Harmony on the Sea Aug 17-25

[Stvr California]

Currently sitting in the Sacramento airport getting ready to board a Southwest direct flight to Houston.

Its me, Steve, my lovely wife Inder, and our two kids - boy 15 and girl 12

We sail out of Galveston on the Harmony of the Seas for an eight day cruise with three stops along the way: Cozumel, Nassau and Perfect Day Coco Cay. We have been planning this trip since April and everyone is so excited.

We are boarding soon so this is a quick check in - we sail tomorrow!

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

Sounds like a great cruise for your family.  Hope your flight is smooth with no delays.

 

[asquared17]

harmony!!!! such a great ship!!

[JohnK6404]

Have a great time! We have not had the pleasure of sailing on Harmony just yet!

[Stvr California]

The flight was a breeze,  luggage was sent with us and after a 45 minute $107 Uber ride we have arrived in beautiful Galveston, Texas at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort.  
 

We opted for an Uber XL because of the amount of luggage and comfort but there were cheaper options around $70. 

Edit:  I forgot to mention we flew into Hobby airport that is in the south Houston area.  It’s easier to get to the port from there.

Enjoying a local IPA with Inder while watching the kids play in the pool. 

 

[Stvr California]

So far we have been blessed with great weather- 89 degrees, feels like 104.  Cruising during August is a gamble when it comes to possible itinerary changes.  With hurricane Ernesto currently menacing Bermuda, it seems we have dodged a bullet.  My daughter would be devastated by a Coco Cay cancellation.  

The room is nice with a great view of the Gulf and pool area. 

 

[Generalchadwick]

Getting on HoTS at the end of next month.  Excited to join this thread live.  Awesome to think you are getting up right now and preparing to go board the ship.

One question I have when the days come up is how many people you see dressing up for the different theme nights.  My wife and I love dressing up but have noticed on past cruises less and less people dressing up.  I understand the case of who cares what others are doing, you do you.  But just curious.

[Stvr California]

35 minutes ago, Generalchadwick said:

My wife and I love dressing up but have noticed on past cruises less and less people dressing up.  I understand the case of who cares what others are doing, you do you.  But just curious.

I will report back.  We plan on participating in the tropical night.  We have some matching floral prints.

[GatorCruiser]

I’m following , interested in your experience 

[Stvr California]

Happy times! We are onboard.

This is Steve’s wife, Inder reporting on our boarding experience while Steve double-fists a margarita and a milkshake because “he plans to get his money’s worth from the drinks and dining package.” As one does. 
 

This morning when I went to get some coffee our hotel lobby was packed with cruisers getting ready to get on a 9:45 shuttle to the port. We had the better idea of skipping the crowd and just getting an Lyft ride. So after  leisurely breakfast we pulled out our apps …. 
 

So, yeah, not such a great idea after all! It took 20 minutes just to set up the ride and another 40 minutes after that for the ride to arrive. We had to squeeze all four of us into the back seat, too. Our driver Javier was awesome, though and played good music. Meanwhile the second shuttle came and went - use the shuttle!
 

Once we got to the boarding area everything went very smoothly and Steve made sure we got all the Suite benefits and shorter lines. Somehow, somewhere, my daughter managed to lose a sweatshirt I only bought her last week, though … c’est la vie.

We’ve been through muster call and we’re enjoying our drinks (no IPA until we leave Texas, though, waaah) - It’s good to be on the ship! 

Johnny Rockets for lunch..

 

[OCSC Mike]

17 minutes ago, Stvr California said:

while Steve double-fists a margarita and a milkshake because “he plans to get his money’s worth from the drinks and dining package.” As one does. 

My kinda guy and keep the food pics coming!

[CruisingAndy]

39 minutes ago, Stvr California said:

Steve made sure we got all the Suite benefits and shorter lines.

What suite are you staying in? We’re on Harmony next year out of Galveston in Star class so definitely curious how all of your experiences are!

[Stvr California]

@CruisingAndy

We are doing a Sky Class loft suite on deck 17.  It faces toward the back of the ship so it’s easy to see the kids riding the Flow Rider.

 

[Stvr California]

Sorry here is a picture of the balcony view.

extra points if you can pick out our exact room number 

[Stvr California]

Coastal Kitchen for dinner.

