Love watching your videos! We are going on Symphony next May for our first cruise. We chose it because we live in MA and can drive to Bayonne and skip the cost of airfare and stress of flying with kids (they will be 11 & 9). I was starting to get jealous watching all the videos of the newer ships but this makes me feel better. I know we picked a great ship to start out with.
Great review! Love the content. I think with the newer ships, the ship is why people go. If you’re cruising for the ports, then the smaller ships are the ones you will take. I might be wrong but I think that’s pretty much understood. Also you can’t do or see everything in 3 or 4 days like you said. But it’s the nice option if you can’t take a week long vacation for whatever reason.
Totally agree! I do think that new cruisers might not realize that you are going for the ports or the ship and that tip was targeted to them. After a few people definitely have it figured out though I think
Hey peeps ! Totally forgot to watch this when you posted it . Lots of good information. I like my 7 night cruises so will be doing ICON next . Hopefully it will be sailing from Miami as I only live an hour north. I agree with Rachael on the shower ..even as a guy I love a nice bench. One of these times I need to take advantage of my MGM cruise perk . Excellent video as always 😎😎😎
Love your travel videos...and the recent cruise info; very informative, specially since never been on a cruise and am looking into scheduling our first cruist. Have you ever been on the Royal Caribbean VOYAGER of the Seas or know information about? Thank you in advance for reply.
Glad it was helpful! We have not been on Voyager of the Seas but we have a series for Navigator of the Seas which is in the same class ship so it will give you a good idea of what is available to you on Voyager. Generally if they are the same class of ship there is very little different about them
I would recommend midship fairly close to elevators/Stairways between 7th and 10th deck. You definitely don’t want to be under the pool deck and on the ends you might feel the ship moving more
The newer ships are resorts. They are a destination but true very expensive. I like cruising so 3 days is too short for me. I just did ICON OMG absolutely awesome. Booking STAR in November 2025.
regarding the add-on special dining options (Giovanni's, drink pkg, etc), do they have to be decided on/included when booking...or can you add on, after making reservation before sailing date?
I got our 4 night Utopia ocean view balcony room for $1542 total ($771 each) gratuities and tax included in that. So happy I found that deal when I did because I keep seeing these high prices everywhere now.
We (husband and I) have never cruised and want to but scared kinda. What should we make sure we have and need what cruise is Best you think would be best for us. Thank you for any help
We have truly enjoyed Royal Caribbean as we both had few cruises under our belts before the 2021 restart and we recommend them for newer cruisers. I would recommend the a different class of ship to this one for your first time. I would look at Voyager, Freedom or Quantum class ships. They all are big enough to have decent options for activities but not too big and especially Voyager and Freedom class you won’t break the bank trying them out I would splurge for an Oceanview balcony if possible or a bare minimum of an Oceanview window, don’t start with interior Pick an itinerary that has a location you have always wanted to try and if doing the Caribbean get one with Perfect Day at CocoCay. It’s Royal Caribbeans private island and just a perfect beach day with no stress
There is definitely some because on the “nonsmoking” side you definitely don’t notice it nearly as much as the smoking side, but it’s quite a condensed area with lots of smoking on the smoking side
My wife and I just got off the utopia best cruise we've had in years very fun ship. Ricky was fantastic. The cruise Director I have to disagree on the elevators. They were very slow to wait for them. I didn't think it was an improvement at all be honest with you. Also, the food just gets worse and worse, even especially restaurants hooked was absolutely disgusting. The only good food was the pizza and the café where you got sandwiches and chips.
What a hoot, it’s OK to be smoking in the casino as long as you’re playing… Like it’s a privilege or something 😂The smarter people are not smoking or playing :-)
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
You both have such good taste on how to enjoy life. Happy you both found each other. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome adventures!!!
Thank you so much!
We just got back from this ship very very impressive!
Awesome! what was your favorite part?
@@JoshRachael We loved the food and all the bars especially Playmakers!
Great info!!!
Thanks for watching!
Still better than being at work 😅
For real
Haha, I took early retirement and am often bored but that is way better than going to work!
Love watching your videos! We are going on Symphony next May for our first cruise. We chose it because we live in MA and can drive to Bayonne and skip the cost of airfare and stress of flying with kids (they will be 11 & 9). I was starting to get jealous watching all the videos of the newer ships but this makes me feel better. I know we picked a great ship to start out with.
That is awesome! Yes Symphony was our first Mega Ship and we had a blast. Not having to fly seems like it would be a huge upgrade
Great review! Love the content. I think with the newer ships, the ship is why people go. If you’re cruising for the ports, then the smaller ships are the ones you will take. I might be wrong but I think that’s pretty much understood. Also you can’t do or see everything in 3 or 4 days like you said. But it’s the nice option if you can’t take a week long vacation for whatever reason.
Totally agree! I do think that new cruisers might not realize that you are going for the ports or the ship and that tip was targeted to them. After a few people definitely have it figured out though I think
ICON is simply amazing. Yes, book Star! When we get on Utopia, we will be headed to the next cruise desk. Gotta get back on another icon class.
It's so good, right?
Great vid!! Looking forward to the wonder of the seas video.
Us too!
Great video! Thanks for answering our question!❤ I definitely agree about the solarium on these ships needing a nice relaxing large pool.
Absolutely!!
