CruisingKitty

Not to sidetrack the cruise discussion but this is the same experience my sister had flying out of Philly to Key West on American.   Delayed, delayed, cancelled, rebooked 3 days later  on a 5 day trip .  At least they were able to get to Florida later that day (Orlando) and then do the 8-10 hour drive to Key West.    Next time, if it's practical, Southwest out of Baltimore has lots of options to Florida.  Driving from Orlando or Tampa to Miami would have been more palatable than Philly to Miami.
Glad you had a good time.  I feel the same way about the drink package.   Comparing costs for us, I would have broken even but it would have been cheaper for my wife not to have gotten a package.  I just look at it as a convenience  fee to not worry about it during the trip, why add stress to vacation?!   
 

@JerseyJoe,
Just a few thoughts and than throw them in the circular filing cabinet/can.
1. MTD 
The thing with that is many people book their times on the cruise planner, especially for bigger ships where they have the broadway style productions.  We have done both MTD and traditional.  Typically we do MTD on port intensive cruises where we have excursions planned.  IE we know our excursion won't get back until 5 p.m., so we may decide that 7 p.m. is the prefect time for us and we will see the late show.  If it is a sea day, we may decide that we want to eat at 5:30 to see the early show, or 8 and see the late show.  If our plans change from when we booked on our planner, than as soon as we get on the ship, we go and ask to change the times, it can be a hit or miss that they will do it, but at least we had that popular time locked in.  Honestly, we tend to like traditional better, but we also purchase some specialty dinners as our splurges. The specialty allows us that MTD option. 
2. 5 day cruise out of NJ
Just out of curiosity.  Why didn't you sail on Anthem to Bermuda?  Anthem is bigger, and maybe for your kids ages they would have liked it more, the Flowrider, NorthStar and Ifly, plus it docks overnight in Bermuda, which impo is a much nicer port.  Anthem will be replaced with Oasis in 2020.  Same size ship, just different amenities.  My husband and I prefer going out of NJ, because we can drive there.  We will be doing an 8 night on Adventure in July out of Bayonne.  We just feel that it is less stressful and less expensive to drive to NJ from VA, than fly to FL, even if the sailing costs more for the cabin, once you add in the flights, and a hotel, plus more days off from work, we are usually better off.  Granted you won't get Coco Cay on a 5 night, but it is a nice sailing.  On our 8 night, we sail on Friday, and arrive back home Sunday.  As a NJ resident you would only need to take 6 days off from work because you will be back at your house Sunday by noon.    When we did the 5 night on Anthem we got on Sat. and debarked by 8:30 a.m. (not self assist).  We were back at my brother's home (exit 7A) by 10.  He and his wife work from home, but they went straight to their offices in their house to start work for the day.  My 2 cousin, reported to work at noon for their jobs.  My hubby and I were back home in VA by 1 pm.  Just saying that there are perks to sailing closer from home, even if the cabins cost a tad more.
3. Sorrento's and ice cream
As others have said Sorrento's is just what many people call the pizza on board.  IE on Anthem there is an actual Sorrento's pizza parlor, however, on other ships you will just find it to be with the café promenade. 
The ice cream as far as I know it has never been 24/7,  just like there is no 24/7 dining options, unless you consider room service.  I have noticed in some recent posts that it appears that they maybe moving away from self serve, but towards an attendant doing this at the machines.   For me I hope this is the way they are going to go in the future.  The main reason is what I typically see happen is a child will try to make it as big/tall as they can(think 4-5 inches high), and inevitably as soon as they turn to leave the machine, it collapses, and they start the entire process all over again.  Repeat this with the next child.  Than add in Mom/Dad getting 5 ice cream cones.  Add in a couple of singles in front of you.  So although when you entered the line and you thought there were only 5 people in front of you,  it could take you 5 mins to get to the ice cream machine.   Plus, now when you get there the machine is empty, so no ice cream for you.  Having an RCCL staff member be in charge of this, it will impo make customers happier.  
 

