Jaimeglaser

Awesome, I am heading down there on the 13th and had looked into it myself but that was probably 6 months ago. Looks like I'll be boarding as you're getting off. We're also flying in the same morning as we're getting married the night before. Our plane lands at 11:00 am so you're in pretty much the same boat we're in. I'd like to know how it goes for you.

 

Sent from my SM-N960U using Forums mobile app

Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials!!! How exciting, and what a great honeymoon!!

Actually, I probably wasn't super clear on my arrival date.. we are also coming in on the 13th. I am wondering... your screen name is buckeye, lol, are flying out of Cinci? That 11:50 arrival on Delta? We are from Fishers, IN... but staying the night in Cinci since the flights were WAY cheaper than leaving out of Indy. We might be on the same flight!

You might want to check into Ubering. I don't think the airport allows Uber to pick up there. You may have to do a taxi.

 

Sent from my SM-N960U using Forums mobile app

Good call! Just scoped the FLL website... they have Uber/Lyft listed on the "Rideshare"section, and have a spot on the map showing where to be picked up. Further googling shows FLL banned uber and lyft pickups for awhile, but they now allow dropoffs AND pickups. Looks like there are two areas they do pickups from at FLL.

Editing because I also saw your Edit :)

If you arrive around 1:30pm, the staterooms will be open and you can take your bags directly to your stateroom. Lunch venues will also be less crowded after staterooms open.

Thanks Bob! You're the best! :*

Hey there! Fam and I will be on Harmony next Saturday. Whoot!

And, yes, I already know we are baaaad puddy tats for flying in same day, but, it is what it is.

Flight into FLL lands at 11:50 am... we have one checked bag on Delta to pick up, then ubering to the port. Hoping to be at the port by 1:00, if that sounds reasonable. Let me know if any of that is a terrible idea (ubering, assuming we will be to the port by 1:00, etc.).

How are things boarding around this time? Is it pretty congested, or have most folks already boarded and lines not terribly long?

We are traveling light with carry-on-sized bags... would it be best to NOT check our bags on our way onto the ship, just go straight to the room and drop them off? Assuming the room would be ready by the time we'd board.

Lunch suggestions? I am guessing it will be after 2 pm before we are able to grab lunch. I plan on packing good snacks for the kiddos for the plane since it will be a pretty late lunch... will the lines still be long at that time? I know Windjammer is always crowded... I hear Park Cafe or Solarium are good options when it's busy. But, I know the kids would be really jazzed about the big huge buffet and would prefer to take them there if it's not insane-o crowded. Not sure when the crowds clear out.

Thanks y'all. Such great info I've received from asking questions in here!

Are you kidding? Ick!!! Would you also change a baby on your dining room table?

 

I for SURE will be wiping down my tray table in the future....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Confession time....

There was a time where I was sitting in a window seat with a lap infant with other passengers sitting in the middle and aisle seats sleeping... son began stirring awake. I knew he’d start yelling about his wet diaper and wake the sleeping passengers (I wasn’t traveling with them).. so I turned toward the window with my back to them and quickly/discreetly changed him in my lap before he disturbed everyone around us (and I would feel bad about having to wake the folks sleeping next to me to go change him in the lav)...

I deeeeeefinitely did not use the tray table though, that’s just gross!! I will for sure wipe everything down from here on out!!!

I didn’t really ever change him in public, but I did that time, seat mates were sleeping so peacefully and hated to disturb them. They were a cute older couple. They slept until we landed (I was incredibly jealous lol). They commented on what a quiet/good baby he was... if they only knew the tiny spaced acrobatics I pulled off to keep him quiet [emoji23].

Some may argue that it’s still gross and I should have changed him in the lav... yeah, probably was. But I was careful and no one saw what was going down.. and I made the judgement call to not wake the cute older people. Maybe I should have just woke them up....

I’m totally going to have nightmares about tray tables now, however. [emoji15]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The travel/trial size section of Meijer (I live in the midwest) has travel sized bottles of wrinkle release spray. I looked around at several stores (Wal-mart, Target, CVS, etc) and could only find these ginormous bottles that I'd not want to pack for a trip. I'd say either buy the ginormous bottle and pour into something manageable, or get a couple of the travel sizes.

I'm intrigued by the habanero and jalapeno drinks.

Me too!!! I'm wondering though if they are heartburn inducing? I am definitely going to try one, but maybe take some Zantac first :D

A few years ago, Royal stopped automatically providing ice in the staterooms. They will still provide ice now, but only upon request.

So, it's been a decade since I've cruised (we will be on harmony in a few weeks though!)... I can't remember... but are the ice machines kept on lockdown? We can't just go fill a bucket when we want?

Will be cruising on Harmony in October with 2 teens (13 & 16) my 16 year old daughter in particular is wanting to meet other teens to hang out with for the week. Any tips on teen club or teen meet/greets? Thank you!

