WannaCruise

Will definitely follow. Have a great cruise! (Which of course your will )

I love this! Great idea.

Great. Report back how it compares to the brunch.

Same...we have loved each one and haven't been one a ship yet we don't like. My favorite are the bigger class ships (Icon, Oasis, Quantum class) but just had an amazing Freedom cruise and DH and I are trying Jewel in June. In the past we have repeated Liberty (but very different itinerary) and Navigator (one out of FL and one out of LA)

Funny enough, that statement 100% describes me. I wake up at the same time each day, have meals same time (and often same items), etc etc. So I get it. I remember that you love Wonder and go on her regularly. Makes sense...you have your favorite and so want to repeat it. Let me guess..one of the3 specialty restaurants is Mason Jar? Makes sense...especially if you are close to a port and so limited with the ships. Good you still get something different out of each one. I guess one thing for me as one of my favorite things on the ship is the shows. So for the static production shows, they are repeats (which is ok for Broadway musicals as my favorites I have seen multiple times on land, but for the others I'm not sure)

When we are booking a cruise, we consider the departure port, the ship, cost, and last the itinerary. If our kids are with us, then the ship is a big factor (for DH and I too but not as crucial). We also try and pick a ship that is new to us. But as we cruise more and more, with cost factoring into our selection, we are starting to repeat ships. For example, both this Christmas and the following Christmas we have Harmony booked. Likewise, next March we are going on Oasis again. Do others mind repeating ships? And if so, do you do something different such as a specialty dining or activity or excursion?

My favorites / ones I watch regularly (in no particular order): Matt, Ben and David, ParoDeeJay, Kyle Pallo, Views and Queues, TravelSpree and Zach the Travelling Man.

Sounds great. We booked Anthem for Alaska next June and so excited. We went with Anthem too. For us, I am so not a cold person so at least it gives the option of amazing views from the inside. (Yes we will go outside and see the ports too but for the cruising part). Plus really enjoyed Anthem and happy to see We Will Rock You again, I know some of the larger ships has issues with Endicott Arm is a risk but overall looks amazing. Report back after your cruise.

Seems like stateroom type doesn't matter then. Thanks for sharing. Most likely, we have awhile to wait (even though we are only 3 months out - I check every day for our upcoming one). Too bad as the longer they wait, the less available to switch too if you prefer another room in the same category but different location. Can't complain though as we booked a GTY, so can't expect that anyways.

We're 100 days away from our June cruise and still waiting on a GTY. We also have another GTY booked for June 2026 and waiting, but I don't expect that one for a long time. A few years before covid, we booked a GTY and was assigned a room a couple weeks after booking. I'm thinking Royal Up is delaying Royal assigning those as they'd rather assign empty rooms to those that pay for it. I wonder too if the room type is a factor of when it will be assigned. Both of ours are interiors as we went as cheap as can be (but got amazing prices on both).

So funny to read this. Our DD15 told us the same thing yesterday. We didn't know if "everyone" just meant her group of friends. We remember a few years ago (just past covid) our DS had a test that Friday afternoon (we picked him up right after and headed straight out). Anyways seems like "everyone" really does mean most. We compromised and sent her for her first couple classes but letting her sign out early. She really does need to pack! Have a wonderful time on Utopia. Looks like such a fun ship and always great to experience a new ship. It's wonderful too how you are going with your family (and glad your dad is doing well). We'll be on Freedom so will catch up on your review and thoughts when we return.

Yeah too bad. Royal has gotten nuts with their prices . We have a decision to make. Allure comes in at $200 more for us. Not a big difference but our Harmony booking is already $1200 more than we typically pay. (Recently we've been booking by a third party which comes out much less than Royal). And leaving on a Wednesday will probably be an advantage when it comes to flights. Probably stick with Harmony...but that's what we're doing this Xmas. Itinerary is nice though. Would love to return on Allure though...and after the refurbishment would be nice.

