Embarkation Day on Celebrity Ascent | Celebrity Cruise BlogThere'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 BlogWe 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 ReviewWe 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
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Padrino's Cuban Cuisine Pics & Review
FORT LAUDERDALE RESTAURANT REVIEWS
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- Port Everglades Cruise Port Hotel Review: Gallery One Doubletree by Hilton Fort Lauderdale
- 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
- Villa Lemon Tree Venice Beach Pool House Review with Photos - coming soon
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- El Primo Red Tacos Miami Review - Too Good To Go Review
- Meraki Greek Bistro Restaurant Review - Miami Happy Hour Review
- A Family Brickell Review - Too Good To Go Review
- Dumplings Mi Amor Review - Miami Ramen and Dumpling Restaurant Review
- Marabu Coal Fired Cuban Cuisine - Miami Happy Hour Review
- Raccoon Coffee and Kitchen Miami Food Truck Review - Too Good to Go Review
- Versailles Cuban Cuisine Miami Restaurant Review
- Azucar Ice Cream Company Review - Miami Little Havana Calle Ocho
- Miami Slice Review - Pizza Review
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 |
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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
Day 6 of our Southern Caribbean Cruise on Symphony of the Seas was a sea day and realizing the cruise was quickly winding down we had a few more spots on the ship to tick off our list before the highly anticipated lobster night on a cruise.
Breakfast at Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas
Johnny Rockets is a fun old fashioned American Diner styled specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, but not many people realize that on Oasis Class Ships you can eat breakfast for free at Johnny Rockets!
Coffee and Orange Juice
They really lean into the old school diner vibes with the plastic coffee mugs and the huge glasses of 'orange juice'. I recommend sharing a glass if you order it as it's just a LOT of juice. :)
Coffee and Orange Juice at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas
Eggs "My Way"
Served with potatoes, applewood smoked bacon or sausage and sourdough toast.
Eggs My Way at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas
buttermilk Pancakes
"Three classic buttermilk pancakes served with your choice of applewood smoked bacon or sausage and maple syrup"
Buttermilk Pancakes at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas
"The Works" Breakfast Scrambler
"Scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, grilled bell pepper and onions, mushrooms and chili topped with shredded Wisconsin cheddar, served with potatoes and toast"
"The Works" Scramble at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas
Condiments
With our breakfast at Johnny Rockets they served some ketchup for the potatoes, jelly for the toast, and "maple" syrup for the pancakes.
Condiments at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas
Breakfast and a Show
We were delighted by the show the Johnny Rockets crew put on during our breakfast! Nothing like a surprise break out into song and dance!
Entertainment at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas
Afternoon Water Slides and Flow Rider
The final sea day on a cruise is a last call to cram in all the fun ship activities you haven't done yet, or haven't done enough because it was so fun. So for us we needed to do some serious waterslide time and some flow rider time.
Racing Water Slides
Here is a good view of all the slides (aside from Ultimate Abyss the dry slide) on Symphony of the Seas. You can see the Blue and Yellow slides which you can race your friends on if you want.
And on the right you can see the green/yellow "toilet bowl" water slide.
And on the right you can see the green/yellow "toilet bowl" water slide.
Symphony of the Seas Dueling Water Slides
The toilet bowl slide
The toilet bowl slide, as it's affectionally called, drops you into a bowl before you finish the slide and depending on your speed you may loop around the bowl multiple times quickly before finishing the ride.
And as you can see in these pictures, there is actually a "see-through" section on some of the slides so if you keep an eye out you can catch a glimpse of your loved ones as they shoot down the water slides!
Above you can see the splashes are pretty great whether you shoot down the yellow/blue slides or the toilet bowl slide.
Which would you try?!
Rainbow on a Cruise SHip
We were delighted to catch a rainbow at sea just over the pool deck before grabbing a quick bite for late lunch.
