KJones

Trying to use the elevators on disembarkation day is a nightmare. Going up is not a problem. But unless you're on Deck 16 (where Windjammer is), good luck finding an elevator going down that isn't full.

You can also look at previous cruise compasses to see the hours for the various dining options https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass

Would be even better if there was already ice in those ice buckets ?

We arrived at port at 10:30a to board Harmony. Boarding had already begun and the waiting area for lower level C&A had also cleared out. We were exploring the ship a little after 11.

"Black Friday" sales of some kind typically start the week of. But the cruise planner will close a couple days before departure so during that time no changes/purchases can be made.

Not sure if it will work on the app, but Guest Services will be able to make reservations for you.

We were charged tax on beverages purchased w/o the drink package, while in Port Canaveral

I brought a box of plastic straws and used a grand total of zero ? it was too much of a hassle, IMO, to carry them around all day or to have to go back to the cabin if I decided I wanted a drink. I ended up just dealing with the paper straws. If they end in the drink started getting a little soft, I just flipped the straw ends to make it last a little longer.

+1 to Cortrans. They don't leave Orlando area until 10a for most routes, so if you want to get to port earlier than 11a I suggest uber/lyft.

They are using paper straws onboard now

A number of the ships (if not all) also have an area within the pool that is only a few inches deep that he could sit and cool off, and possibly not directly expose the area to the water. This of course doesn't account for ship rocking or splashing when someone walks by...

It also depends on how many people are with you, using the same porter/ shuttle driver. When I cruise, there's usually two of us, tipping the porters a couple dollars each. So we just round up and give $5 to cover the group for porters (more if there's additional people in the party). We either take turns paying tips, or someone covers everything and then split it at the end of the trip. Also, on a lot of excursions (especially tours) tips are expected at the end. So you may want to bring additional $5s and $10s beyond extra crew gratuities.

Yes, though it wasn't done every night

I stand corrected

I think this is the first year they have had UDP, so there's no historical Black Friday sales to compare to. I never saw it below $175 for my Harmony sailing.

No need for them to download extra apps. Voom internet will allow you to call/text/facetime as you would on land (though might be a little slower, with some lag).

If I recall correctly, a 3-day and a 6/7 day option showed on my Cruise Planner for a 7-night cruise. I was only able to purchase the longer option. I don't think they 3-day option is applicable to longer cruises, despite it being in the CP.

They have a bootcamp and TRX classes - but neither utilizes the machines like treadmills/ rowing. The bootcamp class I went to used body weight and/or dumbbells.

You may have to call to have it changed from traditional to MTD.

On Harmony fitness classes are $20 each, plus 18% gratuity. I assume the price is the same fleet-wide. The multi-day pass was the same price onboard as shown on the Cruise Planner.

Unfortunately yes, unless you purchased the Key, in which case I believe you can leave carry-on items at a designated spot.

Having used Verizon Travel Pass last month, the price per day is $5 for Mexico and Canada. The Bahamas and other Caribbean islands are $10/day. You can also simply text "Travel" to 4004 and it will be acknowledged on your account (not charged though until actually used). No need to identify where you will be going (though you might want to tell your bank/credit card company ? )

I've only seen wine tastings on the Cruise Planner

Harmony has an Escape Room. I believe the other Oasis Class ships also have them. There is a cost of $20/person. You can do it as many times as you want to pay, but the scenario/clues do not change. I would advise booking this activity in the Cruise Planner as soon as it's available. Spots fill up quickly and were completely filled by the morning of Day 2 on our cruise last month.

Yes! This is what we did during our stop in Aruba. There were lots of mini-buses and taxis (with AC) just outside the port selling tours of the island. Our group was 8 people and they put us with 2-3 other couples to fill the bus. I think it was about $10-20/person (our tour was 3 years ago so details are a little hazy). The tour lasted about 2.5 hours, maybe 3. There was an option at the end of the tour to be dropped off at a beach. There were people who opted to return to the ship, so the bus took them to the ship after the beach drop off, then returned to the beach for pick-up and final return to the ship. Beach time was about 1.5 hours.