sdrocks

Last week on Symphony saw milk in cartons at Park Cafe

12 hours ago, Viajera7 said:

I collect them too. I am going on the Navigator in May. I don’t do eBay but if you find a way to communicate, I’ll do it for you.

Can't help with Navigator, but currently on Symphony and they have them. 

2 hours ago, DamonG said:

My wife and I were also on this cruise. It was amazing! We had breakfast every morning in Coastal Kitchen, and ate dinner in specialty almost every night. All of our servers were fantastic. The food was mostly very good. By the end of the week, we just tired of eating so much food, and skipped dinner the last 2 nights.

The shows on Symphony are the best of any cruise I have been on. Hairspray and Hiro were very good, Flight was spectacular. 

Getting on Symphony Saturday for the 8 day cruise.  Looking forward to it.  This will be our 3rd time on Symphony.  Love all the Oasis class ships.

On 3/2/2024 at 5:07 AM, jean87510 said:

If he has no issues at home then he should have none on ship.

 

What does he do at school or out with the bathrooms?  Should be the same situation.  Also applies to any social situation where he is not with you like the kids club.  If he isn't bullied at school and can handle situations, I truthfully would just let it alone and enjoy your vacation.  People come on cruises that are bald from cancer, including kids, or with a missing limb.  Some people dress in clothing that may be questionable to some.  I really don't think anyone gives a crap if your son wears a dress.  If he is having a good time that's all that should matter to him and you.  

Perhaps there are family bathrooms to use so could be a non issue most of the time ?

Hopefully there is an accident/incident report filled out.  I'm surprised they are charging you for medical.

When I broke my arm on the cruise going to the gym I was not charged anything and I had conscious sedation to set my fractured wrist.

When I got home I needed surgery and my insurance company took all the information of the incident and were seeking  insurance reimbursement from Royal Caribbean.  I was not involved in that process, the insurance company did it all.  I don't know the resolution but I never paid anything out of pocket.

And I had travel insurance. Perhaps your insurance (Medical) will be involved ?  Just have good documentation and details.

On 1/20/2024 at 7:48 PM, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

 

When the time comes up, you will know.  DH was in the same field as you.  Medicine was what he wanted to do since he was 4 or 5 yrs old.  He loved being on OB/Gyn.  He actually wasn’t ready to retire but covid changed the practice of medicine.  It changed how one could interact with patients, how much time you spent with them.  A lot of the things that made the doctor/patient relationship so rewarding everyday were gone.  Clinical teaching was a big part of his day to day practice and that became different, too.  At that point, it didn’t look like things would turn around very quickly, that it would go back to normal.  So, it seemed the right time for him to step away from practicing medicine.  He kept his medical license so he would have options and see what happens. 

 

So, you will find your time, too.  You have colleagues you can stay in touch with.  Pick up new hobbies.  DH is playing more golf.  His suggestion is to keep your options open.  Doors will open.  Soon after DH retired, an opportunity came up for him to consult for a medical device company that involves technology and teaching while learning new things.  He does miss teaching, his patients, his residents, work family and even being on-call but does enjoy this new chapter of life now that includes working out, a little golf, cruising and time with family.  And you will write your own new chapter, too.

 

I hope you enjoy Odyssey next month.  It is one of my favorite ships, especially the Windjammer.  

I was an RN for 43 years and retired 10 years ago.  Have never regretted it and am so busy I never get bored.  We love to travel and so glad I don't have to worry about getting whatever vacation time I want. You will love it.

Is this event only on TA crossings ?  Can't say I noticed it on other sailings or I just missed it ?

We are on Symphony in March so will have to pay attention. We would be eligible based on what others are saying.  Just curious.

We cruise March 9th on Symphony.  Currently have a JS on deck 8, which is our preference.

Have had a RU email for a couple weeks.  Would submit a very lowball bid for a GS just for kicks,

not expecting or caring if they accept it, but afraid if they accept it would not get a very good GS.

I'm content with a JS as we're diamond plus and good with the perks we do get.  Hope all who are bidding get what you want.  Trying to stay warm on this very frigid day and dreaming of a warm cruise.

Thanks for the review.  Doing the same one in March.  

Doing this same cruise in March.  Looking forward to your posts.

13 hours ago, lovelife said:

Have not seen this posted so....On Symphony now and just received this in my cabin. The price has increased to $29.

Good to know.  On Symphony in March

We only go to the building before the market.  They aren't aggressive there.  Those other vendors drive me crazy and don't even get close to their stuff.  I have noticed that the back part of that building is open and some of those vendors come there and try to lure you outside. I just ignore them.  Been there so many times I don't really have a desire anymore for what they offer.  Fun to look and then leave without being hassled.

17 hours ago, APDMOM said:

 

@sdrocks  The verdict on Aruba is questionable for a wheelchair.  It is doable, but there are not many ramps to cross the streets, some of the sidewalks are narrow, and some are not well maintained.  It depends on the kind of wheelchair you have whether it will be a 'smooth' ride.  

