Fruggers

Aerial view from that day.

Library is self service and on the honor system. There is a drop box in the library to return books when finished. There are also dedicated shelves for a guest book exchange where you can leave your personal used books and exchange them for someone else's. It's a lovely space with chairs for reading and a good selection of books to borrow. It's not the library from the QM2, but it was completely unexpected and a pleasant surprise.

Recent photo of the library from September.

I was on the June 7th NYC to Southampton crossing and was wondering the same thing before I left. Bring a jacket. Air temps were in the mid-high 50's most of the time and we had some scattered showers. I wore a short sleeve shirt, long pants and a light weight fleece the entire trip and was comfortable indoors with limited time spent outdoors. If you're planning on camping out in a deck chair, bring a heavier jacket.

Was on the Reflection in November. I was able to stream Netflix to my Roku stick with no problems.

My 9-year-old daughter ate at Murano, Lawn Club, & Tuscan Grill on our Thanksgiving cruise on the Reflection (our main restaurant was Blu). My daughter also loves Steak, Lobster, Caesar Salad, Salmon and has tried Escargot, Calamari, Octopus a few times. So YMMV - it really depends on the palate of the child and if they can sit through a multi-course meal. I ordered a Veal Chop for her and she loved it.

Just disembarked the Reflection this morning in Ft. Lauderdale.

Carried my own luggage off the ship, walked up to the customs officer, placed 4 US passports on the counter in front of him, he picked them up, handed them back (without even opening them) and said welcome home. I think total disembarkation time from exiting the ship to getting in a cab was 6 minutes.

My daughter came down with it yesterday morning on the Reflection and was confined to quarters for the rest of the day and then late last night my wife got it also. I ended up calling the nurse at 11:30PM last night and they came and gave her a shot for nausea and some anti-diarrhea meds. I asked the nurse how many cases she'd seen that night and she said she'd lost count by that point so I'm doubtful of the reported numbers. We got home from the airport this afternoon and both went straight off to bed.

We are staying at the Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port in January. We have an SPG card. Last January we stayed The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. which was right across from the beach and was in walking distance of several restaurant. The Westin was 11,000 points plus a resort fee. The Four Points will be 3,000 a night, we are staying 2 nights before cruise. It is undergoing a complete remodel so we are hoping for nice but we are not picky people as long as its clean. I'm not sure why the points difference but we are staying 2 nights for less than 1 night so we are happy. Free shuttle from the airport.

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Highly recommend Sarafina in Marigot for bread, pastries, lunch or whatever. It's always my first stop when in St. Martin.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147348-d1754928-Reviews-Sarafina-Marigot_Saint_Martin_St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

The Euro is the official currency on the French Side and many places will not take American dollars so you'll need to use a credit card for purchases.

You can also take the cash card to the membership desk and walk out with actual cash - you don't need to spend it on store merchandise. This is what I do with all my cash cards that come from cruise bookings.

If I shopped there a lot then the cash card would be of benefit because I could draw down against it. Because I don't, I switched over to a place where I can get hotel points that I can use for a cruise or hotel. I realize that everyone has different priorities --- just wanted to make others aware that the OBC is not always an option like it was in the past.

You need this: TP-Link N300

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQEX8BO

I used it recently on my RCI Harmony cruise in my cabin to connect my tablet, wife's tablet, 2 phones and a Roku streaming stick (allowing me to watch Netflix in HD). You run it in WiFi Hotspot Mode and connect the TP-Link to the ship's WiFi network where it looks a single connected device.

Note: When I was in my cabin I would sign out of my phone and connect the TP-Link. When I left my cabin and roamed te ship I would disconnect the TP-Link and connect my phone.

Are you going to sail MSC again or are you going back to Disney? I just did the Thanksgiving sailing on the Harmony of the Seas, have the Celebrity Reflection booked for 2017 and then I think I'm back to Disney until my 8 year daughter finds it too young fo her.

Was hoping RCCL would replace Disney (and save some $$$) but no go.

Thanks

It would work if you wanted to stream local content stored on your cell phone or tablet and you would connect to your Chromecast via a direct connect guest mode.

