cruisinfly

No problem, just a recommendation, use it as you will😉.

While I'm glad these binoculars are working out for someone, I honestly do not recommend buying no name, or off name binoculars. I've tried it to save money and it does not work out very well. The name brands are a better product, more reliable, with a warranty. No names will have problem with the focus, alignment, and lower quality lenses. As well as moisture and dirt intrusion.

Check the menus for each on the app and pick the one that appeals most to you. The food is generally very good to excellent in the specialty restaurants.

I've been happy with Nikon or Vortex binoculars. They have different models at different prices but even their lower cost binoculars are good quality (sealed and water resistant). Check Amazon. Expect to pay between $100-$200 for a decent pair (at the lower end range of cost).

Uber and Lyft should work well. Not sure what the price difference are, though.

I would recommend purchasing the beverage package pre-cruise when it's on sale. Not sure why you'd want to wait until day 3 unless it's a money issue. When it's on sale, it's certainly a good value if you use it to get fresh squeezed juices, premium coffees, bottled water, and milkshakes at Johnny rockets. It also comes with a refillable souvenir soda cup. The cost is likely to be higher should you wait to purchase onboard. The FAQ on the Royal Caribbean website says they stop selling the packages after day two.

There's no limit on how many drinks but you are only supposed to get one at a time. I would often ask for two or more bottles of water and the bartender would almost always give them to me.

Yes, just about all non-alcoholic beverages are included, including espresso...from Café Promenade and other onboard bars ---except--- any onboard Starbucks store. Drinks from the Starbucks are not included. That's okay, though, you can get similar drinks from Café Promenade and other bars. Fresh-squeezed orange juice, other juices, and Johnny Rockets Milkshakes are also included

If you find something in the cruise planner at a price you're willing to pay, purchase it. You can always cancel if you change your mind later (check the small-print for the latest time to cancel). The prices can go up or down, sometimes more than once per day. For my upcoming cruise this summer, I've been checking the cruise planner nearly every day and have already cancelled and re-booked items saving quite a bit over the original price. On every RCL/Celebrity cruise I've taken, I've saved quite a bit by doing this. You have to be thoughtful with doing this with items that have limited availability like shore excursions. There's always the risk that you could cancel an excursion that has limited spots and have them swooped up by someone else before you repurchase, but, I've not ever had that happen. For beverage and dining packages, I doubt there is any risk of this.

I purchased the refreshment package for my upcoming cruise on the Harmony. I enjoy using it for bottled water, espresso based coffees, smoothies, and fresh squeezed orange juice (much better than the concentrate). It can also be used for "mocktails", shakes at Johnny Rockets, and soda/energy drinks. I don't drink much soda. I got it on sale for $26 per day (plus 18%). I wouldn't pay much more than that for it. I don't think you'd need it if all you drink is regular brewed coffee. I think that's included in the cost of your cruise (some people use the word "free") in Café Promenade, Windjammer, and Dining Rooms.

I've cruised out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Seattle, and Galveston. It's as easy as any other port and easier than some. Less traffic than Miami or Seattle. Galveston is not a huge area and is usually very easy and fast to get around. I live locally (25 minute drive to the port of Galveston) so I cruise out of Galveston quite a bit. As folks noted, Hobby is a 30-40 minute drive to the port but usually and easy drive. IAH is double that. Hotels are in abundance and you can stay in Galveston or farther North in the Clear Lake Area or Texas City. They are about to open a Great Wolf Lodge in the touristy Clear Lake/NASA area that would be good for a pre/post stay for a family. Also lots of fun touristy stuff to do nearby. Tons of good restaurants of varying cuisine. Uber/Lyft work well in the area. Too much luggage? Call for an UberXL. You can also arrange private tranportation.

I think either one will work well. Galveston is not that big and very easy/quick to get around. Since I'm local and have a car, I haven't personally needed to Uber/Lyft in Galveston. Both very similar and I think you'll do well with either one.

Wife and I are heading out on the Harmony in July. I'm looking forward to your review. There's not a lot of discussion on the Harmony on these boards lately. I've reserved Cabanas at Chankanaab for my last two visits since Covid and they are excellent! Quiet, comfortable, not a lot of people, and fun snorkeling. Service is really good. I'm thinking about Hayhu in Costa Maya, Big French Key in Roatan, and Scuba in Cozumel. I'm also local and live close to Galveston so let me know if you have any questions!

That's a sale price. The price can go up or down. If you book it now, and the price goes down, you can cancel it and rebook it at the lower price. I find it better to go ahead and book it. It will likely be more expensive on board.

Disembarkation takes a bit of time. Most cruise lines want you to vacate your room by a certain time (usually around 8 AM) and wait in one of the lounges for your group to be called to leave the ship. Your group number (or color) for disembarkation will be assigned the day before you leave but you might be in a group that leaves early or you might be one of the last to leave. The latest I've left was after 10 AM but I've never been in a rush to leave. You shouldn't leave before your group is called (they've never checked my number/color) but you don't have to leave right away when your group is called (but probably should). I like to enjoy one last breakfast on board and have my last few coffees in the specialty coffee shop before leaving. As long as Cafe Al Bacio is still open and serving coffee, I'll be hanging out there until it's my time to get off.