MarvinS

Just got off Harmony on a brand new itinerary:  Port Canaveral, CocoCay (2nd time this ship visits here), Cozumel, Roatan (first time for Harmony), & Costa Maya
Here are a few stray observations I had:
1)  I did NOT purchase Voom, but discovered that if I simply connected to the Harmony-Guest wifi (for the app updates and schedules), I was easily able to send/receive iMessages to anyone, including those back at home!
2)  The Stowaway Piano Man was on this sailing.  I had the privilege of riding the elevator with him!
3)  First time Harmony visited Roatan.  The captain changed our arrival / departure times.  Roatan local time was 2 hours earlier that ship time (that remained on Eastern time).  Original ship scheduled time was 8AM - 5PM (ship time).  New schedule was 9:30AM - 6:30PM (ship time).  Evidently, the local vendors didn't want to be there at 6AM (their local time / 8AM ship time) to open up shops, so the captain delayed the arrival / departure time.
4)  Got WOW bands for everyone in our group.  They worked extremely well, and could be used anywhere on the ship in lieu of a seapass card.  They also worked for entry into Thrill Waterpark on CocoCay.  Every station on the ship had portable readers that read either your WOW band or your seapass card.  This worked for everything from towel checkout to shops to entry into reserved shows & events.  You still needed your seapass card for getting off the ship, and for entry in the ports back onto the ship.
5)  The Soda cups for the freestyle machines were the same old-style ones I've seen before.   I did see a few of the new ones (with straw and looped carry handle), but didn't know where they came from.  I had a boardwalk balcony cabin, so got complementary soda cups.  Even those that were for sale on board (with various drink packages) were only the original style ones...
6)  There seemed to be professional photographers on the ship most every night, and not just formal dining nights.  I didn't recall seeing this many days with photographers and various backgrounds on prior cruises.
7)  Did the escape room (and made it out with 5 1/2 minutes to spare!).  This event was extremely popular.  Spoke with someone in guest services, and they said the escape room was completely booked within two days (all days and all sessions) of it becoming available to book on the cruise planner.  Glad I booked it as soon as I saw it available!
8 ) CocoCay - Two things: 
     A)  Plan on doing the "highest" waterslide and the slingshot ride as soon as you can.  With the volume of people on Harmony, the lines were extremely long (2+ hour wait for these two rides) past about 10AM.  The lines finally shortened closer to about 3:30PM to 4PM.  
     B)  The lockers in Thrill Waterpark were complementary to use.  Cost was included in the Thrill Waterpark ticket purchase.  You just found a open / available locker, put our stuff in, and locked it.  We could then open it and access our stuff, and simply re-lock it as needed.  I have no idea if lockers outside of Thrill Waterpark were complementary or not...
9)  Cruise Director, Marc, was excellent!!!
Overall, we had an awesome cruise!!!
 

Just got off Harmony on a brand new itinerary:  Port Canaveral, CocoCay (2nd time this ship visits here), Cozumel, Roatan (first time for Harmony), & Costa Maya
Here are a few stray observations I had:
1)  I did NOT purchase Voom, but discovered that if I simply connected to the Harmony-Guest wifi (for the app updates and schedules), I was easily able to send/receive iMessages to anyone, including those back at home!
2)  The Stowaway Piano Man was on this sailing.  I had the privilege of riding the elevator with him!
3)  First time Harmony visited Roatan.  The captain changed our arrival / departure times.  Roatan local time was 2 hours earlier that ship time (that remained on Eastern time).  Original ship scheduled time was 8AM - 5PM (ship time).  New schedule was 9:30AM - 6:30PM (ship time).  Evidently, the local vendors didn't want to be there at 6AM (their local time / 8AM ship time) to open up shops, so the captain delayed the arrival / departure time.
4)  Got WOW bands for everyone in our group.  They worked extremely well, and could be used anywhere on the ship in lieu of a seapass card.  They also worked for entry into Thrill Waterpark on CocoCay.  Every station on the ship had portable readers that read either your WOW band or your seapass card.  This worked for everything from towel checkout to shops to entry into reserved shows & events.  You still needed your seapass card for getting off the ship, and for entry in the ports back onto the ship.
5)  The Soda cups for the freestyle machines were the same old-style ones I've seen before.   I did see a few of the new ones (with straw and looped carry handle), but didn't know where they came from.  I had a boardwalk balcony cabin, so got complementary soda cups.  Even those that were for sale on board (with various drink packages) were only the original style ones...
6)  There seemed to be professional photographers on the ship most every night, and not just formal dining nights.  I didn't recall seeing this many days with photographers and various backgrounds on prior cruises.
7)  Did the escape room (and made it out with 5 1/2 minutes to spare!).  This event was extremely popular.  Spoke with someone in guest services, and they said the escape room was completely booked within two days (all days and all sessions) of it becoming available to book on the cruise planner.  Glad I booked it as soon as I saw it available!
8 ) CocoCay - Two things: 
     A)  Plan on doing the "highest" waterslide and the slingshot ride as soon as you can.  With the volume of people on Harmony, the lines were extremely long (2+ hour wait for these two rides) past about 10AM.  The lines finally shortened closer to about 3:30PM to 4PM.  
     B)  The lockers in Thrill Waterpark were complementary to use.  Cost was included in the Thrill Waterpark ticket purchase.  You just found a open / available locker, put our stuff in, and locked it.  We could then open it and access our stuff, and simply re-lock it as needed.  I have no idea if lockers outside of Thrill Waterpark were complementary or not...
9)  Cruise Director, Marc, was excellent!!!
Overall, we had an awesome cruise!!!
 

