Harmony Apri 3rd, 2022. Not Live, just available😇

[Sea Dog]

20 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Thanks for sharing that when I was onboard😉

Just discovered it today. Looks fun doesn’t it?

[MamadawgFL]

on our Nassau day for my 5/22 sailing on Harmony there are 4 ships scheduled in that day. We arrive, along with the Independence, at 8:00.  Would that mean we would be in the closest slips to the port exit? And the later arriving ships in the further slips? Just trying to plan my walking for that day.

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

Just discovered it today. Looks fun doesn’t it?

 

I don't have any rye. But I drank a lot of Templeton onboard. Might grab a Whistle Pig. 

 

How does that compare🤔

[bobmacliberty]

9 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

The Lobster Thermidor is awesome too. 
 

WT 101 is awesome. Do they have Templeton Rye? If so try this.

SHIRLEY TEMPLETON

2 oz. Templeton Rye 4 Year

4–7 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda

Dash of Grenadine

Rocks Ice

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Just seeing this now. Too late.  I did have a half bourbon/half rye Old Fashioned during the week. I do like the extra “bite” from the rye. 
 

After the apps, we told our waiter that the scallops were a bit chewy. Our daughters BF is a chef and he says that not enough people say when something is not right. He wants to know, so that he can do something about it. As a result, they brought out a plate of the lobster thermador also. It too was excellent. 
 

I’ve found that it’s risky even casually saying that something may not have been perfect at a Royal restaurant. Unless you are willing to accept what they want to do to make it right (usually more food!), they will hound you into submission with multiple layers of management. I like that they want to be perfect but at some point, their attempted “fix” can be worse that the original problem. 

Edited April 17, 2022 by bobmacliberty

[bobmacliberty]

8 hours ago, MamadawgFL said:

on our Nassau day for my 5/22 sailing on Harmony there are 4 ships scheduled in that day. We arrive, along with the Independence, at 8:00.  Would that mean we would be in the closest slips to the port exit? And the later arriving ships in the further slips? Just trying to plan my walking for that day.

 I don’t really know the answer to your question, but I don’t think it’s first come, first served…especially if you’re on an Oasis class ship. There might be a preferred dock for the big ships. 

[bobmacliberty]

Getting ready to depart and then a 3 hour drive home. Will add some final thoughts later. 

[molly361]

9 hours ago, MamadawgFL said:

on our Nassau day for my 5/22 sailing on Harmony there are 4 ships scheduled in that day. We arrive, along with the Independence, at 8:00.  Would that mean we would be in the closest slips to the port exit? And the later arriving ships in the further slips? Just trying to plan my walking for that day.

I don't think arrival time matters.  Past few times we docked in Nassau on the Mariner and Indy we were always at the furthest out dock.  

[judebarsto]

On 4/15/2022 at 5:15 PM, bobmacliberty said:

Just saw Grease. I was impressed, especially with the dancing. I’ve said this before on Dani’s thread but my daughter did competitive dance for 10 years and then spent 2 years on the Kentucky dance team. We’ve been to countless dance competitions. I know a lot more about dance than I’d like to admit. On most Royal shows, the singers have good voices but are often just so so dancers. There was some difficult choreography in Grease and they nailed it. We had to move back one row from our preferred seats. 

Funny! I too am from Buffalo, ready to board Harmony this morning. And I also have a daughter (now 36!) who did competitive dance with David deMarie for 10 years or so. (Now doing modern dance out west) So I’m very picky about good dancing in musical theater. I’m looking forward to Grease and to beef on weck (even if sub-par - can’t get it here in Florida!) Go Bills, lol!

[island lady]

14 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

 

Not sure what the people limit is on the floating bar but that looks pretty crowded.

 

 

 

 

Thought the same thing.  Maybe not "floating" much longer?  😉 

[island lady]

13 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Remember your first cruise when everything (the questions) were new and everything was so funny?

 

Agree.  No wonder contestants can come up with staged answers.  The questions are almost always the same.  😉 

[island lady]

13 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Or did anyone play through🤣🤣

 

Bad boy. 😉 😄 

[island lady]

12 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Thanks for your impression. If you get a chance and try one with vodka and let me know which one you liked better.

 

 

Love CP 150. Let us know what you had and liked?

