RaleighDavid

27 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

Correct, you will get two one-device packages.

You are awesome - thanks!

Wife and I are heading out on Harmony in April (4/4/2020) for a quick 4 day down to Coco Cay from Miami. I have a question about the Deluxe Beverage Package and VOOM One Device - is it safe to assume if we buy that (and I know we both have to buy the package) that we *both* get the internet?  I.e. it's one device per person since we are actually buying it twice?

Thanks!

My wife and I were on this same cruise, same dates. I actually recall seeing your husband at Schooner a few times - he's hard to miss 🙂

You did a great write up, I wanted to add my perspectives:

• We were also in a JS on Deck 8. The carts rolling up on the Pool Deck (Deck 9) are VERY loud on this ship. We've done a JS before and somehow forgot this. Despite the noise, we slept very well.
• The ship is definitely tired - it just looks dated/tired/worn. Things didn't seem to be up to the level of what we have experienced on other RCL ships.
• Baltimore is AWESOME! We also arrived at 10am and were at the R Bar at 10:15 having cocktails.
• Main Dining Room food was below average for RCL and much smaller portions. The quality was very hit or miss.
• Bar staff seemed over-worked (or under-staffed) and slow often. R-Bar in the evenings was our spot because of the music/dancing and those bartenders took care of us because they got to know us - but other spots were slow.
• The smoke from the casino was AWFUL, especially the last night. I don't know if the scrubbers weren't working or what, but it was bad.
• The cafe in the Solarium had *great* breakfast sandwiches which was nice in the AM
• The staff handled the weather and the itinerary change well and the captain kept us well informed

All in all we had a great time on our cruise, was nice to disconnect from work and relax, but not sure we'd do another Granduer because of the smoke (we are both sensitive to it).

D

As an Airline Pilot, I wish there could be a way for every passenger to experience and understand everything that goes on behind the scenes, not only at the airport, but at headquarters and in various locations in order to make each flight go.

Tapi - I abbreviated your post, and while I understand and agree with your post, as a *frequent* air traveler for work I have to just point out that yes - airlines often lie to passengers. It happened on both sides of our flights to/from our cruise last week. Airline announces a delay of approximately 30 minutes. I check the incomer and it's listed as arriving less than 10 minutes before our new departure time. We ALL know that there is no way we are making that new departure time, and sure enough it was pushed another 20-30 minutes to account for the turn.

That's a minor lie - but it's those kinds of things that make it hard for us to believe what you are saying. They were not going to switch equipment on those flights. They were not looking to swap crews. They were just plain shaving the bad news - which is a lie.

Royal has had increased security for several years now (most of it invisible), but perhaps they're following the tourist industry trend to move to more visible security, including uniform security rather than plain clothes. Visible security is thought to result in deterrence.

Definitely not a negative in my mind - just a shift.

They even wear the Junior-G-Men Dark Glasses. In a couple years they will probably have earwigs! :cool:;p:')

• Enjoy the time you have with your family - with or without the Flowrider. There will come a time you will miss every moment
  
  
• Use these events as teachable opportunities for your kids - life is FULL of disappointments. How we navigate them and learn to stay happy is what makes us strong adults
  
  
• Find a land-based Flowrider park. I recommend one near a National Park so you can enjoy the wonders of the country! Also perhaps find one near a Wakeboard cable park.
  
  

Great suggestion RaleighDavid -i'll have to ask the crew that I'm going with - They are leaning on us alot since we have done the Harmony before, and I suggested almost every specialty restaurant already.... We already have it planned to stay FAR away from the WJ, as I know to avoid it like the plague, but the others are Royal Loyals, who haven't cruised in awhile and LOVE the WJ.

Also wanted to thank you for sharing your recent cruise adventure with us all. Glad you have a great vacation!

Thanks! We have done it every time we can, and it's an absolutely *relaxing* lunch experience. Bonus is once you are done the rooms are ready, and almost every time our bags have been sitting at the door. It's $25pp but worth it in my opinion.

Enjoy the cruise!

for my upcoming August Harmony I booked specialty dining for my first night since over the years I have learned that MTD is a disaster the first night, no matter what Oasis class ship I've been on.

