PrincipalTinker

I have been so impressed with the shows on this ship! We saw Spectra’s and We Will Rock You yesterday. We also went to the Music Hall a number of times this trip including last night and a late night comedy show. 
 
Yesterday was the North Star, I know there are hundreds of these photos but here are mine.
 
 

We used some onboard credit on lunch today at Izumi.
 
 

If you want to use them for extra tips then yes use them.  If you want more you can go to guest services or ask your stateroom attendant for more.

Sure, if you are so inclined to provide any addition gratuities to anyone, I say, go for it !

Thanks for the update, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and your family!

When the WOW envelopes were first introduced (maybe 4 years ago ??) you could only leave them at Guest Services in special receptacles made for that purpose.  I recall that once, we had forgotten to drop ours off and we tried to hand them to a staff member as we were leaving the ship and they held up their hands and backed away, shaking their heads, as if it the envelope might contain a nerve agent or something !  They said, "Oh, I'm sorry.  We cannot even touch those !".  What ??  Whatever.  We just kept walking.  No WOW for those crew member that day !
I don't think the WOW envelopes are quite that sensitive these days.  As a matter of fact, I didn't even know they were still using them.  I would say,  try and find the drop-off containers near Guest Services, first.  If you cannot find one then ask at GS where to deposit them.
The WOW envelopes are not (or at least, did not USED to be) for tips/gratuities. They are to "write up" any crew member that deserves special praise for good service or attitude.  I guess you COULD use them for tips, but that was not their original purpose.
On the issue of tips...we always just give cash to anyone we want to reward.  I don't bother with envelopes of any kind.  Just hand them some dough and be done with it.

I have been so impressed with the shows on this ship! We saw Spectra’s and We Will Rock You yesterday. We also went to the Music Hall a number of times this trip including last night and a late night comedy show. 
 
Yesterday was the North Star, I know there are hundreds of these photos but here are mine.
 
 

We have left the one for the stateroom attendant in the room when we leave and we also have just handed it to them if we see them.  For the dining room waiters we take the envelopes hand it to them.

Did RC just change their policy for deposits/cancellation?
We booked a couple of weeks ago and went with the fully refundable option. I went in today to see if the current promo is better, but the website no longer gives you the option of selecting non-refundable or refundable rate...
I've even checked other cruises/ships/departure dates and I no longer get that option. The refund policy keeps stating that any cancellation after the booking date is subject to a penalty of the minumum deposit...
Am I missing something?
Or is this only for the current promo that these rules apply?
 

 
 

TMO = T-Mobile

It seems people either love or hate the entertainment on Anthem.  I've always loved it.  Glad you enjoyed it too.  
Northstar holds a Guinness World Records as the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship.  It's a pretty unique experience for a cruise ship.
As far as wifi on the ship, I did have a cabin once where the wifi signal was okay near the door but deeper inside the cabin like near the bed, the wifi signal was poor.  I use my travel router to help in these situations as I can place it very close to the door and it repeats the signal inside the cabin at normal strength.  
Great live blog!

Today is a busy day. We are scheduled to see We will Rock You, Spectra’s Cabaret, and weather permitting- the North Star.  We are heading back north. Here are a few photo’s from our balcony yesterday.
 

We used some onboard credit on lunch today at Izumi.
 
 

Good answers from @arebee  I'll just add two points.
Regardless of how popular the MDR is the first evening, there is space for everyone.  Check in to confirm your dining time as well as any preferences with regard to table arrangements (alone, with others, etc).  You can absolutely order multiple starters, main courses, desserts, etc - it's all complimentary (unless specifically noted as an upcharge item, such as certain cuts from Chops available in the MDR).
Enjoy!

Obviously, I have not been on Symphony, but in general:
1.  Depending upon your stateroom category, there will be SOME kind of shampoo and soap.  In most room categories they have a shower dispenser that contains a mystery substance that most use for both soap and shampoo.  I've used it many many times and my hair has not fallen out - yet.
2.  Yes, you will be able to find something to eat.  The Windjammer will probably open up by 11:30.  The Park Café, in Central Park, will most likely be open.  The promenade area restaurants will probably open up shortly after boarding begins.  On the other O class ships, there will be a couple of specialty restaurants open (Chops and/or Jaimie's) but those will cost extra, of course.  Otherwise, you WILL be able to find something to eat that will not cost you anything extra.
3.  Depending upon your dining time and your dining preference (traditional or my time dining) the MDR will generally be pretty busy the first night.  Most people will be eating there just b/c it's the easiest option.  The BEST news of all...you can order as much of anything you want from the menu in the MDR.  Order 3 starters, 3 main courses and 3 desserts if you want !  No extra charge !
Enjoy your cruise on Symphony.  I am very envious.

I enjoy the starters the most.  Order as many as interest you!  
 

Love that! And your lunch looks way better than mine today

We used some onboard credit on lunch today at Izumi.
 
 

Well, there goes my good drunk I had been working on....
 
Says the guy who hasn't moved from the Schooner Bar in hours...

Love this Blog! thank you!!

We used some onboard credit on lunch today at Izumi.
 
 

Today is a busy day. We are scheduled to see We will Rock You, Spectra’s Cabaret, and weather permitting- the North Star.  We are heading back north. Here are a few photo’s from our balcony yesterday.
 

Today is a busy day. We are scheduled to see We will Rock You, Spectra’s Cabaret, and weather permitting- the North Star.  We are heading back north. Here are a few photo’s from our balcony yesterday.
 

Today is a busy day. We are scheduled to see We will Rock You, Spectra’s Cabaret, and weather permitting- the North Star.  We are heading back north. Here are a few photo’s from our balcony yesterday.
 

I think I’ve seen Pirate Republic recently at my local craft beer store. I’ll have to look again when I make my regular run on Friday.
Definitely enjoying this blog! Keep up the great work!
 
As far as putting text between your photos, if you’re posting from your phone then you can try this way: 
1. Go to the link at the bottom of the posting are to upload pictures, and pick all the ones you want to upload.
2. Don’t tap the + on the pictures to add them to your post right away, just start typing until you want to add a picture.
3. Scroll back down to your uploaded pics and tap the + on the pic(s) you want to add, but only those pics
4. Your keyboard should still be active, but if not just tap below the last pic you added, press Enter, and keep on typing until you want to add the next pic(s)
5. Repeat 3 and 4 until the post is good to go.
 
You can also insert text between pics you already added to a post by tapping next to one of them while the keyboard is active. The cursor should start blinking next to the pic, at which point you can just rep Return on the keyboard twice to put a new paragraph between pics. Tap on the paragraph you just inserted and type away.
Hope this helps!