P_and_L

Hello!

We recently got back from our first visit to Labadee and had a great time. One of the fascinating things was what looked almost like a seaside fort, with these small domed things on top. 

What exactly are they, and what's their story?

I tried my best at using Google with no luck - but was hoping one of the more well traveled folks here might have the answer.

Thanks!

Fwiw, at least on Symphony, the JR milkshakes were nothing like the ones at an actual johnny rockets... Tasted like chocolate milk and super cheap ice cream (the ones you get in a gallon pail for $3) mixed.

15 minutes ago, P_and_L said:

There is a ride share zones 1-5 pickup area. It's a bit chaotic, like outside of baggage claim at an airport, but easily manageable.

There were also coach busses offering shuttle service to MIA for $10/person in the loading area. If our Lyft hadn't been on the way already, we would have gone that route once we found out about it.

2 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

Does anyone know if there's a designated Uber pick up spot after disembarking the Symphony?

Thank you.

 

There is a ride share zones 1-5 pickup area. It's a bit chaotic, like outside of baggage claim at an airport, but easily manageable.

Thanks so much for posting that! Hopefully Flight runs next week - both is us are huge aviation nerds and it's a big part of why we've been set on going on Symphony specifically.

Thanks so much for the post! Is Flight also cancelled for the week? And any word on when they'll be back?

We board at 3pm next Saturday.. Hopefully we can snag a few specialty reservations by then!

San Juan is no longer showing up as a stop 

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

Very active thread from Harmony last week

 

Lots of stuff shut down

Is that the one from the 16th? I may have remembered wrong, but the only things I remember that thread mentioning as being cancelled were Grease and a stop or two?

We're looking at attempt number 10 to sail on Symphony, on Feb 5th, but read about the Christmas sailing where everything was shut down.

I know it's hard to predict the future and that especially now there's a risk of things getting shut down, but I'm trying to get a feel for how things currently are.

Are the main shows, aqua theater shows, escape rooms, etc running on the ships that have them, or have they been cancelling everything lately? I might have been looking in the wrong place, but can't find any Cruise Compasses from within the last 2 weeks.

Thanks!

1 hour ago, jasongoldberg said:

 

I’m onboard now and I can tell you that it is a dramatically reduced schedule of activities. As for shows — there are no AquaTheater or production shows all week. Really disappointing. They haven’t acknowledged it at all — they’re just not on the schedule. 

Please try to keep us posted on how they recover. Especially disappointing considering it's one of the more expensive dates to sail.

38 minutes ago, Jenna said:

Hi! Currently at the airport to fly to Miami for our honeymoon tomorrow and I just have a few last minute questions:

1. To avoid any charges but to still use the Wi-Fi, all I have to do is turn airplane mode on but re-activate Wi-Fi? Or is there something additional?

2. We are in a junior suite, so we can go to Coastal Kitchen for dinner if there is space. Can we make a reservation for that night or is it standby only and we have to just go there for dinner and see if they can fit us in? 
3. Is there a central place for booking specialty dining or do we have to go to each restaurant?

4. We have the three night dining package. Do we have to use it on the first or second night? We were hoping to do CK the first night and MDR the second. 
5. The escape room, during COVID times, are we able to do it if we have less than six people? We don’t mind doing it by ourselves, that’s actually how we like to do escape rooms. 
6. Anyone know if they’re doing the Love and Marriage game on Symphony? We would love to try to get on. If so, any tips for that?

 

Thank you so much!! We are so so excited. It’s his first cruise ever, and I have only been on one in 2008 when I was 16. 

#5 - is the Escape Room open for sure? Last we heard, it wasn't, and that actually is part of the reason we cancelled our Dec 4 Symphony sailing. Our first date and engagement were both in escape rooms, and we've probably done about 50 on various trips, so getting to do one on my fiance's first cruise was a really important thing for us.

1 hour ago, Another_Critic said:

Have your TA book the cruise with a 30 day "hold" with a note that you are waiting for the FCC from Booking # xxxxxxx to to issued.  And have the TA push to get the FCC issued.

Thanks for the tip. He's saying he can only do a 24 hour hold

(sorry if already covered somewhere else)

We had to cancel our December 4th cruise under CWC, due to family member having a medical emergency. The good news is that he's getting much better, and in a few weeks will be able to travel.

We were looking at booking a cruise that departs around January 15th. However, the cancellation was requested yesterday and the email says it may take up to 30 days for the FCC certificate to be issued. I asked our TA what options we have and he said we can wait for the certificate, then use it, and the other option would have been to move the booking instead - but it's too late for that.

Is there a way to pay for the new booking in full now, then apply the FCC once it's actually issued, then get a refund? Or a way to apply a pending FCC to a new reservation? Or is the only option to wait for the certificate and hope the pricing doesn't go up by then?

Thanks!

34 minutes ago, rs45thompson said:

If you purchased the refreshment package can you pick up a bottle of water at the bar?

Yep! Regular or sparkling. Usually just need to show your seapass (no scan needed) and can ask for 2 at a time.

Is it a regional jet flight or mainline? And non-stop or with a connection?

Unless there's a huge difference in price, definitely might as well go with Delta.

You had mentioned that the HDMI was blocked off on the TV - is it completely inaccessible, or something that can possibly be accesses with a pry tool or similar?

I was going to start a thread along this vein but wasn't sure if there was already one...but what things are currently on hold?

We're on Symphony in December and were informed that out All Access tour had been cancelled, which by itself is a big deal for us. It looks like Quest isn't going to be there?

Has anyone heard any news about the Escape Room or Laser Tag? Are any other things of note cancelled as well? 

1 minute ago, Acrown said:

I have a balcony and placed the bid for a JR Suite and also a Grand Suite. I choose the minimum bid for each, Regardless Balcony is nice, but i still hope I get the upgrade lol 

How much was the JS minimum? We're looking at a $250/pp from Balcony to JS (on Symphony) and can't decide how much added value there is. When we booked, ocean view balcony was $600 and JS was over $2000 - I feel as though I'm missing something if people are willing to pay 3x as much for the difference.

I'm able to begin check in for a 12/4 on Symphony, but when it gets to the picking an arrival time stage, there's a pop up that says Not Quite Ready/check back closer to your cruise to select an arrival time and complete check in

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Bed is by the balcony.

Thanks! We were in 14618 and had doubts after reading this thread. Moved to 620 now.

14620 please

Try contacting your congressperson - I've had luck with them getting passports taken care of asap. You'll usually have to give them your application number and fill out a privacy waiver. 

https://www.house.gov/htbin/findrep?ZIP=00000

2 hours ago, Love2cruise77 said:

New cruise list:

 

3-5 nights

Freedom of the Seas from Miami, Florida, starting July 2, 2021

Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida, starting August 23, 2021

 

7-nights

Odyssey of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, debuting July 3, 2021
Allure of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida, starting August 8, 2021

Symphony of the Seas from Miami, Florida, starting August 14, 2021

Independence of the Seas from Galveston, Texas, starting August 15, 2021

 

Europe

Harmony of the Seas from Barcelona and Rome, starting August 15, 2021

I'm not seeing anything on Symphony before August 29th on their website, and that's a 6 day. 

2 hours ago, cured said:

That will be challenged quickly as  the ADA specifically limits questions to two questions; "Is that a service dog?" and What service does it provide? You are not allowed to ask about training, require a demonstration of training, ask about the disability, or anything else but those two questions.

 

You can require proof of vaccination and people may be ask to remove their service dog if misbehaving such as excessive barking.

 

ESAs are different in that they are not covered by the ADA. However there are other specific regulations in regards to flight that cover ESAs.

 

I think the ADA doesn't apply, it's the ACAA.

Are the shows any different than what they would have normally had on a Quantum Singapore Sailing?

We've been looking at a 2021 Symphony sailing but Hairspray/Flight 1977 are things that we'd rather wait for, if they're not going to have those types of performances for a bit.