symphony of the seas popping the cruise cherry!!

[dvandentop]

Enjoy your last night. Thank you so much for the epic trip report. It was great to follow along with you. It seems like the week just flew by. Safe travels home tomorrow!thanks gonna be deffinate snooze fest sitting around in airport for a while after off ship

[dvandentop]

At least you have gotten your money's worth. You will have all of that odd within two weeks, and that includes having Thanksgiving in there.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalkgonna have to start a thread to hold myself accountable

[dvandentop]

back where it all.started got in about 230am watched it come into Miami for a bit.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/ccc506128d118f88a36bb286c6461852.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/0d5791188ddb4f6b08332a38736d235b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/147b52ae4585629e5cdd5bdfddb34eb5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/27a958a6871aae716a3a07069f79c09d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/ac8dc6762090786fae4dd590f513cb35.jpg

[CPT]

A hell of a cruise and one of the best live cruise reports we’ve seen! Safe travels home where I’m sure it’s much colder. There is a nip in the air in the northeast today.

[dvandentop]

A hell of a cruise and one of the best live cruise reports we’ve seen! Safe travels home where I’m sure it’s much colder. There is a nip in the air in the northeast today.thanks yeah high of 48 today so atleasy not going back to below zero temps!

tonight and tomorrow to recover before the madness of work and holiday season is in full swing

[Laurie]

Safe travels home today enjoyed following along thanks for all the pictures glad you had a great time :)


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[zeus]

If you don't want to sit around the airport all day, take a ride down to South Beach. Beautiful beach and water, incredible architecture, neat bars and restaurants, and topless European women (who really shouldn't be [emoji33]). Buddy, I know I have already said it, but one helluva TR! We appreciate you sharing the entire trip. Just hope Amy didn't mind. Safe flight home!

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[BorgataBabe]

Amy’s face is priceless in that picture with that mile high tower of onion rings?

Now that you have been bitten by the cruise bug it will be hard to justify your Bahama trips when you start adding up everything you get on a cruise with not too much casino play.

I am definitely going to look into urcomped for a future Royal Caribbean cruise, I don’t believe I can do it with NCL since I always use their Casinos at Sea offers but I have never cruised on RC and after following you along this past week I am definitely interested in Symphony of the Seas, maybe summer 2021 since we have the Encore in May 2020.

Thanks again, this was an awesome cruise TR. Safe travels flying home.


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[sondor]

Safe trip hope, thanks for a great report....makes me want to try cruising again

[tee2green]

Hell of a TR. Thanks Derek and Amy for sharing your experience. Loved every minute of it. Safe travels home!

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[dvandentop]

If you don't want to sit around the airport all day, take a ride down to South Beach. Beautiful beach and water, incredible architecture, neat bars and restaurants, and topless European women (who really shouldn't be [emoji33]). Buddy, I know I have already said it, but one helluva TR! We appreciate you sharing the entire trip. Just hope Amy didn't mind. Safe flight home!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalkyeah been there before myself. i have 4 suitcases or deff woulda like to blow some time over there since dont leave til 2pm

tried to change flight at check in but seemed to get shot down. will try another person here past security
exiting the boat this morn was painless tossed the porter 10$ and were curbside in no time. digital recognition for immigration so was through in no time.

curbside was starting to get busy quickly and since a
was like 10 boats in was gonna get crazy so decided to get out of there pretty early.

[dvandentop]

Safe trip hope, thanks for a great report....makes me want to try cruising againyeah some of these newer ships are like vegas on the ocea. real good time and tech has made thing alot less painful with check in and loading

Hell of a TR. Thanks Derek and Amy for sharing your experience. Loved every minute of it. Safe travels home!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalkthanks!

[dvandentop]

Amy’s face is priceless in that picture with that mile high tower of onion rings?

Now that you have been bitten by the cruise bug it will be hard to justify your Bahama trips when you start adding up everything you get on a cruise with not too much casino play.

