jandbmom

Have a great time!

Thank you everyone for the input. I hope a YC will open up but final payment is due tomorrow so it is unlikely. I think I will go ahead with the whirlpool suite on 10 and keep watching. I appreciate all the help!

We had an Aft Aurea suite on Deck 14 over Xmas, is the Deck 9 one you mention the same as 14 with the wrap around balcony ? Or one of the side aft Deck 9 suites with the long balconies ? If it is the long balcony one then the cabin is not a suite as the interior is just like a standard cabin.

With regard to Dining there is an area of the Deck 5 Seashore Dining room on the Starboard side reserved for Aurea and Wellness cabin guests, you can go anytime during the opening hours to eat that suits you.

Thank you, it is the wrap around balcony. The room looks fairly large, but the balcony does not.

We spent a delightful afternoon making use of the drinks package and the pool areas. My kids (and mr. Seaweeyin) loved the waterslides and splash pad areas. The slide board slide was my favorite by far.

 

In the evening, mr. Seaweeyin and I popped by the champagne bar for predinner drinks while waiting for the rest of our party to finish getting ready. I didn't photograph the whole menu because it was very long, but here are the cocktails. Two asterisks means not covered by any package, one is covered by deluxe, and no asterisk is covered by classic.

 

The drink photo is the blueberry lavender sparkler, which I found too sweet--something I found to be a common theme with drinks on the ship.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

For the drinks that are not covered on the plan, do you know if they allow you to pay the difference in price of what is covered or if you just need to purchase the drink at full price?

This will be our first time with MSC. We have sailed many other lines usually in a suite. We are excited to try something different. With that being said the YC is sold out and I am trying to decide between these 2 options. I realize they are very subjective. I am having a hard time choosing between an Aurea Aft Suite on 9 or Deck 10 Whirlpool Suite. Does anyone have any experience or preference? Also they said I will have my choice dining since we are booking an Aurea Suite. Can someone explain how this works? I have only done traditional dining in the past or have eaten in suite guest restaurants. Thank you for your help!

Here is a link to a spreadsheet of current concierges.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Pz4Im5qh4cqd1zE5A9srLm3wGd0_SNZwTdbLTa59EF4/htmlview#gid=0

Thank you for your help!

There are 2 concierges in the Concierge Lounge on Harmony.

 

HM_concierge01@rccl.com

 

HM_concierge02@rccl.com

Thank you so much!!

Does anyone have the e-mail address for the current Concierge on the Harmony of the Seas?

Since it is just one person, they are more likely to let her stay with you. No guarantees, though. Good luck. :)

Thank you, we are fine either way but I thought I would check!

We booked a Crown Loft Suite for our upcoming cruise on the Harmony. I know there is a separate are for suite check-in at Fort Lauderdale. My mother is also traveling with us as a single cruiser in a balcony room. I do not want to leave my mother alone. Will they allow her to check in and wait with us to board or will we need to go to the Emerald line with her? Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Thank you so much. I am traveling with my 2 young boys and mother so this seems to be so convenient.

Yes, it was very easy. We just pulled up in front of the terminal and they come over and take care of everything. When you come out after returning you walk across the "street" and show them your ticket. They already have the cars parked close so they just go get it. They suggest that you take a picture of your ticket with your phone in case you lose the ticket.

 

 

We plan to use it again next April. It is so convenient especially if you have mobility issues or have a scooter/wheelchair.

I was thinking about booking Valet parking for our June 25th cruise. Did you find it convenient and easy to use?

This is the info they sent me after I booked our parking.

 

Miscellaneous Information:

Valet Instructions:

You will arrive to the terminal your ship is docked at and drop off luggage before proceeding toward the valet. Please print this reservation or show the electronic copy to the valet upon arrival. The valet will give you instructions on retrieval of your vehicle when you return. The valet will then drive your vehicle to our multi-level parking garage located at 25th Street and Harborside Drive, directly across from Terminal 1. There are no online prepayment discounts for valet parking.

 

Hours for Valet are from 9am to 3pm Taxes and Fees: All taxes and fees are included in the cost of the ticket. Modification Policy: Changes can be made to parking reservations by emailing parking@portofgalveston.com. We can modify driver's names, number of vehicles, and dates. Requests must be emailed Cancellation Policy: You can cancel parking reservations on our website, www.portgalvestonparking.com 24 hrs prior to the cruise sailing. A refund request after a cruise has taken place will require more time to process and must be requested in writing. Refunds can take up to 10 business days to process. Please email these refund requests to parking@portofgalveston.com. Refund Policy: We fully refund prepaid reservations Driving Directions: CRUISE TERMINAL LOCATIONS:

Terminal Number 1

2502 Harborside Dr.

Galveston, TX 77550

Terminal Number 2

2702 Harborside Dr.

Galveston, TX 77550

 

The email that I received this from is reservations@smartreservationservices.com.

