First Royal Caribbean cruise with kids

[adamrosie]

The following is my experience:

Don't worry about MTD. Just go to the maitre'd when you board and reserve a dining time. You can pick the same time every night to start and change it later. The long lines are for people who show up without a reservation.

Stick with the RoyalIQ app for communications. Many buy cheap walkie talkies and find those a) don't work and 2) are annoying to those around you when they do.

Balcony boardwalk is a preference. Some don't like it, most do.

Best advice for dealing with the size of the ship is don't try and see everything at once. You'll find that events happen in various places over the cruise and you'll naturally figure out where things are as you go.

There are still lots of places where you can see the ocean. Pool deck and above is a good start, also lounges. If you signed up for Crown and Anchor after your previous cruise, you will also get an invite to the returning cruisers party.. Our was on the helipad. Great view of the ocean there.

 

 

 

It’s better to try and deal with MTD now and insist on switching to traditional. These boats are huge. You can’t just “walk up to the maitre d’...” you will have to wait in line.

 

I hate waiting in line on vacation. Call RCCL and switch now.

 

 

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[shorti503]

If they put me in it doesn’t that mean the other times are full? I don’t see on the website anywhere to switch would I have to call?

 

If I can’t switch and I make reservations every night will it be okay?

 

There is nothing wrong with mtd. I've taken my kids on 3 RCL cruises and always use it. I look at port and activity times before I board and schedule out when I want to eat each night. I set my reservations online in the cruise planner. No waiting in line whatsoever once you get on board. I have noticed if you fail to do this before you get onboard you may have issues getting seating when you want to and may have to wait in line. We have always gone in with our dinner times preresearved and have never waited.

[topnole]

Can’t you book mtd dinner times each night in your cruise planner? I have in the past I think. This should minimize any wait times. First night can be busy but after that it often gets better.

 

 

Where is your boardwalk cabin? All the way aft or more front of the boardwalk? Also deck number? This will make a difference in your view of the water.

 

 

The harmony has a big dry slide in the back and that does block a good bit of the view from baordwalk cabins impacting your view of a show or the water. But even on oasis or allure the show can be viewed from many of the boardwalk cabins but really only the most aft have views that are good enough to feel like you can see the whole show. You def want to watch it from down in the theater. Then just enjoy partial views throughout the week as they practice during the day or even a second show later.

 

 

We have done several BW balconies. Yes there can be some noise but not much inside with your balcony door shut. We like them a lot as you can see the ocean and the action going on bellow. But they aren’t for everyone. I would think kids would like the cabin view a lot.

 

 

Overall your kids will love this ship. There is zero need for you to switch ships and quite frankly no one should be telling you what ship you should be going on. It is your choice not their choice.

 

 

Go noles!

[cb at sea]

You may not be able to pre-book MTD for the 7pm timeslot...they generally reserve that for booking ONBOARD...

 

Both of your kids are of age (with your permission) to sign themselves in and out of the clubs. Definitely take them on the 1st evening...that's when EVERYONE is "new"...easier to make friends! As far as how too keep up with them...tell them where YOU will be, and have them come to you periodically for physical check ins and to give you their next couple of hours worth of plans.

 

You will be fine in any cabin, really....most folks don't spend all their time in the cabins, as they are small. The entire ship awaits your presence!!

[WisconsinFan]

Congratulations! You are going on a cruise :)

 

We sailed Harmony last year with our adult children (18 & 24) whose first cruise was Disney (but we have done mainly Royal since that time) and my parents. My husband and I had a balcony ocean side, my kids had a Central Park balcony (no ocean views at all) and my parents had a Boardwalk. From their state room they could see the wake and they had an excellent view of the shows happening in the Aqua Theater. Was it a bit loud? In the evenings when there was a show, but often they sat on the balcony and watched the show. Yes, they got the soda package (where our kids got a bottle of wine and lunch for four at one of the restaurants:D ) it was waiting for them in the stateroom upon arrival.

 

We had early seating and have never done MTD on any of our trips but many have told me just go to the MDR upon boarding and set up your reservation if the cruise planner is giving you issues. Yes, you can have a standing reservation each night with the same staff if you would like.

 

We did not use the ap for texting, even with our older kiddos. We always just made sure we had check in times. With younger kids that might not be an option.

 

Hope you have a ball.

[FSU Girl]

Can’t you book mtd dinner times each night in your cruise planner? I have in the past I think. This should minimize any wait times. First night can be busy but after that it often gets better.

 

 

Where is your boardwalk cabin? All the way aft or more front of the boardwalk? Also deck number? This will make a difference in your view of the water.

 

 

The harmony has a big dry slide in the back and that does block a good bit of the view from baordwalk cabins impacting your view of a show or the water. But even on oasis or allure the show can be viewed from many of the boardwalk cabins but really only the most aft have views that are good enough to feel like you can see the whole show. You def want to watch it from down in the theater. Then just enjoy partial views throughout the week as they practice during the day or even a second show later.