I am definitely going to look into urcomped for a future Royal Caribbean cruise, I don’t believe I can do it with NCL since I always use their Casinos at Sea offers but I have never cruised on RC and after following you along this past week I am definitely interested in Symphony of the Seas, maybe summer 2021 since we have the Encore in May 2020.

Thanks again, this was an awesome cruise TR. Safe travels flying home.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkYeah they can't help you out if you are a recent customer I believe you have to wait a full year before they can do anything for you.


Now that I have sailed Royal Caribbean it will be like you are comped is my travel agent so to say and they will obviously try to do their best to get me on the ship with specials vs getting direct offers from royal Caribbean.

some people dont like having the middle person but they have done me good in the past and if they get a comission like a travel agent doesnt bother me.

[sondor]

yeah some of these newer ships are like vegas on the ocea. real good time and tech has made thing alot less painful with check in and loading
thanks!

When we went they did not have the Drink Packages and we had less money so was always on a drink count not to get too huge a bill at the end....That's why we switched to all inclusive land based. Now that the ships are nicer and they have the drink packs it may be worth it. When we go to Punta Canna I will gamble and get nothing for it at least on the ship I could get a discount on my trip.

[dvandentop]

When we went they did not have the Drink Packages and we had less money so was always on a drink count not to get too huge a bill at the end....That's why we switched to all inclusive land based. Now that the ships are nicer and they have the drink packs it may be worth it. When we go to Punta Canna I will gamble and get nothing for it at least on the ship I could get a discount on my trip.yeah and if play in casino will for sure get more offers for free cruise in future
drinks package deff is worth it if over 4-5 drinks a day
if you do ur comp can get free drinks in casino only regardless

[dvandentop]

sondor a home away from home

miami terminal jhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/e4f988bf879985eb0a4cbaa9ae250d51.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/661812aa13609fc99d84ea859fe58685.jpg

[dvandentop]

tempted to go hit this since a few hours to kill

[sondor]

sondor a home away from home


Not unless there is slot machines in there somewhere....I have a pretty short attention span otherwise

[dvandentop]

Not unless there is slot machines in there somewhere....I have a pretty short attention span otherwisehaha me too which is why we are walking the available terminals hhh

[dvandentop]

amy has a new fill in kitty https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191123/600a4311c8f1ac2d5e1380c6a69ca284.jpg

[dvandentop]

tried to get in a priority pass lounge which i usually have no problem but didnt have physical card this time and lady was being crabby. couldnt look it up on her system i guess either.

getting to see a ton of people saw on ship earlier

[sondor]

This was in today’s Wall Street journal.....your next cruise? Regent
9839

[michelelovesvegas]

Great trip report and glad you guys had a blast. Going to be hard to go back home. Speaking of home, y'all better put some clothes on before you land! Unless the 48 is shorts weather there.

[serenasea]

That was a trip to remember! Thanks for bringing us along. (You both look like you got some healthy color without the sunburn -- another win!)

[dvandentop]

This was in today’s Wall Street journal.....your next cruise? Regent
9839those suite prices for top ones are rediculous for any ship but they get people willing to pay it i guess.

[Mauretania]

Fabulous trip report! I loved reading the whole thing this morning!
Thank you for taking the time to post pics and updates each date - the next best thing to being there!

Also, I’m really happy your first cruise was wonderful:)

[dvandentop]

Fabulous trip report! I loved reading the whole thing this morning!
Thank you for taking the time to post pics and updates each date - the next best thing to being there!

Also, I’m really happy your first cruise was wonderful:)thanks yeah didnt come across any of the problems many people who cruised many moons ago try to scare ya with old wives tales about it lol.

we went in fully educated and it prob helped the experience.

[clemi]

Great TR, thanks DV for all the updates, loved following along! Safe travels home to you and Amy.

