twangster

Day 2 - Ice Skating Show "1977"
No cruise is complete without checking out the ice skating show.  Royal has put a lot effort incorporating technology into entertainment and "1977" benefits from this trend.  They've amped up the projection technology on Symphony.

The show starts out with dozens of drones hovering over the ice and flying in formation as each changes color independently at times and as a formation.  You can't capture this in still images, you have to see it live.

All the little purple and blue lights are individual drones.













A very memorable part involves fast wardrobe changes for one skater incorporated into the routine almost before our eyes. 
Impossible to display in still photos, another thing best viewed live. 
While the storyline strays a little at times when taken in it's entirety it is a great show to watch.  Oh yeah, they made it snow during one part of the show.  Amazing. 

Day 2 - Sea Day
Moving South and West as we somewhat hug the coast of Spain.  Windy today, top decks closed.  The ship is handling great, minimal movement.
After staying up into the wee hours of the morning on my photo shoot last night I slept in today.  Up in time to make the Windjammer for breakfast.  It's a been a while since I've sailed Oasis class and I've got to remember there are other options for breakfast.
Lazy day, just the way I like them.  I didn't take a lot pictures as I am still exploring the ship.  Plenty of sea days to come for me to take pictures when hopefully it won't be as windy.
Random thoughts and observations
As offered before we boarded due to the large numbers on board, the Diamond/Diamond Plus area incorporates the "Entertainment Plaza".  The Diamond Lounge, Jazz on 4 and The Attic.  They have been pretty busy during happy hour times.  The Attic is the only venue with a walk up bar where the other two have wait staff walking around taking drink orders.  Staff at each door check cards.
The latest version of the Royal app incorporates a personal calendar.  It now displays entertainment reservations but not My Time Dining or spa reservations.  
Being so close to the Abyss slide is interesting.  When someone slides down it makes a sound.  Four dongs followed by a whoop sound.  Often people scream.  While the patio door does a good job blocking most sounds, those make it through.  I might make it a ring tone, it's burned into my psyche. 
No water bottles were in my cabin from C&A.  Some sparking wine and a beer based on my preferences.  Today a bottle of Chandon was dropped off in ice with two flutes.  Nice.  
When I boarded one of the letters in my cabin addressed my transfer to Serenade after this cruise.  It will be provided by Royal.  I was planning to use Lyft or Uber so Royal offering to provide the transfer is very much appreciated. Loyalty does pay.
The thermostat in my cabin was on high when I arrived.  I had to turn it down from 'bake' last night so I could sleep.
My account in the Royal app fixed itself overnight.  I can now see my folio and charges to my account in the app.  
I dropped by the loyalty desk.  Based on points I qualify for a glass block on this cruise.  My Adventure points just posted Friday.  He didn't have me down for a block and thanked me for stopping by.  He'll add me to the list.  Over 280 glass blocks being handed out this cruise.  They'll go out for delivery to our cabins day 5 or 6.
I skipped lunch today.  I'm still burning off the calories I picked up on Adventure not long ago.  If my belly gets any bigger I might need to start picking out names.  Well past a baby bump, I've entered the third trimester.  At this rate I'll qualify for and become a rock start in the belly flop contest by the next cruise. Where's that gym?

It was late but I was motivated to see how the ship looked at night.

Late night in The Attic.

Comedy club reservation.

Host was great.  There were two comedians tonight.  The second comedian was on Harmony in September.  Have you ever started to read a book and a couple pages in it seems really familiar?  Then you realize you've read it already.   It turns out the second comedian used a lot of the same material he used on Harmony.  Oh well, that's the way it goes.

My Time Dining in the MDR

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Herb Roasted Turkey

Pear Blueberry Cobbler

Consistent with her sisters, the MDR food and service were good.  Diamond Happy Hour drinks were honored. 

With muster complete it was time to prepare for sail away.  My friends had suggested to meet in the Solarium so that's where I headed.


The sun was beginning to set.




We had to wait for a departing cargo ship to make her exit.

With a blast of the ship's whistle we were away from the pier.

With the bow thrusters fully engaged the Solarium pool rippled from the vibrations.

Darkness was rapidly moving upon us.





We slowly backed out of the harbor.



We then turned and with that our cruise had begun.

Next stop was the boardwalk where some friends had found Playmakers.  I'll wait for a nicer day to take pictures.  With 4:30pm approaching last call was announced as they began to close bars with muster approaching.  My G4 must was conveniently located in the Aqua theater.

The rain had stopped.  Clouds were starting to break up.  Typical "assembly drill".  Watch the same 'Spy" safety video, crew displayed how to put on a life vest and the Captain released us.    
Muster station letters are different than Harmony.  

With my suitcase unpacked and clothes sprayed down with wrinkle release it was time to explore the ship!








A look down at the terminal from the ship.

Solarium:



The solarium pool.

I needed to take care of something inside so I made my way back down to the Promenade.



I went to Boleros to see if I could trade in a previous Wow band.  My old one had a muster station printed on it.  On Anthem they would not allow me to trade in my Wow band and required me to purchase a new one because the muster station from Harmony was different than my Anthem muster station. 

