scubaslayer

But why not just request one from the ship? You know it will not be confiscated, and one less thing to pack. Even the times it wasn't in the room when we arrived, we notify the stateroom attendant and the cord, along with distilled water arrives by the time we are back from dinner (probably earlier but we aren't in the room much on day one). We always unplug the CPAPs when not in use. We just wind it up in the morning and that frees up the plug for other things and has the cord out of our way. Again if you are on Oasis class or higher, you likely won't need an extension cord if there is only 1 CPAP, since there is a plug by the bed.

27 minutes ago, RedSails1968 said:

That is my husband’s idea of formal wear!

And it is super formal if I "make" him wear a button up shirt and a tie.

1. Which ship? Yes you can request DI water and an extension cord. There is also a special needs request form you can do that should have it in the room when you arrive but that has been hit or miss for us. On Oasis class and higher, there is a plug on one side of the bed. Our CPAP has a long enough cord that it was not an issue to plug in and run the cord behind the bed to the other side.

30 minutes ago, Denversail said:

Ephesus -

I don't think we have made any plans here @julies5280 has developed some type of fear about rug salesmen. I guess her friends bought a rug in Turkey and the same guy they bought it from showed up at their house in the USA to deliver it. This seemed to freak her out so no rug shopping for us!

 

That is an incredible level of service,

2 hours ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

So are Rum runners but there's been plenty of suggestions over the years for them.  

 

The extension cord I'm referring to is only a two prong (no ground), and even if not need for the "extension" part, is helpful because there are usually 2-4 extra outlets at the end.  So you get benefit from that.  

 

I would NOT put a CPAP in checked luggage, even at the port.  It's as needed as medications, laptops, cameras, etc.  Yes, the odds of it getting lost, left behind, or heaven forbid going into the water are slim, but are >0.  

The airlines managed to mangle 2 separate car seats. One was unable to be used and we had to wait at the airport, while a new one was purchased. No way am I letting luggage handlers take anything super important/expensive. We used a rolling carry on for the ship that we put both CPAPS, a couple of books, and all of our mini-pharmacy. My husband handled that, while me and each kid had a backpack with electronics and the required just in case change of clothes. We will do the same for our upcoming sailing. This way there is no concern of it being broken or not arriving at all.

All we ever do for ours is the special needs form. If the water and cord aren't there when the room is ready, inform the stateroom attendant and they will bring it up shortly. On our Harmony sailing, there was a plug on one side of the bed and if we didn't have 2, we wouldn't have needed the extension cord. Mine does connect to bluetooth to upload to the doctor to prove usage, so plan to connect to data or internet when possible, so insurance doesn't lose their minds. You may also want to let the doctor know there might be a delay in information due to travel.

So youngest kid got back to me and not missing anything. I would bet whatever it is, it was found in a place that isn't often seen and so they went back several months (like behind furniture or under a drawer). I hope if it was valuable, it finds its owner. I'm not going to worry if we lost cheap costume jewelry if it was ours. At least it wasn't something like the opal belly button ring or one of the other more valuable body piercings.

It is nice to know Royal does try to find the owners. We have turned in things we found in the safe or a drawer on embarkation. I don't think we have ever lost anything other than the freestyle cups or other things that just get tossed anyway.

1 minute ago, Tatka said:

Can you check email address on this email? Is this really from Royal Caribbean? 

It looks like the links are going to the same website they say and I can Google but part of my asking was, I'm not clicking that link if they don't ever do this. Also, not going to do anything until I can ask youngest if they lost jewelry on vacation.

Yeah my oldest probably lost something but will have no idea what it was, as she loses earrings nonstop. That is why she only owns cheap earrings and nothing worth figuring out (think 20 pairs for $5 sets). The younger kid, on the other hand, has some decent piercing jewelry but probably would have mentioned losing a piece. I will ask youngest. If that is a no, I will call it good. If it was oldest kid's it will have just been cheap hoops, not worth the charge for shipping.

