Royal Caribbean’s 50th Birthday Cruise on Symphony Of The Seas

[tamlec]

Has anyone traveled on a Royal Caribbean Presidents Cruise before? My Husband and I are on the Symphony the week before and considering doing a B2B. Is the high cost of this cruise worth it? What is unique compared to other cruises? We are double diamond members. Thanks!

[SamTimeDining]

Just now, tamlec said:

 We are double diamond members. 

Is that a newly added tier?

[Biker19]

3 minutes ago, tamlec said:

 Is the high cost of this cruise worth it? 

@Milwaukee Eight and @John&LaLa may have some feedback.

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, SamTimeDining said:

Is that a newly added tier?

 

Never heard of it.

[John&LaLa]

35 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Never heard of it.

 

41 minutes ago, SamTimeDining said:

Is that a newly added tier?

 

That is a new one

[John&LaLa]

38 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

@Milwaukee Eight and @John&LaLa may have some feedback.

 

I dont believe Rory is going. 

 

We used Laura's annual Prime certificate to go. 

[Biker19]

15 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

I dont believe Rory is going. 

 

We used Laura's annual Prime certificate to go. 

I think the OP was looking for info on previous ones.

[John&LaLa]

25 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I think the OP was looking for info on previous ones.

 

Gotcha.  

 

@tamlec it was a lot of fun. Worth the money. Being at least Diamond+ is good, but last year the BoA RC Visa card was needed for all the really good events

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Gotcha.  

 

@tamlec it was a lot of fun. Worth the money. Being at least Diamond+ is good, but last year the BoA RC Visa card was needed for all the really good events

I agree with John, if your high level status and NOT staying in a Suite, all is good. 

 

After our experience last year, we choose not to attend the year. Our sour experience was mostly related to SL/CK. For the most part, the rest of the cruise was good. 

 

I will say this, the Presidents Cruise on Freedom out of Barcelona was much better but then we only had 32 P’s onboard. The excursions were great with MB. 

Edited August 1, 2019 by Milwaukee Eight

[Norwich Cruiser]

4 hours ago, tamlec said:

Has anyone traveled on a Royal Caribbean Presidents Cruise before? My Husband and I are on the Symphony the week before and considering doing a B2B. Is the high cost of this cruise worth it? What is unique compared to other cruises? We are double diamond members. Thanks!

A Double Diamond is a beer in the UK.

The phrase goes.

A Double Diamond works wonders works wonders works wonders.

A Double Diamond works wonders.

So drink one today.

Back to the point.

We thought the price of the cruise was worth it to us.

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

"Worth it" is not only subjective, but dependent on HOW MUCH you are paying.

 

I think that I'm paying a lot, but I suspect that the OP would LOVE to have my fare!  🙂 

[Sigma Cruiser]

I think the OP meant that they both are Diamonds (at the least), thus Double Diamond members. I also have been on all 3 of the previous President's cruises. For the previous 3, we thought the price was worth it. That being said, this 4th one is in my humble opinion...absolutely outrageous for the higher category of rooms. Again, I am just answering the question with my thoughts as I often book JS and above (yes to build points and to be...or have the benefits as Pinnacles...who I do not feel negatively against). For instance, the cost is $11,700+ for a Crown Loft suite and the Grand Suite is even higher. In my humble opinion, no Visa Event, private party, performers (just above Michael Bolton and Patti Labelle) are worth more than $1,600/day and still have to deal with a crowded ship (and people complaining only because the Royal Top Execs are on the ship) - trust me they complained about the pepper shaker not being on the table when they sat down for dinner). Again, my humble opinion. The reason why I say this one is just beyond is because the other President's cruises had just a marginally higher cost than the average cruises (at that time). In fact, we switched from the President's cruise for 11/2/19 and booked the Allure on 11/3/19 (out of FLL) for a Aqua 2br for....wait for it....wait a bit longer...just about to marinate...less than 1/3 the price of the Aqua 2br on Symphony (which is presently $26,000). Even with a Genie, I don't think it is worth $3,700/day.  If I sound angry in this post, I am not...we just can't justify paying this premium in prices for what were our happy experiences on past cruises. And yes, the Freedom trip was spectacular. Enjoy the cruise as I am sure it will be fun.  By the way, please post when and where is the 5th President's cruise. They may learn and have the price a little bit lower.

[irishgal432]

I also have been on all three cruises. The first was fun, the second one incredible, the third one where I was in a Star Class suite not so much. I had booked for this year and paid over 1000 more for a grand suite versus the Star Class suite. The one last year had a lot of visa sponsored events as they were a sponsor of one of the concerts. Labadee suite beach was overrun with people both suites and pinnacles, Ck was overrun with suite people and pinnacles. 

 

 IMHO the premium is not worth. I had to our cancel due to some medical issues with my father and daughter that would not be resolved before final payment.  If things get resolved and the suites come down I would re book. 

