Lovetocruise2002

3 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Simeon was our cruise director for our week on Symphony , filling in for regular CD.  He was quite funny.

Yes, I remember that week when the CDs had their conference. I read of couple of reviews of Simeon that week as acting CD. There were even some scopes of him with fellow periscopers. He was the comedian on Harmony in 2017 when we sailed. I just found him to be ok. Definitely looking forward to another chance to see him though. 

Let the adventure begin! 

4 minutes ago, Skid said:

@Lovetocruise2002, Simeon was on our Symphony cruise also. He was pretty decent, but not as good as the second comedian (Rodney Johnson..I do not know Phil Tag). I have been following comedians for more years than you are old. I'll be interested in your take on him.

Can you please share the email address for the entertainment dept?

Thanks and happy sailing.

I'll make sure to report back for you @Skid.

The email is web_reservations@rccl.com

50 minutes ago, jce2 said:

It would actually add OBC in my case as I booked the day the cruise first posted and there was no OBC offered.  The problem is, how do you reprice the room if the catagory is sold out as there is no way to look at that catagories pricing on-line?

I understand that not all categories may be in the offer, but how can i definitivly find out?  In the past I could just call RC and ask, but as I understand it, they wont speak to me if it shows I have a TA (I honestly waffled on using a TA specifically for that lack of control but took the leap)
FYI: The room catagory in quesiton is the more expensive of the two "Spacious Balcony" catagories (aft cabins) on the June 19th sailing of Radiance out of Seawrd.....

Sorry to hear that it did not work out for you with the re-price.  This thread explains my experience when re-pricing a cabin that has sold out.  Maybe it might help for the future.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/10443-fare-reduction-for-phantom-cabin/&tab=comments#comment-98112

As far as Royal not dealing with you, I have (under extreme circumstances) called Royal and asked them to check for me.  While they cannot discuss actual numbers, I have asked them from what they can see, if I need to call my TA back.  I've only done this once (with a sold out cabin) because I was fairly confident from my tracking that my price was lower and I felt that my TA may have been mistaken.  The end result was that Royal advised me to call my TA back because the difference was significant enough to pursue, not $50 as my TA had said.  Again, each situation is different but that is my experience that I can share.

No. You can still re-price the room even if your room category is sold out. I have done this many times. It might affect some OBC that you might have but if the actual price has gone down and you are outside of final payment (and within NA) then you should be able to re-price it.

Oh my...that Carnival ship looks like it has seen way better days!

While Royal is usually pretty good on social media, today they were not. Curious as to who the entertainers would be on our sailing, I contacted them to ask.  Here is our conversation on FB messenger.

Annoying...

I decided I would try another path and contact the entertainment department through email as many have done before. Half and hour. That’s all it took. Way better response. 

Another example of confused reps and taking another path when you don’t the the result of the first.

27 minutes ago, Skid said:

No need. Anniversary cruise should be similar to honeymoon cruise. Hence, more time in cabin so less need for product. Problem solved.

34 minutes ago, Oreocruiser said:

My parents are soon-to-be empty nesters and they're already planning the vacations that can take in the months I would normally be in school. I can imagine their wallets will be happier...

Forget "soon to be"!  I am about 10 years out from "empty nesting" and retirement and I already have a ton of ideas on my bucket list. 

23 minutes ago, DDaley said:

I am realizing I gotta get onto a bigger ship to try this illusive CK.

I worry that once I work my way up to Sky and Star Class there will be no thoughts of sailing in a skinny mini cabin ever again. The Mint full recline beds on Jet Blue certainly ruined regular first class, let alone coach! 

Yes you do!  #teamCK

And you are 100% correct, once you go up, it is so hard to go back...

3 minutes ago, Fairlynew said:

I am following closely-my first Sky Class sailing is on Harmony in 18 days in a Grand Suite-not 17th deck, but I'm still thrilled.  I am curious about the answer to your query on MDR room service.  Is it still an option?

 

Thanks and have a great trip.  

Yes sorry. I totally forgot to answer that! The answer is yes, it is still complimentary with Sky class. 

Warning! A GS is how we got started with suite life. You sort of know how it went from there It’s the best!

1 minute ago, tiny260 said:

Lemon drop martini anyone?

I'll be getting those in the suite lounge this time!  While enjoying the view!  #Deck17life 

We did a 12 night on Brilliance back in 2005.  It wasn't the Baltics, it was the Med, round trip from Barcelona.  That cruise was one of the best and most memorable vacations that I have even taken!  The sights were breathtaking and beautiful! 

Definitely worth the commitment and cost.  I still remember when we booked that trip, Hubby questioned if it was "worth it"?  We both have no regrets as we have some of the best memories and moments from that trip.  I feel like it's one of those trips that if you don't do it while you are young, then life (work, kids, other commitments) bogs you down and you might miss your chance at it until much later in life. 

We look back to that trip 14 years ago, and if we did not YOLO and go then, we would still be waiting to go today.  So glad that we did!

12 minutes ago, MommaMcLovin said:

I think I remember reading someone was sailing on the July 4th Anthem sailing on here that had the unlimited dining package.  Did they happen to find out if the pub ala carte menu was included in the unlimited dining package?

Tagging @tiny260.  I believe he said it was but I will let him confirm.

3 Days out...

Nothing new to really report today other than one small thing I forgot about in yesterday's post about the concierge email. 