I don't drink at all, so never purchased any drinks, but I did go to one of the local bars a couple of times and get a soda.  It was no problem at the bar with their portable reader, and I did NOT have to remove the WOW band.  I assume this would work likewise for alcohol too...

Just got off Harmony on a brand new itinerary:  Port Canaveral, CocoCay (2nd time this ship visits here), Cozumel, Roatan (first time for Harmony), & Costa Maya
Here are a few stray observations I had:
1)  I did NOT purchase Voom, but discovered that if I simply connected to the Harmony-Guest wifi (for the app updates and schedules), I was easily able to send/receive iMessages to anyone, including those back at home!
2)  The Stowaway Piano Man was on this sailing.  I had the privilege of riding the elevator with him!
3)  First time Harmony visited Roatan.  The captain changed our arrival / departure times.  Roatan local time was 2 hours earlier that ship time (that remained on Eastern time).  Original ship scheduled time was 8AM - 5PM (ship time).  New schedule was 9:30AM - 6:30PM (ship time).  Evidently, the local vendors didn't want to be there at 6AM (their local time / 8AM ship time) to open up shops, so the captain delayed the arrival / departure time.
4)  Got WOW bands for everyone in our group.  They worked extremely well, and could be used anywhere on the ship in lieu of a seapass card.  They also worked for entry into Thrill Waterpark on CocoCay.  Every station on the ship had portable readers that read either your WOW band or your seapass card.  This worked for everything from towel checkout to shops to entry into reserved shows & events.  You still needed your seapass card for getting off the ship, and for entry in the ports back onto the ship.
5)  The Soda cups for the freestyle machines were the same old-style ones I've seen before.   I did see a few of the new ones (with straw and looped carry handle), but didn't know where they came from.  I had a boardwalk balcony cabin, so got complementary soda cups.  Even those that were for sale on board (with various drink packages) were only the original style ones...
6)  There seemed to be professional photographers on the ship most every night, and not just formal dining nights.  I didn't recall seeing this many days with photographers and various backgrounds on prior cruises.
7)  Did the escape room (and made it out with 5 1/2 minutes to spare!).  This event was extremely popular.  Spoke with someone in guest services, and they said the escape room was completely booked within two days (all days and all sessions) of it becoming available to book on the cruise planner.  Glad I booked it as soon as I saw it available!
8 ) CocoCay - Two things: 
     A)  Plan on doing the "highest" waterslide and the slingshot ride as soon as you can.  With the volume of people on Harmony, the lines were extremely long (2+ hour wait for these two rides) past about 10AM.  The lines finally shortened closer to about 3:30PM to 4PM.  
     B)  The lockers in Thrill Waterpark were complementary to use.  Cost was included in the Thrill Waterpark ticket purchase.  You just found a open / available locker, put our stuff in, and locked it.  We could then open it and access our stuff, and simply re-lock it as needed.  I have no idea if lockers outside of Thrill Waterpark were complementary or not...
9)  Cruise Director, Marc, was excellent!!!
Overall, we had an awesome cruise!!!
 

