heffa72

My 14 yo son was curious as to which gaming consoles they have on the Harmony of the Sea's teen room.  I've read Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo on some of RCL's web pages, but not sure if that statement was more generic or they actually have all 3 options.

Got this response:  "You cannot mix the a la carte option with the EXCLUSIVE ALL-INCLUSIVE option. " - but I'm not sure this really answers my question.  If two different groups of people show up, one getting AI and the other a-la-carte, will they be in the same area of the resort together?  The above email really just implies you can't get different options for your own group.  I'm guessing b/c they think you'll share your AI with the others.

56 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

As far as I am aware they would have to be mixed since unlike Sanchos they only have one pool. 

That's what I'm thinking..not really sure how you could segregate the two groups with 1 pool.  I emailed them. I'll post back here if I learn anything new. 

Mr Sanchos has a separate area for A La Carte guest vs AI.  This is a downfall for families who will never break even on the over priced cost for children.  It doesn't say it anywhere on Paradise beach's site, but can someone tell me if they allow the two types of guests to be in the same area?  Or do they segregate them?

We're cruising as a group of 13. We want to attempt my time dining but not sure if we're setting ourselves up for failure. First, my question would be do their tables accommodate 13 or are we going to need two tables? Secondly, I haven't done it on Royal Caribbean yet but on carnival you can make standing reservations for the days you plan on eating in the dining room. Is that the case for Royal? Or do I have to make a reservation every morning? And do I have to go down to the dining room to do so?

oh man, i can only imagine how much of a pain it is just to hunt down all of those who blow it off.  They should just shut off their seapass until they go...that will get the job done! 😉

@ShipsandDipperThanks. So I'm assuming it's within a window of time if you're supposed to have a crew member verify?  They're not going to stand around all day I'm guessing.

Has anything changed when it comes to the muster station drill?  (Where everyone has to head to their designated station at the same time.)

I ask b/c the content on their website almost sounds like it's a go at your own pace thing??  (which seems odd and too good to be true, lol)

"Visit your muster station which is listed in the app or on your Seapass card. A crew member will verify you’ve completed both steps and complete your drill or will help you to complete all the steps."

When we go our ship is the only one important, so that's good. I did do the pay as you go back in 2017 and it was low key. We had plenty of space to pick beach chairs. Although doing the math I'm sure my husband and I would spend more than the $68 the all-inclusive covers, its my children that I feel we'll waste money on because $45 for just food and non alcoholic drinks is not likely to total $45. 

I emailed them a few hours ago actually (looking for the same info) and they do offer PAYG.  The risk you take is it 'selling out' if you do PAYG since they won't let you reserve space for that.

"Greetings from sunny Cozumel!

For the Pay as You Option we offer free entrance and you will only pay for your consumption.

The pay as you go section offers chairs and tables with umbrellas, beach loungers, a small swimming pool, restrooms, showers and free WiFi. 

We do not accept reservations in advance for this section, as it may not even be available due to the many all inclusive reservations that we have to honor.

Furthermore, we do not mix our Pay as You Go customers with our All Inclusive guests.

Please contact us early in the morning on your day of arrival in Cozumel to see if the Pay As You Go section is even available.

We hope to have the pleasure of serving you in our beautiful Beach Club."

We went to Mr Sanchos back in 2017 as a PAYG and of course I can't remember what we ended up spending, but I'm wondering for those who've done both (or just all inclusive) - do you feel you got your money's worth?  I have a gut feeling I will eat and drink $68, but the kids are $45 and they likely won't break even.  Can't split up the family b/c PAYG is in a separate section...so one or the other.

PS: I know they don't guarantee you a space if you do the PAYG but we're the only ship in port that day so I'm not too worried they'll be full.

So if you do PAYG can you make reservations if you want? Just to avoid the risk of selling out?

