Symphony of the Seas - 5/14/22. First time star class UPDATE - 14 days to go! 🚢🚢🚢 be

[Ferramc]

So, I’ve been anxiously waiting for this one year countdown to begin!  We were supposed to be cruising star class last year, but then this wretched little bug started going around.......

As one who looks for silver linings, I will say that I got a better cabin (4 bedroom villa) at an even better price for this cruise than I had for the cancelled one!  And there will be much more room for all of us (we went from 5 to 7 travelers since we had the extra bedrooms)!  But I’m really hoping that roominess in no longer an issue and that the term social distancing is a very distant memory by then  

So, here’s to the countdown!  May the days go fast and the ridiculously out of touch CDC go ....... well, I really don’t care where they go as long as they let cruising resume! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AlmondFarmer]

I’m using this room January 22, 2022. 8 adults. I may post some experiences.

Great work getting this room. Make the most of it 

[AshleyDillo]

I have this room January 16, 2022 but on Harmony!  Can't wait to be able to compare our experiences!

[JLMoran]

@Matt, @Lovetocruise2002 – You are no longer the gold medal holders for furthest-out live blog kickoff.

[Ferramc]

Just a small update ..... we booked the Coco Cay overwater cabana!  It will definitely be an extravagance, but with 7 adults chipping in we figured it would be worth it!  

I know we’re a long way off, so I’ll keep checking the price to see if it goes down. 

[JLMoran]

Congrats on the cabana. Definitely the right call to get it now, prices on those tend to only go upward the closer it gets to cruise day.

[Ferramc]

Only 10 months to go!  It may sound crazy but we’re already talking about the food we’re going to eat.  I’ve been sharing stories and pictures with my family from this site - it has the most amazing info thanks to so many bloggers.  Now my family is anxiously anticipating the often referenced ‘food coma’ .  You are all greatly  appreciated.
 
 

[UDPrincess]

We have this room in June! We will have 7 adults and 5 kids.  I have never sailed RC before, so it is all new!  When can you book excursions? 

[AlmondFarmer]

32 minutes ago, UDPrincess said:

When can you book excursions? 

Likely now if you have/create an account with Royal Caribbean and add your sailing. I use website but understand Royal Application works too.

12 passengers will be a good test for the Villa.

I purchased a cabana on Coco Cay. Having 8 adults in room with drink package made purchase an easy decision. 

[starbrat]

14 hours ago, AlmondFarmer said:

Likely now if you have/create an account with Royal Caribbean and add your sailing. I use website but understand Royal Application works too.

I thought the geni books excursions? Should I be booking things? Our Star Class Cruise is in April. I want an over water cabana

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 hours ago, starbrat said:

I thought the geni books excursions? Should I be booking things? Our Star Class Cruise is in April. I want an over water cabana

As a rule, the Genies do not get involved in excursions UNLESS they are something like the Private Journeys.  Are you going to Labadee or PDCC ?  If you are going to Labadee, then you will HAVE to wait until the Genie contacts you as the Barefoot Beach cabanas are not "For sale" on the Cruise planner.  If you are going to PDCC and you want one of the floating cabanas, I definitely recommend that you go ahead and reserve one now.  While the Genies have influence over the cabanas on Labadee, they do NOT have influence over the cabanas on PDCC.  Could the Genie reserve a float cabana at PDCC ?  Sure, but for that to happen you must wait until the Genie contacts you (30 days out ?) and by then, all of the floating cabanas COULD be gone (most likely not, but you never know !).

So - Labadee - wait for the Genie.  PDCC - reserve it now.

[UDPrincess]

Thank you everyone!

[Ferramc]

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

As a rule, the Genies do not get involved in excursions UNLESS they are something like the Private Journeys.  Are you going to Labadee or PDCC ?  If you are going to Labadee, then you will HAVE to wait until the Genie contacts you as the Barefoot Beach cabanas are not "For sale" on the Cruise planner.  If you are going to PDCC and you want one of the floating cabanas, I definitely recommend that you go ahead and reserve one now.  While the Genies have influence over the cabanas on Labadee, they do NOT have influence over the cabanas on PDCC.  Could the Genie reserve a float cabana at PDCC ?  Sure, but for that to happen you must wait until the Genie contacts you (30 days out ?) and by then, all of the floating cabanas COULD be gone (most likely not, but you never know !).

