Symphony OTS Live! - Transatlantic Oct. 28, 2018 "Coming to America"

[vacationlover_mn]

11 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said:

 

Thx!  But was looking for a more detailed review...

Lol- sorry, I just realized what I said came off super rude 🙂. What I meant to say was I was looking for more details about the guac, to see if DH would like it 🙂. When I read my comment back, it appears that I was disappointed with what you said and demanding way more details about everything - completely didn’t mean it that way!!  Really enjoying your trip report so far 🙂

[windjamming]

7 hours ago, twangster said:

Day 9 - Galley Tour

 

A benefit of being Diamond Plus is a free galley tour.  Today a Sous Chef would be conducting the tour.

 

Does the D+ galley tour go between decks? I remember reading in someone's review of one of the Oasis class ships years ago that stairs were involved, so we've avoided the tour. 

 

Thanks again for the amazing photos and well-organized review. It's been fun virtually crossing the Atlantic on the Symphony! 

[twangster]

Day 9 - Lunch

 

Johnny Rockets

 

Since I'm staying in a boardwalk balcony cabin, one free meal at Johnny Rockets is included for up to four guests.

Onion rings and fries

 

 

Smokehouse Burger

 

 

Soda is included (since a boardwalk balcony also includes the soda package) but their milkshakes are not.  Absolutely stuffed I skipped dessert.  

[twangster]

1 minute ago, windjamming said:

 

Does the D+ galley tour go between decks? I remember reading in someone's review of one of the Oasis class ships years ago that stairs were involved, so we've avoided the tour. 

 

Thanks again for the amazing photos and well-organized review. It's been fun virtually crossing the Atlantic on the Symphony! 

 

This tour was not multi deck.  Keep in mind this isn't a full "All Access Tour".

 

I was on a D+ galley tour a couple ships ago (different class) that was split between decks with one portion of the galley up a deck but not on this tour.  That's not to say there aren't different galley's on different decks but this was a very quick mini galley tour to satisfy the C&A benefits.    Still enjoyable but fast.

 

[twangster]

6 hours ago, fielddreamer said:

What is the feed back on the Thermal Spa area and what about the situation with the time slots that they were talking about! Does the Thermal Spa open in the morning hrs?   Thanks

 

The Thermal Spa area consists of a dry sauna, a wet steam room, two cool-down rain showers and the heated beds.  You can request a locker at check in.  A key on a wrist band for your locker will be provided.  A spa robe is provided each time you check into the spa and plastic one-size sandals are provided.  There are ample towels available.  Soft spa like music is played throughout.

 

The time slots are irrelevant at this point.  They refunded and then re-charged my SeaPass card the same amount I paid in the cruise planner.  I suspect this is a way for Steiner or it's employees to get credit for the transaction.  

 

Hours on this sailing are 8am to 10pm.  For the first few nights only it was open until 11pm.

 

Having used Carnival's spa that includes a thalassotherapy pool and that have sea views from the heated beds I prefer Carnival's thermal spa but otherwise it's similar minus the pool.  If you've ever used an Oasis class thermal spa this is no different. 

[twangster]

In the afternoon I saw the aqua theater staff testing various components that I assumed would be used during the aqua show.  A diver was on hand to assist.

 

 

They seem to be load testing these by placing them under tension.  I was hoping these would come into play during the show.

 

 

It turns out they would.  

[twangster]

Day 9 - HiRO

 

HiRO is the story of three competing tribes that start separate and uniquely represented by their own color, red, white and black.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We first meet the three distinct tribes

 

 

 

The tribes begin to compete with a series of dives.

 

 

 

[twangster]

The first aerial performer appears from behind us walking upside down into the theater.

 

 

 

 

 

She is lowered into the water and emerges with another performer upside down below her.

 

 

She is released and dives back into the water.  Nothing but their own muscles used during the lift.  

 

 

The aerial artistry continues.

 

 

Next we see a performer high up in the theater banging a set of drums that are lit up and covered with water so that with every beat the water dances upward.

