caneguy

Central Park

Bionic Bar

Hello sh2738, my wife is a vegetarian and 150 CP did a really nice job of providing choices for her.  Enjoy

WOW, Royal has amped up the WOW factor on Symphony.  Just got off the Inaugural 4 day cruise on Symphony Nov. 9-13. This will be a general review of Symphony with numerous pictures.  For a more detailed review of my cruise dates look at BirdTravels and for a very detailed review of Symphony, look for Twangster’s trans Atlantic review.  For a more detailed look at an Oasis Class ship with more pictures see my review of the Oasis, “Oasis 3/22-29/14, so so writing, pretty good pictures, very pretty girls.”

If you have been on any other Oasis class ship the Symphony will look almost identical. While I did not go to every corner of the ship I noticed some changes.  A new venue Playmaker’s in the space across the Boardwalk from Johnny Rockets.  It is a sports bar with numerous TV’s and a great place to watch a game.  The food there is really good, hamburger and shrimp stood out. Also small changes in Central Park and some changes to the menu’s of certain Specialty restaurants. We arrived to Terminal A on a shuttle from Dollar Rent A Car from the Miami Airport (excellent shuttle).  We got to the terminal around 1:30PM and had no problem with traffic at the port.  Terminal A is brand new and so well done.  There are no check in desks, you go to an agent to process your Sea Pass.  SO, if you are a good person and have filled out your information prior to arriving and have your Set Sail Pass, I am here to tell you that it will take you maybe 5 minutes from the time you enter the beautiful terminal to the time you walk onto Deck 5 and the Amazing Symphony of the Seas.  As usual the ship feels a little crowded at the start of day 1 but by that evening you do not feel like you are on board with almost 6,000 fellow passengers.  Debarkation is not as bad as you would think.  We exited the ship around 9, with our luggage.  Though there was a line to exit the terminal going past customs the line moved very freely and quickly.  If you have a US passport they use a face recognition system that is so cool, no papers to fill out, just smile and off you go!!!

THE SHOWS

We went to the ice show 1977, Hairspray, Hiro (aqua show) Flight, the adults Comedy show was funny (Adult is the word).  Each show was so worth going to see.  The story line of the Ice show I have to say was a little hard to follow (as was the opinion of some of the people we talked to on the ship) but the individual performances were so good.  Make sure you get there for the opening number!  I have seen Hairspray before but the singing and acting on this production was the best I have seen (as good as if you saw it on Broadway).  Hiro was of course a highlight as the aqua shows always are. FLIGHT was perhaps the most enjoyable for me and my wife.  A story of aviation and flight from the Wright Brothers to a “Mars Trip” told in reverse order.   This was a total beautiful original production.  A must see!

THE FOOD

We had dinner in the speciality restaurants.  Hook, 150 Park, Wonderland, and an invite to Coastal Kitchen.  Breakfast and lunch we went to the MDR for the buffet side of the restaurant.  Breakfast on the buffet side was excellent.  Made to order omelettes, waffles, multiple options of other tasty items.  For lunch we enjoyed the chopped salad and saw many other passengers enjoying the varied options on the buffet.  We stuck with the salads knowing that dinners would be food heavy.  Hook is a new venue for Royal and for us was a hit.  We went on the first evening and the fish was wonderful.  The entire menu was well done and varied.  150 Park was a little different from the first time we went to one.  Michael Schwartz was the executive chef of 150 Park and now no longer is associated with the restaurant.  The choices at 150 Park were so amazing.  Table side made martini’s, Caesar salads made table-side as well.  We sat with friends and each one of us really enjoyed our dinner there.  Wonderland is a WONDER.  We were a party of ten and had each item on the menu at our table.  Each bite was so flavorful and prepared to perfection (as was each item we had at all the specialty restaurants).  The “Mad Hatter” patrolling the dinning room was a hoot.  He was so entertaining as whimsical and the center of Wonderland.  This is one restaurant that is so different from anything you would go to that if I had to pick one specialty restaurant to dine in this would be the one. Coastal Kitchen is available only to Suite guests and Pinnacle status, and we were an invited guest.  As exclusive as it is, it is that special.  Menu changes every day, I guess to those able to dine here can go every day and have a different experience.  Our experience was exceptional!!  Each dish was perfectly prepared.  We were a party of 6 and each one of us enjoyed our meal.  This was a bad thing for my wife and I as we were so impressed with the food and service that on our next cruise, I guess it is “Suite Time”.

All in all this was a great vacation.  The ship to us was the destination and we only got off in Cozumel for a very short period of time.  Book this ship, go to all the shows, enjoy the daily activities and nightlife and have the time of your life!!

Didn't finish reading your review, b/c I had to work :mad: So, I missed your deals/incentives that everyone is stating that you got w/ this cruise - do you mind emailing me as well w/ your TA :) askforgiveness@aol.com

Even though I read your review as it occurred, I neglected to tell you how great the review and pictures were. I also did not request your TA name and contact info at the time. Would you be so kind to email it to me? hdriders59@verizon.net Thanks

Thanks so much for the reply. Hope to go on another cruise this year, to many other trips planed, NYC, Boston, CA

Sent you both the info

Cane guy - the best review I have read on cruise critic and I read a lot of them. I'll be on the Oasis in November and can't wait. Only negative about your review is that I wish you hadn't posted so many food photos - wow did you make me hungry LOL!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful wonderful photos!

