mom2mybugs

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and pics. We are trying to decide if we should try our first quantum or Wonder this coming new years. I'm now freaking out a bit about the crowded pool deck and poor traffic flow. But we loved southern Caribbean and we'd have the extra day on Odyssey. Decisions... Decisions!!! Jane

Been very very very awol, but no money and lots happening! However, we are now looking at a New years eve cruise this year since our schools' winter breaks will be the whole week after New Years. I have been on Allure, so I am sure I would love Wonder. We are looking at an 8 day Odyssey Southern Caribbean cruise vs a 7 day Eastern Wonder. I think we would love the Odyssey itinerary, but I'm worried about liking the quantum class and I'm having a hard time pinning down exactly what restaurants/amenities are on quantum vs. oasis class. The wonder itinerary is the usual eastern caribbean we've been to but a new ship and new restaurants we haven't been to (we've been on allure once), whereas the quantum is an extra day and curicao for an extra couple hundred and a brand new ship. Can people tell me the vibes and shows on the ships ? Jane

Thank you so much! We would definitely not be doing suites, so its really comparing the rest of the ship (the bars, dining etc). I'm seeing about a 350 (interior) up to 900 (veranda) difference in price. It sounds like Edge is worth it, especially for the interior staterooms. I will have to weigh if the infinity balcony is worth it! Or if we just stay with Royal. So many choices! Thanks for all your input! Jane

I had saw the all included, but couldn't figure out if it was just aqua class and what the differences were. I think i have finally figured out that when I add up the drink pkg, wifi and any excursions to symphony or harmony, it really makes them about equivalent to Edge. But like Joe pointed out, I only get my points if i do royal not celebrity. Ahhh.....fwp! I have only been on allure, so either symphony or harmony would be awesome! Odyssey wasn't bad, but was one night less, so that is less appealling. Jane

i'm guessing we would not be doing suites on either line. So do you feel that the not being in a suite on Edge would be obnoxiously stiffling? I just don't think bumping up over 500 to move up to even aqua class is gonna be in the budget. Jane

This was hugely helpful. I was reading and trying to figure out if the all included was just aqua class, and I was trying to figure out the difference between drink pkgs (classic and premium). With the included, or actually with the +$30 a day upgrade, I think that actually the Edge comes out cheaper for me than Symphony at least on interior. Heres what i've figured out: Harmony cost: virt. balcony (1069pp) + drink pkg (guessing 50/day and I think gratuities too) (350 or more) =1419pp (plus probably wifi too at some point) Edge cost: interior 1346pp (includes wifi, classic drinks and tips) or if i got the upgraded (which the royal drink pkg includes) it would be 1556 per person, but that includes wifi surf (all i need) and 150 towards shore excursions (which i definitely would also get on royal especially if we were going to cococay). So if my math is right, Edge is really not out of the realm of possible, though it doesn't get me any royal points. But i could let my sister in law pick the ship and itinerary ? I will have to look how the comparison goes on ocean view and balcony. Jane

Thanks Joe. I didn't realize that the double points was still happening. Since I will never be able to afford a suite, this is a great way to speed up my points. In terms of Odyssey's days--its 2 sea days. Overall it's 200 less than Symphony, and 100 less than Harmony (just found that one for some reason, but the itinerary is not the best--nassau, jamaica , labadee and cococay. That's a lot of beach and nothing else really). So I think I will wait on quantum class and if I do Royal, it will be Symphony or Harmony. I will check out more stuff on the celebrity forum :) Jane

So in trying to compare costs between the two cruise lines, I'm running into the fact that I don't know how much anything costs on celebrity. What does the average shore excursion cost on celebrity? And how much does the internet run? In Booking, I can pay an extra $30/day for drink pkg and $ towards excursions or $60/day for drink pkg, internet and excursions and I'm trying to figure out what's a good deal! Jane

Just looking at comparing the 2 ships. I know... Totally subjective and I will look at cost, itinerary etc but just curious if anyone really liked or missed something on one ship vs the other. Jane

