*~LIVE REVIEW~* 50x + Cruiser Tries RCCL (Symphony Eastern 7-Night)

[drumexpert510]

A great morning to you all, we are currently docking in beautiful St. Thomas. Today, I have a snorkeling excursion that I will update everyone later on how it was and how the rest of today went but that all come later. 

 

First, I need to let you all know how dinner went last night. It was in Chops the steakhouse on board. I had a reservation and was sat immediately so no issues there. Chops does have an outdoor seating in Central Park just like Jaime’s but on this ship it is almost like a patio with covering to help protect from the wind a bit. Sitting outside was nice and you can listen to the guitar music. The food it’s self was good, I am not going to say great but yes it was good. I had a black pepper bacon appetizer with a wedge salad. As always, the wedge was spot on and ice cold and the bacon had a great flavor BUT was super super fatty almost like pork belly and I am just not into super fatty cuts. For my main, this is where Chops doesn’t win… usually I have been getting two entrees to try around the menu. At Jaime’s, I was able to get a half sized Pasta and another entree. At 150 I was able to get the tenderloin and the lobster Thermidor… But at Chops, I was told only one entree or it would be an additional $10. This seems weird to me because I find the service, food and quality of 150 to be wayyy higher then Chops (I mean even the bread is better) and to go further with it, you get lobster included at 150 and at Chops it is around a $20 up-charge. It just seems like if they are going to implement that rules it should be at all of their restaurants, none of them or maybe 150… that’s just my observation. For desert I had the apple pie ala mode… I had a few bites and was on my way. 

[Kathscof]

9 hours ago, drumexpert510 said:

Ok so first off… sorry for not posting earlier today. Was out and off the ship first thing this morning and didn’t get back onboard until right before dinner… this means we have a lot of catching up to do so get ready!!!!

 

To start the gym this morning (port day) was not crowded at all I think I was one of maybe 10 people in the entire gym. After a quick run, I grabbed my usual banana peanut butter smoothie and headed off of the ship. Today we were in Saint Maarten and I was joking one of the ships excursions “America’s Cup Sailing Regatta”… I was a little apprehensive at first but OMG! I loved it! We had a great group and crew so that definitely helps. You being with being assigned a “job” on the sail boat, mine was main grinder. You race against another boat crewed by other passengers to see who can finish first and all along the captain is calling out jobs and what to do… it was SUPER FUN! I highly recommend this tour. Please see picture below.

 

After the morning sail, I hopped in a taxi and headed to one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PLACES, Maho Beach. I stayed there for about 3 hours watching planes take off and land. I keep coming back to this place again and again. I get it is super crowed but for me there is just nothing like having a 757 lane 50 foot above my head. Do note that the current is strong here so please watch little ones if you go and in addition, I would never condone anyone standing behind the jet blast as that is very dangerous. That being said it is someone you have to experience just once and if you head to SXM then a stop at Maho Beach is almost a requirement. (See photos).

 

Side note: as some of you may know from earlier posts on this thread, I am a Jacksonville Jaguars fan and I got an awesome surprise when we docked next to the yacht Kismet, owned by the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photos)

Duuuval!!!!

 

Shad is so cool.....

[mickeygirl78]

Great review so far.  I've been on Symphony once and will be on it again 2/11.  I also have the unlimited dining so it's nice to hear your experience this week.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise and thanks for letting all of us follow along.

[Sadebud]

Great review!  Symphony is a ship I want to sail!

[katiel53]

DRUMEXPERT510

 

"For my main, this is where Chops doesn’t win… usually I have been getting two entrees to try around the menu. At Jaime’s, I was able to get a half sized Pasta and another entree. At 150 I was able to get the tenderloin and the lobster Thermidor… But at Chops, I was told only one entree or it would be an additional $10. This seems weird to me because I find the service, food and quality of 150 to be wayyy higher then Chops (I mean even the bread is better) and to go further with it, you get lobster included at 150 and at Chops it is around a $20 up-charge. It just seems like if they are going to implement that rules it should be at all of their restaurants, none of them or maybe 150… that’s just my observation."

 

I wanted to quote your post without the photos, but I am not savvy enough to know how to do that, so I just posted the part I wanted to quote.

 

I don't understand why you were told an extra entree would be $10 when this is what it stated on the RC website regarding the Unlimited Dining Plan:

 

 

Overview

"Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package. For one low price, you can enjoy multiple entrees and visit multiple specialty restaurants every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days."

 

If one is allowed multiple entrees, isn't a second one considered part of the multiple?  I haven't ever asked for a second, but I'd have a really hard time accepting a no should I desire a second one based on THEIR OWN info.

