We haven't cruised in nearly 7 years.......

[jammin]

We haven't cruised in almost 7 years.  Our last cruise was on Freedom of the Seas.  We are planning a Christmas cruise with our children (19 and 14) on Symphony of the Seas.   We are booking 2 guarantee balcony cabins as we can get 2 cabins for nearly the same price as a balcony with trundle and I just can't fathom paying a ton of money and having my kids sleep on the floor and on the sofa. 

 

Some initial questions:

I am currently researching whether we should get insurance through Royal Carribean vs. a 3rd party. Any advise?

Dining options?  Traditional late or My Time Dining?

 

What has changed in the last 7 years?

 

Appreciate any insights

[Jtd724]

Definitely get third-party insurance I’ve heard horror stories from insurance through Royal. 
 

And take everything you read here with an absolute big chunk of grain of salt because there is a lot of negative Nellies on here

[gumshoe958]

Symphony is a fantastic ship, you’ll love it.

 

I’d get My Time Dining if you’re planning to see all the shows (Hairspray, Flight, the Aqua show and the Ice show) as they’re all on at different times on different days and don’t always fit around traditional dining very well. 
 

You should be able to book shows on the cruise planner at the start of the month prior to your cruise (so November for a Christmas cruise).

[smokeybandit]

Only you can decide your dining time.

[kitkat343]

We've never needed to use it, but always book 3rd party insurance through insure my trip.  

 

We just sailed over xmas with our kids, and my 13 year old had a blast, roamed the ship with a large group of kids and we didn't see him very much but he was very happy.

 

mtd was an absolute mess 2 years ago when I last sailed with rc.  If it hasn't been fixed, get whatever traditional dining available.  We had early set, but saw the huge lines when we exited and people were pissed because they had to wait forever for their tables even though they had a time set through mtd (but hopefully that's been resolved and others who have sailed more recently on RC can update)

 

Oh, and I never sailed RC prior to covid, but there are cutbacks postcovid across all the cruise lines so just be prepared.  I'd sailed Cunard recently and prior to covid and could see the cutbacks (nothing that significantly affected me - lack of live music in the ship, fewer dance hosts).  We had a wonderful time with Cunard, but just be aware to adjust your expectations.  Some people are very upset on the forums because they want everything they got last time, and it's not coming back on any line.

Edited January 13 by kitkat343

[taglovestocruise]

17 minutes ago, Jtd724 said:

And take everything you read here with an absolute big chunk of grain of salt because there is a lot of negative Nellies on here

+1... biggest I could find

[taglovestocruise]

With older kids I would go for late traditional dining. We have always had late dining and have never been unable to see a show. Symphony is a awesome ship, don't forget a no charge breakfast is every morning at Johnny Rockets. Be sure to book all your shows as soon a they show up on the cruise planner. 

Edited January 13 by taglovestocruise

[rncruiser]

I just did the Christmas cruise on Odyssey. This was our first cruise post-Covid. I have never sailed in Symphony but I have been on Oasis and Allure and loved them. 
We did MTD because the fixed dining times don’t work for us, either too early or too late. I would say it really depends on what your preferred dining time is. 
As far as changes in the past 7 years, you will read from many that the food quality and portion sizes have decreased. There are definitely cut backs in the choices offered in the MDR, such as no rack of lamb, but I have not seen a decrease in either quantity or quality. If anything, I found the portions too big, and we are big eaters. The beef was so tender that I ordered it more often than usual. The only portions I found small were the vegan and Indian choices, but those were always small. 
There is now only once a day cabin cleaning, your choice as to morning or evening. We chose morning and did not feel our cabin needed to be cleaned again in the evening. 
Cruise compasses are not routinely left in your cabin, but your cabin steward will leave them if requested. 
Photos are no longer put out for display. They can be viewed on the kiosks in the photo area. You can still get your photos printed if you are buying them, or have them sent to you digitally. 
All in all, any changes have been minor and have not affected our enjoyment. 

[h20skibum]

We were on Symphony for the 8 night sailing before Christmas.  Had early traditional, and no problem with it interfering with any of the shows.  Huge lines for MTD when we left the dining room, both for those with and without reservations, so no, they haven’t fixed the problems with MTD.  
 

 

[bonsai3s]

40 minutes ago, jammin said:

 

 

What has changed in the last 7 years?

 

Appreciate any insights

 

Love the Symphony...random thoughts...

 

* Muster drill is easier and faster.

* Cabin service is now only once a day...unless you're in a suite.

* Symphony has a separate non-smoking casino...located at the former Jazz Club.

* Tips have increased.

* Diamond Lounge now Crown Lounge.

* Symphony has Brunch on seadays in the MDR...but it closes at noon.

* MDR menu now have Indian dishes daily.

* We've adapted and use the Royal App.

* You get your Seapass card outside your cabin door...not at the terminal.

* Not sure if they had it 7 years ago...but you may see the roving piano player.

* Symphony now has Casitas for rent.

 

Here's a photo of the Christmas tree on the Symphony.