Joe12

Sorry all - I've been a bit light on the blogging the last few days.

Went to the 4th of July celebrations last night. It was just a bit too crowded in the Royal Promenade, however that was not the main issue. The worst thing about it was the Royal Caribbean singers. I admit to being someone who has no patience for singers who think that they are better than they are, but I just found them very irritating and even when Michele was speaking, they were trying to take the limelight. It was like watching John Blair do the Neil Diamond act all over again. It's a shame though as Michele and the entertainment team tried their best, but those singers were enough for me to leave.

Been over a month since last update - let me provide an update of most recent info that I know.

What Activity Manager have you come across? Ifyou can find out how long the Activity Manager on board is remaining with theship, it would be greatly appreciated…..EVERYONE’s help is needed. Thanks! Anyone who can share information about ourActivity Managers, PLEASE do so.

****Adventure OTS – Marvin Wilson has been spotted on AD.

****Allure OTS – Flavio Maeda joined 6/25 until August.

****Anthem OTS – Tornado Tanya will be on board until midAugust (confirmed by Tanya herself via FB). Flavio Maeda is scheduled to cover her vacation and she is expected toreturn on October 18.

****Brilliance OTS – EnzoMajiica joining the ship in early to mid April.

****Empress OTS – Daniel Dornas started in June for 2 months.

****Enchantment OTS – Mosese Vatuloka began mid-May.

****Explorer OTS – Aysy Sadrislamova returned 6/8 for the Alaska season.

****Freedom OTS – Alexander Schmidt returned June 9th until August 25th, then Daniel Dornas starts 8/25 for 2 months.

****Grandeur OTS – Cecy del Razo should be on vacation now. Current AM unknown.

*****Harmony – Katy McCullagh started 6/17 for the Summer season (through August/September?)

****Independence OTS – Mark Rous returned May 28 for the Summer season.

*****Jewel OTS – Danny Klophaus is onboard right now. Alexander Schmidt joins in November.

*****Liberty OTS – Alex Green started May 27th for 2 months.

****Majesty OTS – Mauricio Diaz has taken over at the end of April for a 4 month contract.

*****Mariner OTS – Renato Arana isscheduled to be onboard April 2018 for a 4 month contract.

*****Navigator OTS – Daniel Edward returned mid-May.

*****Oasis OTS – Tresha Robb has taken overonboard Oasis on 2/11/18 for a 4 month contract. Tresha is still onboard.

***** Ovation – Kitty Xu until late-August/early-Sept when Angelle Rutten van Hemert returns.

***** Quantum – Bonnie Bai isonboard as of the information I received on 12/10. I don’t know when she started, so thereforecan’t guess as to when her contract completes.

*****RadianceOTS – Emma Macintosh started May 18 until Katrina Blair joins early August.

**** Rhapsody OTS – Eric Lopez took over inearly April.

**** Serenade OTS – Caroline Peters started June 14 (for 2 months?).

**** Symphony OTS – Margot van Erck started June 10 until mid-August.

***** Vision OTS – Talita Leoni returned early April for 4 months.

*****Voyager OTS – Troy Zhang returned in April for the Asia season.

Thanks to all the cruisers for information thatthey provide to me!

Others: DanielEdward, Alexander Schmidt, Talita Leoni, Danny Klophaus, Anjazc, Troy Zhang, Allison Currie, Caroline Pan,Agari G., Katie Turner (on medical leave), Aysy Sadrislamova (vacation until June 8),Flavio Maeda (vac from mid April to mid June), TT Algon, Daniel Dornas, Grant (Adam) Martin; Alison Hasler

Went to the 80's night on Symphony last night. As a fan of 70's night, I was curious to see what the new party can offer.

It is a great event. I highly recommend it if you sail on Symphony. CD Michele was excellent hosting it and the staff were very fun and high energy.