Michele

Which sailing are you on? Also cruising on Harmony in October with a 16 yo daughter (Oct 13th sailing). My kiddo is wanting to meet some other teens to hang out with as well, and she's never cruised before. Happy to exchange info if we're on the same cruise! :)

On the bright side, we all slept in a bit

If only my boy would sleep late when he stays up late, lol! He can go to bed at midnight and still wake up at 6, bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready for breakfast [emoji15].

Was hoping some folks would report an area for the kiddos to nap, but it looks like I’ll have to put those “premium coffees” to use a couple of days that week [emoji23]

Thanks for all the great info!

And the parent to the 10 year old that takes the younger one out for pizza... I’d love to be a fly on the wall for their midnight conversations over pizza!! I bet they think they’re big stuff grabbing a slice before heading back after a wild night of Adventure Ocean [emoji23]. Adorbs!

Great question! I’m interested too!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Been there, except with Disney trips!

My advice.. if you have a doctor you have a good relationship with who knows you, knows you're not a pill-chaser... I'd get in ASAP and let them know you're likely coming down with something and you're traveling soon. Especially a cruise where you're likely to spread it to others! They might go ahead and call in a script for you, like a Z-pack, just in case. Normally something like that will knock the cooties out in a day or two, and you won't have to go about your cruise feeling miserable. Also, some insurance plans have a "video chat" doctor, who you can schedule with for free, and get scripts. I prefer this to visiting a germy doctor's office, especially before a much anticipated vacation.

If you don't want to go that route, go to the pharmacy and get the Mucinex that you have to show your ID to get. Take it as directed, drink LOTS of water, and sleep as much as you can. I find the Mucinex (but it HAS to be the kind folks use to make meth with, lol!) will often head off the infection. It's expensive kind of, but it works! That, and the flo-nase stuff, you can get that OTC now.

Last trip to Disney, DH and DS ended up at an urgent care.. it was expensive, it pretty much cost us 3 days of our vacation (DH was sick for longer).. plus they "shared the love" with the rest of the family after a few days.

Hey there!

On Harmony for a 7 night cruise in about 3 weeks... we haven't cruised since before our son was born.

DH and I would like to check out a couple of the activities that may run past 10 pm. I feel like we'd probably only go past 10 pm once or twice during the 7 nights, and plan for it to not be on a day where we have a busy or early schedule the next day. DS's normal bedtime is 8:30, even on weekends... we keep him to a schedule 95% of the time. He's 8 years old, btw.

1. Is it still $7 per hour past 10 pm?

2. Does Adventure Ocean staff encourage your kiddo to snooze, or are the kids kept up and entertained? If they can sleep... would staff have them change into PJs if we bring them, and are there quiet places for them to rest?

3. Is this service widely utilized late at night? Like, do lots of parents leave their kids there past 10?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

24 days til Harmony!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

continental items(pastries and such) does not incur the charge. a simple pot of coffee or tea would also be free( save the courtesy gratuity to the delivery person) if you order fresh squeezed OJ there will be a charge for that

Do you still get charged for the fresh squeezed OJ if you have the premium beverage package? I'm assuming so, since bar drinks via room service incur a charge.

Almost certain they are not included (we had our own). However, you really should have a pair of water shoes anyways. Lots of cruise stops/beaches are rocky, etc. Grab a few inexpensive pairs on Amazon or at Wal-Mart.

Yeah, that's not a bad idea... good call! Thanks for the heads up!

We did "Amazing Secret River & Playa Del Carmen" and it was an amazing time. We booked through the cruise line - we were the first group off the boat at 7:00 and the last ones on at 4:45 (all aboard time was at 4:30). Ferry to the mainland, then about a 25 minute ride to the location - the last 15 minutes are very bumpy, back/dirt roads. They will provide towels, so no need to carry them from the boat.

 

The walk down to the river entrance is a dirt path, quite a bit of steps, and the river itself is very rocky and uneven on the bottom. There is not a paved walk, or handrails like at Carlsbad Carverns or a park like that. The river itself is about 85% wading - between ankle and knee deep - but the bottom is very uneven and you need to step carefully to not fall. The deep parts are not terribly deep, a 6'+ person might be able to touch bottom for most of it. You are required to wear a life jacket, so just float along over the deep parts. There are a couple of sections where you have to crawl under some rocks, or squeeze over/past a tight way.

 

The guide was very helpful and made sure that everyone was safe. He gave extra help to anyone that he thought might feel unsteady with the rocks or to people who were nervous or weak swimmers.

 

Lunch was included - typical excursion lunch of chicken, rice, tortillas, fruit and salad.

 

Definitely plan to buy the pictures - $99 for all of the pictures they take, plus a lot of professional pictures of the inside.

