WannaCruise

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.

LOL...just noticed this is my post from a long time ago.

We have kids same age as OP and trying that waterpark in Costa Maya. Can report back in a couple weeks. We considered Playa Mia in Cozumel but it seems a bit young. Trying Paradise Beach.

Thank you. Seems like it may be ok then.

Thank you. That is great to hear. Yeah, I did ask, but honestly him at my last appointment but it was hard to describe as I don't know what the slide is actually like. He did say that waterslides should be ok as long as my head doesn't bump, and even roller coasters don't have a black and white answer. So just trying to get an idea of speed and drops of the Abyss.

We had a big family even for my son last year (religious event with luncheon following) and so they got formal outfits. No way our son will wear his suit again (itchy, not comfy, yada yada yada), but my daughter takes every chance she can get to wear her formal dress. So that is what she'll be wearing. My son and DH just wear slacks with a collared or non-picture shirt, and I wear a nice sun dress (for me that is dressing up as I rarely wear dresses ...unless i change my mind and end up bringing a formal one too just for the opportunity to wear it again).

Going on Symphony is 2 weeks. So excited! The Abyss looks like tons of fun but debating if I can go on it, or if I should skip it. It's not because of fear, but I had eye issues a few years ago and need to be careful on things like roller coasters that have a quick acceleration or gravitational changes. For some reference, I avoid full fledged roller coasters with a big drop, but have been on say Big Thunder at Disney which is more swoops and turns rather than quick drops. Have also been on Radiator Springs Racer which does go fast (but small hills). Or if things will be knocking my head around I need to be careful. So I know Abyss is different but seems like a steep slide. Does it go very quick or have big gravity changes? Or is it calmer than it looks?

Not glad you are having issues too but good to hear I'm not the only one. i have android phone too. My Symphony cruise is 2 weeks away and it's definitely not accurate. It states things like Laser Tag on a day I know it is not offered. We have one Royal excursion booked, and all shows booked and none are listed on the app. But yesterday I checked and noticed I had to sign in again. And then Hiro and Flight showed but Hairspray and the ice show did not. And it doesn't list things like Quest, etc...whereas I've seen someone on facebook post a photo showing it. So am guessing there are some bugs on android version. When on the ship, I actually don't plan on using it. I carry a camera around not my phone, so plan on using the old fashioned paper compass (and I'll print out our show times)

I'm on the flip side and like to skip a TA and book with Royal directly. I like the direct control on my booking. I check for price drops daily and if it goes down, then I'll call. My office is in an open area though so I need to wait until I get home for that call (which translates to evening after kids go to bed) and Royal is 24/7 (or at least open late). With a TA, I probably wouldn't reach them until next day (or playing phone tag) which is hard when I only have evenings or when its a work from home day. Maybe silly...but I just prefer not to have that middle layer. Ironically enough, I do enough research online..either through sites or from these message boards that don't feel the need. Having said that, if there is additional OBC or perks like a free specialty meal, then that could be worthwhile. As for prices, it depends. I just booked Harmony but it's for 2021 and have been watching the prices go up and down. I think I've gotten about 7 price drops so far (but I also changed stateroom category in the middle). But for July cruise, you must be nearing final payment...plus it's summer so busy time for cruising. You could take your chance and hope for a last minute deal but staterooms will sell out, and you may be left with one in an undesirable location, or your specific category is gone. So personally I'd just book and still watch prices daily until final payment. (And after final payment, you can move up a category and pay the difference) Good luck with what you decide.

It varies by ship. On Navigator, I'm seeing $56.32 CAD whereas on Symphony it is up to $69.42 CAD. Not sure how these price compare if you book on board. What is interesting is that the BOGO cost on each ship matches the Chops cost mentioned above.

Take good care of her. We're on right after you. Enjoy your cruise!

Interested as we have one of those rooms booked in Mariner.

Thank you! So we will try for Chops or Jamies on night 1...see if one can be booked for 5:30pm. And will let them know of our timing. Great idea about about dessert....as long as it's not ice cream.

Np. Yeah...if not BOGO then we would just book a place on a night without a show and then timing wouldn't matter. Thank you! Yes I heard that there is a kids menu at Symphony's Wonderland which is why we are keeping it open as an option. My 9 year old likes fish (salmon) but is iffy on seafood (more scared to try it after a bad experience many years ago). My son is super picky but he'd be with a regular kids menu.

Ugh....hopefully ok. Thanks for the warning. Want to enjoy our meal (and we love dessert so don't want to skip that!)....and also love theatre. Would have selected the show later in the week but didn't know if my younger one would last to the end as other times are later. PS - Different restaurant and different ship, but we had slow service at Giovanni's' on Independence first night. We actually complained and they sent a free bottle of wine to our stateroom to apologize.

Thanks. Yes 5:30pm is the earliest we can book so hoping that time is available. Ok...so since no one commented, guessing that they are pretty much all the same length meals between Chops, Jamie's, 150 Central Park and Wonderland.

Thanks...don't think that one is available for with BOGO. We definitely want Chops...and our second choice is probably Jamile's since we'll be with our kids. But we're open to Wonderland (which my 9 year old wants to try) and 150 Central Park if the timing works out better. So thoughts between those for timing? i.e. meal less than 2 hrs

When do you finish? Do all specialty take around same time? Or some take longer than others? I want to be lining up by 7:30pm for this specific show. My daughter and I are big theater fans and want as close seats as possible.

We booked BOGO on Symphony. On night 1, we have Hairspray booked for 8:30pm. I'm the type that likes to sit as close as possible so want to line up early. Thus how long does a meal at a specialty dining typically take? And is it the same time for say Chops, Jamie's, 150 Central Park and Wonderland? We have more flexibility on night 2 so if one of our selections takes longer then better for that night. On night 1, hoping to book for 5:30pm and be able to be at the theatre by 7:30pm without feeling rushed at dinner.

Trying Boardwalk Balcony on Symphony in 3 weeks so can report back. They look like fun if you like to people watch. From what I've seen in photos you can see the ocean but it's not a great view as the Abyss is there. Doesn't bother us but in case that's a factor. As mentioned the rest on also comes with 2 soda packages, lunch at Johnny Rockets and rock wall session. Central Park rooms cone with bottle of wine a d lunch for 2 at Italian place (confirm latter)

This has always been our thoughts too...especially when we cruise with our kids as we are out and about doing things and rarely in the cabin. I admit though, even going from interior promenade room to balcony...we just used the balcony early mornings before they awoke, or while waiting for others to finish showering and it was lovely!. So even though I was asking about JS, my post also applies to balcony rooms. But for example, our Harmony cruise costs another $1400 to go from Central Park Interior (which looks like a cool unique room) to regular Ocean View Balcony. That's quite a mark up that can be spent otherwise. I think if we had 1 cruise booked, it would be easier to pull the plug but we currently have 5 booked so hard to justify. ?

That would suck. Then the only real benefit of being Diamond would be the higher discount when booking.

Isn't that ironic if they prevent Diamond from entering the Diamond lounge?

Yeah..we fly out the day before. Just meant if flying out if Detroit (or Buffalo) if you drive there the day before your flight, which would be another hotel.stay. But especially for Detroit it's a longer drive us do would need to be a late afternoon or evening flight if driving in same day.