 

I miss the flavored salts, the table side Caesar salad tossing, the table side Tenderloin for two...sigh.  Lost are the old elegant days in so many ways.  😞  

[island lady]

9 hours ago, MamadawgFL said:

on our Nassau day for my 5/22 sailing on Harmony there are 4 ships scheduled in that day. We arrive, along with the Independence, at 8:00.  Would that mean we would be in the closest slips to the port exit? And the later arriving ships in the further slips? Just trying to plan my walking for that day.

 

Most likely...due to our size...we will be docked on the most out bound pier.  But that is not a total given.  

[poocher]

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

Just seeing this now. Too late.  I did have a half bourbon/half rye Old Fashioned during the week. I do like the extra “bite” from the rye. 
 

After the apps, we told our waiter that the scallops were a bit chewy. Our daughters BF is a chef and he says that not enough people say when something is not right. He wants to know, so that he can do something about it. As a result, they brought out a plate of the lobster thermador also. It too was excellent. 
 

I’ve found that it’s risky even casually saying that something may not have been perfect at a Royal restaurant. Unless you are willing to accept what they want to do to make it right (usually more food!), they will hound you into submission with multiple layers of management. I like that they want to be perfect but at some point, their attempted “fix” can be worse that the original problem. 

My favorite RC food story.  Our first cruise in 2002 NY to Bermuda.  WJ used to be buffet appetizers and served meal at dinner.  One night we go rather late and the entree I want is not available.  Ok so I order something else & pig out on peel & eat shrimp from the buffet.  Waiter brings dinner & I don’t really like it much.  Push it around the plate & eat more shrimp.  Waiter notices.  Maitre’d comes over with a plate of food from a Captains meeting taking place on board.  Waiter tells the chef I didn’t like the replacement dish and he conjures up my original choice.  I now have 3 plates of food in front of me along with the waiter, maitre’d AND a chef all waiting for me to eat.  Did I mention shrimp?  Thought I would EXPLODE!!!!!

[long4acruise]

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

I like that they want to be perfect but at some point, their attempted “fix” can be worse that the original problem

Agree!  We told our waiter the baked potato was barely warm in Chops on several occasions and it turned into more conversation than I ever wanted or needed with nearly the entire staff!   What's so hard about serving a baked potato hot so the butter melts?!

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, judebarsto said:

Funny! I too am from Buffalo, ready to board Harmony this morning. And I also have a daughter (now 36!) who did competitive dance with David deMarie for 10 years or so. (Now doing modern dance out west) So I’m very picky about good dancing in musical theater. I’m looking forward to Grease and to beef on weck (even if sub-par - can’t get it here in Florida!) Go Bills, lol!

Have a great cruise! Hope you'll share some observations if so inclined. Will be on Harmony 6 weeks from today.

 

Just drove up to The Villages yesterday for Easter with my wife's parents who live here.

[bobmacliberty]

3 hours ago, judebarsto said:

Go Bills, lol!

Go Bills!  I said that a lot this week, both to others who were wearing Bills gear or in reply to those saying it to me when I wore my Bills hat. 

[bobmacliberty]

Very easy disembarkation this morning. Left our cabin at 7:40 and pulled out of the garage at 8:00. Pulled into our driveway at 10:40. Three hours cabin to house. 

[molly361]

12 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

Very easy disembarkation this morning. Left our cabin at 7:40 and pulled out of the garage at 8:00. Pulled into our driveway at 10:40. Three hours cabin to house. 

Do you use the Concierge escort off?

[bobmacliberty]

Before I get into final cruise thoughts, I was able to reconfirm some "truths" about the elevators:

1. Pushing the elevator call button in the lobby does not in fact cause the elevator to arrive faster.

2. It's possible for an elevator to stop at every single deck, even if no one gets on or off.

3. You can straddle the gap between the elevator and the floor to keep the doors from closing for a long, long time.  Children seem to have more power to do this than adults.

4. There is always room for one more person to try to get on the elevator, even if there isn't.

5.  Quickly getting on an elevator before others have a chance to get off does not cause the elevator to leave faster.

[Sea Dog]

11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I don't have any rye. But I drank a lot of Templeton onboard. Might grab a Whistle Pig. 

 

How does that compare🤔

 

I like whistle pig but I think their prices are way too expensive. I have the Whistle Pig 12 ($130) and the Whistle Pig Old World 15 year ($200) given to me as retirement gifts. They are good but not worth the price. If you want to explore Whistle Pig I would get Whistle Pig Piggy Back which is a 6 year old rye at about $45 which is more reasonable.

