LuCruise

Thank you! This helps and good to know to search hotels also in Texas City.

Thinking about it...maybe we should book Harmony too as prices only go up? I think Royal doesn't care if you have more than one booking as it just means another booking for them on the deposit. So many unknowns...I suppose too another option is to forget March and just book 1 family holiday for now (at least a cruise). Not sure.

Thanks. We tend to book direct, unless no option but I think I saw direct looking at this year. No physical issues in our party, but thanks for the tip. 1hour away sounds far, but I guess that's not much different from MCO to Port Canaveral.

PS - On the flip side, we booked Oasis for March 2026. In this case, absolute worst 3 ports ever, but we booked for the ship (and price was right). Also not sure. Sadly, prices have gone insane.

Yeah, you can see that we typically cruise on the bigger ships with the extras. Our kids will be older though and we did ask their opinions. Am definitely keeping an eye out though and esp when shorter cruises are released. But Rhapsody...not sure. We also like to cruise 2x a year (March without our older one) and then all of us. So also thinking if we drop March break. We are compromising on stateroom choice too.

Yeah, looked at Adventure and it was 8-9K CAD depending on the room (for 4 of us). We did bite the bullet and booked Icon for Dec 2024 at 8k when it came out and that's way too much for our liking but did for just this one opportunity (and price now is around 12K so we got a "deal").

Thanks for the feedback on Galveston. Wish we could drive as that would make a big difference, but our kids barely managed the drive to New Jersey (never again was their comment) and I have back issues where I can't sit too long so not an option for anything further than NJ.

Looking at the new released cruises for Dec 2025 and yikes. Prices are insane. We love Royal though and this is the only time we can travel as a family with all of us as our older one is in university. Our kids will be 16 and 20 by then. Here's the Dilemma, which I know no one can tell us which one, but I have a few questions. Two cruises we are considering: a) Harmony cruise out of Galveston - same Roatan, Costa Maya, etc ports that we keep doing b) Rhapsody cruise out of Tampa - includes Belize, which is new for us Questions 1. Never flown out of Galveston, but it seems like a bit of a red flag to me. How inconvenient of a port is it? We are flying from Toronto, Ontario. I do see direct flights when I check this Dec, but thinking more of the airport to hotel to port....plus weather concerns with fog. 2. I know Rhapsody is the smallest ship of them all, but is it too small? We asked our kids if they are fine without the bells and whistles and they said as long as there is a Windjammer and a pool, gym, they are fine. I did check a cruise compass and they still have the daily activities, which we do enjoy, plus an evening show. (And we never get internet, but may purchase it for them on this one when we have down time) We have booked Rhapsody for now as refundable, mostly as it's still a Royal ship and the price is our past "normal" and acceptable to us. Harmony is the next cheapest but it's 2K more (Promenade room) than Rhapsody (2 interiors). Harmony is a bit out of our comfort zone for price, especially as we need to add flight costs and it's xmas time (and university changes the extra spending money). Of course, on the flip side, Harmony has the slides, abyss, rock wall, etc , is bigger, more included venues, etc. We haven't been on either ship and always prefer a new one to us if it's an option (but have been on other Oasis class ships). I know that short cruises are being released in Feb or so, so will definitely check then and if we find a 4 or 5 day or a newer ship, may switch, but pricing has already gone up on both of the above so wanted to book something....even though they were literally just released. Thoughts on the above?

APDMOM, excited to see you on here. Love your reviews, and Symphony is an amazing ship I'm sure you will enjoy!

I know we are not in the majority but i agree. First, Aqua 80 is the best show on Oasis, and the best Aqua show of the ones that I've seen overall. But I also really enjoyed Cats. Saw it once + the first half of another showing (and only couldn't see the whole thing since had to get ready for dinner). The cast that we saw is amazing, set done well, costumes great, etc. To me, the trick was reading / researching the story beforehand, plus I learned some of the music.

Looking at a future cruise. Anyone been to Mayan Eden Eco Park and have any feedback? This will be our 4th time in Rotan and have done 2 tours and have a beach type thing booked for another so this seems like a good other option.

Thanks for confirming my understanding.