Just got off Harmony on a brand new itinerary:  Port Canaveral, CocoCay (2nd time this ship visits here), Cozumel, Roatan (first time for Harmony), & Costa Maya
Here are a few stray observations I had:
1)  I did NOT purchase Voom, but discovered that if I simply connected to the Harmony-Guest wifi (for the app updates and schedules), I was easily able to send/receive iMessages to anyone, including those back at home!
2)  The Stowaway Piano Man was on this sailing.  I had the privilege of riding the elevator with him!
3)  First time Harmony visited Roatan.  The captain changed our arrival / departure times.  Roatan local time was 2 hours earlier that ship time (that remained on Eastern time).  Original ship scheduled time was 8AM - 5PM (ship time).  New schedule was 9:30AM - 6:30PM (ship time).  Evidently, the local vendors didn't want to be there at 6AM (their local time / 8AM ship time) to open up shops, so the captain delayed the arrival / departure time.
4)  Got WOW bands for everyone in our group.  They worked extremely well, and could be used anywhere on the ship in lieu of a seapass card.  They also worked for entry into Thrill Waterpark on CocoCay.  Every station on the ship had portable readers that read either your WOW band or your seapass card.  This worked for everything from towel checkout to shops to entry into reserved shows & events.  You still needed your seapass card for getting off the ship, and for entry in the ports back onto the ship.
5)  The Soda cups for the freestyle machines were the same old-style ones I've seen before.   I did see a few of the new ones (with straw and looped carry handle), but didn't know where they came from.  I had a boardwalk balcony cabin, so got complementary soda cups.  Even those that were for sale on board (with various drink packages) were only the original style ones...
6)  There seemed to be professional photographers on the ship most every night, and not just formal dining nights.  I didn't recall seeing this many days with photographers and various backgrounds on prior cruises.
7)  Did the escape room (and made it out with 5 1/2 minutes to spare!).  This event was extremely popular.  Spoke with someone in guest services, and they said the escape room was completely booked within two days (all days and all sessions) of it becoming available to book on the cruise planner.  Glad I booked it as soon as I saw it available!
8 ) CocoCay - Two things: 
     A)  Plan on doing the "highest" waterslide and the slingshot ride as soon as you can.  With the volume of people on Harmony, the lines were extremely long (2+ hour wait for these two rides) past about 10AM.  The lines finally shortened closer to about 3:30PM to 4PM.  
     B)  The lockers in Thrill Waterpark were complementary to use.  Cost was included in the Thrill Waterpark ticket purchase.  You just found a open / available locker, put our stuff in, and locked it.  We could then open it and access our stuff, and simply re-lock it as needed.  I have no idea if lockers outside of Thrill Waterpark were complementary or not...
9)  Cruise Director, Marc, was excellent!!!
Overall, we had an awesome cruise!!!
 

While on St. Kitts, I highly recommend Thenford Grey Tours.
Our group of 6 we were traveling with all did their "Grand Tour", and had a fabulous time.  You get an excellent tour and overview of the island, along with some beach time.  Thenford Grey, himself, did our tour, and he was an absolute walking encyclopedia of information on the island.  He was the most polite tour guide I've ever had, and would describe him as the perfect gentleman.

So is the locker single use, or can you use it (open and close multiple times) throughout the day?  Payment in cash only or seapass charge?

Looks like a lot of fun, and I'll be there in a couple of weeks!
Anybody have an idea about how the lockers work???  Single use or all day access?  Cost?  Cash or charge against seapass card?

+1 for Thenford Grey Tours!   Did a Grand Tour with him last time we were on St. Kitts, and had a wonderful time.  He is a walking encyclopedia of information on the island.

I agree with @SpeedNoodles in that seeing the northern lights in Alaska during the summer is very rare.
Having lived in Homer, Alaska for over 35 years, I've never seen them during the summer where I live (about the same latitude as Skagway; and ever so slightly lower latitude than Seward).
Here's an untouched picture I took a few years ago out my living room window taken about 12:30am (just after midnight) on June 21st.

 
I've sat out on the porch many times after midnight and easily read a book or the newspaper without lights.  You turn on your headlights to drive simply for safety sake, as you really don't need them to see.
For those that might be considering a land-cruise tour and visit Fairbanks during the summer, expect about 23 hours of daylight (the sun only dips below the horizon for a little while, and then pops back up!).  During the summer solstice (June 21st), there has been an amateur league baseball game that starts just before midnight, and usually ends between 1AM & 2AM.  There are never any lights used at any time (certainly don't need them), and depending on where you sit in the bleachers, you need to remember to bring your sunglasses, as you'll need them!    See https://www.midnightsungame.com/
 

I agree with @SpeedNoodles in that seeing the northern lights in Alaska during the summer is very rare.
Having lived in Homer, Alaska for over 35 years, I've never seen them during the summer where I live (about the same latitude as Skagway; and ever so slightly lower latitude than Seward).
Here's an untouched picture I took a few years ago out my living room window taken about 12:30am (just after midnight) on June 21st.