[drumexpert510]

7 hours ago, katiel53 said:

DRUMEXPERT510

 

"For my main, this is where Chops doesn’t win… usually I have been getting two entrees to try around the menu. At Jaime’s, I was able to get a half sized Pasta and another entree. At 150 I was able to get the tenderloin and the lobster Thermidor… But at Chops, I was told only one entree or it would be an additional $10. This seems weird to me because I find the service, food and quality of 150 to be wayyy higher then Chops (I mean even the bread is better) and to go further with it, you get lobster included at 150 and at Chops it is around a $20 up-charge. It just seems like if they are going to implement that rules it should be at all of their restaurants, none of them or maybe 150… that’s just my observation."

 

I wanted to quote your post without the photos, but I am not savvy enough to know how to do that, so I just posted the part I wanted to quote.

 

I don't understand why you were told an extra entree would be $10 when this is what it stated on the RC website regarding the Unlimited Dining Plan:

 

 

Overview

"Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package. For one low price, you can enjoy multiple entrees and visit multiple specialty restaurants every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days."

 

If one is allowed multiple entrees, isn't a second one considered part of the multiple?  I haven't ever asked for a second, but I'd have a really hard time accepting a no should I desire a second one based on THEIR OWN info.

I asked that and the server told me no, that it was $10 extra. Maybe he was wrong but I didn’t push past that. That was the first time I have had push back for a second entree this trip. 

[drumexpert510]

Goooood evening,

 

Went on the Xmas snorkel excursion today and it was good. The snorkeling itself was average, mostly grass and fire coral. It was a nice swim though, they give you about an hour in the water. The highlight of the trip was I saw 3 separate turtles on the sea bed grazing so that was pretty cool. After the snorkel they take you on about a 45 min leisure trip back to the ship where they give you free rum punch. On this return trip you find out you were snorkeling at Little St. James Island and at a point for keeping this PG, it was the spotlight of a recent documentary (you can do your own research). Beyond that it was a fun little day trip and after returning I hopped in a taxi and headed to the “top of the mountain” to grab a banana daiquiri. I highly recommend making this trip for anyone who goes to St. Thomas. (With a little haggling it is possible to get the driver to do $20pp round trip.) The daiquiris and the views are equally amazing and I have attached photos of both. After a drink and taking in the sights, I headed back down the mountain to the ship where we had an all aboard time of 3:30pm. 
 

Once on board… now time to sleep off the drinks!

 

[AussieGirl08]

Thank you so much for your post - we're going on our first cruise ever on Symphony in July.

I know this is probably covered in multiple other places, but could we ask the price for the drinks package and unlimited dining please?

Thank you!

[countess5]

3 hours ago, AussieGirl08 said:

Thank you so much for your post - we're going on our first cruise ever on Symphony in July.

I know this is probably covered in multiple other places, but could we ask the price for the drinks package and unlimited dining please?

Thank you!

This can be found on the RCCL website under manage your reservation, or I believe it could be plan your cruise. Just click on UDP and the drink packages. Usually there is a pre-cruise discount vs purchasing it onboard.

 

Cheers! 

[Biker19]

5 hours ago, AussieGirl08 said:

I know this is probably covered in multiple other places, but could we ask the price for the drinks package and unlimited dining please?

Welcome to CC.

Other than the coffee card, virtually everything in the planner has dynamic pricing (goes up/down all the time).

[drumexpert510]

Last night was a great night, awesome weather and smooth sailing. 
 

Dinner was at Izumi, great chef, server and company. The food was very good and comparable to standard hibachi you can get on most ships or on land. They automatically give you 3 sauces and not on is yum yum sauce… BUT they do have it in the back and you have to ask for it. It had a little spice kick to it (not bad) but the chef said “it is different then normal yum yum sauce it is only one yum not two… “yum sauce”. The chef was entertaining and did all the “standard” tricks and some new ones I haven’t seen before. There is a $10 upcharge to do hibachi when you have the dining package, so please note that for your planning. 
 

After dinner, I went to the casino, won some money back (still down) and then after went to watch the late night adult comedy. The comedians were very entertaining and touched on a good amount of topical humor.

 

Finally, after comedy finished I was on my way back to the room and saw the “night club” it was in Studio B where the ice skating show is… I wanted to see what it was all about and was slightly curious what they did with the ice. I peeked in said hell no and turned right around and out the door… (see photo). 

I did go to the main theater to see the new Elvis movie! I love it and was very well done. That ended around midnight and right to bed. 
 

 

 

 

[drumexpert510]

Weather today!!!!!!! LOVE IT! This is my happy place! If you have never taken a cruise and are on the fence about it… DO IT!!!

