Qaylu

On Norwegian Escape, we skipped Costa Maya today (Feb 19), heading straight to Cozumel for an overnight stop. Apparently the entrance to Costa Maya is still blockaded.

Alright most of the problems seem to have solutions:

Entertainment - Tablet, books, deck of cards

Social - Internet to talk to people back home

Laundry - Wash in sink (I have the stuff for this)

Sunlight - And this is the though one. Vitamin D supplements? Do they let those little lamps on the ship?

12 hours ago, perditax said:

Internet, water, food, electricity for devices, and not running out of my rx meds, I could manage.

 

Internet = a decent supply of entertainment, news, education, etc. Would be able to communicate with home and work, figure out exercise options for small spaces, etc.

 

I think the biggest hassle would be that I like clean clothes, bedding, towels. I suspect a lot of time would be taken with hand washing and hanging stuff up to dry.

Oh right, internet. I'm so used to thinking of it as something you only have limited access to on a ship. But with people stuck in there cabins, hopefully they've been increasing the availability. At least then I'd be able to talk to people back home. I usually try to limit the amount of electronics that I travel with, maybe this trip should be the exception.

So, in the event that you were in one of those tiny solo cabins and the ship was put into a two week quarantine, how would you keep from going insane?

(Yeah, currently packing and getting a bit nervous that this could happen.)

I just got off Harmony and I did the tour.

We saw the galley and had a small snack in the dinning room. We then went below decks where we saw the engine control room, the I-95, a few of the giant fridges, the garbage disposal and the laundry.We got a brief glimpse in the crew mess. Then we went up to the bridge. The captain wasn't there while we were, so we didn't meet him.

This was my first time on a ship, so it was all very new to me. I thought it was worth it, but I'd never seen anything like it before. I can see how someone who's already done a tour on another ship would be disappointed because we didn't see any of the things unique to the Oasis class(Oasis, Allure, Harmony) like the Aqua Theatre.

If you have your heart set on the actual Engine Room, you'll need to consider a career change. From what I understand, no passenger tour ever goes in there for security and safety reasons.

Don't try to do much if anything at all on the RCI website....in the last few weeks it has been "horrible".

 

Many have posted about this but nothing has been noticed by RCI or done....

 

Something is definitely making it worse...I didn't think it could but their IT department is full of surprises :mad:

Please tell me they haven't had a false confirmation screen appearing for weeks. That's actually a pretty serious issue.

If you're trying to move speciality restaurant reservation from one day to another and the two days happen to be priced differently (nothing on the Cruise Planner will indicate this, I had to call), you will be able to complete the entire process and reach the confirmation screen, but the reservation won't actually change. Always be sure to check the calendar after making a change to ensure it actually went through.

When we sailed on the Allure last summer you could not get an all day pass on the coaster, said they did not offer it to the big ships due to the number of guest.

 

When we sailed the Freedom it was offered.

 

 

Safe travels.

That's odd, I'm going to be on Harmony and it's available.

I ended up going with the roller coaster day pass and a kayaking excursion. The water slide sounds really unpopular.

Thanks for the info everyone. At least I know I'll be able to enjoy my meal, even if I might have to hold my breath to get there.

So looking at the deck plans for Harmony, I noticed that the sushi restaurant is really close to the casino. From what I understand, the casino is the only indoor area where smoking is allowed. That seems like an odd design choice to me. Can anyone tell me is the smoke makes it's way into the restaurant? And more importantly, does it affect the flavour of the fish?

This isn't an isolated incident

Anthem Studio (101 sq ft):

Image they are using for the Harmony Studio (96 sq ft):

Link: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cabinclass/cabinTypes/cabinType/cabin/home.do?shipCode=HM&cabincls=O&cabinType=UO&br=R&deckCode=04&shipName=Harmony+Of+The+Seas+++++++++++&cabinTypeName=Studio+Ocean+View+Stateroom

Amazing how they fit that couch in there

Trying to decide between the all day pass for the roller coaster, the all day pass for the water slide, or possibly both.

Got some questions:

Would anyone recommend one over the other?

How long does it take to get between them?

How long do the lines tend to get when one of the Oasis sisters is visiting?

I recommend shore snorkeling for your first time. That gives you a chance to practice at your own pace in shallow water. I like Chankanaab in Cozumel. You can spend the whole day there snorkeling at your own pace. When your ready for deeper water there are some underwater statues you can see if you swim out a ways. There is plenty to see in the shallow areas right along shore. The entry is very easy.There are steps in some places, but I like to start in the sandy little beach area where you can just wade in. I really love Chankanaab and highly recommend it.

Turns out there was a Chankanaab excursion available, I just missed it my first time through. I decided to go with that one since its my first time it's probably better to stay near shore. I can do the boat next time (I've consulted with a marine biologist, I should have time for another vacation before the coral disappears).

Thanks for all the advice people gave me, though.

water was only about 20' deep. My DH and DS both were free-diving down to see stuff, found an eel under some coral, lots of fish.

 

If you are really wanting to see coral, then you need to go out farther in Cozumel. The reefs are beautiful but deeper and farther off shore. The 3-boat shorkel excursion would get you there most likely.

I thought you had to wear a life jacket, how do you dive with one of those on?

Also, can you still see the colours of the coral when it's under 20 feet of water?

I recommend shore snorkeling for your first time. That gives you a chance to practice at your own pace in shallow water. I like Chankanaab in Cozumel. You can spend the whole day there snorkeling at your own pace. When your ready for deeper water there are some underwater statues you can see if you swim out a ways. There is plenty to see in the shallow areas right along shore. The entry is very easy.There are steps in some places, but I like to start in the sandy little beach area where you can just wade in. I really love Chankanaab and highly recommend it.

As far as I can tell, none of the ship excursions go there, since this is my first cruise as well, I'm not really comfortable venturing out on my own yet.

never snorkeled b4 .... but you CAN swim?

Yes I can swim

I've never snorkeled before and will be in Cozumel early next February. I'm particularly interested in seeing a lot of coral because I'm afraid it won't be around much longer.

The cruise line is offering the following excursions:

-Playa Uvas (includes clear Kayak ride)

-Punta Sur State Park

-Playa Mia Grand Beach (Columbia and Palancar reefs)

-3 Reef Snorkel by Boat (I understand this one stays close to where the ship docks)

Anyone know which of these locations would have the best coral (and anything I need to be aware of as a first timer)?

I think for now I'll stick with my current cabin since the kitchen is likely to have alot of activity early in the morning. None of the reviews I've seen for deck 3 of the Allure or Oasis mention noise being an issue despite being right under the casino. My cruise is still a year away, so I should have time to cancel if the first few waves of studio passengers report unlivable conditions. Thanks for your help you guys.

Looks like my only other options are under the door used to get out to the running track or an unmarked area I assume to be the kitchen. I'm not sure I can win this game. Anyone ever had a cabin under the kitchen before?

I don't suppose anyone knows how high loud the music usually is? I've never been on a ship before, but for some reason I doubt theirs any sound insulating at all.

I just booked my first cruise and have now realised my cabin is located under the Bionic Bar on the Harmony of the Seas. Did I just make a huge mistake? I know that no one has been on the Harmony yet, but I understand that the Quantum class has one too. Could anyone who's been on one of those ships tell me how noisy it would be?