CraftyCat05

Marseille Highlight
We stayed on the ship and just enjoyed the many features and activities SY offers. 
First was sleeping in! Had to get up early yesterday, so nice to just sleep. Once up, we all went to Coastal Kitchen for the beloved Baja Eggs, which is southern scrambled eggs with salsa, tomatoes, avocado, and peppers. Got three of those! Food was good as always, made to order and fresh ingredients. 
We then went to trivia... with Jamsey! The most flamboyant trivia host. It was animated Disney trivia, and we won with a whopping eight points! We got some Royal Caribbean keychains and a Symphony Inaugural luggage tag. We only were against one other group, and they only got four points. Were better! (still boasting about our win after our horrible trivia games last week)
We then enjoyed the suite only sun deck and the water slides. I especially enjoyed those. The blue was definitely the most thrilling, but the green one comes in a close second. Yellow one is ok, and can do if you want a shorter line. Also went into the beach pool for a little bit to cool off from the hot French sun! 
After some pool time, we relaxed a bit more and then got cleaned up to go to the suite sail away party on the helipad! I did a periscope of some of it if you are interested on what it is; but be warned! It was very windy in the front so it may sound pretty bad. @CraftyCat05 for Periscope
We then rushed to a complimentary dinner at Jamie's Italian, paid for by Gianluca (pronounced John Luca) for having to miss the complimentary lunch at Jamie's for consecutive cruisers. Sagrada Familla was more important than free lunch that day! 
The food was good, and in my opinion better than what I had last week when we went to Jamie's. I got the Tagliatelle Bolognese for my main, and it was good! Got the Tiramisu for dessert, and was pretty liquidy, which I don't really like in my desserts. Also got the rice ball things that I forget the name of to start, and they were to die for. Definitely would recommend Jamie's, especially if the dinner is free ?
After that was seeing 1977 again: you can see my review of it from last week.
Then was the 80s party! I talked about it with Joe, and gave my review in that post with him. You can also view it on my periscope.
These definitely are much easier to write. Hope you enjoyed!
Chao Chao!

I wasn't alive in the 80's and also knew most of the songs. It is a good balance as it is 'hip' and high-energy enough for a young demographic, but equally retro enough for a middle aged demographic. Maybe not for the oldies though. 
Definitely had a lot of production. The cameos from PacMan alongside the number from the Hairspray professional dancers (who are insanely talented) just add that little bit extra. The Staff certainly did a great job getting people involved and it seemed the same on your scope. Some guests were shy and didn't dance on my cruise. More active on the 2nd than 1st week. Overall, it is a job well done. I just worry that this party won't be good when Michele is replaced in Sept (won't say any more to avoid going off-topic).
On AL, it was the 70's. Great show but time to do something else. I think the 80's is a good replacement. I liked the 90's on HM as well, but some curmudgeons made complaints when she arrived in the USA so they didn't transfer it to other ships. It didn't have as much production, but the idea and songs were there.

Palma Highlight
We did the Drach Caves, and man were they amazing! Really cool to see what was formed all those years ago. 

On the ship, we got some sliders and potato skins at Playmakers for lunch... and it was really good! Probably one of my favorite lunch meals we have had on the ship, but we really haven't had much of those. I think it really is a great addition to the ship, adding to the overall feel of the boardwalk and the lunch options. (Didn't get any pictures though, just imagine some really good food!)
Then it was time for Wonderland ~ Imaginative Cuisine... And boy was it a trip down the rabbit hole! The food was pretty good, but you really are just there for the experience, right? The mad hatter really adds to the experience, making it all the more fun and entertaining. Looking back at it, it wasn't a dinner... it was a show! 
Will do another post about Wonderland with pictures at a later date.
Afterwards, we went to look at some watches (we can fantasize!) and then called it a night... Got to get ready for the 80s party the next day!
Hope this is still fine for the blog, may not be as extensive, but it's something! Chao Chao for now! 
 

@Joe01 80s Party is starting, periscope in a quick minute!

Palma Highlight
We did the Drach Caves, and man were they amazing! Really cool to see what was formed all those years ago. 

