Live: Harmony of the Seas Western Caribbean Aug 25

[ceilidh1]

You may recall I was not exactly looking forward to this trip, as I thought it would be too “people-y” and lines and crowds. There have been one or two instances of that but, on the whole, we really haven’t noticed this too much over the past 5 days. The ship definitely disperses the crowds well. We have never had a problem getting walk in reservations, never problems finding seats in the buffet, always got seats in the bars and lounges… I’m very impressed at how well RC handles this many guests. For sure, the bigger Princess and NCL ships feel more crowded than this one does, even though this one has more passengers.

[ceilidh1]

Just now, poocher said:

Maybe the mudslide is premixed with the alcohol.  🤷‍♀️

 

Just now, S.A.M.J.R. said:

We had that issue on one of our past cruises.  It was explained (I think) that the Kahlua(?) is a necessary ingredient to make the mudslide, but if it's included, it's not NA. Something like that.

I’m sure it’s something to do with both these points. No big deal - DS is finding more than enough to satisfy him. I just found it strange. I was like “make me a mudslide. Just don’t add alcohol.” The bartender literally looked at me like I was crazy 🤣🤣🤣

[ceilidh1]

OK. The universe is listening. Within minutes of posting about mudslides, we moved to On Air for a game show. DS asked for a sprite and the bartender asked if he would like a mocktail instead. He said he would love a mudslide but can’t find one. The bartender said “I got you”. And here we are…

[ceilidh1]

I also got a scarlet sangria,which is delightful!

[poocher]

2 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

I also got a scarlet sangria,which is delightful!

See I told you!  Love both of the sangria’s!!

[A&L_Ont]

36 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

You may recall I was not exactly looking forward to this trip, as I thought it would be too “people-y” and lines and crowds. There have been one or two instances of that but, on the whole, we really haven’t noticed this too much over the past 5 days. The ship definitely disperses the crowds well. We have never had a problem getting walk in reservations, never problems finding seats in the buffet, always got seats in the bars and lounges… I’m very impressed at how well RC handles this many guests. For sure, the bigger Princess and NCL ships feel more crowded than this one does, even though this one has more passengers.

Oasis Class ships are great at dispersing crowds for the amount of people on board. 

[atanac]

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

 I’m very impressed at how well RC handles this many guests. For sure, the bigger Princess and NCL ships feel more crowded than this one does, even though this one has more passengers.

Disembarkation is like that too. Two snaps up with a twist and you're off.

[poocher]

I dunno.  First time we sailed her in an owners suite.  Breakfast at coastal kitchen & escorted off, 15 minutes from the last bite of toast to getting in our car.  Last year only in a Junior Suite.  Got in what looked like a short line only to find it went through the deck 5 MDR and all the way around the outer deck.  Definitely not as much fun.

Edited August 29 by poocher

[ceilidh1]

17 minutes ago, atanac said:

Disembarkation is like that too. Two snaps up with a twist and you're off.

 

Just now, poocher said:

I dunno.  First time we sailed her in an owners suite.  Breakfast at coastal kitchen & escorted off, 15 minutes from the last bite of toast to getting in our car.  Last year only in a Junior Suite.  Got in what looked like a short line only to find it went through the deck 5 MDR and all the way around the outer deck.  Definitely not as much fun.

We are in zero rush to get off as our shuttle to the airport isn’t until 11am. The later the better! They’ll have to throw me off…🤣🤣🤣

[ceilidh1]

After a lovely, chill afternoon playing cards at the pub, DS and I relocated to On Air for the logo trivia (spoiler- we did not win). This was where we finally found a virgin mudslide (which made his day) and my delicious sangria. While there, the beverage manager came over and introduced himself, and said he wanted to check in about the poor service I received at The Solarium! I was very taken off guard as I haven’t complained about this in the shop at all - so obviously RC are either reading this live or the private cruise group chat. Either way (aside from the big brother vibe) I was impressed that someone sought me out to address it. I told him if the frustrations about not being served/acknowledged while at the bars but also stressed that the drink waiters and the bar staff in the pub are outstanding. I have zero complaints- I just don’t go up to the bar to order and all is good!

 

Anyways, RC, if you are reading this - thank you for acting in this and checking in. Fantastic customer service!

 

Speaking of customer service - yesterday I had gone to guest services and requested that once DS had blown through his arcade credit, his card be blocked so no more charges could happen. I wouldn’t have needed to do so if there was a way for him to know how much was remaining, but there wasn’t. This evening I noticed $10 arcade charge on my account, so off we went to guest service again. Luckily there was no line and within a few minutes the charge was reversed and another block put on the card! 

[Ukigirl]

3 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

Crisis averted. Got the cup changed and now it works. Got another blue drink - Sea &T. This one is really good!

 

oh, and the stout espresso martini!

Do you like Old Fashioned? If so can you try one and report back? We are going in November but since I’m not getting drink package this time I need to be choosy with what I order. Thoroughly enjoying your vacation while I’m sitting at my desk pretending to work 😀

[ceilidh1]

Just now, Ukigirl said:

Do you like Old Fashioned? If so can you try one and report back? We are going in November but since I’m not getting drink package this time I need to be choosy with what I order. Thoroughly enjoying your vacation while I’m sitting at my desk pretending to work 😀

I had an old fashioned yesterday and did NOT enjoy it at all (but I’m not a big whiskey fan). Best drinks so far are the sangria and the pear margarita! 

