Semi-live Pre-opening cruise Symphony of the Seas

[stp_mmh5]

I understand how the Bristro works during the day but I am a little confused how it works for dinner ! Is it self serve or is it order at table ?

Macon briefly described the experience, although she may have forgotten that they do give you a menu so you have an idea of what's available. No need to wander around like at the Windjammer. I'll add some photos to show it off. The food was very fresh and very Mediterranean. The best dish in there was the Lobster Bisque hands down.

 

Dinner Menu

 

Drinks

 

Lobster Bisque

 

My sampler of apps

 

Steak. A little dry. But good flavor

 

A sample of the deserts

 

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[stp_mmh5]

I am curious to know...do they have those Wow bands on Symphony? I am sailing in June and was very keen to get one!

They did have wow bands on board. Mostly worn by the suite guests from what I saw. White was the most common color, followed by blue and then the occasional yellow. We didn't pick then up so can't comment on usefulness. Believe you get them from guest services

 

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[little britain]

Great to hear from you again Little Britain!

 

We've followed your reviews on the MSC boards too!!

 

Hope this all helps and hope to hear from you again!!

 

Macon

 

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Read my Magnifica one when you get a signal LOL [emoji23] [emoji79]

 

 

 

 

 

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[stp_mmh5]

Any idea on pricing for Hooked?

Hooked was advertised as $20.90 for lunch and $42.90 for dinner. Personally felt that Hooked for lunch would work better as an ala carte, but I'm not a RCI bean counter.

 

Lunch Menu

 

Cheese biscuits.

 

We tried the raw oysters. Should've went with the drunken mussels. But it's vacation, so try new things

Grilled fish of the day, which in our case is Branzino, a sea bass.

 

Macon had lobster roll, and actual roll itself was great, the lobster filling was just okay.

 

But this blueberry cobbler would be worth a return trip if only for this.

 

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[stp_mmh5]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere to get over this issue they had gone back to the original material on Oasis so glass I presume.

All glass up there. We had plenty of wind and those panels were solid. Also in Rome I noticed a guy up on ladder cleaning and walking on them. Could also tell it's thick glass similar to the panels used on the sides of the solarium.

 

 

 

I'm coming into this late, and by the time I read my own message I may find the answer, but on a -pre cruise like this, do they tell you upfront about anything that might not be done yet, work in progress, or opening soon items?

 

There was no mention of work on board upon boarding. They did have ropes up wherever they were doing work. Usually with a sign that said excuse our dust or in the case of the solarium work, the concept art posted up

 

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[stp_mmh5]

Have you all eaten in the Solarium Bistro for dinner? Is that still free? It shows as no charge on my Cruise Planner, but wanted to confirm. Thanks!

We did, and I'll add some more pictures of the food, because who doesn't love food...

 

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[stp_mmh5]

Solarium bistro food continued. This six picture limit will be the death of my phone battery

 

 

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[stp_mmh5]

Solarium deserts. All amazing

 

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[stp_mmh5]

Thanks so much for all the info and photos. Hope you're having a great time.

Are there any photo packages available on board or would you say best to prebook?

 

Good question!

 

There were packages available, but I don't have the pricing sheet in front of me or remember the prices. It was in one our compasses, so I'll check later. But I would recommend if it's something you know you'll end up purchasing anyways to do so online as it'll be cheaper

 

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[slinder315]

Great Review. Following along

 

 

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[stp_mmh5]

The most disappointing 5 pictures of our cruise...

 

Dining room breakfast, with a view to the Port of Barcelona

 

Its not on the menu, but they do have Eggs Benedict if you ask for it

 

This was such a better view 5 days ago

 

I really don't wanna go though!

 

Okay okay, no need for the cattle prods. It's been a wonderful trip

 

Have no worries, there's still a thousand pictures to sort through and post, and we welcome any and all questions. We're off to our next adventure, so we will check in occasionally when we're not screaming our heads off at Port Aventura World.

 

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[Sarah1974]

Also, didn't recognize the power socket shape in the photo you posted. Is it American ? Do they have a European electricity plug option?

 

 

Usually on RCI ships the plug sockets are US with one European socket

[stp_mmh5]

Any pictures of the El Loco Fresh lunch menu or food?

 

 

Thanks for the tips, and for the El Loco Fresh update. So, you liked it? Have you stopped by there other than in the morning?

 

We also stopped by for a few quick bites on the way to the Ultimate Abyss/Flowriders. Lunch was pretty good. The quartered Quesadillas was my go to, and I tried the steak tacos, which they use fresh made soft taco tortillas from the machine behind the counter. They have steak, chicken and I think pulled pork. Then they can add beans and rice. There's a topping bar for salsas and cheese. Presumably dinner is the same, but we never happened to go by at that time

 

Taco prep station

 

Quesadillas

 

Burritos

 

Nachos. Macons favorite

 

Deserts. The Chocolate Dulce one was heavenly.

 

Toppings and salsa bar. Had onions, cilantro, salsas of varying heats (didn't try), limes, etc

 

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[stp_mmh5]

Also, didn't recognize the power socket shape in the photo you posted. Is it American ? Do they have a European electricity plug option?

 

 

Usually on RCI ships the plug sockets are US with one European socket

So the plug in the picture is actually an adapter we have that plugs into the standard 220v, but can accept a wide range of 220/110 plug styles. Also has a USB port on the bottom for charging.

 

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[DP]

Where is El Fresco Fresha located? Was the Solarium bust at night?

[DP]

Sorry, I meant was Solarium busy at night.

[stp_mmh5]

Where is El Fresco Fresha located? Was the Solarium bust at night?

El Loco Fresh is on deck 15 starboard, where mini-bites on the other ships are located. The Solarium would get busier, but nowhere near the hustle and bustle of the main dining rooms or the Windjammer.

 

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[Tommy3putts]

Great “live” thread. Thanks for posting. We are still 205 days away from our October TA. This has really wetted our appetite.

 

Cheers

 

Tom

[deliver42]

Fantastic pics. Thank you for sharing.

[jazzmanfive]

Thanks for all your efforts guys! wonderful review. :D

9 days to go for us then we will be enjoying this lovely lady.

Once again thanks for all your pics and comments, you have given us a good insight of what to expect.

Best wishes and safe journey home.

Jazz :cool:

[Barriaux]

Thanks for all your efforts guys! wonderful review. :D

9 days to go for us then we will be enjoying this lovely lady.

Once again thanks for all your pics and comments, you have given us a good insight of what to expect.

Best wishes and safe journey home.

Jazz :cool:

 

9 days for me too :D, I.m from France and you ?

[bombay]

Excellent review sailing on 14 april. How many formal nights are there on the cruise.

[kdnurs]

I am jealous... 59 days got me [emoji4]

 

 

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[stp_mmh5]

Sitting here drinking some sangria, realized this is the perfect time to post up more photos

 

 

Hooked Seafood restaurant

 

Great view overlooking Solarium Bistro and the outdoor Solarium bar

 

The bar at Hooked

 

All this seafood...

 

...I'm Hooked. But for display purposes only

 

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[lindalo5032]

 

As for the other app, it is called the Royal Caribbean App!

 

 

Can you do on-board texting with this app, or do you need to purchase the wi-fi package?

We will be on the Symphony in May 2019 (which is FOREVER from now). Would love to be able to text with our group of 8 but Wi-Fi package x 8 would be very $$$$$.