Rainbow on Symphony of the Seas Southern Caribbean Cruise
El Loco Fresh Mexican Lunch
El Loco Fresh is a popular Mexican casual dining restaurant on Symphony of the Seas. It's a free restaurant and great for grabbing a quick bite.
You can grab a quesadilla or premade burrito or you can DIY you own plate with an assortment of rice, meat, beans, taco shells, tortilla chips and so on.
There is also a bar with lovely fresh toppings including various salsas, pico de Gallo, delicious guacamole, and a huge display of hot sauces.
There is also a section with little desserts like this chocolate cake topped with caramel topped with chocolate mouse that I think would be a great dessert to make for a party in individual cups. A future recreated recipe for Inspired By Travel for sure.
And they always have plastic cups filled with cut up fruit - watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe. This is one of my favorite features of El Loco Fresh.
Pro Tip: I would often grab a cup of fruit and bring it to the fridge of my stateroom and when I wanted a healthy fresh snack I didn't have to go anywhere! :)
The Royal Night Dinner
The Royal Night Menu
Royal Caribbean's The Royal Night Menu Photo
Avocado and Melon Salad
Sweet cantaloupe, ripe avocados, orange segments and figs in a maple-lime dressing, topped with toasted pine nuts.
Avocado and Melon Salad - The Royal Night Menu
Vidalia Onion Tart
Sweet onion tart baked with smoked bacon and Parmesan cheese, served with sautéed bell peppers and creamed leeks.
Vidalia Onion Tart - The Royal Night Menu
Maine Lobster Tail
Broiled lobster tail with melted butter, saffron rice and sautéed vegetables
Maine Lobster Tail - The Royal Night Menu
Baked Alaska
Layered Neapolitan ice cream wrapped in sponge cake and torched meringue.
Baked Alaska - The Royal Night Menu
Red Velvet Cake
Fluffy layered cocoa-infused cake with sweet cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of chocolate.
Red Velvet Cake - The Royal Night Menu
After Dinner Drinks at Vintages
If ever there is a night to splash out for a drink on a cruise it's formal night!
We went to Vintages in Central Park where they have a great collection of scotches to try including Travelers Editions you can only buy or taste on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.
We went to Vintages in Central Park where they have a great collection of scotches to try including Travelers Editions you can only buy or taste on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.
Macallan on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
And what better way is there to end an evening in a park, on a cruise ship, sipping Macallan and playing chess at this adorable mosaic table?
Chess Board in Central Park on Symphony of the Seas
More from this Southern Caribbean Cruise Review:
Cruise Travel UGC Blogger
After spending a cheap DIY day on Aruba, it was time for a Caribbean themed dinner in the main dining room of Symphony of the Seas.
A Taste of the Caribbean Dinner Menu
Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu Photo:
Although it's the Caribbean menu, as you can see there is still a mix of offerings that are not Caribbean-inspired at all and our choices reflect that.
Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp
"Breaded coconut shrimp paired with a tangy pineapple-celeriac slaw and a sweet chili dipping sauce"
Coconut shrimp is always a win, and I will always order it on a cruise!
Asian-Style Pork Bao Tacos
"Roasted pork belly in a sweet-chili sauce topped with sautéed vegetables and pork crackling in a soft, steamed bun"
I'm always enticed by Bao, but at the end of the day I think I'm just not crazy about the texture of the steamed buns - on or off a cruise ship.
Garlic-Herb Buttered Tiger Shrimp
"Broiled until golden brown, served with jasmine rice, sautéed seasonal vegetables, and a garlicky herb butter"
Shrimp appetizer, Shrimp main ... as long as you're not allergic this is a win!
Jerk-Seasoned Pork Chop
"Tender marinated pork chop with rice and beans, sweet plantains and Jamaican fried dumplings"
Can we all just look back to the shrimp meal and then this one and agree that this is a massive amount of food!
Being Cuban-American, my eyes light up when I see plantains on a menu and of course I love rice and beans. We honeymooned in Jamaica where I had my first bites of jerk seasoned foods so how could I not order this dish?
