WannaCruise

Thank you! That's encouraging. Hopefully same luck on Symphony.

Interesting (and nice looking) Starbucks. Had to look up the deck plans to see where it's located. Looks like deck 4 near casino.

Ditto above. If you are coming with kids, then I would stick to Oasis, Quantum, Freedom or Amped Voyager ship. If you prefer smaller more intimate ships, then you have the Radiance,Vision and Empress class ships. Or I think these are ones that have nicer itineraries so if that's important, then that would be a factor. Then as other said...what is important? Flowrider? Zipline? Promenade? Neighborhoods? Broadway shows? Then see what ships match your criteria.

When in 2021 is it's dry dock?

Thinking this is phone specific. I signed in and out a couple times and show reservations finally showed up...but our Royal excursion is not there. And there is definitely not the option to add an activity showing in general cruise planner to my calendar Where us the sing out/ sign in again? Can't even find that option to try again. ?

That's awesome. We saw him on Independence too. Very funny. Haven't even told our kids about him (as they weren't on Independence with us) and hoping we'll bump into him (or his clone..lol) in an elevator on Symphony next week. Such a funny concept and brings a smile to your face

Thanks for the replies. Seems like most don't get charged? If anyone has feedback for Symphony specific, let me know. Thanks.

Really looking forward to your review. And so glad all is ready for Mar 1 as I know your first cruise was cancelled. We'lln Navigator in August. Have a wonderful cruise! Changes look amazing!

Thanks. Cause we wonder if it's worth it to bring our own wine if we have to add another $15, but it seems like it is cost affective ..plus less hassle with them storing the rest for us (vs keeping it in our stateroom)

Thanks. Good to hear. Did you finish a bottle in one night? And if not, did you take the bottle back with you? Or the specialty restaurant stored it for you?

So nice! When are you going on Navigator? We'll be on her last week in Aug. OP, thanks for the video. Amazing view with those windows! Is the room at the front of the ship? If so, how is movement? (If you mentioned in your video, I had to turn off sounds as I'm at work now....lol)

Yeah...so the debate is...do we take a chance and bring our bottles to the MDR (one for DH, one for me)? Or do we just pour it and walk with the glass to be certain there is no charge. I know people will bring a glass of wine from suite or Diamond lounge so it's common to carry a glass...guess just a pain and risk of spilling.

Yeah kind of sucks. On our Allure cruise in 2016 there was no such thing, but they've introduced it since then.

Yeah.. that's why was hoping to hear of recent experiences on Symphony...but as you say it can even vary by server.

Ugh..so they do charge (and even when they didn't open!). Haven't heard many complaining so wasn't sure if it's followed. Good idea to open it in our room on a BOGO night if we end up wanting it then.

I know Royal added corkage fees if you bring your own wine ($15/bottle?). Wondering from recent experience if the servers are actually charging? And what ship did you bring on wine? We'll be on Symphony if anyone has recent experience. PS - On a different note....If we have BOGO, then we are probably best waiting until night 3 to bring the wine to dinner, right? (We're not the type to finish a bottle in one evening as DH drinks red and I drink white)

Once you try it, you see how nice it is. We tried balcony on Mariner last summer and really enjoyed it. So I do always price balconies..but even those can be pricey.

Very cool photos. I know it's not, but the blue area with the Royal trademark looks like an ice rink. Is that the sports court?

Same thing...my 13 year old asked if he can roam by himself. For the most part he'll be with us, but he has strongly indicated that he is not interested in the show we have booked first night. We do not get internet and Symphony doesn't support internal texting yet. We'll probably set boundaries and have a meeting spot for a certain time (or our stateroom). He is quite responsible but at home when he goes out himself, he has his phone for us to contact him...so am a bit nervous too (and same kind of momma as you ?)

Thanks for confirming. Too bad. I don't carry my phone on the ship anyways (and use the paper compass) but it's nice to see the schedule beforehand for coordinating dinner times and to get an idea of activities. But...if they add texting, that may change things. Enjoy Allure!

I like that idea...my oldest is 13 almost 14, and he gets an allowance ?

OP here and exactly us. We're not teachers but do stick to school times now that our older one is in grade 8 ... so we have March break and last week of summer cruises booked. Like you, we book early (up to Mar 2021!). The highest category stateroom we've done so far has been Spacious Balcony and we only booked that as we got a great price on a guarantee....and got lucky with the assigned room (but we loved it so did book same category on same ship next summer). That's the thing...for the money that is being saved, we can put elsewhere and sometimes as much on another cruise or a couple days at Disney. I'm actually amazed at the cost of "just a" JS on the Harmony cruise we have booked... for a family of 4 it is currently going for 9K CAD (never mind about fight, etc). We are trying 2 connecting rooms this summer and next March...but they are interior category and worked out cheaper than single balcony...but that's not always the case. Otherwise, the 4 of us in one room. As mentioned in my post...I keep checking JS prices...and dream some day...but never pulled the trigger. PS - We just made Platinum and get to try out those robes on Symphony in 2 weeks. Will let you know how they are. ?

Following along. We'll be on Symphony in 2 weeks so looking forward to hearing about your experience.

Thank you! So excited as seems like this is totally fine. Sounds like so much fun too with the lights and all.

Never thought of that. I am not a big person but do get claustrophobic. ? Am sure I'll be fine though.