Symphony of the Seas
In May 2022 we went on a 7-night cruise on Symphony of the Seas. Here you will find how our experience was; our pros and cons, and learn a little bit about the experience! We break down the cost for the trip, as well as all the tips and tricks we used to save an extra dollar where we could, while still having the time of our lives.
Room Type
This cruise was 2 guests in a oceanview guarantee room. If this is your first time here, we have stayed in cabins from interior to junior suite. However, this was our first time doing a guarantee room! We ended up getting a forward facing spacious oceanview room, which was truly massive! Especially for 2 people! We overlooked the helipad on the bow if the ship which was very cool too.
While this room was super cool, I don’t think I would chose this room again… for a reason most people don’t talk about.
While we loved the extra space (especially while we were getting ready for dinner every night), there appeared to be a very loud and strong vibration as we were anchoring in all the ports. We never noticed it on sea days, but on port days it was loud and prominent… and we were anchoring around 6 am, so it wasn’t ideal for us.
Cruise Fare: $1,082.66
Food: $50
Flights: $100
Miscellaneous: $100
TOTAL: $1,332.66
Food
MOST food on Royal Caribbean is included in the cruise fare! There are always specialty restaurants that are available for purchase, but I prefer to just eat in the Main Dining Room (MDR) since the food is incredible. The dining room is always so elegant, and truly one of my favourite places to just look around while onboard.
As you can probably tell from this blog, I looooove desserts, and they’re always top-notch on Royal Caribbean ships. Of all the desserts I’ve had on ships, I probably had 2 that I didn’t love — but you can always order something different.
Drink Packages
This is always one of the more expensive add-ons to a cruise vacation. To be honest, we’re still figuring out if the drink packages are worth it. The cruise line offers 3 different packages that can be suitable for anyone depending on their needs.
Deluxe Beverage Package — This includes all drinks INCLUDING alcohol
Water, Soda, Beer, Wine, Mixed Drinks, Juices, Premium Coffee & Tea, & Johnny Rockets Milkshakes
Refreshment Package — This includes everything EXCEPT alcohol
Water, Soda, Mocktails, Juices, Premium Coffee & Tea, and Johnny Rockets Milkshakes
Classic Soda Package — This only includes soda
Soda (Coke Products)
For this 7-night cruise, we got the refreshment package. It was perfect for us, as we don’t drink enough alcohol to make the DBP worth it, but we were with friends so we still wanted to be able to order “fun” drinks!
FIRST TIME CRUISERS: If you are legal drinking age, and one person in your stateroom is getting the alcohol package, then all people of legal drinking age in your stateroom must purchase it as well. Contact Royal Caribbean to determine if you are exempt from this rule. (i.e., roommate is pregnant/breastfeeding, roommate has overcome an alcohol addiction, etc).
MONEY SAVING TIP: Each guest who is of legal drinking age can bring 1 bottle of wine onboard the day of embarkation. AND each stateroom is allowed to bring 12 standard size cans of soda. So if you are going on a shorter cruise, this could save you hundreds of dollars.
*Note that these must go in your carry-on for embarkation day. Do not put it in your checked luggage.
Excursions/Port Day
We did not do an excursion in Costa Maya. We actually just stayed in the cruise port where they have a huge pool, some shops, and a Mexican restaurant. If we ever find ourselves back in Costa Maya, I would leave the cruise port for the day. It was beautiful and relaxing, but it was expensive. The restaurant alone was around $100 USD (which for us is closer to $130 since we’re Canadian). We each had a plate of chicken tacos, and we shared chips and salsa. We knew we were partially paying for the destination, but I’m sure it would have been cheaper if we had left the port area.
The best part about staying in the port were the views of the ship. We also got to see flamingos which was so cool! Some may think its normal, but living in Canada, I had never been so close to a flamingo! The closes I’ve been to them was on Kilimanjaro Safari in Animal Kingdom at Disney World in Florida.