Despite all that connection, in retrospect I liked the garlic herb buttered tiger shrimp better - who knew?!
Being Cuban-American, my eyes light up when I see plantains on a menu and of course I love rice and beans. We honeymooned in Jamaica where I had my first bites of jerk seasoned foods so how could I not order this dish?
Despite all that connection, in retrospect I liked the garlic herb buttered tiger shrimp better - who knew?!
Pineapple Sunshine Cake
"Light and fluffy pineapple cake with a sweet whipped cream frosting"
More Symphony of the Seas Cruise Food Pics and Reviews:
Order with confidence after I introduce you to all the exotic ingredients on the menu at Raw on 5! ;)
Raw on 5 Celebrity Ascent
What is raw on 5?
Raw on 5 is an upscale, seafood-focused specialty dining restaurant on Celebrity Cruises.
The name "Raw on 5" comes from its location on Deck 5 of the ship, and the "raw" part refers to its sushi bar and raw seafood offerings like oysters, sashimi, and specialty rolls, if those are your jam. The concept is pretty chic, offering a variety of high-quality dishes, like nigiri, sushi rolls, and ceviches, all prepared fresh. |
In This Article:
Tap below to jump to what you need! :)
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Sushi Chef at work Raw on 5 on Celebrity Ascent
If you're a seafood lover looking to indulge in some elegant and creative dining at sea, Raw on 5 is for you!
But what if you're not into slimy oysters, raw fish on rice, or seafood in general? Don't worry! You can find hot plates sans seafood like Tonkotsu Ramen, Pork Belly Skewers, and Chicken Ginger Gyoza at Raw on 5.
If you're vegetarian, Edamame and Miso Soup await you! :)
Which Ships have Raw on 5?
Raw on 5 is available on Celebrity Edge Class Ships including Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Beyond.
Does Celebrity Xcel have Raw on 5? Great question! Celebrity Xcel will soon join the fleet of Edge Class Ships and while we can assume it will, hang tight for official word. ;)
Does Celebrity Xcel have Raw on 5? Great question! Celebrity Xcel will soon join the fleet of Edge Class Ships and while we can assume it will, hang tight for official word. ;)
Sushi at Raw on 5 Photo - Celebrity Cruises
How much does Raw on 5 cost?
While some Specialty Dining restaurants have a cover charge which allows you to order anything from the menu, others are a la carte style. (Remember our Le Grand Bistro Review?)
Raw on 5 is a la carte style. This means you order off the menu like any restaurant you are used to on land and pay the price per item.
This can make specialty dining more approachable as you may only want one specific item for $15 and wouldn't find a cover charge of $50 to be worth it.
Raw on 5 is a la carte style. This means you order off the menu like any restaurant you are used to on land and pay the price per item.
This can make specialty dining more approachable as you may only want one specific item for $15 and wouldn't find a cover charge of $50 to be worth it.
On the other hand, some prefer a flat-fee cover charge as they feel more confident to step out of their comfort zone when ordering resting assured they can always add an order of something more "safe" if they don't like their adventurous choice.
Let's take a look at the prices on these sample menus!
Let's take a look at the prices on these sample menus!
Pictures of Raw on 5 Menu with prices!
Rolls & Nigiri - Celebrity Raw on 5 Menu
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Okay so most of us are probably excited about sushi when we think of dining at Raw on 5.
How much is the sushi? With $10 to $16 you can enjoy the classic California Roll elevated with Snow Crab (que fancy!) instead of imitation crab, the Beyond Roll featuring Spicy Tuna and Shrimp Tempura, or even some Nigiri!
Wait. What is Nigiri?
Nigiri is a cute little mound of rice with a slice of raw fish atop. See your sushi emoji's for a visual. ;) I'm looking at these sushi menu options and there literally is not a single item I would not love to try! How fun would it be to waltz in and say "I'll take one of each!" Gifts for your sushi loving friends: |
Raw & Barely Dressed - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
With the likes of Sashimi, Oysters, and Tiradito, the Raw and Barely Dressed menu is not for the faint of heart.
