blueslily

Was the Key of any benefit to you on your cruise? In what ways was it helpful?

Hello all, I'm taking a first time cruise on the Symphony next month. I've read on the board good comments about Dennis Charles, the Cruise Director. A CD does not make or break a cruise for me, but it's nice to have a good one, and I was hopeful that my friend will experience a good one on this first cruise experience. But, I've also read on here that the CD on Symphony will be changing this month. So, I'm writing to ask if anyone can confirm that Dennis will be leaving Symphony this month. (I'm not sure why.) Next month, I will be on the Dec 10 sailing. Not sure how long Dennis is supposed to not be on Symphony. Also, any feedback on the person who will be taking over? The name posted in another thread here is Clo O'Connor. Thanks!

Yes, does anyone have an update on the Solarium?

Thanks. Yes, I understand that part, that I would be paying for a different category for an ocean view balcony. When I looked, there were only ocean view balcony guarantees shown as an option.

Thanks for sharing this info as I have an ocean view balcony, 9150, reserved on Symphony for next month. Now I'm more concerned. A slightly different question. Due to the location of the door, did you still have a sofa in your room or did you just have a chair? In a separate threadhere, I think the OP mentioned having a chair versus a sofa. Thanks

Thanks for posting this question. I am booked in cabin 9150 on Symphony next month. It is a connecting ocean view balcony. The people in the connecting room are not with my party. I'm a bit concerned about noise from their cabin since from the info above it sounds like it will only be a single door. I will have to see what options I have at this point for any possible cabin changes. I looked online and only balcony guarantees are being sold for the ocean views. Ugh. I could purchase a higher level cabin for double the price of this balcony cabin we have. That's double ugh. LoL. I will certainly call Royal as well to check. Any helpful suggestions?

Thanks. Which sailing is that for?

Hi, Dec 10 on Symphony. It's a lot of now I'm here and now I'm gone. Meaning the shows appear and then disappear. I booked the adult comedy show in the planner, online using a desktop. I can see it in the app, but I cant reserve any shows in the app. That comedy show is now listed as sold out, but stuff I reserved today was showing as sold out yesterday. So, who knows. I check my phone and tablet frequently to see if the ice skating shows will pop up for booking. Neither are in the planner. One is showing in the app, but I cant reserve there so that's not helpful. I will see if anything changes tomorrow.

I'm waiting for the skating shows to post for Symphony. Was able to book the adult comedy.

Hey, we are on the same cruise. I was able to book some shows today. Still waiting on others to show up. Worked better on a desktop versus my cell using the planner.

oh man, I would not give up an entire cruise for that reason. Try not to stress. I'm all on this thread just because it gives me something new to be excited about for this sailing. I'm still very happy about going. Just bummed if I missed a window today. Relax and have am awesome cruise. Fingers crossed for you as well.

I was able to book the adult comedy show on Symphony in Dec right after my last post. It just showed up when I refreshed the planner again. Hairspray showed up again to. Not very interested in that. Will see if other options pop up again. They were showing as sold out when I first checked. When did this feature, to book shows in advance, get turned on today? Was it this morning, afternoon, or evening? Just curious. I'm in the planner all the time, but dont look at entertainment all the time since the story has been that you must book on ship. I will keep trying.

There must be a big group for my sailing to be sold out already, lol. I'm on the week after you. Update: Now I am getting the Lights, Camera, Action message that was there all the time. But, there is a note that we will be able to book before sailing. Oh well.

My Symphony sailing shows are all showing sold out minus Hairspray and none of the shows are listed in the app yet. Hmm.ok

Checking now. I also sail in December

Hahaha, Actually when I started reading the thread, I was like, "tv channels. What do you need that for?" Hahaha. I've actually never watched tv while on a cruise, lol. I look at my cruise account or the cruise line's stuff, but I don't ever recall regular watching tv or movies. I like to get away from that mess when on vacation. I can do that back at home 😁 So, this is an interesting thread to me. Oh, and I use a mini fan for white noise, if necessary. Happy cruising!

Yep, it's just a MSC thing being a different cruise line. I asked the room steward for them and never had a problem getting them during the cruise. I'm surprised if people dont just ask the room steward, lol.

That's just MSc. It's a different cruise line. You're right. It's not human error. It's just different for that line. You can request both and they will be provided. Room steward easily gets it for me and no problems after I request them. Happy cruising!

I've usually been able to alert MDR staff that I have a show to attend and they speed up the service. I dont have the show times in front of me, but I'm wondering if you ask for faster service, could you indeed go to dinner first, a show, a little relaxing, and then pick up the kids. That's just my thought, but I'm not looking at show times right now. Plus, another good thin is that the shows are not as long in duration on MSC.

Was anything else in need of significant repair ? Sailing in February.

Wow, that's crazy close

Morning. I'm not sure if your reply is for the OP's consideration or me. I dont drink coffee beverages so I didnt use the plan for those options. But, cool for folks that drink coffee beverages. I'm not sure how much the Internet cost factors into the promo in addition to the drinks. Do you know how much internet for 2 people costs if she adds that without the promo? And how much the drinks package costs for 2 people if adding that without the promo? But, both of those are assumed if she wants those two options or not. It's a really short cruise do perhaps she might not want to add one or both. Not related to beverages, but I might have missed if the OP included how many people her friend is booking the cabin for. Not sure if its 2 or more. I saw the replies with comments about number of passengers.

Sounds like this deal might be better than what she was getting initially. Is the drink package and internet for two worth more than the $100 OBC? I dont drink alcohol, but I used their drink package for non alcoholic beverages. I guess it depends on whether she values $100 OBC more than the two included additions. Cabin location - I guess that value depends on whether or not she thinks the new location is horrible. Good luck to your friend.

Oh, I thought most cruisers knew that when it says refurbished in whatever year or even when it's an upcoming drydock, the entire ship is not getting a facelift. Sorry, just thought most seasoned cruisers knew that usually specific areas and projects were planned during that time. Not everything. Plus, with all that has been going on, many drydocks were cancelled or things just didnt go as planned for refurbishing. But, I dont know the exact dates in 2020 that Epic was in drydock for her refurbishment/projects. Like Escape was just in drydock, but only something specific was done. But, I guess that might be seen as different and everyone knows the focus of that drydock. Hope people with booked cruises on Epic still have a good time or if their sailing is far out, maybe they will change to a different ship if they believe their experience will be negatively impacted too much to enjoy their cruise. I get that. It is indeed sad to see the condition of Epic. I know it's a ship that many people have lots of strong options about, but in the past, I've enjoy the layout of the ship, including the bathrooms. LoL. Good night all. Happy cruising.

I think usually they focus on specific areas, not the entire ship, right? And, it is noted what they plan to refurbish during drydock OR at least, I'm usually aware of those specific plans when reading here, lol. CC folks usually posts the drydock refurbish plans. Awesome. As another poster said, many of the issues in the pictures can be fixed now without major disruption to guests. I'm glad the OP is going to share the feedback now. Some of the stuff in the pics is not that big to do with paying passengers on board. Even stuff in his cabin.