Waiting on Summer 2018 release

[amberwc]

Anyone else waiting with me? Supposed to be out this week.

We want to do a N. Europe/Baltic trip and I have been making careful assessments of all the lines and the itineraries.

 

[KashasMom]

We did the 13 night Ultimate Scandinavia/Russia on the Serenade of the Seas last July. It was amazing!! We booked it when it was first available and got a super deal. Having 3 full days in St. Petersburg was definitely the highlight. Best cruise ever! I'm also waiting to see what RCI will have for summer 2018 and looking for a N. Europe (hopefully Norway) cruise. I saw a few on NCL but the dates don't work. Wouldn't go on DCL and don't think Princess would work for us. I'll decide this week.

 

[amberwc]

I saw a few on NCL but the dates don't work. Wouldn't go on DCL and don't think Princess would work for us. I'll decide this week.

HAL has a some good itineraries and prices, Celebrity may be a good option also. We're keeping all options in the mix, but unfortunately DCL is out due to the date.

 

[WishingMom]

Me! Hoping for a 7 night Med cruise for next September.

 

[rosaciri]

Yes we are waiting patiently also. Hoping to do a 12 night med greek island cruise. I have read that it may be on Vision Of The Seas for 2018 out of Barcelona. We have sailed with DCL (Western Carribean 7 night cruise) and Carnival Spirit (South Pacific islands 8 nights). New to RCCL so hoping we will enjoy our next cruise. Will have a 6 yr old and 11 yr old at the time of crusiing (girls) so hopefully VOTS will be good for them. they luuuvvveeed DCL but unfortunately they have priced us out to sail again this them. Sailing with RCCL or a similar cruise line will mean that we can spend a few days in Barcelona before the sailing and visit DLP for a few days. Fingers crossed it works out for us. If anyone has seen a similar itinerary on another cruise line feel free to let me know. Open to other options too.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

First wave of Europe should be open tomorrow along with the Miami sailings of Symphony.

 

[wanderlust7]

The Symphony sailings are open now, though the website is a little wonky.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Yeah, it looks like they will be releasing in waves as no other Europe was opened today. Guess I will be checking every morning!

 

[MrsHull]

Yes. We are waiting to book our first cruise for next summer. I'm thinking a 4 night one in the Bahamas.

Is it better to book when it first comes available or watch for a sale?

 

[WishingMom]

I booked this morning for a Med cruise on the Symphony.

 

[ckelly14]

I also booked Symphony 6/10/18 round trip Barcelona. 2 Oceanview Balcony staterooms for a total of 4 people for $6300. I currently have a Rome to Barcelona one way cruise with Disney booked: $9800 for one balcony stateroom for 4 people. I really like the Disney itinerary but it's difficulty for forgo the extra room and $3500 just to sail Disney...

 

[KashasMom]

I was disappointed that the Symphony is only doing Med cruises. Will still wait for the rest of RCI itineraries but right now a 14 day Norway, Iceland, & UK (Scotland) on NCL looks really good. We were going to do an Iceland land vacation in June but may not now...

 

[rosaciri]

I also booked Symphony 6/10/18 round trip Barcelona. 2 Oceanview Balcony staterooms for a total of 4 people for $6300. I currently have a Rome to Barcelona one way cruise with Disney booked: $9800 for one balcony stateroom for 4 people. I really like the Disney itinerary but it's difficulty for forgo the extra room and $3500 just to sail Disney...

Hi - can I ask which link you used to do your booking. I have had a look on the RCCL website and cant seem to find any bookings for this period???? Looking to book a med cruise also on RCCL. Thank you kindly.

 

[ckelly14]

Hi - can I ask which link you used to do your booking. I have had a look on the RCCL website and cant seem to find any bookings for this period???? Looking to book a med cruise also on RCCL. Thank you kindly.

Depends what you are looking for. Only the Symphony of the Seas has opened up for Summer 2018. I called this AM because I wanted connecting staterooms, but I was also able to see the dates online.

 

[rosaciri]

Depends what you are looking for. Only the Symphony of the Seas has opened up for Summer 2018. I called this AM because I wanted connecting staterooms, but I was also able to see the dates online.

