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Six (6) back-to-backs on the Symphony of the Seas


CarolBCHonkanen

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I am not going to sugar coat anything.  I am here on the Symphony of the Seas, for my 3rd week, with three (3) more to go!

The ship is beautiful and for the most part, staff & guests wear masks.  However, there are occassional anti-maskers who would rather fight than mask up!  Staff always thank me, after I try to nicely ask guests when they are violating my space, especial when I am eating or trying to board an elevator.  But there were a couple of close calls.  One big guy at the Spa found it important to yell at me after I asked him to mask his 2 year old where I was eating in the Vitality Cafe.  He screamed at me to stay inside my cabin and to have a kid!  Which made me realize the poor guy was probably pretty stressed on his vacation & he thought I should be punished too. (?). Another time a young girl with a hot boyfriend walked past me while I was talking in the Art Gallery about a painting and I looked her way & laughed as we noticed her wearing her mask on her chin.  The curator walked over to her & asked her to put her mask on and with that, she ran over to me, screaming that I could have asked her to wear her mask.  I informed her that I wasn't her babysitter and to just "wear your mask" and suddenly her boyfriend was holding her back while she squirmed and looked as if she wanted to fight me.  I just laughed.  She was obviously drunk and couldn't read me properly, cuz I don't play.  She tried coming back at me and her best shot was walking passed me, minutes later, blowing her nose in the air with no hanky.  Classy!!!  LoL (Coincidentally, it was Formal Night.). I wonder if she kisses her boyfriend with that nasty mouth?!)

Should we talk about the casino now?!  They have a new pilot program.  Regular gamblers may not care or notice, but high rollers may be or will get pissed off.  I have addressed this several times over 3 weeks and FINALLY believe I have the full scoop, although they say NOTHING is in writing, but that their rules & promotions can change at any time!  Sure, change, but give me what you have NOW, in WRITING!!!  (Nope, they won't!)

Let me know, if you would like the scoop on what I learned from MY mistake!!!

Edited by AshleyDillo
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1 hour ago, Pooch said:

Given the line for not having to wear a mask is 2, how did you know how old the child was?  Frankly I am getting a rather snooty vibe from your post.  Perhaps I am reading it wrong. 

I asked him.  His child was screaming & yelling in the Spa and clearly at least 2 years old as he was approaching me, without a mask on.  I had to put my mask back on & we were actually speaking nicely until after he said his child was 2 years old, I pointed out that he was entering an eating area, where I needed to eat with my mask off, and to please put a mask on his child.  Staff then approached him with a mask for his child.  That was when he decided to go ballistic and cuss me out and tell me to stay in my cabin, have a kid, etc...  The staff thanked me after he left and informed me that they cannot do or say anything unless we complain first.

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1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

I think given all the negatives in this posting it might be a......idk fake.

Why would the young girl expect the op to tell her to put mask up and not the crew member? Also why would this warrant her being held back by her "hot" boyfriend?

I should have called her a "young woman".  She was clearly drunk and wanted a fight.  Believe what you want.  There were witnesses!

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6 hours ago, Marlena said:

Wow!

But still sounds like an overall great time! If I can ask you a question...

Have you noticed the UDP being sold on day 1 and if so the price? With a side note of and was it sold our on cruise planner before the sailing.

Thanks a million

No, I never noticed.  Sorry.  Usually you see tables on embarkation day.  I never saw any solicitations for specialty dinners.

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I see nothing wrong about reminding someone to put their mask over their nose in a POLITE AND FRIENDLY MANNER.  But OP indicates in both instances an altercation was imminent which leads me to believe not friendly or polite.  Registered for the site just to post this review about 6 weeks on board.  Sounds fishy or at the very least, entitled to me.

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As someone who is vaccinated, still masks up when in public and basically stays at home because I have family who is at risk and I want to be able to see them whenever...

 

Was the 2 year old directly in your space? Have you tried to get a 2 year old to do anything? It's like herding cats. I also think the parents should try but maybe we should be a little more compassionate. Not trying to be argumentative and I realize anyone could spread anything but reprimanding a parent for toddler seems a lot. 

 

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On 9/21/2021 at 7:43 PM, Pooch said:

Given the line for not having to wear a mask is 2, how did you know how old the child was?  Frankly I am getting a rather snooty vibe from your post.  Perhaps I am reading it wrong. 

Could be snotty because I am very frustrated!?  I am paranoid about weekly tests and getting a positive result, which will turn my travel plans upside down. (I booked over 30+ cruises thru to next year PRIOR to the CDC changing the requirements for fully vaccinated guests to be tested before every cruise.) I would have never booked them, if I had that information up front!  Children spread sicknesses & disease and I cann9t afford to get sick.  The spa requires ALL guests to be masked.  I was eating dinner there, to avoid the overly crowded diningroom.  I have since eaten in my room every day/night, to avoid this happening again.  I was as nice as possible, but people seem to be trigger when confronted about wearing a mask.  We can only do what we have the power to do for ourselves.  I didn't think I was being unreasonable, since he had the full range of the spa waiting area & hall/pathway, prior to coming into the small eating area.