It starts with about 30 mins where the DJ plays some songs to get the crowd in the mood. The Entertainment team then arrive although the first proper event of the show is a number by the Royal Caribbean Dancers. I always love watching them (although often for eye-candy ;)).

Following the dancers, Michele, Margot and the Entertainment team (aka Youth, Sports and CD Staff) arrive and the official party begins. They do it for around 30-40 mins. It is great fun. Mostly rock music. There was also a number with the male members of the entertainment team and a few occasions where the staff tried to get people to dance.

Definitely on par with 70's night, although I think that the CD can make or break this and we were lucky with the CD.

It will be interesting to see who will now be the CD on the President's Cruise.

Abe Hughes will be the CD for that cruise.

80's Party:

Just returned. It is a great event. I highly recommend it if you sail on Symphony. CD Michele was excellent hosting it and the staff were very fun and high energy.

It starts with about 30 mins where the DJ plays some songs to get the crowd in the mood. The Entertainment team then arrive although the first proper event of the show is a number by the Royal Caribbean Dancers. I always love watching them (although often for eye-candy ;)).

Following the dancers, Michele, Margot and the Entertainment team (aka Youth, Sports and CD Staff) arrive and the official party begins. They do it for around 30-40 mins. It is great fun. Mostly rock music. There was also a number with the male members of the entertainment team and a few occasions where the staff tried to get people to dance.

Definitely on par with 70's night, although I think that the CD can make or break this and we were lucky with the CD.

Summary of today coming later. Ciao Ciao for now!

Fernando is still on SY. Should be due for vacation soon.

Leaving Brilliance today. Abe Hughes is leaving, replaced by Mike. Last name way too difficult...

 

 

Cindy

That will be Mike Szwajkowski. Abe is also returning to Harmony after his vacation, so now they have a CD for the President's Cruise.

THIS!!!

 

I have noticed this too on my past cruises. It almost seems like it’s the end of the world for them any time a well-behaved child eats ice cream in the hot tub, but when rowdy children use the Solarium and whirlpools, they just turn their heads! (Or just don’t see it. Perhaps parents should do a better job supervising their kids).

 

Whether the crew sees it or not, it’s ultimately the parents’ responsibility to enforce the rule to their children, but I hope and trust that if a crew member were to see it, they too would enforce the company’s policy. People go there to relax, and they can’t do that if there are kids splashing and screaming!

 

Thanks for pointing that out, now I know I’m not the only one who’s noticed that! Loving the review so far, can’t wait to see you become the next Abe Hughes!

 

 

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I 100% agree. In today's society, it feels as if kids and parents exist, but parenting doesn't. Not the way that it worked when I was a child a decade ago. I wanted to go on those Whirlpools on Independence back in the day, but didn't as I was underage. These children ought to do the same. I also agree about the crew making a big deal out of a quiet child being there (personal experience with that as well). I was using the whirlpool to relax, others were using it to watch the World Cup.

Kids - there is a Splashaway Bay and the outdoor pools just for you. Please use them!

I'm just back from the whirlpools. Went to the cantilevered whirlpool, which is excellent, but given that it is for over 16's only, I wish that the lifeguards would send the children away. They were loud and playing around as if it were the outdoor pools. I was under the permitted age to use the Solarium when I first cruised, but I at least respected the rules. Why aren't these children doing the same?

Being on here is making me very hungry for some Cruise Directing. I hope to have his job in 10 years.

Just been to the gym. I guess that is where forever single people like myself spend a lot of their day. I am not used to working out on a ship. Symphony has a fantastic gym facility though. I recommend it if you are not looking to gain a stone over a cruise.

Captain Rob is doing his Welcome Aboard reception tonight. I don't do formal on cruises, but will try to come along so I can see him in person. I've heard that he is a great Captain. I've had the pleasure of sailing with Captain Johnny on Allure and he set the bar high in terms of Captains. Captain Gus on Harmony was also very jovial. It will be cool to have an American Captain. I wonder if we will ever see one from the UK.