 

 

Below him every beat of the drum he seems to breathe life into the aerial performer

 

 

 

[twangster]

Next a very dramatic rainfall number.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next the high line comes into play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Followed by some high diving.

 

 

[twangster]

Next the theater is lit up by a huge mirror ball

 

 

 

 

Ropes in water are next

 

 

 

 

The aerialist returns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2018 by twangster

[twangster]

More diving

 

 

 

 

Followed by more diving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a move towards unity the performers begin exchanging some colors from other tribes.

 

 

 

Time for some slack line action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

With that our tribe begins to appear unified and equal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've seen all of the aqua theater shows and this is my favorite.  It's high energy with lots of action, plenty of diving and incredible aerial work.  It's more artistic in places and uses technology to highlight the incredible performance of the cast which itself is outstanding.

 

The aerial components are incredible and add a lot to the show.  Be aware though, when they get wet by dipping into the water they do drip onto the audience below, all over the theater.  

[John&LaLa]

16 hours ago, DaNana said:

I am loving your review and so happy to have found it!  Amazing photos. My DH wasn’t impressed that I would want an expensive camera!  Unbelievable color and clarity!  Thank you for sharing!

 

You don't necessarily need to use an expensive camera, you just need to learn to use the one you have. 😉

[twangster]

Day 10 - Entertainment Tour

 

Another Diamond Plus tour offered as a Crown and Anchor Society benefit.   

 

 

We have the head tech for the ship (all entertainment) as well as two cast members from Hairspray/Flight.  The Aqua Theater cast is a separate cast.

 

 

The cast comes and goes from the ship as a group.  Most entertainment contracts are nine months.  As the 'Take Out' cast for the main theater they had a twelve month contract.  That included three months on land preparing for their arrival to the ship.  This will ensure the initial shows when the ship arrives in Miami will be performed from a cast that is well versed and practiced.

 

The hairspray used during the show is called 'Fog In A Can' and made for theatrical use.  

 

The backstage crew often work in multiple venues such as the Main Theater, Studio B or the Aqua Theater.   Flight is such a demanding show technically that it requires most of the backstage crew to be involved.  Consequently they can't operate Aqua Shows when Flight is offered.

 

The plane used for the finale in Flight is mounted on a gimbal and the 3D pulley/cable system moves it around the theater but the plane itself, direction, pitch and roll is controlled by the cast member 'flying' it while seated in the plane.   

 

After a question and answer session we are escorted backstage.

 

 

The smaller plane prop used during the barnstormer skit within flight.

 

 

 

We continued backstage.

 

 

 

 

 

Dressing room

 

 

 

Alien mask used in Flight

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stage floor is covered with tape marks used for setting props.

 

 

 

 

 

The plane used for the Flight finale is taken apart and stored in these shipping containers.

 

 

 

The 3D pulley cable system is operated from this little space to the left of the screen.

 

 

 

It's always interesting to see how much effort goes into these high end entertainment shows.

[twangster]

Day 10 - Misc.

 

I returned to my cabin and found this certificate on my bed.

 

 

Our progress...

 

 

 

[Sea Viewer]

Thanks  for this review  I'm  really  enjoying  it . Your  photos  of the aqua show  are amazing  and make  me  want  to  book  a cruise  just  to see  it .

 

Mary  

[twangster]

9 minutes ago, Sea Viewer said:

Thanks  for this review  I'm  really  enjoying  it . Your  photos  of the aqua show  are amazing  and make  me  want  to  book  a cruise  just  to see  it .

 

Mary  

 

My pictures don't nearly do it justice.   There is so much going on, you need to see it live and experience it.   Royal Caribbean has really evolved their entertainment on Symphony.   

[LBumb]

great photos

[jerseyjjs]

Any pictures of Playmakers?  Did they show all, or at least, any college and NFL games?

[Grandma Petania]

I wasn’t terribly impressed with the aerial effects in the aqua shows on Harmony and Allure, but I’m really looking forward to what I see in your photos!  