I was pleased to discover that Symphony accepted my old "Muster Station E2" Wow band and gave me a new one that has no muster station on it.   No charge.

Day 2 - Ice Skating Show "1977"
No cruise is complete without checking out the ice skating show.  Royal has put a lot effort incorporating technology into entertainment and "1977" benefits from this trend.  They've amped up the projection technology on Symphony.

The show starts out with dozens of drones hovering over the ice and flying in formation as each changes color independently at times and as a formation.  You can't capture this in still images, you have to see it live.

All the little purple and blue lights are individual drones.













A very memorable part involves fast wardrobe changes for one skater incorporated into the routine almost before our eyes. 
Impossible to display in still photos, another thing best viewed live. 
While the storyline strays a little at times when taken in it's entirety it is a great show to watch.  Oh yeah, they made it snow during one part of the show.  Amazing. 

Day 2 Miscellaneous 
Pop up Piano player appeared outside the Main Dining room

Pub beers

Sorrento's Pizza options tonight

Dazzle's during happy hours

Our progress...

Up the escalator where we were led outside to get our first look.  Like her sisters she is big!

With a place to step aside I found the screen shot of my SetSail pass and got it ready.  I wanted to make sure I could use my phone to board.  No issues with a screen shot of the app's SetSail pass.
Finally!  On board.



 
I visited the spa to check on a cruise planner purchase I had made, the Thermal Spa pass.  It is fairly recent that this has become available for pre-purchase and I wanted to validate how it worked.  In the cruise planner I was required to select a time of day, I chose 2:30pm.  I was hoping that wasn't the only time I could use it but I wanted to check.  The staff at the spa confirmed I could use it at any time during open hours.  I then did a quick tour of the spa.

The spa waiting room.

An add on service, private couples aroma bath.



They mentioned to come back once I had my SeaPass card to have a sticker placed on it indicating my spa pass.
Avoiding the Windjammer on boarding day I then headed to Park cafe for a Kümmelweck.

Soon after I found some friends and we sat in Central Park enjoying our first beverage as we waited for cabins to become ready.

Day 1, continued...
I looked in the Uber app, €20 to the port but they needed my passport information due to Spanish regulations.  I wasn't comfortable giving Uber my passport details which isn't required when using a taxi so I asked the front deck at my hotel to call me a cab,  €37 to the port.
A first look at the lovely lady.
 
Today we were using terminal B and there was a good stream of traffic going to the three ships in port.

Raining lightly as I made my way to the luggage drop.

After dropping my bag there was the typical security screening.  I had printed my SetSail pass but wanted to see if I could make it all the way just using my phone and the Royal app. 
Expedited check in was pretty fast.  They had several short lines marked for expedited cruisers.  Each had an agent with a handheld scanner waiting for us.   They scanned my SetSail pass on my phone and then they scanned my passport.  "Okay, you are all checked in".  It took about 20 seconds.  Sweet!
The ship was boarding so off I went through some shops in the terminal including one where you could buy wine.  As I turned the corner where they once again wanted to see my SetSail before proceeding the app cycled as if it was refreshing and logging me back in.  After several seconds holding up the line of people behind me that app gave up and displayed this:

The ship time was wrong and while I was logged in, it couldn't find me any more.  The "View SetSail Pass" button did nothing.  I had taken a screen shot of my SetSail pass on my phone but it was faster to grab the printed copy from my pocket now that there were 20 or 30 people angrily staring in my direction.   Royal IT strikes again.  Lesson learned, always print it, do not rely on Royal's technology.

Day 2 - My Time Dinner

Tomato, Watermelon and Feta

Duck A L'Orange

Peach Shortcake

All very good.  Excellent service again.  

At 1pm an announcement let us know our cabins were ready.
Cabin 8327.  
Boardwalk balcony, port side, second boardwalk balcony from the aft.


Standard Oasis class bathroom.

Balcony:

The view aft is fairly obstructed.



After taking these pictures and checking out my cabin I ventured into the hall and discovered my bag just down the hall.  Luggage delivery was pretty quick.

