Gabe

That's the worst of all- get an email alert to prebook, go to the CP/app and the dreaded "lights camera..". the best course of action is to just keep stalking the site..maybe we could create a sub topic-ship/sailing date/when cp prebook option opened just to see what's going on.

I'm on the 4/2 Wonder sailing, am at 30 days as of this writing and haven't seen the entertainment portal open yet to prebook shows.  I called RC, since their FAQs said the window would open at 30 days, but they weren't of any help, since they couldn't give me a time the window would open..just said to check daily leading up to the cruise..i've been checking off and on throughout the last sev days, so I'll report back when I was able to get in.

looks like Scott above has better info.  we're going in a month w our kids and have the soda pkg so if one kid loses a cup (hopefully not!) I'll report back.

My experience w the UDP is the answer is yes to all of the above.  The only hiccup I believe is that there has to be a certain buffer of time between reservations on a particular day if you're doing the same meal at 2 places (not sure if that also includes the MDR though).  The most important thing is make your reservations the first thing you do aboard the ship...find a quiet restaurant and do it there, since it's bonkers on the promenade deck once you board.

Once you’re onboard, that 24 hours isn’t always hard and fast. The shore tours desk team is pretty flexible last minute, esp if you want to switch v asking for a refund. Ymmv tho.

As a tip, I've often found that on embarkation day, the app gets bogged down with lots of users, so I head to a sparsely populated restaurant in a quiet area of the ship (usually Izumi).  the hostesses are usually looking for something to do, and can make all your reservations right there.  Wonderland is also another good area to head to in order to book.

As a tip, I've often found that on embarkation day, the app gets bogged down with lots of users, so I head to a sparsely populated restaurant in a quiet area of the ship (usually Izumi).  the hostesses are usually looking for something to do, and can make all your reservations right there.  Wonderland is also another good area to head to in order to book.

As a tip, I've often found that on embarkation day, the app gets bogged down with lots of users, so I head to a sparsely populated restaurant in a quiet area of the ship (usually Izumi).  the hostesses are usually looking for something to do, and can make all your reservations right there.  Wonderland is also another good area to head to in order to book.

As a tip, I've often found that on embarkation day, the app gets bogged down with lots of users, so I head to a sparsely populated restaurant in a quiet area of the ship (usually Izumi).  the hostesses are usually looking for something to do, and can make all your reservations right there.  Wonderland is also another good area to head to in order to book.

As a tip, I've often found that on embarkation day, the app gets bogged down with lots of users, so I head to a sparsely populated restaurant in a quiet area of the ship (usually Izumi).  the hostesses are usually looking for something to do, and can make all your reservations right there.  Wonderland is also another good area to head to in order to book.

Been there, done that, got that T shirt.  It's like any other tourist trap restaurant near the port-loud, overpriced, so-so food.  That said, if your group includes older teens or college aged kids, have at it.  The drinks are cheap, though, so if you're looking to kill a couple of hours on the beach, you could do worse.  Personally, I've always enjoyed Margaritaville restaurants more.  Food is better for the same price and it's a little less hectic.  I'd opt for that.

If you do book a flight before 11  (I'd say no earlier than 10), once the ship clears customs about 7 AM, if you choose to walk off with your luggage, you should be off the ship and on your way by 7:45 AM or so, which leaves you with plenty of time.

Unless, say....
 

I've used Viator with great success. They know when you have to be back. 

Given past precedent, Jan sailings will be included if not by the July 4 sale, then by the Labor Day one.

Only if there is a risk that you'll get a "zonk" like a huge nonrefundable credit that can be spent only at the "Royal Gifts" store ?

Just got back from a 7 nighter onboard her and I have a few thoughts/tips:
 