I received this email this morning. Our cruise was back in early June and we did not make a claim for anything missing. Do they send this out if they find something in the room, even if we didn't complain? I am wondering if I ask my kids if they lost any jewelry but unless it was a belly button piercing, it would have been cheap earrings.

You are getting an early start for this one. I can't wait to read the shenanigans. My next cruise isn't until summer but I will continue to live vicariously through others.

On 9/1/2024 at 8:04 PM, poocher said:

Got a ridiculous price on an OS on Harmony after the pandemic.  Spoiled the crap out of us!

So how is the comfort level on the sofabed compared to a regular room on Harmony? We have a suite next trip and one kid is contemplating sleeping on the sofa, rather than in the 2nd bedroom with their sister, but also is annoyed to sleep on a pullout (can't win with teens).

If I were going to do this excursion, I would probably want it through the ship due to the transportation time. It is a minimum 3 and a half hour trip one way to the ruins, so 7 hours travel time. This is also why we haven't done this trip, because it would be better from a land vacation, than cruise unless we had a port stop that was closer or 12+ hours in port.

6 minutes ago, mpat said:

I really appreciate all of the information I've received! Here's another question: Does the sea pass come with a hole punched for attaching a lanyard or will I need a lanyard with a plastic sleeve?

It does not come with a hole punched in it. My kid has a lanyard with the sleeve but I know in the past guest services had a punch. Last time we had them do that was 2017 though. Personally I put mine in my phone case, as I always have my phone. Other kid has a wallet thing with a wrist strap and phone clip.

Royal night was day 6 back in June on Harmony but it doesn't show on our cruise for next year. I also see different menu names but other than the missing formal night and lobster it seems the same. I will say Mexican night was awful in June, if you are looking at a night to go elsewhere. The enchilada sauce tasted like the marinara from Italian night.

It would be just fine, since I am guessing the children will be boarding with parents, it won't be an issue. That said, you might only have bed space for 3 in each cabin if the kids want to bounce around. I can't think on a downside if everyone is good with this arrangement. Don't forget to look at the possibility of 3, 2 passenger rooms though kids would need to be next to parents room. We usually do 2 balcony rooms but the kids are teens. Our upcoming cruise, I got a 2 bedroom suite that was only slightly more than 2 ocean view balconies, when you include the value of the suite perks. Downside of 1 kid with grandparents would be kid not wanting to stay in that room, grandparents wanting a break, and other family expectations that are a personal decision.

26 minutes ago, Kellie in Texas said:

@ceilidh1 this thread is very entertaining but perhaps not for the reason you think: my first thought (I live in central Texas where it was 109 just a couple of days ago) was "these people from Vancouver are going to absolutely melt!" 🙂  

I'm in the desert and had the same thought. Even being used to our 110+ days the heat and humidity in summer is rough. I think after next summer, we will be back to fall sailings.

How much time do you spend on your balcony? If this was fall to spring that balcony would matter to me but I don't have a 3 year old. If my kids were under 6, that separate space and the sky class benefits would win in a heartbeat.

I one bedroom grand suite would be more space but it is still one bathroom and the kids on a pullout. My teens are the same ages as yours will be at sailing and them sharing a bed does not make for a good vacation. If it is $2300 for the 2 bedroom, I would consider that an ok deal but my budget makes suites a hard pass and we just get 2 balconies, though Sky class would be nice. There is also the chance of Royal Up bids as well, as the date gets closer. From reading reviews though, don't go for the surfside family suites as they are built for smaller kids.

42 minutes ago, retired dude said:

for those of us that live in florida and only book balcony cabins, we know better than sailing to the caribbean  anytime except nov-april....That way you can actually enjoy your balcony and except for march, you can also avoid the dreaded horde of "yutes" that are a constant aggravation...wish you well.

We used to live in the swamp and now live in the desert. I underestimated how much I truly dislike humidity combined with heat. We do have a balcony suite the next summer but then I hope to go back to October-November or February vacations. Next summer is for a kid's graduation and bringing along a friend, so the balcony will be used but I missed my morning coffee routine and reading in the afternoon. A summer cruise is definitely noisier but we still had fun and I needed that vacation.