Great review Very informative. Your cons were legit. I agree. Thanks, I needed a good video to help me make up my mind about the Utopia.❤
Glad you enjoyed!
Hey peeps ! Totally forgot to watch this when you posted it . Lots of good information. I like my 7 night cruises so will be doing ICON next . Hopefully it will be sailing from Miami as I only live an hour north. I agree with Rachael on the shower ..even as a guy I love a nice bench. One of these times I need to take advantage of my MGM cruise perk . Excellent video as always 😎😎😎
Thanks Anthony. For us we seem to get better deals not doing the MGM offer since we always have Casino offers from Royal nowadays
Love your travel videos...and the recent cruise info; very informative, specially since never been on a cruise and am looking into scheduling our first cruist. Have you ever been on the Royal Caribbean VOYAGER of the Seas or know information about? Thank you in advance for reply.
Glad it was helpful! We have not been on Voyager of the Seas but we have a series for Navigator of the Seas which is in the same class ship so it will give you a good idea of what is available to you on Voyager. Generally if they are the same class of ship there is very little different about them
@@JoshRachael Thanks. what is the best deck/part of Utopia for a first timer cruiser?
I would recommend midship fairly close to elevators/Stairways between 7th and 10th deck. You definitely don’t want to be under the pool deck and on the ends you might feel the ship moving more
The newer ships are resorts. They are a destination but true very expensive. I like cruising so 3 days is too short for me. I just did ICON OMG absolutely awesome. Booking STAR in November 2025.
We are considering booking Star for next winter as well!
And you’re right, they are resorts at sea!
regarding the add-on special dining options (Giovanni's, drink pkg, etc), do they have to be decided on/included when booking...or can you add on, after making reservation before sailing date?
We’ve not had the opportunity to book individual restaurants after purchasing the dining package until we get on the ship!
I got our 4 night Utopia ocean view balcony room for $1542 total ($771 each) gratuities and tax included in that. So happy I found that deal when I did because I keep seeing these high prices everywhere now.
Heck yea, that’s a great deal. What dates?
@@JoshRachael Nov 4th!
Good information
Thanks!
good price on the drink package, last cruise I paid $400
We got lucky for sure!
Celebrity Edge Class are very similar to Icon. You should try a Celebrity cruise newer ships in your future. Thanks You for the truthful review.
We are going to be on Celebrity Beyond for 11 nights in February for our first time
@@JoshRachael Captain Kate McCue is the Captain. She is the most popular Cruise Captain in the fleet. She lives in Vegas.
@@JoshRachael Captain Kate maybe on medical leave during that time.
Where did you guys make this video! is this your house?? it looks cool! thanks for all the great content!
@@lowlyworm468 it was in a treehouse that we will be featuring in our next video!
Were the prices for the cruises you put on your video for 2 people or each person and did those prices include drink and wifi packages? Thanks!
2 people with just room, taxes, port fees and tips. No wifi or drink packages included
We (husband and I) have never cruised and want to but scared kinda. What should we make sure we have and need what cruise is Best you think would be best for us. Thank you for any help
We have truly enjoyed Royal Caribbean as we both had few cruises under our belts before the 2021 restart and we recommend them for newer cruisers.
I would recommend the a different class of ship to this one for your first time. I would look at Voyager, Freedom or Quantum class ships. They all are big enough to have decent options for activities but not too big and especially Voyager and Freedom class you won’t break the bank trying them out
I would splurge for an Oceanview balcony if possible or a bare minimum of an Oceanview window, don’t start with interior
Pick an itinerary that has a location you have always wanted to try and if doing the Caribbean get one with Perfect Day at CocoCay. It’s Royal Caribbeans private island and just a perfect beach day with no stress
Do u have to pay for all food on the ship
Not all of it. About half the restaurants are free especially the grab n go options, as well as the main dining room and buffet
My wife LOVES your Hawaiian dress, any chance of info on where to buy it? Thanks, love your videos!
Thank you!!
Here’s the link!
ANRABESS Womens Summer Floral... www.amazon.com/dp/B09XMQY9J5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Do you book with a TA or book yourself?
We always book on our own or through the Casino Program
Is the cost you mentioned per person?
It should be for 2 people
Love your dress! Could you share the brand?
Which one?
Oh the first one when the video starts. The cross neck and Hawaiian print
I think its this one:
ANRABESS Women's Summer... www.amazon.com/dp/B09W2HHL5C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I wish the would get rid of all smoking in the casino.
We 100% agree
Did you notice any kind of ventilation in the casino?
There is definitely some because on the “nonsmoking” side you definitely don’t notice it nearly as much as the smoking side, but it’s quite a condensed area with lots of smoking on the smoking side
Orlando doesnt have a port. Its Port Canavaral you sailed out of.
My wife and I just got off the utopia best cruise we've had in years very fun ship. Ricky was fantastic. The cruise Director I have to disagree on the elevators. They were very slow to wait for them. I didn't think it was an improvement at all be honest with you. Also, the food just gets worse and worse, even especially restaurants hooked was absolutely disgusting. The only good food was the pizza and the café where you got sandwiches and chips.
Royal may not be the best option for your cruising future it seems since this seems to be where it’s heading
What a hoot, it’s OK to be smoking in the casino as long as you’re playing… Like it’s a privilege or something 😂The smarter people are not smoking or playing :-)
Fine with us, then they shouldn’t be crowding up the casino