 

If you like Templeton and want to spend more. The 6 year and 10 year are awesome. Here are my other favorites.

Basil Hayden Dark Rye (This is amazing)

Michter's Rye (very solid)

High West Double Rye

Redemption Rye

 

A lot of good stuff out there. Enjoy and Cheers!!!!

 

 

4 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

Just seeing this now. Too late.  I did have a half bourbon/half rye Old Fashioned during the week. I do like the extra “bite” from the rye. 
 

After the apps, we told our waiter that the scallops were a bit chewy. Our daughters BF is a chef and he says that not enough people say when something is not right. He wants to know, so that he can do something about it. As a result, they brought out a plate of the lobster thermador also. It too was excellent. 
 

I’ve found that it’s risky even casually saying that something may not have been perfect at a Royal restaurant. Unless you are willing to accept what they want to do to make it right (usually more food!), they will hound you into submission with multiple layers of management. I like that they want to be perfect but at some point, their attempted “fix” can be worse that the original problem. 

 

I'm glad you liked Bourbon/Rye Old Fashioned. I'm a big fan.

I too have a hard time sending food back. Maybe my palate is not refined but I really have not had a bad meal on a Royal ship. The only thing I am picky about is steak. I like mine medium rare and I will send it back if it's overcooked. I've only had to do that once.

 

 

3 hours ago, island lady said:

 

I miss the flavored salts, the table side Caesar salad tossing, the table side Tenderloin for two...sigh.  Lost are the old elegant days in so many ways.  😞  

 

I heard about the salts but never got to experience that. I really think I would have loved it.

 

 

2 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

Very easy disembarkation this morning. Left our cabin at 7:40 and pulled out of the garage at 8:00. Pulled into our driveway at 10:40. Three hours cabin to house. 

 

Oh no does this mean this thread is over? I was having so much fun living through you and John.

 

[bobmacliberty]

1 minute ago, molly361 said:

Do you use the Concierge escort off?

 

No.  Timing didn't work and I'm not sure how much it would have helped.  For concierge escort, we were to meet at the Bionic Bar, not the SL, with walk-offs happening every 30 minutes.  We were ready at 7:40 and didn't want to wait for 20 minutes.  And either way, we had to get our own carry-on stuff to deck 5.  No use of the magic concierge elevator control.  By the time we likely would have left the terminal if we had waited for the concierge, we were already on I-95 headed north.

[bobmacliberty]

3 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Oh no does this mean this thread is over? I was having so much fun living through you and John.

 

I hope not.  Can I tag anyone in who's on Harmony this week?

[molly361]

 

1 minute ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

No.  Timing didn't work and I'm not sure how much it would have helped.  For concierge escort, we were to meet at the Bionic Bar, not the SL, with walk-offs happening every 30 minutes.  We were ready at 7:40 and didn't want to wait for 20 minutes.  And either way, we had to get our own carry-on stuff to deck 5.  No use of the magic concierge elevator control.  By the time we likely would have left the terminal if we had waited for the concierge, we were already on I-95 headed north.

 

Thanks  I thought that might be the case.  I believe in January when I was onboard the HM I walked over a little after 7am.  What time did self assist start?  I was thinking of using the concierge just because I could but I may rethink that now.  I am trying to figure out what time to have my ride there to pick me up

[bobmacliberty]

2 minutes ago, molly361 said:

 

 

Thanks  I thought that might be the case.  I believe in January when I was onboard the HM I walked over a little after 7am.  What time did self assist start?  I was thinking of using the concierge just because I could but I may rethink that now.  I am trying to figure out what time to have my ride there to pick me up

 

Not sure about self-assist.  I looked out my stateroom balcony sometime before 7:00 and there were passengers walking thru the terminal, so it was at least that early. 

 

I've never done the concierge escort at Port Canaveral...skipped it last fall on Allure for similar reasons.  I don't know if there's a secret elevator they use in the terminal that avoids walking down the zig zag ramp.  If the escortees need to use the ramp like everyone else, I don't see how the concierge would help short of pushing everyone else out of the way.  Those ramps can only handle people walking about 3 wide with luggage.  The line moved fairly quickly but I'm guessing it got more backed up later in the morning.  We barely stopped going through facial rec with CBP.  That works very well.