dianec53

We used the “stay a while” yesterday, it’s was a great addition we made our way to the solarium at around 9am made ourselves comfortable and at around 10am we were asked to go to deck 17 forward for about 30 mins so they could do whatever they do, after that we stayed in the solarium eat at the solarium cafe and then made our way to deck 5 cafe for a quick bite and drink before we disembarked at 3pm our cases were waiting in the baggage terminal..
we were given a wristband to wear which was in the cabin night before we left.

Today I just did Stay Awhile on the Rhapsody out of Venice and wanted to report back on the details, as it seems like this program is a bit different depending on local authorities and ship. 
By the second to last day of the cruise, we had to go to excursions desk and tell them the number of “checked” bags we planned to have and paid $6 for each of them. We were given Stay Awhile tags for each and told to place these outside our stateroom by 11 pm the evening before disembarkation. The fee is apparently charged by the port of Venice to store the luggage throughout the day in the terminal.
On disembarkation day, we had to check in with the temporary Stay Awhile desk (set up in conf room C right off the Centrum on deck 4) by 8:30 am. We could leave any carry on luggage that we didn’t want to cart around stored in the conference room for free until we were ready to depart the ship.
Per the requirement of Italian customs/immigration, the only times you could leave the ship were 1 or 3.  You had to choose this time in advance.  Then 15 mins prior to our chosen time we had to meet back at the conference room and everyone with that time departed the ship together (we were 3 mins late and were paged over the intercom, so be on time!).  Once off the ship we picked up our checked luggage which had been roped off in a separate area of the terminal.
We were able to combine Stay Awhile with a bus transfer to the airport organised by Royal Caribbean (guest services rep told me this was not possible but I knew he was wrong so concierge worked it out for us). We left in the 1 pm Stay Awhile group and booked a transfer that left the port at 1:30, so the timing worked out well. 
We were allowed to go to any public places on the ship.  There were no periods where we had to leave from/go to a specific place because of cleaning or anything. I’d estimate there were about 30 or so people doing Stay Awhile.
It was a little weird at first because the crew was busy cleaning and all of the food/drink venues were closed. No entertainment, live music, etc.  The crew were working flat out cleaning and prepping so didn’t have time for formalities.  However, this was short lived because by 10:30 am everyone had their game faces on again as new guests were boarding (fyi, the last call for guests from our sailing to depart came at 9:40 am, so there was only a very small turnaround time before new guests boarded).  I was one of the first guests at the poolside bar with a lovely Tequila Sunrise around 10:30.
We mainly stayed in the pool area, benefitting from an empty pool and first choice of sun loungers. We then grabbed a Windjammer buffet lunch before departing (including some of the “welcome aboard” cake which we felt a little guilty about).  The main pool and hot tubs were closed in the early morning but opened up between 9:30 and 10.  Never more than 5 people in the pool (including us) from then until we left for the Windjammer at noon.
We had had a port intensive itinerary with only one at sea day, so it was nice to be able to take advantage of some extra relaxation around the pool deck, which had been hard to squeeze in during the cruise itself. I think it was a good choice and would do it again.  It was also nice to bookend the cruise with lunches at Windjammer.  lt felt like we came full circle on the trip rather than being rushed off first thing in the morning.
 
 
 
 

@MattHey Matt:
8/27/19
Last night on your You Tube Video I had mentioned to you about sharing the "option" to your viewers about the "Stay A While" Program/Option that Royal Caribbean offers on some cruises.
You responded to me saying that you thought that was for Carnival Cruises.
I actually took advantage of this Option when I went on a 7 night Western Mediterranean Cruise on Symphony of the Seas which started and ended in Rome, Italy last August, 2018.
I found out the day before the last day that for $ 35.00 per person we could "Stay a While" on the ship until 3 pm and enjoy all the amenities while our luggage was stored in the Library area.
I thought it was a fantastic option & idea and was thrilled to make our cruise last a little bit longer.
I thought you were totally aware of this option & could broadcast it & help others who may be able to take advantage of this option when it is available to them.
I think your videos and podcasts are absolutely worth it's weight in gold.
Thanks again for everything you do!
PS: I have 4 cruises lined up between now & next September, 2020.  
9/7/19 on Anthem of the Seas to Bermuda
11/2/19 on Anthem of the Seas to Perfect Day & Nassau
6/21/20 Oasis of the Seas to Canada & New England
9/6/20 Oasis of the Seas to Perfect Day & Bahamas!
Angela Roman  ?
"INSIDER"  & Gold Member & will be Platinum by 9/12/19!!!!!
 
 

He is 14. We sailed on Wonder last year. So much for the kids to do, they will love it. 

I will be on that sailing with my daughter and grandson
 

I will be on that sailing with my daughter and grandson
 

Hi! I could not find this sailing, so starting a new topic. This will be my first cruise ever (I am 38 from Norway/Wales) and I am bringing my mother (63) and my 2 daughters (who will be 9 and 10 when we sail). So if anyone is going with kids around my girls age, say hi! 

Whenever someone who was on a Symphony sailing sends them to Matt to post.