So - Labadee - wait for the Genie.  PDCC - reserve it now.

We booked the overwater cabana about 6 weeks ago to lock it in. The only other thing I would book is the photo package (if it has a good price) but it hasn’t come yet. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Very interesting coincidence.  A little while ago, I received an email from Nataliya Bugaevskaya who presumably is with Royal's Private Journey Team.  This is for our 9 Jan 2022 Oasis sailing...the first of 3 SC cruises booked for early Jan 2022.

 

I have never gotten anything like this before.  I am always a bit leery of unsolicited emails of this type, but it seems as if she is legit.  I don't think there is any price difference between these prices and the price on the Cruise Planner (my CP has been unavailable since early this morning....not sure what's going on there....) so not sure why I would do this, but I did find it interesting that I was contacted in this way.  What is REALLY perplexing is I have 3 SC cruises coming up BEFORE this one.  Why this one ?  ...and what would Private Journeys have to do with cabana rentals ?

Anyway, I thought it was interesting since we had just been discussing this.  From the email it seems like she is available to help with any Royal excursions...so go figure...

 

 

 

[CGTLH]

4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

and what would Private Journeys have to do with cabana rentals ?

In a nutshell... sell sell sell!

More practical thought, the one on one interaction might be a more persuasive way to get someone to book an excursion or cabana. A more personable interaction could increase the likely a booking for an excursion will occur. Plus the email also opens the door of the option to reach out and look in to a more excusive Private Journey excursion experience to match the exclusivity of sailing Star Class.

[AlmondFarmer]

4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

A little while ago, I received an email from Nataliya Bugaevskaya who presumably is with Royal's Private Journey Team. 

Check her name so you can rule out this being a Russian email sales scam…..

[Ferramc]

If it’s real, your price is better than mine (1699).  We have 7 adults so we figured it will be worth it. Plus as many of you say, yolo!  
 

Now I’m working on the best deal for first class tickets for our flight (at least mine and my husbands) . Most likely going to use the sky mile points I’ve been saving. 

[starbrat]

We are going to Labadee so I will wait thank you @WAAAYTOOO. 

[Ferramc]

My monthly countdown continues……..only 9 months to go!  Here’s a quick update:  

Airfare - first class prices are really high but we want to stay in ‘ star class’ mode for this trip. So knowing we had a large expense coming up this month, I researched credit card offers.  I found two - one each for my husband and I - that once we use them and charge our planned expense - the amount of large reward points will more than cover first class airfare!  And yes, I will pay the cards off immediately to avoid high interest fees.   I love nothing better than a deal and free airfare!

Co- travelers - We had dinner last night with two of our traveling party.  They really did not know what star class includes so we had a wonderful time enlightening them!  Especially about the food coma  that I’ve read so much about thanks to other bloggers!

Roll call - still waiting for others to join the 5/14/22 roll call  Know there must be others out there who will be joining us.   
 

Well ……til next month.  
 

 

 

 

[LifesEz]

On 7/15/2021 at 12:42 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

Very interesting coincidence.  A little while ago, I received an email from Nataliya Bugaevskaya who presumably is with Royal's Private Journey Team.  This is for our 9 Jan 2022 Oasis sailing...the first of 3 SC cruises booked for early Jan 2022.

I have never gotten anything like this before.  I am always a bit leery of unsolicited emails of this type, but it seems as if she is legit.  I don't think there is any price difference between these prices and the price on the Cruise Planner (my CP has been unavailable since early this morning....not sure what's going on there....) so not sure why I would do this, but I did find it interesting that I was contacted in this way.  What is REALLY perplexing is I have 3 SC cruises coming up BEFORE this one.  Why this one ?  ...and what would Private Journeys have to do with cabana rentals ?

Anyway, I thought it was interesting since we had just been discussing this.  From the email it seems like she is available to help with any Royal excursions...so go figure...

@WAAAYTOOO, I received one as well from a Zsofia with an @RCCL address. I wrote with questions and received some answers.
 

Dear Guest,
I hope my e-mail finds you well!

My name is Zsofia and I am a Destination Insider, part of the Private Journeys team at Royal Caribbean International. 

