Oakman

42 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

mbayley@rccl.com

As always, thanks so much for the quick reply!!😃

What is his email address?

Just off this past Saturday. Self-debark started exactly at 7 AM as listed on the Debarkation Information sheet. HUGE line, so we waited until 710AM to leave. Still a large line, but it moved quickly. Used both forward and aft gangways to speed up the process.  In the terminal, the new facial recognition software was used, and everyone zipped through. No need to show any paperwork or Passports. Across the street, up the stairs, in the car and gone by 722AM. Best and easiest Debarkation ever!!!

Just got off the Symphony yesterday. Had a great time, but felt the level of food quality in the free venues has deteriorated. First time, in a long time we came back weighing less than when we left. We didn't starve by any means, but felt most of the food was bland and overcooked. We did do lunch at Jamies on Embarkation Day which was great!!. Loved the ship and the entertainment. 

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

You get a ticket when you enter.

Thanks for the information!! Appreciate it!!!

13 hours ago, renza said:

The worst for pick up and drop off but cruising and parking in the garage is awesome. We drove right into the garage at 11 am and gave our luggage to porters. Parked and walked on ship in less than 15 minutes. No kidding. Through security and all. Same getting off the ship. Carried our luggage off at 8:30 and was in our car driving home in 15 min. Easiest ever 

Great to hear!!! Will be leaving on the Symphony Sept, 28, driving over from Sarasota. Question: do you pick up a ticket for parking when you enter the garage? Or do you park and obtain it from a vending type machine like at several other terminal parking garages? 

What a GREAT video!!! Someday we hope to experience this beautiful suite!!! By the way, why did the Allure leave from Miami instead of FLL on this sailing?

Have stayed in 7338 and 7340 (next door) and LOVE the location of these cabins. On the hump, close  to elevators and stairs and quiet. Will book these again and again. Have a great cruise!!

9 hours ago, uncwmark said:

Hi All,

 

We are booked in a JS on Symphony leaving on 9/28 and made three royal up bids (GS, OS, and CLS) about 2-3 weeks ago. Today I checked on our bids and the GS and OS bids show as “expired”, while the CLS bid is still “pending”. Does this mean anything? Our credit card has not been charged. Hoping it may be good news, but don’t want to get my hopes up for naught. Thanks!

Going on the same cruise as you. Booked in a JS also. Had considered Royal Up for CLS, but would rather book another cruise for that amount. Best of luck (fingers crossed) on your bid. CLS looks amazing!!!

3 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

 

We seem to be fine. Still dark, rainy, and windy. But we have power

So happy to hear all seems well on the East Coast. Once again, Sarasota was spared. Hope not much destruction and minimal cleanup. Please keep us updated. Thankfully, no loss of power.

1 hour ago, orkaren1 said:

Darn, we are vegetarians and was looking forward to the vegetable plank.

Same here!! Everyone does not eat meat.

Thanks so much for the quick response. So if I understand correctly from other responses, the 2-for-1 can only be booked onboard and must be used the 1st 2 nights of the cruise. Correct?

First time sailing as D+. Symphony Sept. 28. I realize you get a 2-for-1 on Specialty Dining on nights 1 & 2. Can you purchase the Chops plus 1 package prior to the cruise, then have the 2-for-1 credit applied on board? We are both Diamond +, so we each have a 2-for-1 credit. Hate being new to things, and having to ask such questions. Thanks in advance for your help.

Very excited to see you back on the beautiful Empress. She too, is my favorite ship and love the true feeling of being on a ship and not a floating mall. While I do very much enjoy the larger ships (going on Symphony next month), the Empress just seems to have everything we need in a small package. Plus, we really enjoy the greater interaction between staff and passengers. We always end up meeting so many more new friends on the smaller ships. 

Looking forward to this new adventure!

Happy sailing!

4 hours ago, jagsfan said:

My answer to that is So?

the songs are wonderful, the plot, such as it is, is fun, and one walks out with a big smile. 

That’s what I call entertainment!

Totally Agree!!!! That's what I want when I go to a Broadway Show!! 

 Booked Symphony for September 28th. Is a "Flash Sale" discount combinable with C&A discount. Have called twice and no one seems to know the answer. I know someone on Cruise Critic will be able to help. Thanks, as always, for the assistance.

17 hours ago, SuzD123 said:

A nice place to enjoy a beverage while people-watching the comings and goings of the Royal Promenade.

Doesn't the girl in the white sleeveless top at Boleros sipping a drink from a straw look like  Chrissy Metz from "This is Us"? I live in Sarasota, Fl. and ran into her last June shopping in Publix. Had a nice chat with her and her sister. They vacation every year on Siesta Key. Maybe this year they took a cruise. (If it was her)

Sailing on the Symphony September 28-October 5th. Much to my surprise, the Entertainment was available to book last evening-155 days prior to sailing. Booked everything with no problem, but a selection for "Guest Entertainer" was not present. In the past on both the Allure and Oasis, we had the ability to book a Guest Entertainer/Headliner. Have they done away with the midweek Guest Entertainment? Just a little confused. Thanks in advance for any input.

Coconut Ranger Cookies. Even found a recipe and now make them at home. Delicious!!!!

Song of America-Mexican Riviera-September 12-19, 1992

8 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Google thinks we're back in Pt Everglades. 

 

The circle at the top is where my car is located

 

Need to move clock back an hour hour and go to bed.

 

 

 

Good Morning- I too hate Terminal 29 in Ft. Lauderdale. I love parking near the ship, so we can self-disembark early and jump in our car and leave. I consider the extra cost and convenience part of the total trip expense. However, last November on the Freedom, and the year before on the Liberty we used Park n Go offsite. I was very skeptical the 1st time, but the service was excellent and by booking in advance, the savings was great. No need to search for shuttles when you get off, as there are many and they arrive frequently. We now use them for all FLL sailings. And this is coming from a true OCD travel planner!!!

https://www.bookparkngo.com/. Always enjoy your shipboard experiences. Thanks. (and you must visit Sarasota, to see our beautiful SUNSETS!!!!)

16 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Spoken like a Florida east coaster. Sunsets on the beach at Siesta Key can also be spectacular but sunrises...not so much.  Common denominator is sun and sea.

Living here in beautiful Sarasota, I agree about the sunsets. 

Booked on Symphony September 2019 on Deck 8 also. Love this deck, especially cabins near the stairwells. Out of curiosity, what cabin did you choose? We love 8664. Our usual choice on Oasis Class ships. Excellent review by the way. Glad you enjoyed your trip!!!

On 1/12/2019 at 7:04 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I know there are mixed opinions on Hugo, but I loved him on Mariner. He’s been off for a while, I would not mind if he took over on Harmony. Does Harmony have a regular CD these days?

I agree about Hugo. We really enjoyed him on the Empress. After 65 cruises, he is one of the few CD's that made an impression. Really interacted and participated in all activities with great energy and personality. anxious to see which ship he lands on.

On all our Apple products, I cannot access any of the Forums. I was able to this AM, but nothing this afternoon. Have tried Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.