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Ale & Anchor is a beloved English style pub on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas cruise ship.  Ale & Anchor Independence of the Seas Let's pop inside!  Inside Royal Caribbean's English Pub An English Pub is always a fun spot to visit irl or on a cruise. The English-style dark wood and decor lend to a cozy atmosphere in which to enjoy a brew with your mates. Ale & Anchor Menu with Prices - Independence of the SeasBeertini and Cocktails at Ale & Anchor cost 14 with proper pours of vodka, gin, cordials, cognacs, scotch & whiskies ranging from 9.99-39.99.  Ale & Anchor Menu with Prices If you're more of a beer person, you can enjoy ales and others from around the world, including three non alcoholic options ranging in price from 6.99-8.25 USD on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.  Cost of Beers at Ale & Anchor Royal Caribbean Cruise monkey Shoulder Monkey Shoulder at Ale & Anchor on Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise A pour of Monkey Shoulder will cost around 11.99 before the 18% automatic gratuity, making it $14.15. Most Popular Whisky on Indepencence of the SeasHere is the line up of the most poured onboard...  Monkey Shoulder at Ale & Anchor on Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise But feel free to ask for anything you don't see. Maybe this is your chance to try Macallan Terra or Enigma from the Quest Collection ;) More Royal Caribbean Reviews
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With so many outstanding dining options included in your cruise fare onboard Celebrity, you may be like me and wonder "Are the specialty dining options really worth the extra cost?"
It's a great question! In this article you will get to see what the dining experience is like at Le Grand Bistro onboard Celebrity's newest ship the Ascent. You'll learn how much it costs, what the ambiance is like, and our favorite dishes that we tried. Allons-y! :)
Le Grand BistroIf you're dreaming of visiting France but find yourself on a Celebrity cruise to the Caribbean, don't worry! The boulangerie-patisserie Le Grand Bistro on Ascent will definitely do in a pinch! ;) And PS you can find plenty of Celebrity Cruises stopping in France ;D 
Outside Le Grand Bistro at night. The doors close for Le Petite Chef dining experience.
Le Grand Bistro is located on Deck 4, midship, between its upscale French dining neighbor, Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and the buzzing Craft Social Bar where you can enjoy beer flights and bar bites. 
Fresh Baked Breads on Display at Le Grand Bistro
Whether you sit down to dine at dinner, enjoy a casual lunch, or prefer a demi baguette and a latte at breakfast - Le Grand Bistro has something for you to try! Le Grand Bistro Menu on AscentLe Petit Chef Menu:
Le Grand Bistro Main MenuOn the other hand, if you're craving a morning croissant or an afternoon croque monsieur then the a la carte menu is for you!
Le Grand Bistro Cocktail, wine, and beverage menu
Sip in style with French cocktails and wines or a hand crafted espresso-based beverage. Prices range from $4 for a single espresso to 25 for a glass of Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label Champagne.
Le Grand Bistro Dessert Menu
Le Grand Bistro To go Menu
Lunch Experience at Le Grand Bistro on Ascent
We decided to visit during lunch as we didn't want to miss dinner with our families in the main dining room. As the bistro was not especially crowded on the day of our visit, we chose to sit beside the window in order to enjoy the ocean views.
Dining by a huge window at Le Grand Bistro
The meal started with our choice of bread and butter. In the main dining room you always receive a basket of assorted bread/rolls/etc and admittedly it did feel fancier to have the slices hand delivered at Le Grand Bistro.
The bread was really good and I wish the basket came back around during the meal without having to ask.
French Cocktails - $12 + $17Steak Frites - $24
Lobster Bisque - $10
Lobster Bisque with Tarragon and Puff Pastry - Peeling back the cute little puff pastry beret (lol) to show you the soup inside!
By the way, have you ever wondered what the difference is between a soup and a bisque? I hadn't until just this very moment! In a nutshell, a bisque is a type of soup that has a thick, rick, creamy base and is traditionally made with some sort of shellfish. These days non-seafood creamy soups are also called bisques.
Take for example the following food math equation: tomato soup + cream = tomato bisque. Voila! The perfect companion for soup is a salad, right? We did, but didn't, end up with 2 salads. You will understand by the end. Baby Arugula Salad - $8
Wait.. Was this even the salad we ordered. Oops. No it wasn't. Quickly the correct salad arrived. Frisée Lardon Salad - $8
Featuring crispy pork belly, poached egg, pickled shallots and parmesan on curly endive, this salad was a treat. Perfectly poached, if you're team dippy-egg yoke then this picture will no doubt bring you joy.
The whimsical texture and freshness of curly endive played nicely with the salty, fatty pork belly and the bright yellow yoke of the poached egg added a pleasing pop of color and richness.
Crème Brûlée - $5
Caramelized vanilla egg custard with fresh berries.
