Overwhelmed solo planner newbie RCL HarmonyOTS 8/28

[Gigglebugg]

Hey, everyone! This is my first message board convo ever, so please excuse any bad netiquette and length as I am figuring this all out after not being active on social media for many years.

I am probably a 'lil bit loco for even attempting this trip, but I hope that it will end up being a peaceful adventure as it is desperately needed! Any help would be greatly appreciated...I sure could use a lot of it.

RCL Harmony Of The Seas 7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day @ Coco Cay

This will be the first cruise that I have done more than just to pay and show up following along with a big group (which was a long time ago). It is a last minute trip that I am surprising my brother with for his birthday. We both are in desperate need of some major relaxation as I have been extremely ill for many years with brain and spinal conditions. We were not able to do anything for my birthday or his last vacation as I have become increasingly more ill for the past numerous years, but I decided that I just needed to go this time...even if I do nothing more than sit on the deck enjoying the breeze...because, if I am being real...I am not so sure if I will make it to his next vacation or my next birthday. So, when I saw the sale and that the date and one of the ports perfectly lined up with his vacation, I did what I could to get it asap. My brother has wanted to be a pilot for many years and often watches videos of the planes on Maho Beach St. Maarten flying right over everyone, so I was elated when that was one of the available ports during his vacation and one excursion not sold out. It actually brings tears to my eyes thinking about the smile that this is going to put on the face of my my brother. The thing is...he has absolutely no idea that not only am I am surprising him with his very first cruise, but also his top bucket list excursion. Any tips for surprising?

A few things that I need help with...is there any way to know where our room will be? I was able to get enough together for a guaranteed (I think it is called?) balcony room, but I was told that it could be obstructed. I have always been in an inside room before, so I am not familiar with what this means exactly. I have arranged for port assistance and a wheelchair due to my disability and mobility issues, but is there a way to get a better location on the ship so that I do not have as far to walk? I have spoken to the special needs department, but unless I pay over another thousand dollars, they could not help me with having a better stateroom and knowing where I would be and if I would not have to walk so far/be closer to an elevator. Is there a way to get upgraded?

I am unable to do physical excursions and just want a secured quiet covered spot on the beach to relax in Coco Cay and St. Thomas. Suggestions?

Since I just got the stateroom, I still have to get our flights and possible hotel in FL. We live in SC. I am debating between flying to MCO or MLB airport and staying in Orlando, Melbourne or Melbourne Beach the night before, but the difference could be 300-400 and I don't know if it is worth it to come in early I also looked at the night before hotel shuttle and accommodations and next day to port accommodation. It seems some are multiple hundreds and that seems a bit extreme. Is it worth coming in day before?

There is so much in the forum and I'm getting lost. With so little time left, I'm not sure what to focus on...are there any areas that are kind of like a crash course in cruising on here? Do you have any tips on learning the ship? I welcome any tips...thanks so much!

[mom says]

Welcome to Cruise  Critic.  I think the first thing you need to do is tell your brother what you've done. There may be things that he needs to do to prepare for this cruise. Like procuring  the necessary travel documents. He may also have ideas about what he would like to do on the drive that would require advance planning/booking.

 

Familiarize yourself with the information on the RCL website. And also with the RCL forum:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/51-royal-caribbean-international/

 

You'll probably learn everything you need to know there. But also look at the Ports of Call forums, and the forum devoted to those travelling with disabilities:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

 

A guarantee balcony cabin could be anywhere on the ship that has a balcony. The only way to ensure a cabin in a suitable location is to pay for it. However, once your cabin is assigned, you can request to be moved to a different cabin , if one is available. If walking long distances on the ship or on a port visit is too difficult, you might consider  renting a wheelchair or ECV from one of the shoreside companies that provide this service.

