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"Live" From Symphony of the Seas. February 9-16, 2019 - Trainman-2 Tribute

MrFunInTheSun
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MrFunInTheSun

MrFunInTheSun

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Hello Cruise Friends…

 

 

 

It's time for everyone to sail along on the beautiful new lady in town Symphony of the Seas...

 

 

 

Hopefully everyone has recovered from my last trip report and your  Oasis face is ready and turned into a Smiling Symphony face..

 

 

 

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Hard to believe we are at the start of the 2019 cruise season already. During the 2018 cruise season, it started in February sailing with good friends on Rhapsody of the Seas and ended the season with a few of those same wonderful friends aboard the Oasis of the seas.

 

 

 

I'm excited that the 2019 cruise season is starting how 2018 started and ended. During 2018 "Live" trip reports were only done on Harmony and Oasis. I'm super excited to start out the 2019 cruising season on newest and biggest cruise ship Symphony of the Seas...

 

 

 

Some of my most recent "Live" trip reports with Oasis class ships...

 

 

 

"Live" from Oasis of the Seas, November 4-11, 2018.

 "Live" from Harmony of the Seas, September 8-15, 2018

 

and..."Live" from the Oasis of the Seas, November 12-19, 2017 part One

 

Then there is a super old one aboard the Allure of the Seas..

 

"Live" from Allure of the Seas. November 17-24, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

If you're wanting main dining room and Windjammer experiences, well you are in luck we'll be providing you with some of those experiences as this trip we've opted out of the Ultimate dining package. We do have BoGo (Chops & Hooked) for the first two nights then the remainder of the trip will be dining room, unless we decide to add on another specialty restaurant night mid cruise. Wings at Playmakers one night is looking to be a reality.

 

 

 

I'll be cruising again in May on the Allure of the Seas and will be getting the Ultimate dining package during that cruise.

 

 

 

This is sort of a port intense cruise for an Oasis Class cruise with only two sea days. Though we port in Nassau one day so that day will most likely be treated as a sea day.

 

 

 

Our itinerary during the next 7 days and 7 nights:

symphony%202.09.19_zpsfrmwrogr.jpg

 

I'm dedicating this cruise and "Live" trip report to long time "Live" trip reporter.... Trainman-2 (Jim) who passed away on January 10, 2019.

 

 

 

Here's to you Trainman-2 (Jim), you touched and inspired many lives here on cruise critic and other boards. Whose ready for a Trainman breakfast sandwich?

Trainman-2 may your memory live and cruise on...

 

 

Carol-03.jpg

 

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One of Trainman-2 Jim's memorable "Live" was when he sailed Freedom of the Seas doing his first solo cruise and memorial for his late wife Carol.

 

 

Trainman-2 LIVE from the FREEDOM of the SEAS, Sailing 5 Sep 2010

Below are a few of Trainman-2's other "Live" reports

 

Trainman-2 LIVE From the ALLURE of the SEAS with Trainman & Judith

Trainman-2 [LIVE] From the Serenade of the Seas 2-12 December 2016

Trainman-2 LIVE From the Serenade of the Seas with Trainman-2 & Judith

Trainman-2 LIVE From the ALLURE, 11 Jan 2015, With Trainman-2, Judith, and LYRIC

Trainman-2 LIVE from the Vision of the Seas Sailing 5 Oct 2012

Trainman-2 "LIVE" from the VISION of the SEAS With Trainman-2 & Judith

Trainman-2 "LIVE" From the Allure of the Seas - 15 - 22 January 2012

Trainman-2 LIVE From the Oasis of the Seas - Sailing 17 September 2011 (Saturday)

Trainman-2 LIVE From The Oasis of the Seas!

Trainman-2 LIVE From the Jewel of the Seas 5 - 14 April 2012

Trainman-2 "LIVE" From The ALLURE Of The SEAS 3-30 January 2011

 

Trainman-2 & Carol LIVE From the Freedom of the Seas

Trainman-2 & Carol Live From The JEWEL Of The SEAS

Trainman-2 & Judiths life in the country - years 1-7

Trainman-2 and Judith

 

 

This cruise is another casino complementary cruise, so I stuck with the room I was given as I only paid taxes and tips and other items for this cruise. However on November 28, 2018 I had received an email with an opportunity to RoyalUp. Decided on 11/29/18 to put a bid in since my room was complementary. My bid was the lowest possible $200 so would be a total of $400 if awarded for a neighborhood balcony. As of Monday, I figured I would not have an upgrade and I was fine with that, as the interior rooms are nice and on my last cruise this past November I was in an ocean view balcony on Oasis.

