Mayooo

Did a search and didn't see a topic so figured may as well start one.  Anyway found some video posted online about the accident this morning to tie in with the front page post.
 
 
The pilot just had a REALLY bad day is all I can say.  Glad no one is hurt but have to imagine they will need to put some divers in the water to inspect the hull and azipods and where they are at the water is muddy so not much vis to see what happened.  I suspect that will happen at another stop where water conditions are clearer for a better idea of the actual damage.

Just a spreadsheet I created keeping track of available rooms. 

I wonder about the July 21'-to Jan 22' cruisers. I am talking about the effect on expectations. Having that level of service and lack of waiting must have really spoil all of those who were cruising multiple times a month or every month. 
I don't like encouraging people like the OP to speak to customer service because all they will normally do is throw the crew under the bus. I mean most of us can step back and think I am not the only person.........
They sound insanely entitled, because entitled people have to list all their statuses. OP is on Day two, not even through it, but on day 2 and she has had several issues that make no sense. Symphony is designed to hold a lot of pax without sacrificing much. Granted food is subjective, so maybe it was bad. But the other stuff sounds like they were used to 3 and 4 crew fawning over them and now that it is "normal" they can't function.

Speak to a manager/supervisor.  You may have better luck speaking to the casino host about your exprience with your Signature tier status.  Give them a chance to make it right within reason. 
With increased capacity since the restart, it is reasonable to arrive earlier to a show even with reservations.  Especially to shows at Studio B and Aqua Theatre where seats are very limited.  
Enjoy the rest of your cruise!  
 
 

I'm sorry to hear you're not having a great time.
Is it possible that since you cruise a lot, you got used to the lower capacity that spoiled us all up until this spring? I know I had to re-adjust my expectations and strategy once capacities starting going beyond 60%. 

I love the new member rant posts.

Maybe cruising every month makes it harder to just enjoy being on a ship no matter what the little disappointments might be. Our first cruise since the shutdown is coming up this month, and I would be happy to help serve meals or clean stairwells, just to not be doing it alone in my own house!

Who doesn't love a balcony cabin?   It seems a lot of people do because balcony cabins are one of the most popular types of cabins offered to cruisers.  What could be better than reading a book, eating breakfast or enjoying a favorite beverage on your very own balcony overlooking the ocean?
Budget minded cruisers can't always afford the extra cost associated with a cabin that includes a dedicated balcony exclusively for that guest.   Enter the obstructed balcony.
Cabins with obstructed views are nothing new to the cruise industry.  For decades cruise ships have had oceanview and balcony cabins in places where ship equipment or superstructure ends up blocking the view.  The obstruction could be a lifeboat, window washing equipment or structural pieces that are required in various places around a ship.  
Quantum class ships feature a design where the lifeboats are stored near the level of deck 5 for quick access in the event of an emergency.  Their location while optimal for quick and easy access in an emergency it does mean they obstruct some views for select balcony cabins on deck 6.
The good news is these deck six cabins are offered as obstructed balconies at a discount perfect for budget minded cruise guests who are willing to accept an obstruction in the name of saving money. 
It's pretty clear when selecting these cabins they are obstructed so no one should be surprised the first time they walk into their cabin.

 What isn't clear when selecting a particular obstructed balcony cabin is how obstructed one cabin may be compared to another in the same category.  Not all obstructed balcony cabins are equally obstructed.
Lifeboats are supported and lowered into the water by davits.  Davits are very strong structural towers that can raise or lower a fully loaded lifeboat.  The davits that support lifeboats themselves are an obstruction that also block the views for some deck 6 balcony cabins on Quantum class ships.  Davits can block more view compared to a lifeboat since davits are taller than the lifeboats they support.  
Consider this picture of Ovation of the Seas.

The deck 6 obstructed ocean view cabins within the green area in the picture merely have to look over the lifeboat which sits close to or just below the height of the balcony railing.  A few cabins in either direction the lifeboat davits impose a much greater obstruction.  The cabins highlighted in yellow may be partially blocked by a davit towards one end of the balcony.  
For someone picking a cabin on a deck plan it isn't immediately evident which obstructed balconies have less obstruction versus cabins that have greater obstruction.
Now we get to the whole point of this post.  Here is a preliminary guide to which cabins have davits in front of them and are therefore more obstructed.  

