JimnKathy

On 2/4/2020 at 9:03 PM, Hoski said:

We don't go on condo vacations because I don't want to do all the work myself and don't find them much cheaper than cruises or all-inclusive vacations.  Vacation to me means no laundry, no dishes and no cooking.

I totally agree...one experience with cruise life (expecially the big boats) and it's tough to go back to a week in a condo at the beach.

It seems that some of ya'll drink fast like you just turned 21 yesterday.  

We love our grandkids...but we'll probably just FaceTime them the two weeks prior to our September cruise on Symphony!

I always tip extra cash for outstanding service experiences...the positive reactions from crew members is priceless and those folks remember you for the remainder of the cruise.

Unexpected weather issues are a big reason I prefer the larger ships...way more entertainment, dining and bar options should a port or two become unavailable.

We did the 3-night package last year on the Symphony of the Seas and felt it was a great deal and offered a nice change of pace from the MDR and other options like the Solarium Bistro buffet.

We're doing back-to-back cruises this September and will do the 3-nighter on each leg of our adventure. While I can understand why some folks might splurge on the unlimited specialty dining option, we just feel the MDR is often underrated. Happy Sailing!

My wife and I are doing a back-to-back on the Symphony in late September/early October and will be gladly using the $35 laundry service to keep us looking great and feeling fresh. Considering we'll likely drop about $4 grand total for the two weeks, the $35 bucks for clean clothes is nothing while we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.

A slightly bouncy day on a big boat with plenty of access to fun, food and libations is a good time no matter the availability of a port.

To ensure a good shady umbrella, my wife and I found that getting off the boat within the first hour of the Perfect Day start is a smart move....good luck!

The lockers are very convenient and readily accessible, as are the restrooms and freshwater showers...you can really enjoy a fun, free day at Perfect Day.

Our take on Coco Cay from this past September (me and the missus are late 50s but are in good health) is that the free stuff offered plenty of fun options (Snack Shack was good, buffet not bad, etc.). We also enjoyed the Oasis Lagoon and Swim-up bar; we had no problem finding a pair of umbrella-covered loungers being that we got off the boat in the first hour or so of opening. Walking around the place was fun, and we really didn't feel like we missed a whole lot. Our only cost was a cocktail or two at the swim-up bar (we don't drink enough for the unlimited package). We got back on Symphony after several hours of fun and sun and found the boat virtually empty and headed to the Solarium Deck (our favorite relaxation spot) and had the pick of loungers near the bar. For our upcoming 2-week back-to-back cruises on Symphony this Fall (celebrating our 20th anniversary), we booked the Coco Club at $79/each in order to enjoy a little more privacy and the delicious lunch. If we were sailing with several other friends, I could see considering getting a paid cabana, but I think you can easily enjoy Perfect Day without blowing out your wallet. We like to use our cash for various onboard paid activities (private dining packages, ship tours, etc.).

Great photos! We'll be there in October and can hardly wait!

I can't recall if SoCo is available (I'm a whisky enjoyer, too), but I do remember the hard liquor and beer selection is pretty slim overall on the ship. I do recall seeing Jack Daniels, but I pretty much stuck to the basic beers (IPAs were virtually nonexistent unfortunately) and some of the various cocktails of the day. We also packed two bottles of wine that we like to supplement several specialty restaurant experiences.  

We haven't been on the Oasis as of yet, but Symphony was so awesome for us this past September that we decided to do two consecutive weeks this coming September to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary! All the shows were amazing, street parties loads of fun, specialty and main dining food all terrific...and we loved the adult focus of the Solarium for sun, drinks and relaxing pools.

My wife and I found it takes about 60 to 90 minutes, but it really depends upon the pace you wish to enjoy your meal. Also, the more courses you consume, the more time it will take. If you're in a time crunch to see a show after dinner, they'll work will you on that as well.