melski94

You have 60 days after booking to transfer your reservation. MEI travel is a sponsor of the blog and used by many of us. I use Nancy from MEI.

One more thing, contact the special needs department about your child’s allergy. No experience but others have said RC is very good with dealing with food allergies.

I think the MDR is fine. If you are a food snob then you won’t like it. Some dishes I love and some are ok but I haven’t found anything I hated. Think of other times where you’ve been where they serve hundreds of people (weddings, conferences, etc). I think it’s a notch above that but not as good as a top restaurant. As a family of 6, we eat in the MDR and are fine with it. There are only so many rooms that have connecting doors and they tend to sell out or at least 1 if the combo is taken so it is possible. If you want to look at availability for rooms I find that Costco’s website gives you the easiest way to see available rooms. You should have a couch so maybe the 3 yo can sleep on that. There are no swim diapers allowed in the main pools. I think there is a small area for swim diapers but not sure if that’s on Allure. Adventure ocean is free for 3 and up however they do need to be potty trained. I don’t know if they would allow a pull up. As for dining, my family likes my time dining. Early is too early and late is too late. Relax it really is an easy process and it’s nice not to have to have your day planned out like Disney.

My family and I will be on this cruise too. This will be our first time on an Oasis class. I know nothing about parties but hopefully someone else can chime in. We can’t wait!

@Digmenow Wow! That is an awesome set up!

I follow Marc Walker on FB as he's currently the Harmony CD. According to his FB page, he is headed to Symphony for the TA.

@LindsayThis works to access the Cruise Planner. Just bought the internet package. Now I just realized, did not print a SetSail pass for 1 of the kids (Oops) and luggage tags for the kids room. Going to try tomorrow.

First, let me say I HATE Windjammer. Not necessarily the food but the experience and the experience with kids....help kids with food, be lucky and find a table on the first walk through, leave kids at table and go back for a plate for myself, come back kids want more, kids are done and I haven't sat down. It is a nightmare to me. In the past I've taken them to MDR, which is fine for salad options but they don't always have a kid friendly lunch menu. I want a place to get a salad for me and a burger/hot dog/fruit etc for my 2 younger kids. Would any of these work... Solarium bistro? Park cafe? Does Mini Bites have salad? I'd probably like the first 2 and the kids the last. Really hoping the WJ isn't the only option.

I just used OBC to partially pay for our internet package. With mine, it showed the total, the amount of OBC and the new due that I used my credit card. There was a button to select "Use OBC" and I had to put in the amount I wanted to use (which was all my OBC) and then I had to press "Apply". After that, the OBC reduced the total and I paid the rest by credit card. It was very clear the total was reduced before I put in my cc info. Does your cruise planner still show that you have OBC? Now that I used my OBC, it no longer gives me the option to use OBC when I pay. My suggestion is to cancel whatever you purchased and try again. OBC will be credited back to your account. Or you can call RC directly and try to cancel and rebook.

Me too. I do have a few things that I wanted to get in the cruise planner before our cruise in 16 days but it will wait. At least I printed out our Sail Passes on Monday!

Love the behind the scenes tour idea. He'd be very interested in that.

Did you get magnets to stick everything? I don't think I can't use tape. This is kind of what I'm thinking.

We'll be on Harmony and my son will turn 15 on day 4. I know you can order a cake. Where would I order it and is it any good? I am skeptical of desserts as they always seem to look better than they taste unless they are from a specialty restaurant. I don't mind paying for one but would actually like it to be good if I buy something extra. Besides buying door decorations directly from RC, any ideas to do it yourself? Not a Pinterest mom, so looking for something simple. This concept may take me back to just buying from RC. I haven't decided about going to a specialty restaurant but that is an option. I may take my son to the sushi making class, while not on his birthday, it looks fun and he loves sushi.

I've tried it once a few years ago. It was fun. My kids think it is just ok (older 2 did lessons, 3rd did 1 run on the lesson and refused to do it again). My son could be pretty good but he hates wiping out in front of the crowd so he doesn't do it very often.

Safe travels! I am also thinking of trying a live blog on Harmony. I should have some time in the afternoon to write a bit but I worry about trying to keep it up. Can't wait to follow along. All I can say is Go Preds! Says a girl from Chicago, married to a guy from Pittsburgh, which of course makes us Predator fans!

