psakid

We stayed at Novotel Barcelona City near the Agbar Tower (water department) and across the street from Glories Mall. A street car line was near the hotel while the subway was also close. Taxi/Uber were reasonable and available out front to take us to Las Rambles, Familia and port. Prices start around $150, we paid $220 for two adults and two kids. Breakfast was buffet style and wonderful. Plenty to choose from and all good. Didn't try pool as it was cool (60's) and didn't have much time. They stored our bags when we went out to visit the city after checking out, but before getting on the ship. Restaurants all around (in mall and streets) along with a group of bars a couple of blocks (las vegas type) to the east.

Sorry to hear about these issues that ruined your Western Mediterranean cruise aboard the Symphony of the Seas. My family (wife & kids 15/13) cruised on the pre-inaugural Mar 31st cruise and had didn't experience most (if any) of your issues. Our room steward was great and removed items once used throughout the day. We missed any open skating time (not sure there was any) due to port intensive cruise and two fewer days. My wife and I enjoyed the Laser Tag (she won); however, someone lost an earring when they removed the target vest. We helped them look for a minute, but moved on without a resolution to the situation. Also, we were denied admission towards the end of an earlier session since they had enough players to finish the session. It takes them an hour to an hour and a half to deflate the walls and clean up the room. We made sure that we had enough time the next night. The Voom was great everywhere I used it onboard. I understand we still had RCI corporate staff aboard to help out with any issues that came up. You could see them everywhere around the ship from all different departments checking on things. The escape room was still under construction but I was allowed a peak inside. Also, the solarium pool was closed as they were still installing the art feature (lights) above it. I felt the water (warm, but not hot) and it felt fine for sitting in water and talking to others (isn't that what happens in the adult pool anyway?). No biggie, we were on the first cruise and expected some incomplete venues or areas. The food was well, Royal Caribbean standard fare. We wen't disappointed or wowed either. I liked the eggs to order station in the middle of the Windjammer and visited it regularly. My wife and I went to Hooked for lunch and it was good but the service was better. Our evening in Izumi was nice as we meet friends of royalcaribbeanblog (from England) and talked with Chef Ken (owner of the Izumi chain) and had a picture taken. The kids didn't have much (I forget that 'hot rocks' aren't on the menu when Hibachi is available) to choose from, but that was my mistake. The main dining room head chef and sous chef even asked us specific questions about our meals the first two nights. Yes, the ship had the 'new ship smell' (carpet) and everything was clean. We even saw the first black mark along the dock bumpers in port at Naples ? Can't speak to the wine or spirits available or service as we don't drink that much. What service we encountered fpr our non-alcoholic drinks was fine. Oh, the coca-cola self service machine near Loco Fresh wasn't working all too well. It kept saying that I had to come back in 30 minutes or something. I just went to a bar or another coca-cola machine. Guest services was helpful and even asked to see pictures from our upcoming excursion in Naples. I didn't bother her with them, but I thought it was a nice thing to say. Using the TV to check your charges can be difficult (especially with two rooms). We were going to try and get our Spanish VAT refunded at the airport, so Royal Caribbean had to credit the multiple charges then combine them into one to meet the minimum amount for refund. Seeing all of that on our TV was very difficult to add up. It all worked out; however, we didn't have enough time at the airport to go through the multiple steps to get our refund. It was a minor cost to us getting Business Class on the non-stop back to JFK vs missing the flight. Kids loved the seats so they are officially spoiled now. I can remember that the vibe onboard was different than our normal experiences during caribbean cruises. I just chalked that up to the european market, time of year (cooler weather) and international makeup of guests. Americans were definitely the minority. We didn't see much night life except for the bands playing in the Promenade (a little too loud to carry a conversation in the Next Cruise office) in the evening. We loved the ship, crew and overall experience. Also, were booked on the inaugural Western Caribbean 7-day cruise in Nov2018 and can't wait (just like so many other RLCblog group cruisers). The weather was comfortable (60 - low 70's F) and without rain, port experience was nice and we enjoyed our two excursions. We plan on taking another mediterranean cruise just as soon as we check off some others on our bucket list. As stated earlier, I regret your negative experiences and hope the positive ones out weight those others in time. Ours were just different...

That's good to know. I didn't use the water prior to boarding (thanks twangster) as I could go without for a short period. I did enjoy the adventure of the hunt and came across a wonderful store and mall that had some nice dining options for picky kids.

April 2018: We found Auga Destilada (Spanish) / Aigua Destillada (Catalan) at Carrefour (Walmart/Target, but better) in the AUTOMOTIVE section. Our hotel was across the street from the Glories Mall in the Sant Marti section of Barcelona. All non-grocery departments were on the second floor. No water was located in the infant/baby or small appliance departments. The price was 1.70 euros for a 2 liter (0.5 gal) square plastic bottle. Also, stop in for other forgotten or last minute items.