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12 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

@ellcee Exactly, I have seen exactly one 3 yo comply with their mask and he was basically enticed with the promise of ice cream after dinner.

 

The spa allows only masked people.  When they were entering where I was eating, I felt it necessary for MY wellbeing, to ask him to mask the screaming child.  My health, my choice.

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20 hours ago, AlmondFarmer said:

Well said. 
Unfortunately some people think to get COVID to zero they must be a hero. 

Or, have you considered that some people have to be tested WEEKLY for Covid and one positive test can costs them thousands of dollars and an immediate & abrupt end to their travels?!  (I have 30+ cruises to keep doing, until I can't.)

It isn't about getting sick, for me.  It is about that nasty virus lingering around somewhere and inhaling it, causing a positive test result.

Granted, it is not a common problem & I should feel priviledged.  But, it is what I am dealing with, so I am doing everything that I can do, for me, to try to ensure negative test results.

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Maybe it’s not a good time for you to cruise.  RC allows you to cancel for a full refund (not FCCs) if you are not comfortable with current protocols or other passengers’ compliance issues.  Perhaps you should go that route.  BTW my comment was “snooty” which means entitled not “snotty” indicating rude.  Still think it applies.

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I’m sorry you have to cruise with such restrictive personal needs that require you to take verbal action whenever you see a masking violation coming your way. Must be immensely uncomfortable keeping your head on a swivel so that you can identify and react to an approaching threat. After all, it’s your health on the line, and that can be significantly affected by a wayward breath from a passing infectee not wearing a mask or not wearing it perfectly. I mean, what are the odds, right? It’s a shame that your vacation/s have become so burdensome that you might feel constantly under threat for your life. 
Maybe cruising during this time of unknowns and change may not be the perfect time. After all, it should be a risk vs reward balance, should it not?
Also, by interacting with these masking violators and the resulting arguments that ensue…such as you laughing and them screaming…doesn’t that cause you to have more close contact with them. Isn’t that dangerous on your part? Maybe best to just avoid any close contact by retreating. Maybe your ‘I don’t play’ attitude is dangerous to your health. 
I don’t mean to accuse anyone of being confrontational…I know what it’s like because I sometimes get accused of being sarcastic. Like now.😉

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I actually knew the difference been snooty and snotty lol🤣😝

But IMHO you get what you get, when you want to be the mask police. I am not going to tell anyone nothing unless I am in a position of power. You are on vacation.....

I also believe that if you are that concerned with your health, a social vacation like cruising isn't for you. You booked 6 B2B, you should have prepared for children who may or may not be human disease carriers to be around you. Staying in your room is a choice. But children 2 and under don't have to wear mask or test...also children carry the same risk not more when it comes to Covid. I don't understand.....if you are vax, wearing your mask and keeping yourself "clean" why be so worried? Breakthrough infections are rare. I feel like you went into this very negatively and your post is all about trying to paint the restart back as extremely flawed. 

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4 hours ago, BrianB said:

I’m sorry you have to cruise with such restrictive personal needs that require you to take verbal action whenever you see a masking violation coming your way. Must be immensely uncomfortable keeping your head on a swivel so that you can identify and react to an approaching threat. After all, it’s your health on the line, and that can be significantly affected by a wayward breath from a passing infectee not wearing a mask or not wearing it perfectly. I mean, what are the odds, right? It’s a shame that your vacation/s have become so burdensome that you might feel constantly under threat for your life. 
Maybe cruising during this time of unknowns and change may not be the perfect time. After all, it should be a risk vs reward balance, should it not?
Also, by interacting with these masking violators and the resulting arguments that ensue…such as you laughing and them screaming…doesn’t that cause you to have more close contact with them. Isn’t that dangerous on your part? Maybe best to just avoid any close contact by retreating. Maybe your ‘I don’t play’ attitude is dangerous to your health. 
I don’t mean to accuse anyone of being confrontational…I know what it’s like because I sometimes get accused of being sarcastic. Like now.😉

Hmmmmmmm ...

You do realize that I didn't approach either of these people, right?!

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11 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I actually knew the difference been snooty and snotty lol🤣😝

But IMHO you get what you get, when you want to be the mask police. I am not going to tell anyone nothing unless I am in a position of power. You are on vacation.....

I also believe that if you are that concerned with your health, a social vacation like cruising isn't for you. You booked 6 B2B, you should have prepared for children who may or may not be human disease carriers to be around you. Staying in your room is a choice. But children 2 and under don't have to wear mask or test...also children carry the same risk not more when it comes to Covid. I don't understand.....if you are vax, wearing your mask and keeping yourself "clean" why be so worried? Breakthrough infections are rare. I feel like you went into this very negatively and your post is all about trying to paint the restart back as extremely flawed. 