Creme Brûlée is a quintessential French dessert much loved by cruise passengers. You may never order it out back home, but on a cruise you can usually indulge in several of these during your voyage. 
Creme Brûlée at Le Grand Bistro
We decided to try the creme brûlée at Le Grand Chef because we genuinely wanted to know if it was different than the "free" creme brûlée available in the main dining room.
To complete the experiment we ordered creme brûlée at dinner in the main dining room that night and we can confirm that YES, it is different! When you are paying extra you want to know you are getting a different product, a better quality, an advanced technique, a personal touch.. Make it at home:
While you can use your oven broiler to caramelize the sugar topping, it's way more fun to use a butane torch ;)
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| Here's how Celebrity describes their Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites: "This one-of-a-kind suite is designed to bring the river and the sky closer than ever. At the heart of the Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite is a ceiling window that opens to the stars or closes for privacy, letting you choose how much light and view to invite in." "Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the riverbank just outside, while inside, you'll find space to sleep, lounge, and dine in comfort. A king-size bed with plush linens, spa-inspired bathroom, butler service, and personalized minibar make this suite more than a place to stay, it becomes part of your journey." |  Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite |
Celebrity River Cruise Blog:
- Celebrity Announces River Cruises in 2027!
- Be The First To Board a Celebrity River Cruise - Here's How (Priority Booking Access)
- Celebrity River Cruises - Itineraries, Ship Names, Deck Maps, PRICING, and more!
- Celebrity Seeker Deck Maps
- Vista Balcony Suite - Celebrity Compass and Seeker Staterooms
- Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite - Celebrity Seeker and Compass Staterooms
- Balcony Stateroom - Celebrity River Cruise Ships
- Infinite Balcony Stateroom - Celebrity River Cruise Ships
- River View Stateroom - Celebrity River Cruise Ships
Wondering what kind of entertainment and activities will be available to you on Independence of the Seas?
Free Things To Do on Independence of the Seas
Independence of the Seas ❤︎ Royal Caribbean Cruise
For The Sporty One...
Okay so due to weather the Flowrider surf simulator is unavailable, bummer. The mini golf would be a bit wet. Now you're looking for an indoor activity on a cruise when it's raining - how about ice skating!?
Ice Skating, you say? On a cruise?!
Which Cruise Line Has an Ice Rink OnBoard?
Of course it's Royal Caribbean! ;)
Did you know that Studio B is not only for shows, but also offers free ice skating sessions?!
Free Ice Skating in Studio B ❤︎ Independence of the Seas
How much does ice skating cost on Independence of the Seas?
Nothing. It's free!
You will need to reserve a space for a freestyle ice skating session on the Royal Caribbean App.
They will provide you with helmets and ice skates for free.
Do note that there is no instruction and skaters are at all levels, so be careful and have fun!
Pro Tip: We did notice that the team added additional skate sessions during our cruise, so if they are booked up on the app, definitely check back for openings!
You will need to reserve a space for a freestyle ice skating session on the Royal Caribbean App.
They will provide you with helmets and ice skates for free.
Do note that there is no instruction and skaters are at all levels, so be careful and have fun!
Pro Tip: We did notice that the team added additional skate sessions during our cruise, so if they are booked up on the app, definitely check back for openings!
For The Book Worm...
Is there a Library on Independence of the Seas?
Yes! There is a quiet library space for the bookworms on board. You can borrow books, complete puzzles, or use one of a couple computers in here.
Library on Independence of the Seas
For The Art BuFF...
Cruises are known for having a lot of art, and I don't mean the art auctions. I mean all over the ship from framed pieces in the stairwells to sculptures in the public spaces and on the pool decks to incredible mosaics like this one:
Stunning Art Tigers in the Jungle Henri Rousseau Mosaic on Independence of the Seas Cruise Ship
1897, ItalyTigers in the Jungle Glass mosaic tesserae The plaque reads: |  |
Barsanti Marble Bronze Mosaic
This mosaic is inspired by Henri Rosseau's paintings of jungle scenes. His inspiration came from jungle books and the botanical gardens in paris, as he never went abroad. Barsanti has transformed these paintings to images created in glass mosaic.
See if you can find it on your next Independence of the Seas cruise!
See if you can find it on your next Independence of the Seas cruise!
For the Theater Buff...
In the Royal Theater, you'll enjoy shows every night including an adaptation of the Broadway classic Grease!
The Welcome Aboard Show in the Royal Theater ❤︎ Independence of the Seas
Cruises really do give you a bit of everything - your accomodation, meals, activities and entertainment all wrapped into a neat little package!
Ice Capades in Studio B
Since Independence of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's ships with an ice rink, that means they also have ice shows ready for you!
Incredibly talented performers will glide effortless across the ice, doing all sorts of maneuvers ON ICE SKATES ON A MOVING SHIP! This never ceases to amaze me.
Please don't miss the ice shows.
