!

 

1. I didn't see any balloon drops over the promenade during our sailing, but there were a couple parade-type events and a veteran's appreciation event as well.

 

2.  The CD (Clodagh, from Ireland) was very visible during the sailing.  We aren't really activities people, so I can't attest to the experience on that level, but she did seem really engaging and outgoing.  I had a chance to chat with her very briefly after the Top Tier Event where she spoke (just mentioned that my Mom and Dad loved Ireland and visited there 7-8 times) and she was very friendly.

 

3.  Didn't do Quest, sorry.

 

4. My biggest tip is book everything early.  Especially try to book the first Hiro show.  We saw the first one, then the next two were postponed due to wind/waves.  They finally were able the last two shows at the end of the port day in Coco Cay.  I'll try to think of more!  

[ARandomTraveler]

There was a balloon drop on our sailing. They did it on Thanksgiving day. There was a lot of stuff going on that day; they did a pardoning of the turkey, a parade, and the balloon drop, all while a really big World Cup game was being played at the aqua theater, and a football game was being played in the Royal Theater. Playmakers had both games playing side by side.

 

A ton of Brazilians (and Brazil fans) were at the aqua theater with big drums (I couldn't believe they brought them on the ship 😂), horns, noisemakers etc. It felt like being at the actual game, it was so much fun.
 

After the balloon drop, Brazil fans came out to the aqua theater with the yellow balloons, while the people who were watching the Detroit Lions football game at Playmakers brought the blue ones. 
 

So I'm not sure if the balloon drop was done because of all those things (they used blue and yellow balloons, which coincidentally matched the colors of the sports teams playing), or if it was because of the holiday, or if they do it every sailing. 

[RCCLNYMETS41]

We are on Symphony Dec. 24th. Does anyone know if you can use Diamond drink vouchers for a milk shake at Johnny Rockets? I have heard yes on some ships & that it depends on the person working.

[PolicromaSol]

19 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

We went to bed every night around 11pm and we kept saying "how are all these old people out-partying us?!" Because they would still be up, energetic and dressed up and having fun, and we were too exhausted to keep up. And then we realized that we probably weren't seeing the same people during the day as we were seeing at night, and that the night-people probably rested more than we did during the day, and the day-people had probably gone to bed just like we did.

 

Never underestimate old people on a cruise. Never.

[Husky1987]

I'll add one more thing I noticed about the Symphony last week.  The smoking section on the pool deck is noticeably set up differently than other Oasis ships we've been on.  I'm not a smoker, but my wife is (half smoke, half vape).  They had a lesser number of Adirondack chairs....my wife commented that she thought (as well as many others) it was a lot more uncomfortable.  On purpose?  Perhaps.  

 

Some anti-smoking crusaders might say "HA!  We don't care if they're uncomfortable."  Fair enough, but what did that lead to?  Quite a few of the smokers found their way to the casino more often.  I noticed the odor outside the casino more than I have during any past cruise.

[blueslily]

11 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

There was a balloon drop on our sailing. They did it on Thanksgiving day. There was a lot of stuff going on that day; they did a pardoning of the turkey, a parade, and the balloon drop, all while a really big World Cup game was being played at the aqua theater, and a football game was being played in the Royal Theater. Playmakers had both games playing side by side.

 

A ton of Brazilians (and Brazil fans) were at the aqua theater with big drums (I couldn't believe they brought them on the ship 😂), horns, noisemakers etc. It felt like being at the actual game, it was so much fun.
 

After the balloon drop, Brazil fans came out to the aqua theater with the yellow balloons, while the people who were watching the Detroit Lions football game at Playmakers brought the blue ones. 
 

So I'm not sure if the balloon drop was done because of all those things (they used blue and yellow balloons, which coincidentally matched the colors of the sports teams playing), or if it was because of the holiday, or if they do it every sailing. 

Thanks so much!

[blueslily]

12 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

 

 

 

 

I would +1 all these thoughts

 

 

1. I didn't see any balloon drops over the promenade during our sailing, but there were a couple parade-type events and a veteran's appreciation event as well.

 

2.  The CD (Clodagh, from Ireland) was very visible during the sailing.  We aren't really activities people, so I can't attest to the experience on that level, but she did seem really engaging and outgoing.  I had a chance to chat with her very briefly after the Top Tier Event where she spoke (just mentioned that my Mom and Dad loved Ireland and visited there 7-8 times) and she was very friendly.

 

3.  Didn't do Quest, sorry.

 

4. My biggest tip is book everything early.  Especially try to book the first Hiro show.  We saw the first one, then the next two were postponed due to wind/waves.  They finally were able the last two shows at the end of the port day in Coco Cay.  I'll try to think of more!  

Thanks!  Yes, we have Hiro booked the first nigh. We were able to book in advance via the planner. All shows are booked. have 10:30 check in time so hope to do well with specialty restaurant reservations. Only trying to get 2. 

 

Thanks so much!

