blueslily

We wont use the debarkation breakfast. The priority entering the terminal "at our dedicated check in time" is not needed for us. (Its not written as priority boarding. Entering the terminal for checking in is not the same thing as boarding the ship.) We like to choose theater seats ourselves based on the different shows and their venues. So, the Chops lunch is the only benefit for us that we can say we would definitely use by getting The Key. Chops lunch is on sale in our planner at the same break even price of The Key. So, we need a break even price with the Internet to make The Key worth it for us. The key is one of those things that it really matters which of the included options matter to each person. That determines the level of value. For us, we would just get it if it makes the Internet for two devices the same price or better 🙂 and any of the "extra" stuff would just be a bonus in case we choose to use it. That's what we would call a deal.

Yes, I was assuming as well. But, with Royal, I have learned not to assume.

For my Symphony sailing in December, The Key is listed as $19.99 also and Internet Surf and Stream for one device is $20.99. So,The Key looks less. But, we were going to get Internet for one person with 2 devices to share that which is actually a little less total price than purchasing The Key for 2 people to get the internet. So, if The Key drops to $17.99 or less, we will go The Key route. Right now the price difference is $50 for two devices.

Is the Chops embarkation lunch in the MDR the same menu as what is offered for Chops in their restaurant? I'm trying to figure out if the lunch is the full menu or a limited lunch menu?

Ok. Thank you!

Thank you!

Hello all, I've seen this topic on here, but it was mostly about this tour not being offered due to COVID. So, in my cruise planner for my upcoming cruise on Symphony in December, the All Access Ship Tour is being offered for $158.99. I read the description. It seems ok, but not really thrilling. I have a first time cruiser going with me on this sailing so I was looking into options that might be a little different than my norm or might be nice pluses for my cabin mate as a first time cruiser. For anyone that has gone on this tour recently on Symphony since the cruise restart (not prior to COVID), what was the tour really like? What was the best part of the tour for you? Were there significantly boring parts of it? I know perception if experience can vary, but the more details the better. I want to compare apples to apples. So, just the Symphony and just recently please because I understand that things before COVID could have been different and tours on different ship might be a little different as well. Thanks everyone!

Yes, I see that error all the time on here. It's not the boarding time. Even with The Key, people misinterpret the language as well.

The price varies from ship to ship and sailing to sailing. So, not everyone will see the same price. Also, you can ignore the percentage off. The more accurate number is the actual price because percentages do not always add up to be accurate. What is the price for The Key for your sailing and what sailing is that price for? That info could be helpful. Congrats on your cruise!

Hello All, For anyone who purchased the Water Package recently on the Symphony, which brand water was it? Also, was it in cans, cartons, or bottles? Also, does the Refreshment Package include soda for dinner in the MDR? The package description says "freestyle" and "fountain" soda, so making sure soda in the MDR will be included. I have a first time cruiser coming with me on the sailing in December. Helping them sort out their plans. Thanks!

Can the OP or someone else please clarify. I keep seeing people mention early boarding, but in the Key description in the planner it does not say early boarding of the ship. It says "Priority access into the terminal (within booked arrival time). Are people misreading this? This just means that at your designated arrival time, you will have priority access into the terminal for checking in, not necessarily early access to board ship.

What's the menu for the Chops Embarkation lunch?

Thanks so much for sharing this information.

Thanks so much. Some of these are close to what I'm seeing also.

Hello All, What's a good daily price for the Refreshment Package? What's a good daily price for Voom Surf and Stream? We will get one package for 2 devices. I'm tracking prices so I can compare when Royal claims to be having a sale. I dont expect prices to get as low as they were in 2020 and 2021 when hardly anyone was cruising. I'm watching the prices to see if they get good enough to buy before Black Friday. I have a hunch that this Black Friday prices will not be as good as they were the last two years since demand is much higher. So, I'm hopeful for good Black Friday prices, but I plan to not count on it since it could be a bit underwhelming this year. Thanks so much!

As shared above, and I saw it in my planner as well, although the word sale is shown there, when I do the math, it is not really a good sale. I took screenshots of the planner earlier this week so I could compare the prices when the labor Day sale was launched. Although some items are listed as 30% or 50% off, the price differences are like $3-$7 from monday. Some items, like the soda package is exactly the same price. I've read on here many times to just pay attention to the actual cost/price, not the sale percentage. Hopefully in your planner, the items you want are indeed significantly lower priced than yesterday or the day before.

I've read on here many times to not really look at the percentage off number, but to look at the actual prices listed. I took screenshots of the items Monday in preparation for this "sale". Tonight, when I did a price comparison, the items listed with the big fat 50% off beside them are not what I would call 50% less than what they were Monday, hahahaha. Even the 30% off items are like $3 - $7 less, and that's not 30%. I see one item that I will consider. The rest will sit until perhaps a better price, not percentage, during the Black Friday Sale. What's the best price drop that you see in the cruise planner?

Hmmm, there is an interesting point in the OP's question. For folks that sail with Royal a LOT, do you not get bored and tired of the same thing over and over? I enjoy cruising, but I certainly do not cruise as much as some of you talk about cruising on here. I mean if everything just stays the same and you experience it over and over again, do you not tire of the same old repeat stuff? Why keep going for the same stuff over and over? Not to hijack this thread. Again, the OP brings up an interesting point. Thanks OP! (P.S. I have not been bored yet, but I also dont cruise as frequently as some people on here and I mix it up. I've done 3 cruises since the restart and 2 more to go, but I sail various cruise lines.)

Hello All, Historically, has the Labor Day Sale been any good? I logged in today hoping to see perhaps some deals since the prior sale was supposed to expire last night. But no, the website shows they extended the previous "sale" which indeed is not a sale. So, it looks like this current "sale" will now run through Wednesday. So, I'm hopeful for something decent sale wise on Thursday for Labor Day. But, is that realistic? Anyone familiar? I totally understand that it might be a little different this year as they work on recouping loss revenue for the past 2 years. Thanks

So, are we saving any money if we get the dining plan Or is it nearly the same as paying without the plan? I'm trying to understand what is the value when you break down the meal cost.

I've sailed on MSC. no problems. I dont even have the IT or land based customer service issues that most folks swear everyone has with MSC. Not my experience at all. I go on cruises to relax. MSC cruises allow me that opportunity.

Thanks so much for posting.

Are these all of the perks? This is it?

Interesting discussion about shows on ships. I'm thinking back, and I dont recall usually selecting a cruise based on the shows on a ship. Hmmm. Just hasn't been a high priority for me. I guess it depends on why we choose to cruise. Shows usually dont fall high on my list. I could take them or leave some of them and still have an awesome cruise.

Yes, totally love the Epic. Im not really sure what all the fuss is about the bathroom. It's actually a helpful setup. But, as said above, some people complain just to complain and some people are just negative. I love cruising and the Epic is a great ship for both Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings. Go enjoy and dont be deflated by negativity of other people. EDIT: I'm not sure why this posted a second time.