In order to stream Netflix in my room I used a portable travel router (Asus WL-300N) and connected that to the ship's WiFi using one of my Voom device package purchases. I then setup a new Wifi network in my room and connected my Roku to that network which allowed me to access Netflix. Using this setup when I was in my room I could connect my Roku, 2 tablets & 2 phones to my WiFi which then connected to the ship's WiFi and allowed me to use the internet, but only pay for a single device.

I brought my new Roku streaming stick and a universal remote with us on this sailing and watched Netflix at night with no issues.

The only surprise was no available AC outlet behind or anywhere near the wall mounted TV. I ended up using the USB power port on the TV to power the Roku.

The Good: Ship was beautiful, lots of activities for our group of 10 (5 kids & 5 adults), shows (ice skating & water) were fantastic and are equal or better to what Disney offers, Internet was superfast (was able to stream Netflix after I turned in for the night).

The Bad: Kids clubs aren't even close to what Disney offers - check in/out process is done with paper and takes forever plus there aren't enough staff to run the clubs. Most unfriendly / indifferent cruise staff I've ever seen with the exception of our headwaiter & asst. Cabin steward, activities staff, kids staff, all other waiters & waitresses and guest services all seemed like they would rather be anywhere else then on the ship with us. Reservations needed for any and everything due to the crowds. Decided at dinner to see the main show tonight after dinner? Can't as you didn't make reservations 3 months prior. Want to try the steak house? Can't as you didn't make reservations 3 months prior. On a ship this size sailing at capacity, there is no ability to do anything spontaneous. Labadee was like a run down junkyard - chairs falling apart, water sports equipment old and very dirty.

This was our first Royal Caribbean cruise having sailed Disney twice and Celebrity once. I only wanted to do this cruise to see the ship and had no expectations. I'm glad I took this trip since I was trying to figure out why Disney costs so much more than other cruise lines - and now I know...really it's just a better experience overall especially if you have younger kids.

so how was the harmony?

 

We're also waiting for the second half of 2018.

our TA told us she'd contact us....she said it would be sometime in the spring..

 

actually, we're waiting for the summer 2018 magic cruises (either UK or med)

 

in the interim, we have a quickie 3 nighter on the dream in august 2017

I stayed at the W before our Thanksgiving cruise on the Harmony. It's located across from the beach, and there are quite a few restaurants within walking distance. When I stayed there last week the hotel was undergoing renovations so quite a bit of the hotel was closed but should be re-opened by the end of December.

I used Starwood points for 3 rooms, so our stay was free. The only complaint is that there is a clear glass wall in the shower which shares a wall with the bedroom. So when you're taking a shower everyone in the room is watching you - it's a bit like being in a fish bowl. If you look at the hotel on TripAdvisor, you can see pictures of this.

I would think anything along the beach would be great.

Thanks - adding a calendar reminder now.

Just off the Thanksgiving sailing from the Harmony of the Seas (last 2 cruises were Disney and I wanted to try something different), but I've scratched that itch and am coming back.

Does anyone know when bookings open for November 2018 sailings?

Thanks!

I'm just off this Thanksgiving sailing as well and echo all of your comments. This was my first Royal sailing and I found it to be terribly disorganized. We were in Silk for dining and our waiter was constantly apologizing for the slow food coming out of the kitchen and asking to please come back the next day and it should be better.

Went to Johnny Rockets one night for a hot fudge sundae. Got seated right away and then took 20 minutes for a waiter to come and take our order (this is with all of 7 guests in the restaurant). Then a 20 minute wait to get the sundae which doesn't have hot fudge (they were out on day 2???).

Had a bunch of other issues as well and don't think I'll be back on Harmony any time soon.

Yes there are character meet and greets all around the ship and the schedule is printed and left in your cabin each evening. There were several babies on this voyage that I saw (maybe 7-10).

Thanks for your review.

 

Questions: Do they still have the Dreamworks characters around the ship?

 

Did you happen to notice many babies? We're cruising in January with our 2 year old and 7 month old, and I was just curious.