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What is Sashimi?
Sashimi is like Nigiri without rice. So basically a slice of high quality raw fish. What is Hamachi Tiradito? This is an interesting Peruvian dish which highlights Japanese influence in Peru. Hamachi is yellowtail tuna. Tiradito is made with sliced raw fish (in this case yellowtail tuna), sashimi style, and dressed in a spicy citrus outfit.
Is Tiradito the same as Ceviche?
Not quite. Ceviche is made of cubed raw fish or other seafood which is marinated in citrus that essentially cures it. On the other hand tiradito is made of slices of raw fish and is dressed in citrus just before serving so it remains totally raw, uncured, bright and fresh. I'd say Tiradito and Ceviche are cousins. |
Beautiful Ahi Tuna Sashimi at Raw on 5 - Photo Celebrity Cruises
What is Kakiage? It's a tempura Japanese dish. So on Celebrity Beyond you can have shrimp and scallop dipped in tempura batter and deep fried if you order the Shrimp and Scallop Kakiage. That sounds delicious!
What is Furikake? The Crispy Shrimp are seasoned with Furikake, a Japanese seasoning that is crunchy, salty, and a bit nutty/earthy. It usually includes dried fish, seaweed, salt and sugar. Furikake apparently means sprinkle in Japanese, as in "to sprinkle", but the seasoning is on the chunky side and really looks like savory sprinkles!
What is Furikake? The Crispy Shrimp are seasoned with Furikake, a Japanese seasoning that is crunchy, salty, and a bit nutty/earthy. It usually includes dried fish, seaweed, salt and sugar. Furikake apparently means sprinkle in Japanese, as in "to sprinkle", but the seasoning is on the chunky side and really looks like savory sprinkles!
Tonkotsu Ramen Soup from Raw on 5 - Photo Celebrity Cruises
Hot Plates + Land "Meats" Sea - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
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If you like seafood but just don't really want to do the raw thing, check out the hot plates menu.
What is Kushikatsu? It's deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables - yum!
Pork Belly Skewers - *insert heart eyes emoji* Tonkotsu Ramen - happy tears! What is Tonkotsu? Tonkotsu is a super delicious, rich broth made from pork bones. After simmering for a long time the broth becomes creamy and it's the ultimate umami comfort food. Love it so much! It originated in Fukuoka, Japan and sometime I'll share some pics of a quick trip we took to Fukuoka! |
If all these options intimidate you, just order the Chicken Teriyaki or Ribeye Medallions - you won't miss!
Incredible Seafood at Raw on 5 - Photo Celebrity Cruises
Seafood Plateaux - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
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If you want a big ol' seafood platter you can drop up to a buck twenty ($120) for the Imperial Tower.
Whats in the Imperial Tower?
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Presentation is everything at Raw on 5 - Photo Celebrity Cruises
Cocktails & Champagne - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
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The cocktails at Raw on 5 are all crafted on a base of Pure Snow Sake.
What is Sake? Sake is Japanese rice wine. I've only ever had sake on its own (always served in an adorable tiny cup) so I am really intrigued by these cocktails. Here's the order I would try them in:
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Wine List - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
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Wines by the glass range from $10 all the way up to $35 for Caymus out of Napa Valley, California.
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Sakes - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
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On Celebrity Cruises you can try 2 Sakes by the glass at Raw on 5.
You also have:
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Raw on 5 Dessert Menu
Coffee and Dessert Wines - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
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A bit suprised there are no matcha teas or matcha lattes on the dessert beverage list at Raw on 5.
You basically have the standard espresso and latte options along with some late harvest wines including a Canadian ice wine. 
Mocha on Celebrity Ascent
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Are cocktails at raw on 5 included in the beverage package?
