Likely the most boring live blog ever! Relaxing on Harmony of the Seas December 31, 2022-January 7, 2023

[Cruiser4Life]

Odyssey dropped day 2 NYE ugly sweater night but replaced it with casual…. Hmmm…. Lol. Night 3 and 8 currently formal. D13 is now figuring out which three of her packed nine dresses can change to formal because “no way can I be casual on nye.”

[Ampurp85]

Congratulations on making it safely, have a wonderful cruise.

[mom2mybugs]

Can't sleep so I will catch everyone up...if I can remember what I've done! 

  Yesterday was very low key.  We got to the Hilton fort Lauderdale marina and check in took forever.  We were unfortunately not thrilled with the room.  It's fine, but in the old wing, first floor (so Patio is below the walkway and thus feels like a concrete box), and the door has a huge gap at the bottom.  There is no soundproofing at all and we are people not bothered by noise. 

 

The weather wasn't terrific, butt we spent some time by the pool and then ate dinner at the pool bar.  It is truly highly overpriced, but other than the fish tacos (which were horrible) it was good.  The wine... Well, I'm looking forward to vintages lol!  

   Today was sunny and much happier!  We didn't get to the pool until around 11 and there were no chairs at all.  Maybe 10 mins later, 2 showed up in the shade so we took them.  I decided to sit in the sun on the edge of the pool and read, and when someone left, I grabbed their chair.  Eventually my husband  abandoned the shade and joined me.  We ended up ordering chips and guac and hummus and they were all very good.  

  We finally dragged ourselves to shower and head to the water taxi.  It took us one hour, forty mins to get on.  It was a mess :(. Literally a boat would come every half hour and load like 2-4 people.  Once on though, it's such a nice ride. We decided to head to stop 10 to see the mansions all decorated for Xmas.  

We got to bokampers at around 7 and we seated by 710.  Great we thought... And then 30 mins later we still hadn't seen a server even though we had gone and spoken to someone several times.  It was a mess.  Jeff finally went to the hostess who seated us...we actually think she was the manager doing a million things.  She literally took our order, got our drinks, apologized a million times and then ended up comping us our drinks and giving us half price on the food.  It was unexpected and kind for sure!  I recommend the atmosphere and the food was great... Hopefully staffing and big groups dont kill you.  

We did get to see the bridge go up a couple times too!

We literally managed to walk right on the water taxi... Big change from before!  It was a quiet boat till the very drunk people got on, but that's ok.  That will be me soon on the drink pkg!!!   

  So now I'm too wound up to sleep and can't wait for 10 1/2 hrs when I walk onto Harmony!!   My aim is to church in once a day but keep in mind the title of this blog lol!  @Lovetocruise2002 will be blogging symphony and will be much more interesting lol!!!!     I have the Muppet Christmas carol singing going through my head, but instead of "there's only one more night til Christmas" I have "there's only one more night night til Harmony"!!!!! Jane

[mom2mybugs]

Last thoughts on fort Lauderdale...

I'm not sure I would stay at the Hilton fort Lauderdale marina again unless I upgraded big-time to a higher room in the main tower.  This building felt old.  There are limited food choices, no hot tub and overalli just think I'm done after 3 stays here.  We will look for a new place next time.

 Water taxi was positive and very negative. They need to post signs for directional lines to stand in, and figure out why the lines were so bad.  When you pay for all day you shouldn't wait close to 2 hours for a boat.  I think we were at the most crowded stop (4) to board, so another reason not to stay at Hilton Marina. Jane

[Jax]

Happy cruising! 

[Neesa]

First, no way boring! Love the pics. We stayed at this property 2 X because it's convenient and we love the self parking. We did the main building and believe me the rooms are light and bright, same decor as yours but even on the very top facing the port so I can stare at the ships, it feels cramped and old. No sound proofing at all and the rooms were very narrow, way smaller then the one on your pic! We will not stay again either as the hype, location and property do not reflect the price. It's a wasteful stay in our opinion. We bring a cooler with Publix subs and some snacks and eat on the balcony to save money as well as not taking chances that something we ingest us "off" ruining day one of our sailing. Embarkation today! Have a great adventure and Happy New Year! Can't wait to follow along with you as well!

[WannaCruise]

Enjoy your cruise.  Looking forward to hearing about it.

[Lovetocruise2002]

You’re doing a great job Jane! Happy sailing today! 

[SweetPea]

I hope you do church in once a day! God bless you (best autopredict ever!)

 

Have fun!!!

[FireFishII]

Will she 'CHURCH' today?  Inquisitive minds would like to know. LOL!  Happy sailing!

[Gordo]

Looking forward to more of your blog, as we sail her in a couple months.  Hope you are having a great cruise!

[mom2mybugs]

Ok... Worst live... Need to change to livish!  

  This morning is day 4 sea day and isn't too bad temp wise so I have my phone out to blog a bit

DAY 1--embarkation was really incredibly easy.  I set our Uber time for 1015 (we had an 11 time). The Uber showed up early at 10 and they let us into the terminal well before 11.  Porter found us immediately and off we went! We forgot to take pics which the crew member did in 2 seconds while checking the other stuff.  We were sitting in chairs waiting to go on by 1040 at the latest and on the ship with the first group by 1102.  

Note about dining!  We booked individual dining because we wanted the times and still did the 3 day pkg.  Don't... Just don't.  We are still in a mess of trying to refund everything and do far only 1 meal of the 3 is refunded.  My lunch reservation is still showing up even though the Jamie's guy said it would cancel.  No money will be saved because I'm sure I will miss stuff.  There were tons of spots available at 11 and while I'm sure it gets tight, they will work you in.  

