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We took a slow wander back to the ship stopping in a beautiful arcade cafe and by the royal palace. 

We were in dock with Jewel and the size difference was incredible!

Back on the ship it was time for a drink, and they have a daily happy hour (5pm - 7pm, so two hours) at Wonderland and Hooked where it is buy one get one free! The smoke rings cocktail at wonderland is amazing. It’s whiskey mixed with maple syrup with some wood smoke on top!

Then it was time for dinner, and for the first time this cruise we ate at the main dining room! We didn’t have reservations, but turned up at 7pm and we were seated straight away. The service was good, the bread was waiting on the table when we arrived and they took drinks orders immediately. The food came out quickly and was very tasty, probably about the same as 150 Central Park in our opinion.

We would have eaten here more but there are just too many places to eat on Symphony!

Maps of Pompeii excavations

After the museum which took about 2 hours, it was lunch time. We headed to a little pizzeria on the way back to the port and like most places it was very reasonable (5 euros for a marghrita!) and it was tasty and quick service. 

Naples day 6

We’ve been to Naples a few times over the last few years so have been to Pompeii, Vesuvius and Herculaneum, all of which we highly recommend doing.

Mount Vesuvius, not a bad view to wake up to

We were having a slow start then heading to the archeological museum, where a lot of items from the above towns were taken to. I started off the day at 0930 on the flow rider and it was great fun, there was only one other person for the first half an hour so we both got plenty of practise. I recommend doing this on a port morning if you want some uninterrupted time on it. 

After that we walked off the ship and up the hill to the top of town, it took us about 30 minutes to make it to the museum. 

The entry cost was 12 euros and there was compulsory (but free) lockers for back packs. We used rick Steve’s guide again and it was very informative and took you around most of the museum, but not the Egyptian section. Just remember if that is something you are interested in. His descriptions of the other items were informative and amusing to listen to. The highlights are the Farnese statues and the mosaics from Pompeii.

The Farnese bull

Hercules and the golden apples

front a back of the ceremonial bowl

these are mosaics! I honestly though they were pointing to begin with. And the second one is huge, approximately 15 feet across

this is an amazing calendar. At midday everyday the sun will shine through a pin hole onto what month it is! Unfortunately we missed it this day

so many amazing things at the museum

Naples day 6

We’ve been to Naples a few times over the last few years so have been to Pompeii, Vesuvius and Herculaneum, all of which we highly recommend doing.

Mount Vesuvius, not a bad view to wake up to

We were having a slow start then heading to the archeological museum, where a lot of items from the above towns were taken to. I started off the day at 0930 on the flow rider and it was great fun, there was only one other person for the first half an hour so we both got plenty of practise. I recommend doing this on a port morning if you want some uninterrupted time on it. 

After that we walked off the ship and up the hill to the top of town, it took us about 30 minutes to make it to the museum. 

The entry cost was 12 euros and there was compulsory (but free) lockers for back packs. We used rick Steve’s guide again and it was very informative and took you around most of the museum, but not the Egyptian section. Just remember if that is something you are interested in. His descriptions of the other items were informative and amusing to listen to. The highlights are the Farnese statues and the mosaics from Pompeii.

The Farnese bull

Hercules and the golden apples

front a back of the ceremonial bowl

these are mosaics! I honestly though they were pointing to begin with. And the second one is huge, approximately 15 feet across

this is an amazing calendar. At midday everyday the sun will shine through a pin hole onto what month it is! Unfortunately we missed it this day

so many amazing things at the museum

After the aqua theatre show was a one off headliner show, hector is magic. And he really was, some impressive slight of hand and disappearing illusions. There were a couple of audience participation points too i you want that. Really recommend catching him if he is on you’re sailing. 

Then it was off the bed!

A lovely sunset today

Hi everyone! Boards are back up and running now so I’m going to try and finish my blog now. Been back a week and a half now but seems like a lot longer! 

Its a new interface as well so sorry if there are any problems with the formatting, pictures etc. 

Anyway, here we go .....

Tonight was the aqua theatre show, Hiro. A really technologically and artistically impresssive show. However it did become a bit repetitive at times, but that is not to take anything away from the talent that’s on show though, which was all incredible.

This was a warm up to the show, started about 5-10 minutes before

The harness system they used was very impressive. They came out right over the crowd at a number of points!

some amazing tightrope walking!

and also on the slack rope, a bit closer to ground though 

The Sistine chapel is amazing as you’d expect, but there were a number of other items in the museum which were just as impressive. We used rick Steve’s guide app on the iPhone, and his walking tour takes you around different parts of the museum in an hours talk, and it’s free!