[Husky1987]

9 hours ago, blueslily said:

Thanks!  Yes, we have Hiro booked the first nigh. We were able to book in advance via the planner. All shows are booked. have 10:30 check in time so hope to do well with specialty restaurant reservations. Only trying to get 2. 

 

Thanks so much!

I think you'll be fine at that time.  We were on somewhere between 11:30-12:00.  Went to eat lunch at Park Café, while my wife was sitting I ran over to 150 CP and was able to make our D+ BOGO reservations at 150 and Hooked for the first two nights at 5:30.  I never really tried again but did look here and there and at least by the 2nd or 3rd day I couldn't see any dinner reservations available at any specialty restaurant.

[Morecruisesplz]

On 12/2/2022 at 4:38 PM, firefly333 said:

I've said my time dining is only good for those who like to eat any time and late ... earlier you might as well take a set time and work into the others. Rcl is horrible on my time. Imo. 

 

Idk about the shows, I used to book as soon as i boarded but never got on at 1 pm and then booked. 

 

Couldnt book ahead until dec and now jan . .its changing thankfully. I would have gone to the shows on standby rather than miss them.

 

I'm on allure sunday but shows are booked. Hope i have a better experience than yours. Sorry you were disappointed. 

Should be called "Their Time Dining."

[poocher]

Have done MTD twice this year with parties of 4 and 2, both times with reservations around 6:45.  On neither cruise did we wait more than 10 minutes to be seated.  Each night we were waved to the inner check in desk and pretty much right to our table.  Not sure why the Royal dining gods have been smiling on us but just thought I’d relate personal experience.

[Mapleleafforever]

On 12/2/2022 at 4:32 PM, montlee said:

The final straw came when another passenger threw up on me and my scooter.  RCI did come quickly and cleaned the floor, my scooter and gave a very nice lady a cloth to clean my back.  After I showered and ‘Clorox wiped the heck out of my scooter’, I called for someone to launder my clothes.  They refused, stating it would contaminate the machines.  They stated they ‘take vomit very seriously’.  When I asked about all the other body fluids that are on the sheets regularly, they hung up on me.

How has this been glossed over??? Someone threw up on you??? I'm so sorry this happened to you but I need details please. Was it a drunk person? Someone who ate too much? Sea sick?? If that was me or if I was even in the vicinity it would have started a chain reaction just like the pie eating contest scene from Stand By Me. 

 

 

[cured]

On 12/2/2022 at 2:32 PM, montlee said:

FYI - there were 9 of us on the week of Thanksgiving.  We tried 3 months out, 1 month out and daily until cruise time to book show and restaurants.  Each time it stated ‘can only reserve once on board ship’.  Because of traffic and parking conditions we were not able to get on board until 1:00.  I sat down immediately to book things.  Everything was totally booked.  Hairspray, aqua show and ice shows.  Every specialty restaurant, every time for the escape room.  There was nothing available.

 

I’ve defended large ships, having sailed Thanksgiving for three years on the biggest ship at that time, stating there was so much to do that it was never crowded.  COVID did keep me from sailing the last two years.  Well, this ship was crowded!  Because there was nothing to do.  Hairspray only showed 3 times, the aqua show 3 times, but on only 2 days.  The lines for those waiting in case reserved guests didn’t show up were enormous and took up a lot of space.

 

There were 2 or 3 trivia games per day that attracted, maybe 25 people.  The Promenade was packed with people wandering around.

 

We had my time dining and could only get 9:15 PM.  No amount of coaxing or waiting in line helped.  We were one of the last served in the main dining room and the food was cold.  Using the WindJammer wasn’t a help because it was a zoo.

 

There were only 12 seats in the smoking section on deck 15.  6000 passengers and only 12 Adirondack chairs?!

 

This was my 13th cruise with RCI and I got no welcome snack, no animal towels and the napkins in the dining room were just folded basically and laid on the plate.

They always put the tree up overnight on Thanksgiving.  Not this year.  When we left Saturday, it wasn’t up.

 

The final straw came when another passenger threw up on me and my scooter.  RCI did come quickly and cleaned the floor, my scooter and gave a very nice lady a cloth to clean my back.  After I showered and ‘Clorox wiped the heck out of my scooter’, I called for someone to launder my clothes.  They refused, stating it would contaminate the machines.  They stated they ‘take vomit very seriously’.  When I asked about all the other body fluids that are on the sheets regularly, they hung up on me.

 

This review is just to warn you about the reservation issue.  The rest is just my venting.  Thanks for listening.

 

 

Just curious - with a large party, why didn't you make your my time dining reservations ahead of time in the cruise planner?  Even pre-covid, I have been able to book my reservation time as soon as my cruise shows up in my cruise planner. Even for my upcoming cruise on an Oasis class, I was able to book 6:45pm (earliest possible for MTD) more than a year in advance. I know making reservations defeats the purpose of my time, however, I consider it my backup time. If I want to eat at a different time I will try to move it, but at least I know I have a reserved time every night.