The ice shows were an unexpected highlight for my 16 year old nephew which is saying a lot ;)
He was eager to see more ice shows on a Symphony of the Seas cruise.
Pro Tip: Bring a sweater or scarf. It's an ice rink after all - it's cold in there!
He was eager to see more ice shows on a Symphony of the Seas cruise.
Pro Tip: Bring a sweater or scarf. It's an ice rink after all - it's cold in there!
For the Sunset Lover...
Free every night of your Independence of the Seas cruise is a never repeated sunset - spectacular whether you're in the middle of the ocean or sailing away from port after a day of exploring.
Caribbean Sunsets from a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
I would happily share a sunrise from a cruise ship picture if I had one, but let's be real. I'm on vacation. Little-to-no chance I am up for sunrise. lol
For the Optimist...
To be honest, the weather on our cruise was not spectacular, BUT that gave us an opportunity to see not just a rainbow, but a double rainbow at sea!
Which is pretty special we think... :)
Double Rainbow at Sea Spotted From Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas ❤︎
We barely scratched the surface here, but you'll always have something to do (if you want) when you're on Independence of the Seas.
Though we didn't get to try it personally, my brother highly recommended the laser tag, which you can also reserve on the app!
MORE FROM THIS 4 NIGHT CRUISE ON INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS:
- Everything We Ate on a 4-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise
- Connecting Balcony Photo Tour and Review | Independence of the Seas Cabin
- Fish & Ships Review: Was It Worth It?
- Perfect Day at CocoCay Review
A quick Recap:
You won't run out of fun (& free!) things do to on Independence of the Seas.
- Pools & Hot Tubs
- Flow Rider Surf Simulator
- Mini Golf
- Laser Tag
- Theater Shows
- Music and Comedy Shows
- Ice Shows
- Ice Skating
Just to name a few! :)
Embarkation Day on Celebrity Ascent | Celebrity Cruise Blog
There's a special thrill when you pull into the port and see your cruise ship in person on embarkation day.
Celebrity Ascent in Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades
This 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Ascent departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In This Post:
Checking in at Port Everglades | Celebrity cruise Review Blog
We had already checked in for our cruise on the Celebrity App, but as you can imagine from this picture, checking in is an efficient process in this elegant cruise port terminal.
We were dropped off outside at 1pm, took the following pic at 1:04pm and were inside our room by 1:18pm!
A classy and efficient check-in process
When can you check in for a Celebrity Cruise?
You can check in for your Celebrity Cruise 45 days before embarkation using the Celebrity Cruises app or website.
Infinite Veranda | Celebrity Ascent Review
We spent the week in an infinite veranda stateroom 8280. This is a balcony cabin on Celebrity Ascent.
Infinite Veranda 8280 on Celebrity Ascent Cruise Ship
Lunch at Oceanview Cafe | Celebrity Ascent Review
I know cruise lines are trying to steer away from using the word buffet because of the negative connotation, but if you're wondering about the buffet on Celebrity Ascent called Oceanview Cafe, it's exceptional!
This asian stir-fry with chicken, beef, and mixed vegetables was a great start to the cruise!
Stir fry from Oceanview Cafe on Celebrity Ascent
See Also: Oceanview Cafe Review | Celebrity Ascent Buffet Food Review
SAIL AWAY from Port Everglades | Celebrity Cruise Blog
One of the best things about having a balcony on a cruise is being able to enjoy sailing away from each port.
Escorted out of Port Everglades
We were treated to a lovely sunset and dramatic cloud formations as we sailed out of Fort Lauderdale cruise port.
Sailaway from Infinite Veranda on Ascent Cruise Ship
A pastel Fort Lauderdale skyline bid us farewell and it was time to enjoy our first dinner in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant main dining room.
See ya in a week, Fort Lauderdale!
Cosmopolitan Restaurant Menu | Celebrity Ascent Review
There are a few things to note about the main dining room menus onboard Celebrity Ascent.
There are 4 main dining rooms - Cosmopolitan, Tuscan, Cyprus and Normandie.
There are 4 main dining rooms - Cosmopolitan, Tuscan, Cyprus and Normandie.
Cosmopolitan Restaurant Menu | Celebrity Ascent
Each dining room has Exclusive Starters and Entrees as seen on the bottom left as well as featured cocktails. These stay the same every night.
On the right side of the menu are the Starters and Entrees that are the same in all of the restaurants, but change every night.
The Celebrity Classics are always available to you.
Cosmopolitan Main Dining Room | Celebrity Cruise Blog
Each of the 4 main dining rooms has their own style of decor and you will always be presented with a basket of freshly baked bread, rolls, and breadsticks along with a trio of butter and spreads for the bread.
There is always a whipped butter, but to keep things exciting each night you will have different spreads like roasted red pepper or garlic to try.
Your sommelier will come to your table for any wine or cocktail orders.
