AshleyDillo

Cruising is sort of the only vacationing I have ever done.  Most of my other trips have been to visit friends or family or for concerts.  I grew up living near Disney World.  I was fortunate to have a job out of college that put me on the road to see the US, so I haven't really done any dedicated sightseeing trips.  I live close to a lot of places in the southeast that I've done extended weekends.  I had family in New Orleans and visit there often, so probably my favorite place to visit in the US.
I'm do have Hawaii on my bucket list..and in my road tripping I have managed to miss South Dakota and Vermont, so I need to find a reason to hit those to take care of the 50 states.
And I'm eager to start on international travel, but it's a bit intimidating..so I always figured a cruise would be a good way to sample that..so back to cruising again ?

Symphony does have outside dining at Jamie's but it's more like patio dining to Central Park.

I have always been "colorful" and not one to follow the beaten path. I have had a couple occasions  where staff had to ask me nicely to stop fishing off my balcony. This time I decided to go a slightly different direction. Brought my daughter to Coco Cay when she was about seven and came up with a "good way" to spice her trip up some. I brought her to the little shallow beach away from the popular snorkeling one to do some "special snorkeling". Being a fisherman and diver over the years I developed a collection of old galleon "pirate coins". brought one along tucked in my waist band. The water on that south beach was maybe knee deep, sand bottom and of course gin clear. We were maybe thirty yard from shore and I tossed the coin out in front of us without her seeing... I nudged her and kept her on course to "find" it... I remember her making noises through her snorkel when she "found" it.  
"Daddy its a pirate coin!" Wow was she excited! Mission accomplished  (or so I thought). We exited the water and she ran off showing the coin to every person she saw. Before I knew it,  the other areas emptied out and we were "joined" with a couple thousand "treasure hunters"... She's 27 this year and getting married. I had that coin set and unbeknownst to her I will make it available for her to wear when I walk her down the aisle... ?

In Oceanview Cafe (hence the Windjammer difficulty comment @Lovetocruise2002 )
Sorry to hear about Harmony @Sweety. If it isn't rubbing salt in the wound here is a picture of Red Velvet cake.

@AshleyDillo this one is for you

@Matt and other Indian food lovers

This is my situation as well.  I'm much more inclined to pop in and out of wherever and order a single entree or appetizer.  I don't do well with sitting through an entire 3 course meal.  I'm also solo on my sailing, so hopefully they may be more inclined just give me a plate to go (I'm looking at you Izumi sushi...) when I want.  I like the ability to be able to pop into Johnny Rockets and grab a burger too.

Meanwhile I'm over here emailing my poor MEI agent about a $3 price drop in cruise fare ?
 

Understandable...I will be making reservations when I get on board, so that will help.  Also being solo and asking if they would be willing to make something and put a cover on it and give it to me to take to my room might work too..who knows. That way I'm not taking up an entire table for a single person. 
Windjammer is usually my go to but I like the idea of being able to sample all of the offerings.  I just can't do the 3 course meals..entirely too long for me to be sitting with food and way, way, way too much food to eat. I don't need the atmosphere of the dining experience..just the food.  
Even so..if I have to sit at a table at Giovannis for my meat platter at my scheduled reservation time, I am fine with that.  My table will be turned over quickly and perhaps they can sneak another walk-up party in right after me.

Glad to hear that Alina was good to you and your kiddos and that you had a great time!

This is my situation as well.  I'm much more inclined to pop in and out of wherever and order a single entree or appetizer.  I don't do well with sitting through an entire 3 course meal.  I'm also solo on my sailing, so hopefully they may be more inclined just give me a plate to go (I'm looking at you Izumi sushi...) when I want.  I like the ability to be able to pop into Johnny Rockets and grab a burger too.

You should tip the porters as they are not included in any gratuity you have paid.  If you pay your gratuities, whether pre-paid or added to your daily charge, then you don't have to pay anything extra. That being said, I also tip extra at the end of the cruise but that is completely our choice and you wouldn't be a cheapskate if you choose not to tip extra.  

Meanwhile I'm over here emailing my poor MEI agent about a $3 price drop in cruise fare ?
 

