hayley_bopp

I joke with my girls that I have a ranking board and they can easily move up and down depending on the day ?
Glad you had a great anniversary cruise!

Symphony Final Thoughts
What a perfect week this has been.  So different from our last few sailings with our kids, this one was the other extreme.  So relaxing, and an abundance of down time. It was just what we needed to recharge. 
This ship is amazing, it did not disappoint one bit!  However, is it my favourite now? I don’t know.  If there is a noticeable price difference between HM and SY, I would have a really hard to picking the more expensive one over the other.  I find both ships to be so similar to the point where there honestly were times that I forgot which one I was on.  
The entertainment was the same caliber as the rest of her sisters.  The one that stood out the most was Flight. Other than the drones, 1977 was quite comparable to 1887.  We enjoyed Hiro more than The Fine Line just slightly because we preferred the music and choreography of Hiro. I did miss the spinning guy though. The Broadway production is subjective. I still think We Will Rock You is best. YMMV.
As far as dining goes, I love El Loco Fresh. Way better than Mini Bites on HM but not enough to justify the cost difference of SY.  
Coastal Kitchen/Suite Lounge is identical to HM.  This was probably our least favourite CK experience though thus far.  There was nothing that went wrong but they did not do anything to exceed expectations either, like others have in the past. If I had to put my “teacher hat” on, I would say they were just average, both the crew in there and the quality of the food. Good, but did not go above and beyond what was expected.  Like I mentioned before, there was also some inconsistencies the earlier nights with the quality of the food itself. We still enjoyed our time here but if I were to rank it among our other times, this would not be ranked as high. In my opinion, that honour goes to Anthem’s CK.  Both times we were there, the crew and quality of the meals were spot on and outstanding. 
So to wrap it up, I loved Symphony because she’s OA class. My favourite? It’s whichever one that has the lower priced loft suite between HM and SY. ?
Please continue to ask any questions that I haven’t answered.  @tiny260 and his DW tell me that this is a good place to end it.  In the theme of seventeens, this is Page 17. ?

Dinner Night 7: CK
We tried to keep things light tonight...

The usual salad

Cauliflower Fried Rice
This dish is easily passed over but it is actually really light and delicious.  The flavouring is really authentic with this dish. However, we found that the portion size on Symphony was much smaller than the other CK’s that we have had this dish on. 

Hubby went all out with dessert.  I stuck with fresh fruit.

With no shows to rush to, we spent the rest of the night taking a walk around the top decks. The ship is moving quite slow on it’s way back to Miami and the seas are calm, so it made for a nice post dinner walk.  Currently back in our cabin to wrap up the dreaded packing. 

Nice! No need to mingle with us "steerage" folks! LOL! ?

We did find a reason to eventually leave our room.  Aqua Nation (the second aqua theater show) was on today. This 1/2h shows basically gives the cast a chance to showcase their talents in a more relaxed setting. 

The show starts with a brief video highlighting the behind the scenes crew that is vital to the shows. 

Then the cast comes out and introduces themselves. 


This is then followed by some diving routines, aerial work, synchronized swimming, the high line guys come out, and ends with the dancers doing a routine of their own. 


Definitely an entertaining way to spend your time on a sea day. 

This has been the most perfect, lazy sea day.  After breakfast, we spent the rest of our day on the balcony.  This cruise I barely went to the suite sun deck.  Being on Deck 17 is so convenient because I can easily take a few steps to the suite lounge, get a drink, and go back to the room. Food is easy too as room service is complimentary, CK is down the hall, and WJ is just down one flight of stairs. There are already loungers on the balcony as well so no real need at all to head to the sun deck.  This just re-affirms my love for Deck 17 and convinces me that it is best ? 

But cruise calories don't count. Isn't that the rule?!

But cruise calories don't count. Isn't that the rule?!

Breakfast menu: Continental side is complimentary. 

Rest of the day ($7.95 charge per order plus 18% grats); complimentary for GS and above. 

We were in a place yesterday that put paper straws into their drinks (sodas) that were served in plastic cups! I was too tired to question them, but how weird is that?
 

But cruise calories don't count. Isn't that the rule?!

Thanks!  Glad to have you along!  And Happy Anniversary to you too!
That is true until you step back into reality ?

Day 13, Cruise 2 Day 7 - Sea Day
Position report on our way to CocoCay tomorrow.

Calm seas today.  It has the makings of a beautiful day at sea.
Chops breakfast starts with some fruit.

Eggs Benedict.  Yum.

Day 12, Cruise 2 Day 6 - Cozumel
We were docked in Cozumel when I woke.  No plans today but I'm going to take advantage of my cellular plan including Mexico in my "home" area to make some calls and get some work done.  I like Cozumel so don't get me wrong but I've been a number of times this year with more stops booked.  With some overcast and rain clouds in the distance I'm going stay on the ship today.
#boring
From my office (balcony) I spotted the Carnival Paradise arriving. 

Carnival has modified some of these old ships to add balcony cabins.  Cool idea.