Cauliflower Flan | Celebrity Cruise Food Pics
Poached shrimp, iberico ham, green apple, pumpernickel croutons
Cauliflower Flan | Celebrity Ascent
This unique starter is available from the Cosmopolitan Exclusives menu on Celebrity Ascent. It was a feast for the eyes and really a delightful journey tasting my way through this work of art.
Asian Consommé | CELEBRITY CRUISE FOOD PICS
Chicken, Mushrooms, Ginger
Asian Consommé | Celebrity Ascent
A light and flavorful consommé!
Classic "Caesar" Salad | CELEBRITY CRUISE FOOD PICS
Hearts of Romaine, Garlic Croutons, Parmesan Cheese
Classic Caesar Salad | Celebrity Ascent
I normally love a Caesar salad on a cruise, but found this one a bit heavy on the dressing though others in our party felt it was just right. :)
Pan Seared Aged Sirloin Steak | CELEBRITY CRUISE FOOD PICS
Roasted Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Compound Butter
Pan Seared Aged Sirloin Steak | Celebrity Ascent
Starting a cruise off with a steak dinner is never a bad move, is it?! =)
GrilLed New York Sirloin Steak | CELEBRITY CRUISE FOOD PICS
Beurre Maitre d'Hotel: Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables
Grilled New York Sirloin Steak | Celebrity Ascent
This New York Sirloin Steak is available on the Celebrity Classics Menu every night.
COSMOPOLITAN Dessert MENU | CELEBRITY ASCENT REVIEW
Celebrity brings your dessert menu separately after your meal much like a traditional restaurant, whereas you'll remember from previous Royal Caribbean Blogs that they have one menu including desserts.
Cosmopolitan Dessert Menu | Celebrity Ascent
Carrot Cake Cosmopolitan | CELEBRITY Ascent FOOD PICS
Carrot Cake | Celebrity Ascent
The Carrot Cake is a Cosmopolitan Exclusive dessert on Celebrity Ascent.
New Category: Noteworthy Carrot Cakes
Carrot Cake | Celebrity Ascent
The carrot cake was beautifully presented and delicious. I would love to recreate this carrot cake for Inspired by Travel.
As you can see the culinary experience on Celebrity is an elevated one and we are off to a strong start!
More from this Celebrity Cruise Review Blog:
- Infinite Veranda Review with Pictures
- Le Grand Bistro Specialty Dining Review
- Raw on 5 Menu with Prices
- Day 1 - Embarkation Day on Celebrity Ascent - you are here!
- Day 2 - One Day in Nassau on a Cruise
- Day 3 - Captains Club Welcome Toast on a Sea Day
- Day 4 - Sea Day on a Celebrity Cruise
- Day 5 - Falmouth Jamaica Cruise Port
- Day 6 - Georgetown Grand Cayman Cruise Port
- Day 7 - Sea Day on Celebrity Ascent
Port Everglades Cruise Hotel Review
After disembarkation day from our Southern Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, we checked in to GalleryOne a Double Tree Suites by Hilton in Fort Lauderdale for a few days.
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In This Post:Port Everglades Cruise Hotel Review
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If you're looking for a hotel near Ft. Lauderdale's Port Everglades for an overnight stay before or after your cruise, hopefully this photo review will help you decide if GalleryOne DoubleTree is the right fit for you!
Water TAxi Stop 7
You can purchase a water taxi ticket for $38 that gives you unlimited rides. They also offer multi-day passes and annual passes.
Outdoor Space
One fun thing outside of the hotel was the placement of outdoor games to pass the time along the water.
Would you be playing corn hole or jenga?!
Outdoor Bar
There is a nice outdoor bar if you would like to enjoy a drink along the waterway with plenty of palm trees in view!
This area gets lively in the evenings and when the hotel holds events.
Pool
Lobby Cafe
There is a small cafe counter in the lobby of the Double Tree where you can order a latte if the in-room coffee isn't cutting it for you.
Cafe Menu with prices
Below you can see the menu with prices for some non-coffee beverage options including Julius Meinl teas.
You can also grab a quick breakfast yogurt parfait, fruit cup, piece of fruit or croissant/bagel.
Vue on the Water Restaurant Menu with Prices
If you're wondering what the prices are like at the restaurant and what kind of foods they offer, here is the menu for Vue on the Water.
Smoothies for $10 and beers are $7.50/8.50.
Lobby Bar
If you'd like to enjoy pre-dinner drinks with your friends, there is a bar in the lobby.
Second Floor Views
With some time to kill before check in, we explored the public spaces of the hotel. On the second floor you can enjoy some nice views from these floor-to-ceiling windows!
Checking In at Galleryone Double Tree Ft Lauderdale
It was finally time to check in and if you have allergies you will be happy to know that Double Tree now carries allergy friendly cookies for their guests!
More on the cookies later.. 😉
Room Tour
The GalleryOne Double Tree in Fort Lauderdale offers suites, meaning the rooms are very spacious as you will see!