Managed to get a sneaky picture of the Sistine chapel 🤫

View over Rome

It did get very busy at times, not a place to come if you don’t like crowds.

After the Vatican museum we caught the train back to the ship, and it was on time today!

Dinner today was in El Loco fresh and it was lovely, nice selection of tacos, nachos and burritos with a do it yourself toppings bar.

The Tres Leches dessert is delicious too. I ate it too fast to get a picture though ☹️

lovely sunset up by Ultimate Abyss

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Sorry about the delay between posts everyone. The sea day turned out a bit busier than I thought as there was so much to do! And been busy since we got home tidying up. Will hopefully get the last couple of days up over this week [emoji3]

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Today we were in Civitavecchia, the port stop for Rome. That’s a bit misleading as Rome is an easy 45-60 minute train journey away!

In the cruise compass they say the port is a bit busy so the put on a shuttle bus to town for you, but we found that the bus took us further away from the train station, and you have to run the gauntlet of taxi drivers, souvenirs seller and tour guides to get out.

Walking route from the ship

Walking from where the bus drops you off

Today’s train was much cheaper, despite being the same distance, and cost us 20 euros for two adults return! Much better value. We were going to the Vatican and Vatican museum today so we’re getting off at Roma San Pietro train station, as it’s a ten minute walk from there to St Marks square. When you get there you’ll have to queue to get into the Vatican as you have to go through security checks. This took about 30 minutes. You get lovely views whilst you are waiting though.

There is also a dress code, no exposed knees or shoulders, but I saw a lot of people getting in with shorts or skirts shorter than their knees. We had a look around St. Peter’s and then headed off to the Vatican museum. We forgot to buy our ticket beforehand (highly recommend you do this) and the stand by line would be about 1.5 hours so we spoke to one of the many people selling tickets and managed to get 2 tickets for 55 euros. Slightly more the the 42 if we had booked beforehand but then i should have planned better! The museum is incredible, there is so much to see that you could spend at least a day looking at everything. There are multiple routes around depending on what you want to look at and how long you have. We took the semi express route and were there about 2.5 hours, but we did stop for a coffee. And we found some very well mannered pigeons eating at a table! [emoji23]

Some of the corridors are very long in the museum!

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Thank you very much for the review. Love the pictures. Could you please tell me the name of the Latin band playing in Boleros? Thanks again.

We never went into boleros, but on the cruise planner it says Latin music with Matisse

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Enjoying your review! We are also currently sailing on the Symphony as well. We went to Playmakers and really enjoy the atmosphere there. It is much better use of space than the Mexican restaurant they have on the Harmony. Have you tried the menu? We went last night and had the Campfire Cookie Dessert. It’s a warm cookie topped with Nutella and a toasted marshmallow gooey crust. It is served with vanilla ice cream and milk In a shot glass. It was amazing!! Highly recommend you try!

Click the attachment link to view the dessert.

 

 

 

On your recommendation we went back and tried the cookie, and you are right, it was delicious! Definitely enough to share between two

 

 

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Dinner this evening was in playmakers, we got there signature burger and some popcorn shrimp and the portion sizes were huge! This was easily enough for two to share. The shrimp is great and you have a choice of toppings and sauce and the burger was very well made, probably a bit better than Johnny rockets over the other side of the boardwalk

After dinner there was another ice show, iSlate 2.0. This was a selection of dances set to different pop songs and was really fun. No drones in this one, but the ice skating cast had all changed! A new cast was in to do the next few months on the ship, we felt really lucky we managed to see both. The show was amazing again, and this time I managed to get a photo of the back flip!

Lastly this evening they had the red carpet experience at the main theatre. They set up a “premiere” (the greatest showman) and have an interviewer and cameramen on the red carpet.

You can dodge past them if you want or you can play along, it was fun being interviewed, until you realise they are putting up on the big screen in the theatre!! Still it was an interesting experience. After that it was off to sleep for our Rome day tomorrow!

We found a little towel animal in our room today 🦅

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After that we headed to the Camposanto monument which holds a huge number of frescos and statues. It always amazes me how these have lasted for about 2000 years!

After that it was time to head back to the ship. We did the journey in reverse and stopped in a few shops and a cafe along the way. One thing I would note if you are a very nervous traveller, the trains can sometimes be delayed. Both our trains today were about 10-15 minutes late, but the one on the platform next to us was over an hour late. Also ways make sure you give yourself plenty of time if making your own way, or book an excursion with the ship if you are really worried.