On Tuesday afternoon, Four days prior to cruise day I received the RoyalUp email that my bid had been accepted moving me from an interior room on deck 3 to a boardwalk balcony on a higher deck. Considering the price that I actually paid I feel it was an alright upgrade going from an interior room to a boardwalk balcony for $400.00. My room is only a few rooms from the very stern of the ship so this should allow me a fairly nice view of the ocean once out at sea. On my past cruises on this class ship I've had a boardwalk balcony pretty close to the stern which allowed for nice views. With this change the person whom originally had my room must have been upgraded to an ocean view balcony.

 

 

Welcome aboard! Sit back, relax and get ready to go cruising! Is it Saturday yet? Two more days of work then its off to Miami! Whose ready to cruise? Oh yeah, Tapatalk is with cruise critic is back, how exciting is that?

Till a later time, soon to be "Live" from "Symphony of the Seas!"

 

 

 

Edited by MrFunInTheSun
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MrFunInTheSun

MrFunInTheSun

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Off Ship activities...

Ports of call are not usually a planning factor for me when booking a cruise, the ship is the destination. What ports it goes to are an extra benefit but never a deciding factor. With that said, below is what we have planned at the moment.

Roatan, Honduras

Sol y MarBeach Escape

  • Sol y Mar: This chic beach club comes packed with exciting water sports, tropical music, and panoramic ocean views.
  • SandyBay: Go wild in the water with optional kayaking, paddle boarding, volleyball, and snorkel trip opportunities.
  • Roatan: You are free to enjoy four hours of sunning, swimming, dining and sipping with the ease of roundtrip transfers.

I've not been to Roatan in quite a few years. Last time I was there, believe it was when I sailed Carnival Freedom. During that cruise we did an amazing land tour and found our way to this amazing woodworking store where I bought this neat little hand carved wooden box. Some how in between our beach escape I'm in search for another box like the one below...

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Costa Maya, Mexico

Nothing really planned here, except get off the ship and get some local beer and guacamole.

 

 

Cozumel, Mexico

Here's where things get exciting as we will be going on the wonderful Cozumel Bar Hop. We are proud FOHO's. This is by far one of the best excursions for the money, even for a none drinker. This excursion is well worth it even just for the tour and adventure. $57 for the tour plus tips and drinks. One welcome shot is given at each of the four bars the bus stops at. I've done this tour many times and its very reputable and the owners ensure you are back to your ship on time for departure.

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Nassau, Bahamas

 

Well we were just here this past November on Oasis of the Seas and went to Atlantis. Whilst going to Atlantis we also lost some money in the casino. This cruise we will most likely treat it as a sea and enjoy the quietness of the ship.

 

909E8865-A7F7-4C29-8876-6FCE5F3B9C5F_zps

 

Now the wait begins, just a couple more days left of work then the brisk drive will be in order. This trip, sadly I won't be pre-cruising with my friends and staying at a hotel by the pier and will drive down to Miami Saturday morning. My friends will fly into Miami from New Jersey and stay at a hotel by the pier Friday night. Ah, will be sad as we had so much fun this last November pre-cruise night before we boarded the Oasis.

 

Guess its time to get packing and back to work....

Edited by MrFunInTheSun
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negc

negc

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My DH and I will be sailing with you also.  

 

We were also fans of Trainman an enjoyed all his reviews.  We were sorry to hear of his passing and hope he is at peace.  

 

Our roll call wasn't very active, but I'm hoping the Meet and Mingle will be fun.  Can anyone tell me when it will be held.  I can't find the e mail I got with the date and time.  I think it was Sunday, but need time and place.

 

We just got off a trip to Cuba on Majesty and loved it but looking forward to going back on Symphony.  We were on for pre inaugural in November.......ship is beautiful and crew were great.  Looking forward to Hooked and Coastal Kitchen!

 

See you onboard.

 

Rita

 

OOPS, just saw my DH was signed on. I am Bill's gal

Edited by negc
sign on wrong
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ihopfar

ihopfar

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9 hours ago, MrFunInTheSun said:

 

If you're wanting main dining room and Windjammer experiences, well you are in luck we'll be providing you with some of those experiences as this trip we've opted out of the Ultimate dining package. We do have BoGo (Chops & Hooked) for the first two nights then the remainder of the trip will be dining room, unless we decide to add on another specialty restaurant night mid cruise. Wings at Playmakers one night is looking to be a reality.

 

 

 

I hope you have a great trip!  As you will be spending some time in the MDR, would love as many menus as you are able to post!

 

Thanks!

Brad

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MrFunInTheSun

MrFunInTheSun

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10 hours ago, Andy C said:

Looking forward to your review!  Will be following along.  

 

Thanks for following along Andy. 