 
I've sat out on the porch many times after midnight and easily read a book or the newspaper without lights.  You turn on your headlights to drive simply for safety sake, as you really don't need them to see.
For those that might be considering a land-cruise tour and visit Fairbanks during the summer, expect about 23 hours of daylight (the sun only dips below the horizon for a little while, and then pops back up!).  During the summer solstice (June 21st), there has been an amateur league baseball game that starts just before midnight, and usually ends between 1AM & 2AM.  There are never any lights used at any time (certainly don't need them), and depending on where you sit in the bleachers, you need to remember to bring your sunglasses, as you'll need them!    See https://www.midnightsungame.com/
 

I agree with @SpeedNoodles in that seeing the northern lights in Alaska during the summer is very rare.
Having lived in Homer, Alaska for over 35 years, I've never seen them during the summer where I live (about the same latitude as Skagway; and ever so slightly lower latitude than Seward).
Here's an untouched picture I took a few years ago out my living room window taken about 12:30am (just after midnight) on June 21st.

 
I've sat out on the porch many times after midnight and easily read a book or the newspaper without lights.  You turn on your headlights to drive simply for safety sake, as you really don't need them to see.
For those that might be considering a land-cruise tour and visit Fairbanks during the summer, expect about 23 hours of daylight (the sun only dips below the horizon for a little while, and then pops back up!).  During the summer solstice (June 21st), there has been an amateur league baseball game that starts just before midnight, and usually ends between 1AM & 2AM.  There are never any lights used at any time (certainly don't need them), and depending on where you sit in the bleachers, you need to remember to bring your sunglasses, as you'll need them!    See https://www.midnightsungame.com/
 

I agree with @SpeedNoodles in that seeing the northern lights in Alaska during the summer is very rare.
Having lived in Homer, Alaska for over 35 years, I've never seen them during the summer where I live (about the same latitude as Skagway; and ever so slightly lower latitude than Seward).
Here's an untouched picture I took a few years ago out my living room window taken about 12:30am (just after midnight) on June 21st.

 
I've sat out on the porch many times after midnight and easily read a book or the newspaper without lights.  You turn on your headlights to drive simply for safety sake, as you really don't need them to see.
For those that might be considering a land-cruise tour and visit Fairbanks during the summer, expect about 23 hours of daylight (the sun only dips below the horizon for a little while, and then pops back up!).  During the summer solstice (June 21st), there has been an amateur league baseball game that starts just before midnight, and usually ends between 1AM & 2AM.  There are never any lights used at any time (certainly don't need them), and depending on where you sit in the bleachers, you need to remember to bring your sunglasses, as you'll need them!    See https://www.midnightsungame.com/
 

Three technically:   Harmony 5/26/19, and a B2B on Freedom 6/7/20.
Living in Alaska, my airfare costs more than my cruise fare, so I can only manage about one cruise a year...   Bringing my family (wife & I plus 3 kids) gets expensive real quick!
I'm waiting for June 2021 to be published, and I will be booking one more there.
 

This same situation happened to me, too.  For my Harmony cruise coming up on 5/26, the advertised price was $119 for the full day combo, and as I checked out, it was only $85!  I was able to get this rate for everyone in our group.
 

Another +1 for @michelle.  Absolutely great to work with!!!

I'm on a Harmony of the Seas sailing on 5/26/19.  Here are the current prices (including the current sale prices) in my cruise planner:

 
Note that there are NO "South Beach Cabanas" listed at all...
I purchased the "Thrill Waterpark Full Day / Zipline Package" for myself along with several others in my group.  In the listing for the activity in the cruise planner, the price was $119.  When I got to checkout, I found that the price was only $85!!!  I was able to purchase for each person at this price!  After the purchase, it most certainly shows in "My Calendar" with both the Zip line and the Waterpark Full Day Pass!