I was on this sailing as well. We were five adults and five kids (ages 6-9) spread across three cabins. This was my first Royal sailing as well after spending the last two sailings on Disney (Fantasy & Magic). We decided to try something different (and something that cost less).

The ship itself was beautiful, there were tons of activities for all to enjoy and the food in the MDR (we were in Silk on Deck 5) was very good, and I'll say the food was better than Disney. Where the ship failed was in everything else.

Tried to book MTD when it first opened but was unable to combine reservation across three cabins. Called Royal and they said take care of it on board. Got onboard, checked Silk dining room and only reservations available were for the first night at 9 PM - no other reservations available all week. Went to traditional dining and they were fully booked early and late seating.

Dining room staff were very good and very friendly, and THEY managed to get us a daily 5:30 PM dinner reservation for the rest of the cruise. So much for there being nothing available according to the Maitre'D.

So many people had dining reservation issues that people just ended up eating dinner in the Windjammer, but they only had one side of the Windjammer open and then ended up closing Windjammer to additional guests due to capacity.

Got in line Thur at 9:30 AM to get a slot for ice skating as instructed by the daily bulletin. Wait in line 45 minutes only to be told you can't book a slot for later in the day (which is contrary to what the bulletin said). Told come back 30 minutes before the afternoon session I want to get a slot. Head back when instructed and told all slots for the day are gone. At the first afternoon slot, they started giving out spots for the rest of the afternoon skating. I and 20 other people are standing there dumbstruck.

All the shows were very good, but making reservations months in advance doesn't leave any flexibility for when you want to see a show. I booked Grease for the 2nd night at 10:30 pm, but by the time the 2nd day rolled around everyone was too exhausted to see it. With the ship at capacity, there wasn't an opportunity to see it again.

Room attendant was the most unfriendly person I've ever had on a cruise. The room was always clean, and everything was ok - but trying to engage her in conversation was a fruitless endeavor.

It felt very disorganized, and most of the crew (with the exception of our dining room staff) seemed like they would rather be somewhere else. At the rock climbing wall while my daughter was getting ready I overhead one of the rock climbing staff say to another staff that she should hurry and get her break in before the rest of the cattle show up - and that's exactly what it felt like.

My wife and I kept thinking why does Disney cost so much more than Royal, Princess, etc. And I think I know now - the staff is paid better, Disney is the clear winner when it comes to kids clubs, the Disney ships appear to be cleaner and guest satisfaction is more important than getting you to signup for a drink package or buy discount jewelry on "Black Friday."

I'm glad I went on the Harmony (I pushed for this cruise since I wanted to see the ship), but I won't be back on Oasis class. If I cruise Royal again, I'd like to try the Quantum class since it might be better with fewer crowds. Next, for our party of 10, we're booked on the Celebrity Reflection for Thanksgiving 2017 and then back to Disney for Thanksgiving 2018.

Looking forward to everyone else's thoughts.

Yes I just did this with two different Amex cards on cruise I booked a few days ago. I made 2x $500 payments using each Amex card.

I have a cruise booked for September 2017. Does this offer mean if I make an additional $500 deposit that I will receive a $150 credit on the following statement (or two)?

My wife and I did our first Disney cruise on the Magic over Christmas last year with our 6 year old daughter. We had a great time and ended up booking on-board for the 2015 Thanksgiving sailing on the Fantasy which was eligible for 10% off and a $400 room credit. Just came back from that sailing and none of the holiday 2016 cruises are eligible for the on-board discount (not surprised really) so we booked a placeholder reservation.

Once we got home and I started to look at Disney pricing vs other lines and what other new ships are new offering I cancelled our placeholder and booked a 2016 Thanksgiving sailing on the Royal Caribbean Harmony. Same size balcony cabin and the cost is half of what I paid on Disney for Thanksgiving. I also ended up getting $600 in on-board credit and some other free things. I know the ship, food and entertainment isn't going to be the same, but it's half the cost and the Harmony actually has more things for us to do as a family other then see "Wishes" again. I thoroughly enjoyed my two Disney cruises, but I find I just can't justify the cost for what you get.