bonsai3s

13 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

Two threads going on this

 

 

@crzndebthank you.

What's your best guess as to where it may go?

* Hoping it stays in the westcoast...sorry to all my lovely Aussie friends. 

Sorry to hear this...what was the reason for cancelling? Thanks.

13 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Running/ walking track is near identical to OA class. 

 

 

 

 

A couple of hats, ducks and tumblers.  Less than we received on Wonder.

 

We did get a nice set of 10 pins for completing the room tour though.

 

Nice!

Hopefully you get more next week.

Also hoping you set aside some room in your luggage. Thanks again.

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Planned gradually increase in capacity to make sure things run smooth.  Kudos to Royal for doing this. 

Ken...please, a couple of pictures of the walking/running track. Is there even one like the Oasis class?

Pictures of daily gifts if you get them. (Nice commemorative gifts were delivered in our cabin during the Allure inaugural.)

Is it Top 30 Pinns to access CK and Suite deck? Thanks!

6 hours ago, little britain said:

Mariano, Lúe in CK and JJ in the lounge.

 

Sorry to say that it was a disappointing first night in CK despite it being fillet night (which was delicious). 
Service was slow. The wine list was very lacking compared to the MDR wine list on Brilliance! No Fifth Leg! They didn’t have the Columbo French rose and when I asked for Whispering Angel I was told it was an extra $1 as it was $16… whereas I drank it quite frequently for free on Brilliance at $15 🤷‍♀️
 

Other waiters were overheard telling their tables that it wasn’t burrata as the starter, but mozzarella… our waiter didn’t tell us, and an over chilled unappetising slab of mozzarella appeared. 
Happy to see that Vintage’s does stock the Pontings range of wines. Will stock up there before dinner tomorrow! 

Thanks for the names.

Oh my.. hope the service gets better...at least the filet was delicious.

* I have never been charge extra for Whispering Angel...curious if they'll charge you extra at Vintages? 

1 hour ago, little britain said:

Another amazingly easy check in… 14 minutes from cab 🚕 to cabin! Sydney really has this down to a fine art. 
 

I was on this ship for her maiden sailing to Rotterdam, and then again for the first leg of her repo to Asia. I love this style of ship. It’ll be good to become reacquainted with her again. 
One change I’ve noticed is a Fish n Ships by the pool area which was not there before 
 

JJ is in the Suite lounge. 

Only 11 🍍 on board so we have full access to CK 👏 

 

It is the last week of Australian school holidays so there are around 1100 kids on board. 
 

 

 

LB, may I ask who the CK Host and Manager...and  Suite Concierge are?

Thank you. 

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

A couple other pictures of our backyard. 

 

 

We had this done in the fall of 2022.  The Crown and Anchor logo started out with our landscaper suggesting that he could do an inlay of a star or Dolphin.  I quickly grabbed my phone and asked if he could do this and he said absolutely.  Fits with the pool theme for those that don't know but those that know, know.

 

 

Safe travels Ken!

E.

3 hours ago, RobInMN said:

No, Rover is not going to be free roaming, and she won't belong to the Captain.

RC Blog posted a story on the 18th about Rover's handler, Alison Hubble, title "Rover's Chief of Staff".

Apparently there won't be any sort of official schedule (it's up to Rover). 

No mention of a second handler that would rotate with Alison.

The article said that they spent time on Freedom prior to going to Icon.

Alison Hubble is one of the friendliest crew members  we've ever met onboard. (She was working at NextCruise at the time.)

On 1/15/2024 at 4:06 PM, SPacificbound said:

I'm guessing Rover has had some very specialized training.

My first thought...drug sniffing dog.

5 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

I don’t know what your plans are but there’s a $8,90 cap on all public transport across Sydney,today,Saturday and Sunday.
You can use your credit card as an electronic ticket and ride the ferries,trains and buses all day for $8,90 . You won’t get a better deal in Sydney .LOL

@Chiliburn...that's a great deal! How often does this happen?

We used the Opal Card when we were in Sydney...what is the daily cap for it currently?  I know there was an extra charge to take the train to and from the airport...what is the cost now? Thank you.

We had the solarium event on the Symphony....SRO, lots of drinks and small bites.

2 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

That's what they usually serve at the Top Tier event.  Did they have a top tier as well?

Yes...there was a Top Tier.

The solarium event was for sail-away.