Kitchen
Upon entering the suite, the kitchen was located to the left. It is well equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, and small refrigerator.
Coffee Station
The in-room coffee setup was a cuisinart double brewer. There were coffee pouches, sugar and sweeteners, creamers and some tea bags.
Dining And Living Areas
A dining table that seats four makes eating a meal or working on a laptop very convenient at this hotel.
Of course there is also a couch to lounge upon as well as an oversized chair in the opposite corner.
A pocket door separates the living/dining space from the bedroom.
bedroom
The spacious bedroom includes a large king size bed, 2 night stands and a dresser, Tv, recliner and closet space.
If you have hanging clothes, you will appreciate that there is a closet.
The hanging height is a bit short as there is an upper shelf in the closet which houses the in-room safe and iron. There is also an ironing board.
The closet doors offer full sized mirrors which is a great and often overlooked detail in accommodations.
Bathoom
A tiled walk-in shower with rainfall shower head await. The DoubleTree also provides shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower.
There is a spacious countertop surrounding the sink and a large mirror.
The View
Being on an upper floor, our suite had nice views!
In the other direction you could see the intercostal waterway and the ocean!
Looking straight down you could see the pool area along the waterway.
The Doubletree Cookie
And this is definitely one of the best backdrops you can get for your Double Tree Cookie!
We opted for the original cookie as we don't have any relevant allergies and my is she a beaut!
Not only is this cookie a looker, but it's actually an absolutely delicious cookie.
As a big chocolate chip cookie girl, I was actually shocked how good this cookie was!
| And I don't mean it was "good for a free cookie". I mean it was legitimately one of the better chocolate chip cookies I've had ever. Hands down better than the one from this French Boulangerie. |  |
PF Changs Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Irrespective of how delicious the double tree cookie was, we were starving and needed to get some real food.
It had been a long day after disembarkation and waiting around for check-in time so we just wanted to get take out and call it a night.
If you're looking for somewhere within walking distance from GalleryOne Doubletree Fort Lauderdale, try PF Changs!
PF Changs Lettuce Wraps Pics
We went for the cult favorite chicken lettuce wraps.
PF Changs Spicy Chicken Pics
PF Changs Spicy Chicken bowl.
Mongolian Beef
PF Changs Mongolian Beef
| The only disappointment was that we could not eat our meal outside as we were shooed away by the restaurant management. We assumed the outdoor tables and chairs were available for hotel guests. The sign was promptly pointed out to us. |  |
Good thing our suites have nice dining tables! :)
Galleryone Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel REview
The GalleryOne by Hilton near Port Everglades can be a great choice before or after a cruise. It's conveniently located, the rooms are spacious, and the access to a kitchen is convenient.
And we can't forget the cookies! ;)
If you have time to kill you can take the water taxi all over creation as a DIY excursion, visit the mall next door, or walk to the beach.
There are also plenty of great restaurants to try near by!
Fort Lauderdale Restaurant Reviews
- Best Hoagies In Fort Lauderdale - Laspadas Hoagie Review
- Manhattan NY Pizza in Ft Lauderdale - Delivery Review
- Primanti's Fort Lauderdale Pizza Review - A Pittsburgh Favorite in Florida - coming soon
- Padrino's Cuban Cuisine Ft Lauderdale Restaurant Review - coming soon
FLorida Hotel Reviews
- Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel Review with Photos
- Holiday Inn Sebring Florida Hotel Review (HGTV Hometown Takeover) - coming soon
- Hyatt Regency Miami Cruise Port Hotel Review with Photos - coming soon
Want to Get a Free Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay?
Check out this post: Hilton Free Night Certificate
Royal Caribbean Review Blog - Last Day Of The Cruise
You've made it to the final day of our Royal Caribbean Cruise review!
In This Post:
Brunch In the Main Dining Room
After sleeping in, we decided to take advantage of our last chance to eat brunch in the main dining room on Symphony of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean Brunch Menu
The main dining room Brunch Menu had a nice variety of breakfast-y choices and lunch-y choices, besides desserts - this is a cruise after all!
Royal Caribbean Brunch Menu | Symphony of the Seas Review
Here's what we went for:
Baked Potato Soup
Rich and creamy, served with cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream and fresh chives.
Baked Potato Soup | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
Fried Chicken & Waffles
Tender chicken fried golden brown, warm homemade waffles and a side of Tabasco®. infused honey.
Gotta love hot honey! :D
Fried Chicken & Waffles | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
Eggs Your Way
Two (or one if you only want one!) farm fresh eggs served any style with (very!) crispy bacon, sausage links (skipped), hash browns and white or wheat toast.
Eggs Your Way | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
NY Bagel and Lox
A plate of smoked Atlantic salmon, sliced cucumber, pickled onions, arugula and cream cheese served with your choice of plain or everything bagel.