Using various videos and photos from Odyssey of the Seas during her construction and conveyance I've estimated which balconies are more likely to have a greater obstruction.  Since no guest has actually sailed on Odyssey when this post was written this is a preliminary version until guests can begin boarding and provide feedback with respect to these obstructed balcony cabins.
Since this is a preliminary guestimate follow through with your own research to make sure you pick the best obstructed deck 6 cabin for your needs.
Note that each ship within this class has slightly different variations of lifeboats and where davits are placed.  In addition there are at least four different types of lifeboats used on each ship.  Consequently you need to be careful drawing conclusions based on guest feedback from other ships within this class.
The image above may be a little blurry from web page compression so I am also including a PDF version that should be easier to read.
Odyssey Deck 6 Obstructed Balcony Guide.pdf
Obstructed ocean view cabins are a great way to enjoy all the benefits of having your own balcony while saving money if you don't mind an obstructed view.  If you book early you can often enjoy your pick of cabins within this category all at the same price.  By selecting carefully you can enjoy a much less obstructed view while saving hundreds of dollars that can be put into beverage packages or shore excursions.  

You guys were right, I couldn't modify or cancel my bid, today we received an email from Royal that our offer was accepted. 😄 
We will move from a central Park Balcony to an Ocean View Balcony for just 50$ p/p on a 14 day cruise on the Wonder of The Seas to Barcelona
Still can't believe it how cheap we got it😮 .

I agree. Central Park is pretty busy on formal night. The reverse thinking on this is that there will more than likely be a ship photographer near by that you can take pictures with. You could even speak with the photo people to see if they would be in on it with you. There is an option to buy a private photo session with a photographer. You could tell you're girlfriend you won a free session and you thought pictures together in Central Park would be nice. You could do the whole, "Oops, I dropped my seapass card" drop to your knee to it pick up trick, all while the photographer is snapping away. 

Primarily because lots of minimum bids have won over maximum bids. The maximum or close to maximum would imply that what you bid matters. But because minimum bids have won, it would imply that when you bid matters. As stated above most of the winning bids are part of a trickle down and trickle up system. If a person in a balcony bid 6wks ago on a JS the minimum, they could possibly sell that cabin at a higher rate because it has moved back into inventory. I think they do a first come, first served situation. 

Don't worry about it. It's generic.  I get them, too, and I've never had kids.  Ever.  🙂  

Just gonna roll with the $1600pp on the Crown Loft. (18 rooms left)
Also putting in the minimum bid of $1650pp for an Aquatheater 1 Bedroom (2 rooms left).
Sailing is in 24 days - I’ll repost once I know more.

Put minimum bids on all the rooms. No expectation of ever getting one.  But I won a 1 bedroom grand suite,  sky class! Super excited! We leave on Symphony in 2 days. 

I think we're *all* guilty of that one on occasion.

Two, three or more people stopping in the middle of a hallway deciding what they are going to do next blocking my/our way.  Would they stop in the middle of the road (they might)?
Parents letting their kids run wild down the hallway of the cabins.  I walked out my cabin once and a running kid ran into me, fell and started crying.  The kids parents got in my face about it.

I was on Odyssey of the Sea last week, got my email acceptance 3 weeks prior to sail. 

Yes, it's a real casino that has a lot of money that is no longer mine!

Thanks everyone. My 5yo niece is unvaxed and we were worried she should would have to wear something showing that like a second class citizen. Happy to hear sanity has returned!

I’m telling you. It really feels pre Covid on here other than the crew wearing masks and the occasional guest as well. Symphony is jamming right now with nary a perceived worry. Windjammer was blowing up this am. Pool deck is jumping. Lots of kiddies frolicking. I don’t sense any neurosis from adults being around the children. So Far just good vibes all around. Ok time for a Bloody Mary! Cheers!

Two ships sailed since the policy change and there is no way to know who is unvaxxed. 
Some adults chose to wear a mask.  That's their business and their decision.  I never gave kids a second thought.  It's not really my business if they are vax or not, masked or not.  
Happy cruising.  

Super excited! Originally had a large balcony room,  which I was perfectly happy with.  We are traveling with our 14yo grandson.  This cruise was supposed to have taken place in 2020 for his 12th birthday but of course the world came to a halt! I heard about Royal Up and thought what the heck, I'll put minimum bids in on all the rooms offered through Royal Up not expecting to win any of them. After all, I only offered the minimum. Yesterday I received an email congratulating me on my win of a 2 bedroom Sky Class suite! Talk about excited!  We cruise out on Symphony in 8 days!! March 26th is going to be the start of a wonderful memory for us and our grandson!!

Slightly off topic, but regarding the soda cups-
Last week on Allure the freestyle machines were open for self serve use, first I had seen that since the restart. 

I just received my healthy sail update
looks like changes for unvaxxed in ports effective March 18
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-requirements-for-guests-to-go-ashore-in-ports-of-call

I'm 46 days out with 4 bids placed and I'm already doing this 🤦‍♀️