I prefer doing it myself but I hate, hate, HATE making phone calls.  Making any changes to a Royal reservation always requires a phone call, so I am more than glad to let a TA handle that.  If I could easily go into my reservation after booking online and make changes, adjustments, etc. then giving up control would be a little more difficult for me.

I prefer doing it myself but I hate, hate, HATE making phone calls.  Making any changes to a Royal reservation always requires a phone call, so I am more than glad to let a TA handle that.  If I could easily go into my reservation after booking online and make changes, adjustments, etc. then giving up control would be a little more difficult for me.

@Baked Alaska Just checked my cruise planner and my Ultimate dining package now says it is Unlimited!  Looks like they switched it over.
Terms & Conditions:
Prices are per person for the full sailing. All selections are subject to change. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to verify eligibility upon arrival to the activity. Specialty Dining Packages must be booked at least two days prior to boarding and may not be available for every sail date. One reservation will be automatically created for the first night of the sailing. All other reservations must be made onboard and are subject to availability. Packages include service charge and food portion only for dinner and, when available, lunch service. For restaurants with a la carte pricing, you’ll receive a $35 food credit. Beverages not included. For Dining Packages, It is not required that children 12 and under purchase this product. Children ages 0-5 dine for free and children ages 6-12 will be charged a $10 cover at the restaurant. Not available on holiday sailings. Not valid for Chef's Table, or Culinary Experiences/Activities. Purchase of dining packages provides 40% discount off bottles of wine priced at $100 or less; 20% discount off bottles of wine priced over $100 while dining in Specialty Restaurants. Wine discount valid only with the purchase of 3-night, 4-night, 5-night, or Unlimited Dining Packages; other Dining Packages excluded. Terms of Royal Caribbean’s Alcohol Policy apply, including a minimum drinking age, which varies by itinerary. Offer is not transferable, not redeemable for cash, and expires on the final night of the cruise. VAT will be added to the price where applicable.  Terms of Dining Packages apply.

 

Hi all! I just wanted to jump back on and say thanks to all of those that answered my Star class questions and a special thanks again for this awesome live blog @Lovetocruise2002! Our Symphony Cruise was amazing. Our genie, Alina, was phenomenal and made everything extra special for the kids. I have no idea how you manage to live blog your cruise because I barely had time to take pictures we were having so much fun! Lol.  We’ve already booked again for June on Radiance (alas, no genie) to celebrate my oldest son’s high school graduation. Thanks again for all of the advice! We were nervous but it was all amazing just as you said it would be!

@AshleyDillo Woot! Just checked mine, as well! Includes lunches on sea days. I don't see anything different between the two other than the "unlimited" part, which is nice! Happy Pappy!! So far, price has not gone up. So. Far. All of my sailings have been changed to "Unlimited". Niiiiiiiiiiiice!

Lock it down now.  If you like what's offered better later just cancel and repurchase!

I'm waiting for the BBC World News version now.

My "funniest cruise story" was when my brother almost got prevented from boarding Anthem of the Seas over a $1 3 way outlet wall plug adapter  ?

Translation:
Hello
We will be 2 days stopover in St Petersburg with Brilliance of the seas beginning of June. My agency phoned me this morning asking me if I had asked for my visa to enter Russia. On the forums, some say that if you take the excursions with the cruise line we do not need a visa. Can you tell me your experience. 
Thanks in advance.
Françoise 
Second message
Thank you for this clarification, no problem for translation.
This is what I had read during my research on the Internet but my travel agency told me that it was absolutely necessary to have a visa.
Your opinion comforts me in my positions.
Kind regards.

Wish I could put @twangster in my pocket ?? while I’m on the cruise ... u are just that great! ??

Merci pour ces précisions, aucun problème pour la traduction.
C'est ce que j'avais lu lors de mes recherches sur internet mais mon agence de voyage me disait qu'il fallait absolument un visa.
Votre avis me conforte dans mes positions.
Cordialement.
 

Perhaps they're trying to see if you're paying attention?
Always deny the initial claim to weed out those who won't bother to appeal?

Perhaps they're trying to see if you're paying attention?
Always deny the initial claim to weed out those who won't bother to appeal?

From what I've read others say when faced with these cancellations they sometimes will offer to put them in a lower cabin category if their price-protected category isn't available.  There's no way to waitlist..and they certainly don't upgrade you without charging the price difference.