A Royal Family Cruise
So late in the Summer of 2022, my family and I hit the seas and cruised aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas. This was our first cruise in the post-covid era, and it was just what this family of 4 needed, 7 days out of Port Carnival with stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and RC's private island Coco Cay.
Harmony is an incredible ship with lots for the kiddos to do; my 7-year-old daughter and I tackled the water slides and pools every chance we got, while my 4-year-old son loved the splash area and played putt-putt golf daily, and we all hit the ice cream machines several times a day. Is it wrong to be walking around the boat with an ice cream cone in each hand at 9 am?
Like most boats, Harmony had tons of entertainment; one of our biggest surprises was The Fine Line water show we saw on the first night. We didn’t have reservations, but we were able to get in through the stand-by line and learned the importance of booking shows in advance. FYI – Grease The Broadway Musical evening performances are booked up very quickly, but there is usually an afternoon showing that is easier to get into. Our daughter wanted to see Grease, but we encouraged her to go into the Kids Explorer’s Club and our son into the Aquanauts, and that was the right decision with some of the show’s content.
We enjoyed our evenings in the main dining room with one of the best servers we’ve ever had, Jonalyn from the Philippines. She had my kid’s favorite appetizers ready each night when we sat down, and she even sent a to-go box of my son’s favorite cookies for the flight back home. My son says Ms. Jonalyn makes the best cookies 😊 One big dining tip, take a night and enjoy Jamie’s Italian in Central Park on the 8th deck, some of the best Italian food; the Creamy Penne Carbonara was incredible.
We traveled to St. Maarten by jeep and watched the planes fly into Princess Juliana Airport, plus we took a dip into the blue waters at Orient Beach. We took in the beautiful sea life while snorkeling during our excursion to St. Thomas. Our last port stop was Royal’s private island, Coco Cay. We have been to Disney’s Castaway Cay before, but Coco Cay blew our minds; our kids still talk about it today, and it’s one of the main reasons we re-booked and will set sail the last week of March 2023 on the same boat. Still, different stops except for Coco Cay, which was the first thing they asked us when we told them we were cruising for Spring Break this year. This incredible island day included beautiful scenery, beach time, and our kids’ favorite, Splashaway Bay; our kiddos were exhausted. If you have older kids, they will love Thrill Waterpark and the Zip Line.
So, here are a few tips for your next cruise on Royal Caribbean. Make sure you download the app after you book and schedule your entertainment and excursions as soon as you’re allowed. Make sure you bring magnetic hooks to hang clothes, cruise lanyards, hats, and other items on the walls and doors since they are magnetic. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight and nightlight to help you see at night in the cabin. Buy a cruise-certified multi-outlet to charge phones, cameras, and other items. One of the most versatile items you must bring is ziplock bags in gallon and quart sizes for clothes, food, and souvenirs. Don’t forget a backpack for when you are exploring the islands. Please book at least one special dinner from the main dining room; our suggestion is Jamie’s Italian. Take in as many of the fun activities on the boat, from shows in the theater to the poolside entertainment and even the always funny belly flop contest. Also, don’t forget to cool off with ice cream on the pool deck and late-night pizza snacks from Sorrento’s. We love a good cruise because there is something for everyone.
Dry Guy Craig