I'm going with newbies to the Oasis class, why would I want the first night to be a disaster? That's no way to start a vacation!

Interesting about the security - wonder if it had to do with the summer months and the more children on board... But I know I've never seen security before on board - I'll be on the lookout for them myself.

and Yes, if children are running around the adult area solarium with no pool, TELL security!!!

 

One habit we have gotten into, if it's available, is to book a Specialty Lunch the day of boarding. We always fly in the day before and stay over and board early, and having a quiet relaxing lunch at Jamie Oliver's for example is WAY BETTER than the disaster at Windjammer. Best way (in my opinion) to board and also enjoy the specialty dining.

I've done MTD on the Grandeur, Anthem, and Ovation as we used to do traditional early seating, but in the last two years switched to MTD.

 

I think we must have been lucky, as only on the Ovation did we ever have a wait, and that was on only one night because we went right after a show ended. We never made a reservation.

 

All the other ships, without making a reservation, we walked in at different times typically within a 30 minute window one way or the other, and somehow always got our same table and waiter. Must be how they set the system up.

That's a totally different experience - weird. I guess it's hit or miss then. I think we will switch back to regular dining - we like that anyway.

You obviosly missed the fact that those parents were in the "rules don't apply to us" group.:rolleyes:

HA! Does that come with Diamond Plus status? Or is it an add-on I can purchase pre-cruise? ;p

I would find an attendant and have him throw the kids out!!!!!

That is definitely my plan in the future. Shouldn't have to - but will definitely do that. What kills me is the parents who bring the kids in like it's nothing - just kills me.

MTD has been a problem for us at times, we our back to reservations early or late..

We are doing the same for our next cruise (Edge in March 2019). MTD also seemed hectic for staff - just not the same "vibe" for us.

Overall, as I've said, VERY pleased with the cruise. Just noticed some things and wanted to calibrate with others.

How many of your other cruises were on Oasis class ships? The Solarium Bistro, a popular eating spot for breakfast and lunch, is inside the Solarium, and is open to all. This probably accounts for at least some of the foot traffic of young people.

 

Security: Is this a bad thing?????

Oasis twice - and the number of kids seemed fewer in Solarium. And it wasn't the Bistro - these were kids with parents lounging and/or groups of kids "playing". Nothing MAJOR, but definitely more than say 5 years ago.

I actually said I didn't have an issue with the Security, but was just curious as it stood out to me as different...

Wife and I just returned from a fantastic vacation aboard Harmony of the Seas. Weather once we got out of the storms in FL was beautiful! We did get a fair bit of rain on the first day/night but then it was perfect.

All in all this was a great vacation. Royal Caribbean did a great job and almost everyone seemed to be having a great time.

I did notice a few things, as this was our 9th Royal Caribbean cruise, that I am wondering if others have noticed...

My Time Dining: Was a disaster. Wait first night was 40 minutes, and no reservations available (despite them continuing to tell us via Cruise Compass and notes in the room to book a reservation). Staff was quite rude/dismissive/unhelpful. Diamond concierge luckily solved problem in 5 minutes on second night - was a very frustrating situation that worked out fine. Don't think I'll do My Time again - have others seen this kind of issue?

Rising Tide: We love Rising Tide after dinner - it's nice to just sit and watch people while the bar moves slowly from Deck 5 to Deck 8. On Harmony this week it seemed like the staff had the turbo-thrusters on which meant we moved for maybe 2 minutes and sat for 20+ minutes. Is this the new normal, or just something the bar staff that particular week were doing?

Solarium: Seems like non-adults were constantly in and out of Solarium. When we first cruised the pool attendants made sure to stop it from happening, but it seems like they no longer do that. It was nice to have one area on the ship without the kids running / yelling / playing / etc. Is it just the way it is now?

Security: There seemed to be a LOT of security on this ship, and very visible. I didn't have an issue but seemed out of the ordinary - did we have an issue or is Royal Caribbean just being more vigilant?

We LOVED our vacation - just noticing little things that I wanted to see if anomalies or normal.

Oh and we love the baggage valet service! That takes the stress out of getting to airport with the bags - yes there is a fee, but in our minds it's worth it!

David