I have a beach bungalow booked and 9:30 Dragons Flightline. 1. Should I try to go to the beach bungalow before the zip line? Do I get to pick out my bungalow or are they preassigned? Or should I just head there and drop our stuff there anyways before the zip line? 2. I see pictures and videos while on the zip line (although rules say nothing loose). Do I need the chest or head strap for the go pro or will the wrist strap be ok? Any other ideas for pictures? 3. Read that I can tip someone and leave my camera and they will take pictures of us. Any experience? 4. How long does the entire Dragon flight experience take (training, waiting, etc)? Cruise planner says 1 hr 15 minutes, how accurate? Any other tips for Dragon Flight? 5. Will my MIL have problems taking my 2 little kids (ages 11 and 6) off the ship with her? Ideally, she'd meet us at the bungalow. I don't want them running around the beach the entire time we are gone but would prefer not to have to go back to the ship to pick them up. Thanks!

Welcome! I think the biggest difference to DCL (besides the price) is that soda is not free (package is $8.50 a day). Not a problem for me as I don’t allow my kids the soda package. Free drinks include coffee, tea (premium is extra), water, some flavored waters at lunch, milk. We eat in the main dining room typically. If DH and I want a date night, then the 2 or us will eat in a specialty restaurant and feed the kids in the windjammer. While food is subjective, specialty dining is not necessary to enjoy your cruise. I have 4 kids ages 18-6. All have loved cruising with RC and I’ve had someone in every club. It’s different than DCL but it is still lots of fun. Come back with more questions!

The waves are from last weekends storm not the one that is about to hit. That storm is still spinning off the north east coast so is still generating waves. The waves that this upcoming storm may or may not bring haven't happened yet. The bottom line is that the cruise line will do everything possible to make it a pleasant cruise but there is only so much they can control. I would be packing everything available for motion sickness (bands, ginger, dramamine etc).

Oh the stress! Hope you get there on time and the sailing is smooth. So glad it’s not me...hoping things settle in a few weeks...I have a 6 yo who is prone to air, car and sea sickness. I’d be doubling up on bags and Dramamine hoping to convince her the wrist bands really do work. I think you have kids who are also prone to motion sickness so hoping for an uneventful trip for you. Fingers crossed.

Looks like a fun night. Sorry to hear seas so rough. Any port changes for you?

Both through RC right? It probably would be ok because RC excursions will be one the of first tenders off and the river boat you just may be on the tour boat and go directly there. The second excursion with RC would be key as I'd hate to miss the last tender so it is nice knowing that the ship wouldn't leave without you. You could book both now but be willing to cancel if necessary. You should talk to the shore excursion desk once onboard about estimated departure/arrival and make sure it is possible. Book as long as you are ok with the risk of missing the 2nd one and not getting your money back.

It looks like a set departure time in my cruise planner...my cruise planner does not show an 8:30 departure but only a 1230 departure. Looking at the reviews, it looks like there is only 1 trolley so you must stay on the tour. Have you thought of a private tour? I hired a private tour guide for 5 hours for 7 of us and I told her to meet us at 10. I like the flexibility of touring at my own pace. I've even read that you can hire a taxi driver for the day at a fairly reasonable price and they can give a pretty decent tour.

I'm on Harmony on the 24th!

Thanks for the info! It looks like a great area. Note to self...do not book Anthem as my boys do enough of that at home!

Welcome to the boards! I haven't been on Anthem but some general RC ideas: We normally get to the ship around 10 or 10:30. We like to be there early to explore the ship. There is a lot of entertainment...pools, family trivia, arcade, family movies, Ripcord, bumper cars and the AO does put on a few family activities. That being said I suggest you try the AO (kids club). My kids are extremely shy and have loved it. In the evening, they have group games so everyone is on a team and playing together. You don't have to worry about him being left out. My kids aren't there all day but typically in the evening so we can go see a show, etc. No xbox but there is an arcade (games cost $). Make reservations in your cruise planner for my time dining. Do you have a question about it? Feel free to ask for questions. If you look on the blog, Matt has written some great articles for first time cruising, cruising with kids and more information on Anthem. Here's one to get you started: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/anthem-of-the-seas#.WpwF4ZPwbOQ