WannaCruise

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.

Thank you for your feedback and honest review. We're not looking at the Dolphin part so doesn't sound very worthwhile.

Anyone done this through Royal? It sounds interesting with a mix of seeing things like sea lion, dolphins, manatees and, a pool, ocean and an archeological site. If you've done it, did you enjoy it? Also, do you know why it lists the excursion as "strenuous" and not recommended for certain health issues (respiratory, joint)? Any feedback is appreciated.

It used to be much earlier, but since covid they say it opens around the 1st of the month prior to your cruise. We have end of Dec booked and ours opened today on Nov 4, 47 days prior.

Not true if connecting. We have done this...you just need to call, and not try online.

No downsides (except as stated, don't bid on Royal Up). When we can, we book 2 connecting rooms with our kids. If the rooms are connecting to yours, they do allow it. I think online it doesn't, but just call Royal (or your TA) and they will let you. You get 2 bathrooms, double storage, etc. And with the connecting door, you can keep an eye on them. If you link your reservations, then you can easily book anything for both your rooms (shows if applicable for the ship, excursions, etc). The only downside I can think of is it's possible you have two different muster stations but not a big deal. P.S. - I mentioned for use we do this when we "can". For our recent bookings, two rooms was way more than a single room so we do have some with 4 of us in a room. Not ideal but doable. So it's great that the cost isn't much different for you.

It looks like they finally added a third dining time available for traditional dining. Wondering the times that others are seeing? For mine, it seems like just one for early dining of 5pm and then two later dining times such as 7:30pm and 8:30pm. All my cruises are holiday times (Christmas or March break) so not sure if sometimes they a time somewhere between 5 and 7:30pm...which would have been ideal.

We are only 3 for our March cruise on Freedom and was surprised when this room popped up as an option for booking. For the number of beds, I thought it would require a min of 4.

That's a great space for kids. I wasn't sure if Royal just took the closet for one of the Promenade rooms and made it the kids bunk room..lol.

We have this room type booked on Freedom in March. It seems like it's literally 2 promenade rooms, but as one room. It was pretty cheap too when we booked. Glad to hear you were happy with it.

Hi. We have a few booked but will list our next couple to get added to the master list. Icon of the Seas - Dec 21, 2024 Freedom of the Seas - Mar 9, 2025 Thanks in advance for updating and keeping the list!

Oasis is favorite class. (Have yet to try Icon - booked for Dec) Symphony is my favorite ship overall, and also favorite Oasis class. All Oasis class ships are all similar but it's modern and I give it the first class prize because of the shows. (Otherwise, Wonder may have won). Have yet to go on Harmony or Utopia. On Quantum...I'd say Odyssey is my favorite ship. But, I do prefer Anthem's shows for We Will Rock you. On Freedom, Independence is my favorite ship....again, I'll give it the first place for Greece. Trying Freedom next year. Mariner is favorite Voyager class ship. Navigator not far behind. Have been on Grandeur (first ship) but nothing else in smaller classes. (If you haven't noticed, I love Royal overall but the shows are a high priority for me for one ship over another) .

You'll get a ton of different opinions. We tried it on Wonder and really enjoyed it. It's fun with the theming and different foods (we had a teen with us). They really accommodated (e.g. DH has allergies so they worked around that, DH and i don't eat meat...and they brought out a mac and cheese appetizer for our teen). We ordered our mains but they just brought the rest...and a great variety. If you haven't tried it, then I suggest to do so if you have the time in your plan.

We have cruised out of Bayonne 2 times. Once we had a car, once we did not. Both were pretty easy. Check in was quick and smooth. It did take a bit longer to start the boarding process when we were on Liberty this past June, but I'm not sure if that was a one time thing or not. The only issue we had is that the WiFi didn't work, and since we are from Canada , we didn't have data. Not a bit deal (although it meant we couldn't book an uber on our return but there were many taxis and shuttles in the area). I love the sail away from Bayonne as the NY skyline is something.

Cruise prices are getting really steep, and sounds like you, you need to travel at peak times. The only time we can travel with both our kids going forward now is xmas (as our older one is in university). So when looking at Dec xmas/new years 2025, we ended up getting a decent deal on Harmony. (Also have a good deal on Rhapsody when we booked at initial release but not as "kid" friendly). Tbh, I am very worried about it...Harmony excited for, as we had it booked but lost it during covid and we love Oasis class, but Galveston seems like a pain in the ... (esp as we will have to fly into IAH and not the closer airport). We also tried a travel agent (not personal, but a company) for a good deal...something we don't ever do. Also, for our "deal", we went back to four of us in a room, but I call it a "deal" when comparing to other xmas/new years cruises out of more convenient ports such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

Interesting. They are that different? We've only been to one of them on Indy and Liberty (I get mixed up on which is which but it's the one without pizza) and quite enjoyed it.

So stressful, and am sorry you have uncertainty now. Think that's a great idea...esp if refundable. Here's hoping your original flight is a go and you don't have to use it. Years ago, it was just winter flying that you had to worry about...now it is any time of year, and for multiple reasons.

Ha ha. Dh and I always wear ours on boarding day too. And ours is older than yours as even Wonder isn't on it (and ours isn't a blog shirt). Enjoy your cruise! Thanks for sharing the adventures as we're all exctied to see the new ship (at least through your eyes).

Agree with others. What an amazing trip, and amazing photos! Your family is portrait perfect....each one so lovely! Although I can imagine tiring, an that one negative tour day, seems like an incredible trip and celebration of your daughter graduating. Something you will all remember and cherish. Thank you for taking us along.

We're on this cruise. DH, myself and two kids 19 and 15. So excited to try Icon. We stick to the MDR, traditional, early time (but the early times are getting so early). This is our first time cruising over xmas, but last year we cruised on New Years. They had a special holiday menu so expect the same for xmas.

Am excited to follow along, like your other blogs. I know it's not your first time on Wonder but each cruise brings new adventures and new things. I've said it before but I also love how much you love Wonder as it makes us all excited and happy for you. Have a wonderful cruise (which of course you will).

Btw, you haven't mentioned when you are sailing. We booked Harmony for next December as we love Oasis class ships, have yet to try Harmony and it's one of the few ships that fit our budget for that time or year. However, I'll say the one downside/bottleneck for us, and I'm nervous about it, is the fact that it's out of Galveston. It doesn't seem like a convenient port if you are flying (and for us, we can only fly direct to George Bush Intercontinental). So not sure if departure port is a factor for you at all. (Aside from that, excited to try Harmony - and loved Oasis)

The issue isn't comfort, but having two teens, especially a boy and a girl, sharing a bed. It's fine when they are younger, and even a hotel room for a night (as we always get a single room with 2 queen beds), but just doesn't seem right for a week....plus sofa bed is smaller than a queen for them to each have their space.

Haven't been on Icon yet (booked for December) but due to cost we booked a single Central Park Interior. Our kids are 19 and 15 (a boy and a girl). Like you, I assumed that they would have the modern beds with the trundle which would have been perfect. So I was disappointed to see it's more like a double sofa bed. Due to cost, we probably would have still booked the same room as 2 rooms were insane as were the price of suites (xmas week). We'll probably do what you did with separating the main bed into 2 twins, and either DH and DS take those while DD and I take the sofa bed. Or both kids take the separate twin beds. No clue what Royal was thinking and why they didn't go with the trundle (maybe it's more expensive?). The Playmakers seems like a silly design decision too. Can't wait for our cruise though. The ship looks amazing.