 

Curaçao is much better - very accessible, though still a longer walk from the pier to the fort.  The Emma bridge (Pontoon Bridge) is easy to cross to "The Other Side" - Otrobanda, which has many great shopping experiences.  You may want to look at Google maps for the walking distances.  Hope this is helpful!  All the best for your planning. ❤️

Thanks for the update.  Yes, this is very helpful for planning.  Hope the rest of your cruise is amazing.

20 hours ago, APDMOM said:

I will keep this in mind when I do my review and take pictures of Aruba and Curacao.  Labadee has many 'easy' paths, if you want to get off and just listen to some of the locals make music.  There are also many shaded areas if you want to watch the zipliners and listen to the ocean. 🙂 

Thank you for this.  We're very familiar with Labadee, been there many times. May or may not get off.

17 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

You will be fine in Curaçao. Nice flat walkways all around the port area and plenty of scenery without leaving the area around the main port. There are also plenty of shops right where the ship docks in Aruba and and easy walk to town.

Thanks so much for the information,\.

On 11/18/2023 at 3:43 PM, APDMOM said:

Hello from deck eleven on Symphony of the Seas!

 

We are about to sail away from Port Everglades, heading toward the Southern Caribbean.

 

For those who are new to my trip reports, I will be posting TIPS in red for the skim-readers.  
 

TIP:  If I can help find any information for you while I am onboard, please post your request. I will do my best to follow through on requests.

 

I will likely fall a day or two behind, depending on Wi-Fi and our busy schedule. However, I will try to keep the report as “live“ as possible. 

 

Gratitude:

 

Since this is a Thanksgiving cruise, it will be great to hear what you are thankful for, if you would like to share.

 

We are extra thankful to be on this trip today, as we had to cancel Odyssey of the Seas in January due to illness.  At that time, we could not with good conscience say “no” to a couple of the health questions due to our son having a cough and sore throat.  

 

This is the replacement cruise that we booked with the refund from that canceled cruise. 🙂💃🏼

 

Thankfully, we are all healthy this time, and look forward to a great week on Symphony of the Seas.

 

Our itinerary:

 

First view of “our ship”:

 

Doing this same ship, itinerary in March.  Would be interested to know if we don't take an excursion can we walk around the port area (my husband mobility challenged so will be in a wheelchair) and perhaps see any shops, or just areas of interest ?  Have been here before (Aruba, Curacao) but not for many years.  Have been on so many Caribbean cruises we don't have any real interest in beaches or water activities.  But if we can experience some of the "flavor" of these ports without an excursion that's probably more than adequate for us. 

We were on Wonder in January this year.  Would never knowingly book a cruise again at this time.

And yes there were many in Sorrento's and eating at the tables there.  Have no idea if pizza was kosher but they definitely were partaking of something.  Couldn't eat at the Solarium Bistro which was very disappointing.  There were many in the Windjammer every time we went which was breakfast and lunch.

Thanks everyone for all your help. 

My husband and I going on a cruise in March. These are 2 port stops.  We haven't bent either place in probably fifteen years.

My husband is somewhat mobility challenged (walks slowly with a cane). Curious if anyone can tell me how far from the ship to excursion pickups ?

If it's quite a distance I will not book any excursions.  The 2 I'm looking at are bus tours with stops he can elect to get off at or not.

Thanks for your help.

I too cancelled and rebooked for our Symphony cruse in March (restaurants) and has already been credited to my credit card. 

From the date we sent our renewal form to the date received back was 44 days.

Routine service, not expedited.  Very happy with this turnaround, because not traveling until March 2024.

22 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

While it may give you a price fir a refundable JS it is still non refundable.  Junior suites and above are all now non refundable deposits. 

Interesting. Sure I'll pay another $5,000 for a non existent refundable deposit.  Not !!

We booked Symphony on our January cruise for March 2024.  We are in a JS with a refundable deposit. We are diamond plus, so with discounts our Total Cost was $5,572.  Today a JS guarantee nonrefundable for this same cruise is $11,667 or REFUNDABLE is $16,971.  Incredible !!  There are price increases and then there is this unbelievable PRICE INCREASE.  I did the mock booking just to be sure I wasn't seeing things, but sure enough that was the price.  Won't be able to book any others for the future at this price.  We have to fly so that adds to the cost and also hotel rooms.  Well, guess will enjoy this one immensely and then hope for something more reasonable in the future.  

We're on theOctober 2024 sailing from LA .  Hope it will not be cancelled. I am sorry for those already getting cancelled. How severely disappointing.  Cruises to the Caribbean are a dime a dozen.  Been on many and want to do something different.

I don't remember which ship and when it was but I found if I carried my Kindle with my room key on top that the card was deactivated.  It took me a couple times of getting new cards before I figured out not to do it that way anymore.  I was holding the key that way until I could get off to wherever I was going, which was usually the gym with my Kindle.