Dinner at Windjammer as usual. Not sure what else I will do tonight. Planning to stay up as late as possible. Getting off ship tomorrow in Marseilles as I am in need of practicing my French.

As Michele says, Ciao Ciao for now!

Doing a scope in 5 minutes. Come and join me!

Presently onboard Symphony. Margot seems to be a good AM. Great in the Morning Show and at Sailaway yesterday.

Where was the sailaway party held? The top deck is so large so there's plenty of choice! Was it near the main pool?

 

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Deck 16 midship Port side. Upstairs from Pool.

thanks for the periscope heads up....just watched one of the videos from yesterday....love all that line dancing up on deck....even the macarena? talk about throwback sunday..

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Yeah - it was great fun. They had tons of songs. Even the YMCA.

Good morning! We are in Palma. Staying on ship. Crew are having their drill this morning as well.

Here is a Day 1 recap:

Hello all - had a great first day! Not over yet.

We boarded the ship around 11am. She really looks spectacular. Eventually went to the Windjammer for some lunch. Later on, we got into the Staterooms around 1pm.

We have a Boardwalk Balcony with a view of the Abyss and AquaTheater. It's a great cabin although with the World Cup playing in Playmaker's, it is a bit noisy. I am probably the only guy in the whole of Scotland that hates football and wishes the world cup wouldn't be on ships, but maybe that's just me.

Muster was at 4.45pm. We had it in Studio B. Brandon from the Ice Cast was the main leader of it. Captain Rob was about to dismiss us when there was an Alpha call. That's terrible to hear. Hope the person was OK. I was on AN when the child drowned and remember the very Alpha call of that incident, so they do freak me out each time I hear one.

Post Muster, I went to the Sailaway Party. Margot (Activities Manager) hosted it alongside the Cruise Staff, Youth Staff and Sports Staff. They did a fantastic job. Very fun party. I stayed in the shade so didn't dance, but it was very enjoyable nonetheless.

 Following Sailaway, I briefly felt unwell, but was OK to go to the WJ for dinner. It was great. I then went around the ship before going to the Hot Tub. Now back in the cabin after Sorrento's.

For anyone curious:

Captain - Rob Hempstead (USA)

Hotel Director - Fernando Jorge (Portugal)

Chief Engineer - Ivo Marenic (Croatia)

Cruise Director - Michele Scarpato (Italy)

Activities Manager - Margot van Erck (Netherlands)

One final note to make is that Michele seems like a great CD. Not met him yet but already think that he is 100x better than Bobby Brown.

Any questions?

Unfortunately we did.

Yikes. Katy seemed friendly but was a total rookie at the AM job and came off inexperienced and too loud. Bobby was just awful and didn't seem to care about guest enjoyment (IMO). They also had no chemistry in the Morning Show.

Onboard the Symphony. Michele is 100x better than Bobby. Hope that BB never returns to HM as Michele is really good. His AM Margot is also fantastic.

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Well that'll be cool. Never had him yet but certainly read all the "hype" on how good he is. We'll have him on our December Ovation cruise. Should be nice.

Love Joff. Great CD. You will like him.

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Not sure where I would find Mike.

As for Periscope, I am @josephdaisley01

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A toothache is a significant improvement on Bobby and Katy.

Did you sail with them on HM?

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Just been to Sailaway. It seems that Michele & Margot are a significant improvement over Bobby & Katy on Harmony. Very fun celebration.

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Just been to Sailaway. It seems that Michele &a Margot are a significant improvement over the

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Sailed with him a few weeks and he's definitely a very good cruise director.

A massive step up to Bobby Brown.

Happy sailings.

Excellent! I haven't interacted with him yet but already like him based on his TV segments. As for Bobby - worst CD on Royal. He is on Autopilot.

Just about to meet Michele at the Sailaway Party!

Muster is finished, but Captain Rob didn't do the announcement due to an Alpha call.

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