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We plan to do the art walk when we’re there https://bethechangesxm.com/colormesxm/ It’s nothing formal but seems like a fun way to wander the little downtown area.

I have done several tours over the years with Paris Muse and all were wonderful. However, this was during stays in Paris, not as a cruiser so might not work for you. If you’re looking for something that includes round trip transportation, you might have luck over on the cruise critic boards, or with viator

I echo the idea that it’s fine to just leave your beach bag on the boat. I do bring my phone, and most times have ended up making friends on the excursion that I want to save their contact info. Also, not everyone is in the water all the time, some never actually snorkel, so there’s always someone to “watch your bag”. Do bring a little cash to tip the boat crew - they work hard!

What do you suppose they do with the stuff no one picks up?

I tip in cash, 1s and 5s throughout the cruise for drinks, as well as 20s to put together bigger tips for cabin steward, waitstaff, and anyone else at the end of cruise who I appreciate. Precovid, envelopes were provided on the last night. Someone can say if this is still a thing. I also tip cabin steward upon arrival, saying thanks for having room so perfect. I’ve found this goes a long way throughout the rest of the cruise. If you do any shore excursions, it’s nice to tip in cash, guides and drivers. Basically I bring piles of cash lol.

We sailed in a jr suite on Explorer in 2020, and loved the cabin. We felt we had more space, and better laid out, than in some Grand Suites we have stayed in. I loved the walk in closet, and the sitting area. Granted, the bathroom is nicer in a GS. But I would not hesitate to stick with a JS for 3 on that ship. DD will be on a sofa bed either way, and the closet is big enough to change clothes in, so you actually would have more flexibility for privacy than a GS with just bathroom and main cabin.

This question sparked a lot of fun conversation! We realized that most often in port, we are rushing to do things, and lunch is just whatever works. Most dinners, which we make an effort to be sure are good, are onboard the ship. Having said that, the day we wandered Tallinn, Estonia, on our Baltic cruise, we wound up having a fantastic meal at Hell Hunt Pub. The beer was good too!

Last time I cruised with family, I asked our TA to put onboard credit on their account (basically I paid into their cruise) and I made a little card for Christmas that said they had it. This worked well, mainly bc my aunt likes to shop onboard. I doubt it would have been helpful for prepurchase excursions.

re: toddler RC will never frown at your choices. However, please keep in mind the people who have shelled out extra money to eat in specialty restaurants. I'm sure you would take your angel out of the restaurant at the first sign of fussing. Unfortunately for us, the last time we ate at Chops a couple was there with their toddler to "celebrate his 1 year birthday" at 8 pm after a long port day. That child screamed, cried, and threw food the entire time we were trying to enjoy our meal. It was hell. The wait staff kept offering to box up their food, or switch to room service but the couple would not hear of it. Again, I am sure this would never be you. But it might be easier to plan on the nursery so you don't have to be on guard and prepared to leave, and you can enjoy your meal while allowing others to do the same. On the other hand, same cruise we shared a MDR table with a young couple and their 8 month old, who was an absolute delight. If your toddler is one who happily amuses themselves with the toys you bring along, and enjoys the parade of food coming to the table, while quietly babbling to themselves, specialty dining should be no obstacle. Only you know your child well enough to make the call.

Your report is getting me so excited for our Harmony cruise! Requested to follow you on the gram so I can see all the pics!

Just want to say thanks for getting the Tab jingle stuck in my head! Tab Cola what a beautiful drink! Tab for beautiful people! Tab, you’re beautiful to me! 16 ounces and just one calorie! Tab it’s so darn good, and sugar free! Can’t remember where I put my phone or keys most days, but that song comes right back

Good advice here, Steve. I would add, since I have spent the last few months helping a few “older adults,” that if you were able to find these boards, determine that it was worth asking your question here, then set up an account and return to the boards and post your questions, I am sure you will be able to navigate the proctored tests. You may be so comfortable with technology that you don’t realize how challenging those steps you just completed actually are for many older folks. I’m wishing you a hassle-free embarkation and a wonderful cruise

There was a fascinating segment on Science Friday last week about these masks and singing acoustics!

