jake1004

Next to Grand Cayman, Aruba is my favorite.  Both don't have aggressive sidewalk assaulters.  Not that I've experienced.  I really dislike the venders that jump out in front of you and try to verbally force you into their store and/or try to sell you drugs.  You can say that you aren't interested all day and they won't give you up until you're well past their door/entrance/building.  

Decisions, decisions!  Our next cruise (wife and me) will be on Allure, in part because it was a good deal for Oasis class.  We also love two of the venues on this ship that we want to enjoy again before they are amplified away some day: the Champagne Bar and Sabor.  Aruba is also a big plus on your itinerary. 
I would second @AshleyDillo if only because the funds you save on the cheaper cruise can go toward the next one. 😄       

I loved Aruba so much when I visited it on a cruise that I went back for a land vacay.
Symphony is a newer, sleeker Oasis class ship, though. If I had to make the choice honestly it would be whichever is cheaper since I don't care about waterslides.

I can't put my finger on it but I really like the Symphony the best of all.  We've been on both Symphony and Allure, so far.  They are as different as they are the same, kinda.  What, you say?  Well, they aren't exactly the same.  Playmakers (Symphony) vs. Sabor (Allure), Hooked (Symphony) vs. No Hooked (Allure), Ultimate Abyss (Symphony) vs. No Ultimate Abyss (Allure), Giovanni's (Allure) vs. Jamie's (Symphony), and much more.  Even though I like the Symphony the best, I really prefer Sabor over Playmakers, I love Mexican food and I'm no longer a sports fan, Symphony has the El Loco Fresh but I like the Bar/Grill atmosphere of Sabor better.  
So, you may want to go through all the amenities, activities, dining venues, et al, compare between the two ships and find out what is most important to you.  Maybe do a "PRO"/"CON" of each and add'em-up and you may answer your own questions.  
HOWEVER, I don't think you can go wrong either way.  Just sit back and enjoy when it does happen.  

With the ships being sisters, make your decision on the itinerary. If you haven't been to Aruba, go to Aruba.

My husband has been dying to sail in a crown loft room. We just booked one on Oasis for the summer. What should I know? Is the hype real? 🙂

Family and I are cruising on Wonder this week and the excitement is killing us. Our last cruise was June 2019.
A few questions because I just don’t know or honestly can’t remember! For reference, we are also diamond.
 
1) We won a RoyalUp to JS— we weren’t crazy about it because not being included in Suite Neighborhood, but bid low and won. Is there a suite line? Or diamond line in Fort Lauderdale? if both, which is faster?
 
2) The ship leaves on Friday so can test anytime on Wednesday?
 
3) Saw from another posting that Wonder was about 90% full— but didn’t see entertainment reservations? Did I miss them?
 
4) We want to go to all of our favorite restaurants, but clearly missed an unlimited dining package and booked each separately. Do they allow unlimited dining bookings onboard?
 
That’s enough for now 😂 thank you!
 

I can only answer a couple:
2) yes, if your cruise leaves Friday you can have your rapid antigen test on Wednesday 
3) show reservations are made as soon as you board the ship and connect to the ship’s wifi 
Have fun! So lucky to be sailing Wonder … let us know how it goes and what you think of the ship!! 🙂

The unlimited dining package is likely sold out for your sailing. You can make as many reservations as you want onboard, but you will have to pay for each meal without a package. 

Yes, terminal 18 at Port Everglades has a suite entrance for security screening. Just verify your SetSail pass shows "Suite". In addition I believe Suite guests have a check-in line.
Don't think entry to the terminal has anything separate for Diamond/Diamond Plus. I think at the check-in decks they did have a separate line.

Grand Suites (and any suite over JS) are all designed to be a non-refundable deposit. Anything you price as refundable will be "standard" fare- aka no 30% off or sales of any kind. Basically you can't do a suite refundable.

Most of the reps that answer the phone are using the internet for their calls. Many connections are lousy, imo.  I suggest trying again. Also tell them if the connection is bad. Sometimes they can improve the connection. 🙂

Most reps are still working from home.  I called Royal 3 days ago the rep answered and apologized continually for their dog barking in the background.   I've had calls drop or fade in and out while on the phone with Royal reps it just depends on the internet connection they are using. 
My job has transitioned to a hybrid system there are days I work from home and there are days I'm in the office but when I work from home all my calls are made via internet connection and the call quality at times does vary. 

No JS in the neighborhood. Sky class and up. 
i also hope to see more of the suite area and the the suites.

The garden martini is worth the visit. I had two. 😂 And had to twist my own arm NOT to get a second order of bread. 

150 is by far mine and my wife’s favorite restaurant. As mentioned above we also replaced chops reservations  with a couple nights at 150 when we were in symphony awhile back. 

Our server told us back in October on Symphony that someone literally ate so much of the salts they had a heart attack and that’s why they went away. @WAAAYTOOOstory sounds more believable 😂

They did not offer it on a recent Symphony sailing, but still an awesome restaurant. We cancelled all our Chops in lieu of 150 Central Park   

Unfortunately when Royal Caribbean and Michael Schwartz parted company, the signature salts went with him.  They switched to a static menu and it’s not nearly as good as it was in the beginning, IMO.

I'd most certainly jump on the chance

I am sure there will be many chiming in shortly on this topic!
I have never done one so cannot speak to whether or not to avoid it.  Personally, I would love to do a President's cruise and hopefully will be able to in the near future.  This year's itinerary and timing does not work for us but if it works for you...why not go for it?    

Hi Jake - I did the excursion.  I posted about it in my live blog last year - you can read my summary and see pics  here
I thought it was a pretty decent excursion... something to say you did at least once.  The staff at the island were really good and engaging with our group as well as quick to clean up any... accidents.

We are on NAV right now on a B2B 3,4 night combo.  We were not allowed to eat at Chops on embarkation day (Key only) but we were allowed to eat at Jamie’s. I’m not much of a Jamie’s fan but at least we got a nice sit-down lunch. There was no specialty restaurant open on our day at Coco Cay (yesterday) for lunch but we were told that Izumi would be open for lunch today (Nassau). We’ll know a bit later if it’s true.  We LOVED Hooked.  The amount of food that is included is truly amazing.  It even includes the whole Maine lobster.  Truthfully, I look for this restaurant to go a la carte soon...just my opinion.  It’s an incredible value for the UDP.  I don’t  think it will last as an all-inclusive. 
Tomorrow is turnaround day so I suspect we will be stuck with Jamie’s again for lunch.  Ugh. Chops has been on par with what we expect.  Have not tried Playmakers or El Loco Fresh (or whatever it’s called). Stephanie and Canoe are on this trip with us and they went to Hooked last night for oysters and soup and then came to Chops later for a full meal and had no problem so it looks like the multiple dining venues option is working.  That’s great news ! BTW, the New England clam chowder at Hooked is ALMOST as good as mine...and they give you a gallon.  Lol. The oysters were only “ok”.  I like them really salty and these were a bit bland and the crackers they gave us were more like Communion wafers than crackers.  The oysters are very popular though !

Just remember, the news just cares about ratings. This isn't about right or wrong. It's about milking the story to get eyeballs. My advice is don't watch or click.

We usually stay onboard, but going for a special occasion and thought we might jump off and see what's new. Maybe a quick trip then back onboard ? Thanks all!