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So on our La Spezia day we decided to visit Pisa. We’d been to Cinque Terre the last time we were here, and I’d definitely recommend that for first timers. You have to catch a bust from the ship to the entrance to the port, and then the train station is about a 20-25 minute walk from there. The trains to Pisa take between 45min -1hr 15min depending on if they are a a stopping service. I think two adult returns cost is about 50 euros, which seemed a bit steep! It’s easy to purchase the tickets via the Trenitalia app though, and you can use PayPal to pay for them.

Once in Pisa it’s about 30 minute walk from the station to the cathedral and leaning tower, pretty much straight forwards. You just follow the crowds really as that’s where everyone is heading [emoji3]

The tower is impressive but I think the huge cathedral is much more beautiful personally. It’s free to enter the cathedral but you need to get a timed ticket. Or if you pay for entry to some of the other buildings on site (baptistery or museums) at 5 euros for 1, 7 euros for 2 or 8 for 3 you get an anytime ticket. It cost 18 euros to go up the tower, and there was a constant queue of about thirty minutes to get in.

The cathedral is even more beautiful on the inside, with some amazing mosaics and pieces of art

The baptistery is a huge domed building. Whilst we were there the guard demonstrated the acoustics of it by chanting. The echos were amazing! I’ve got a video and I’ll try to find a way to upload it.

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Thanks for sharing your Wonderland Experience!! I am really so on the fence about that place! Did you see them make anything differently than how it’s presented on the menu for picky eaters?

 

What did you think of the Liquid Lobster? What did the Lobster part taste like - was it like lobster bisque on the spoon with cavier on top? Just not sure what to make of a description of ‘bone marrow’ when it comes to ‘lobster’...

 

 

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We’ve been before with someone who was allergic to shellfish, and because they make everything from scratch the were really accommodating and made sure she could have most of the same things (not the lobster obviously!)

The lobster is just as you describe, a large piece of lobster meat with a bisque and caviar on top. Don’t worry about the bone marrow, I think it’s just there way of making it sound fancier!!

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And the main from wonderland

Prime rib and breaded branzino

And dessert

After dinner we went to see the ice show 1977. We always enjoy hear on Royal Caribbean ships and today was no exception. The show started off with about 50 little drones flying the ice in different formations which was really cool!

They story was a bit hard to follow (time traveller goes to London in 1977, tries to foil a thief but fails, follows them to the jungle(!) desert and snowy landscape, finds out she a female thief, falls in love and they live happily ever after with her I’ll gotten gains!) but the show was incredible. There were spins, lifts and even backflips and handstands on the ice.

There was a very fun sequence where one couple changed outfits about 10 times in the space of two minutes. I highly recommend any one on these ships to catch one of their shows. Do get there early though as there wasn’t a seat left, and many people sitting on the stairs.

We also bumped into the stowaway pianist outside the main theatre, he was attracting quite a crowd!

After all that activity we decided we needed some relaxing so headed for a late night hot tub. It was empty on the top deck and there were a few hot tubs to chose from but we ended up in the solarium for a bit before calling it a night. La Spezia tomorrow and we were heading to pisa!

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These were the starters

Birds nest with boiled eggs

Crab, avocado and wasabi cone

Liquid lobster

Hairy shrimp with a spicy foam

Tuna tartare

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And then it was time for wonderland, we’ve been to this restaurant on harmony and anthem so knew roughly what to expect and it was excellent. The food is so interesting and tasty, with a massive variety of flavours. And the decor is very quirky!

You have to paint the menu with “magic water” to get it to reveal

They also have a mad hatter wandering around the restaurant saying hello to guests and chatting with you.

The view over the boardwalk is beautiful too, especially at sunset.

Highly recommended this place even if you are not an adventurous eater as you “culinary guide” (no waiters here apparently!) will help you pick appropriate dishes. The cocktails are great too, and it was happy hour as we got there (5-7 everyday) so it was buy one get one free!

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Day 3

We’ve been to Marseille a few times now and didn’t feel like there was anything we wanted to do there, so stayed on the ship for a nice relaxing day today. We tried to do the flowride, but they were still tidying up the top decks from the windy nights before so they were still shut at 10am. We had breakfast at Johnny Rockets, freshly made omelette, breakfast potatoes and English muffin and it was very nice. Good service too despite them being very busy. After that we headed off to do some visual trivia in the on air club which we won! (Jointly). Love the highlighter and bag you get for winning!

Then we though we’d give the spa a try, I had a Swedish massage and my wife had a facial. They were both ok but neither of us were particular impressed with the service, and the attempt to sell us products worth about 700 dollars at the end was a shock! Needless to say we didn’t buy them.