Not OP but have a related question. Only one of our kids is Diamond while the other isn't (DH and I became Diamond but our older one already turned 18). Can the one that is Diamond get two drinks at once (non-alcoholic of course)? My understandable is that unlike the drink package, the Diamond drinks are shareable but want to be sure.

Maybe go to guest services when onboard and see? We had to enquire to obtain suite lounge access, but that was Dec of last year. Doesn't hurt to try, and sometimes the phone agents get the wrong info.

We've been to Roatan 2x before so don't really need a tour type excursion. I've heard good things about Maya Key Private Island (Royal excursion) and it seems like a good mix. It's not a horrible price now with Black Friday (compared to regular) so we booked it. We are 2 adults and a teenager. I just have a couple questions. This is mostly a beach type day but why does it list it as strenuous? Also, I read you can rent snorkel gear but do they have other things? e.g. kayaks, floats? There is a mini museum and animals? Would love to hear people's comments about this place and if it's worthwhile. Thanks.

That's the beauty of it...it's just a regular promenade room, but it is only for room 6305. They decorate it with cows (less over the top than they used to) and you get extra benefits. It's only on Independence, Liberty and Freedon.

When we were on Liberty last December, it was more of a secret. We had to go to Guest Services and ask for the Suite access. Hopefully they still at least grant it if you ask...but of course, is sucks that you have to ask. i.e. no letter in the room

We've been in the Ben and Jerry room twice, once on Independence before the pandemic and once on Liberty after the pandemic. See signature links for comments/pictures of both. Both gave free ice cream, access to the suite lounge and priority departure. With Independence before the pandemic, we got a gold card, so whatever other suites could do we could do (e.g. sweets brought to our room, suite seats at the theatre, could sit at Chops for breakfast, etc). With Liberty after the pandemic, we were only give then ice cream vouchers. We went to Guest Services though and told them about the room and after a few calls we were given Suite access. To us, this was the main benefit as we got free drinks before/after dinner. We enjoy promenade rooms. They are a bit small but the room was cute and we were fine with the loss of the true view. Definitely worth it for us.

Thanks for the tip! I usually go through the main number but will try that.

Ken, thank for letting us all know. To confirm I understand...we have two cruises that we booked Nov and Dec of last year for 2024 and 2025. I haven't added gratuities yet (but always add then when I do final payment if not done yet). I tried calling yesterday morning but it was a long wait and didn't have the time so hung up after waiting 20 minutes. From what you are saying, I can wait until final payment , add then add them to the invoice (then pay off the cruise) and will still get the current rate before the raise?

Ken, thank for letting us all know. To confirm I understand...we have two cruises that we booked Nov and Dec of last year. I haven't added gratuities yet (but always add then when I do final payment if not done yet). I tried calling yesterday morning but it was a long wait and didn't have the time so hung up after waiting 20 minutes. From what you are saying, I can wait until final payment , add them then (then pay off the cruise) and will still get the current rate before the raise?

Yeah, Dh and I would be interested in trying Hooked, but DD would be very limited. I find when I'm on a cruise, I forget what hunger is...lol, so that wouldn't be a problem for me, but good to know. We can always grab something on the promenade or Windjammer if still need a snack. Trying to get an idea before Black Friday...hoping things will go on sale (although Wonderland is the cheapest I've seen it at the moment at $65 CAD - I think it's a good deal) For 150 CP, DH is allergic to hazelnuts and walnuts and a lot of their dishes (or desserts) seem to have that. Otherwise, seems like a good one to try.

I just checked the menus and that has the warm chocolate cookie...best dessert with new menus. We didn't mind Mexican night too as the entree had a few options that we liked.

This is what we're thinking...an odd menu (with a great dessert!) but seems like a neat experience. It was actually our teenager that asked to try it in the past.

Starting a fun thread (as trying to decide if we try a specialty on our Wonder cruise in March). I know this is subjective, but if you were to do just one specialty restaurant would you pick? And what MDR night would you miss? We're coming with a teenager. She doesn't eat seafood but does like salmon and beef/chicken. DH and I don't eat beef/chicken. Thinking maybe...Wonderland (for something unique - but also hesitating due to the strange menu) and missing Italian night. We've tried Chops and the two Italian places on different ships so thinking something new for us. How about others?