I do stay away from children/people.  I was at the spa, trying to eat AWAY from people in peace.  They came into the eating area which requires a mask, unless you are eating.  Now, I do stay in my cabin and have food delivered to me.  As a concerned mask wearer, I guess I should be the one not allowed to cruise, huh?!  There are rules in place and I follow them.  I would NOT have booked over 30+ cruises if I knew that I had to be tested before each cruise.  It is a very scarey and frustrating feeling to know that a simple test result can send you home, in the midst of your travels!  (Did you see the YouTube video of the 57 year old woman who tested positive & wasn't sick, but they had to forcibly take her off the ship?). I would leave on my own two feet, but she may help you realize the crazy situation we are in right now with these weekly tests. (?) Maybe, or maybe not.  Life is all about choices.  I chose to cruise, as long as I can and I will try to be as safe as I possibly can, even if that means staying in my cabin!  (I have a beautiful & peaceful view.). Peace...

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That is fishy because as @Pooch said you could have gotten a refund when protocols were announced. They have everything in writing like test and mask procedures. Where you would have saw that a 2 y/o wouldn't need a mask but everyone above age that would in certain areas. It clearly states you need to test before each cruise..... much has not changed. Either you didn't do your due diligence or you didn't care but either way, by stepping on that ship you indicated you were okay with the protocols. 

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On 9/22/2021 at 6:23 AM, Pooch said:

Sorry but it makes absolutely no sense that the staff cannot ask someone to comply with mask protocols unless another passenger complains first.  That’s ludicrous.  You are not, nor is any passenger, the mask police.

It is very political.  Remember, we are on the ship, so Maritime Law is in place.  Enough said.

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5 minutes ago, CarolBCHonkanen said:

You are RIGHT!!!  LoL. I order groceries on-line and drive & park to pick up.  They load into the car!  I hope this service NEVER ends!!!  🥰

I tell so many people about this service during the course of a work day.  It solves a lot of problems

 

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On 9/22/2021 at 10:06 AM, ellcee said:

As someone who is vaccinated, still masks up when in public and basically stays at home because I have family who is at risk and I want to be able to see them whenever...

 

Was the 2 year old directly in your space? Have you tried to get a 2 year old to do anything? It's like herding cats. I also think the parents should try but maybe we should be a little more compassionate. Not trying to be argumentative and I realize anyone could spread anything but reprimanding a parent for toddler seems a lot. 

 

I wasn't at all trying to reprimand a child, simply asked the father, for him to have a mask put on, as they entered the area where I was eating and needed my mask off to accomplish that task.  The man was pushing the stoller all over the spa, while he waited for the other members of his party who were in the spa.  He could either put the mask on the child, to allow me to eat safely, or continue to push the child around the spa where the child should be masked, but no one there cared if he was.  I would have even left, if he refused to put a mask on his child.  But, instead, he backed up and was then confronted by staff in the spa, handing him a mask.  This caused him to blow up at me, while I stood at the spa Vitality counter, still waiting for my smoothie.  He was at least 20+ feet away from me, screaming the entire time until the members of his group finally joined him and they left.  I would have left, as soon as my smoothie was done, if he insisted to remain in my space with an unmasked child.  He had a choice and I had a choice.  Life is full of choices & we have free will for how we respond.  It didn't need to go into rage, over a mask request.

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23 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

@ellcee Exactly, I have seen exactly one 3 yo comply with their mask and he was basically enticed with the promise of ice cream after dinner.

 

The ship has rules for masks and I was simply trying to eat in a very peaceful area of the ship during a time when other venues were packed with people.  If people cannot follow the rules for their children 2+ to be masked, then why is that MY problem?!  If you cannot control people you bring on a ship, maybe the ship isn't the place for them?!  or, MAYBE you should keep your child in the areas where masks are NOT required, if you don't like the required masking areas?!  I dunno, just a crazy thought ...

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6 hours ago, BrianB said:

I’m sorry you have to cruise with such restrictive personal needs that require you to take verbal action whenever you see a masking violation coming your way. Must be immensely uncomfortable keeping your head on a swivel so that you can identify and react to an approaching threat. After all, it’s your health on the line, and that can be significantly affected by a wayward breath from a passing infectee not wearing a mask or not wearing it perfectly. I mean, what are the odds, right? It’s a shame that your vacation/s have become so burdensome that you might feel constantly under threat for your life. 
Maybe cruising during this time of unknowns and change may not be the perfect time. After all, it should be a risk vs reward balance, should it not?
Also, by interacting with these masking violators and the resulting arguments that ensue…such as you laughing and them screaming…doesn’t that cause you to have more close contact with them. Isn’t that dangerous on your part? Maybe best to just avoid any close contact by retreating. Maybe your ‘I don’t play’ attitude is dangerous to your health. 
I don’t mean to accuse anyone of being confrontational…I know what it’s like because I sometimes get accused of being sarcastic. Like now.😉

I completely agree!!!  I go where I believe I am safe.  Unfortunately, not all people like to abide by the rules.  Hence, I have to take matters into my own hands.  I have since been staying in my cabin, enjoying my views, getting lots of work done on-line, and having room service.

I go with the flow and adjust to my environment.  Must be why I am a survivor, huh?!

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