Deedeelynn

Dinner Night 7: CK
We tried to keep things light tonight...

The usual salad

Cauliflower Fried Rice
This dish is easily passed over but it is actually really light and delicious.  The flavouring is really authentic with this dish. However, we found that the portion size on Symphony was much smaller than the other CK’s that we have had this dish on. 

Hubby went all out with dessert.  I stuck with fresh fruit.

With no shows to rush to, we spent the rest of the night taking a walk around the top decks. The ship is moving quite slow on it’s way back to Miami and the seas are calm, so it made for a nice post dinner walk.  Currently back in our cabin to wrap up the dreaded packing. 

We did find a reason to eventually leave our room.  Aqua Nation (the second aqua theater show) was on today. This 1/2h shows basically gives the cast a chance to showcase their talents in a more relaxed setting. 

The show starts with a brief video highlighting the behind the scenes crew that is vital to the shows. 

Then the cast comes out and introduces themselves. 


This is then followed by some diving routines, aerial work, synchronized swimming, the high line guys come out, and ends with the dancers doing a routine of their own. 


Definitely an entertaining way to spend your time on a sea day. 

This has been the most perfect, lazy sea day.  After breakfast, we spent the rest of our day on the balcony.  This cruise I barely went to the suite sun deck.  Being on Deck 17 is so convenient because I can easily take a few steps to the suite lounge, get a drink, and go back to the room. Food is easy too as room service is complimentary, CK is down the hall, and WJ is just down one flight of stairs. There are already loungers on the balcony as well so no real need at all to head to the sun deck.  This just re-affirms my love for Deck 17 and convinces me that it is best ? 

Maybe just slightly. Lol.
But I would take a cruise over no cruise any day! 
Hubby and I were just discussing this a few days ago and we think that 3 months is a good gap between cruises for us.  #retirementgoals ?

Did I mention how much I love El Loco Fresh?! ?

Our suite lounge concierges on the other hand, have been wonderful this sailing. Jennie and Jackie are so effortlessly efficient.  I would not say that they have bubbly personalities but they know exactly what they are doing and they are right on the ball with everything. This is the first time that I have ever received emails each day of the sailing from a concierge outlining the next day’s events and highlights.  These two are highly organized and capable individuals. 

Maybe this is where all the chair hogs have gone...?

Day 7:  At Sea
“The perfect orchestration of the Symphony of life is one of God’s greatest and most beautiful miracles.”
Another beautiful morning today as we wrap up our last day on the cruise.  Slept in a bit this morning and made it to CK just in time before they stopped serving breakfast.  Shockingly, Hubby actually made it with me today and we can show a Hubby breakfast pic ? I had my usual fruit and French toast.

Happy to report that as we sit here from CK and people watch, it’s past 10 am and there are plenty of chairs left on the pool deck.  Chair hogs are not too apparent this cruise, but parents who don’t supervise their children are ?
Again, no plans for today other than to sit around and soak up our last day on this amazing ship. 

One last thing before I go to bed...the things you wonder was you try to maximize #teamDX....
Food coma was so real with Star Class that we gave up our UDP for this sailing and went with CK and complimentary venues. Tonight I feel so full it is beyond food coma!!  How can that be possible??  Hubby thinks that it is because we pretty much have been eating cruise food all month.  
Will this deter me from eating tomorrow? Nope! Haha. 8 month dry dock coming up. Lots of time to detox ?

Flight was hands down, the best Royal Caribbean original production. We have now seen 5 of them and where The Gift is on one end of the spectrum, Flight is at the other.
The special effects and set designs are amazing!  Royal has really outdone themselves with this one.  Really impressive all around. We still found this cast a bit weak vocally, but the rest more than made up for it. 


I had high hopes for this show as I taught Grade 6 for a number of years and the History of Flight is in the Grade 6 curriculum.  I have always enjoyed teaching that unit.  
I thought they did a wonderful job giving a nod to all the important figures who contributed to Flight. My favourite scene was probably the “In Memorial” scene and the one following with the Wright Bothers.
Love the underlying theme in this production as well as this is the one thing, if only thing, I try to teach my students all year, Dare to Dream, Dare to Fly. ?

Today has been a simply relaxing day. We got off the ship for a bit so that Hubby could check out the buffet at Barefoot beach. He really enjoys it whenever we have access there. 



Labadee is so pretty, and natural. I really hope that they leave it instead of turning it into a theme park atmosphere like Coco Cay.  Here are a few pics from our time out and about today. 



Not a fan of the heat and buffet myself, I came back to the ship to enjoy this again.

Regarding Fast Track Boarding, the white flag was out today, no signage, and again, there was no difference which gangway people used. Oh well...lost cause.
The rest of our afternoon was spent laying out on the balcony with drinks. There was a nice breeze, our balcony faced Labadee, I did some reading and Hubby napped.  Perfect. ?
 

Another suite perk:

Day 6:  Labadee
“Immerse yourself in nature’s Symphony and let your senses burst with joy.”
Good morning from Labadee.  Beautiful day here this morning. 


