Jax

We would actually prefer the session later on the last sea day just in case of an injury. Not sure Lindsay and Reyd want to risk an injury on our first sea day. Lol We are really looking forward to these tours, especially the bridge tour as we missed them last year on Oasis. It will be a highlight for us! Reality is setting in that we only have a few more Christmas’s with Reyd in High School so we are making the most of them.

This always makes me happy I just realized we have never sailed on this low of a deck. Curious if we will notice a change. Tags purchased from Amazon.ca

I understand how you feel. Maybe if enough star class guests express their dissatisfaction over losing this perk on their post cruise survey, the policy may be reconsidered. I only know that this is the policy is for Harmony; it may be different on other ships. And the change only affects the flowrider; the other activities such as rock climbing continue to offer priority access during the scheduled times.

That’s so great! Lindsay’s apparel is quite fashionable compared to that beauty. Lol

Yup, that is a good reminder as some may assume what’s happening on Harmony is happening elsewhere. That is often not the case so it’s best not to set expectations based on one persons experiences with a genie or ship.

Agreed. Lindsay may have been tempted to try it again on day 6 or 7 but doesn’t want to risk an injury on day 2 of the cruise. So we may skip it altogether. I am not sure if this change is fleet wide on Oasis and Quantum ships. Have u heard anything about it on your upcoming star class cruise?

Random news I have learned a few interesting things from Berty. Often on holiday cruises entertainment schedules were not finalized until just a few days before your sailing. The entertainment schedule is now fixed fleet wide 30 days in advance of your cruise date. Copy attached. A second Aqua show will be added on Nights 5,6 & 7 providing there are no delays with The Fine Line Aqua Show on Nights 1-4. I don’t think this is new but it is new to me. Star class bridge and galley tours have resumed on Harmony. Escape Room is non operational. Star class priority access to flow rider has been replaced with a star class private session on the first sea day from 8:30-10am. I had heard about this change on various cruise forums so it was expected news. Snacks are no longer delivered to star class suites unless requested. They are taking a more targeted approach and trying to reduce waste. Snacks will be planned as we go. This is one change I am happy about. When we choose to snack we prefer it to be a favourite, not just random food. Balloon drop welcome at midnight has resumed. Will get more details once onboard. 2 parades. Will get more details once onboard.

Every time I hear that word I think of you. Lol

This was the inspiration for the Christmas Vacation theme blog. Lindsay purchased this 1974 Ford Country Squire a couple of months ago and his dream was to drive it in our towns Christmas parade. The lighting isn’t the best but his brothers business was awarded 3rd prize It was a crowd favourite.

Genie News I heard from our genie at the 26 day mark. So excited that we got Berty! His introductory email was brief asking for dining & entertainment preferences, beverage selections for in suite and to pass along any additional or special requests. I outlined everything in a word document; that way he has one document vs a bunch of email threads. A few days passed and I received an email offering to review the document I sent by telephone. I have heard of some genies doing this but I was still impressed. A quick call can avoid a bunch of email threads and possible misunderstandings. It’s not always easy to interpret and deliver a guests vision through an email thread. I feel like we are off to a great start!

Star Class Questionnaire I have been reading in various forums that the questionnaire received at the 60 day mark has been hit and miss. This was the first year I didn’t receive it either so I used an old link to submit it. This is a copy of the survey from last year. I am not sure these surveys are read by the genies but regardless I spend the most time on the question: How can we make your onboard experience amazing.

Cruise Planner Purchases Couples Thermal Suite Photo Package up to 100 Plane Spotting at Maho Beach, St Maarten. We did this last year and it was a lot of fun. All Access Ship Tour. This tour resumed before star class tours did so I may end up cancelling this.

Starmony Christmas Vacation Itinerary Nassau, St. Maarten, San Juan Puerto Rico Stateroom This is our first time on Harmony and we are staying in a 2 bedroom ATS #8730. Even though I am #teamdeck17 we want to try different star class suites. The appeal of the ATS for us was the 2 bedrooms, large deck and proximity to the Aqua show. We really don’t like losing our living space in the evening when the sofa gets turned into a bed at 6pm. We are fine with the long walk, but my hope is we see less room service strays in the hallway (that was a pet peeve on Anthem) Time will tell, stay tuned. Flights Direct flights from Calgary to Fort Lauderdale are limited to WestJet and only once per week so we are flying out a week early on their direct flight in Premium. Pre Cruise Hotel Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort - Oceanfront 1 Bedroom Suite December 17-24 We have never stayed here but the resort looks beautiful and our suite has been recently renovated. It checked off a few must haves: oceanfront, separate living area, kitchen and spa with dry sauna and steam showers. Car Rental Enterprise from FLL airport.

