Momto2PrncChrmgs

Hi guys, I've learned SO much from everyone on these boards, so I wanted to share our experience in case it helps anyone else plan! A little about us...we are a family of 4. My husband Andy and I have been married almost 20 years. We have two boys, Drew (16) and Keaton (13). Our usual family vacation is Disney World, so they boys are used to constant entertainment, running from roller coaster to roller coaster, and they're comfortable there because they've been there approx 9-10 times. We're creatures of habit that don't like to stray too much from what we know and love, so that's why we keep going back. AND the Disney customer service is second to none. We were going to do a beach trip this year with two other families, who unfortunatly both had to back out. Our boys had NO desire to go to the beach with just us, so I thought a cruise would give us the most bang for our buck. We'd been on one Carnival cruise 9 years ago with my mom and stepdad's extended family, and we just didn't love it. We were at a port every day, the ship was older, and the kids were younger, so my husband was a HARD sell to convince to try another cruise. I'd originally planned on going on Carnival's Vista, but by the time "someone" finally sent in his passport renewal, I couldn't get a 4 person room on short notice. Somehow, I stumbled on the Harmony which was a similar price, and it looked amazing...plus I'd heard so many great reviews of RC over Carnival, so it was a no-brainer, AND we could get a balcony!! So on July 5, I booked a cruise leaving August 4! Talk about short notice! I'm a huge planner, so this short notice on a ship I hadn't even researched was going to freak me out!!! Flights, transfers, excursions....EEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!! Fast forward a few weeks, when we remembered that we had been gifted 2 free nights at a Disney World hotel last year, after my husband spent 3 or 4 nights of our vacation in the hospital with kidney stones (see what I mean about Disney customer service). I called and was able to get our two free nights on the Friday and Saturday before our Sunday cruise! We didn't do any park days, but shopped, ate, drank, bowled, drank and ate some more... We booked a Lyft to pick us up from Pop Century on Sunday at 11 and drive us to the port. It was an easy drive, took maybe an hour and half and cost a little over $100. We got out, gave out bags to the handlers, and asked where to go. It was super easy getting all checked in, and we were on the boat maybe 30-45 minutes later. Gotta work...will add more later, and will hopefully figure out how to post pics!

Thank you for this review! We are on the Harmony in 5 days (our only other cruise was 9 years ago, so we're basically new cruisers). I'm sooooo excited! If i'm understanding it correctly, the Solarium Bistro is open to everyone for breakfast and lunch?? No reservations and no surcharge? thanks!!

I found a fishing charter "Rudy's Deep Sea Fishing" in St Maarten. It's about $600 for a 1/2 day for the 4 of us. I will let you know how it is!

Has anyone taken a cab to Mangan's Bay and hiked? THe excursion on our cruise next week is booked. Is the hike safe and well-marked (don't want to get lost in the woods)! 🙂

Room service has an automatic charge, though, correct? DId someone say there was a non-Starbucks place to get mochas and frappechino's that is included in the deluxe drink package? You all have been SO incredibly helpful. Just when I think I'm ready, I start panicking and think of more questions!!

That's a fantastic idea!!

Would you happen to know if they have fishing available on their tour? We're trying to find a tour where my 16 yr old can fish a little. Thanks!!

Thank you all for the info! I can't believe we leave in just over 2 weeks and I've barely planned. On a typical vacation, by this time, I've generally shopped, started packing, and have color-coded itineraries made!

This is probably a repeat question (for some reason, i'm just NOT catching on to this "my time" dining), but if i have a reqested time (8:30 - it's all that was available), but want to eat earlier, we can just show up and wait like at a normal restaurant?

Hi all, we just recently booked the 8/4 cruise on the Harmony after doing tons of research on Carnival, then having the cruise we wanted all booked up. So, although I'm digging through threads and reading as much as I can, I still have lots of questions that I'm hoping you guys could answer! (For background info, it'll be me and hubby, both mid-forties, and our two boys, 13 and 16. Both athletic but a bit shy and awkward). 1. Zoom surf and stream - should we get that for all of us? Hubs and I will prob wants at least some access to email and social media. Can the kids stream netflix at night on this? We have unlimited data on our phones, but i'm assuming being in the middle of the ocean is different?? 2. Drink package - is there a limit to how many drinks you can have (including bottles of water)? I thought on Carnival there was a limit, but not seeing one on RC. If we get the deluxe for hubby and I, do we have to get the soda package for the kids? 3. My Time Dining - when i went to sign up, all that was available was 830. I thought I'd read somewhere that you have to go somehwere else to check in for different times?? 4. Are the pools and slides open in ports? Again, I thought I saw that they were, but then always thought those things were shut down when in port. 5. COFFEE - we booked a balcony room. Where can i get coffee early in the morning to enjoy on the balcony when everyone else is still sleeping? thank you all for any info. I'm sure to most of you, this is easy stuff, but as the usual ULTIMATE planner, i'm freaking out here with this last minute trip!!!!

Loving this review! Thank you for taking the time to do it (and I'm not seeing the pics, but i'm at work, so there may be a firewall or something). We're leaving for the Harmony on Aug. 4. Only our second one, and the first was 9 years ago!! I'm hoping my kids and husband love it and don't complain the whole time (they're a cranky bunch). 🤣 If they do, I guess I'll definitely buy the drink package!

I found a few boats on Trip Advisor that have fishing, but it looks like it's more snorkeling, drinking and eating, with a little fishing thrown in if you want to use the rods. Not sure if that helps you at all, but I'm hoping it's enough for my 16 yr old. :)

I have a 16 yr old who is dying to fish somehow on our cruise. I'm not finding any excursions on our upcoming Harmony of the Seas trip, but was wondering if anyone has done any shore fishing (brought a fold-up rod)? Thank you for any info!!

My kids definitely mind waiting in lines. ☺️

We are HUGE Disney fans, and Disney World has been our yearly-ish vacation since the boys were little, but after last year, we decided we needed to branch out a little. Would love a disney cruise, but they're a little pricey!