Probably getting off the ship for just a bit.  Hubby always enjoys the lunch buffet at Barefoot Beach so we will likely get off in time for that. I also ran into our suite concierge this morning and she tells me that they have made efforts to fix the miscommunication regarding Fast Track Boarding so I have to do my part to investigate ?
In other news, because of our later arrival at Labadee (anticipation clearance time to get off is not until 10 am), Coastal Kitchen is packed this morning.  Currently waiting for a table ?

Dinner tonight back at CK.

We started with a Caesar Salad which I did not bother to take a picture of. 
Hubby got seared scallops as his appetizer.

We both decided to do a Surf & Turf tonight.
Butter Poached Lobster 

Peppercorn Steak (from the classics menu).

Dessert

Baked Alaska

And my two favourites...
Coconut Tapioca 

Chocolate Bar

Apologies for the lighting in these pictures. It was quite dark tonight and CK has this blue light overhead which messes up the lighting in these food pics. 
I will add to that tonight was the second formal night. Most people were more dressed up for this one rather than the first.  And then there was the guy in shorts and Crocs. And he even took his shoes off and put them up on a chair!!! ?? 
Tonight’s Poached Lobster was probably the best that I’ve had in any CK for this particular dish. Both in presentation and quality. 
No real plans tonight. Off to wander and maybe sit in the Schooner Bar for a bit. I wanted to head to Central Park but it is still raining so that is out. Love & Marriage is also happening tonight. That is always fun. 

What a ridiculous idea !  Either have an expedited boarding or don’t bother.  This kind of thing just infuriates me.  Why put the passengers and the staff into a situation like this with no resolution ?  Just take the signs down and forget it.  If nobody is going to monitor or enforce it, the program is worthless.  I hope you give them a horrible review for this.

Fast Track Boarding...Fail #2!
One of the reasons I wanted to get off today was to check out Fast Track Boarding again. Today Royal got it correct in that the first gangway (coming back to the ship) was dedicated to Fast Track Boarding.  Here is the signage for it. 


This was about all Royal got correct. ?
For research purposes, I asked the crew member at the podium how it works. If guests who qualify for Fast Track Boarding would by pass the lines coming back, or if guests who don’t qualify would have to use the other gangway? The crew member at the podium had no clue. I pointed to the sign and he said, “Oh that, that is nothing. It doesn’t mean anything.”  Ok, classic Royal. Let’s roll out something and not give everyone the memo. 
Upon our return to the ship, the lines were quite long at the Fast Track Boarding gangway, obviously because this was now the first gangway.  We got in line and did not notice them re-directing anyone or giving anyone priority. After we got to the podium, we asked another crew member about the process. He too said, “Oh no, you just get into line with everyone else.”  So Fast Track was slow track today.

Hubby and I decided to get off the ship around 10:30 am just to walk around for a bit. It was hot so we really didn’t stay too long.
We walked along Calle Fortaleza and many of the shops there are still boarded up.  The umbrellas are taken down still and graffiti was evident everywhere, even on the walls of buildings. 




After a while, the wind picked up and there were some dark clouds in the distance.  I told Hubby that we needed to get back fast because I did not want a repeat of yesterday. 

Thank goodness, we literally opened the door to our cabin to find this...

Looks like we got back just in time ?

After a second round at Hiro, we headed back to our cabin where we found this waiting for us...

...if you can’t sail Star class, you might as well try to re-create it ?
This was the dessert that we took “to go” from Jamie’s earlier ?
Settling in now with dessert, tea, and some Lucifer.  Goodnight all!

Just Googled him. Wow, pretty cool! My SIL and grands would really get a kick out of this place. Wish I had known about last April when we all were there on the Allure. Oh well, have to keep this i mind for a future cruise to St. Marteen. Thanks Sabrina.

It’s good. But very heavy. It sits in your stomach forever! 

Diamond Lounge appetizers for @Susie

Wanted to note that it was the exact same as the suite lounge apps.

Dinner tonight at Jamie’s.
A few months ago, we received a complimentary specialty dining voucher from our TA.  The debate was between 150 CP, Hooked, and Jamie’s. Hubby and I took a close look at the Hooked menu along with pics from the Royal Caribbean dining FB page and decided against it. That left my vote for 150 and Hubby’s for Jamie’s. Well, you know who won that one. 

Service was great tonight compared to on HM a few months ago. It was fast and attentive. Food was the same good quality as any other Jamie’s. 
Ultimate Garlic Bread

Arancini

Grilled Vegetables from the plank

Penne Carbonara

Truffle Tagliatelle 

Dessert to go ?
 

Google is your friend. ?
Kidding...he is one of Yoda’s (from Star Wars) creators. His name is Nick Maley and he has a store and museum of Star Wars memorabilia on Front Street.

Back on the ship, we tried to re-create our Star class days even though we’re not this time.

We also received some treats from our suite concierges, Jackie and Jennie. These two ladies are awesome but I will talk about them later.