nanseev

Honestly…didn’t even think about rescheduling! Almost too obvious of an answer! LOL! I think that’s the direction I’ll end up going. There’s more to canceling the b2b - it’s partly money, but it’s also being gone two weeks and home responsibilities. Thanks for everyone’s input - I appreciate it!

No…straight booking. It was just an absolute bargain when it was released.

No…straight booking. It was just an absolute bargain when it was released.

Hi all, Sorry for the length…I’m wordy. I have some Royal cruises booked that I think we are going to cancel a portion. We got an amazing deal on b2b Grand Suites over the Christmas and NYE weeks, and we booked two for each week (one for us and one for the kids) and honestly…two weeks, two suites each, is just too much of a stretch for us with cruise, gambling, spending, and other expenses. We booked it when the cruise was first released thinking we would save $ for it, and in hindsight…it was a better dream vs reality. i haven’t called Royal yet, and I would bet we booked with non-refundable deposits. Here’s my question…the cruise is a TON more $ now. Like $7k-8k increase PER room (from $2,900 to $10,700 for each suite). Could I switch all of the names on the reservations and have someone pay me for my deposit that I already paid…assuming I could find someone who would want it? I’d be saving a family of four almost $15k!! I would love to be able to pay the savings forward to someone….but do I trust someone who I don’t know personally? Am I nuts? Should I just cancel it, and if I lose the deposit…oh well.? As I type this I am also telling myself to just suck it up…you only live once and I don’t have to spend *every* night in the casino….lol. But seriously…can I change the names for my holiday cruises?

Thanks everyone! I ended up getting it - and it was indeed a warm NY strip sliced on top of the salad. It was very good, and I’d order it again. Forgot to take a pic though!

It was very good…and looking back at this post I’m so GLAD I made the decision I did to go on Panorama! We enjoyed the cruise, although it took me a while to get used to the difference in layout between Panorama and Royal ships - Panorama felt more “closed in” and claustrophobic. But after a few days I got over that and really enjoyed some of the differences. I felt like it was easier to wander on Royal and “stumble” across tithings to do….Panorama I felt like you had to go “into” areas/rooms/areas to find things (not sure if that makes sense). I couldn’t be walking and hear music in the distance and say “Oh..that sounds fun..let’s go check it out.” Guys Burgers was amazing and I wish Royal had an equivalent. I actually thought the buffet was better (comparing to Navigator), MDR a slight edge to Navigator (especially service - Royals service is much better), Carnivals brunch is better than Royals lunch, and I loved the gelato in Carnival’s buffet. The Steakhouse on Carnival was much better than Chops, although the service was lackluster. I liked having comedy available every night. Royal’s overall service is much better in every aspect - food, beverage, guest services, and all other staff interactions. There was absolutely a difference in clientele - Carnival had more “booze cruise” feel with servers coming around with “test tube” shots and fruity drinks in specialty plastic glasses. It’s been a year since this post, and we haven’t been back on Carnival (but have been on Royal 5-10 times since)…but truly the only reason is because we’ve been able to book Navigator with Casino offers instead of paying….I wouldn’t hesitate to book Panorama again - especially if price is equal or better, but still prefer Royal overall.

Yup! And proud of it! I’d rather not take the waiter’s valuable time with questions, when one quick picture or answer is all I’m looking for. It makes the experience more relaxing for me, and reduces the FOMO. Have a fabulous day!

I’m having lunch today at Chops and debating on which entree…does anyone have a pic of the NY Steak Salad or know if the steak is hot or chilled when they serve it? The only steak on the lunch menu is filet, and I prefer ribeye or NY strip. Thanks!

I’m hoping to get some help with choosing a hotel. Background info - Traveling from California. We are on Wonder in Feb 2025 (Port Canaveral) and the next month on Symphony at the end of March 2025 out of Miami, which is where I’m looking for advice. One of the two cruises weren’t in our travel plans (traveling for a wedding, so combining weekend wedding w/cruise since we are traveling from west coast), so I’m trying to go “minimal” for our pre/post expenses. I could fly into MIA or FLL. I usually will stay at Hilton/Marriott level hotels and am open to the “suite” style (Homewood, Staybridge, etc.) or traditional hotel…I’m not brand loyal - just not open to “motel 6” level. I feel like every hotel I look at in Miami is $300-$400+. Uber will be our transportation, and don’t need to stay close to port - I’m more interested in best overall value (hotel/uber/restaurant access), even if that includes FLL or airport hotels. I’m assuming Uber will be cheaper than renting a car, but open to suggestions if you think otherwise. We will be flying Fri red-eye (arriving Sat morning), and Uber to port on Sunday for departure. Suggestions for hotel/location?

It won’t let me PM you - can you give me your email? Or try DMing me?

Of course! We leave Friday and return Monday and I will be happy to! I will PM you 🙂

Thanks for all of the replies - based on your feedback, I’ll go straight to Izumi once I’m on the ship. Crossing my fingers we are able to. My home port ship is Navigator so I’m a “frequent flyer” of Chops and Jamie’s and hoping to have a different experience for this trip.