The two concierges on SY (Jenny and Jackie) have been absolutely fantastic pre-cruise!  I haven't had a ton of experience with suite concierges but the ones I have had in the past were quite slow to respond and it was way easier dealing with them in person rather than through email. 

With Jenny and Jackie, I was already impressed by how early the initial email came out (9 days prior).  I received the email around 11:30 am last week and after trading several emails back and forth and I had PDFs of menus and dining reservations all within an hour!  These two are solid and efficient and fast!  Over the next few days, I had some other small questions and request and their responses have been quick and right on the mark. 

The one that impressed me the most was from last week, while tuning into @Matt's Friday scope, another viewer had asked if Royal stopped complimentary MDR delivery for Sky class.  I knew that this viewer was a regular periscoper and she has experience in Sky class so I made it a point to try to find out more of what she was asking.  I re-read my email from Jenny and Jackie and there was no mention of complimentary MDR delivery so I figured it might be good to ask.  By the time I emailed them, it was almost midnight.  I thought for sure I would probably not hear back from them until late Saturday evening or even Sunday as Saturday is turnaround day and is super hectic for all crew members. 

I had a response by the time I woke up Saturday morning.  The time stamp on the email was 7:04 am.  I cannot wait to meet these two in person.  Not sure why but I love efficiency! lol @MamaShark more evidence that you might be in good hands in August.  I'll keep you posted on how the rest of the week goes.

On the agenda today is the usual "two days out" from leaving stuff...Everything is packed.  Just toiletries remain.  This proves to be more of a challenge this time as it's just Hubby and I.  That translates to only 2 quart-size bags for carry on luggage!  I usually take 3 as D10 and Hubby don't need one.  Need to find a way to squeeze 3 into 2.  Ah, the struggles of a product junkie...

57 minutes ago, Pima1988 said:

I HIGHLY recommend that the night they have Mongolian, go and get it. 

Haha!  My husband would agree with you 100%!

6 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

Happy anniversary @Lovetocruise2002 And have an amazing cruise!!!    I am waiting for prices to drop and then we are definitely trying symphony!!  Jane

Thank you!  I too am waiting for prices to drop so I can bring my kids on. 

1 hour ago, mbk999 said:

I'm a bit late to the party but Happy Anniversary and enjoy your cruise!  We did the same run on the Allure for our 25th back in October

Thank you. We've done this run a few times and for that I am thankful.  This way we don't feel as much pressure to "go see" things and feel less guilty about staying on board.

39 minutes ago, marcg125 said:

Will be on Symphony the morning you return to Miami. I am also happy it is just my wife and I with no kids (even though there will be thousands of other kids on my sailing).

Cruises without kids are definitely ones to look forward to.  And you can tune out all the other kids lol.

10 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Wait, you got a bar menu at Wonderland? We were offered no such thing on our Anthem sailing last year! 

Wonderland on HM and SY has a bar on the second floor of the restaurant. Anthem does not. I suspect that might be why.

I’m going to go with what @Skid said. Read blogs, watch scopes, get on these boards. Great way to pass the time! 

The last midnight buffet I had was on Brilliance in 2005...

11 minutes ago, KathyC said:

9 hours in...and we're on page three already!!  Have an amazing sailing!! 

Thanks!  Pretty excited for this one! 

28 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Have a fantastic 17th anniversary and cruise! Hope you get lots of enjoyable "just us" time, and plenty of empty loungers to enjoy the pool deck! And please, forego a Periscope or two if you can get some quality time with hubby!

Thanks Joe!  That’s the idea. We have been looking forward to this cruise for so long.

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

So wait.  I’m confused. It sounds like you are married to Hubster.  Maybe it’s the drink package on Empress.  Or is there more going on?   Confused.  

#toomanydrinksinthediamondlounge

Does Empress even have one of those??

18 minutes ago, Ken23 said:

Happy Happy 17th Anniversary...hope you (and the Mongolian King) have a fantastic trip.

Thanks Ken! It will be a way more quiet sailing that’s for sure!

1 hour ago, Sh2738 said:

Thanks for doing this review. Going on Symphony in November to celebrate turning 30, so excited  

No better way to celebrate a birthday if you ask me!  Thanks for following.

1 hour ago, Pippa_OceanTime said:

Thank you, how do I move up?? Just keep posting??

Yes..Matt created that system a while back.  I forget what the threshold is but it is based on your number of posts, not your actual C&A Level.

2 hours ago, Matt said:

Looking forward to following along! Can't believe you didn't start this live blog super early, as you pioneered!

Let's do a flashback...https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/10299-live-back-on-brilliance-baby-brilliance-of-the-seas-february-14-18-2019/

6 weeks early! 

1 hour ago, Oreocruiser said:

Happy anniversary! We're boarding Ovation on the 26th, so I'm sad I won't be able to follow along. However, knowing how fun your live blogs are, I'm looking forward to reading about your Symphony experience when I get back! Especially with all the packing for college I have ahead of me. 

Thank you.  Looking forward to having you join in whenever you get the chance.  Enjoy Ovation!

1 hour ago, twangster said:

I know right?   She has a 2021 cruise booked and already started that one   

Nah...I'm holding out for a triple blog on that one..me, you and @Matt 

Wow!  @Pippa_OceanTime and @Big Dawg Ron in one thread!  Everyone is coming out of the woodwork! 

Welcome back!