 

Another person posted that they skimmed through your photos of the shows, because they wanted to experience them fresh, and I understand that viewpoint.  However, because I took the time to look at every shot, including your captions, I am much more excited about seeing Hiro and Flight.  Thanks so much for the great blog.  I’ll be sailing on Symphony in 25 days! 

[DaNana]

1 hour ago, Grandma Petania said:

I wasn’t terribly impressed with the aerial effects in the aqua shows on Harmony and Allure, but I’m really looking forward to what I see in your photos!  

 

Another person posted that they skimmed through your photos of the shows, because they wanted to experience them fresh, and I understand that viewpoint.  However, because I took the time to look at every shot, including your captions, I am much more excited about seeing Hiro and Flight.  Thanks so much for the great blog.  I’ll be sailing on Symphony in 25 days! 

These photos have made me think more about staying on the ship and less tours!

[twangster]

Day 10 - Dinner

 

Playmakers

 

I've heard good things about the food at Playmakers and after ordering the sliders in the Mariner's Playmakers I thought I'd eat dinner here in Playmakers on Symphony tonight.

 

Menu

 

 

 

The Hamburger.

 

 

The hamburger is very good.  It is not a Windjammer hamburger with a different bun.  It's more of homemade looking cooked to order hamburger with two patties. 

 

Way back on day 3 I was up early and took some pictures of Playmakers in the morning when it was empty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Mariner's Playmakers had only the fleet standard draft beers, Symphony's Playmakers has some additional draft options.

 

 

In terms of the question... "Is my game/sport/tournament going to be available on TV?" The answer is... it depends.  

 

Sports content is licensed and no company can display sports content without acquiring a license to do so (a.k.a pay money).  Royal Caribbean can't steal or pirate the signal and display it onboard.  

 

What they can do is approach their TV provider Global Eagle and request the cost for a broadcast license.  There is a lot that goes into that request including the ship's position. 

 

For example, last Saturday while we were in the middle of the Atlantic, the ship could not acquire a license to display NCAA sports.  NCAA strictly controls broadcast rights and NCAA football was not available in Playmakers.  However what several people did was to bring a tablet or phone and watch their favorite team on their own device using a paid Voom Surf and Stream plan while sitting in Playmakers.

 

That will be different when the ship is in the Caribbean which NCAA in general allows as a region to enjoy their content.

 

NFL football was available but like other ships they don't tend to display every game that it is active at any given moment.  Using a tablet and a paid Voom account is always a good backup plan if your game/sport/tournament is important to you.

[twangster]

Day 10 - HiRO Take 2

 

From my Boardwalk balcony I noted that the wet zone in the Aqua Theater was pretty empty as tonight's first showing of HiRO was filling up.

 

I threw on some shorts and a water shirt and headed to the standby line.  

 

It was amazing near the front of the theater like I was the only person in the theater.  Seeing the performers up close was pretty special.

 

I won't include all the same pictures but here are a few just so you see what the front row in the wet zone is like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BecciBoo]

Yours is the best and most thorough review I have ever read on these boards in over 15 yrs.  Thank you!

 

Now to comment on the quacamole debate.  Even though food is highly objective, the guacamole I make is the best I've ever tasted, with one exception, Isla Pasion in Cozumel...it was delicious!

 

I squash my avocados with a potato masher with fresh garlic and LOTS of chopped onion and lime juice and salt...fresh avocados, no black spots!  And no other additives.  To each his own.  I never appreciated the noxious glue like snotty green substance even some restaurants here in TX call guacamole!  Sabor's guac is my style....love it.  I am Texan, native born.

 

Can't wait to try El Fresh...there are flour tortillas and then there are flour tortillas....makes a significant difference...IMO they should be soft and fluffy and slightly salty, never sweet!

Edited November 7, 2018 by BecciBoo

[twangster]

This comes up from time to time, so the coffee served in Café Promenade is... Seattle Best.

 

 

 

 

Seattle's Best is a subsidiary of Starbucks.