Nomad

I was also on the Symphony Transatlantic and the immigration process took about 20 minutes for us to clear immigration.  That said, the line for the international guests was very long.  I talked to some international guests that had an excursion and the bus left without them.  I guess there were a lot of them with the same excursion stickers, so the bus might have been half full when it left.  I agree that CBP was not ready for the number of international guests.
We were in a Suite, so our experience was a bit different.  Not sure if I felt we had the run of the ship.  That said number of Pinnacles did impact the Suite experience. 
Some of the things that Royal did was limit the Pinnacle dining in the Coastal Kitchen to 3 nights and they also opened Dazzles as a Pinnacle lounge.  I am not sure, but I think they encouraged the Pinnacle guests to use Dazzles but the Suite lounge was always pretty full of Pinnacle guests so finding a seat was normally a challenge.  The Suite lounge was a lot noisier than normal.  I don’t blame the Pinnacles for being there because that is what they are entitled to by Royal.  While my experience was not quite the Suite experience I would have preferred, it was a really fun cruise and we met some really nice people both Suite guests and Pinnacles who are also Suite guests just not staying in a Suite. 
I really felt sorry for the employees in the Suite lounge.  The concierges had to work with any extra 240 Pinnacles (I heard different numbers from 220 to 300 Pinnacles).  The Coastal Kitchen staff had to try to accommodate the higher than normal diners.  The bartenders were really working overtime.  They brought in extra bartenders and waiters to handle the volume.   Those extra employees came from somewhere, so the impact probably trickled down to everyone. You could tell at the end of day they were seemed pretty tired.  Normally the waiters and bar staff will chat with you some.  While they still had time to chat in the slower times.  When it was busy, they were working pretty hard and didn’t have time for much discussion.  Even with all the extra work, the staff was very friendly and always greeted with a smile. A really good hard working staff.
In the future I think that Royal will have to figure out a way to handle the Suite Lounge overload during these ‘Special’ cruises.  There were a lot of unhappy people, both Suite guests and Pinnacles.  There was almost an attitude of Suite guests against Pinnacles and the other way around. (Another thing the Concierges had to deal with.)
 

I am new to the blog but I wanted to provide some info on the ‘Crazy Ivans’ where the ship turned south and then west again.
We were on the same cruise and during a bridge tour we asked why the ship moved like that.  The officer said that because the wind from from the east at about 23 knots and the ship was moving about 21 knots they turn the ship like that to use the incinerator.  If not the ship would have ash rain down on the ship.  When the incineration is finished they would head back to the set course. 
There was also a turn for the Suite helideck party on Tuesday.  Bobby said that Captain Rob slowed and turned the ship so the Helipad would be more comfortable.  That said, it was probably the nicest Oasis class Helipad weather experience.

We have always been able to keep the room at a chilly temperature.  I have had room attendants close both the curtians during port days when the sun was on the side we were facing to keep the room cooler.
They always let us know why they were closing them.

I am new to the blog but I wanted to provide some info on the ‘Crazy Ivans’ where the ship turned south and then west again.
We were on the same cruise and during a bridge tour we asked why the ship moved like that.  The officer said that because the wind from from the east at about 23 knots and the ship was moving about 21 knots they turn the ship like that to use the incinerator.  If not the ship would have ash rain down on the ship.  When the incineration is finished they would head back to the set course. 
There was also a turn for the Suite helideck party on Tuesday.  Bobby said that Captain Rob slowed and turned the ship so the Helipad would be more comfortable.  That said, it was probably the nicest Oasis class Helipad weather experience.

I am new to the blog but I wanted to provide some info on the ‘Crazy Ivans’ where the ship turned south and then west again.
We were on the same cruise and during a bridge tour we asked why the ship moved like that.  The officer said that because the wind from from the east at about 23 knots and the ship was moving about 21 knots they turn the ship like that to use the incinerator.  If not the ship would have ash rain down on the ship.  When the incineration is finished they would head back to the set course. 
There was also a turn for the Suite helideck party on Tuesday.  Bobby said that Captain Rob slowed and turned the ship so the Helipad would be more comfortable.  That said, it was probably the nicest Oasis class Helipad weather experience.