Thank you - I am from Melbourne Australia so I will call RCCL Australia and see if they can help me out with more details - I cant seem to see the dates online for the same period. Many thanks.

 

[keishashadow]

The Symphony sailings are open now, though the website is a little wonky.

Thought it was just me...have been having issues accessing via iPad for over a week. Keep getting error message.

Impatiently waiting for May 2018 dates/rates on Oasis, hopefully out of PC.

 

[wanderlust7]

I looked at the Symphony for the Med, but didn't book.

I have the MSC Seaview booked in a Super Family cabin - 2 connecting oceanview balconies, sleeps up to 6 for one set price (not per person except for the taxes). Our total for 6 (4 adults and 2 kids) is $5400 and includes 12 drink vouchers/person (alcohol included for adults, non-alcoholic for kids obviously ). On the Symphony, it would be $6900 for 2 Central Park balconies or $7900 for 2 oceanview balconies.

I'm still mulling it over, but I don't think I'll switch. I think my biggest concern with the Seaview is the unknown (I like to plan) since it's sister ship the Seaside isn't even out yet. With the Symphony, I feel like I can just look at the Harmony and have a good idea. That and I'm a little worried that the kids won't find many English speakers to play with in the kids' club. The Super Family cabins are guarantee status, so that's a con too, but there are a limited number of them and I'm okay with the location of all of them. But for the price difference, I think I can deal with all that.

Will look again when the rest of the RCL Med sailings are out.

 

[ckelly14]

I looked at the Symphony for the Med, but didn't book.

I have the MSC Seaview booked in a Super Family cabin - 2 connecting oceanview balconies, sleeps up to 6 for one set price (not per person except for the taxes). Our total for 6 (4 adults and 2 kids) is $5400 and includes 12 drink vouchers/person (alcohol included for adults, non-alcoholic for kids obviously ). On the Symphony, it would be $6900 for 2 Central Park balconies or $7900 for 2 oceanview balconies.

I'm still mulling it over, but I don't think I'll switch. I think my biggest concern with the Seaview is the unknown (I like to plan) since it's sister ship the Seaside isn't even out yet. With the Symphony, I feel like I can just look at the Harmony and have a good idea. That and I'm a little worried that the kids won't find many English speakers to play with in the kids' club. The Super Family cabins are guarantee status, so that's a con too, but there are a limited number of them and I'm okay with the location of all of them. But for the price difference, I think I can deal with all that.

Will look again when the rest of the RCL Med sailings are out.

Well, at least the Seaside will be out before your final payment, so you have plenty of tie to decide. I am holding 2 cruises right now and I'm not in any rush. I think a Med cruise on an Italian ship would be very cool, and the kids may love it. I assume they will be spending a lot of time in port anyway and you can use the $2500 you save for private trips. A few things hold me back from MSC for now (100% which is hearsay since I never have been on them before): Very mixed reviews on Cruise Critic, not really understanding their different levels of services, nickle and diming at lower levels of service, and smoking with a larger percentage of European travelers (but I honestly don't know what their smoking policy is). Good luck!

 

[wanderlust7]

Well, at least the Seaside will be out before your final payment, so you have plenty of tie to decide. I am holding 2 cruises right now and I'm not in any rush. I think a Med cruise on an Italian ship would be very cool, and the kids may love it. I assume they will be spending a lot of time in port anyway and you can use the $2500 you save for private trips. A few things hold me back from MSC for now (100% which is hearsay since I never have been on them before): Very mixed reviews on Cruise Critic, not really understanding their different levels of services, nickle and diming at lower levels of service, and smoking with a larger percentage of European travelers (but I honestly don't know what their smoking policy is). Good luck!

I thought about booking the Symphony and then deciding after the Seaside is out, but I may want to book flights before then and the flights I would choose would not be the same dates. Plus the obsessive planner in me really wants things locked down!

The MSC reviews are very mixed. It seems some are due to expectations, so I'm trying to read as much as possible so I have realistic expectations. The smoking policy on MSC is in the casino, certain bars, and one side of the pool deck. I'm mentally prepared to encounter more smokers. But then touring Europe, I expect to see more smokers anyways. Come to think of it, I had the same expectation when we went to Japan, but looking back I don't remember noticing any (I'm sure there were, just none that bothered me enough to remember).

