Happytime22

Trying to compare a Symphony of the Seas cruise in 2024 that stops at both. Have 2 20-somethings and wondering if they would like these stops. Some say nothing good except 'pay activities' some say its boring.... don't care about my wife and I but want the boys to enjoy it! Thoughts?

Gave two 20-somethings going with my wife and I and they LOOOOVE tournaments? Anybody been on this ship that can answer?

Saw those menus... only dif I saw was that the filet was 8 oz for lunch rather than 9oz. Seem to have the same Salmon. My question was more for someone who has done BOTH the dinner and lunch and if they were similar portions?

Have you ever cruised with 20-somethings? I have posted on the NCL and RCL Boards asking for opinions comparing NCL Joy vs RCL Symphony of the seas for a 10/9 day cruise in Aun 2024. Since you stated you like NCL more above... any thoughts?

smaller menu or smaller portions?

are they alike?

Are the portions the same?

thks

thks

Thanks both... Only 2 nights for a 10 day cruise... that stinks. Symphony of the seas is looking better the more I research Joy?

Looking at a 10 Day cruise in August 2024 on Joy: So far... this is what I have found on a TRAVEL SITE (NOT NCL): For first two guests: On 5-6 day cruises guests will receive two meals. On 7-8 day cruises guests will receive three meals. On 9-10 day cruises guests will receive four meals. On 11+ day cruises guests will receive five meals. Is this right, as there will be 4 adults and trying to get an idea of how much we would have to spend on a Dining Package to match for the other two adults?????

Also, I was told the wrong info about JOY... it ONLY goes out of Brooklyn in the event there is a problem in Manhattan!

I appreciate all the opinions.... as they are obviously from cruisers with more time than I! I think the boys and my DW and I need to sit down and discuss!

Thks... our last cruise was on RCL Oasis of the Seas and the boys (Both will be of drinking age in 2024) and they were leaning to try food again on NCL. I gues the biggest area I can't understand is even NCL can't confirm whether Joy leaves from Manhattan or Brooklyn next year??? ... and I have been told to stay away from Brooklyn. Probably a lot of subjectivity to my questions but your thoughts of NCL Shows and Food was very helpful... I just wish I could get a definitive answer of the actual departure port!

thks... thats the same site I went to that only listed 2023. Has anyone sailed from Brooklyn? Is it pretty much the same experience as Manhattan or should I be worried?

Thks... just called NCL, now for the third time? The first time they said 'ONLY Manhattan', second call 'in 2024 we are leaving out of Brooklyn, on my call 1 minute ago, told 'It depends'. How in the heck can a cruise line not know where their ship will leave from????? Also, tried to look at the NY Cruise Pier schedule but it only shows up to the end of 2023? The Pier 'supposedly' was a big issue with a TA but ...... any thoughts on where I can go to actually get an answer?

thats was the NCL rep said?

Thats what I was told by NCL for Aug 2024? Was that info wrong?

We live in NJ and my DW and 2 sons (21, 23) have cruised on both RCL and NCL… Oasis and Breakaway, among others. We are looking at booking a Summer 2024 (somewhere local to NJ as we do not want to fly) with our 2 College kids and are trying to decide based on what we know, or have been told, about the two lines. RCL Symphony of the Seas Pro’s: · Pier in Bayonne NJ easiest to use · Ship has a sports area (one son really likes tournaments) · Think entertainment better (keyword: THINK… need help on this) · Goes to their two owned islands RCL Symphony of the Seas Con’s · The Boys wanted to try other than a non-oasis ship · Cruise more expensive · Boys liked NCL food better · Booze Package EXPENSIVE · Dining Package EXPENSIVE NCL Joy’s Pros: · Cruise less expensive (especially with military discount) · Boys liked food on NCL better · Booze Package CHEAPER as only pay gratuities · Dining Package CHEAPER and only pay for passengers 3&4 · All loved the cruise on Breakaway MANY years ago, but that may have been due to Julie (cruise Director there) · An extra day on cruise NCL Joy’s Con’s: · TA and others think Brooklyn Pier is terrible (IMPORTANT: need other’s thoughts on this) as compared to Bayonne · No Sports area for tournaments (heard it is now gone) · Worried about entertainment shows Both ships seem similar in age, size, rooms, etc.

We live in NJ and my DW and 2 sons (21, 23) have cruised on both RCL and NCL… Oasis and Breakaway, among others. We are looking at booking a Summer 2024 (somewhere local to NJ as we do not want to fly) with our 2 College kids and are trying to decide based on what we know, or have been told, about the two lines. RCL Symphony of the Seas Pro’s: · Pier in Bayonne NJ easiest to use · Ship has sports area (one son really likes tournaments) · Think entertainment better (keyword: THINK… need help on this) · Goes to their two owned islands RCL Symphony of the Seas Con’s · The Boys wanted to try other than a non-oasis ship · Cruise more expensive · Boys liked NCL food better · Booze Package EXPENSIVE · Dining Package EXPENSIVE NCL Joy’s Pros: · Cruise less expensive (especially with military discount) · Boys liked food on NCL better · Booze Package CHEAPER as only pay gratuities · Dining Package CHEAPER and only pay for passengers 3&4 · All loved the cruise on Breakaway MANY years ago, but that may have been due to Julie (cruise Director there) · An extra day on cruise NCL Joy’s Con’s: · TA and others think Brooklyn Pier is terrible (IMPORTANT: need other’s thoughts on this) as compared to Bayonne · No Sports area for tournaments (heard it is now gone) · Worried about entertainment shows Both ships seem similar in age, size, rooms, etc.????

SMART!

It is definitely starting to look like a smaller package of meals, rather than the UDP, is the way to go.

Sorry... I am looking through the eye's of a Dad with 2 kids in College (one undergrad the other grad) and retirement knocking. Maybe I should change my screen name to AlmostBroke22????

OUCH! $450 p/person! I'll ask the boys if they are willing to pay their own tuition this year!

Thks for the clarity!