NY Bagel & Lox | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
This one was a miss for me. I was excited for it, but in the end I didn't get the everything bagel I hoped for and the bagel itself was cold and tough. I felt really bad that I did not finish this. You can't win them all!
Key Lime Pie
Tangy key lime custard in a brown butter graham cracker crust.
Not even a huge key lime pie fan in general, but this made up for the bagel miss. :)
Royal Chocolate cake
Layers of dark chocolate cake and decadent chocolate.
Royal Chocolate Cake | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
After Brunch we strolled around the ship some more to see what details we could learn for you to help you on your next Royal Caribbean cruise!
Macallan Tasting
On the Royal Caribbean app there was a Macallan Tasting at 1pm in Vintages. This is a paid activity and you can see the set up at this special table.
While the app indicates that there is a fee for the activity, it does not indicate how much the tasting costs.
Hot Sauce at El Loco Fresh
We carried on to El Loco Fresh to capture a shot of some of the hot sauces they have as mentioned here.
Hot Sauce at El Loco Fresh | Symphony of the Seas Review
Then we proceeded to the pool deck for some final runs down the water slides and on the flow rider.
Cruise Ship Laundry
The last bit of laundry needed done before we disembark the cruise ship, and in order to help things dry more quickly we implemented a few tips:
We propped the shower door open with the trash can and left the bathroom door open. This allowed more airflow to the clothes as they dried on the line.
Next thing we knew it was time for our final dinner of this Southern Caribbean Cruise Review!
Royal Caribbean Bon Voyage Menu
Royal Caribbean Bon Voyage Menu | Symphony of the Seas Review
Here's what we ordered!
Seafood Cake
Panko breaded and deep-fried until golden brown, served with mango-carrot slaw and a spicy garlic.
Mediterranean Tapas Medley
A spread of hummus, chilled tzatziki, classic Greek salad and soft pita bread.
Mediterranean Tapas Medley | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
Vegetable Greek Moussaka
Layers of grilled eggplant, Roma tomatoes and tender potatoes and onions, topped with panko breadcrumbs and served with oregano-tomato salsa.
Vegetable Moussaka | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
Grilled Steak with Chimichurri
Marinated strip steak prepared to order with chimichurri, garlic potato wedges and tender roasted vegetables.
Grilled Steak with Chimichurri | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics
Black Forest Tart
Vanilla tart shell wth rich dark chocolate ganache and cherry filling, topped with raspberry whipped cream, lemon zest and a maraschino cherry.
Crema Catalana
Smooth and rich Spanish-style custard finished with a crackly caramelized sugar topping.
Huge shoutout to our incredible dining team - Wiryawan and Bayu - who took care of our group all 8 nights of this Southern Caribbean Cruise!
Best Dining Staff | Symphony of the Seas Review
On Air Karaoke
Karaoke was buzzing on the last day of the cruise in On Air in the Royal Promenade. I've never done karaoke on a cruise ship myself, but it's great fun to watch others have a blast with it.
The Night Before Disembarkation
The sad moment has arrived when we start to see all the suitcases lining up in the hallways. If you would like luggage assistance you need to pack your bags the night before and place them in the hallway.
You can then pick them up after you disembark.
Night Before Disembarkation on Symphony of the Seas
In our case, we prefer to keep our luggage with us so we don't have to rush off the ship in the morning. We only have carry-on bags anyways, so it's not too burdensome.
After packing up our bags we ran up to Sorrento's Pizza one last time.
Royal Caribbean Sorrento's Pizza Menu
Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Tips:
The cruise line provides some helpful tips for an easy departure and explains what to do the night before and the morning of departure. These are very helpful tips for first time cruisers and veterans alike.
Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Tips
Needless-to-say, I appreciate the bottom right corner outlining the locations and hours food will be available on disembarkation day. :p
Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Times
You may be wondering, "When can I get off the ship? How early can I disembark?"
On this particular cruise the scheduled departure times were between 7:15am and 9:45am. They often call all luggage tag numbers before the listed time of 9:45.
On this particular cruise the scheduled departure times were between 7:15am and 9:45am. They often call all luggage tag numbers before the listed time of 9:45.
Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Times
If you are "Self-assist" meaning you have your own luggage, you can depart at any time. You do not have to depart at 7:15am.
As we usually don't have a flight scheduled until later in the day we take our time, try to enjoy some breakfast, and make our way off the ship toward the end. :)
Windjammer on Disembarkation Day
If you can't make it to the main dining room on the day of departure, you can always head to the Windjammer, Park Cafe, or Solarium Bistro for "regular" guests (meaning non-suites).
View of a Princess Ship in Florida Cruise Port from Windjammer Buffet on Royal Caribbean
A few more helpful details
As we did a final pass through the room we thought we would share a few documents in the cabin that could be helpful to you.
Royal Caribbean Show Summary
On embarkation day we received a printout which described the main scheduled entertainment shows onboard during our cruise. On the reverse side it outlined the days and time each would be showing.