Since you are one of our Star Suite Guests, we’d like to take this opportunity to advise you that the availability of the various types of cabanas at Perfect Day CocoCay is limited on your particular sailing. Since the demand is really high and there are only a few cabanas available, I would like to assist you booking one as soon as possible. There are various types of cabanas and should you be interested to reserve one, I will gladly share pricing, availability and further details with you. Please find attached a map of CocoCay for your reference.  

Please note that at this moment I do not hold any reservation for you. Cabanas are sold on a first come first serve basis. 

Should you not be interested in a cabana, but wish to reserve a shore excursion or private tour for any of your cruise ports, please feel free to reach out to me directly on this email address: 

In your reply, please kindly include your cruise booking ID. 

I am looking forward to hearing from you. 

Kind regards,

Zsofia Sarkadi

Destination Insider & Private Journey Specialist | Global Tour Operations

[Ferramc]

8 months and counting!  I am loving  the updates from the truly live bloggers and can’t wait until it’s my turn!  This monthly count down helps me with the wait - just a little. 
 

in the past month we sold our Michigan home, knowing we would be homeless for a month until our rental would be available (we sold ‘high’ and are banking the profit until we’re ready to figure out our more permanent move to somewhere warmer).  We decided to drive 12 hours from Michigan to our home state of Connecticut so that we could spend time with family. This ties into our cruise plans as the points I earned using a new credit card on the hotel bill will cover 2 first class tickets to Miami next year!  And yes, I paid off the card immediately!  My husband also earned points on his card that should cover our daughter’s  airfare.  Now the challenge is to figure out how to pay for my son and daughter-in-law’s flights with points too .  I’m holding off booking as the flights are really expensive right now.  Figure I’ll give it another month or two.  
 

Well, here’s looking forward to another month down!  

 

 

[Ferramc]

1 minute ago, Ferramc said:

8 months and counting!  I am loving  the updates from the truly live bloggers and can’t wait until it’s my turn!  This monthly count down helps me with the wait - just a little. 
 

in the past month we sold our Michigan home, knowing we would be homeless for a month until our rental would be available (we sold ‘high’ and are banking the profit until we’re ready to figure out our more permanent move to somewhere warmer).  We decided to drive 12 hours from Michigan to our home state of Connecticut so that we could spend time with family. This ties into our cruise plans as the points I earned using a new credit card on the hotel bill will cover 2 first class tickets to Miami next year!  And yes, I paid off the card immediately!  My husband also earned points on his card that should cover our daughter’s  airfare.  Now the challenge is to figure out how to pay for my son and daughter-in-law’s flights with points too .  I’m holding off booking as the flights are really expensive right now.  Figure I’ll give it another month or two.  
 

Well, here’s looking forward to another month down!  

 

 

Forgot to add - we had to drive to CT since we had our 2 dogs with us.  They did amazingly well, especially for 8 1/2 year old pups who’ve never traveled before. 

[Ferramc]

7 months to go!  I  booked flights for   5 of us (immediate family) and used credit card points to book first class!  We’re flying in the day before to avoid stress and we want to get on the ship as early as allowed.   The other 2 travelers will be booking their flights soon (hopefully). I also booked the pet sitter - leaving my 2 dogs is going to be the hardest part of the trip.  
 

Now I’m starting to look at Miami hotels or Airbnb’s for the night before.  Reading blogs to get insights and tips.  3 of us won’t be arriving until after 6pm but my son and daughter-in-law will get there around 1pm.  

 I am so dreading winter and this trip is the major thing I am looking forward to that will help me get through it (although I may try to find a short trip in January to break up the winter months).   
 
Until next month………

[Ferramc]

Woohoo!  6 months to go!    🛥🛥🛥

I ended up booking 2 refundable bay view  rooms at both the Marriott and Doubletree in Biscayne Bay - my plan is to watch reviews and pricing over the coming months and decide closer to the cruise.  So air and hotel reservations are all set for 5 of the 7 of us traveling. Jackie and Dave - my husband’s niece and her husband (who are pretty much the same ages as my husband and me) are booking their arrangements separately but I know they’ll get it done soon!  

The last month has flown by as work was pretty busy and I expect that the next 2 months will as well, but I am dreading the wait between mid January to May.  I keep reading the truly live blogs and guess they’ll have to do until it’s my turn!  

By the way - does anyone know how to edit the title of a blog?  Thanks. 

[SuperStarian]

I am loving the monthly updates! Thanks for taking us along!