Grandma Petania

For the main theater, Aqua Show, and Ice Show, the standby lines are already well formed at least 20-30 minutes before they will start letting those people in (about 10 minutes before show time), so that wouldn't eliminate the need to wait in a line.. You should be able to start making show reservations about 30 days before sailing, using the app. There may also be a few still available when you first get on the ship.

I know I am way behind the times, but am wondering if the ships in the Icon class will have ANY actual balconies, or only the Infinite balconies. I knew from the outset that my budget couldn't cover Icon of the Seas and any sisters of hers, but I'm still curious. TIA

My daughter buys internet (on sale in advance) to keep in touch with her hubby, and we share the service for one device. Since we are both diamond, we sign up for our 2 free days on days at sea when we can both be on at the same time. We also wait to sign up for the free day (24 hrs) until about 11am, so we can both still log on in the early morning of the next day.

I immediately agreed with the OP's first mention about the toilet paper holder. Quite aggravating!

Thank you PigsCanFly and fizzywm for your Very Helpful Answers!

My DD and I have cruised many times just taking turns with one Voom purchase. If we purchase a "wifi hub", will we be able to both play our games, send emails, etc. at the same time? Will we both need to be in the cabin together? You mentioned your son using it when you weren't in the room. Does that mean you wouldn't be using the Voom package while away from your room? TIA from this wifi illiterate.

Any idea where it is located, and what the theme is? DD thinks we might have done it once, but I don't remember. TIA

We have done the escape room on a number of Oasis class ships. Will be on Symphony of the Seas in February, and wondering if there is one.

Years ago we were able to stay onboard, and the customs officer came to where all the consecutive cruisers were gathered. All of our more recent B2Bs required us to go down to go through customs, then get back on the ship.

I cruise with my adult daughter, usually once a year for two weeks. Her husband doesn't want to cruise due to motion sickness. He stays home and goes to work, so she likes to keep in touch with him every day. We buy VOOM for one device, and take turns sharing it. Now that we are both Diamond, we pick two sea days each week for one of us to get the free 24 hours where we can both be on, and that works very well for us.

I was on Harmony a month ago. My DD and I have stayed in a Central Park balcony a dozen times, and it is our definite preference! No issues with loud noises in the evening - especially with the balcony door closed.

If any of you just want a relaxing day at the beach, you can take a local bus (for $5 roundtrip) to Eagle Beach. There are several videos on YouTube about where to get the bus, etc. Or, if you want to explore on your own, a one-day pass is $10. Get on/get off multiple times to see different parts of the island. I thinkthe run about every ten minutes or.

When we were on Oasis, the waiters all wore Caribbean shirts.

I missed snacking at El Loco Fresh! Also forgot to mention that the Let's Celebrate Parade, is the best I've seen on any of these ships. It is well choreographed with really nice costumes. Lots of special dancing in front of the overhead stage and around the Rising Tide (while the bar is kept up on deck 8). If you are a fan of JAZZ on 4, I am sad to report that it is being repurposed (into a smoke-free casino is what I've heard). They moved the Jazz performances to Central Park, Dazzles, and above the Promenade. We had a balcony over Central Park, and really enjoyed the performances there, but will miss JAZZ on 4! Hanging out in the Diamond Lounge was impacted during our trip because of the new construction.

I just came home from two weeks on Harmony. Ate at Solarium Bistro one night. The appetizers and desserts were on the buffet - about six or eight of each offering in individual bowls or small plates. The entrees were served at the table. Nice quiet atmosphere as a change of pace for dining. Two definite pros in our balcony cabin were the two clothing cupboards, and a freestanding table at the vanity, which we could move in front of the couch for playing cards. STRONGLY ADVISE: Make reservations in advance for Aqua Show and Ice skating Show. THEN watch the Daily Compass for the *additional* show later in the week at each venue. Aqua show is called "Big Daddy's Hideaway Heist". Frankly, I enjoyed it even more than the main show, ("The Fine Line"). More dancing, diving, interaction with the audience, and fun! The second figure skating show is called "iSkate". Supposedly shows more of what the skaters themselves would choose to skate to. My DD and I have sailed on all four of these ships, and I think Harmony is the only one with the second show. These listings don't require reservations, and may or may not be presented on all sailings, depending on whether any of the main productions might have needed to be cancelled earlier in the week. Hope this helps.

I noticed that today's cruise compass says that Jamie's will accept walk ins. I thought that might be because they aren't fully booked.

I don't think you'll have a problem getting a second plate. I have been able to find at least one entree every night that was palatable. However, this is the first cruise where I gladly go the Windjammer for a "snack" about three hours after our 5:00 dinner in the MDR. I am skipping desserts and bread at this time, so I rely heavily on starters and entrees. We are on our second week of two, and are opting to go to the Solarium Bistro for dinner on Caribbean Night. I will miss the waiters dressed in Caribbean shirts and singing and dancing a bit, but I prefer the SB menu for that night.

Goodnight to all this week's cruisers who are disembarking tomorrow. I feel fortunate that my DD and I are staying on for another week (6 days). I believe that Harmony will then do one more 6-day, followed by one day to move to Miami to resume 7-day cruises until September when she will do a few more 8 day/6 days. At some point, I believe she is also transferring to Galveston. Labadee is our favorite private "island", and I'm really looking forward to being there again before we head back to Virginia. This has been a lovely 8-day cruise, with three nice ports and plenty of restful hours.

