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Not a great review writer but will give it a shot! After the stress and anxiety of Saturday, we headed to PC a little after 9:30 Sunday morning. Arrived about 45 minutes later and pulled into the garage. I have to say even though I knew she was big, I was not prepared for HOW BIG. Harmony is a beast! Port workers a little rude (are you dropping off or not?!?!) so we drove past them. Gave our bags to the porters around the corner & parked on the second level. A quick walk to the security area. We had our passports and vax cards in a clear plastic holder easily visible and printed Set Sail pass & negative test results from CVS. From turning into the garage til we were seated in the suites waiting area took maybe 15 minutes for the 4 of us including taking our pictures. Could not have been quicker or easier. Ducks in a row folks!! Boarding opened right around 11 for suites and pinnacles (saw a few prominently displayed gold name tags silly to me but hubby wants one!!) and after a few photos, we were on board! Our first drinks on Rising Tide which became hubby’s favorite bar!

It's simple. The kids don't really sail free. Their cost is built into the prices for passengers 1 and 2. It's marketing. If you want to sell a cabin of 4 people and you want to charge $500 per person, you could charge: 1) $500 per person...total cost = $2000 2) $1000 each for passengers 1 & 2, kids sail free...total cost = $2000 for 2 parents, 2 kids 3) $750 per person with a sale of $500 off each for passengers 3 & 4...total cost = $2000 4) $1000 for passenger 1, BOGO 50% off for passenger 2, $250 each for additional passengers...total cost = $2000 I could keep going, but depending on the details of the "sale", some versions work out better for 4 adults, some versions work out better for parents with kids, but Royal gets the amount they want for the cabin.

Skshh…..I agree with this…..over.

Remember they often raise the prices of guests 1 & 2 for this, so it's not always the best deal. It's a marketing tactic to get people interested. Some people do indeed save money, just don't think you're automatically going to save.

Crew no longer has to double mask in public or mask at all in crew areas. I've seen a few outdoor crew not masking at all this week, too

They were flown directly to the Jerry Springer show

Walkie Talkies SHOULD be on the banned items list

I like Sun Bum for going to the Caribbean because it's reef safe, so I can use the same one for the whole cruise including port days.

Supergoop unseen sunscreen is my favorite for my face.

Anthem is getting there. Even though we're at about 78% capacity, it does seem like a full cruise. But, after several months of reduced capacity, I'm really happy to be getting back to pre-shutdown cruising. It was a unique experience having so few cruisers...but it was also strange. For me, there was always a nagging feeling of worry. The masking/distancing protocols; the constant unease over onboard infections and possible quarantine; the sudden change in itineraries due to onboard numbers; vaccinated-only venues; mask on/mask off/constant masking; really weird seeing entertainers performing in the bars and lounges for no audience; Windjammer closed for dinner due to lack of guests. But the one constant was the crew. They were so happy to be back! Excellent service with wonderful attitudes! Even though their restrictions were so much more involved than for the guests. They still did their best to make the cruise as wonderful as possible! I like seeing capacity increase. It means we're getting back to where we were before the shutdown. I really missed that...enjoy your cruise!

Success! We were upgraded from an interior cabin to a spacious ocean view balcony. I bid $250 pp, maybe I could have gone lower, but it’s still a deal! Totally pumped and glad my kids won’t have to sleep above us in my husband’s “fart cloud.” (His words, not mine.)

I am sure the option of getting vaccinated was probably already considered. Don't you?

Boarded today with the Costco Covid test and no questions asked.

This morning I was checking the price of our trip Aug 13, 2022, Port Canaveral, on Mariner. Look what I saw:

We packed a separate carry on luggage after reading Sabrina’s ordeal. Lo and behold, our luggage missed our direct flight to FLL!! We did get our luggage tonight but I was getting anxious.

It's to keep @Big Dawg Ron out. I approve.

came here to write this. You can use everywhere but as someone who breaks out and has sensitive skin this is my first choice.

I believe walkie talkies are allowed (they are not on the list of prohibited items, although they specifically single out baby monitors and Hamm radios), however: There IS NOT a 100% chance that they will reliably work aboard the ship. There IS a 100% chance you will annoy pretty much everyone around you. Don't be that person. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/prohibited-items-onboard-policy

There are also towel stations on Coco Cay so you don't have to carry towels on and off the ship.

Put minimum bids on all the rooms. No expectation of ever getting one. But I won a 1 bedroom grand suite, sky class! Super excited! We leave on Symphony in 2 days.

The prices do not change. We just won our Royal Up to a 1 bedroom Sky Class grand suite and are so excited! I just put minimum bids on all the rooms with the thought I would never win one but did!! Just remember the bid will be x2 and no more, meaning if you have 6 or 2 people, you only get charged for 2.

Both my husband and I are retired military and the military discount has been hit and miss for us. We have gone on eight cruises with Royal and have only received a military discount twice. We have had better luck getting Florida resident discounts. The only advice I can offer is to keep checking for price drops and discounts. Good luck and thank your dad for his service.

I told DW last night about your fiasco with the luggage and how I am now going back to packing an extra set of clothes in my carry-on like I did before we were married. She hates dealing with carry-ons and would check everything if it were up to her after her years in the military dealing with carrying gear on a plane. She just looked at me. Nope, not spending a week in the same clothes because you don't want to deal with a bag. Sounds like you otherwise had a great spring break. We are now counting down the class days left. My seniors can tell you exactly how many they have left (so can I ).

I've been on a lot of cruises, where the food and/or service is terrific, while simultaneously folks at the next table are complaining their food is disappointing. Everybody has their own expectations. I am not a foodie and I'm easily pleased. I've very much enjoyed and appreciated my shipboard dining experiences, and I very much count my blessings. I'm disappointed to hear others do not receive the same food and service that I receive. And in fairness, I also was not on Independence of the Seas.