[aubreyc1988]

On 1/10/2023 at 8:35 PM, drumexpert510 said:

Ok so first off… sorry for not posting earlier today. Was out and off the ship first thing this morning and didn’t get back onboard until right before dinner… this means we have a lot of catching up to do so get ready!!!!

 

To start the gym this morning (port day) was not crowded at all I think I was one of maybe 10 people in the entire gym. After a quick run, I grabbed my usual banana peanut butter smoothie and headed off of the ship. Today we were in Saint Maarten and I was joking one of the ships excursions “America’s Cup Sailing Regatta”… I was a little apprehensive at first but OMG! I loved it! We had a great group and crew so that definitely helps. You being with being assigned a “job” on the sail boat, mine was main grinder. You race against another boat crewed by other passengers to see who can finish first and all along the captain is calling out jobs and what to do… it was SUPER FUN! I highly recommend this tour. Please see picture below.

 

After the morning sail, I hopped in a taxi and headed to one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PLACES, Maho Beach. I stayed there for about 3 hours watching planes take off and land. I keep coming back to this place again and again. I get it is super crowed but for me there is just nothing like having a 757 lane 50 foot above my head. Do note that the current is strong here so please watch little ones if you go and in addition, I would never condone anyone standing behind the jet blast as that is very dangerous. That being said it is someone you have to experience just once and if you head to SXM then a stop at Maho Beach is almost a requirement. (See photos).

 

Side note: as some of you may know from earlier posts on this thread, I am a Jacksonville Jaguars fan and I got an awesome surprise when we docked next to the yacht Kismet, owned by the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photos)

We did America's cup excursion years ago and we are doing it again when we sail in Feb, it is so much fun

[drumexpert510]

30 minutes ago, aubreyc1988 said:

We did America's cup excursion years ago and we are doing it again when we sail in Feb, it is so much fun

It is very unique and I love the competitive edge it adds! 

[drumexpert510]

On the way to lunch at Chops and had to take note of the beautiful day and atmosphere in Central Park. Also, the Park Cafe has some amazing quick service and grab and go lunch options. 

[aubreyc1988]

58 minutes ago, drumexpert510 said:

On the way to lunch at Chops and had to take note of the beautiful day and atmosphere in Central Park. Also, the Park Cafe has some amazing quick service and grab and go lunch options. 

do they have potato chips? I love taking a few bags back to my room 

[drumexpert510]

25 minutes ago, aubreyc1988 said:

do they have potato chips? I love taking a few bags back to my room 

Does not look like they do today 

[drumexpert510]

Had a relaxing day out by the pool, a quick nap and then I tried to go to Ice Skating… bad idea because over 300 people had the same idea. The line wrapped around inside of Studio B and then outside in the hall way all the way back to the elevators. No thank you. I did get inside to take a photo from everyone. This is the downside to such a large ship when they have an  activity not reserved, it get bombarded but when it is reserved, it’s sold out instantly. 
 

oh well, maybe next time… 🤷🏻‍♂️

[JamesEM]

11 hours ago, drumexpert510 said:

Does not look like they do today 

Sometimes you have to ask because they keep the chip out of sight.

[aubreyc1988]

 

1 hour ago, JamesEM said:

Sometimes you have to ask because they keep the chip out of sight.

Makes sense, they are trying to keep it away from people like me who like a few bags of chips in the room for late night munchies haha 

[zestyzorra]

Was there any difficulty booking the Hibachi experience? I've heard that if you don’t board before 11am and high tail it down to Izumi to make the reservations, you are S.O.L. I'd love to hear your experience.  I'll be sailing on Symphony on the 21st. 😀 

 

Thanks!

[#55worktoplay]

Enjoying your great review looking forward to more. 
 

Enjoy!

[Ocean Boy]

Really enjoying reading your perspective. We share a love of Maho on St. Maarten. I've had the experience of being behind a 747 beginning its takeoff roll... unforgettable. 

[drumexpert510]

3 hours ago, zestyzorra said:

Was there any difficulty booking the Hibachi experience? I've heard that if you don’t board before 11am and high tail it down to Izumi to make the reservations, you are S.O.L. I'd love to hear your experience.  I'll be sailing on Symphony on the 21st. 😀 

 

Thanks!

not at all, my dinner there two nights ago had 4 empty seats at it. That being said, I wouldn’t wait on it. Just make your reservations for shows and dinner first thing when you get onboard. 

[countess5]

“Also, the Park Cafe has some amazing quick service and grab and go lunch options”

 

Have your tried the carved beef sandwich with the horseradish sauce? You don’t know what your missing! Two sea days to get there! 😂

 

Cheers!