Day 2 - Sea Day
Moving South and West as we somewhat hug the coast of Spain.  Windy today, top decks closed.  The ship is handling great, minimal movement.
After staying up into the wee hours of the morning on my photo shoot last night I slept in today.  Up in time to make the Windjammer for breakfast.  It's a been a while since I've sailed Oasis class and I've got to remember there are other options for breakfast.
Lazy day, just the way I like them.  I didn't take a lot pictures as I am still exploring the ship.  Plenty of sea days to come for me to take pictures when hopefully it won't be as windy.
Random thoughts and observations
As offered before we boarded due to the large numbers on board, the Diamond/Diamond Plus area incorporates the "Entertainment Plaza".  The Diamond Lounge, Jazz on 4 and The Attic.  They have been pretty busy during happy hour times.  The Attic is the only venue with a walk up bar where the other two have wait staff walking around taking drink orders.  Staff at each door check cards.
The latest version of the Royal app incorporates a personal calendar.  It now displays entertainment reservations but not My Time Dining or spa reservations.  
Being so close to the Abyss slide is interesting.  When someone slides down it makes a sound.  Four dongs followed by a whoop sound.  Often people scream.  While the patio door does a good job blocking most sounds, those make it through.  I might make it a ring tone, it's burned into my psyche. 
No water bottles were in my cabin from C&A.  Some sparking wine and a beer based on my preferences.  Today a bottle of Chandon was dropped off in ice with two flutes.  Nice.  
When I boarded one of the letters in my cabin addressed my transfer to Serenade after this cruise.  It will be provided by Royal.  I was planning to use Lyft or Uber so Royal offering to provide the transfer is very much appreciated. Loyalty does pay.
The thermostat in my cabin was on high when I arrived.  I had to turn it down from 'bake' last night so I could sleep.
My account in the Royal app fixed itself overnight.  I can now see my folio and charges to my account in the app.  
I dropped by the loyalty desk.  Based on points I qualify for a glass block on this cruise.  My Adventure points just posted Friday.  He didn't have me down for a block and thanked me for stopping by.  He'll add me to the list.  Over 280 glass blocks being handed out this cruise.  They'll go out for delivery to our cabins day 5 or 6.
I skipped lunch today.  I'm still burning off the calories I picked up on Adventure not long ago.  If my belly gets any bigger I might need to start picking out names.  Well past a baby bump, I've entered the third trimester.  At this rate I'll qualify for and become a rock start in the belly flop contest by the next cruise. Where's that gym?

It was late but I was motivated to see how the ship looked at night.

Late night in The Attic.

Comedy club reservation.

Host was great.  There were two comedians tonight.  The second comedian was on Harmony in September.  Have you ever started to read a book and a couple pages in it seems really familiar?  Then you realize you've read it already.   It turns out the second comedian used a lot of the same material he used on Harmony.  Oh well, that's the way it goes.

My Time Dining in the MDR

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Herb Roasted Turkey

Pear Blueberry Cobbler

Consistent with her sisters, the MDR food and service were good.  Diamond Happy Hour drinks were honored. 

With muster complete it was time to prepare for sail away.  My friends had suggested to meet in the Solarium so that's where I headed.


The sun was beginning to set.




We had to wait for a departing cargo ship to make her exit.

With a blast of the ship's whistle we were away from the pier.

With the bow thrusters fully engaged the Solarium pool rippled from the vibrations.

Darkness was rapidly moving upon us.





We slowly backed out of the harbor.



We then turned and with that our cruise had begun.

Next stop was the boardwalk where some friends had found Playmakers.  I'll wait for a nicer day to take pictures.  With 4:30pm approaching last call was announced as they began to close bars with muster approaching.  My G4 must was conveniently located in the Aqua theater.

The rain had stopped.  Clouds were starting to break up.  Typical "assembly drill".  Watch the same 'Spy" safety video, crew displayed how to put on a life vest and the Captain released us.    
Muster station letters are different than Harmony.  

With my suitcase unpacked and clothes sprayed down with wrinkle release it was time to explore the ship!








A look down at the terminal from the ship.

Solarium:



The solarium pool.

I needed to take care of something inside so I made my way back down to the Promenade.



I went to Boleros to see if I could trade in a previous Wow band.  My old one had a muster station printed on it.  On Anthem they would not allow me to trade in my Wow band and required me to purchase a new one because the muster station from Harmony was different than my Anthem muster station. 

I was pleased to discover that Symphony accepted my old "Muster Station E2" Wow band and gave me a new one that has no muster station on it.   No charge.

At 1pm an announcement let us know our cabins were ready.
Cabin 8327.  
Boardwalk balcony, port side, second boardwalk balcony from the aft.


Standard Oasis class bathroom.

Balcony:

The view aft is fairly obstructed.



After taking these pictures and checking out my cabin I ventured into the hall and discovered my bag just down the hall.  Luggage delivery was pretty quick.

Up the escalator where we were led outside to get our first look.  Like her sisters she is big!

With a place to step aside I found the screen shot of my SetSail pass and got it ready.  I wanted to make sure I could use my phone to board.  No issues with a screen shot of the app's SetSail pass.
Finally!  On board.



 
I visited the spa to check on a cruise planner purchase I had made, the Thermal Spa pass.  It is fairly recent that this has become available for pre-purchase and I wanted to validate how it worked.  In the cruise planner I was required to select a time of day, I chose 2:30pm.  I was hoping that wasn't the only time I could use it but I wanted to check.  The staff at the spa confirmed I could use it at any time during open hours.  I then did a quick tour of the spa.

The spa waiting room.

An add on service, private couples aroma bath.



They mentioned to come back once I had my SeaPass card to have a sticker placed on it indicating my spa pass.
Avoiding the Windjammer on boarding day I then headed to Park cafe for a Kümmelweck.

Soon after I found some friends and we sat in Central Park enjoying our first beverage as we waited for cabins to become ready.