Thanks so much. I take pics of food while dinning out and my wife kills me for doing that :)

Would you be willing to email me the fullsize version of this picture?

no problem, just post your email

Sailing on Oasis in April and bumping this great info for my fellow Oasis cruisers!

Glad you got some good info and enjoyed the review. I know you are going to have a great time!!

Caneguy

all access tour, pricy but worth it

see my review on Oasis with tips and pictures by clicking the link below

Caneguy

Sunset at Two70

"Two70"

This is an amazing place. Great view during the day to have a drink or eat lunch (from the Two70 cafe which is like the Park Cafe on Oasis or Allure) and a nice show at night. The Starwater show was more of a Carbaret type show than a Cirque Du Soleil show that I was expecting, but a very nice show and worth seeing.

Two70

The red curtain is all digital on the screen that is dropped in front of the windows

Starwater show again background is all digital images

The Butterflies on the wall entering VIA

Vintanges

Vintanges

Sitting area in hallway from VIA to Two70

Via,

I loved this area of the ship. Elegant area and I felt I was sitting in a lobby of a fine hotel with wonderful restaurants off the lobby. You have Jamie's Italian and Vintages. There are also two high end shops (more than I would spend on anything they sell, but fun to look at) Bvlgari and Hubolt. The entrance to Via starts with the butterfly theme and the artwork along the walls is spectacular

Have a look for yourself.....

Entrance from Royal Esplanade

The artwork along the walk to Via, picture does not do it justice

entrance to Via

Central Via

walkway from Via to Two70

looking from the area around Two70 to Via

Great pics. Subscribed and waiting for more!!

Thanks ILuvCruisin.

Here are some more....

Compass day 2

Brilliant pictures,, just in our hotel room watching the clock go by so we can finally board we have the booked from the first week the bookings opened for crown&anchor members around 18 months ago we were actually on oasis when we booked so after watching videos and reading blogs and all the updates the times finally arrived. These pictures made us even more excited thanks.

You are going to love this ship. so different and amazing areas of enjoyment.

They were with us, at the beach and the Rising Tide Bar.:)

We did have a great time on the Oasis. Hope you are still enjoying the BW picture of the Oasis.

great photos

 

looking forward to see more photos and the compass for day 2 and day 3

coming up!! with more pictures

100% Like Caneguy.

 

The pretty girls didn't make the trip this time? :(

Ha Ha, no sorry, did visit with the older sister in NYC on the day we returned, she is doing model work full time.

love the pics, thanks!!

 

 

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Thanks purplethorn, I hope that the rest will be ok as well

We were on the 3 day cruise too. I had started a review, but with Thanksgiving and all, I haven't had a chance to finish it. I am looking forward to reading more of your thoughts!

Oh yes, this has taken a lot longer due to the Thanksgiving holiday and enjoying my son's home for the holiday.

Thanks for sharing so many pictures so far.

My pleasure. Glad you like them

Might even make you want to HAVE a few drinks.

Reminds me just a bit of the New York subway station for the A, C, E trains at Chamber's St/ Park Place station in Lower Manhattan. Anyone familiar with that station will know what Ii mean. (There are eyes in mosaic tiles on the walls). Creepy as well.

 

Denise

yes, quite creepy and had a few drinks before, so really creepy!!

Thanks for sharing! Really love the room colors. Looking forward to seeing more pictures and reading about your thoughts.:)

Thanks Roe2ship. Here are some more....

Windjammer continued..

The eyes are on you as you enter the Windjammer so.....

Make sure you wash your hands before you enter. These sinks are located just outside the Windjammer so you have a choice either to use the Hand Sanitizer or wash your hands before you enter the Windjammer.

MORE WINDJAMMER

ONE OF EACH!!!

The make to order Omelette station

WINDJAMMER

I am not a big fan of the Windjammer from the previous cruises that I have taken. The layout of this one and the the samples of food that I had while taking the pictures changed my mind with respect to the Windjammer on Quantum. We had breakfast in the Windjammer and never had a problem finding seating for the 4 or 6 of us (depending on who made it for breakfast).

There is an omelette station at the rear of the Windjammer that will make made to oder omelettes, very good!!

SO for your viewing pleasure are some pictures of the Windjammer on the Quantum of the Seas.

Here is the Daily Compass from day 1

Great photos. Looking forward to seeing the rest

 

 

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Thanks, more to come...

Just to add to Biker 19's post.

The table beneath the round mirror is free standing so you can pull that up to the sofa for room service meals.

If you are just having coffee we used the mini table from the balcony or if in an inside/OV the bedside cabinet is small enough to put by the sofa

 

Also those shelves in the bathroom do NOT keep things safe so don't put any items of glass on there. I spoke with a lady on the TA who lost an expensive bottle of perfume when the seas were rocky and she was from Miami corporate offices!

Thanks heatherb1958 for the information. I also did not put anything on those shelves.