Also, keep in mind that some US cellular networks work in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Just remember to turn it back to Airplane Mode after you leave those islands. We had two Voom accounts on our last cruise and it didn't work out so well with two teenagers. I'm upgrading to 4 accounts on our next cruise (Symphony GC) so there isn't any cutting each other off and we'll also be able to text each other. The Voom aboard the Symphony of the Seas was excellent during our Western Mediterranean cruise . Never had any problems.

The port is near downtown Naples (Napoli). The Symphony of the Seas backed into the Cruise Ship terminal (pier nearest the long breakwater) near the Castel Nuovo. It docked on its starboard side and the ferry for our excursion to Capri left from the opposite of the same pier (closer to the entrance). Our tour bus dropped us off right at the entrance as our tour was a RCI sanctioned tour.

When we cruised aboard the Symphony of the Seas on the Pre-Inaugural cruise (31MAR) they had WOW bands available (I believe $5); however, they didn't have the muster station information printed on them. We could have traded our Harmony WOW bands, but they said that all 'WOW band ships' in the future will convert to the clean version (no-muster station information). With that knowledge, we kept our Harmony bands and they uploaded our Symphony data onto them for free. Unlocking the cabin door is what I use it for. Here's hoping that they'll expand its uses in the future. They still have the same four colors available; Blue, Black, White & Yellow.

#cruiselife, My family and I will be sailing on the 5-day inaugural cruise out of Barcelona on March 31st. I plan to make it my job to search out those differences you mentioned and others (Matt, I could use your help with a list things you know of too) between the sister ships. We've booked two starboard oceanview connecting balconies about half way back from the aft stairs/elevators. Might switch to Boardwalk, but prices keep rising making our current situation more valuable. Chose starboard so as to see the Italian coast at night between Naples & Rome. Those are our only two ports along with two sea days. Wish it was longer, but it's over the Easter Break so it works well with my children's schedule. If you can't wait for early April to make a decision, I'd probably go with Harmony (price being the same) as it will also have the Mini Bites venue near the Basketball court on Deck 15. I went there every morning for 'made to order' omelets right before they switched over to lunch at 11am. Not a show stopper but it was consistently busy during the noon hours as a easy in and out snack venue instead of the Windjammer (which I also like). That area on the Symphony with be the new El Loco Fresh taking over for Sabor. I'll definitely be checking that place out. Not a big show person, but I'm looking forward to the Ice Skating show and a different Aqua Theatre production (sorry, didn't care for Harmony's take). With all of this said, I'm slowly working on my bucket list of sailing on everyone of RCI's ships, isn't everyone! :) Russell

I'd be glad to help out with the Harmony model. I'll be on the 11-19/26-16 WC cruise (Thanksgiving here in the US). Just let me know if you need my help. Your picture looks great!

Like everyone else, don't sweat it, the Captain and crew will do everything possible to go around the weather. During my parents 50th anniversary celebration aboard the Navigator of the Seas we went to San Juan instead of Grand Cayman & Cozumel and Ocho Rios was delayed 2 days as the crew was avoiding Hurricane Wilma (lowest pressure recorded in the Caribbean Sea) in Oct 2005 (our Labadee stop wasn't affected). If you remember, Cozumel/Cancun were hit hard and the Cancun hotels barely opened 6 weeks later for Thanksgiving. The Captain and Cruise Director would give us hourly updates via TV with weather maps and schedule changes. After we left San Juan we were now chasing the hurricane so the skies were dark and foreboding; however, the waves were low and no one got seasick. They had complimentary alcoholic drinks (in plastic cups) a few times and our port charges & excursions were refunded. After Jamaica we had to out run the hurricane back to Miami before it hit Southern Florida (which it did a day after we flew out and the ship left port for its next cruise). The crew went well above what was expected in informing everyone of the situation to the point of being annoying. The only problem we had was my sister's family took the Scuba class on board so they missed their certification dive in Cozumel. They took another cruise (also on Navigator) later and finished their certification. The cruise was one of our favorites and most memorable.

Family and Friends (6) will be on the Harmony of the Seas Western Caribbean (Nov. 19-26).

We've booked one on the Harmony of the Seas over Thanksgiving. Looking forward to it. When are you cruising or are you just asking? We enjoyed our Virtual Porthole on Disney Fantasy 4 years ago. To get your attention (so we wouldn't miss the next appearance of another Disney/Pixar character), Tinker Bell would flick her wand on the porthole creating her customary pixie dust explosion. The character or characters would travel across the porthole for about 5 seconds. This would happen about 4-5 times an hour. We would have to turn it off in the evening so we would sleep as it was a little too bright as a nightlight for us. We are looking forward to the much larger size of the balcony screen.

Harmony of the Seas - November 19, 2016