LuCruise

I'd have to check with DH but I think we might have some kind of access based on our Aeroplan.

We'd pick a hotel near the airport with a shuttle (or uber/taxi may save some time) but good point. Thanks. Probably just head to the airport. Long day but more straight forward.

Thanks, but we'll have lots of luggage (and time, but not a ton of time) so thinking either a day hotel or just spend the day at the airport. I'm thinking the former since it'll split up the day. Kids can swim if they want if weather cooperates. DH is thinking the latter since we probably have to check out of the hotel anyways at 2pm or 2:30pm.

Yeah. Thanks for the suggestion. Only thing is there are 4 of us, and trying to keep the cost down. (Otherwise, we may have gone for the pricier flight home with a better timing).

We have Icon booked out of Miami in December. Can't wait. Our flight back is probably the worst time of day...right in the middle of the afternoon at 4:30pm (back to Ontario Canada). We've done a day hotel before when we have an evening flight, but not sure if it's worth it for a few hours. For others, would you bother with a day hotel (looking at one near the airport with a shuttle)? Or you wouldn't bother and just head to the airport? I know we are kicked off early so might be a long day.

I know what you mean . I like that area outside too and will either sit or just walk laps (sometimes you have to go up a deck though if you want the full circle). If I'm not mistaken, Oasis class has the jogging track there, so you can walk but not sit. Mind you, on Wonder they did have some seats aft.

I've had this happen a couple of times (although never had to be assigned a new booking number). So frustrating. A few things I've learned and do: 1. Before calling for a price drop, note/calculate the price yourself. Know the non-refundable and refundable, and make sure you are using your taxes and fees. 2. Tell them to let you know what they are seeing BEFORE they go ahead with committing the change. 3. If the system messes up (or perhpas the agent selected wrong)? , don't hang up until it's resolved. I have one reservation for 2026 where they had to put manual notes that the booking is refundable....and I've had to explain the story and let them know that this one is in fact refundable. Frustrating that they switched your stateroom.

Looking forward to your live review. We were on Liberty in June with a short stop to Halifax. (We just walked around the waterfront and went to the Maritime museum as that's an option if you have no tour due to yours getting cancelled). Quite enjoyed the ship and stop. Would love to do your itinerary someday. Glad all is good for travel day. Enjoy your cruise!

Agree...marketing Utopia as a party ship like Carnival feels disanointing. Royal has other 3 and 4 days cruises and these are still family ships.

Lol...Ricky Matthews? Oh yah, I see him. We had him as a CD 3 times in a row, on different ships. He is so energetic and funny. Definitely perfect for Utopia!

GM. Hope you're having a wonderful cruise despite some hurdles. That's so frustrating about your dining. Seems like they switched you to late traditional for some reason. When we get our sea pass cards, the first thing we do is check out our table in the MDR. If any issues, we talk to them right away as they are always at dining when you board. (We like to sit at a table with just our party). I guess for next time, it's good to know. For Grease, that's disappointing. If you are in theatre, obviously you have a real eye for this stuff. You mention that you would have preferred just the singing and dancing. Sadly, Royal seems to be stopping performing Broadway shows and just keeping their own in house shows + headliners. I love their Broadway so am sad about this, but I can see it be not as enjoyable if the bad acting stuck out. We saw Grease on Independence years ago and loved it, and look forward to it on Harmony a year Dec. Of course, it will be a different cast by then so hopefully better. Hoping no more disappointments for you. Overall, it seems like you're having a good time.

Thanks for explaining. Seems worth it just for the bathrooms...lol. Your description helps. Thanks. Will note it and see if it works in our travels.

No idea about your question 🙂 but you often hear others specifically mention Buccees when travelling to Houson/Galveston. Why is it so good? Is it worth going to? Offhand with a quick google search it seems like a Target or something. Harbor House looks really nice! Enjoy your stay and day in Galveston.