 

You will have about an hour to walk around and shop in Playa del Carmen but there will be no time at all in Cozumel - straight off the ferry to the waiting ship. Do not miss your return ferry.

 

We really enjoyed it.

Just curious - are water shoes provided, or should everyone in my fam pick up a pair of water shoes before we go? We are signed up for this excursion for the 10/13 sailing on Harmony.

Thanks for all the great information!!!

Had to chuckle reading these and thinking back to my grandson at age 14 when we took him on a cruise. We thought he was responsible enough to turn loose. Caught him in the 16 and over hot tub, found out he was taking his new friends in the suite lounge with him, and he was getting his new friends sodas on his soda card. Oh yeah, he also broke the 1:00 am curfew. We put an end to that. My angel turned out to be not so much.:halo:

This is hilarious! For some reason I'm picturing Russ Griswold's "Mr. Papa Georgio" persona in Vegas Vacation, in the hot tub with the ladies! :')

You are so right, lol. I do feel like DD is fairly tame.. but of course I have already read verbatim the section of the cruise contract saying if there is underage drinking they will force you to disembark. Not sure if they actually enforce that punishment or return the misbehaving teen to the parent, etc... but as far as she is concerned underage drinkers walk the plank!!!

If you have iPhones, try iMessage.It's been reported to work for free on Harmony, no app or VOOM needed. More reliable than the app for messaging.

Oooh yay!! We do all have iPhones in our fam... would be awesome if iMessage still works. Thank you!

Thanks everyone for your help!! All good information and helps me plan for the week.

So it seems in general, the teens don't seem to utilize the teen club a whole lot? Maybe use it as a place to meet people to hang with on the first night, and then they just venture out on the ship with their new friends. Good to know!!

Any takers on the question about the onboard messaging reliability? To recap, DH and DD are getting voom, I'm probably just going to set up the app to do messaging for the $7 charge or whatever it is... but wanted to know if it's reliable enough to keep in touch with DD when she's away from us.

Hi folks! I have several questions (tried searching existing postings first and can't find the answers anywhere, sorry if these are repeats). We will be on the Harmony next month... 10/13 sailing. Love this resource and all the great helpful information!! I've not cruised in a decade, so I'm sure a lot has changed. Also, we're cruising with DD 16 and DS 8.

1. Husband and I pre-ordered the premium drink packages for both of us, and we pre-ordered a coffee card for teen DD. Are the drink package soda cups and the coffee card typically in the stateroom when our room is ready the first day, or do we need to pick them up somewhere? Trying to plan the list of "errands" to get out of the way when we first board.

2. In the morning, I'm an early riser and like to go wander a bit while the rest of the fam sleeps in. Would I be able to take both my husband and my Wow bands and/or seapass cards and pick up 2 premium coffees (or maybe even 2 mimosas)... to bring back to our room for DH and I? Wasn't sure if he needs to be present or if I could fetch both coffees/drinks myself with our cards. I don't want to look like a jerk or like I'm trying to cheat the system though.

3. Room service for breakfast... are there little order cards to put on our doors the night before still? And is it possible to get a whole pot of coffee delivered along with the continental breakfast? I like the idea of not being charged the service fee for continental breakfast, but wasn't sure if that includes a large carafe of coffee or if it's just a couple mugs pre-poured. I would tip well for breakfast delivery of course, with or without the bucket of coffee :)

4. This is our first time in a balcony cabin, and we are really excited! I have a decent yet inexpensive pair of binoculars, but don't like to pack things we won't use since we travel light. Is it worth sacrificing the suitcase space? We are on the starboard side, if that makes a difference, and it's a Western Caribbean sailing (Cozumel, Jamaica, and Haiti). I hate to bring it along if there's not really anything to see with it.

5. Two part regarding having a teen on board visiting the teen activities...

First part - Husband and daughter will have VOOM, and I'll just pay the $7 to have the app for messaging for myself. Is the app's messaging reliable enough for me to get in touch with her on the ship while she's off doing her activities? I assume her dad and her can text like normal with VOOM, but wasn't sure if the cheapo messaging system is very reliable for her and I to message back and forth when she ventures out.

Secondly, the teen activities seem to end at 1 am from what I can tell, maybe later... and I do tend to be a bit on the overly cautious side with my kids... so my idea is that DH and I will take turns heading over to the teen area when she's leaving and escort her back to the room. She's 16, responsible, courteous, and while I know the ship has cameras everywhere, I would still worry about her being out late without us. What do most parents tend to do? I don't want to embarrass her, but I also want her to be safe.

Thanks in advance for any/all help and advice! :)

Bathroom.

Thank you! Might help my kiddos be less grumpy about having to share a pull-out sofa bed with each other if they get to be right next to the big balcony window, hehe! :')

Harmony, 10602? :confused: