bonsai3s

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!

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!

Great question...guessing that CK will probably mirror the MDR formal nights. * Best to just check the Royal Caribbean app. Happy New Year and happy sailing.

Our cabin fridge...Symphony and Voyager....genuinely enjoy a few sips in the balcony, and just watching the ocean go by...Happy New Year!

I think you already answered your own question...LOTR = NZ. We've visited most of the Asian ports and both Aus/NZ. Random thoughts: * Sydney or Singapore...both beautiful cities and easy to get around. In Sydney, we use theOpal card to access the trains, buses, and ferries...or walk. In Singapore, you have the MRT or Grab (Uber)...it is one of the cleanest and safest cities we've visited. * Aus/NZ or Asia...in Aus/NZ, it's English and dollars (Aussie and NZ dollars). In Asia, you'll have several different languages and currencies. * Visas...you will need them for Aus/NZ, Vietnam and China...not sure of your complete itinerary. * NZ = Scenery and LOTR. Also Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound. Asia = Temples, pagodas, gardens...extremely cheap souvenirs. (faux/copies/fake...i.e. Ralph Lauren polo shirt about $5 in Vietnam. ) * Anthem and Ovation are sister ships...so not much difference. * Food...if this is important to you...can be more interesting in Asia...NZ = good wines. The sail-away in Sydney is one of our favorites...views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the skyline, and the iconic Sydney Opera House. For U.S. military veterans, visiting Saigon/HCMC can be quite emotional. Happy planning and sailing.

@taglovestocruise...as always, spot on. We've also experienced inter-porting in Australia. So now @Racer70...if it's your first time to Europe, your next question is: Which is the better port to start, Barcelona or Rome? * IMHO...love both places...but Rome will be my choice to start my cruise. (Civitavecchia is about an hour away)

@Mum2MercuryYes, the Royal Burger is available in the MDR, during lunch on sea days.

Safe travels and have a great time! * Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh my...take away the onion rings and that bowl of chili... ...and just the cheeseburger... I would pick CK over JR. * At CK, I may be the only one ordering a cheeseburger for lunch (when no children around)...at JR, it is a burger joint. So at CK, I will politely ask for sourdough bread instead of a regular bun...swiss cheese instead of cheddar. And honey-mustard instead of ketchup. It can be "customized" depending on how busy they are. That burger, IMHO, becomes uniquely special.

We just spent 41 days on the Symphony...not once did we eat a hotdog onboard. We get home...what's the first thing we eat?...yup, Costco hotdog and soda! Just crazy! * Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the wonderful members of Cruise Critic.

Costco hotdog...and soda...$1.50

On our recent sailings on the Symphony, we did a taste-test of all the burgers we could find. * Windjammer...good. I get the meat right off the grill. I go around the bread section and find sourdough instead of using the bun. There's also a nice selection cheese if I wanted other than cheddar. * MDR...the Royal Burger. Better than the WJ. Love this burger because I can get a side order of onion rings. * JR...we ordered this to go and ate it outside our balcony. (Not free, but we had OBC) The double burgers with extra cheese were cooked to perfection. The fries and onion rings...we dipped into a bowl of chili. It was total bliss just watching the ocean and dropping chili on my shirt. * CK...ordered the cheeseburger and fries. Our wonderful waitress smiled and said: "Of course!". She smiled because it's off the kids menu. Outstanding burger...with the charbroiled taste...cheese melting off the side and the fries came in hot and crispy. It was meant for kids...but wow! it was big. If only they had onion rings.

On the Spectrum of the Seas earlier this year, we visited Kobe, Japan. All of us (of course) wanted to taste Kobe beef. (Where's a better place to try Kobe beef than in Kobe.) There was a popular street vendor selling and cooking Kobe beef...that redolent aroma pulled us in...it was worth the wait. After we all paid, one of the employees came out...first we thought we didn't pay enough. Then someone explained to us that the gentleman was only, and politely, returning the small change we left as Tip. We all went "Oops"...tipping not customary in Japan.

Just curious...Jordan left the ship because...?

Yes...b/l/d at CK on Symphony recently. Agree with @cruisegirl1 we had to make reservations for dinner...but once they got to know us, the Host made it for the rest of the week...and the subsequent weeks. * We eat late (8pm), so it was easier to accommodate us. * @little britainDid you get a chance to eat at the Gold Dining Room on the Spectrum? Your thoughts...thanks.

Yes...we enjoyed sitting by the Trellis Bar, Central Park - Symphony, having drinks and listening to jazz, or singers, or a pianist....it felt like we were young again and enjoying a date night. * Only one problem...it was difficult sitting there...and smell the wonderful aroma coming from Chops.

Just politely asking...who's the: HD F&B ROM GSM Guessing they will all be replaced sometime during the WC. * Also, has there been any goody bags given to WCer's...or hats, shirts, sunglasses, etc. Thank you.

A more comfortable bed.

Or San Francisco. * The sail-away out of SF...sailing by Alcatraz, then Angel Island...with views of SF and Sausalito on each side...then sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, with fog rolling in.......is truly magical. * Ok, I'm admittedly biased...graduate of Galileo HS, located one block from Fisherman's Wharf...with views of the Ghiradelli chocolate sign visible from my algebra class....love chocolates, hated algebra.

You should really speak to her supervisor.

Following. Safe travels, stay healthy, and enjoy. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! 😊

Agree... But...politely, There are some who purchased shares...at the low price $20-$30...to simply get shareholder's OBC. They will argue that they've cruised more than enough, and received more than enough OBC to pay for the purchase price. * Disclaimer: I am not an expert in stock trading....just happy to still be able to cruise.

@BlackForest...I'm just trying to remember where else afternoon/high tea and scones were served. Guessing it may have also been on Princess. Yes, it was lovely. * If I remember correctly, Princess also served fresh baked cookies every afternoon...hot off the oven. Sorry, I know this is the RCCL forum.