I'm on a Harmony of the Seas sailing on 5/26/19.  Here are the current prices (including the current sale prices) in my cruise planner:

 
Note that there are NO "South Beach Cabanas" listed at all...
I purchased the "Thrill Waterpark Full Day / Zipline Package" for myself along with several others in my group.  In the listing for the activity in the cruise planner, the price was $119.  When I got to checkout, I found that the price was only $85!!!  I was able to purchase for each person at this price!  After the purchase, it most certainly shows in "My Calendar" with both the Zip line and the Waterpark Full Day Pass!

Hello all,
My name is Marvin, and I have lived in Homer, Alaska for 36+ years.  Married to my wife, Julieanne, with three kids (21, 18, 16).  I've been "lurking" on this blog for a couple of years, and finally decided to officially join and make a few posts here and there!  I've already learned so much from the wisdom and experience of others on here; especially @Matt, @WAAAYTOOO, and @twangster (unbelievably great pictures, by the way!), along with many others.
My wife and I went on our first cruise on Holland America - Maasdam with two other couples we knew in January 2015 (10 days, FLL to Barbados - southern/eastern loop).   We instantly became addicted to cruising, and decided that more cruising was most definitely in our future!
Next cruise was with the full family (5) and in-laws (2) (3 inside rooms).  We did Freedom of the Seas - May 2015 (western loop).  Loved the much larger ship, compared to the HAL Maasdam!
We then did a large family reunion cruise on Oasis of the Seas - May 2017.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), sister-in-law & family (3), and in-laws (2) were in 6 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 6 rooms).  This was awesome, as we were able to open up the balcony dividers between all 6 rooms.  It was great watching the aqua shows from the balcony.
We next have planned another cruise on Harmony of the Seas - May 2019.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), and in-laws (2) will be in 5 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms, just like we had on Oasis (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 5 rooms).  We are very much looking forward to that!!!  We are supposed to be going to CocoCay this cruise.  I'm expecting the pier to be done, but am VERY nervous about whether the waterpark and other activities will be open.  We sail May 26th, so will be anxiously watching what others are saying on this board as the time gets closer.
Next year (June 2020), my wife & I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary, and have a B2B planned (just the two of us) on Freedom of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It will be an eastern loop followed by a southern loop (to the ABC's).  Same balcony room (on the bulge) both segments.  We are really excited for this!!!
I booked my June 2020 cruise with Michelle @ MEI, (and highly recommend her!).  I read about the many great experiences others have had with MEI from reading about them on this board, and decided to give them a try.
I do look forward to continued learning from others and sharing my experiences, too!  I have nothing but complements to @Matt on this absolutely wonderful blog!!!

Another +1 for @michelle.  Absolutely great to work with!!!

Hello all,
My name is Marvin, and I have lived in Homer, Alaska for 36+ years.  Married to my wife, Julieanne, with three kids (21, 18, 16).  I've been "lurking" on this blog for a couple of years, and finally decided to officially join and make a few posts here and there!  I've already learned so much from the wisdom and experience of others on here; especially @Matt, @WAAAYTOOO, and @twangster (unbelievably great pictures, by the way!), along with many others.
My wife and I went on our first cruise on Holland America - Maasdam with two other couples we knew in January 2015 (10 days, FLL to Barbados - southern/eastern loop).   We instantly became addicted to cruising, and decided that more cruising was most definitely in our future!
Next cruise was with the full family (5) and in-laws (2) (3 inside rooms).  We did Freedom of the Seas - May 2015 (western loop).  Loved the much larger ship, compared to the HAL Maasdam!
We then did a large family reunion cruise on Oasis of the Seas - May 2017.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), sister-in-law & family (3), and in-laws (2) were in 6 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 6 rooms).  This was awesome, as we were able to open up the balcony dividers between all 6 rooms.  It was great watching the aqua shows from the balcony.
We next have planned another cruise on Harmony of the Seas - May 2019.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), and in-laws (2) will be in 5 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms, just like we had on Oasis (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 5 rooms).  We are very much looking forward to that!!!  We are supposed to be going to CocoCay this cruise.  I'm expecting the pier to be done, but am VERY nervous about whether the waterpark and other activities will be open.  We sail May 26th, so will be anxiously watching what others are saying on this board as the time gets closer.
Next year (June 2020), my wife & I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary, and have a B2B planned (just the two of us) on Freedom of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It will be an eastern loop followed by a southern loop (to the ABC's).  Same balcony room (on the bulge) both segments.  We are really excited for this!!!
I booked my June 2020 cruise with Michelle @ MEI, (and highly recommend her!).  I read about the many great experiences others have had with MEI from reading about them on this board, and decided to give them a try.
I do look forward to continued learning from others and sharing my experiences, too!  I have nothing but complements to @Matt on this absolutely wonderful blog!!!