3 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

There was "free" flowing champagne in the Solarium happy hour.  I don't recall if there were other "free" options.

@Another_Critic...you type faster than I do...our experience was the same...free flowing champagne, mimosa, and some kind of rum punch. 

Lost our virginity. Got our first duck on the Symphony.

Yes, get on the app as soon as you exit the terminal. We've used Uber in Port Everglades, San Juan, Vancouver, Seattle, Boston, and Miami. There's usually a car within minutes.

4 hours ago, mets07 said:

@bonsai3s Jersey Boys was on Anthem and was outstanding, but was not a show in the Broadway sense, but rather a singing show / performance. Ryan Molloy, British actor, was extremely entertaining. Not sure if that is what you were thinking of....

 

The Broadway type show we enjoyed the most on a Royal ship was Saturday Night Fever. I don't know if it was just our luck as to the specific performers on board (Liberty) at the time, but the dancing in particular was fantastic. 

 

Most other Broadway-type shows on the ships have not held our interest.

Yes! that's the one! Thanks.

Also enjoyed Saturday Night Fever, on the Liberty, out of Galveston. 

On the Navigator, they have allowed me to wear my sunglasses...with Crokies.

Jersey Boys.

* They had it at one time...or it may have been another cruiseline. 

40 minutes ago, jammin said:

 

 

What has changed in the last 7 years?

 

Appreciate any insights

Love the Symphony...random thoughts...

* Muster drill is easier and faster.

* Cabin service is now only once a day...unless you're in a suite.

* Symphony has a separate non-smoking casino...located at the former Jazz Club.

* Tips have increased.

* Diamond Lounge now Crown Lounge.

* Symphony has Brunch on seadays in the MDR...but it closes at noon.

* MDR menu now have Indian dishes daily.

* We've adapted and use the Royal App.

* You get your Seapass card outside your cabin door...not at the terminal.

* Not sure if they had it 7 years ago...but you may see the roving piano player.

* Symphony now has Casitas for rent.

Here's a photo of the Christmas tree on the Symphony.

5 hours ago, Scottdalfonso said:

You can do it, and people will say " oooh...you look nice!" and you'll get great pics. 

This...exactly. I loved my tuxedo.

Then looking at all our formal cruise pictures, the grandkids said: "Grandpa, you and grandma look nice. Grandma's wearing different dresses...how come you're always wearing the same thing?"

(Darn kids, they notice everything.)

* I don't have my tuxedo anymore and try to wear something different when taking formal pictures.  Also, not having the tuxedo saves on luggage weight...not to mention the tuxedo pants got tighter and tighter.

Same on our Quantum and Symphony sailings.

Walkie Talkies.. that reminds me...

Years ago, in Rome, we had 2 people in our group late coming back to the bus...so we waited.

The bus driver and guide couldn't wait anymore so 4 of us decided to look for them. 4 of us because we had 4 Motorola walkie-talkies...we all went in different directions...and ultimately found the "lost" passengers.

Genuinely thankful we had the walkie-talkies. The bus driver and guide said "wished we had those radios"...so we gave them 2 of the walkie-talkies. 

Theme nights during our last Symphony sailings...

Caribbean/Hawaiian night.

Red night.

White night.

Casual night.

Formal night.

* We also sailed during Halloween...so a good number of passengers wore costumes.

* There are also large groups who we've seen, wear the same color/design/custom made shirts. 

Happy sailing!

42 minutes ago, little britain said:

Top tier event at 10:30 on the first sea day. Very very low turn out, so a lot of new and first time to Royal cruisers on board 

 

Surprisingly we were top cruisers and we are very lowly Pinnacles !!

Congrats on being Top Cruisers! 

@tessa_59...I know your question is about laundry, but here's additional information on B2B (in your case B3B) with Royal Caribbean.

* If you decide to stay onboard on TAD (turn around day), there's a special lunch for B2B passengers.

* If you decide to leave the ship, make sure to get an "In-Transit" card, along with your new seapass card. The In-Transit card will allow you to bypass all the lines when you return. (You still have to go through the security line)

* Switching cabins...let your cabin steward know and he'll move all your stuff for you. Pack all your small stuff...toiletries, undies, shoes...in your luggage. Leave all clothes hanging...he will move them as is. We attach a new luggage tag with the new cabin number...just in case. Make sure the safe is empty.

* Perhaps introduce yourself to the new cabin steward (during the first week), in case you have special needs.

Happy sailing!