Voom has been pretty stable most of the day but towards the end my VPN was flapping occasionally so the on again off again Voom struck again for an hour or so.  I think it's a sign I need to stop working, like someone flipping the house lights on and off.  Time to move on.
With the work day done it's time to switch into cruise mode.  Happy hour is calling... and the bartenders are taking care of me.

A lot going on around the ship but I saw it last week and I'll be back the week after next so I took the time to enjoy a Crown & Anchor bottle of wine on my balcony.  Something about the sea air and sound of lapping water that recharges the soul.  The wine didn't hurt that effort either.

But cruise calories don't count. Isn't that the rule?!

Windjammer had American Night tonight.

Main theater tonight had the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers performing Jazz Cabaret with music by the Empress of the Seas Orchestra.

Some acts were solo, some duets.

Music was quite good.  Royal did a great job casting these performers.

Some older stuff, some newer stuff.  All very well done.

Later in the Schooner Bar was Name that Tune 70's music.  One group got them all correct, quite amazing given one very challenging song.

Day 11, Cruise 2 Day 5 - Belize
I awoke late after staying up late for the Milky Way and discovered we were at anchor in Belize.  Due to the great barrier reef system here and the lack of a pier or deep water harbor ships must anchor well away from shore (and the reefs) .  Guests use tenders to make it anywhere.
The tenders were queuing up getting ready to take guest ashore.

One of the many tenders in use today.

Today I booked Scuba Diving through Royal Caribbean in the Cruise Planner before sailing.  Catching a sale event and given the tender operations it's just easier booking through Royal especially in Belize since it's a tender port. 
Our meeting point is common on many Royal ships for ship excursions, the main theater.  Here all guests received a different sticker based on their excursion and we waited to be called.

When they were ready for us or excursion was called.  Our dive boat picked us up right at the ship.  We would never visit the Belize mainland today, we went straight to our dive boat and back.  A couple of Carnival guests were already on the dive boat since we shared anchorage with the Carnival Conquest today.

in the past sometimes these dive boats will take you their dive shop to get fitted.  In our case they came prepared with all of our gear and some extra stuff for size mismatches.  From here it was roughly a 45 minute ride to the reef we would dive today.

i had bought a new underwater housing for my RX100.  Yesterday as I was getting my stuff ready the inner gasket popped out of the track on the new housing.  I spent some time trying to get it back in but there was no way I could get it to stay.  Not willing to risk my favorite travel camera I went back to my old GoPro for underwater shots.
The reef is very beautiful here and the pictures don't do it justice.



A Green Moray eel wasn't very pleased with our presence.

Our dive master pointed out a resting stingray in the sand below.

Two Spotted Eagle Rays swam past at a safe distance to check us out.  Very majestic with their movement.

We enjoyed two dives with a surface interval in between.  This is all done with a plan to respect dive tables and how your body absorbs gases under pressure at depth.
Both were enjoyable dives but I was disappointed I couldn't use a better camera compared to my aging GoPro.
After the dive was over they served a box lunch and we headed back for the 45 minute ride to the ships.


We stopped first to drop off the Carnival guests at the Conquest.  The Conquest class was my first introduction to Carnival when I used to sail with them a number of years ago before switching to Royal.  It really struck me how badly the Conquest needed a paint job.

Finally we were off to our home around the corner.


Big difference that some routine maintenance can make.

I've never seen a Miami vice work kracken melt so fast lol!  Gotta drink faster!
We are sailing in btw sicily and Italy I believe right now.  If I were a good blogger like @twangster I would get pics from the front of the boat, but that involves moving from my very carefully guarded solarium chair lol!


Random thoughts... @Joe01 I do like Steve as a cruise director and I think the thriller dance thing is unique!  Fun!  
Vision has not really felt crowded.  Solarium has chair hogs...I will check the pool and Sun deck tomorrow.  There are big table/sitting couches in schooner so a little trickier to sit as a couple but we have managed.  We haven't spent a ton of time there... Pacing it til the end.  It's nice to realize this is day 5 and I have a whole 7 day cruise ahead lol.  Gonna be devastated in dry dock till March (and maybe later if we go for GB next summer).  
Main dining room was excellent day 1 but to be honest the selections day 3 and 4 were kinda meh and we decided to windjammer. I think for us the balance of 4 night PKG, one night chefs table, and 7 nights combo of mdr/windjammer will be a really good one for us.  UDP can work on a bigger ship but if we do that, we will build in the lost cost of simply not doing a big restaurant every night.  It would be totally wasted on vision class for sure.  
@Lovetocruise2002  @Matt the key port boarding thing is way wasted on the little ships. We've never waited in line and really we've never had an issue on the bigger ships either.  I think they are adding things trying to justify the 19.99 a day and for myself as a cruiser I could never justify it.  ESPECIALLY on the smaller ships!!!
Ok... My sun has left my solarium so I'm heading to sky deck!!! Jane

DAY 5 sea day...we got up at 8 (see above on chairs lol), I blogged for a couple hours and now I'm headed to learn the Michael Jackson thriller dance!  We will see how it goes and if I perform night 11 lol!!!  Jane

Chair hog update!!! For the first time ever, a royal Caribbean person is marking chairs!!!!   These chairs have been vacant for almost 2 hours!  