I find that some stand out and some you forget quickly. Our ultimate favorite is Ricky Mathews. Funny enough we had him 3 times in a row on different ships but so excited each time to have him. He's so funny and was at all the shows and around at events. Our whole family remembers him (and his intro music) and still talk about him - not in a creepy way, he just stands out in a good way. I like when they are funny with a sense of humor and introduce shows in a fun way.

We ended up booking the 7 night Harmony Christmas cruise. We don't celebrate the holiday so don't mind a Xmas cruise and actually quite enjoyed the festivities last year. I find it so strange that Royal is scheduling all these short cruises on Oasis class. At least you found a cruise though that works for you. Will still see Allure pricing next week when it's released but guessing it's more. Only downside with Harmony is that's our Christmas cruise this December, but can't complain.

Yeah... I would love to book Allure but with the refurb I expect it to be more than Oasis and Harmony . At this moment best option is 5 night on Freedom but not first choice (and we are going on her next weekend). We're specifically looking over Xmas as it's the only time our son can join us. I see you are having issues with finding a cruise that works for Dec dates .

Ugh...was hoping for some ok prices but everything is $$$. Doesn't help that we're looking for Christmas 2026. So are the only family friendly remaining ships to be released Allure, Mariner and Navigator?

It's funny...I think because of the location of Pearl Cafe (upstairs and not a typical place walking by), we forgot about it. Meant to try it for a light lunch but never made it. Agree...We did go to Surfside Eatery once on an excursion day for a quick, quiet breakfast. Smaller than Windjammer but much more relaxed.

Don't miss The Wizard of Oz...I saw it twice. Aqua show is also great. The Overlook is a beautiful bright area with amazing views. Rye and Bean is a great new coffee venue. Expresso Martini and the Boba drink were my favorite.

We had it cancelled as well for our December cruise. Too bad but I know we'll find many other things to do on the ship. I just when they send the cancellation notice with refund mentioned, that they explained why. P.S. - OP good that you got a $10 credit ontop of a refund.

Icon looks strange from the outside, but that's the Overlook, which is floor to ceiling windows from the inside and gives amazing views all day. It's so relaxing and peaceful in there (with the best new coffee bar). And yes, the new food venues are great and probably one of the things that put it above Oasis class for us (love both though).

We just got off Icon one week ago, on same itinerary as you. Icon is my new favorite ship! Enjoy! It's an amazing ship!

We recently returned from Icon with a 15 and 19 year old. Our kids did the slides 2x but that was it. It's a hard decision....Odyssey is a great ship and not having to fly plus $1000 less is a huge bonus. I will say though that we absolutely loved Icon....so much to see and do. We loved the new (complimentary) food options and new bars, shows are incredible, ship is beautiful and loved the wide promenade with entrance to Central Park, and entrance of Central Park from Surfside. We loved Dueling Pianos and just everything. Having said that, we really enjoyed our Odyssey cruise the previous year so you can't go wrong. Only you can say if the additional cost is worth it but I'll just say that Icon is our entire families new favorite ship. One neat info too...we went over xmas but yet we didn't have an issue with crowds, etc. P.S. - We did the virtual balcony on Odyssey and enjoyed the room. But we're not picky and typically do balcony and interiors.

Wish they would release all cruises...at least the 7 nighters so we can see the whole picture. We are holding off on xmas 2026 as the ones they released out of Florida are too $$$ (and Adventure is not out of the question but definitely not 1st pick). Xmas is the one I really want to book as this is the only time we'll have both kids. Hoping Allure has decent pricing but from previous posts but sounds like it may be up there too. Booked Star for March 2027 for now. Our school board does post dates but I believe it can change (but it's same/similar week each year).

Great advice. Thanks. Too bad the beach isn't very nice. I like the beach but our kids prefer the pool so probably more pool time for us anyways.

Thanks! Funny enough this is what we are currently leaning towards. P.S. - Full disclaimer, this is for next year...but with Black Friday sales we were considering Chankanaab.