On the ship, we got some sliders and potato skins at Playmakers for lunch... and it was really good! Probably one of my favorite lunch meals we have had on the ship, but we really haven't had much of those. I think it really is a great addition to the ship, adding to the overall feel of the boardwalk and the lunch options. (Didn't get any pictures though, just imagine some really good food!)
Then it was time for Wonderland ~ Imaginative Cuisine... And boy was it a trip down the rabbit hole! The food was pretty good, but you really are just there for the experience, right? The mad hatter really adds to the experience, making it all the more fun and entertaining. Looking back at it, it wasn't a dinner... it was a show! 
Will do another post about Wonderland with pictures at a later date.
Afterwards, we went to look at some watches (we can fantasize!) and then called it a night... Got to get ready for the 80s party the next day!
Hope this is still fine for the blog, may not be as extensive, but it's something! Chao Chao for now! 
 

Aww man... I rode it a bunch for you today! Yellow is slower, but can get fast if you really get a good start. Lots of screaming from the green tube today! Had to give a little yell for the crowd in there, really echos!

Very very glad you have rejoined the land of the living so to speak. 
I’m looking forward to your blogs as we will be on the Jewel in October doing an extended itinerary of your cruise. 
I do have a question you can probably answer now. I have read The passengers will be mostly Europeans and the dress onboard will be more formal or dressier than we Americans are used to. Yes or no?
Also is the VAT added to excursion purchases onboard or are they included in the published price?
Hope all goes well from here on in  ??
 

Palma Highlight
We did the Drach Caves, and man were they amazing! Really cool to see what was formed all those years ago. 

On the ship, we got some sliders and potato skins at Playmakers for lunch... and it was really good! Probably one of my favorite lunch meals we have had on the ship, but we really haven't had much of those. I think it really is a great addition to the ship, adding to the overall feel of the boardwalk and the lunch options. (Didn't get any pictures though, just imagine some really good food!)
Then it was time for Wonderland ~ Imaginative Cuisine... And boy was it a trip down the rabbit hole! The food was pretty good, but you really are just there for the experience, right? The mad hatter really adds to the experience, making it all the more fun and entertaining. Looking back at it, it wasn't a dinner... it was a show! 
Will do another post about Wonderland with pictures at a later date.
Afterwards, we went to look at some watches (we can fantasize!) and then called it a night... Got to get ready for the 80s party the next day!
Hope this is still fine for the blog, may not be as extensive, but it's something! Chao Chao for now! 
 

Do you think you can scope from 80's night? Would love to relive it. Don't know if you did it last week but I really loved it. Maybe it is my inner Cruise Director though. 
Enjoy whatever you are doing in Marseilles today. I stayed on the ship for Week 2.

Palma Highlight
We did the Drach Caves, and man were they amazing! Really cool to see what was formed all those years ago. 

On the ship, we got some sliders and potato skins at Playmakers for lunch... and it was really good! Probably one of my favorite lunch meals we have had on the ship, but we really haven't had much of those. I think it really is a great addition to the ship, adding to the overall feel of the boardwalk and the lunch options. (Didn't get any pictures though, just imagine some really good food!)
Then it was time for Wonderland ~ Imaginative Cuisine... And boy was it a trip down the rabbit hole! The food was pretty good, but you really are just there for the experience, right? The mad hatter really adds to the experience, making it all the more fun and entertaining. Looking back at it, it wasn't a dinner... it was a show! 
Will do another post about Wonderland with pictures at a later date.
Afterwards, we went to look at some watches (we can fantasize!) and then called it a night... Got to get ready for the 80s party the next day!
Hope this is still fine for the blog, may not be as extensive, but it's something! Chao Chao for now! 
 

Palma Highlight
We did the Drach Caves, and man were they amazing! Really cool to see what was formed all those years ago. 

On the ship, we got some sliders and potato skins at Playmakers for lunch... and it was really good! Probably one of my favorite lunch meals we have had on the ship, but we really haven't had much of those. I think it really is a great addition to the ship, adding to the overall feel of the boardwalk and the lunch options. (Didn't get any pictures though, just imagine some really good food!)
Then it was time for Wonderland ~ Imaginative Cuisine... And boy was it a trip down the rabbit hole! The food was pretty good, but you really are just there for the experience, right? The mad hatter really adds to the experience, making it all the more fun and entertaining. Looking back at it, it wasn't a dinner... it was a show! 
Will do another post about Wonderland with pictures at a later date.
Afterwards, we went to look at some watches (we can fantasize!) and then called it a night... Got to get ready for the 80s party the next day!
Hope this is still fine for the blog, may not be as extensive, but it's something! Chao Chao for now! 
 