That was my impression too. They only allowed the second member to skip the deluxe drink package and get the refreshment instead if there was a valid reason for it (As an example, the person can't drink alcohol for medical reasons)

Yeah, Galveston seems much more stressful and challenging then Florida or LA ports. Tbh, I'm quite worried about it, but Harmony cruise itself works out best for us (for ship and cost). I'm sorry that your direct flight got changed to an indirect as that certainly adds to the complication. You must have been exhausted when you got there...makes for a very long day. Seems like tons of hotel options...near either airport (which doesn't seem good unless taking Royal transfer the morning of the cruise), in Texas city or Seawall/Galveston area. Like you, we won't have a car so as you say having things in walking distance is important. Your hotel this time around should be perfect. Galveston actually seems really nice in itself so great that you have a full day to explore and enjoy. Safe and smooth travels.

Really interested in your review. We have Harmony booked for next Christmas (two kids 16 and 20). Have been on other Oasis class but not this one yet. They are amazing and although large, crowds are spread out. Am interested in your experience flying to Houston and your stay. Our cruise is a ways off but have been doing lots of reading. It's confusing of all the options of getting from IAH to your hotel (and figuring out the best one). The private shuttle seems well worth it. Harbor House looks like the perfect hotel, nice and very convenient. Enjoy Harmony. Looks like an amazing cruise ship with lots to do for everyone.

That's ridiculous.

Agree 100% with this. Much prefer the morning, and quite like the timing. And for any that we have attended, there has been alcohol served (and can't say that I would have even thought that this was a factor for the timing).

Thank you. Ah true, it'll probably be too early to even check in our luggage when we get there. If we went to the airport, we'd probably just stay there. But the nice restaurant may be an idea, and with a different view, even if it's at one of the terminals. Will note the idea. Thanks. It splits up the day a bit.

Thanks. That's what we do when we have a flight at say 6pm or later, but for 4:30pm, we'd probably check out at 1:30pm or so. Then again, some do offer shorter day passes so maybe it's worth looking into, at least to split up the hours a bit.

We have a 4:30pm flight when our cruise returns to Miami in December (to Toronto). We've booked day hotels before when we have an evening flight, but doesn't seem worth it for an afternoon flight. Any suggestions of what to do? Or should we just head to the airport and make it a long day of waiting around? We're trying to be cost effective so although the ship has an excursion, it doesn't fit in our budget.

There were many. There were parrots (in the open) and then things in cages like monkeys, leopards, and some others I don't remember what they are ...so have posted a few. 🙂

We did Maya Key this past March. It was nice and convenient. The ferry takes you across. The walk to the beach isn't far from what I remember. It's not a huge beach, but it was fine and lots of lounge chairs. We were in Roatan before and found the beach we went to in a previous Rotan trip in 2019 was nicer with softer sand (I think it was West Bay Beach). The area was roped off, I guess where it was safe for swimming. Even though it wasn't the best Roatan beach, we enjoyed Maya Key. The buffet lunch was really tasty, but you couldn't go back for seconds). They also have a pool if you want to switch. I liked the place too as they have other things going on such as scheduled animal feedings, and we did a good walking tour where we saw some rescued animals and historical talk. So it was a good mix of a day.

I've been on the first three and all amazing. Icon looks fantastic too. (Dec for us). If you've been on Oasis, then I would eliminate that one as the shows will be the same....plus the itinerary isn't the best. Symphony has the best shows. Wonder is newer, but both modern (no Broadway show - but they have a superhero one that your kids may enjoy). I can't confirm Wonder but Symphony has the trundle type bed if you have a single room. Most likely Wonder is the same. Icon on the other hand, is more of a sofabed in the standard rooms. (We have that issue ourselves)

We were on Odyssey last New Year's (but out of Fort Lauderdale). It was lots of fun. They had some paid events (e.g. 270) and paid viewing spots, but lots free events. If I remember correctly, they had something at the pool, a more laid back new years in the theater. We were in the main Centrum area. The CD ran that one, who was so high energy and funny, so we enjoyed it there. We did stand on the end (which was the end where he was) as it was very crowded but we managed. Fun night. Oh and they had a special MDR menu and they provided new years stuff like hats and shakers.