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This is a good question and the answer is yes! But also no. Err.. Sort of.. Probably, maybe, it depends. :p
Really it depends which drink package you have. If you have the Classic Drink Package, everything is included up to $10 per drink. If you have the Premium Drink Package, everything is included up to $17 per drink. Cocktails at Raw on 5 run $12-15. So they are included if you have the premium drink package, but if you have the classic drink package you will need to pay the difference between $10 and the cocktail price. So each drink will cost you an additional $2-5. With the Classic package you could enjoy glasses of Snow Maiden Sake ($10), Le Bel Oliver Rosé ($10) or Corte Giara Pinot Grigio ($10) for 'free'. Also feel free to order your favorite classics off menu. |
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Desserts - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
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Things you're probably wondering about on the Dessert Menu at Raw on 5:
What is Yuzu? Yuzu is not the same as a lemon, but it very much looks like a lemon and is a highly fragrant citrus fruit! What is Nori? Nori is dried, edible seaweed. You may be familiar with its use in sushi rolls. Nori is loaded with vitamins and minerals! What is Lychee? Ooo Lychee is such a yummy fruit! They look so exotic on the outside with their bumpy red skin, and inside they are sweet and juicy. They always remind me of a cross between a skinless grape and a pear. What is red bean paste? A lot of asian cultures use red bean paste in their desserts, especially Japan. Made by boiling red beans and mashing them until smooth, the paste can then be sweetened or left as is. |
Picture of the Beyond Roll at Raw on 5 - Photo Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity's Raw on 5 Review
After doing a deep dive into the menus, I am really impressed with the offerings at Raw on 5. I think Celebrity has done a great job sharing some dishes that adventurous foodie passengers would find exotic and unique while still providing a number of options for their less daring travel buddies! ;)
I'm looking forward to trying Raw on 5 on my next Celebrity Cruise.
I'm looking forward to trying Raw on 5 on my next Celebrity Cruise.
If you have never had a Mango Lassi before, what are you waiting for?! Lidl is carrying ready to drink Lassis in two flavors - Mango and Pineapple-Coconut.
Shown above: Vitasia Indian Style Lassi Manga + Vitasia Indian Style Lassi Piña/Ananás & Coco
Learn Portuguese
Mango in Portuguese is manga
Pineapple in Portuguese is ananás or abacaxi. Piña is Spanish for pineapple lol.
Coconut in Portuguese is Coco.
Pineapple in Portuguese is ananás or abacaxi. Piña is Spanish for pineapple lol.
Coconut in Portuguese is Coco.
Vitasia Indian Style Lassi Ingredients and Nutrition Information
Tap an image below to enlarge it if you want to read the ingredients or nutrition information for the Mango Lassi or the Pineapple Coconut Lassi.
When you peel back the foil lid of the lassi containers you reveal a plastic seal with an opening to drink out of! This design worked great!
To recycle this package you remove the outer cardboard layer which is the label of this product and put it in the blue recycling bin, then you can put the plastic cup along with the foil lid in the yellow recycling bin which is for plastic and metal. :)
To recycle this package you remove the outer cardboard layer which is the label of this product and put it in the blue recycling bin, then you can put the plastic cup along with the foil lid in the yellow recycling bin which is for plastic and metal. :)
Make it at home:
Vitasia Indian Style Lassi Review
We loved these Lassis! The flavor and texture were great on both, nice and creamy, and if you have never had a lassi before and don't plan to visit an Indian restaurant to order one, I think these are a solid introduction. Mango Lassi is very traditional and we did prefer it over the pineapple coconut edition.
| Still, if you love Piña coladas you'll love the pineapple-coconut lassi too! The coconut flavor is prominent so you must love coconut to enjoy this beverage. Lassis are a yogurt based beverage popular in India so if you're feeling exotic why not swing by your local Lidl and see if you can still nab one of these delights?! |  Mango Lassi with Salmon Salad |
COST: .99 EURO
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WOULD YOU TRY a lassi?