When searching on WOW bands most comments are early/mid 2023.  Just curious:

a) Has the technology gotten any better (people noted that you have to take the band off for bartenders to scan)

b) is this something that would be helpful for teens who have a good chance of losing their sail pass (I'm thinking my 12 year old might benefit from it).

We will be flying out of IAH around 7pm the night we debark in April.  This means we'll have several hours to kill before flying home.  Any suggestions on what we could do and where we could store luggage.  Don't want to just hang out at the airport for 5 hours.

7 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

You don’t say how old the kids are.
 

Chankanaab may be an option or perhaps Buccanos, which has a pool and snorkeling from semi rocky beach or from disused pier by derelict hotel.

12, 14 (the one who's not interested) and 17

Anyone know of an excursion where we can go to a beach but have excellent snorkeling?  My middle son has zero interest in snorkling (off a boat in particular - I think he'd give it a try if it was from a beach).  I saw that Playa el Cielo has amazing snorkeling but it looks like you might have to do it from a boat a bit off shore.

We want an excursion that allows our other 2 kids to have a great snorkel experience while respecting my middle's fears of the open ocean.  If worse comes to worse, we could do a catamaran tour and he and my husband (who's not a big snorkeler) to remain on the boat, but that seems a bit lame for them.  Trying to find a happy medium to accommodate all 5 of us.

I've been on about 10 cruises in my life, mostly Carnival, but we've taken a break for the last several years.  Clearly things have changed since I've last sailed RCL.  Check in is now done on the app?  And you can select your boarding time?  And dining times we can book before, vs when we embark.  And now I've read there are some activities onboard that cannot be booked in advance (ice skating).  So is there one place that helps list out some of these features so I don't find out the hard way (miss my window to reserve something).

12 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

They do and you don't need to rent them... they let you borrow them without cost.

Ok great, I read on a different post that you have to look for the activity once you board as they don't list it prior to that for reservations/sign-up...but wasn't sure if that was still the case currently (post was 6 months ago).

Do they offer 'public skating' on the rink.  If they do, I would guess they rent skates??

My family of 5 are heading to Roatan on RCL in April 2024.  My middle son is unwilling to snorkel off a boat (open ocean makes him uncomfortable) - He said he would try snorkeling from the beach of that opportunity arises.  (I guess he feels more comfortable with his feet planted on the ground, who knows lol.)

Anyway, of the various beaches there, do any have half way decent snorkeling from the beach. I know it's a long shot, but figured I'd ask.

So our travel agent found some more affordable rooms for our cruise but the downside is that they're near the elevators (or so it seems). It's hard to tell on the deck plan if the barriers shown are walls/hallways or something else?  Anyone know what this is or have real photos of what it looks like?

So I have a picky eater. Does anyone know if LFK has a children's menu or do they only offer the same meal the adults get with the entrance fee? I have to figure out if I need to bring a sandwich for him from the ship (sadly).

I agree with James. Nice bathrooms at the port and very nice bathrooms at the cavetubing place. If the munchkin can't hold it, these people are very friendly, I'm sure they'd stop somewhere. Believe it or not, my husband is TERRIBLE at holding his and we have been on excursions and in taxi's before and they've had to pull over. :p

haha...thanks. Hopefully your husband isn't on these boards...he might not want the rest of us to know this. haha

Agreed...change the flight to a later booking. If customs is delayed you'll be late for your flight. Not worth the stress after a relaxing vacation.

There are nice restrooms in the cruise terminal before you board the bus, and nice ones when you arrive at the caves staging area which is a Belize park. I haven't timed the bus ride, but I don't think it was over an hour. If everyone uses restrooms when available they should be fine.

 

The height restriction is a fairly recent Belize law with the intent of safety. It seems like it was 48" when first enacted and has been relaxed to 42".

Thanks. One would *think* my daughter would be fine if she emptied out right before a trip, but she loves to prove me wrong and sometimes has to go within 15 mins...lol. But we'll be keeping beverages to a minimum that morning!! ;)