We headed up to the pool deck then to start that drink pkg.  I was the 5th person on the abyss slide and it was fun!  Don't need to do it again unless I'm trying to get to the boardwalk but it was fun if the line isn't bad.  

We got to our room at 115 or so (they were ready at 1) and our luggage was in the hall when we got there.  Our room is beautiful and spacious for a regular balcony and I'm glad that I cancelled our Royal up bid.

We've been analyzing the balcony and we are just people that underutilise it.  We were out there looking at stars on night one, but haven't been out since.  Id rather be in the sun and Jeff just usually hangs with me until he can't take it!  So unless we get a good deal, ocean view or interior is really ok.  

 But I digress.  We did the spa your which drove Jeff crazy but forgot to go back for the drawing!  Oh well.  I did sign up for the thermal spa.  I've really enjoyed it, but I'm finding that cutting out time on the oasis ships with all the shows and dining is hard.  I was going to go this morning and alas, sleep was calling my name!  Maybe later today....   I will try and remember to take pictures of the spa area...it is tranquil and Serene if you don't have stupid people talking and playing loud videos on their phone (only happened once thank goodness)

   Dinner was at 5 at the mdr.  Here's my take... Early dining is great to get to shows and that is it.  Sailaway was at 430 and we had to change so we were 15 mins late and it just was a race with it being "dress to impress" for new year's Eve.  Too much so and because our specialties are that early for the shows, we won't see many sailaways.  It's frustrating.  Mdr on day 1 though was very very good. Service was great and we enjoyed the food.  

We had the fine line aqua show tonight and though the story makes so sense, the dancing and tricks were amazing.  Tons of seats available... Maybe because it was Nye.  We hit the bionic bar on the way...very fun!  I have tons to add of pics from both but it's getting hot on the pool deck so maybe will add later!  

   

We finished the night on the promenade for balloon drop.  It was surprisingly not crowded and we had a great time until we headed to dazzles and I lost my phone.  Decided to hit the customer service desk because I figured I left it in the bathroom.  There were only a few people ahead of me but ONE person working!  An hour later I got my phone back thank goodness or this would be a photoless livish boring blog!  

   Overall thoughts from day 1:

***5pm too early to dine on sailaway and most ports.  Do windjammer or casual instead

***This leads to #2.  New years Eve is fun but if it's also embarkation night, it is kind of overwhelming and takes away the fun a bit.  You are busy being wrapped up with dressing up (and the bling was fun) and you lose the deck sailaway vibe.  I'd rather have NYE mid week.  

**The ship doesnt feel crowded at all.  I know we are pretty full, but I've not seen a lot of kids and lines for the slides have been pretty low.  Even first sea day at 10 there are tons of chairs at deck 16 level.  None of course at pool level but it took till 830 for those to be gone today.  Here's at 800

And at 845

So that is day 1.  More to hopefully follow tonight on days 2-4!  Jane

[WAAAYTOOO]

Sounds like you're having a blast, Jane.  So glad to hear it.

I see you got a room with the bed next to the balcony.  We did on the second half of our B2B on OA as well.  It makes SUCH a difference in spaciousness.  Since we are sailing in balconies much more in the next few months, I am trying very hard to make sure that we have the bed by the balcony.

[mom2mybugs]

18 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Sounds like you're having a blast, Jane.  So glad to hear it.

I see you got a room with the bed next to the balcony.  We did on the second half of our B2B on OA as well.  It makes SUCH a difference in spaciousness.  Since we are sailing in balconies much more in the next few months, I am trying very hard to make sure that we have the bed by the balcony.

I remembered you guys helping me figure it out in terms of what I had.  We had a guarantee so got lucky but we love it.  Such a better set up for sure!!!! Jane

[SweetPea]

Thanks for churching in! Love following along on your fun while it is a rainy, dreary here in NJ. Have a drink for or 3 for me!

[Lovetocruise2002]

3 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

***This leads to #2.  New years Eve is fun but if it's also embarkation night, it is kind of overwhelming and takes away the fun a bit.  You are busy being wrapped up with dressing up (and the bling was fun) and you lose the deck sailaway vibe.  I'd rather have NYE mid week.  

I agree with this completely. When we sailed Indy, NYE was mid cruise. This time on Symphony, it was the same as you on embarkation day. I was so wiped I could not enjoy it as much. 

[mom2mybugs]

This is from earlier yesterday that didn't post. 

 We were under a stop to investigate a 20 person inflatable life raft floating in the water.  Send from a viking ship and nothing found so we are back on our way.  

   I'm at the c & a top tier to find out numbers...  And enjoy my mimosa! 

  26 ships in 7 months back

41000 active employees and down to 2500 and now back!  

6260 on board right now, 

Gold 1178, 378 plat, 201 emerald, 368 diamond, 158 diamond plus, 25 pinn

2305 c and a mems in all, and the top:

3rd...1660 pts 

2nd 1835 pts

1st 2220 pts

 

 

[mom2mybugs]

This morning from our balcony (through the door because this is the loudest worst door lock handle ever).  

We are in Cozumel today and plan on doing nothing! Jane

[mom2mybugs]

These beds are amazing in the solarium.  So comfy, though this worshipper will need to move soon.  

We weren't on the main deck for sea day so I don't know how good they were about clearing towels.  They did absolutely nothing on Deck 16.

Here comes Mariner!!!!

[beccaball]

Sailing for Spring Break on Harmony on March 18th.... I've been enjoying your report so far! Thank you for taking the time to do so