Hi!  I can't quite tell if you liked the cruise or not!  I hope if you cruise again you will be prepared in your expectations.  I did want to suggest that next time you go on the cruise planner and book your my time dining ahead of time.  I've never had a group of 6, but I would still think you can book ahead.  I think the ice cream depends on the ship... It has frequently been self serve on our ships we've been on, but never 24 hrs.  
   Anyway, I'm so sorry about your flight... That just sucks.  I'm very surprised that American couldn't get you on another flight.  Did you have travel insurance?  Not sure it would have helped...  If the flight thing stresses you out, you can buy your flights through royal and they guarantee they will get you there.  Hope you get all your money back!  Jane

Yes! Yes! Buy travel insurance. It's the second thing I do. The first YOLO book the cruise.

I never thought travel insurance was necessary until 2 years ago when a friend had a massive stroke just hours of boarding a RC ship.  Because he was already onboard, the ship's doctor arranged for him to be helicoptered off the ship and to a hospital near Miami (ship had not even set sail yet).  The travel insurance not only covered the cost of the cruise, but also the cost of the transport.  There would've been no way his medical insurance would have paid 100% of the helicopter transport.  You may never need the travel insurance, but I would rather have it for peace of mind.

Here is my own experience:
 

Last evening my son and husband went trout fishing. After having caught their limit and cleaned their trout, they walked back to the truck to head home. My husband had thought he had stepped on a stick, breaking it, with part of it snapping and hitting his ankle. He never did see the stick. Just noticed the sharp pain and a little blood about 15 steps later. When they got in the truck, he examined his ankle further and saw two puncture marks. Yep, a snake bite. He went to the emergency room last night and got home around 4:30 AM (today). At that time they did not give him any anti-venom (recall he never saw the snake). Here in the Ozarks, we have many venomous snakes (Copperhead, Rattle snake, and Water Moccasin/Cotton Mouth, to name just a few), but rarely do people get bit by them. My husband is now back in the emergency room as I write this post, with further swelling and nausea.
We have our Alaska cruise and pre-cruise vacation exactly 365 days from today. The total cost of this YOLO trip approaches $20K. We insure every cruise trip we take with the "Cancel For Any Reason" added to the policy. Had this situation occurred even up to a week before our trip, we would cancel. If you can AFFORD to lose the cost of your trip, whatever the amount, the don't buy trip insurance. Or, if you can afford to lose the cost of your trip, you can afford trip insurance.  If you can't (or can't stand the thought of losing the money), BUY TRIP INSURANCE WITH CANCEL FOR ANY REASON TAGGED ON!
We need prayers and good thoughts sent our way. Hoping he keeps his leg and we move on from here. Tomorrow is another day. 

We always get the insurance. It is so worth the peace of mind.  We have witnessed 2 helicopter and 1 boat  pick up of ill passengers over the last 4 years.  Anybody young or old can get injured or take ill.   Dunn`s River Falls is notorious for causing many injuries.  It`s like that slogan.  Don`t leave home without it. 

Insurance is the only thing all of us have and never hope we use.

Best is in the eye of the beholder.
Find out if your credit card offers any travel coverage.  Consider what is important to you.  Is emergency medical transportation a concern?  If you don't fly to port then lost luggage coverage might be less important.   
I cruise often so for me an annual insurance plan is attractive but the coverage limits are lower compared to other types of travel insurance.  Someone who books suites might look ay my policy and say "heck no, I need more coverage".
One policy might not cover 100% of every possible expense but it can take the sting out of the situation and lower your losses to an acceptable amount you can live with.  More insurance that has higher coverage limits costs more.  Only you can decide what is appropriate for your needs.
 