Royal Caribbean Entertainment Symphony of the Seas
I found this very helpful as you can decide if it's something you are interested in or not and plot out when you want to reserve tickets.
Remember, all the shows are free, but you do need to reserve a space in advance to ensure you'll have a seat!
You can see all this information on the Royal Caribbean App too, which is great, but something about having it consolidated to one piece of paper and seeing it all at one time was very appealing to me. :)
Royal Caribbean Laundry PRices
Here's the price list for Laundry Service on our Royal Caribbean Cruise. If you cant DIY your laundry, then here are your options. Please check your Crown and Anchor Loyalty Status perks for any applicable discounts on laundry. :)
Royal Caribbean Laundry Prices
Prices range from $1.99 to $14.99 per item, but you can usually also send an entire bag for around $35 before discounts so check for that option in a pinch if you have a lot to send in as it may be a savings.
Royal Caribbean Room Service Menus
Room service on Royal Caribbean is not free. There is a flat fee of $7.95 + 18% gratuity for each delivery. So if you order 1 item from this menu or 10, the charge is the same.
If you order Lunch and Dinner, you'll pay the charge twice. If you order once a day every day for a 7 night cruise you'll pay it seven times.
If you order Lunch and Dinner, you'll pay the charge twice. If you order once a day every day for a 7 night cruise you'll pay it seven times.
Lunch, Dinner, Snacks Room Service Menu
Royal Caribbean Room Service Menu
Breakfast Room service Menu
Continental Breakfast Room Service Delivery on Royal Caribbean is FREE!
If you want hot cooked eggs under the American Breakfast Category then the $7.95 + gratuity service fee mentioned above still applies.
If you want hot cooked eggs under the American Breakfast Category then the $7.95 + gratuity service fee mentioned above still applies.
Royal Caribbean Breakfast Menu
Continental Breakfast Door Hang Tags
There is a strange amount of enjoyment that comes from filling out your order on these breakfast menus and hanging them on your stateroom door at night.
Feel free to write a little note of appreciation on here too. :)
You can select your preferred delivery time but please know it's hard from them to deliver exactly within that window some days so it could come earlier or later.
I'll really miss having coffee, juice, fruit, and pastries delivered to my door in the morning.
Until next time, Royal Caribbean!
I hope you have enjoyed this Symphony of the Seas Review!
Up next: Gallery One Double Tree By Hilton Fort Lauderdale Hotel RevieW W/ Photos
Double Tree Hilton Fort Lauderdale Room Tour and Review
More Royal Caribbean Blogs:
- Lobster Night On a Cruise
- One Day in Aruba Cruise Port: DIY Walking Tour Aruba Cruise Port
- Aruba: A Taste of the Caribbean Dinner
- Embarkation Day: Symphony of the Seas Embarkation Day
- Sea Day: Exploring the Ship on a Sea Day
- Sea Day: A Taste of Italy Dinner
- Curacao: Missing Curação Cruise Port
- Breakfast at Johnny Rockets - Free on Oasis Class Ships
- Symphony of the Seas: Water Slides & Flow Rider
- El Loco Fresh Review - Mexican Inspired Food
- The Royal Night - Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu
You May Also Like: Grocery Store Food Reviews
Labadee - Royal Caribbean's Private Resort on Haiti
When you get off the ship in Labadee you have a great photo opportunity, if you're patient, with the Labadee sign and the ship in the background.
In This Post:
- One Day in Labadee Cruise Port
- Exploring Labadee
- Walking Trails on Labadee
- Souvenirs on Labadee
- Labadee Beach Bar Menu
- A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu
- Hairspray Broadway Production
- Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Cruise Port Review
This lovely tropically colored building is a shop "Boutik Logo Store" as well as excursion counter on either side.
While there are paid activities at Labadee including Kayak Adventure, Sip and Paint, Walking Tour, Aqua Park, Coaser, Flight Zip Line, there is also plenty to do for free, just follow the signs!
While there are paid activities at Labadee including Kayak Adventure, Sip and Paint, Walking Tour, Aqua Park, Coaser, Flight Zip Line, there is also plenty to do for free, just follow the signs!
Plenty to do on Labadee - paid and free - just follow the signs!
If you don't feel like walking around the island, you can catch a free tram and hop off at your beach or food establishment of choice.
Barefoot Beach Tram Service
There is a special Barefoot Beach Tram Service exclusively for Star, Sky, Pinnacle, and Concierge Suites guests. Guests who have reserved a Barefoot Beach Club Cabana can utilize this particular tram service.
Labadee Chair Photo Opportunity
If you decide to wander by foot you will find classic vacation photo ops for your friends and family like this giant Labadee chair. :)
Trails on Labadee, Haiti
There are some nice paths to walk around the lush greenery of the island that lead to some 'secret' look out points where you can take in some nice views and get some nice pictures of your crew.
