Harmony: What's open while in port?

[Roma Belle]

We were gifted a Symphony of the Seas cruise for next winter. We will be going with extended family and have a choice of the Eastern or Western itinerary. We will be traveling with two young children and are not that interested in venturing out at the ports too much (don't want to bring a carseat, etc). TBH, I wanted my next Caribbean cruise to be on a "super boat" so I can enjoy all of the wonderful things on the boat as my main focus, so I am very excited to for this trip to be about the ship and not the ports.

 

1. What activities (for adults and children) are available during port days? The Western has 4 ports and the Eastern has 3 ports, so depending on what is open during port days will determine if we want more port days or sea days.

 

2. If we did venture out onto land, what ports are easy to do with kids (like walking of the boat and not having to take a taxi, etc.)?

Roatan (Isla Roatan), Bay Islands, Honduras

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

Cozumel, Mexico

Nassau, Bahamas

Basseterre, St. Kitts

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

 

Thanks!

[Clarea]

Hours vary, but you would find most ship activities available, such as Flowrider, slides, zipline, rock climbing, mini golf, basketball court. Open ice skaing is probably the most restrictive as far as guest availability.

[WisconsinFan]

All of the ports will have a little shopping area associated with them. In Costa Maya there is even a pool at the port, but if you want to hit the beach at any of the ports listed I believe you will need to take a taxi or bus.

 

One of our favorite ports you have listed is St. Thomas. The big girls doc outside of the main business area- so you would need a taxi to get to downtown. When we sailed Harmony last year we enjoyed walking around the little shopping area and took a stroll down further to the harbor where we found a little ice cream shop with FREE wifi so we could check email. We enjoyed talking to the young ladies running the shop. Later in the day we went on a sailing trip to St. John's. Taxis in St. Thomas are more like open air buses and on the back of trucks. Pick up a good guide book at the library and do a bit of searching on that website with the owl logo. I think you will get a good idea of what to expect.

 

Certainly, the big girls can keep you pretty busy if you choose not to go off the ship at all.

[cb at sea]

Before you set in stone plans to stay on the ship at all ports, pick up a guidebook on your ports. Many are easy to do with public transport (no carseats needed!), if you get tired of the ship!

Really, the only things that are "closed" will be the casino and shops, and main dining room for lunch. Everything else will function normally, including the kid's clubs.