Very common. Last week's sale on the soda package said 15% off and listed at $10.99 a person per day. When sale ended, the soda package was $8.99. Disregard the "sale" title. Look at the Cruise Planner weekly, make note of the prices regardless of the sale. You will eventually figure out a "good" price vs. a "bad" price. There are websites that give you an idea of the prices, including "sale" prices for various ships on various sailing lengths. These are generally good guidelines to follow.

I'm so glad they changed the seats in the Rising Tide Bar when they built Harmony (and presumably, Symphony....but I haven't been on SY yet). Those little pencil seats they had on OA and AL were almost as uncomfortable as the metal chairs they use outside at Giovanni's/Jamie's. ALmost.

Both did the emed Covid tests and NEGATIVE! Two more days!

You and a great deal of others misunderstand and misapply HIPPA laws. HIPPA laws prohibit and penalize health care providers from disclosing private medical information belonging to a patient. A cruise line can ask about your medical history and not run afoul of HIPPA laws. This is especially true if you are the one providing the information. That is called a "waiver." If you ask your doctor to write you a note containing medical information, that is also a "waiver." In either event, a cruise line doesn't even need a waiver for HIPPA because HIPPA simply does not apply. That is just clarification. I'm not passing judgment one way or another as to your (or anyone else's) medical history, decision not to vaccinate, etc. You do you.

I'm hoping they won't need masks soon. It's not really fair that if passengers don't need them, that crew should at least get the option to wear them or not.

2 negatives this mourning. We are good to go.

Lovetocruise2002 glad that you guys were able to overcome the lost luggage and have a great time , we were on Oasis just prior to covid . Aqua 80 was fantastic we thought , everytime i hear a song that they use i think of that show . The escape room is a must to work together .. I had a coworker plan on flying out of buffalo the same wknd you left only to have their flight delayed then cancelled , they ended up driving to Florida but not for a cruise .. We can't wait to go again .

Your message came off more caustic than kind and honest to me. This is a message board about cruising, not trying to convince people to make personal life choices. Let's keep it that way.

I just used an MEI agent for the first time. She was able to get me rooms that I didn’t have access to when I was trying to book it myself. She was also able to get the cruise for $1000 less. I’m sold on using an agent from now on.

She does Many hours spent on the phone daily.

We still talk about this night at the chefs table whenever I see my BIL. I remember this like it was yesterday. Literally a fist fight between an entire big family to the point where the security could barely pull them apart. There was clearly tension since the second we sat down between the mother & son due to his new GF that was at the table. Words started to fly after the booze was flowing and Dad punched the son (I can’t recall what either son or GF said to mom which infuriated dad). I wonder if that entire family was put in the brig & kicked off the ship? You see the craziest things at the chefs table and it’s certainly worth the cover charge!

KSF does save money, but you need to compare apples to apples, meaning the same room. This is easiest with suites, because suites usually can accommodate 4 people. Here's a random cruise I found on Symphony on June 25 for a 1 bedroom Grand Suite. With just 2 people, price is $10,094. Now, let's add 2 kids to the same room for the same sailing. New price is $10,412. Slight increase reflects port fees and taxes.

Hi @mamie! Not from Charleston, but it is a favorite for my wife and I. We LOVED the seafood at Fleet Landing restaurant. Then for dessert, the Peninsula Grill has the best coconut cake I have ever had. Also, we stayed across the Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant and had a short commute to historic Charleston with much better hotel prices. Have a wonderful time!

If you want a dining package, don't try to time a sale, just purchase it. They frequently sell out. If the price drops you can always cancel it and repurchase at the lower price, but if you wait you could miss out completely. Same for any excursions.

Yep

I love all Neutrogena brand stuff. I’ve also been using Aveeno positively radiant moisturizer sunscreen with SPF 30 every morning on my face, even if I’m not really going out that day. It’s just a good moisturizer and they always say to wear some sunscreen every day. Both are approved by my dermatologist!

HIPAA

Helpful tip: Don't chase points, chase experiences You'll be grateful to have become a better human being way, way more than having achieved a tier of the Crown and Anchor Society.

The North Star will probably have both free and extra cost options when Quantum sails from the US. Usually it is free while the ship is in port and costs extra while at sea. The cost of the North Star during a sea day on my cruises last year (Alaskan and Caribbean) was $29.99 per person. In Alaska there were also "Premium North Star Experiences" which were $49.99 per person. These were during the scenic glacier cruising days, like when we visited Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. The prices were the same on both Ovation and Odyssey of the Seas, so I imagine it will be similar for Quantum in Alaska this summer. Again, make reservations ASAP once onboard if you want the free option.

Yeah, it makes sense now, sorry you had to explain it. Here is to hoping you are correct as I have a June 25th cruise booked with an unvaccinated 13 year old. interesting that Moderna is going for under 5 when I didn’t think they were even yet approved for 5-11.

In the past, we have seen towel stations as you exit the ship too!

If you have a legit medical exemption I'm sure your doctor can write something. But if not, don't except an exception. In fact, you probably should just not book anything for a while. That, or just get vaccinated.

I also agree that the lot by the terminal is great but last week it was full before noon. I was loosely directed to follow the car in front of me to the parking garage. Never even knew it existed. Signs were not great and it required a decent walk but well worth it. No signs that there was a shuttle back to the terminal so I felt bad for any who are less mobile than we were.

Here is a photo I add anytime someone asks the question. As you can see, parking is prime at the terminal.

You can put a boat on a ship, but not the other way around.