Glad your back!  I hope the rest of your trip goes well.

The Barcelona Update
So... i'm back! And better than.... well Rome. So there's been a change of plans for how this blog is going to work now with me getting over the cold and with me just having too much fun! 
The Plan 2.0
I plan to do little highlights of my day and post a few pictures from my day. This will also include the days I haven't updated you on (marseille) to today (Barcelona).
I will then post a comprehensive part review of my trip and all other things once a get home. I will be starting some things when I get back though, so this could be pushed til Christmas (?).
The Barcelona Initiative  
We plan to get off the ship today! This is either going to go very bad, or go very well.
We got tickets to Sagrada Familla after not seeing it while in Barcelona, and now we are very happy! Will send some pictures of the amazing architecture. 
The Plan for Week2
Day 1 - Dinner at Izumi still, except above
Day 2 - Drach Caves still, dinner at Jamie's Italian
Day 3 - Biking cancelled due to weather and health of myself, dinner at Wonderland
Day 4 - On waitlist for Carrara Marble Tour by Jeep, dinner at 150 Central Park
Day 5 - Exclusive: Best of Rome from last week rebooked to this week
Day 6 - Amalfi Coast and Pompeii by Land and Sea rebooked to this week
Day 7 - Dinner at Hooked
Also, it's past Barcelona... oops
EDIT: Fixed to plan to what we are now planning to do. Didn't change it before I posted this. oops

The Barcelona Update
So... i'm back! And better than.... well Rome. So there's been a change of plans for how this blog is going to work now with me getting over the cold and with me just having too much fun! 
The Plan 2.0
I plan to do little highlights of my day and post a few pictures from my day. This will also include the days I haven't updated you on (marseille) to today (Barcelona).
I will then post a comprehensive part review of my trip and all other things once a get home. I will be starting some things when I get back though, so this could be pushed til Christmas (?).
The Barcelona Initiative  
We plan to get off the ship today! This is either going to go very bad, or go very well.
We got tickets to Sagrada Familla after not seeing it while in Barcelona, and now we are very happy! Will send some pictures of the amazing architecture. 
The Plan for Week2
Day 1 - Dinner at Izumi still, except above
Day 2 - Drach Caves still, dinner at Jamie's Italian
Day 3 - Biking cancelled due to weather and health of myself, dinner at Wonderland
Day 4 - On waitlist for Carrara Marble Tour by Jeep, dinner at 150 Central Park
Day 5 - Exclusive: Best of Rome from last week rebooked to this week
Day 6 - Amalfi Coast and Pompeii by Land and Sea rebooked to this week
Day 7 - Dinner at Hooked
Also, it's past Barcelona... oops
EDIT: Fixed to plan to what we are now planning to do. Didn't change it before I posted this. oops

I have to wash my feet somewhere.  Like my pink flip flops?

I think your supposed to keep your shoes on in the dinning room not leave them at the door @twangster 

OK - Info for the Nov. 17th Symphony Group Cruise (to my knowledge and is subject to change):
CD - Bobby Brown; AM - Katy McCullagh
I think I'll pass this one. Hope to join you all for a group cruise one day. I'll keep an eye out for who will be on the Mariner GC in March. :)
BTW - You also get Captain Rob. He is a very personable Captain who is easy to understand, although the noon announcements are no more. :(

Your wife?  ?

I tried to forget her but she remembered.?

The Barcelona Update
So... i'm back! And better than.... well Rome. So there's been a change of plans for how this blog is going to work now with me getting over the cold and with me just having too much fun! 
The Plan 2.0
I plan to do little highlights of my day and post a few pictures from my day. This will also include the days I haven't updated you on (marseille) to today (Barcelona).
I will then post a comprehensive part review of my trip and all other things once a get home. I will be starting some things when I get back though, so this could be pushed til Christmas (?).
The Barcelona Initiative  
We plan to get off the ship today! This is either going to go very bad, or go very well.
We got tickets to Sagrada Familla after not seeing it while in Barcelona, and now we are very happy! Will send some pictures of the amazing architecture. 
The Plan for Week2
Day 1 - Dinner at Izumi still, except above
Day 2 - Drach Caves still, dinner at Jamie's Italian
Day 3 - Biking cancelled due to weather and health of myself, dinner at Wonderland
Day 4 - On waitlist for Carrara Marble Tour by Jeep, dinner at 150 Central Park
Day 5 - Exclusive: Best of Rome from last week rebooked to this week
Day 6 - Amalfi Coast and Pompeii by Land and Sea rebooked to this week
Day 7 - Dinner at Hooked
Also, it's past Barcelona... oops
EDIT: Fixed to plan to what we are now planning to do. Didn't change it before I posted this. oops

