baelor

How would the staff even enforce this? Is there an ocular examination of every slider to see whether a tell-tale faint blue ring on the sclera is visible?

The idea of a CD seems a bit confusing to me--RCI is an established company, so surely there are clear expectations about entertainment etc. I would assume that most CDs, to the extent they appear to be in charge of entertainment and guest satisfaction, do mostly the same stuff. That is, mostly competently make sure that the entertainment is running smoothly. Is there really a significant amount of variation on ships with 5k+ people? That seems odd.

I love leeks! I wish vichysoisse were more common. A man can dream about getting it on a cruise... I also make a great vegetarian leek and mushroom bread pudding.

This was my fear (that they would be too easy). So, all in all, you would recommend the rooms for very experienced room escapists/puzzle-solvers? Also, do you know what the typical size is? My group is 4, but it could be fun to do it with randos.

Jello is way underrated! Savory aspics, however, can stay in the dustbin of history. Are there any desserts that are not too sweet? For example, I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate.

We will be on the Symphony in mid-August, coming into Charlotte Amalie. I have a group of four (25-35) friends in good physical condition. This is our first cruise. We are currently not signed up for any excursions and are wondering whether it makes sense for us to look into any and what we should consider. Some information: Our group has traveled extensively and lived on several different continents. We are very interested in history and enjoy walking tours where we get lectured nonstop for hours about the detailed history of the area (dates, names, etc.). We are perfectly fine walking/hiking for miles if there are awesome views or walking is required to get to a site of historical interest. We have zero interest in shopping. We have zero interest in anything touristy or kitschy. We have zero interest in any food/drink if it is not purely and authentically local in nature/character. We do not have any particular interest in physical activities that take place on water (RhinoRiders, etc.). Scuba/snorkeling would be fine if there is truly awesome stuff to see. We are fine just walking around the port for a bit and then going to a beach or back onto the ship. In other words, we have no interest in doing an excursion for its own sake, only if there are cool historical or cultural things to see. Anyway, thanks for any tips/insight!

We will be on the Symphony in mid-August, coming into Philipsburg. I have a group of four (25-35) friends in good physical condition. This is our first cruise. We are currently not signed up for any excursions and are wondering whether it makes sense for us to look into any and what we should consider. Some information: Our group has traveled extensively and lived on several different continents. We are very interested in history and enjoy walking tours where we get lectured nonstop for hours about the detailed history of the area (dates, names, etc.). We are perfectly fine walking/hiking for miles if there are awesome views or walking is required to get to a site of historical interest. We have zero interest in shopping. We have zero interest in anything touristy or kitschy. We have zero interest in any food/drink if it is not purely and authentically local in nature/character. We do not have any particular interest in physical activities that take place on water (RhinoRiders, etc.). Scuba/snorkeling would be fine if there is truly awesome stuff to see. We are fine just walking around the port for a bit and then going to a beach or back onto the ship. In other words, we have no interest in doing an excursion for its own sake, only if there are cool historical or cultural things to see. Anyway, thanks for any tips/insight!

I think it would, but I generally just categorize trips as "relaxation" (maybe with a little history) or "history/culture." Like when I go to Athens, it takes me several days just to get through the National Archeological Museum, let alone everything else in the city...

Reading, wading in the pool, water aerobics, water trivia/music competitions/whatever, archery, tasting events, water polo, pool blackjack, various lessons and tastings, etc. Then dinner and nighttime activities. I guess I am still stuck on having one pool the size of a hot tub. Does no one get in it? How does it even work?

Is that by choice or by necessity because local stores don’t sell fresh pineapple? Glad you can get it on board!

Thanks; we are looking forward to it! I think it will be a nice change of pace from all-inclusives. But I also like more culture/history-based trips where I go somewhere and stay for a week (or a month).

That is crazy dedication to get the ship to show a college game. Respect the hustle, I guess.

Nice to know, since I also love pasta. I want something so spicy it will rip out my GI tract, but short of ghost peppers, that is hard to come by.

Yep. And cruising generally. My group is actually all new, and everyone has different questions, hence the quantity.

Other than the doggy bag, I approve! Shrimp is delicious and also more expensive than many other foods at the buffet. At nice buffets, I often go through plates and plates of crab legs.

Sweet. My friend and I have the DBP so looking forward to the shakes. Probably the best shake I have had was at JR.

What do you generally view as spicy? For example, is Sriracha spicy for you? Habaneros? Jalapenos?

Pretty much the title.

I am just confused about what "sailors" do all day given that the pool is the size of the hot tub and there do not seem to be many entertainment venues. I am all for reading by the pool for hours, but not at VV's price.

AFAIK the only way to tell for a particular cruise is to (1) book the cruise yourself or (2) get answers from someone who has booked that particular cruise. RCI uses dynamic pricing, which basically mean that prices are flexible and change for each cruise over time. My own cruise (in August) had the lowest price for the Deluxe Beverage Package (the boozy package) today since April. No warning or notice--you just have to check regularly or know someone who does.

Est-ce que vos billets disent quels forfaits pour votres enfants sont inclus? Les boissons completement gratuits sont: On a Norwegian cruise, you’ll find unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, select juice, water, drip coffee and tea, and filtered water (no bottled) included with your cruise. Most of these drinks are available free of charge in the buffet and in the dining rooms and restaurants. Donc tee glace, limonade, jus, eau, cafe et tee chaud.

Great news! I hope it works out for you and your family!

Thanks for the details! I am glad that it works out and that it actually makes things easier in some ways. That said, you and I will (hopefully) continue enjoying flavor lol.

😐 How does he get flavor into things? I am so confused!

But VV is different from other cruise lines. It's the cool cruise line!