So I finally get to dream of a new cruise. My baby is going to college next year and my husband, my daughter and I will all have different spring breaks. I have roped my sister in law into going on a cruise with me... First one for me since our 2019 Europe cruise on vision. Since our last 2 cruises were on small ships, I'm ready for a bigger one. Looks like March out of Florida (decided not to look at liberty out of Galveston for the moment) my best bets are symphony or odyssey. I've never been on a quantum ship and since it's only a 6 day cruise I'm leaving towards symphony. Then the other twist is that I could try celebrity for the first time... Either either on reflection (the last solstice ship), Edge or Apex (the newest ship). I'm leaning against edge... Just so expensive. Also I'm still only emerald class so wouldn't get any good transfer perks and symphony would add 7 more nights to my C and A. I know cruise choice is all subjective but I'm curious on people's comparisons celebrity vs Royal, and quantum vs Oasis class. Jane

How I miss the time when I started this strand and this was the thing I was worried about! That vision cruise (solarium roof was open!) was the last cruise we were on! Jane

I'm watching to see how all this plays out with the theme parks as well. With the Florida executive orders regarding masks and vaccines, I'm wondering how the private giant entities like Disney and the cruise companies will respond. Jane

I’m a fanatic and I just want to cruise it once. Then I will say never again to the price and have warring obsessions agin...Disney parks vs cruising. Jane

Thank you. So sorry that your last cruise got cancelled. Hope your family is well! Jane

We have had a pretty mild winter until the last couple weeks and it still is bad...so so done! Jane

Good to hear! We have been super cautious and will continue to mask and distance but the vaccine is a game changer for me. Jane

Awww...thank you! Jane

Hi Joe! I watched a lot of Gary’s videos before our sadly missed river cruise. He’s really sensible, and I am totally agreeing with him. I considered a New Years 2021 cruise but I’m not even confident with that, so we may wait until Xmas/New Years 2022. Jane

I will cross my fingers for you! I totally feel your wife’s need for sun and warm. Please tell her thank you for her service! My husband and I are in the current group to get vaccinated (educators) but the roll out is very slow...hoping it speeds up..and my husband has some health issues. If I get vaccinated, we have agreed I will take my almost 18 year old to Disney for spring break. She’s had a miserable senior year and this was the plan before all our lives changed. We will chance it, be as safe as possible and quarantine her when we get back. However, if I don’t get my first shot in the next 3 weeks, then we scrap it and go in June. Maybe we can do an Airbnb on Lake Michigan low key for a few days. Our last cruise was an amazing 12 day med/Greek isles summer 2019 and we cancelled our 2020 cruise so I’m anxious to try...looking like Christmas 2022 might be the time though I’d love to try 2021. I just don’t think I could take another cancelation! Jane

I don’t think there is one I’d say never again to, but after my last 2 cruises on very small ships, I’m ready to sail again on a bigger ship. I haven’t been on any amped ships so would like to see some of the new areas and restaurants. Jane

Hi everyone, Winter in Illinois with no hope of cruising soon and waiting to get a vaccine so I can go to Disney was MAJORLY getting me down! It was time to come back home lol. I have missed thinking about cruising and we have begun to consider a New Year’s Eve cruise with the kids, since spring break is impossible for the next few years (husband and I both teach, and our spring breaks are off until my district shifts again). Anyway, just wanted to say hi again and I hope everyone is well and planning for cruising with a vengeance (and a prayer that things open up soon)! Jane

This is great... More options for my vegetarian daughter! I know the regular menu had vegetarian choices, but sometimes they are a bit confusing or not marked... This gives a "don't think" option. Jane

Keep an eye out for cruise planner sales and also add ons if you are getting the drink pkg. I know my last cruise I got voom for $9 a day. Also if you aren't going to be on at the same time, you can share the pkg (if you get 1 device it's as many as you want, just 1 at a time. Jane

@karl_nj thank you for your review! I agree with you that I definitely could feel I wasnt on a ship with Oasis class. We ended up going to the sky deck a lot in the late afternoon when the chair hogs were gone to get a glance of the ocean. One of these days I'm going to try the tutti salad...I'm just always guarding my deck chair on those sea days! Let us know what you book next! Jane

Thank you! That was awesome! Jane