Thanks!

Jumping in with a related question- I thought just staying in a suite gave you a reserved seating area at shows. Is it a bad idea to count on this and instead we should ask concierge to make reservations? If so, I assume show times will appear in the app early enough to make these requests?

Excited to follow along. We will be on this itinerary in April on Harmony, our first time on one of the big ships. Also deck 10. I love having cabins above and below us, so quiet! also interested in your precruise experience as we are not sure we are are happy with our travel & hotel choices

We had a fabulous experience a few years ago with Gold Mine Ranch in Aruba. They provide rt transportation from the port, a great beach ride with interesting commentary, and a photographer is poised to capture pictures at various scenic points. At one point, you can ride into the ocean, at another you go under a cool natural arch. You can book group or private excursions. I am an experienced rider, hubby is not. We booked private and he basically got a full riding lesson as we went along, from our former show rider guide. Once she decided I knew what I was doing, I was allowed to really put my horse through his paces, which was a ton of fun on the open beaches. The group rides we saw were more placid, your typical nose to bumper walk along, but everyone looked happy.

Thank you for the update! I’m so happy for you that things worked out in an acceptable way. I also appreciate the info about an advocacy group. I did not know of such a thing, and who knows when one might be needed? Happy anniversary and happy sailing!

This has been a helpful blog for me to manage my expectations ahead of our Harmony cruise in April. We've only done the smaller ships, and have almost always had an outstanding experience. I have wondered if moving up to a ship with Star Class will make us feel like steerage passengers by booking anything less. It does beg the question if they downgrade others' experiences to make star seem more "worth it." What's truly frustrating about your experience is that guest services was not helpful. The few times we have had issues, they were quickly resolved by a visit to guest services. Sad that this was not the case for you. Thank you for sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. And I'm glad there was some good! I wish you and your family many happy future vacations, and thank you for your service!

This made me snort my coffee while laughing out loud. I can't figure out if you are being snarky and the production audio was truly that bad? Or if you actually somehow have escaped familiarity with this musical and the T. S. Eliot poems. I am fascinated by this concept and would love to buy you drinks and explore this further. Do you know all Christine asked of Raoul? Do you know who Jean Val Jean is? It looks like they did a pretty true-to-Broadway production and you at least made it through Jenny Any Dots. Cats definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea lol.

I love the way you wrote these tips to your future self! Many years ago, when my daughter was young, we did regular Disney trips. I kept a notebook where I wrote to my "next trip self." Reading through several years worth of these tips now is such a time capsule. The days are long with little ones, but the years are short, and we don't remember everything. Some day you will look back on these and wistfully hum the Daniel the Tiger theme. (for me, it was Bear in the Big Blue house on a portable VHS player ) I've so enjoyed your upbeat report - thank you for taking us along!

This is all helpful. Thank you!

LOL, we also had great AT&T reception on that cruise! Alaska was my first cruise and so I had no clue...ended up with a port balcony and saw tons of wildlife. Have cruised quite a bit since then, and have changed cabins multiple times. Sometimes I find a better deal, sometimes I do more research and like a location better. As long as you are thinking about switching, it's worth it to check prices in other categories. If by chance they've gone down since you booked, you could always upgrade yourself. To me, though, far more important than what side of the ship is what is above or below my cabin. I prefer other cabins so I am insulated from noise, but some people prefer higher or lower decks to be closer to whatever.

Can't speak to either of those lines, but cruised Princess with the extended family, including kids of various ages. The programming was very impressive, with lots of interaction, crafts, baking/cooking, planned activities and just fun downtime in the kids clubs. The kids often didn't want to leave to join back up with the adults, and were very excited about each day's theme, which they learned about the day before.

Jumping on this question...is it the same attendant/s for the day, so that tipping at the end of day will work? Or do they change around, so tipping a few dollars each drink or food delivery is preferred? Thanks!