Great trip to the Mediterranean

Symphony of the Seas Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 47

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5
Symphony of the Seas

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Rome Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 27, 2018

Ship: Symphony of the Seas

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 7354

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Our Mediterranean cruise was fantastic however, it wasn’t without some issues. We boarded the symphony in Civitavecchia (Rome) but most people on our ship got on in Barcelona 2 or 3 days prior. Because our group was so much smaller, (about 1,500 guests as opposed to 4,000 from Barcelona we were told) our boarding went quick and easy which was great! What I’m about to explain may seem trivial, but upon boarding there was little to no welcome. The Barcelona crowd was returning from excursions etc and we entered the ship mixed in with them. There was some champagne on board for the newcomers however, there were only 2 glasses and we were a party of 4. No one offered the champagne so we asked about it... the two greeters said that more was coming so we waited and waited and asked again, still nothing...no one cared so we left. When the Barcelona crowd left after their 7 days we thought we’d be on top but no! The cruise staff seemed to cater to the new Barcelona people! Little things like this happened all week long but I won’t bore you with the details. I know this sounds trivial but we paid the same amount of money for this cruise and felt like second class much of the time.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
The service and staff were great. We tried to avoid the windjammer because it’s jammed! Lots of other places to go... room steward was wonderful.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

great trip

Ports of call

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

2 out of 5
Not much to do here unless you go to Rome.

Naples, Italy

5 out of 5

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

5 out of 5

Marseille (Provence), France

5 out of 5

La Spezia, Italy

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 47

6 Comments

Copentravelcom    6 years ago

Let's hope they are working out the kinks in service

graham123    6 years ago

Loveandlight    6 years ago

When we boarded in June we were the first group to board in Rome under this new concept. We had orange set sail cards to decipher us from the Barcelona group. We had champagne given to us but it did seem odd as only about 1500 boarded with us in Rome. The standard goodbye cake and party were only done for those exiting in Barcelona which was an excursion day for us. It was odd but other than that I felt it was very balanced with the other group. We were the first though so maybe they’ve wavered since then. Sorry it wasn’t what it should have been. You pay the same amount as the others and should receive the same welcome and departure treatment.

billericaydicky    6 years ago

We boarded at Barcelona very quick and efficient but didnt see any champagne. Went to lunch in the Solarium bistro and then to the cabin. Wasnt aware of any discrimination. How do the staff know who got on at which port? We had a great cruise but dont think its just because we got on in Barcelona.

Shh813    6 years ago

That's definitely not trivial. I would have felt the same way. We love Celebrity and Holland America for the best service.

kloven    6 years ago

I don't think that's a trivial comment I think you deserved more than what you got and I think you should complain actually to the cruise folks and tell them how you felt I think these are valid complaints

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