[MNvegasgal]

lmao belly flop comp

girl was.in it and won. she got most.cheers.

sad already through last afternoon sea day ;(

lobster roll and fish and chips were greathttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191121/42972b5689475d3d0cb6ad1c18be7aa9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191121/14a8e1074199c6f131f265f54bfd6746.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191121/2b4bfc9b8ce59d8498865630fc451d8d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191121/1f7fd57d192a4abfa5a7ac9070f4dc74.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191121/2f5a7d438e1cfff170155df8ac3e1c93.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191121/63be024d97346ec9ebbe58ee98aaaa1b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191121/34f95368472ada77fb1678be92f84a15.jpg

That is the pirate from Jolly Roger.

What a great write up.. you have me so excited for my cruise in February!


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[dvandentop]

That is the pirate from Jolly Roger.

What a great write up.. you have me so excited for my cruise in February!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalksorry if i forgot what cruise line and ship ya going on? gonna be a blast dont be a slave to casino at night take in as much the ships have to offer so much fun and so much to offer

[MNvegasgal]

sorry if i forgot what cruise line and ship ya going on? gonna be a blast dont be a slave to casino at night take in as much the ships have to offer so much fun and so much to offer

Celebrity Equinox..
I am going with a group of 60 people.. I l know 10 of them. We got the drink package.

I am pumped.. your trip report was so full of great info!!




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[dvandentop]

Celebrity Equinox..
I am going with a group of 60 people.. I l know 10 of them. We got the drink package.

I am pumped.. your trip report was so full of great info!!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalknice those ships look great. so many great ships out now so little time

[dvandentop]

official post cruise weight in 184 up from 171.52 day before leaving
i will take it!!

[dvandentop]

Down another pound and a half today also I think I might have a problem with ocd...

obsessive cruise disorder. just inquired about a cruise in mid jan when amy has some time off!

will see what they come back with wont be full comp for balcony. but sure seems like good value for a week long vacay and hit up 3-4 new destinations!

[Cyndyga]

I am going to start cruising more too as I can gamble on the ship but do so much more! I think I have OCD too as I have 3 scheduled and looking for more. What ship are you looking at for January? Hope you guys can go!

[dvandentop]

I am going to start cruising more too as I can gamble on the ship but do so much more! I think I have OCD too as I have 3 scheduled and looking for more. What ship are you looking at for January? Hope you guys can go!looking at the brand new refurbish oasis of the seas was gonna do do a 4 day but if i am gonna pay $1000 for airfare gonna make it worth it and do a few extra days for total of 7.

cruises so much better comp value. i can go vegas and see same thing all the time and spend more $ gambling and get same comps all the time. vegas is easier to plan a quick weekend getaway but we are willing to forgo that for longer trips if we can make it work out.


with cruising i can see new places each trip like you said gamble each night see new shows each trip.

might try other lines once we get further out trips planned
would like to try newer celebrity or ncl cruises as well. maybe even msc too.

probably wouldnt be able to do more then 2-3 a year early winter and late fall. hell i told amy lets just go on cruises over longer holiday weekends if it works.


deffinately want to do an alaskan cruise on my free "prime" cruise i earned from hitting 2500pts. think of prime cruise as a free trip like hitting diamond with cet




which other ones you have booked ???

[Cyndyga]

I heard the Oasis is getting a great refurbishment I went on her when she first sailed and loved it and now its got more cool stuff. I'm leaving Friday for a 7 day on the MSC Seaside that Chris just went on. I snagged a Yacht Club suite when they had a no single supplement error last year! I've never done a ship within a ship experience before but this was a steal as it includes premium drinks the thermal spa and private pool sundeck lounge and dining...I've also got NCL Breakaway in Feb and a 10 day Crown Princess cruise in March! NCL & Princess were both free inside from land based casinos and I paid to upgrade to balcony...I agree with you on the points you made above

[CTslotters]

Celebrity Equinox..
I am going with a group of 60 people.. I l know 10 of them. We got the drink package.

I am pumped.. your trip report was so full of great info!!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cece, we loved the Celebrity Equinox! I did a TR here on it. Just note they have different drink packages and you definitely want the premium one that includes the fancy coffee bar (upgrade wasn’t much) They have alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and they are amazing! We had our morning coffees there and usually a pick me up cocktail, sometimes even a tea nightcap. I know you like pretty fancy coffee so I think you’d like it. Feel free to pm me any questions about it if you want!