Is it necessary for a young person to have health insurance?  My 20 something son hasn't needed a doctor visit in years.  
You can buy house insurance that covers the dwelling only, no content coverage.  Do you need to protect the stuff in your house?
You can buy the minimum auto insurance coverage required by your state.  However if your car is stolen you are on your own.
For anyone who has had something occur that they didn't expect the resounding answer is... YES!  You need insurance.
A cruise vacation can be a sizable amount of money.  If you have lots of money and can afford to walk away from the potential loss then you don't have to have insurance.
Insurance is for the unexpected.  No one expects to miss a cruise when weather or an airline cancels your flights.  No one expects to have a car accident on the way to the port.  No one expects to be rescued off a ship with a $40,000 helicopter medical evacuation and placed into a foreign country in a foreign hospital that doesn't take your health insurance from home.  
If you decide to travel without insurance you assume any loss when the unexpected occurs.  You can scream at an airport gate agent.  You can shout at the cruise line on the phone.  You can write a negative on the internet but at the end of the day it's not their fault and you have lost the money.  

Sorry guys... friends should not let friends post late in the evening or after bourbon... 
dee

Alaska 3019?  I don't even plan that far out!! ????

It is nice to be dressed in some sort of Formal outfit.  It great for the photographs.  I agree, there are some people that go under dressed but I think what you have planned is fine.

Welcome to the forums!  I haven't sailed on Harmony (yet), but to tide you over, in case you haven't found this thread yet, here is a thread on cruise tips and hacks:
 

Also don't forget that Port Valet is available in Seattle (certain airlines only, of course not the one I'm using, but it might help you!)
https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free

Platinum and above are invited. 

Yeah, you can buy a cheap level for $15.    My hair is short, but thick.  I use their hair dryer, but take the flat iron with me.  I have done this for yrs now.  My husband laughed at 1st, bc he knows I don't use one at home, so why would I take it on the cruise.  Now, he is the one that makes sure it is packed in our luggage.  We, as in all of our family and friends call him the 'pretty boy" or metro-sexual.  Love that man, but the flat iron is for him.
For me, I purchase my clothes from Chico's.  They are expensive, but you can get great deals.  Just like Jos. A. Bank they have what they call a travelers collection.  You can roll it up in a ball and it will be wrinkle free.  Target also has great sun dresses. 
If you are going to take a sun hat make sure it is foldable.  I have 2.  1 is black and large brim.  The other is khaki with a smaller brim, but it says in script on the back of the brim...talk to the sand.  You want this impo from the aspect that it will shade your shoulders.  You also want it if you are like me and have your hair colored...the sun will bleach out the color and highlights very quickly.  I am a brunette.
 

Day 1 - find a bar that is convenient and has the selections you like best, and go ahead and give a nice cash tip.
They'll look out for you the entire cruise.  
 
 
I know - it's always about the drinks with me.  ?

I had used my dad's TA for almost 10 years, but started realizing their benefits had diminished (like any OBC or other perks they give)  They price they quoted was the exact same as we could get online.  Thus, we found a new TA that is local to us.  I've already had her upgrade our next cruise, reprice and even add some casino stuff all within just a few days with no problem.  A good TA will be able to reprice without any hesitation

I tried to reprice my next cruise with THE (non-MEI-I-paid-her-a-hefty-booking-fee) travel agent a few months ago.  She didn't remotely understand what I was asking and told me I was ineligible.  I decided that the savings were negligible enough that it wasn't worth risking my sanity to get the box of block letters out of the toybox and spell it out for her.  So, yeah, not all travel agents know how/that you can do this.

No, cruises.com is effectively your travel agent. You must go through them.

Same here. Have repriced a November 2020 sailing three different times over the last six weeks without issue. 

You should be able to re-price with without any penalty provided it is the same ship/sail date and that you are in North America.  I book non-refundable deposits all the time and re-price.  The $100 change fee only applies if you are changing ships/sail date.

You will have to pay the change fee I think, $100 each, so figure that in and if there is still a significant savings, go for it. You might also lose other perks that you might have gotten on the other promo, IE., OBC.
If you used a travel agent have them do it for you.