 

Regarding your pre embarkation  arrival. This horse has been beaten to death. You have at least an 8 hour drive from Greenville to Orlando. If you drive, you would have to do it the day before. A flat tire, or coming up on a pileup on the 95 could mean missing the ship if you attempt this the day of. And then there's parking. Drive in the day of sailing, and you'll be paying for a week's parking. And there's the isthmus of gas.

 

Use a good booking engine to find a decent hotel near the port at a price point you can live with. The Florida Departures forum can help. I use booking.com, as their reviews are more reliable than some others. Some hotels will offer free parking for your week. Some will have transfers to and from the port.

 

The cost of flying would be partly offset by the savings on gas and parking for the car. But again, fly in the day before you sail. If your flight  is delayed or cancelled, you will have alternatives. Have your flight delayed or canceled on the day of, then wave goodbye to your cruise. Getting from the airport to your hotel will have a cost. How much depends on the type of transfer. The Florida departure board can help with that. If costs are that concerning, the perhaps your brother could contribute to your travel and hotel expenses.

Edited August 14, 2022 by mom says

[mom says]

4 hours ago, mom says said:

And there's the isthmus of gas.

Lol. Sorry, autocorrect  hates me. That should be the issue of gas.  : )

[Host Kat]

Howdy @Gigglebugg and welcome to the Cruise Critic message boards!

 

Cruise Critic is a great resource for new as well as experienced cruisers and we are so glad you found us and are posting on the boards!  Please feel free to browse the Cruise Critic Community Categories list. Read a few threads in the different forums to get a feel for what each forum is about. Make sure you read any pinned threads (aka Stickies) on the top of the first page of threads in a forum. You will find very important instructions or information there. 

 

You may want to check out our Disabled Cruise Travel forum. That is where cruisers with physical limitations share their advice and experiences. Also, here are some oldie but goodie Cruise Critic articles that may be helpful:

 

A Beginner's Guide to Accessible Cruising

Accessible Cruising: What to Expect

How to Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair for Your Cruise

 

Also want to let you know the specific Cruise Critic Roll Call thread for your line, ship and sail date will be the place for you to get to know the other Cruise Critic members sailing with you before your cruise. Your fellow Roll Call thread members may have important information posted in your Roll Call thread. Especially those that have sailed your line, ship or itinerary before. To explain our Roll Call threads, please read What is a Roll Call? Everything you Need to Know and How To: Create A New Roll Call. For more information about our famous Roll Calls, please read the Roll Calls and Our Policy Regarding Facebook and Roll Calls sections in the Guidelines we all agree to follow when registering for our free Cruise Critic memberships.

 

To help you out, click here for your Harmony of the Seas Roll Call thread titled August 28, 2022 Eastern Caribbean and Have a Good Day. Just read through the thread to get to know the others. Then post a reply on the thread by using Reply to this topic to "join". Post an introductory post about yourself. If you want to address a specific post in the thread, click the Quote feature on the specific post. The reply box will appear with the quoted message at top. You type your message under the quote. When done, click Submit Reply. For more information, please see How to: Reply to a Topic / Quote / Multi-Quote.

 

And don't forget, after your cruise be sure to submit your review for publication by Cruise Critic. Many cruisers will benefit from your experience! See How To: Submit a Member Review.

 

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful to someone new to posting on our message boards. Welcome again, and we are glad to have you aboard Cruise Critic! 

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat

 

[Gigglebugg]

Thank you for all of that useful info. I have a lot of reading ahead of me.

[cb at sea]

Do you need an HC bathroom?  If so, a gty. booking will not work for you.  It would be best to take a look at the deck plans, and book the cabin that makes the most sense for you.

 

If you don't need an accessible cabin, then the GTY is a good cost-saver.  When RCI says "partially obstructed", it's usually less than a post or perhap lifeboat covers below you.  You will still have a view!

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 8/14/2022 at 2:27 AM, Gigglebugg said:

I have arranged for port assistance and a wheelchair due to my disability and mobility issues, but is there a way to get a better location on the ship so that I do not have as far to walk?

perhaps, you should request a handicap accessible cabin if it's not too late.