Hutcherl

Resurrecting this!
For those who have been around this community for a while, you will remember I use to post this once a month. Then it went by the wayside with Covid, and then the last two years have been so busy at work that I only managed to keep the "When is your next cruise?" thread afloat. Anyway, happy to bring back the "Happy Sailing" thread as well.
July 2023
8 - Melkaps (Liberty)
14 - Snotarni (Independence)
23 - lovetocruise2002 (Wonder)
23 - CowboyMedic (Allure)
29 - Hutcherl (Harmony)
30 - ckruetze (Symphony)
30 - Fuzzywuzzy (Brilliance)

I checked in at midnight and got a 10:30 arrival for our group of 14. 

Check in day alert!! 

Discovered last week that my friend and her family are going on this sailing (hilariously, I will be getting on the ship when they get off 😅 ).
So this is a roll call for them just for the fun of it.

I like Southwest. Very flexible fares, still typically a good bit cheaper than legacy airlines once you factor in seat/luggage costs, and living near a WN hub I can get to any cruise homeport typically with a direct flight.
 
That said, boarding early definitely is the key.

Low fares (if booked far enough out), no checked bag fees, can check for price drops, can usually cancel flights for future fight credit, direct flights in places where the legacy carriers must route you through a hub city.  They are a much more consumer friendly airline to do business with.
The trick to surviving the no assigned seats thing to board early.  Either add the cost for early bird to the trip before comparing prices or use their credit card to get free boarding upgrades.  If you are in the B or C boarding group it sucks.  

These type are best to ignore and not even respond.  They are on an island with their thinking.  Best to leave it there.  Oops, did I just not follow my advice and reply?? 

These type are best to ignore and not even respond.  They are on an island with their thinking.  Best to leave it there.  Oops, did I just not follow my advice and reply?? 

These type are best to ignore and not even respond.  They are on an island with their thinking.  Best to leave it there.  Oops, did I just not follow my advice and reply?? 

These type are best to ignore and not even respond.  They are on an island with their thinking.  Best to leave it there.  Oops, did I just not follow my advice and reply?? 

These type are best to ignore and not even respond.  They are on an island with their thinking.  Best to leave it there.  Oops, did I just not follow my advice and reply?? 

At least those are in the ballpark.   Cabana prices and Coco Beach Club have gone through the roof.  As a stockholder, thanks to everyone paying the higher rates.
I'll stick with Resort for a Day or Nachi/Mr. Sanchos for reasonable rates. 
 

And I just received my Royal Up offers

WOW. NO THANKS on the complete lack of compassion here. "Forgetting" (in quotes?) What is that supposed to mean? 
My friend has 3 kids, one of which is graduating from high school in 2 weeks, so there are many activities with the soon to be grad. All 3 kids are in sports, and music/theater, so she has been to 9 arts performances and 5 games in the past week. Oh, and she WORKS. And is a youth group leader at her church. She also has health issues, including Type 1 diabetes. She is one of the most organized and giving people I know. A reminder arrived and she just missed it. She's amazing, but human. 
I asked for ADVICE, not judgement. Screw you.

And I just received my Royal Up offers

FYI- Final payment day bump! 

Your vacation does not start when your first foot hits deck 5, your vacation actually starts long before that.  Chill.

July 29th 2023 Harmony of the Seas 
 

We almost always fly in to FLL even if sailing out of Miami (nonstop flights and generally better pricing), and we've always used Lyft or Uber.

I’m betting there are charters for the type of swinging we all assumed that was being referred to!?

Hi Hutcherl,
Nice to meet you virtually. We are a group of 6 joining you on Harmony. It will be myself, my wife and son, her brother and a couple of other friends in three cabins. It will be the first cruise for her brother and our son. We booked the Hampton Inn close to the airport. Best deal I could find overall....everything in Miami seems expensive compared to other ports like PC. We are a little north of Atlanta and will be driving down a day or two before the cruise. Hope more people join soon!

This is not Royal's fault, however I do agree that there should be an officer onboard who could have gotten an answer as to what the issue was.

My exact experience.  Definitely frustrating 

If you've sailed with Royal before then you are a member of the Crown and Anchor Society.  You can call that team to assist with the same things you would call the general number.   From booking a new cruise to servicing an existing cruise.