Ack.... Just lost 30 mins of blogging.  Argh.........   Hit read next instead of enter.   Ok... My beautiful Rome blog is gone... Argh....   You will be happy to know they gave those chairs away!!  
Ok ..no ❤️  to redo Rome right now.  Ugh so sad.  Anyway I will give the condensed version.  We met at 7am with our first guide and then added a tour guide to give history in Rome.  Both were excellent!  Our first stop was the ancient Roman area




It was really not very crowded and I felt really pretty safe from pickpockets.  I'd love to spend days walking around this area!  
Next we went to St Peter's in chains to see the st Peter relics and most amazingly, Michelangelo's Moses!  So incredible!  



After that we went to lunch.  The cafe had 2 other tour groups but the food was pretty good and the service was efficient.  The wine... Not so great lol!  





Madison was able to get a vegetarian salad and enjoyed the lasagna.  Then it was on to the Vatican and the Sistine chapel.  I'm not sure I can express it again (I did so well in the deleted one) but it was one of the most treasured memories of my life to look up at Michelangelo's ceiling. You could spend a whole day in the Vatican museum, but like Versailles and the Louvre, it is hard to absorb all the ceiling art, tapestries sculpture etc.  We kind of raced through that but then were able to spend 5-10 minutes I think ( I lost track of time) in the Sistine chapel.  They don't allow photos or videos there but I will remember it forever.  The art is amazing.
Next we went to St Peter's basilica to see  Michaelangelo's pieta and Bernini's alter.  So beautiful in that church and outside in St. Peter's square











We got back to citiavechia around 545.  It is interesting in the industrial port to find old Roman ruins!


We decided while we could find stuff in mdr, we would windjammer it again for dinner American night.  I ended up eating fajitas lol!   I found red velvet cake for @Sweety

All the cakes were yummy!


We finished the night with drinking blue drinks in the schooner bar... They have a pianist and violinist playing until the main piano guy comes at 945, watching the orchestra show and just relaxing.  It amazes me the people that come to shows late, flounce right up to the front row, stay for 5 mins and then leave.  Argh!  Jane
 

Chair hog update!!! For the first time ever, a royal Caribbean person is marking chairs!!!!   These chairs have been vacant for almost 2 hours!  

Just FYI...6 seats on solarium by pool by 8am available...by 830 none.  These chairs have been empty since 8



The roof has been closed at least since yesterday... Not sure why ?

Wow.. and that's my thumb.  Pics take too long to upload so my thumb is staying!  Jane 

Look...I'm back and didn't drown!   voom has been slow and sprint free data in Europe is really slow.  That's partly why I haven't scoped muchI have to add my exciting, exciting news!  Our pins came!!!!   Platinum here we are lol!

We got invited to our first to tier event lol, but I don't think we can go.  We will see ..we have izumi at 630 and the event is at 745.  If we are done, we will go!  
CANNES day 2. We have spent a fortune on excursions so decided to be cheap and low key in Cannes.  We slept in and caught the tender boat after all the numbers were called.  If you want to get a tender do a royal excursion or get there early because they were still calling tender numbers after 11!  
When you have a 16 year old fashionista, you shop.  I bought some soap and we went to a million little clothing boutiques... Mads had a blast!
  
We walked around for a while and then hit the public beach just to the left of the port when you really by.   Madison has now experienced 2 public beaches without flinching too much. There were only a few topless today.  It was warm but not horrible and we enjoyed it.  




We were back on the ship by 430 to relax and get ready for chops.  
Chops service was very good.  When we mentioned Madison's vegetarianism, he offered a couple options and she chose the eggplant parmesan from Giovanni's, which she enjoyed.  Our food was very good...my steak was a bit overdone but if that's all I'm complaining about, I'm happy!!  The steak pics liked kinda gross, lol, but here are some other pics!  I apologize for all the Jane, Jeff and Madison pics but I'm trying to use this as a memory as well!!!   






After dinner we headed to the show... The barrade boys are 4 theater singers who all performed at some point in Les Mis.  They did a wide selection and we enjoyed it.  Red velvet cake martini and off to bed!  



 
 

Day 7:  At Sea
“The perfect orchestration of the Symphony of life is one of God’s greatest and most beautiful miracles.”
Another beautiful morning today as we wrap up our last day on the cruise.  Slept in a bit this morning and made it to CK just in time before they stopped serving breakfast.  Shockingly, Hubby actually made it with me today and we can show a Hubby breakfast pic ? I had my usual fruit and French toast.

Happy to report that as we sit here from CK and people watch, it’s past 10 am and there are plenty of chairs left on the pool deck.  Chair hogs are not too apparent this cruise, but parents who don’t supervise their children are ?
Again, no plans for today other than to sit around and soak up our last day on this amazing ship. 

@emsff02 not to worry, the tables are turning soon. I am looking ahead at an 8 month dry dock!!  226 days till the next cruise ?