I just booked our eastern Caribbean cruise on the Harmony on Friday and we leave the 25th of this month.   I thought it was a good idea at the time but I have been driving myself nuts with the planning since.  Biggest problem right now is the passports.
My husband and I are fine but I just noticed that my kids passports expired 2 weeks ago. They are 13 and 15. I know I can travel with just their birth certificates but I also know that passports are preferred. Does anybody think it would be worth it for us to apply for their passports ASAP, pay the expedited fee and hopefully get them in time for the trip or is it not worth the stress?  
In my irrational mind, we will get lost at sea during our snuba excursion in st. Maarten, the ship will leave us and when we are saved,  my kids will be unable to get home because they don't have passports.  I know it's a bit far-fetched but is there really any reason that they would absolutely need their passports besides a medical emergency?
Thanks in advance! I'm sure I'll have many questions to come in the next coming weeks. The only Royal Caribbean cruise I've done was a three day about 17 years ago.  We did a Disney cruise 5 yrs ago but this is a whole new ballgame.

Welcome to the message boards!
Cruising with a passport is always ideal but for US citizens on closed loop sailings like Harmony they are technically not required to board the ship.
If I were in your shoes I would try for the expedited passport service knowing that a raised seal birth certificate is there as my fallback plan.  But that's just me.   Many people only cruise with BC/DL as adults.

I personally would not go to the expense and hassle of the passports for children. My grown son traveled with us with a birth certificate and drivers license from Galveston. No problem!  
Make a copy of their expired passports and take it with you. 
Enjoy the cruise. 

The Barcelona Update
So... i'm back! And better than.... well Rome. So there's been a change of plans for how this blog is going to work now with me getting over the cold and with me just having too much fun! 
The Plan 2.0
I plan to do little highlights of my day and post a few pictures from my day. This will also include the days I haven't updated you on (marseille) to today (Barcelona).
I will then post a comprehensive part review of my trip and all other things once a get home. I will be starting some things when I get back though, so this could be pushed til Christmas (?).
The Barcelona Initiative  
We plan to get off the ship today! This is either going to go very bad, or go very well.
We got tickets to Sagrada Familla after not seeing it while in Barcelona, and now we are very happy! Will send some pictures of the amazing architecture. 
The Plan for Week2
Day 1 - Dinner at Izumi still, except above
Day 2 - Drach Caves still, dinner at Jamie's Italian
Day 3 - Biking cancelled due to weather and health of myself, dinner at Wonderland
Day 4 - On waitlist for Carrara Marble Tour by Jeep, dinner at 150 Central Park
Day 5 - Exclusive: Best of Rome from last week rebooked to this week
Day 6 - Amalfi Coast and Pompeii by Land and Sea rebooked to this week
Day 7 - Dinner at Hooked
Also, it's past Barcelona... oops
EDIT: Fixed to plan to what we are now planning to do. Didn't change it before I posted this. oops

I can only speculate but I imagine there are a number of factors.
It could be based on port pilot factors such as traffic in port at the time of arrival or planned departures times.  There may be restrictions on how many ships can be transiting the pier area and if another ship is waiting with it's pilot on board they might avoid using the turning basin until departure so that the other ship can follow in more closely.  Ships need to be very careful passing each other in port.  There are tremendous forces in the water just from the displaced water from a moving ship and sailing past another smaller ship or when a ship isn't fully berthed could put stress on the few lines that are secured at that point and snap them.  In that case it might be more efficient just to dock without passing other ships and accept a turn in the turning basin at departure instead.    
Weather and winds either upon arrival or forecast for departure could be a factor.
They may have scheduled maintenance like painting or routine lifeboat maintenance.  By not making the turn upon arrival they can work on the other side of the ship.
Or perhaps the local harbor pilots all play poker and the loser's ship has to dock differently.  (Just kidding)