Hello all,
My name is Marvin, and I have lived in Homer, Alaska for 36+ years.  Married to my wife, Julieanne, with three kids (21, 18, 16).  I've been "lurking" on this blog for a couple of years, and finally decided to officially join and make a few posts here and there!  I've already learned so much from the wisdom and experience of others on here; especially @Matt, @WAAAYTOOO, and @twangster (unbelievably great pictures, by the way!), along with many others.
My wife and I went on our first cruise on Holland America - Maasdam with two other couples we knew in January 2015 (10 days, FLL to Barbados - southern/eastern loop).   We instantly became addicted to cruising, and decided that more cruising was most definitely in our future!
Next cruise was with the full family (5) and in-laws (2) (3 inside rooms).  We did Freedom of the Seas - May 2015 (western loop).  Loved the much larger ship, compared to the HAL Maasdam!
We then did a large family reunion cruise on Oasis of the Seas - May 2017.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), sister-in-law & family (3), and in-laws (2) were in 6 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 6 rooms).  This was awesome, as we were able to open up the balcony dividers between all 6 rooms.  It was great watching the aqua shows from the balcony.
We next have planned another cruise on Harmony of the Seas - May 2019.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), and in-laws (2) will be in 5 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms, just like we had on Oasis (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 5 rooms).  We are very much looking forward to that!!!  We are supposed to be going to CocoCay this cruise.  I'm expecting the pier to be done, but am VERY nervous about whether the waterpark and other activities will be open.  We sail May 26th, so will be anxiously watching what others are saying on this board as the time gets closer.
Next year (June 2020), my wife & I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary, and have a B2B planned (just the two of us) on Freedom of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It will be an eastern loop followed by a southern loop (to the ABC's).  Same balcony room (on the bulge) both segments.  We are really excited for this!!!
I booked my June 2020 cruise with Michelle @ MEI, (and highly recommend her!).  I read about the many great experiences others have had with MEI from reading about them on this board, and decided to give them a try.
I do look forward to continued learning from others and sharing my experiences, too!  I have nothing but complements to @Matt on this absolutely wonderful blog!!!

Hello all,
My name is Marvin, and I have lived in Homer, Alaska for 36+ years.  Married to my wife, Julieanne, with three kids (21, 18, 16).  I've been "lurking" on this blog for a couple of years, and finally decided to officially join and make a few posts here and there!  I've already learned so much from the wisdom and experience of others on here; especially @Matt, @WAAAYTOOO, and @twangster (unbelievably great pictures, by the way!), along with many others.
My wife and I went on our first cruise on Holland America - Maasdam with two other couples we knew in January 2015 (10 days, FLL to Barbados - southern/eastern loop).   We instantly became addicted to cruising, and decided that more cruising was most definitely in our future!
Next cruise was with the full family (5) and in-laws (2) (3 inside rooms).  We did Freedom of the Seas - May 2015 (western loop).  Loved the much larger ship, compared to the HAL Maasdam!
We then did a large family reunion cruise on Oasis of the Seas - May 2017.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), sister-in-law & family (3), and in-laws (2) were in 6 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 6 rooms).  This was awesome, as we were able to open up the balcony dividers between all 6 rooms.  It was great watching the aqua shows from the balcony.
We next have planned another cruise on Harmony of the Seas - May 2019.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), and in-laws (2) will be in 5 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms, just like we had on Oasis (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 5 rooms).  We are very much looking forward to that!!!  We are supposed to be going to CocoCay this cruise.  I'm expecting the pier to be done, but am VERY nervous about whether the waterpark and other activities will be open.  We sail May 26th, so will be anxiously watching what others are saying on this board as the time gets closer.
Next year (June 2020), my wife & I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary, and have a B2B planned (just the two of us) on Freedom of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It will be an eastern loop followed by a southern loop (to the ABC's).  Same balcony room (on the bulge) both segments.  We are really excited for this!!!
I booked my June 2020 cruise with Michelle @ MEI, (and highly recommend her!).  I read about the many great experiences others have had with MEI from reading about them on this board, and decided to give them a try.
I do look forward to continued learning from others and sharing my experiences, too!  I have nothing but complements to @Matt on this absolutely wonderful blog!!!

