LuCruise

Broadway Mamma Mia on Allure (but I'm biased as I love that musical and have seen it many times) Hairspray on Symphony is close second. Aqua Show Aqua 80 on Oasis Ice Show I don't remember ice show names but the one on Wonder is my favorite. Symphony close second. In House Show. Flight on Symphony. Haven't been on Harmony (yet) to add it to the mix of candidates (but I did love Grease on Independence, which is also Harmony's Broadway show).

Have been on both, and first comment are both are great and you can't go wrong with either! But I agree with others, that if given a choice and both are in your price range, then I'd choose Symphony. As others commented, Independence is similar to Adventure....similar layout but it's more stretched and there's an extra pool . It has Grease, an ice show and other headliners (I forget their other in house show offhand). Symphony is Oasis class with more restaurants, and additional things like zipline, dry slide, Aqua theatre and Boardwalk, Central Park (which is lovely and not on any other ship). Solarium is beautiful (esp at night). Also I found the decor and decorations a "wow". And last, it has Hairspray and Flight, which are great, plus Aqua show (so unique) and Ice show. The ship is spread out so I don't remember crowds being an issue, but I can't comment on My Time Dining. (Personally we prefer traditional as there is no wait but that's us). Symphony is bigger though so you have to be ok with walking a bit more to get around. Rooms are also more modern. One other difference is for Symphony, you pre-book your shows (which spreads out crowds) so you have to be ok with doing some pre-planning. (They do have stand by but no guarantee you'll get in). Let us know what you decide.

It's one of our go to hotels as its a bit less than Embassy Suites, but it's just around the corner from the area with Publix, Total Wine and great restaurants. Hotel is standard...no complaints.

Thanks so much for the feedback. Good to hear from personal experience that you were happy with the hotel. We typically take an uber to the port as we are 4 and like to go on our own time, but will keep it in mind in case we go with the shuttle.

Just read the post above mine and sounds like you were referring to an uber.

Following along. We are strong considering Harmony next December and have a booking (refundable). One question....how are you getting from IAH to your hotel? Is it a shuttle or scheduled uber? Enjoy your cruise!

Staples we bring on each cruise: shampoo/conditioner liquid soap (pump) magnetic hooks fanny pack for me...family uses lanyards but I use the pack in the day to carry phone, suntan lotion, sea pass, etc small purse for evening beach bag (if have beach days) medicine - prescriptions and OTC

I really like that they are adding a third dining option in-between. 5pm/5:30pm is too early, but then we don't like to eat so late (and I wonder how it'll be hard to coordinate with shows). So a 6:30pm time sounds perfect. My only concern though...is we like to be relaxed in the MDR. We don't want a 2hr dinner, but also don't want to feel rushed. On our cruise on Wonder a few weeks ago, it started out perfect. Dinner was 5pm, and we were walking out close to 6:30pm...perfect pacing. The last two nights though I was more annoyed as felt we were rushed and we were walking out prior to 6pm...finished our appetizers and they were brining out our main course right away. But with adding another fixed dining time, they will have to rush the 1st and 2nd dining times.

We had 5pm dining on Wonder (pretty early). The servers did mention that if we were not at our table by (I think) 5:15pm, our table would be opened up for someone else. We always came at 5pm though as we know they have their schedule and server their tables their appetizers the same time, then main meals and then desserts. It would be annoying for them if someone was off sync from the other tables.

The headliners (comedians, singers, magicians, etc) change cruise to cruise so it's just who you happen to get for your week. We were on Wonder recently and I quite enjoyed Effectors but would still prefer a Broadway show. Having said that, the ice show and aqua show were fantastic. Our week didn't have the best headliners (2 comedians but they were only for 18+ - both the bookable one and the show in the main theatre the last night), and we had some singer that was good, but I missed the additional extra headliner. Overall though, I really enjoy the headliners (the one that OP commented on) and it's those that change cruise to cruise so even if you cruise the same ship again, it's nice to have something different on top of the staple shows. In my opinion. Royal is pretty good in the entertainment field (but I have never been on Celebrity to compare).

Yeah...just nice to see it back on any Quantum ship.

Oh wow...That is the first I've seen of them bringing back rollerblading since covid. Excited to see! (It wasn't on Odyssey when we went in dec). Really enjoying your review. We were on Anthem two years ago and really enjoyed. Looks like you are having a great time.

Wow. That must have been a neat experience.

In Wonder 2 weeks ago. They took us backstage to see where they wait before going on stage, and walked by the actors' dressing rooms. Pretty cool!

We like Hampton Inn Brickell. The hotel is clean with good breakfast and area is nice. It's near the Metro Mover to get around, had Publix around for last minute things, and has great restaurants in the area. For recent cruises however, it's been too pricey for us. We just booked Homewood Suites in similar area as we like Brickell .