Then it was lunch time so we headed to park cafe again and had a light lunch as we were headed to wonderland tonight so didn’t want to eat much. We spent the afternoon relaxing in the solarium, trying ultimate abyss (faster this time) and doing a bit of rock climbing. We also took part in an activity called a royal mystery. This was like an escape room but it’s all paper based and working out different clues to see who stole the art work. It was good fun and we met some nice people doing it too. All in all a great afternoon!

Saw these Segway boat things as well today, not sure what they are going to be used for though!

Slightly battered chocolate sculpture in the windjammer

Bent up beetle on the promenade

And the running track is LONG on symphony!

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Thanks for all the positive feedback, I’m glad people are enjoying it [emoji3]

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Here are the cafe promenade menus too

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We are going to be on the Symphony in April and can’t wait!

 

 

 

I know there is a Starbucks on board but I am really interested in trying to find out what the drink selection and prices would be for NON-Starbucks drinks that would be on the refreshment package.

 

 

 

If you are able to post a photo of the smoothie menu (in the Vitality Cafe/Bar?) and the non- Starbucks coffee/latte options (promenade maybe?), I would be very grateful!!

 

 

 

There is a coffee card available for my sailing as well so if you see anything on board about how that is being used that would be a bonus!!:hearteyes:

 

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

Here’s the juice/smoothie menu. There’s a build you own option on there too if you want to mix it up!

I’ll grab a photo of cafe promenade menu too when we are back on the ship. Haven’t seen anyone using the coffee card yet but I will definitely keep my eyes open for it.

And you are going to love this ship, it is amazing!

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For our first port day we were at Palma De Mallorca. The ship docks out of town and there is a shuttle bus that takes you in to town for 10 euros each, but they only take cash. I found out there is no cash machine in the terminal but there is one on board the ship, next to Beleros, that gives out euros but will surge you 6 euros for the privilege! We made it to town and our plan was to head to the Monastery at Valldemossa by bus. The bus stop was about 25 minutes walk through the town, which was quiet as most things were still shut. The bus leaves infrequently, but it was well kept and on time, and only cost 1.80 each.

The bus ride takes 30 minutes and is quite spectacular, some tight turns around drop offs though, so if you are of a nervous disposition sit on the right side of the bus on the way there as that’s the wall side! Also this town is very popular with cyclists! I’m very impressed that people can make it up that hill though!

Valldemossa is a small town with a lot of shops, cafes and a stunning view. Chopin once stayed at the monastery here and they still have his piano and some other effects and that’s what we were her to see. It cost 8.50 euros or get in and another 4 to Chopins room, but it was very interesting to hear the history and the view are unparalleled! Highly recommended. They also do a piano recital for 15 minutes at the end of the tour. We had a wander through town then headed back to the bus to Palma city centre. We took a slow wander through the shops and then headed back to the ship.

Once onboard we grabbed some lunch and then headed to use our pass to the thermal spa (199 euros (plus tax and gratuity!) for a couple for the week. It was very relaxing and there was no one else in there. They have 8 heated loungers, 2 tropical rain showers, a steam room and a sauna.

After this we headed to see hairspray, (as I said above it was awesome!) before dinner in 150 Central Park. This was good food, but a little underwhelming considering the cost. There was one other couple there when we arrived, so not much atmosphere, but some people prefer that. Service was attentive but the food was only so so. The truffle bread was a highlight, but the scallops didn’t have much flavour and the beef tenderloin was ok. Deep fried cheesecake was a very interesting dessert but a bit heavy. the passion fruit bar was a nice light finish though

We then were going to catch the aqua theatre show, Huel, but there was an announcement saying there was some rough weather coming up that we would have to detour round, but the seas were too rough for the show to go ahead. Instead they have rescheduled for the sea day (day 7). So instead we went down to the attic (that sentence makes no sense! Why put the attic on deck 4, at least call it the cellar/basement! Anyway, I digress) to catch the comedy show. The comedian Phil Palisoul has been on a number of American shows I’m not familiar with and he was very good. Engaged with the crowd well and kept us laughing without resorting to crude or insulting comedy. A good round off to the evening.

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Just a few photos from around the ship

A couple of ultimate abyss

Night time boardwalk. I love the carousel, such a unique thing to have on a cruise ship!

Sculpture in the solarium. There are so many pieces of art on the ship it’s impossible to see them all, but some are too big to miss!

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Curious if drink cards are offered on the Med itinerary.

I haven’t seen them yet but I will keep an eye out for them. They don’t normally pop up till a bit later in the cruise I think

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