One question since you didn't say, this Christmas or next year? Allure will be amplified I believe in the spring, meaning waterslides and other amenities added. In that case it depends on how big you want to go, price, and ports. I still think elementary kids will have a blast on either and at the holidays, they won't be bored.

I haven't been on Allure but on Liberty twice, including a Christmas cruise with those ages. My kids loved the slides and everything else Liberty had to offer. Have the kids cruised before? If they don't know about aquashows and the Boardwalk, they won't miss them but if they have cruised on a bigger ship or don't care for waterslides go with Allure. Personally I would put it down to ports and what the temps will be like, and prices. I took my teens on Harmony and they liked the extras but also said they missed Liberty. You really can't go wrong with either choice. Freedom class is still a lot of fun and my kids lived for the waterslides and splashaway bay (which I believe is on both). My kids hated the idea of the kids club (this is a them thing) and so they hungout with us the entire time. On Liberty I was able to lounge by the kid area and read. I never did find a good place for that on Harmony but it was a summer cruise.

It won't let me edit my initial post to you. In Costa Maya it was Native Choice, not Victor Bodden. Victor was Monkeys and sloths in Roatan.

1 minute ago, shiner6 said:

Thank you Scubaslayer, LobsterStalker and pghflyer! This is very valuable info for us. If I purchase the wi-fi plan and use 2 devices, can my daughter use one at the same time? I have 2 phones.

If you get a plan for 2 devices, only 2 devices can be logged on at the same time. So for her to get on, she would be kicking off one of the phones. If sharing with others, put down ground rules. We tried sharing a 2 device plan with 2 teens and it was an argument every time we needed to get online. Do you need both phones online at the same time? When we travel I have my phone and laptop but if I'm on the laptop, I don't need my phone connected at that time.

15 minutes ago, shiner6 said:

I just booked Harmony of the Seas for my Husband, daughter and I. We are used to Princess and Holland America, but decided to try a change.   I have a few questions and appreciate your expertise/ recent experience. (We did one RC cruise back in 2017 and things have changed).

 

1. How do you go about keeping wi-fi costs under control? $75 a day for the 3 of us seems outrageous. Do you have any insider tips?

Look at 1 person 3 devices if you all need to be logged in at once or you can share a 1 or 2 device package. If The Key (VIP pass) is similar in cost to internet, it may be worth it for your group instead.

 

2. What are extra pay for experiences on this ship? What would you recommend? Daughter is 18. This will be a chill out beachy vibe cruise for us.

Starbucks, specialty dining, escape room, spa are all extra. Mini golf, slides, zipline are included. There is no pool in the adults only are and our trip in summer the pools were packed. We did not do any paid activities onboard.

 

3. We do not want the drink package---we like a few drinks but not all day long.  Any tips are greatly appreciated. Will probably drink mostly beer with occasional cocktail, glass of wine with dinner. Not into sodas.

We do get the non-alcoholic refreshment package. It includes bottled water, lattes, mocktails, milkshakes, soda etc. but there is plenty to drink without a package and if you are only getting a special drink or 2 per day, just pay al a carte

.

4. How about the food and choices? Is Izumi a good choice for the money?  Suggestions? 

We did not try Izumi but a lot of people like it. We did go to Jaime's Italian for lunch and it was ok (I put it in chain restaurant quality) and dinner 1 night at Chops which was wonderful. If you want to try specialty dining, look into the dining plans. Personally I thought the main dining was good every night and not sure the value with specialty but have considered the 3 night plan.

 

5. Any recommended ship excursions in Costa Maya? (been to all of these ports before).Maybe better to stay on ship?

We did Chacchoben Extreme through Victor Bodden tours rather than a cruise excursion. The ruins were very interesting and the guide was an archaeologist but it was extremely hot and humid in June. The extreme part I have mixed feelings about. They did provide food, drinks, and it was at 7 colors lagoon which was beautiful and refreshing, but the food was just ok, the drinks were meh, and the silty algae feel in the water wasn't great.

 

Thank you for your time.

NanaGail