 

 

We have done several BW balconies. Yes there can be some noise but not much inside with your balcony door shut. We like them a lot as you can see the ocean and the action going on bellow. But they aren’t for everyone. I would think kids would like the cabin view a lot.

 

 

Overall your kids will love this ship. There is zero need for you to switch ships and quite frankly no one should be telling you what ship you should be going on. It is your choice not their choice.

 

 

Go noles!

 

Go Noles :)

 

I looked at the website and it looks like we can prebook our dinner times so I’ll do that. Since I have all the shows booked it should be easy. Would two hours before a show be enough time for dinner? Most of the shows are at 8:30 so I was thinking dinner at 6 or 6:30.

 

The rooms are on the 8th deck so I think that’s the lowest balcony level and we are about four rooms down from the end with the water show, so would that have a good view? We have the show booked for the first night so we’d probably watch for bits not to get the whole show effect. And you’re able to see the ocean from these rooms?

[FSU Girl]

Congratulations! You are going on a cruise :)

 

We sailed Harmony last year with our adult children (18 & 24) whose first cruise was Disney (but we have done mainly Royal since that time) and my parents. My husband and I had a balcony ocean side, my kids had a Central Park balcony (no ocean views at all) and my parents had a Boardwalk. From their state room they could see the wake and they had an excellent view of the shows happening in the Aqua Theater. Was it a bit loud? In the evenings when there was a show, but often they sat on the balcony and watched the show. Yes, they got the soda package (where our kids got a bottle of wine and lunch for four at one of the restaurants:D ) it was waiting for them in the stateroom upon arrival.

 

We had early seating and have never done MTD on any of our trips but many have told me just go to the MDR upon boarding and set up your reservation if the cruise planner is giving you issues. Yes, you can have a standing reservation each night with the same staff if you would like.

 

We did not use the ap for texting, even with our older kiddos. We always just made sure we had check in times. With younger kids that might not be an option.

 

Hope you have a ball.

 

I’m ok with it being loud when I’m awake, it’s just when I’m sleeping I like it a little more quiet. That’s great to hear they could see the wake, how far back was their room from the end? The texting with the kids could be problematic since they don’t have cell phones.

[topnole]

Go Noles :)

 

I looked at the website and it looks like we can prebook our dinner times so I’ll do that. Since I have all the shows booked it should be easy. Would two hours before a show be enough time for dinner? Most of the shows are at 8:30 so I was thinking dinner at 6 or 6:30.

 

The rooms are on the 8th deck so I think that’s the lowest balcony level and we are about four rooms down from the end with the water show, so would that have a good view? We have the show booked for the first night so we’d probably watch for bits not to get the whole show effect. And you’re able to see the ocean from these rooms?

 

You will certainly see the ocean. The lower the louder but it really isn’t a problem unless you are a really light sleeper and go to bed early (imo). The last several cabins have the best view but when we did Harmony we didn’t stay in the boardwalk so I can’t recall how much the slide impacts the view. On oasis or allure 4 cabins back is an awesome view and great for seeing the shows. Maybe someone from harmony with a similar cabin can comment.

 

Two hours should be ok. Just let them know what time you want to be out of there and they usually make it happen.

 

You want to get there a good 20 minutes prior (maybe more but 20 should be ok I think - others can comment on this). This would give you 1:30 hours for dinner and 10 mins to walk up a couple of decks which I think is very doable.

 

You should be excited. Harmony is a beautiful ship and the biggest in the world. But it is very easy to manage. I can’t imagine you won’t have an incredible time.

[topnole]

You will certainly see the ocean. The lower the louder but it really isn’t a problem unless you are a really light sleeper and go to bed early (imo). The last several cabins have the best view but when we did Harmony we didn’t stay in the boardwalk so I can’t recall how much the slide impacts the view. On oasis or allure 4 cabins back is an awesome view and great for seeing the shows. Maybe someone from harmony with a similar cabin can comment.

 

Two hours should be ok. Just let them know what time you want to be out of there and they usually make it happen.

 

You want to get there a good 20 minutes prior (maybe more but 20 should be ok I think - others can comment on this). This would give you 1:30 hours for dinner and 10 mins to walk up a couple of decks which I think is very doable.

 

You should be excited. Harmony is a beautiful ship and the biggest in the world. But it is very easy to manage. I can’t imagine you won’t have an incredible time.

Try googling your cabin number or a similar cabin and maybe you can find some pics or video. Search on YouTube too.

[WisconsinFan]

I’m ok with it being loud when I’m awake, it’s just when I’m sleeping I like it a little more quiet. That’s great to hear they could see the wake, how far back was their room from the end? The texting with the kids could be problematic since they don’t have cell phones.

My parents were up high, two or three cabins from the aft and rock wall. Deck 10 if I recall right.They are in their late 70's, so 10 pm or 11 and they're done [emoji4] they really only noticed the noise the first night. The slides were not a big deal as far as the view.

 

Johnny Rockets is free for breakfast and we did that several times.

 

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[WisconsinFan]

Just thought of one thing that is a bit different, your state room keys will be in your room! Just use the set sail pass for charges before you get to your room or show for beverage package.