Hello all,
My name is Marvin, and I have lived in Homer, Alaska for 36+ years.  Married to my wife, Julieanne, with three kids (21, 18, 16).  I've been "lurking" on this blog for a couple of years, and finally decided to officially join and make a few posts here and there!  I've already learned so much from the wisdom and experience of others on here; especially @Matt, @WAAAYTOOO, and @twangster (unbelievably great pictures, by the way!), along with many others.
My wife and I went on our first cruise on Holland America - Maasdam with two other couples we knew in January 2015 (10 days, FLL to Barbados - southern/eastern loop).   We instantly became addicted to cruising, and decided that more cruising was most definitely in our future!
Next cruise was with the full family (5) and in-laws (2) (3 inside rooms).  We did Freedom of the Seas - May 2015 (western loop).  Loved the much larger ship, compared to the HAL Maasdam!
We then did a large family reunion cruise on Oasis of the Seas - May 2017.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), sister-in-law & family (3), and in-laws (2) were in 6 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 6 rooms).  This was awesome, as we were able to open up the balcony dividers between all 6 rooms.  It was great watching the aqua shows from the balcony.
We next have planned another cruise on Harmony of the Seas - May 2019.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), and in-laws (2) will be in 5 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms, just like we had on Oasis (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 5 rooms).  We are very much looking forward to that!!!  We are supposed to be going to CocoCay this cruise.  I'm expecting the pier to be done, but am VERY nervous about whether the waterpark and other activities will be open.  We sail May 26th, so will be anxiously watching what others are saying on this board as the time gets closer.
Next year (June 2020), my wife & I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary, and have a B2B planned (just the two of us) on Freedom of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It will be an eastern loop followed by a southern loop (to the ABC's).  Same balcony room (on the bulge) both segments.  We are really excited for this!!!
I booked my June 2020 cruise with Michelle @ MEI, (and highly recommend her!).  I read about the many great experiences others have had with MEI from reading about them on this board, and decided to give them a try.
I do look forward to continued learning from others and sharing my experiences, too!  I have nothing but complements to @Matt on this absolutely wonderful blog!!!

Hello all,
My name is Marvin, and I have lived in Homer, Alaska for 36+ years.  Married to my wife, Julieanne, with three kids (21, 18, 16).  I've been "lurking" on this blog for a couple of years, and finally decided to officially join and make a few posts here and there!  I've already learned so much from the wisdom and experience of others on here; especially @Matt, @WAAAYTOOO, and @twangster (unbelievably great pictures, by the way!), along with many others.
My wife and I went on our first cruise on Holland America - Maasdam with two other couples we knew in January 2015 (10 days, FLL to Barbados - southern/eastern loop).   We instantly became addicted to cruising, and decided that more cruising was most definitely in our future!
Next cruise was with the full family (5) and in-laws (2) (3 inside rooms).  We did Freedom of the Seas - May 2015 (western loop).  Loved the much larger ship, compared to the HAL Maasdam!
We then did a large family reunion cruise on Oasis of the Seas - May 2017.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), sister-in-law & family (3), and in-laws (2) were in 6 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 6 rooms).  This was awesome, as we were able to open up the balcony dividers between all 6 rooms.  It was great watching the aqua shows from the balcony.
We next have planned another cruise on Harmony of the Seas - May 2019.  My family (5), my brother & family (4), and in-laws (2) will be in 5 adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms, just like we had on Oasis (Deck 12 clear to the end, last 5 rooms).  We are very much looking forward to that!!!  We are supposed to be going to CocoCay this cruise.  I'm expecting the pier to be done, but am VERY nervous about whether the waterpark and other activities will be open.  We sail May 26th, so will be anxiously watching what others are saying on this board as the time gets closer.
Next year (June 2020), my wife & I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary, and have a B2B planned (just the two of us) on Freedom of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It will be an eastern loop followed by a southern loop (to the ABC's).  Same balcony room (on the bulge) both segments.  We are really excited for this!!!
I booked my June 2020 cruise with Michelle @ MEI, (and highly recommend her!).  I read about the many great experiences others have had with MEI from reading about them on this board, and decided to give them a try.
I do look forward to continued learning from others and sharing my experiences, too!  I have nothing but complements to @Matt on this absolutely wonderful blog!!!