DO YOU THINK THEY WERE A GOOD VALUE?
These lassi beverages were purchased at Lidl, a grocery store in Portugal. If you're looking for information on current Cost of Living in Portugal and opinions of Americans in Portugal, check out these posts:
Lidl Portuguese Grocery Reviews:
Before sailing on our favorite cruise ship yet, we found ourselves with a few days in Miami.
Miami isn't necessarily the cheapest city to eat in when you're on a shoestring budget so we made great use of TooGoodToGo and Happy Hour Menus to enjoy some of the culinary offerings without completely breaking the bank. Enter El Primo.
Miami isn't necessarily the cheapest city to eat in when you're on a shoestring budget so we made great use of TooGoodToGo and Happy Hour Menus to enjoy some of the culinary offerings without completely breaking the bank. Enter El Primo.
El Primo Red Taco in Miami
El Primo Red Tacos is located at 179 E Flagler St in Miami, Florida. A short walk from where we stayed at the Hyatt Regency.
Check out the Hyatt Regency Miami Review Here
The pick-up window was between 9:30 and 9:45 pm. The restaurant was clearly empty by that point and you can see they offer plenty of seating both inside and outside.
How much is a Margarita in Miami?
Well, at El Primo Red Tacos they are serving $6 margaritas and cerveza (beer) all day, every day!
Well, at El Primo Red Tacos they are serving $6 margaritas and cerveza (beer) all day, every day!
what we got.
We ordered 2x Surprise bags from El Primo Red Tacos at $5.99 each. Each container had 2 tacos, topped with cilantro and a fresh radish slice as well as some tortilla chips, salsa, and a lime wedge.
We were also surprised to receive agua de horchata x 2!
What we Thought.
It had been such a long time since we had tacos period, that I was so happy to eat these tacos! Even after carrying them back to the hotel they were still so tasty.
Small corn tortillas are my favorite and home made tortilla chips can't be beat! The tacos at El Primo Red Tacos are birria and the only problem that I had with them was I wanted more. lol
Small corn tortillas are my favorite and home made tortilla chips can't be beat! The tacos at El Primo Red Tacos are birria and the only problem that I had with them was I wanted more. lol
| The Horchata was unbelievably tasty. Typically made with rice, flavored with cinnamon and sweetened with sugar, this horchata was refreshing and a nice balance to the savory tacos and spicy salsa. To pay $5.99 in Miami for 2 quality tacos, chips and salsa, and a drink was a great deal! I could have easily eaten more, but I was happy for the opportunity to try El Primo Red Tacos at a discount while in town and I wouldn't hesitate to return next time I'm in Miami! |  It's hard to beat eating tacos with this view of Miami from Hyatt Regency |
More Miami Food & Travel Blogs:
- Hyatt Regency Miami Review
- Meraki Greek Bistro Review - Miami Happy Hour
- A Family Review - Argentinean Delights in Miami
- Dumpling Mi Amore Review - Ramen and Dumplings in Miami
- Marabu Cuban Cuisine - Miami Happy Hour Review
- Raccoon Coffee & Kitchen Miami Food Truck Review
- Versaille Miami's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant Review
- Azucar - Little Havana's Best Ice Cream
- Miami Slice - Overrated?
- Free Public Transportation in Miami - Trolley, Metro Mover
More too Good To Go Reviews:
- Rei do Churrasco Review - Quarteira, Portugal
- Too Good To Go Portugal Review
- A Family Miami Too Good To Go Review
- Raccoon Coffee & Kitchen Miami TooGoodToGo Review
Oh, Hey!
We're Justin and Marissa
We love to travel and eat!
Traveling Through Food is a place to share some of our adventures in travel and food so you can find inspiration for your next big trip whether it's around the world or down the freezer aisle at the grocery store. :p
Check out this recent cruise post:
Check out this recent Restaurant Review:
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