Having scoped it out in advance, my daughter and I took the local bus to Eagle Beach. We bought the "Retour" passes for $5 each, which covered two rides (one there and one back), and the buses run every 10-15 minutes. Our tip is to get off at the stop after the main Eagle Beach stop. It is called "Amsterdam Manor", and it is at the much less crowded end of Eagle Beach. I believe loungers and an umbrella are available to rent for $40 for two. However, there are a number of trees a short distance from the water where we were able to lounge in the shade for free on the towels we brought from the ship. There are changing rooms and restrooms nearby, as well as rental jet skis, life jackets and more. There is also a restaurant and bar. We went in the morning, stayed for several hours, and came back to the ship in time for lunch. A very economical day at one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

njsmom asked if Grease was still the Broadway show on Harmony. (DaKahuna replied: Yes, Grease is still the Broadway show. We have a reservation forthe 10 pm showing tomorrow night.) Note that Grease onboard follows the Broadway PLAY, not the MOVIE. I read another thread where people were complaining about the "changes" in the production on Harmony. Evidently there is a major song that is sung by one character in the play, and a different character in the movie. So be aware that it may be somewhat different in spots from what you loved in the movie. I can't remember seeing either version, so I'm ready to see it without expectations on our final sea day at 3:00 in the afternoon.

We saw a great show last night - Martin Brock, a very original and talented magician and comedian. He will be leaving the ship tomorrow in Aruba. Maybe he has a date at one of the hotels there. Anyway, if you ever see him booked, don't miss him. This morning we had breakfast in the windjammer, then headed off to wander around among the colorful buildings and souvenir shops. Was able to purchase some sugarfree gum that I had forgotten to pack. My daughter scored a really nice 100% cotton t-shirt @ $5 for her hubby, and I got a magnet with a painting of the picturesque buildings on it. Back for a little lunch at the Windjammer, now time to nap.

I was able to start reading this thread last night, but for some reason I couldn't log in to post. My DD and I boarded Harmony of the Seas yesterday, for a b2b totally two weeks. It was the easiest check in we have ever experienced! All the workers in the terminal were well coached to speed us through the process. We arrived by Uber about noon, and didn't have to wait at all. We both reached Diamond status last cruise, so we were able to wait comfortably in the Diamond lounge till our cabin was ready, shortly after 1:00. A few days ago I was notified that there might be some noise and dust in the vicinity starting next week, and the breakfast and evening food in the DL would be moved to other venues. JAZZ on 4 is currently located right next to the DL. Well, as many have guessed (on a different thread), it seems as if JAZZ on 4 is about to be repurposed into a non-smoking casino space. We had hoped that we would still be able to enjoy jazz there this week, but they were doing something with the sign over the entrance to it last night. Today's cruise compass lists Jazz in the Park with Melange Quartet from 6:45-10:00 pm, so maybe we'll be able to enjoy it from our Central Park balcony instead. I won't hijack this thread, but may add a few comments here and there, from the perspective of mother and daughter, aged 83 & 58, staying in a Central Park balcony cabin. We'll be dining at 5 pm in the MDR every night, plus one lunch today at Chops. The aqua show was cancelled last night, right at showtime, due to the strong wind and rough seas. The performers were suited up, ready to go on, but a sizeable portion of the pool water had already splashed out. They came out for a bow, and the show was rescheduled for day three. We hung out at the Schooner Bar and people watched the folks on the Promenade for a bit, then called it an early night. We used our $50 OBC for lunch at Chops today. It was WONDERFUL! Although I am eschewing bread and all desserts this week (mild dieting and trying to kick my sugar addiction), I ate their yummy salted pretzel rolls. DD had the colossal shrimp appetizer, and I opted for the iceberg wedge with blue cheese and bacon. We both got the 8 oz fillet, medium rare, which was cooked perfectly. The only sides we chose were gruyere tater tots and asparagus. Everything was DELICIOUS! Looking forward to the ice show tonight, probably followed by a hot tub.

We are currently onboard the Harmony. Discovered that they will implement the once a day service beginning NEXT week. We had already decided that we would prefer evening, as we often choose to sleep in and decline service in the morning anyway.

My DD and I had a two-top we LOVED on Oasis last year. It was one of the few that didn't have another table only 10" away. I spotted a table in that same location on Harmony in a video on YouTube, and I did a screen grab of it. I sent my request for that table two weeks ago, including the picture of it from the video. I got an email a week ago, telling me that the request had been sent to the ship. I never received a confirmation from the Harmony, but when we boarded today, we went to the MDR to check, and the exact table number was already on our room cards when we got them. We also prefer our own company at dinner, and have always requested a two-top, but this was the first time asking for a specific table. So happy that we got it. I hope you get confirmation of your request soon. If you don't, I'm sure you will still be able to get a table to yourselves if you go to the MDR to ask once you're onboard. There seem to be more two-tops in recent years than there used to be.

Coco Cay AND Labadee!!! TWO lovely beach days!!! We prefer Columbus Cove on Labadee, but also like South Beach on Coco Cay.