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[CTslotters]

Cyndyga, have an amazing trip! We’re looking at Yacht club for our free MSC cruise from Mohegan since upgrade to that is small. Can’t wait to hear about your experience, hope you share your thoughts on their ship in a ship experience. We’re looking specifically at seaside also.


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[CTslotters]

dvandentop and Amy, SOoo happy you loved cruising (also, Adam says “I told you so!”) ;) hhh!
This report was epic! Thank you for taking the time to update us on everything and the fun you two shared was evident in the posts! These huge ships really are a city in the ocean and that’s what we love about it, so much to do and see and we love exploring different islands too!
Also had to laugh at your exploring airport terminals for hours, that’s what we did in Puerto Rico when we had an afternoon flight home after our cruise, lol. At least there were huge duty free stores to “shop” in there, lol.


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[dvandentop]

I heard the Oasis is getting a great refurbishment I went on her when she first sailed and loved it and now its got more cool stuff. I'm leaving Friday for a 7 day on the MSC Seaside that Chris just went on. I snagged a Yacht Club suite when they had a no single supplement error last year! I've never done a ship within a ship experience before but this was a steal as it includes premium drinks the thermal spa and private pool sundeck lounge and dining...I've also got NCL Breakaway in Feb and a 10 day Crown Princess cruise in March! NCL & Princess were both free inside from land based casinos and I paid to upgrade to balcony...I agree with you on the points you made aboveDamn that sounds amazing and looking forward to it hopefully you can share some pictures of the ship and your experience.

How much was the up charge from the interior room to the balcony? Iron Day free interior room on this last crew so hopefully it's only $500 or less total to upgrade to balcony

[dvandentop]

dvandentop and Amy, SOoo happy you loved cruising (also, Adam says “I told you so!”) ;) hhh!
This report was epic! Thank you for taking the time to update us on everything and the fun you two shared was evident in the posts! These huge ships really are a city in the ocean and that’s what we love about it, so much to do and see and we love exploring different islands too!
Also had to laugh at your exploring airport terminals for hours, that’s what we did in Puerto Rico when we had an afternoon flight home after our cruise, lol. At least there were huge duty free stores to “shop” in there, lol.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThe only thing I am sad about it that we didn't Cruise the many years ago we have been talking about it been missing out on so many good vacations I feel like now!

No problem it was fun to take everybody along on the adventure.


The one we are looking at includes a stop at Royal Caribbean's place in Haiti and then stop in Jamaica and then Cozumel.

I checked out some excursions at each place and they all look like they have something fun to do

[dvandentop]

181 today slowly but surely

[CTslotters]

Labadee, Haiti was amazing.Royal Caribbean and Celebrity both dock jn the same area (both owned by same parent company) and we loved the beach and water there on our Celebrity Cruise.
And look into doing the cooking class/beach day in Cozumel! It was beyond fun!


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[dvandentop]

Labadee, Haiti was amazing.Royal Caribbean and Celebrity both dock jn the same area (both owned by same parent company) and we loved the beach and water there on our Celebrity Cruise.
And look into doing the cooking class/beach day in Cozumel! It was beyond fun!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkglad to hear good things about labadee i told amy it wasnt tent towns where there is lots of issues.

jamaica we would prob.do dunns river falls the typical 1st jamacian tourist stop lol

[Cyndyga]

Royal is pretty reasonable to upgrade to balcony on my 5 day to Bermuda it was only a little more than 100... probably depends on date and itinerary but generally they are the cheapest I have found

[dvandentop]

Royal is pretty reasonable to upgrade to balcony on my 5 day to Bermuda it was only a little more than 100... probably depends on date and itinerary but generally they are the cheapest I have foundgood to hear!

[dvandentop]

A few more pictures Amy had sent me from her phone

dutchman by the windmill in st thomas.