[Sigma Cruiser]

I am however curious about one point (and this may help the OP make a decision as well). There are two scenarios that can happen with the final payment date on Monday (8/5/19). Either Royal will reduce rates (I think substantially) to incent people to purchase rooms. If they do, then all the people who purchase previously and did not call to change/update their cost by final payment date will be very upset and let it known at the big question and answer session. So bad PR option. Or they can keep the prices where they, and then everyone is available to take advantage of the Royal Up offer as they do need to fill these higher category rooms and make some money off them and some money on the lower category rooms that open up as a result. So a loss of potential revenue, but they get something. Thoughts on what they will do in 96 hours to help the OP make a decision.

[CapeGal]

19 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

 

That is a new one

[Robinhill]

18 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Gotcha.  

 

@tamlec it was a lot of fun. Worth the money. Being at least Diamond+ is good, but last year the BoA RC Visa card was needed for all the really good events

How did you know when to book the shows without knowing if the events would conflict?

[John&LaLa]

51 minutes ago, Robinhill said:

How did you know when to book the shows without knowing if the events would conflict?

 

Now that is a Pinnacle perk. No need to book the shows in advance, other than comedy club.

 

They end up juggling the performance around anyway. 

 

I'm not sure I'd do this cruise if I wasn't at least Diamond. 

 

BTW, here is the show schedule from last year. 

 

[John&LaLa]

And the Visa parties

 

[Robinhill]

john- thanks so much- yes i am diamond plus and was concerned about special events maybe conflicting with the showtimes but i think it will work out ok.  do you remember what time of the day the billy ocean concert on cococay or labadee and what day and time the Michael bolton concert was?

Edited August 2, 2019 by Robinhill
error

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Now that is a Pinnacle perk. No need to book the shows in advance, other than comedy club.

 

They end up juggling the performance around anyway. 

 

I'm not sure I'd do this cruise if I wasn't at least Diamond. 

 

BTW, here is the show schedule from last year. 

 

Only people who had a reserved area was for Pinnacles as I recall. No reserved places for Suites. As I recall, not even Star Class could keep their Genie reserved seats when a couple of P’s decided they wanted them. 

[Sigma Cruiser]

I am not sure about that point with reserved seats. I personally witnessed a Genie reserve seats for a set of Star Class suite guests. In fact, the guests placed their jackets/sweaters on the seats and turned to chat (while standing) with a set of other people. A couple (who I am told (second hand) just happened to be Pinnacles) proceeded to take the seats (with the jackets on them). Somehow a sports jacket ended on the floor, wine was tossed (in the direction of the Genie/guests), words were exchanged (not by the Genie). I thought I was at a Bruce Springsteen concert. In the end, the suite guest kept their seats and I believe (don't quote me as it was second hand info) the couple who tried to take the seats were escorted off the ship the next day. But long story short is that the Genies will try to reserve seats for Star Class. ( The writer of this reply does not imply that fighting is the answer to getting seats you want. No one should ever waste wine/alcohol. First come, first serve still has value these days. And lastly, stand up for every perk you get whether Star Class, Pinnacle, Diamond Plus or etc.)

[Milwaukee Eight]

21 minutes ago, Sigma Cruiser said:

I am not sure about that point with reserved seats. I personally witnessed a Genie reserve seats for a set of Star Class suite guests. In fact, the guests placed their jackets/sweaters on the seats and turned to chat (while standing) with a set of other people. A couple (who I am told (second hand) just happened to be Pinnacles) proceeded to take the seats (with the jackets on them). Somehow a sports jacket ended on the floor, wine was tossed (in the direction of the Genie/guests), words were exchanged (not by the Genie). I thought I was at a Bruce Springsteen concert. In the end, the suite guest kept their seats and I believe (don't quote me as it was second hand info) the couple who tried to take the seats were escorted off the ship the next day. But long story short is that the Genies will try to reserve seats for Star Class. ( The writer of this reply does not imply that fighting is the answer to getting seats you want. No one should ever waste wine/alcohol. First come, first serve still has value these days. And lastly, stand up for every perk you get whether Star Class, Pinnacle, Diamond Plus or etc.)

Not entirely correct but close. The Star Class Guests left as the Genie found them another location on the balcony. The two in question were indeed P’s and remained in those seats for a couple of songs. I heard the same rumor about getting kicked off the ship but saw the same two P’s at other events later in the cruise. I know this because this all took place in 2nd row and we were located in the front row in front of the action. I heard the commotion and was taking video/pictures at the time and caught most of the event. Photos were provided to Security. 

 

Pinnacles has the entire balcony reserved for them.  

Edited August 2, 2019 by Milwaukee Eight

[Sigma Cruiser]

I appreciate the official update on this. Again, it was second hand news to me, but you were right in the thick of it. I am most happy to hear that no one got ejected from the ship. Maybe all the parties met later at Vintages for some better glasses of wine.

 

So did you sell your pictures and videos to the Cruise Critic paparazzi?

 

[Milwaukee Eight]

30 minutes ago, Sigma Cruiser said:

 

So did you sell your pictures and videos to the Cruise Critic paparazzi?

 

Nope. I choose not to post them here or anywhere. Not sure what good it would serve.  One ended up on Facebook but was deleted by Admin. It was my photo but I didn’t release it. 

[Meetingman]

Does anyone know the special entertainment for  the 50th Birthday Cruise.   We sailed on last year's President's cruise and had special guests and parties.
Trying to schedule the activities/shows and need to know who will be performing and when.  it should be excellent.