Curious what kind of nickle and diming you read about? Maybe there's something I should be aware of. There are some things on MSC that are cheaper - like the gratuities are 10 euros per day and 5 euros for kids - so that's a savings of almost $200 (in today's interest rate - though who knows in a year) over RCL for our party. Also read on CC about a package for bowling, F1 simulator, and 5D theater for $60 per cabin unlimited the entire cruise. That seems like a great deal and the kids should like it. The laundry packages also seem like a good deal - 10 items for $20, 20 for $30, or 40 for $54.

On the Symphony, I think the kids would like ice skating, mini golf, and the shows. I've read that the shows on MSC gets a little repetitive, so we may just see one or two. We'll need to go to bed early to get up early to tour some days, so I think that's an okay con. On the Seaview (assuming it's the same as the Seaside), the kids should like the Lego Experience (kids are 5 and 8, so they love Legos), interactive Slideboarding (water slide combined with a video game), and the inner tube slide (DS likes those better than body slides).

I think I'll really like that the Seaview emphasizes the ocean views with a waterfront promenade and many restaurants with ocean views. We shall see, in over a year, if I'm happy with my choice! When the other RCL ships are released, I'm going to take a look, but don't think my chances of switching are high. I want a ship with lots of bells and whistles for the kids since I feel like they won't be all that interested in the touring.

 

[ckelly14]

I thought about booking the Symphony and then deciding after the Seaside is out, but I may want to book flights before then and the flights I would choose would not be the same dates. Plus the obsessive planner in me really wants things locked down!

The MSC reviews are very mixed. It seems some are due to expectations, so I'm trying to read as much as possible so I have realistic expectations. The smoking policy on MSC is in the casino, certain bars, and one side of the pool deck. I'm mentally prepared to encounter more smokers. But then touring Europe, I expect to see more smokers anyways. Come to think of it, I had the same expectation when we went to Japan, but looking back I don't remember noticing any (I'm sure there were, just none that bothered me enough to remember).

Curious what kind of nickle and diming you read about? Maybe there's something I should be aware of. There are some things on MSC that are cheaper - like the gratuities are 10 euros per day and 5 euros for kids - so that's a savings of almost $200 (in today's interest rate - though who knows in a year) over RCL for our party. Also read on CC about a package for bowling, F1 simulator, and 5D theater for $60 per cabin unlimited the entire cruise. That seems like a great deal and the kids should like it. The laundry packages also seem like a good deal - 10 items for $20, 20 for $30, or 40 for $54.

On the Symphony, I think the kids would like ice skating, mini golf, and the shows. I've read that the shows on MSC gets a little repetitive, so we may just see one or two. We'll need to go to bed early to get up early to tour some days, so I think that's an okay con. On the Seaview (assuming it's the same as the Seaside), the kids should like the Lego Experience (kids are 5 and 8, so they love Legos), interactive Slideboarding (water slide combined with a video game), and the inner tube slide (DS likes those better than body slides).

I think I'll really like that the Seaview emphasizes the ocean views with a waterfront promenade and many restaurants with ocean views. We shall see, in over a year, if I'm happy with my choice! When the other RCL ships are released, I'm going to take a look, but don't think my chances of switching are high. I want a ship with lots of bells and whistles for the kids since I feel like they won't be all that interested in the touring.

I sure you'll have a great vacation no matter what. Again, I'm not a seasoned cruiser, and I don't have any direct experience with them. I agree it's about managing expectations, and unfortunately my expectations get higher and higher as I grow older. There are threads about MSC ships "running out" of tap water, forcing people to by bottled water in the MDR, turning off water dispensers in the buffet, charging for coffee except at breakfast, etc. These are minor issues, and I'm sure if you added it all up, you will still save hundreds, if not thousands, over RCCL, not to mention Disney.

It's similar to hearing Disney cruisers complain about not getting free soda on other cruise lines. My kids would have to drink about 1000 sodas during a 7 day cruise to make up for the cost differential between RCCL and Disney for my 2018 Med cruise. However, if you have higher expectations, it's hard to convince yourself it's OK to pay for soda. I'm going to stick with Disney for now, just to see what the fuss is all about, but I keep thinking about all the private tours I could do with the extra $3500...