GaryAA

I was on the Symphony February 10-18th, bought one at Guest Services for $10. I was in a GS so they are not free for suite guests.

I was on the Symphony February 10-18th, bought one at Guest Services for $10. I was in a GS so they are not free for suite guests.

I was on the Symphony February 10-18th, bought one at Guest Services for $10. I was in a GS so they are not free for suite guests.

I was on the Symphony February 10-18th, bought one at Guest Services for $10. I was in a GS so they are not free for suite guests.

I was onboard February 10-18 also. I was surprised the casitas did not face the ocean. They are on deck 16 overlooking the pool. Here is a picture taken from the Coastal Kitchen. 

Just used luggage valet on February 18th. I was tracking our two suit cases with Apple air tag. My wife’s suitcase made it to FFL then loaded on our Delta flight. When we got to ATL around 2:30, my suitcase was still at the cruise terminal. I called Royal while in ATL but they said a 3rd party handles the luggage and did not have a number. I got my luggage the next day. I’ll go back to walking off our bags. My idea of going to the CK in the morning for breakfast and not messing with our bags backfired.

I got that email today also. Our obstruction was the window washing apparatus. I’ve already sent an email to my TA to move our cabin. Lucky for us, there are cabins still available for February 2025.
 
 

I’m on this cruise too

In order:
1. Symphony
2. Harmony
3. Freedom
4. Liberty
5. Independence

In order:
1. Symphony
2. Harmony
3. Freedom
4. Liberty
5. Independence

I just booked a dive excursion in Roatan and Cozumel aboard the Wonder (I'm 68). They could cancel it when I board the ship next year, but for now they are happy to hold my money. Last year I did a ship dive excursion in Aruba on the Explorer, I was 67 at the time. Overall there are not many dive excursion offerings these days, I've been booking directly with dive shops. Just did a Bermuda cruise in August, no dive excursion offered.

I just booked a dive excursion in Roatan and Cozumel aboard the Wonder (I'm 68). They could cancel it when I board the ship next year, but for now they are happy to hold my money. Last year I did a ship dive excursion in Aruba on the Explorer, I was 67 at the time. Overall there are not many dive excursion offerings these days, I've been booking directly with dive shops. Just did a Bermuda cruise in August, no dive excursion offered.

We usually cruise 4 times per year and stay in a Junior Suite or Grand Suite. I’ve had a side job in real estate appraising that has funded our cruises over the years. Our future cruises are S2S or B2B to help cut down on airfare from Ohio. 

I just recently came across our name tags, photo and menu from our one and only Captain's Table dinner.  Boy that seems like a lifetime ago !

As Pooch said, get a JS on the hump so you have a deeper balcony. The JS comes with 2 lounge chairs so the extra balcony space is a plus. We also like deck 8 with access to Central Park but those cabins book up fast. The biggest con with a JS is you'll want to try other suites eventually 😆

As Pooch said, get a JS on the hump so you have a deeper balcony. The JS comes with 2 lounge chairs so the extra balcony space is a plus. We also like deck 8 with access to Central Park but those cabins book up fast. The biggest con with a JS is you'll want to try other suites eventually 😆

We stayed there once. It’s a great location but we were not impressed with it, not like other Embassy Suites we’ve been in. Dark and dreary interior. We have  been staying at the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort. 
 
 
 
 

Try out a Junior Suite once and see for yourself if it is worth it to you. We usually book a JS or GS cabin a few years out in order to get a decent price. We enjoy the extra space & double points. 

Try out a Junior Suite once and see for yourself if it is worth it to you. We usually book a JS or GS cabin a few years out in order to get a decent price. We enjoy the extra space & double points. 

I have come to the realization that JS is the minimum requirement for me.  I have stayed in/seen spacious balcony cabins and they are just too small.  I know I won’t be happy in one.  So if the price of a JS is too high, I will look for a different cruise.  

I don’t think $800 is too much for a JS upgrade if it’s 7 or more nights.  The gratuities for JS are the same as for a balcony so no difference there.

Definitely not loyal.  On multiple occasions Royal has provided an over the top experience and on multiple occasions Royal has stated loud and clear they feel no need for any loyalty in our business relationship.   From those multiple occasions where they threw me under the keel it was absolutely clear we have nothing more than a business relationship. 
I sail multiple lines and during the restart I made a point of spreading my money across five different cruise lines.  Two of those were Royal and Celebrity but the other three were not in the RCG family.
Royal is the line I like the best, right now, but I will continue to test the waters elsewhere to validate I still feel that way and Royal will continue to throw me under the keel when it suits them.  I do most of my cruising with Royal but I'll eagerly cruise with other companies when something catches my eye just as Royal will drop me like a wet paper bag full of groceries if they can make a dollar more with a cancellation.
I feel like we both have a very clear understanding of our business relationship and it is not exclusive in either direction.  I think we are both okay with that.  

I’m one of the rogues who just ignored the closed doors and went on back to my room once I reboarded.  Not sure I would do that these days but I sure used to do it !

Glad to hear that. I was concerned because they have a hot tub and 14-person table on the balcony.

We stayed in one of the OS directly beneath the Villa Suite on Symphony in Nov. 2021,   and had no noise issues at all.  Never heard anything from above or either side.    Was the nicest and one of the quietest cabins we've ever cruised in.