[RCTransatlanticLover]

I am a seasoned Royal Caribbean cruiser and I cruised on the Harmony of the Seas back in April 2024 on the same Western Caribbean itinerary from Galveston. I thoroughly enjoyed the Harmony. While it is big, it is also a beautiful ship and easy to navigate. I highly recommend it! 

[Ukigirl]

15 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

I had an old fashioned yesterday and did NOT enjoy it at all (but I’m not a big whiskey fan). Best drinks so far are the sangria and the pear margarita! 

Good to know, thanks!

[h20skibum]

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

I was very taken off guard as I haven’t complained about this in the shop at all - so obviously RC are either reading this live or the private cruise group chat. Either way (aside from the big brother vibe) I was impressed that someone sought me out to address it.

Usually, the CD will be reading any LIVE that is going on.  I was sought out by the CD during one of my LIVE reports.  I got that big brother vibe then too.

[ceilidh1]

4 minutes ago, Ukigirl said:

Do you like Old Fashioned? If so can you try one and report back? We are going in November but since I’m not getting drink package this time I need to be choosy with what I order. Thoroughly enjoying your vacation while I’m sitting at my desk pretending to work 😀

I just tried the rum old fashioned. Better than the whiskey one, but still not my jam!

[Ukigirl]

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

After a lovely, chill afternoon playing cards at the pub, DS and I relocated to On Air for the logo trivia (spoiler- we did not win). This was where we finally found a virgin mudslide (which made his day) and my delicious sangria. While there, the beverage manager came over and introduced himself, and said he wanted to check in about the poor service I received at The Solarium! I was very taken off guard as I haven’t complained about this in the shop at all - so obviously RC are either reading this live or the private cruise group chat. Either way (aside from the big brother vibe) I was impressed that someone sought me out to address it. I told him if the frustrations about not being served/acknowledged while at the bars but also stressed that the drink waiters and the bar staff in the pub are outstanding. I have zero complaints- I just don’t go up to the bar to order and all is good!

 

Anyways, RC, if you are reading this - thank you for acting in this and checking in. Fantastic customer service!

 

Speaking of customer service - yesterday I had gone to guest services and requested that once DS had blown through his arcade credit, his card be blocked so no more charges could happen. I wouldn’t have needed to do so if there was a way for him to know how much was remaining, but there wasn’t. This evening I noticed $10 arcade charge on my account, so off we went to guest service again. Luckily there was no line and within a few minutes the charge was reversed and another block put on the card! 

We cruised with our kids when Daniel, our son was couple weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Imagine our shock when we got our final bill with a $350 alcohol charge. He made friends with a bartender by slipping him some singles and was provided with cocktails on his card even though he had a special bracelet (11 years ago). We went to guest services but they didn’t take off charges. Part of me didn’t want to get bartender in trouble but I should have insisted so we paid the bill. 

[ceilidh1]

We are sailing into/through a lightning storm. The Aqua show has been canceled (happy I did walk in the other night as we had reservations for tonight), as has the teen flow rider session. There isn’t too much on this evening that we want to do, so currently chilling at Rising Tide. Sadly, it’s not rising as we appear to have sprung a leak! 

[ceilidh1]

Highly recommend the Desert Pear Margarita 

[ceilidh1]

Just now, Ukigirl said:

We cruised with our kids when Daniel, our son was couple weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Imagine our shock when we got our final bill with a $350 alcohol charge. He made friends with a bartender by slipping him some singles and was provided with cocktails on his card even though he had a special bracelet (11 years ago). We went to guest services but they didn’t take off charges. Part of me didn’t want to get bartender in trouble but I should have insisted so we paid the bill. 

Yikes!

[poocher]

26 minutes ago, Ukigirl said:

We cruised with our kids when Daniel, our son was couple weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Imagine our shock when we got our final bill with a $350 alcohol charge. He made friends with a bartender by slipping him some singles and was provided with cocktails on his card even though he had a special bracelet (11 years ago). We went to guest services but they didn’t take off charges. Part of me didn’t want to get bartender in trouble but I should have insisted so we paid the bill. 

Wow, and what happened to your son?  I mean the bartender should have been fired but my son would have had the wrath of God brought down on him.  I don’t care how old you are.  I brought you into this world.  I will take you out again!!

Edited August 30 by poocher

[Husky1987]

1 hour ago, Ukigirl said:

Do you like Old Fashioned? If so can you try one and report back? We are going in November but since I’m not getting drink package this time I need to be choosy with what I order. Thoroughly enjoying your vacation while I’m sitting at my desk pretending to work 😀

Check out the Schooner Bar, they may still have the Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned.  

 

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

I had an old fashioned yesterday and did NOT enjoy it at all (but I’m not a big whiskey fan). 

This is correct, if you're not a whiskey fan, an OF probably isn't going to be your jam.

[ceilidh1]

Decided to call it a night (earliest one by far this sailing). We have Paradise Beach tomorrow so hoping the weather improves. It’s quite windy and rainy right now but we can’t feel any ship movement at all! 

[poocher]

Gnite, sleep tight!

[gambler]

Hope the weather will be good for Paradise Beach , I love that place.