Ret MP

Decent review with a little positive along with the negatives. Good job. Cruise on her again in a few weeks/couple of months and the culinary staff/team will probably have changed and the food MAY be the best you've ever had on a cruise line, MAYBE! It's the people, not the ship that prepares and presents food. And the food providers/sources/distributors may change as well. We'll be on her in January and hope we have the good culinary staff/team and suppliers.

Kraken rum and Dr. Pepper/Cream Soda. Iiiiiiiiiii like it.

As I've stated many times, Symphony is by far my favorite ship in the fleet, so far. I'd stay on the lowest deck in an interior cabin right next to the boiler room. I enjoyed her that much.

As much as I disliked my experience at the Port of Seattle, embarkation day, I must be honest and say that debarkation was basically without issue and quick. My only issue had nothing to do with the ship or terminal. Our shuttle wasn't there and waiting on us was the problem.

I am a Medicare and TRICARE FOR LIFE (Retired Military Supplemental to Medicare, simply stated) customer. Medicare doesn't cover anything outside of the U.S. and its Territories, with only a very few exceptions. However, I'd check the wording of your Supplement, it may say that if you are traveling outside the U.S. or its territories, your supplemental may become your primary coverage.

As an avid proponent of Suites, I don't think I'd get one for a 3 or 4-day cruise. Just too short to fully enjoy it. 7 or 8-day cruise, I'm just getting settled in. But, it's only you who can decide what's best for you. JMHO

Or Kraken

LOL, that's how I feel about most vanilla shakes in general.

I haven't done this, yet. But, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my 12-cup Zero Water system. Stuff the water container with T-Shirts or whatever to keep it from cracking, put it in the middle (between all clothing) of the suitcase, bring a new filter in its original plastic bag, and enjoy life. I've been a happy camper with Zero Water (not the new EcoFilter, though) for many many years. Water tastes like water. No, I have no affiliation with the company.

My dad was a lifetime member of the CPGA (Canadian PGA and had reciprocity with USGA/PGA) and as a pro he could get into the Masters, at no charge. But, even those were very hard to get. He really wanted to go to the Masters once in his life before he died. I worked on it but unfortunately, he passed before I could get it done. However, I did take him to the PGA Hall of Fame in Ste. Augustine (before it moved, if it did, I don't know for sure) a year or two before he passed. He was so happy that day. Golf and Golf Courses were a religion to him. He was very old school and was a club pro when they were well-paid and treated almost like a deity. Didn't believe in shorts and/or Ts on Golf Club grounds.

Or Mad Magazine.

Yep

“I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant”

Nope, none of the above. You're welcome to borrow some of my WalMart shorts and Ts that I wear when I'm cruising in my Star Class suite. But, I want 'em back, they're still good for another 4 or 5 years.

Escorting you to get priority/reserved seating or off the ship at ports of call so you don't have to wait in the long line to get into the venue or off the ship. Escorting you to the specialty restaurant to see that the venue has prepared for your arrival. It's not like they are holding your hand, lining you up in a single file like in kindergarten to go to the cafeteria. And far from a perfect stranger. The Genie isn't just any old crew member that was told to be a Genie today. They have been vetted for a long time, training for a long time and you have a lot of resources to check out a Genie. You see it all the time on these Social Media sites. People asking how was Marla, Raul, ....... whomever. I've communicated with my upcoming Genie for up to a month prior to my sailing. I've got a good feeling of what kind of person the Genie is and did my best to check out his/her reputation. I've even got an email address for a Genie that we had once and I would email her to get a feeling of the upcoming Genie if I had young ones. The Genie service is a small community. Question, if you've had kids in a daycare center, did/do you have control over who watched your kids every minute of the day? If not, which is the probability, and you didn't/don't like not having that control, you have the option of taking the child(ren) to another daycare. You basically have the same option with the Genie, if you don't trust him/her, don't let him/her take your kids anywhere. By the time I get on the ship if I was still the parent of a young one, I have already checked him/her out fairly well and I'd definitely have a conversation with him/her to get to know him/her better. But, you've got to do what you feel is right for you!

Let me guess, you're going to print the color-coded deck and cabin location-indicated Royal Caribbean luggage tags with your cabin number already on them. You'll fold or cut it to fit into the uniquely sized plastic RCCL luggage tags holders with aircraft-strength metal cables that secure the luggage tags to your luggage. Yes/No? I know that's what I do and the process of turning over my luggage is as quick as just handing the luggage over to the porter without any conversation or chance of misunderstandings. Of course, a tip is included, again without a conversation.

To each, their own and I'm not suggesting anything else. But, as far as the Genie is concerned, and this is my experience with several Star Class cruises, the Genie doesn't hoover/fuss over you. Stop by and ask how're things going? Yes, for sure. Also, telling the Genie what to do is a very easy thing. You just tell him/her, through the pre-cruise communications (email) with him/her or on the very first day of the cruise and he/she does up a schedule based on your desires. It just takes the hit/miss of things. You have a schedule and don't have to worry about checking the "schedule of events/venues". It's a minor thing but it makes it nice. They will also escort you/your party (IF YOU WANT) to certain activities/venues.

Whoop Whoop

That's what we did for our youngest daughter years ago, at hotels, actually any place away form home. She was a very active sleeper. If possible, we'd push the bed up against a wall and put pillows (or anything soft, like extra blankets, seat cushions, etc) along one side and at the foot of the bed. No problem.

That's very true. A blanket policy/rule is much easier.

Why? Not that it really matters. But, it is my belief that RCCL, et al, don't want CBD on their ships because at any time for a variety of reasons, a ship can (and does) deviate from its original itinerary and pull into a port that has very strong rules/laws prohibiting it. They're just eliminating the very negative possibilities. JMHO

It is you that is not understand the simplicity of YOUR original premise/questions and the answer that I provided. Simple question, simple answer. Nothing more, nothing less. But, YOU wanted to debate/argue/whatever. The above was done before I said I was done but I didn't realize I didn't hit the Submit Reply until just now. The original post of yours that I was responding to was a stand-alone post. It wasn't taken out of context because there was no context other than saying what it said, it didn't quote anybody or anything. I was by its self and I responded to it with "FACT ". You accuse me of wanting to argue a lot and using Obfuscation a lot. Well, I call 'em as I see 'em. And I provided an answer to a question(s) and you decided to argue about that. Okay, I AM DONE NOW!

This is the only thing my intent was about and I was answering your question(s). YOU asked, "What crown and anchor perks are different based on ship"? And, " I thought those perks were fleet wide"? The Crown & Anchor page classifies what I mentioned as "MEMBER BENEFITS" and some of the "MEMBER BENEFITS" aren't available "FLEET WIDE". It is you that is reading into the intent and obfuscating. That is all! Carry on!

I'm not getting into a drawn-out debate with you. What I've stated and posted is listed in the C&A benefits, period. Obfuscate all you want. They are part of the C&A benefits.

My comments are based on my own experiences and what I've read here. If I didn't answer a question, I just don't know or aren't confident about it!