Can you tell me if they have flavored creamer in Windjammer? I can bring the little to-go pods if necessary.

They never have flavored creamer, I always bring the little cups or you can get a specialty coffee with flavored syrup.

Thank you for taking the time on your trip report. Have an amazing time.

Thank you for taking the time to answer questions, it is very kind of you. I hope you enjoy your vacation. Looking forward to our cruise in June.

Sounds great so far, I am looking forward to your review as we will be on the Liberty in June. Thank you for taking the time to write it!

That's a difficult decision to made and to tell a friend sailing together, I'm guessing that she's in the health care field on the overnight shift or similar functions, but if she can get out at 7:30 AM then the extra 30 minutes might be window for the 3 of you to take the risk along with her. Good news is that you aren't driving into Manhattan for the Hudson piers & staying on the Jersey side, parking on the waterfront pier is super easy & what I read briefly, no longer needed the shuttle bus to the gangway ramp from the building. Once you are at CL, security & check-in should be quick & smooth as the rush should be easing by 1 to 1:30 PM, probably still have time to grab a late lunch before the safety drills.

95% of the time, traffic isn't a major problem - just that 5% but the only one that mattered is yours - yesterday, a lockdown call at a NJ military base resulted in nearby highway (I-80 was affected) traffic problems with detours, exit ramp closure & just general delays - it lasted quite a few ours until the all clear & stand downn order was issued ... the damages had already been done.

Best of luck in making those tough choices, maybe 3 of you can at least take her heavier suitcase along first & get it to the pier, so there's less for her to run alongside - and, check/use Carol/138East's always excellent driving directions & info on best approaches to CL parking/check-in. And, presumably - your friends is good with driving solo & in directions, etc. - as some just melt driving in unfamiliar places, especially when being rushed in a hurry. Enjoy the cruise.

Thank you for all your information. There is actually a large group of us. She would be going with 2 other people on Friday morning. She plans on trying to be out at 7:30/8 at the latest and hopefully there is no traffic and with one stop they will be there in the 4 1/2 hours.

In my earlier days, I live in Broome County/Binghamton area and the solo trip to/from NYC area is about 3 hours with 1 or 2 restroom stop, including fuel with smooth off-peak traffic. Depending on your whereabouts in Syracuse (downtown, just off I-81, etc.) - add at least 1 hour - and you will need the stars to align, sun to be shining and mother nature to not act up with no drivers-induced incidents coming down thru PA into NJ.

Whether it's a Friday or Tuesday, it's weekday and traffic can be unpredicable & heavy as you near the port. The comfort/safety margins and cushion is virtually zero for any surprises.

When we travel, rule # 1 is apply Murphy's Law - a flat tire change will set you back 30 to 45 minutes as you are loaded with luggage & pax, not easy with a bumper/frame jack & tiny tire change iron. As long as you can get to CL by 1:30 to check-in, ahead of your 2 PM cutoff for the 4 PM sailing (typical time, YMMV) - you can sweat it out but if you missed it ... trip insurance can bail you out and you have coverage, right or not ??

To play it safe, make sure you have the CL contact # for cruise check-in and contact them at the first sign of trouble, i.e. tanker overturned with hazmat/spills & full highway shutdown with detour, etc.

Good news is that aside from Waze/Google Map-NAV in car usage, you can & should be tuned to AM Radio 880 and 1010 for updated traffic report as you drive. Latenight/weekends - 4.5 hour is reasonable but on a weekday, it's really, really cutting it close, too close for our own comfort.

Thank you so much, I am actually going to drive in the night before and stay at a hotel. I agree with you 100%, my friend is on her own!

You come from Syracuse and it only takes you about 4 hours? We travel from near Ithaca and it takes us a good 5 1/2 hours. Seems like there is always construction and traffic delays. Have you actually done this in 4 hours? I think that is cutting it way too close.

 

Laura

Yes we have made this trip a few time in 4 1/2 with stops, but we were leaving on a Sunday. I was curious of traffic on a Friday.

I apologize if this has been asked before, I tried to go through the entire thread. We will be cruising on 4/24 and live in Syracuse NY. The drive is about 4 hours. One person in our party has to work until 8am. With stops and no traffic I figured that would put us to the port around 12:30-1:00pm. I know that traffic can happen at anytime of the day but does anyone know how the traffic is on a Friday(I have only been to the port on a weekend)? We would be on 80 to 287 to 78. I do have the ability to drive separate with the other person in my room but we were hoping to stay together. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated TIA.