1. If youve been on an Oasis class ship, you know the drill.  Symphony isn't much different.
2. Sugar Beach candy store is good as is Playmakers on the BW, though given the time of year, not much going on sports-wise to show other than soccer.
3.  Do see: 1977, Iskate 2.0 (Studio B); HIRO (AT) Hairspray (RT)
4. skip- Flight (RT) complete zzzz fest
5.  HIRO scrapped 3 shows while we were onboard and then crammed the makeups into the last 2 days of the cruise; reserve the earliest one you can, so in case its cancelled, you'll automatically get rebooked to a later show.  We had reservations on Night 6, but the forecast called for iffy weather, so we endured the standby line for Night 5.  Barely made it.  Sat in the 3rd row (ie the splash sone, but didnt really get wet)
6. El Loco Fresh (pool deck) was great.  Fresh quesadillas, tacos and burritos.
7.  No shore tour was ever sold out (despite having 6500 onboard), but of course reserving during a sale ensures a lower price.  Be mindful that if you want to exchange or cancel a tour, you must do so within 48 hours, though we noticed the policy was loosely enforced (including for us, when we made a couple of last min changes).  If your cruise goes to Nassau and you get off the ship, bring your seapsss AND photo ID! we were not told about this and were briefly detained in port security for about 30 mins while Nassau Port PD checked our names against the days' manifests and arranged for an escort back to the ship since we didn't have a photo ID.
8.  Leaving the ship on the last morning was crowded (and we did express departure). leave before 8 AM if you want to avoid the masses.
9.  Speaking of, while the new terminal is great (easy checkin, still has the new terminal sheen), getting ground transportation to wherever after you last disembark (for us, FLL airport) was challenging..  we had a reservation with one of the MANY companies hawking rides.  signage is basically nonexistent  and the shuttles can pick up in any of the 12 loading zones spanning the length of the terminal.  You'll be well served to keep in constant contact with the company you choose to find out where to get picked up.  There are 6500 disembarking at once, so its chaotic!
10.  The app, as been discussed elsewhere, isnt great.  You cannot use it to text without a internet plan (unlike on Harmony) and youc annot modify reservation times or tours for the most part.  You must cancel and rebook, which usually results in you not getting the time you want, plus the added hassle of losing your orig reservation and trudging to guest services.  I tried to modify a Jamies res one night, which ended up inadvertently cancelling the UDP we had bought on black friday for super cheap.  At first, they were going to charge me for the full onboard price to get it again, but once I explained how their app caused me all sorts of confusion, they gave me the orig price I paid.
11.  Suprisingly, Guest Services was never terribly crowded when we walked by (which was often).  they do a good job of triaging in the line with the use of iphones/ipads  so that most trips to the counter can be avoided.
12.  Finally, the restaurants were all good, esp Hooked.  I def recommend it, since the lobster there is a full lobster, not some small tail you get in the dining room.  Since we had the UDP, we never ate in the dining room.
 

Just got back from a 7 nighter onboard her and I have a few thoughts/tips:
 
1. If youve been on an Oasis class ship, you know the drill.  Symphony isn't much different.
2. Sugar Beach candy store is good as is Playmakers on the BW, though given the time of year, not much going on sports-wise to show other than soccer.
3.  Do see: 1977, Iskate 2.0 (Studio B); HIRO (AT) Hairspray (RT)
4. skip- Flight (RT) complete zzzz fest
5.  HIRO scrapped 3 shows while we were onboard and then crammed the makeups into the last 2 days of the cruise; reserve the earliest one you can, so in case its cancelled, you'll automatically get rebooked to a later show.  We had reservations on Night 6, but the forecast called for iffy weather, so we endured the standby line for Night 5.  Barely made it.  Sat in the 3rd row (ie the splash sone, but didnt really get wet)
6. El Loco Fresh (pool deck) was great.  Fresh quesadillas, tacos and burritos.
7.  No shore tour was ever sold out (despite having 6500 onboard), but of course reserving during a sale ensures a lower price.  Be mindful that if you want to exchange or cancel a tour, you must do so within 48 hours, though we noticed the policy was loosely enforced (including for us, when we made a couple of last min changes).  If your cruise goes to Nassau and you get off the ship, bring your seapsss AND photo ID! we were not told about this and were briefly detained in port security for about 30 mins while Nassau Port PD checked our names against the days' manifests and arranged for an escort back to the ship since we didn't have a photo ID.
8.  Leaving the ship on the last morning was crowded (and we did express departure). leave before 8 AM if you want to avoid the masses.
9.  Speaking of, while the new terminal is great (easy checkin, still has the new terminal sheen), getting ground transportation to wherever after you last disembark (for us, FLL airport) was challenging..  we had a reservation with one of the MANY companies hawking rides.  signage is basically nonexistent  and the shuttles can pick up in any of the 12 loading zones spanning the length of the terminal.  You'll be well served to keep in constant contact with the company you choose to find out where to get picked up.  There are 6500 disembarking at once, so its chaotic!
10.  The app, as been discussed elsewhere, isnt great.  You cannot use it to text without a internet plan (unlike on Harmony) and youc annot modify reservation times or tours for the most part.  You must cancel and rebook, which usually results in you not getting the time you want, plus the added hassle of losing your orig reservation and trudging to guest services.  I tried to modify a Jamies res one night, which ended up inadvertently cancelling the UDP we had bought on black friday for super cheap.  At first, they were going to charge me for the full onboard price to get it again, but once I explained how their app caused me all sorts of confusion, they gave me the orig price I paid.
11.  Suprisingly, Guest Services was never terribly crowded when we walked by (which was often).  they do a good job of triaging in the line with the use of iphones/ipads  so that most trips to the counter can be avoided.
12.  Finally, the restaurants were all good, esp Hooked.  I def recommend it, since the lobster there is a full lobster, not some small tail you get in the dining room.  Since we had the UDP, we never ate in the dining room.