 

The way the napkins were folded irritated you? I can't think of anything less worthy to be irritated about. I would much rather the servers focus on customers than spending their time folding fancy napkins on a holiday sailing, sailings that are known to be at maximum sailings.

 

Did you ask your room steward for towel animals and tip well when they provided them? I didn't think towel animals were a mandatory perk, just a nice thing room stewards do if they have time. I think people have become accustomed to them and now get mad if they don't get them.

 

I didn't think general welcome snacks were a thing unless it is part of a Crown and Anchor level perk. Are you saying you did not get your C&A perk? Did you contact the loyalty desk?

 

Is there more to the story about the vomit? That sounds terrible that they wouldn't help and the only thing in your rant that sounds awful.  Would you have been allowed to put the soiled clothing in the regular wash bags for the regular fee? How would they have known it was the soiled clothing?  Or did you want them to comp you a cleaning fee? While that would have been excellent customer service, I can see them not being responsible for another passenger's vomiting.  Did they say that the vomit covered clothing needed special handling so as not to contaminate everyone else's clothing, so would assess a fee?  There has got to be more to this story than Royal Caribbean just flatly refusing to help.

Edited December 8, 2022 by cured

[Crazy planning mom]

On 12/2/2022 at 4:38 PM, firefly333 said:

I've said my time dining is only good for those who like to eat any time and late ... earlier you might as well take a set time and work into the others. Rcl is horrible on my time. Imo. 

 

Idk about the shows, I used to book as soon as i boarded but never got on at 1 pm and then booked. 

 

Couldnt book ahead until dec and now jan . .its changing thankfully. I would have gone to the shows on standby rather than miss them.

 

I'm on allure sunday but shows are booked. Hope i have a better experience than yours. Sorry you were disappointed. 

When did shows become available for booking for your Allure cruise?

[jamon]

Did this sailing have the new menu that Royal is testing and if so what are your thoughts or others that you may know that went to the main dining...Did they get more than one lobster without a charge???

[easyqueasy]

On 12/3/2022 at 12:40 AM, montlee said:

Another FYI for you with teens, you need tied shoes to do the zip lining.  3/4 of the kids on that ship wore CROCS 😃

Does Symphony not provide shoes if you didn’t have the right shoes? Shoes were provided on the Allure if needed. Your pockets also have to be emptied, so probably best to have someone hold your stuff. 

[davekathy]

On 12/3/2022 at 9:21 PM, joeyancho said:

My Time Dining is anything but.   It's a joke

Agree. We have gone back to early TD. 

[NCMtnBoys]

Sorry you had such a hard time and negative experience. But thank you for posting about your experience, which prompted me to check my reservation for Symphony January 21st to see if the shows were open for reservations. They were not, last time I checked sometime not too long ago. But they are now! So I was able to reserve four shows. I did not see anything about the ice show though, is that something that can be reserved before boarding, as I did the other four shows?

[ajtaylor29]

We just got off Symphony on Saturday, thought i'd throw my 2 cents in here because we had a great cruise! Even tho the ship was almost full, we really didn't have trouble with crowds, everybody spreads out and there are so many different places to go! Lots of bars, lots of restaurants, lots of activities going on all the time i thought. We were a group of 4, and were able to book the 4 main shows about 3 weeks before our cruise, which was great (although, due to windy weather all week several shows were cancelled and moved around. we did see the ice show (1776 i think?), Hiro (great show!) and a sing-along version of Hairspray. We decided to buy the unlimited dining package for the week, which was well worth the money imo ($240 a person or something like that?) We ate at all the specialty restaurants, some more than once, plus Playmakers (great burgers!) and Solarium for breakfast most days. Did not step foot in the Windjammer OR the MDR (by design, i just don't like those options). 

I'm sorry the original poster had some bad experiences (ok, if someone puked on me i would never get over that?!?! How awful) but we really had very few minor complaints. The staff as usual was friendly and attentive (although i will say a few times we noticed areas where they seemed a little short on help so things were slower than normal).

I love Symphony, our 2nd time sailing on her. Next up is Odyssey, then Allure. Yea for cruising!!!

[dm1336]

On 12/11/2022 at 11:43 AM, jamon said:

Did this sailing have the new menu that Royal is testing and if so what are your thoughts or others that you may know that went to the main dining...Did they get more than one lobster without a charge???

Waiter was strict with the one lobster per guest policy. Said he got in trouble last week when he brought out two for one guest. The bosses are out in full force monitoring. You can get the one lobster dish plus another dish like the New York Strip Steak so you have a surf and turf kinda thing but they come out separately. The size of the lobster tail is the same: Small
 

Nothing wrong with the new MDR menus, they were great. The staple fall back items like Spaghetti was missed but to me the food tasted the same as before and at the same temp, not cold. The beef is always over cooked so order one level lower as per before. 
 

We sat at 5:30pm but on one day arrived at 6:45pm because Hairspray ran late, but we were out by 7:15pm, they had to hustle us to get done so they can be ready for 8:00pm, which we didn’t mind because we totally understand being late and we had time to catch a show.