The Starmony “Christmas Vacation” blog is officially underway! We are counting down the days until this Christmas vacation gets underway. We are T - 11 days and the excitement is real! If you followed along last year, you know we like to have fun with a Christmas theme. This year it’s National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, a family favourite Christmas movie. We have a few fun things planned so follow along. Who’s going? Myself (Jacquie), 17 year old son (Reyd) and hubby (Lindsay) For those that followed along last year, our good friends Robert and Tammy are back again this year. Robert is a hoot so we are in for a fun week. Our group has expanded to include another set of good friends along with their 12 year old daughter and 16 year old son. These friends are travelling with a respite worker for their daughter and will be accessing many of the Autism Friendly Ship programming and supports.

Interesting. On our cruise planner holiday menus are at Chops and 150 Central Park on Dec 24&25th for $99. I will report back on what happens on Harmony.

We stayed at the Conrad Downtown which is within walking distance to the 911 memorial and other attractions and at Trump at Central Park. We stayed during the Christmas season so prices were higher than your preferred budget. Not sure how rates in April compare. We liked both hotels and would definitely stay again.

It’s included for star class but is not included in unlimited dining packages.

I have always heard from our genies at around the 28 mark, sometimes a few days past. The anticipation and waiting is the worst but regardless of when you hear from them they will be able to take care of all your bookings and requests. We have an upcoming cruise on Harmony on Dec 24th and heard from our genie at day 26. if you don’t hear by Day 21 it may not hurt to follow up because it’s possible they have an incorrect email address. (This recently happened to me and my TA sorted it out. It’s also why I didn’t receive the questionnaire at the 60 day mark)

Found this in Q&As…it provides a bit more information and asks you to checkin with a member at the photo gallery once onboard so accounts can be linked. Q My family is traveling in multiple staterooms. Can I link multiple staterooms under one photo package? A Your Photo account will contain your photos that include at least one member of the purchasing stateroom. We can accommodate families traveling in more than one stateroom where the occupants are the package purchaser’s children 21 and under. If you meet this criteria, please order one photo package online and speak to a member of the Photo Gallery when you arrive onboard to have this arranged. We are not able to link accounts before you arrive onboard.

According to this found in cruise planner you should be fine providing children are under 21. Digital and print photo packages are sold on a per stateroom basis only, and photos are linked to staterooms based on the guests traveling in that stateroom. Photos of accompanying children aged 21 and under who may be assigned to a different stateroom may also be included in the photo package.

We are on Harmony the week before you (Dec 24th) and I heard from our genie a couple days ago; right at the 28 day mark.

I remember your blog! I followed daily to see what happened next! . Our first time on Anthem was plagued with a few problems to so I was sympathetic.

I looked quite extensively for our upcoming stay in a couple weeks. The Marriott Harbour Beach Resort and Marriott Airport hotel (if you don’t have a preference for beachfront) were on my short list. Both had excellent reviews but as a party of 3 the bed options at Harbour Beach Resort were double beds which was a hard no. The airport hotel has an M Club lounge that may be of interest to you. Ultimately we decided on the Hilton Beachfront Resort in a suite as we wanted more space for our 7 night pre cruise stay.

We are cruising with friends over Christmas that have a disabled daughter and she has found the Autism on the Seas group very helpful. Once her booking opens up for check in she was instructed to call this group and schedule a boarding time that works for their family. (Our booking opens up Nov 9th so I will know more about the boarding process for them after that) She has also completed a guest special needs form that covers a wide range of needs, from dietary to stateroom accommodations. There are many resources and supports available with special trained staff. I have included links below that may be helpful. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/experience/accessible-cruising/autism-friendly-ships https://www.royalcaribbean.com/resources/guest-special-needs

Just received updated protocols for Canada