Harmony of the Seas questions

[tiamo91]

Hi. We are first time cruisers wtih Royal - Harmony of the Seas. We are cruising this August. Was hoping to get answers to a few questions.

 

1) When is the best sale to buy the tickets for Cococay Thrill rides? What is the best discounted price that they offer?

2) On average, what time are all shows on Harmony of the Seas? - trying to see if we should have set time for dinner 

3) What shore excursions do you recommend for St. Martin and St. Thomas - we are a family of 4 - children are 15 and 13 years old

4) Whan is the best sale for internet service or the best discounted price that is offered?

[cruisegirl1]

Prices for Coco cay activities and internet can change at any time.  Purchase it now and then cancel and rebook if the price drops.  

 

Look for current Harmony sailings on the app and select one that is the Eastern Caribbean.  It will give you a current planner and an idea of show times. Show times might be different every night and there may be several shows on any given night. 

 

Not knowing what your family likes makes it impossible to recommend excursions.  Do you like water activities (snorkeling), city touring, 4X4 vehicles, sailing horseback riding etc.  There are a variety of choices offered by the ship and private excursion companies.

 

M

[Biker19]

5 hours ago, tiamo91 said:

4) Whan is the best sale for internet service or the best discounted price that is offered?

Welcome to CC.

Price in the planner for Voom varies with ship and date - keep checking. If you buy and the price goes down, you can cancel and rebuy at the lower price.

[JeffT237]

8 hours ago, tiamo91 said:

2) On average, what time are all shows on Harmony of the Seas? - trying to see if we should have set time for dinner 

They vary, we were recently on the Wonder and most of the shows we saw were between 8:00-9:00.  There will be later performances as well.  The most important thing for shows is to reserve them pre-cruise on your cruise planner when they become available which is usually on the first of the month the month before your saling.  So with an August sail date your show reservations should open on July 1st. Most of the performances will "sell out" before your cruise, many of ours became unavailable within a week or two once they became available to book.  They do take some limited reservations on board or they have a stand by line for those without a reservation, but no guarantees.

 

9 hours ago, tiamo91 said:

3) What shore excursions do you recommend for St. Martin and St. Thomas - we are a family of 4 - children are 15 and 13 years old

 

In St. Martin we did Captain Bob's speed boat, snorkeling and beach tour.  We enjoyed it, small group of 14 including lunch & drinks and it's easy to get to on your own. We have done Maho Beach on our own before to see the planes land and take off and that's fun as well.  Would definitely recommend Captain Bob's.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g147346-d15646838-Captain_Bob_Speed_Boat_Snorkeling_Beach_Tour_Including_Lunch_in_St_Maarten-St_Mart.html

[LeeW]

Sint Maarten:  We used to do the Ultimate snorkeling tour (5 times) but they no longer go over to the nice snorkeling area on the French side.  Stops at Mullet Bay and at airport.  Current snorkeling spot is deep water across the bay from the ship.  Not great spot but RHIB boat ride still fun.

 

From a beach standpoint Royal has been offering Mullet Bay for as low as $30.  For 4 people you might beat that with a cab, but beach bar requires purchase to use restroom if not on tour (good food, though).  Beach is normally very sandy and sheltered and many boat tours stop there.  Royal tour gives you umbrella/loungers and restroom access.  Snorkeling not great.

 

Your group might like the Amazing Race tour.  You can book this either through ship or independent but everyone starts together at a marina about 15 minutes walk from ship.  You can compete with other people or just your family (we had 3 people).  Need camera, one towel and someone dressed for swimming.  It can be very hot in downtown Phillipsburg.  You will get writing materials, a bottle of water each and a snack (drink/french fries) at the end.  Slightly cheaper if you book independent and you don't have to wait for the bus.  But then you wait at the marina until the bus gets there.  If you have the scarves you get wet and wear around neck this is a great place to use them.

[OCSC Mike]

10 hours ago, JeffT237 said:

In St. Martin we did Captain Bob's speed boat, snorkeling and beach tour.  We enjoyed it, small group of 14 including lunch & drinks and it's easy to get to on your own. We have done Maho Beach on our own before to see the planes land and take off and that's fun as well.  Would definitely recommend Captain Bob's.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g147346-d15646838-Captain_Bob_Speed_Boat_Snorkeling_Beach_Tour_Including_Lunch_in_St_Maarten-St_Mart.html

 

One of our favorite excursions. We did it back in 2017 before a hurricane (forget the name) devastated St. Martin. Back then, lunch was served at a little hole in the wall looking bar on the beach. Sadly, we learned that it was completely blown away in the storm. Regardless, we'd take his tour again if we ever get back there.

[JeffT237]

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

One of our favorite excursions. We did it back in 2017 before a hurricane (forget the name) devastated St. Martin. Back then, lunch was served at a little hole in the wall looking bar on the beach.

Hurricane Irma, we were there pre and post Irma, even 5 years later there is sadly still evidence of the destruction.  It was interesting to hear our guides firsthand experience with being on the island at that time.  Lunch consisted of sandwiches and chips on the boat as well as beer and rum.  One of the stops is Pinel Island and there is a small bar & grill there to enjoy. Agree, we would do it again.

[OCSC Mike]

14 minutes ago, JeffT237 said:

Hurricane Irma

 

Thanks, hard to remember hurricane names when you live in Florida.

[RedSails1968]

20 hours ago, JeffT237 said:

Hurricane Irma, we were there pre and post Irma, even 5 years later there is sadly still evidence of the destruction.  It was interesting to hear our guides firsthand experience with being on the island at that time.  Lunch consisted of sandwiches and chips on the boat as well as beer and rum.  One of the stops is Pinel Island and there is a small bar & grill there to enjoy. Agree, we would do it again.

We were on Jewel last week and did tours of both St. Maarten and St. Croix. There are people living in houses where Irma had blown the roofs off. They can’t afford to fix them. There is so much destruction. Very sad.