You can get a view of the Aqua Park (paid activity) from this lookout as well.
Souvenir Shopping on Labadee
For the uninitiated, on Labadee you have the opportunity to venture into this Market section with local vendors. Many cruisers find the selling culture to be a bit aggressive and you should be prepared to haggle if you want to shop in this area.
Shopping from local Vendors on Labadee
Some love this type of shopping and interaction, but if it's not for you there are other options.
Cost of Souvenirs on Labadee
If you're curious about the prices for souvenirs on Labadee, here are a few from one of the main shopping options.
The environment in here is calmer and you are able to pay with Visa, so if you don't bring extra cash but want a souvenir this is a good option. They have all the usual things, some manufactured mugs and some more unique options. They have Rhum Punch (Rum Punch) and T shirts which started at $9.95.
Larimar Necklaces were listed at $35 and carved Limestone animals were plentiful. The elephant was $15.
Labadee Beach Bar Menu
Labadee Beach Bar Menu with Prices
Cocktail Prices |
Beer prices |
|
|
An additional service charge will be added to these prices unless you have a Royal Caribbean Beverage Package.
You can also order items not on the menu, of course. Like the Labadoozie - basically a frozen rum punch or even a whisky to sip on the beach.
Beach Time on LAbadee
Please Leave Nothing But Your Footprints Sign
Even on an overcast day, the views are beautiful with calm waters nestled between lush mountains, it's exactly what you're hoping for on a Caribbean Cruise.
Private Cabanas on Labadee
If you have cash to splash you can rent one of these private cabanas for the day or do an excursion like kayaking in these tropical waters.
Free Food On Labadee
When you're hungry on Labadee you can enjoy a beach picnic including things like hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, rice, corn on the cob, fruit, salads, cookies, cakes and the like. The food is included in your cruise fare.
A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Menu
Enjoy this cruise food photo review!
A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu
Goat Cheese Tart
Goat Cheese Tart Royal Caribbean Cruise Food
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Mozzarella cheese coated with crispy garlic-seasoned panko breading and fried until golden brown, paired with a zesty marinara dipping sauce.
Clearly that is not mozzarella cheese.
Due to a supply chain issue, the culinary crew had to make a cheese swap out. So it was surprising when you're expecting mozzarella, but hey - when you're talking about breaded and deep fried cheese it's hard to go wrong. :)
Due to a supply chain issue, the culinary crew had to make a cheese swap out. So it was surprising when you're expecting mozzarella, but hey - when you're talking about breaded and deep fried cheese it's hard to go wrong. :)
Traditional English Fish and CHips
Tempura-battered Atlantic cod fried until golden with thick-cut potatoes, mushy peas, creamy coleslaw and tartar sauce.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Indian Food on Royal Caribbean is almost always a home run if you're not sure what to order. I've said it before and I'll say it again. :)
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Warm steamed date pudding with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Hairspray Broadway Production
Good Morning Baltimore!
After dinner we squeezed in a production show. On Symphony of the Seas you can watch the Broadway production Hairspray. It's one of the longer shows you will see on a cruise.
After dinner we squeezed in a production show. On Symphony of the Seas you can watch the Broadway production Hairspray. It's one of the longer shows you will see on a cruise.
Hairspray on Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Review
I love Royal Caribbean's offerings of Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Some argue that these cruise line owned resorts or islands are not an authentic experience of the island, and sure I get that. But I view them as a high value "freebie" day where I don't have to plan or spend any extra cash if I don't want to or don't have it.
Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas Docked at Labadee, Haiti
Labadee offers a low pressure day where everything is taken care of for you and close by. You have beach chairs and umbrellas included for free at the various beach locations. You have food included without having to go back to the ship or spend extra cash. You have tram service if you're unable or don't want to walk as much. And the scenery is absolutely beautiful.
While I do love exploring cruise ports and trying local food and having that "more authentic" experience, I am always happy to see either Labadee or Perfect Day on a Caribbean Itinerary.
More from this Royal Caribbean Cruise Review:
- Lobster Night On a Cruise
- Aruba: DIY Walking Tour Aruba Cruise Port
- Aruba: A Taste of the Caribbean Dinner
- Embarkation Day: Symphony of the Seas Embarkation Day
- Sea Day: Exploring the Ship on a Sea Day
- Sea Day: A Taste of Italy Dinner
- Curacao: Missing Curação Cruise Port
- Breakfast at Johnny Rockets - Free on Oasis Class Ships
- Symphony of the Seas: Water Slides & Flow Rider
- El Loco Fresh Review - Mexican Inspired Food
- The Royal Night - Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu
Oh, Hey!
We're Justin and Marissa
We love to travel and eat!
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Traveling Through Food is a place to share adventures in travel + food so you can find inspiration for your next big trip whether it's across the globe or down the freezer aisle ;)
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Thanks for visiting!
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