Going on Wonder and have the 3-day dining package. I really want to dine at the hibachi, as that’s the one speciality I’ve never had. I know the first thing I have to do as soon as I’m on the ship is to make my dining reservations - can I book hibachi at the kiosk, or am I better off going immediately to the the Izumi location? I’ve read conflicting information/responses.

Can someone confirm Symphony 3/31 sailing change - I’m reading conflicting reports of Coco Cay 4/2 and also 4/1. I’ll be on Wonder which is scheduled for Coco Cay 4/1 - trying to see if we have two ships on our day. From everything I can see, Wonder is still the only ship on 4/1, but seeing the earlier post about three ships on 4/2….thinking one of those may scoot over to 4/1.

Did you try to get Izumi Hibachi with the UDP? We have the 3-day and I’m hoping to be able to get a reservation when we get on the ship (on my plan for first thing to do) …but fearful it’s going to be completely sold out with all of the pre-purchases.

Going on Wonder in a few weeks, and purchased both the 3 night dining package and also Mason Brunch for embarkation day. I was planning on going to 150 CP, Giovanni’s, and Izumi Hibachi for my 3 night. Navigator is my “home port” ship so I want something different than Chops and Hooked. Is the hibachi eligible in the 3-night package? I just noticed in the fine print it states “restaurant not included in dining package.” Has it always been like that? I may try to swap my Mason for the hibachi…but I can only imagine how complicated that will end up to be if I try to do it on board.

We have decided to keep our cruise on Navigator April 26-29, so if you still need one at that time, let me know.

For years, I’ve steered away from Royal’s spa - mainly because I’ve read so many people comment on the average experience plus the brutal “hard sell” after the spa experience - and I’d rather spend my extra money in the casino 😂. I’m going on Wonder (Eastern Caribbean) soon…and really contemplating booking a couples massage for my husband and myself. We are NOT spa people regularly, so I think I’d be happy with “average.” But…what’s the best type of massage to get? There’s different options for massages, and don’t know if one is better than the other. Also, is 50 minutes enough, or is 75 better? Is is better to book ahead of time, or cheaper if I wait for a Port Day special (open to any day since we’ve been to the ports numerous times, and I know port days are less expensive than sea days). Trying to get the best value if I splurge on this. Thanks!

I have seen the Navigator mugs in the past. Currently, Navigator is in dry dock until mid-April. I’m scheduled to sail in May, and I do have on late April but we may reschedule that one. Either way, if you don’t get a Navigator mug before then, message me and I will pick one up for you.

We skip Italian, Mexico and Caribbean in that order. Backup is Bon Voyage night. Italy - I wish they would improve the recipe for chicken parm - it could be good if they used cutlets instead of thick breasts, and would probably save on their food costs in the long run…..but it’s just not well prepared. The lasagna to me is close to inedible. Even the salad dressing on that night is not great. Mexico - Agreed with the earlier post - I can get excellent Mexican food at home, so it’s not something I choose. Having said that, when we are in there for Mexican night, I order the carne asada. Caribbean - My personal preference..jerk seasoning isn’t my favorite, so this night isn’t a favorite for me.

100% doable. I’ve been on Navigator over 10 times (and probably more like 15-20..lol) since she’s been on the West Coast. I’m regularly off the ship and in my car by 7:30am when I self-assist and carry my luggage off myself. They are very efficient with disembarkment process. Just know there’s usually a line that starts with all self-assists, so if you’re really worried, you could get in line by 7am and wait until the ship has clearance. You will hear the “you never know…” responses, but I have yet to be significantly delayed with disembarkment - I usually go straight to work after my weekend cruise. Facial recognition gets you through customs super quick and you don’t even need to get your passport out. At disembarkment, there are two exits at the port to go down to customs area - try to get out at the front of the ship versus the back - just less walking out which will ultimately be a few minutes quicker. The back exit “backtracks” to the front…hard to explain, and not a huge difference…just something I’ve noticed having done this multiple times. Know as you approach customs, passport holders are on the right and birth certificate people are on the left - just so you are prepared. If you have a passport, know that once you’ve split from the birth certificate side, the passport splits into two lines. I’m still trying to decipher which passport customs line is quicker - the left or right!

Any news on who is taking over on Wonder after 3/24/24?

Does anyone have any feelings on whether to choose port or starboard side for the Eastern Caribbean itinerary w/Coco Cay? Other than the obvious - sunrise/sundown in one direction, and the opposite in the return direction. Both rooms are basically near the front elevator on Deck 7. Any other insight?

I never found two same rooms available on each cruise in the class I needed. I did call a few times to see if they showed anything different (which I knew they wouldn’t).

Nope. Tried for our last B2B. Once you are assigned a room, you can look to see if there are the same rooms available on both cruises (must be in the same class), then call and ask to switch. But like the previous poster said, highly unlikely.