1st drink onboard at bionic bar
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/b2b54408bd1e0e3afbb02da425141f07.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/7b9526fb048d52b0b07a12c7a85954d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/bb49080ae33d1773dbc1a02b654be712.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/c805d6c4c0655904640a062434697278.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/41fa5bff447c621b14c74e434788240a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/fc306efed3677f2af84680287016fa6f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/90d5421e098d9e7d11bbdcdfd6f6ec92.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/c8a224e8ce55be0cf515957717dd14a9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191126/16ee225a87035b2021ef521e8d20c2d6.jpg

[zeus]

Finally got to see some man skin. Thanks, Amy! HHH. But I have to say that the pic of you at dinner has got to be the best pic of you ever.

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[Cyndyga]

Cyndyga, have an amazing trip! We’re looking at Yacht club for our free MSC cruise from Mohegan since upgrade to that is small. Can’t wait to hear about your experience, hope you share your thoughts on their ship in a ship experience. We’re looking specifically at seaside also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Will do! I'm on a bunch of fb groups and everyone raves about it and says its the way to go... if you can upgrade for a reasonable price it would probably be a steal! I haven't gone yet but have already booked another with a travel agent and her group cruise!

[dvandentop]

Finally got to see some man skin. Thanks, Amy! HHH. But I have to say that the pic of you at dinner has got to be the best pic of you ever.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalkthe one where i am looking through connect 4? hhh ;)

[zeus]

the one where i am looking through connect 4? hhh ;)This one. [emoji16]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191127/59fd070ff296c14e52594a4082d23f13.jpg

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[Georgiagambler]

https://www.rssc.com/specials

These are crazy expensive prices but damn if I was retired and could afford it.



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[dvandentop]

https://www.rssc.com/specials

These are crazy expensive prices but damn if I was retired and could afford it.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkwow when i saw savings of 6k per person knew they had to be spendy af.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191130/74370892b2a22e46f7b07241c025fc3d.jpg

[Georgiagambler]

wow when i saw savings of 6k per person knew they had to be spendy af.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191130/74370892b2a22e46f7b07241c025fc3d.jpg

Crazy but when I first saw the room pictures I thought it was a hotel room couldn’t tell it was on a boat.


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[dvandentop]

Crazy but when I first saw the room pictures I thought it was a hotel room couldn’t tell it was on a boat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkyeah those rooms full of marble and full on luxury

[dvandentop]

Might have the lock me up and throw away the key booked another today LOL something to look forward to after Christmas in January amy had time off so might as well take advantage of the time she has off!

[zeus]

Hell yeah, no use sitting around in the snow and cold weather.

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[Elf70]

That’s great! Hope you’ll do another TR. What ports this time?

[dvandentop]

That’s great! Hope you’ll do another TR. What ports this time?Jamaica and Cozumel and the private place in Haiti for Royal Caribbean


Never been to any of these places so looking forward to it also it's on the Oasis of the Seas that was just fresh out of refurbished and upgrade 2 weeks ago

[LowAndSlow]

dvandentop, did you see this? It was on one of MSN's highlight pages today. I didn't read the article, but wondered if it was from your cruise. :)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tips/i-just-went-on-my-first-cruise-%e2%80%94-here-are-22-of-my-best-tips/ss-BBWPiB7?li=BBnb7Kz

[dvandentop]

dvandentop, did you see this? It was on one of MSN's highlight pages today. I didn't read the article, but wondered if it was from your cruise. :)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tips/i-just-went-on-my-first-cruise-%e2%80%94-here-are-22-of-my-best-tips/ss-BBWPiB7?li=BBnb7Kzlooks like same ship i was on dont recall seeing her i think i would have hhh

[charlie50]

nice shot of the bay. waitier was horrible but food was great waited
30 min before asked for check after we declined any dessert


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191116/3c499aa21e17175f59cf7bb9e2ed695c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191116/1e816f0ad2044f97f6391df8c83f6660.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191116/420b0e540ca866f21247781bc9e0ccd5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191116/410c5da5a9b865ee0650f543b25681d5.jpg

Wow killer vista and the chow looks great too . great memory to be had