 

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[KiwiGal117]

My son was 12 when we were on Harmony and I think it was a life highlight! He loved everything about it - lots to do, good food and fabulous experience. We had MTD which we mostly had booked ahead but we were able to easily finalize on board. While I’m sure Disney is fabulous, for older children I think RC and in particular the Oasis class ships is more interesting.

 

 

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[ustasmom]

I cruised alone with my 16, 14, and 10 year kids on RCCL. They loved it... until they cruised on Disney. We cruised after Thanksgiving and there were hardly any kids. The pools were SO cold. And there was a serious amount of drinking on that cruise and my teens were not fans of sitting in a hot tub with drunk, old men. And we had to choose to walk through the bar or walk through the casino to get places. So these are all issues when cruising with children, at least for us.

 

As the kids will know, DCL has heated pools, no unlimited drink package, no casino, and A LOT of kids. In July you should have warmer water and more kids.

 

Now, we thought that the food was better on RCCL than on the Disney Magic. And the comedians were surprisingly clean at the main shows. But we felt that there was more down time on RCCL than on Disney.

 

We did find that we had sea legs worse on RCCL but we all used motion sickness patches.

[FSU Girl]

I cruised alone with my 16, 14, and 10 year kids on RCCL. They loved it... until they cruised on Disney. We cruised after Thanksgiving and there were hardly any kids. The pools were SO cold. And there was a serious amount of drinking on that cruise and my teens were not fans of sitting in a hot tub with drunk, old men. And we had to choose to walk through the bar or walk through the casino to get places. So these are all issues when cruising with children, at least for us.

 

As the kids will know, DCL has heated pools, no unlimited drink package, no casino, and A LOT of kids. In July you should have warmer water and more kids.

 

Now, we thought that the food was better on RCCL than on the Disney Magic. And the comedians were surprisingly clean at the main shows. But we felt that there was more down time on RCCL than on Disney.

 

We did find that we had sea legs worse on RCCL but we all used motion sickness patches.

 

So all the pools are all ages nothing specific for kids? I figured since it’s a cruise over July 4th there will be a lot of kids on the sailing. I would have gone with the Disney cruise except it was double the cost for only 4 nights and it was just too much.

[FSU Girl]

Just thought of one thing that is a bit different, your state room keys will be in your room! Just use the set sail pass for charges before you get to your room or show for beverage package.

 

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What do you mean the keys are in the room? How do we get in the room if they are inside. Sorry I’m a little confused

[ustasmom]

...

[Clarea]

What do you mean the keys are in the room? How do we get in the room if they are inside. Sorry I’m a little confused

One of the room keys is affixed to the outside of the stateroom.

[adamrosie]

One of the room keys is affixed to the outside of the stateroom.

 

 

I don’t understand what that means either? If a room key is affixed to the outside or the stateroom does that mean anyone can get in the room? Do you have a photo?

 

 

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[Clarea]

I don’t understand what that means either? If a room key is affixed to the outside or the stateroom does that mean anyone can get in the room? Do you have a photo?

Yes, initially, anyone can take the key off the outside of the room and get it, but apparently they have not had significant problems with this key distribution method as they continue to use it on the new ships. I think this saves them money because the don't have to use so many check-in agents.

[adamrosie]

Yes, initially, anyone can take the key off the outside of the room and get it, but apparently they have not had significant problems with this key distribution method as they continue to use it on the new ships. I think this saves them money because the don't have to use so many check-in agents.

 

 

 

Again pardon my ignorance but don’t you need a key or a card or something you get at check in to board the ship?

 

 

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[Clarea]

Again pardon my ignorance but don’t you need a key or a card or something you get at check in to board the ship?

Your SetSail (boarding) pass allows you to board the ship and also charge to your onboard account.

[adamrosie]

Your SetSail (boarding) pass allows you to board the ship and also charge to your onboard account.

 

 

 

I see. So on which ships can you just skip check in and board with only your set sail pass?

 

 

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[Clarea]

I see. So on which ships can you just skip check in and board with only your set sail pass?

You have to check-in at all ships, they need to confirm your ID documents.

 

I believe the only ships that put SeaPass cards in the staterooms are Quantum class ships, Harmony, and Allure.

[topnole]

The process is all the same except you don’t get your key before getting on the ship. It is waiting for you at your cabin. You use your set sail pass (the paper you printed) to check in, to get on, and to get a drink or whatever until you get to your cabin and get your key. Sounds weird I know but nothing to worry about. I don’t even remember it being different.

[WisconsinFan]

Yes, your set sail pass works until you are allowed to your room. One of the keys were in an envelope stuck to the room number of the state room, the other keys were in the room, on our bed. Was I concerned like you? At first, yes, but realize until the rooms are open to passengers no one but crew is back there. Once the rooms are open, nothing is there in your room until you and your bags arrive. The keys are coded with your picture on it, so they can't be used by anyone else (you don't see the picture, but it shows up on all the registers when you charge something). Only the mega ships are doing this currently.

Edited March 7, 2018 by WisconsinFan