 

10 hours ago, singinalot said:

Yay! Looking forward to this live post and what a beautiful tribute

 

Thanks for following along! 

 

9 hours ago, Paulette3028 said:

DH and I are sailing with you.....looking forward to going to Roatan, Honduras.  It is a port we have never been to even though we have sailed the Western Caribbean before a few times.  Looking forward to meeting you SOMEWHERE on the ship!

 

Hope to see you on the ship.

 

8 hours ago, negc said:

My DH and I will be sailing with you also.  

 

We were also fans of Trainman an enjoyed all his reviews.  We were sorry to hear of his passing and hope he is at peace.  

 

Our roll call wasn't very active, but I'm hoping the Meet and Mingle will be fun.  Can anyone tell me when it will be held.  I can't find the e mail I got with the date and time.  I think it was Sunday, but need time and place.

 

We just got off a trip to Cuba on Majesty and loved it but looking forward to going back on Symphony.  We were on for pre inaugural in November.......ship is beautiful and crew were great.  Looking forward to Hooked and Coastal Kitchen!

 

See you onboard.

 

Rita

 

OOPS, just saw my DH was signed on. I am Bill's gal

 

Hope to see you on the ship. Once we get on the ship we will see a note that tells us a date and time for the meet and greet. It’s usually just before the top tier event.

 

47 minutes ago, ihopfar said:

 

I hope you have a great trip!  As you will be spending some time in the MDR, would love as many menus as you are able to post!

 

Thanks!

Brad

 

Will do, will begin on night three in main dining room. Thanks for following along. 

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MrFunInTheSun

MrFunInTheSun

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Looking forward too this thread!!!
 
Wishing you safe travels.............................
 
See You in May...................................cruising the Allure
 
Sue


Thanks for following Sue!

Only 87 more days to go until we are on Lady Allure! [emoji3] Soon we can book the shows.

3220A154-8EB9-443E-9C7A-D00FC78A1670_zpszqxer2sd.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Please excuse any typographical errors.
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mac_tlc "Live from...." Rare

mac_tlc

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Just did this itinerary on 1/26. Sadly got off this past Saturday. We did Sol y Mar through a Victor Bodden tour. Was quite crowded as the West End beaches were very choppy due to the weather, so more people went to Sol y Mar. We enjoyed it. 

 

I have all all the compasses and will post as soon as I get back to CT next week. 

 

We also stayed on the ship at Nassau and spent some time in the Solarium —- very nice!

 

Habe a great time !

 

mac_tlc

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Paulette3028

Paulette3028

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9 hours ago, negc said:

My DH and I will be sailing with you also.  

 

We were also fans of Trainman an enjoyed all his reviews.  We were sorry to hear of his passing and hope he is at peace.  

 

Our roll call wasn't very active, but I'm hoping the Meet and Mingle will be fun.  Can anyone tell me when it will be held.  I can't find the e mail I got with the date and time.  I think it was Sunday, but need time and place.

 

We just got off a trip to Cuba on Majesty and loved it but looking forward to going back on Symphony.  We were on for pre inaugural in November.......ship is beautiful and crew were great.  Looking forward to Hooked and Coastal Kitchen!

 

See you onboard.

 

Rita

 

OOPS, just saw my DH was signed on. I am Bill's gal

I believe my DH said that the Meet N Mingle was on Day 2 (Sunday) at 1:30pm.  I don't remember where he said it was being held.

 

Also, would LOVE to hear about your cruise to Cuba on Majesty.  We are considering it very strongly for Jan 2020....but sailings are not out just yet.  Would love to hear what you did while in Cuba!  We have been on Majesty twelve times, so the ship we know well.

 

See all sailing with us in a few days.

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niksmom630 "Live from...." Rare

niksmom630

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YAY!  so excited to follow along!  We will be on in a few weeks, same itinerary!  We are considering the same beach stop on Roatan as part of our Bodden's tour, so interested in your thoughts.

 

I have enjoyed all your reviews over the years (as well as Trainman's)...this will be a welcome distraction for the next week.

 

Chris

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billsgal

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3 hours ago, Paulette3028 said:

I believe my DH said that the Meet N Mingle was on Day 2 (Sunday) at 1:30pm.  I don't remember where he said it was being held.

 

Also, would LOVE to hear about your cruise to Cuba on Majesty.  We are considering it very strongly for Jan 2020....but sailings are not out just yet.  Would love to hear what you did while in Cuba!  We have been on Majesty twelve times, so the ship we know well.

 

See all sailing with us in a few days.

Paulette let's connect at the M&M.  Loved, loved, loved our trip to Cuba (second time for us but this was better).

 Hopefully we will get the notice in our room about time and place.  

Rita

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