@Love 2 cruise 2022 Has made it quite clear this is the place to be on Day 1 for dinner.  Filet Mignon is the required order or you get kicked off the RoyalCaribbeanblog.com permanently.

Arancini

Shrimp cocktail 

French onion soup 

Filet Mignon

Duck breast

 Branzini 

Cauliflower steak 

No dessert tonight 

 

 

[Stvr California]

Post dinner shenanigans:

Inder reporting for duty. We left the kids to relax in the room and Steve and I went to the Boot and Bonnet for a long awaited IPA (local regulations apparently restrict the drinks that can be served with 12 miles of Texas). 

We have loved this venue on past cruises and I’m trying to ingratiate myself with Chon and  Hend, our amazing servers, in hopes they will love us for the next seven days. After this we’ll play a little blackjack (generally I’d rather spend my money on shoes than gamble but I can enjoy playing for a minute), and then head to the piano bar.

Just wait until you hear my story about family karaoke … stay tuned. 

[Stvr California]

Just cruised through The Wind Jammer.  Took a few pictures,  there was a pasta station and Ranger cookies.

 

[VACruiser]

@Stvr California Let's see which CLS it is - 1730?

[Generalchadwick]

10 hours ago, Stvr California said:

Sorry here is a picture of the balcony view.

extra points if you can pick out our exact room number 

1726

[Generalchadwick]

May I request a picture of the morning coffee set up in the SL.  Particular the syrups and if there are hot chocolate packets.  I usually enjoy making a latte on that machine and adding a hot chocolate packet to make it a mocha

[Generalchadwick]

Would also love to hear more details about getting aboard the ship.  Rough timetable, how was it getting through suite check in ect.

 

Warning I rarely catch these things live. Especially one where I'm going to be on the exact ship in the exact category of room in a month.  Too perfect of an opportunity.  You have ignited my excitement to a new level.

I'm sorry if I get annoying with the questions.

[Stvr California]

@Generalchadwick

SL Breakfast bar

 

[Generalchadwick]

 My wife and I call the coffee maker the Wow Mother F@#$ing Presto Coffee

[Stvr California]

@Generalchadwick

Suite check in was very fast.  We arrived at 11:03 am. There was a short bottleneck at the security gate.  One couple was having issues with contraband.  Maybe five minutes.  
 

After security there is a seating area with comfortable chairs sort of a lounge setting where you will be checked in by a gate agent.  All you need is your passports and app.

Next we were directed to have our set sail passes scanned from the app  and head up to the ship.  It probably took 15 minutes total from dropping off bags to being on board.  
 

 

[Stvr California]

Just a quick note about the amount of kids on board.  Maybe being this late in the summer has kept the number down.  Many school district in the states have begun instruction. Our kids are starting later than usual which made this trip possible.  Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of kids but it seems less than normal to me.  We usually cruise during holidays or mid summer.

[Stvr California]

Costal kitchen for breakfast.  The staff in the CK is so nice.

Ham and cheese omelette was quite good.  My son devoured the pancakes. 

 

[asquared17]

20 minutes ago, Stvr California said:

One couple was having issues with contraband

this is always my personal fear

15 hours ago, Stvr California said:

 

@Love 2 cruise 2022 Has made it quite clear this is the place to be on Day 1 for dinner.  Filet Mignon is the required order or you get kicked off the RoyalCaribbeanblog.com permanently

this made me laugh although we go to CK when we can, night 1 is usually a skip given that i don’t eat steak

[VACruiser]

@Stvr California did i miss which CLS you're in...inquiring minds want to know.

[Stvr California]

18 minutes ago, VACruiser said:

@Stvr California did i miss which CLS you're in...inquiring minds want to know.

@VACruiser

You nailed it.  

[Stvr California]

Izumi Sushi for Lunch.  We are stuffed.

Unfortunately I was not paying attention to the names of the sushi rolls Inder ordered.  Also I was late with the photo.  Forgive me I’m an amateur blogger.

The  Lobster has the white blobs of sauce.  

Tuna roll has the streaks of white sauce.

The other two were Shrimp rolls

Shrimp Udon

The Sushi or Hibachi side of Izumi are tops for specialty dining on Royal Caribbean in my opinion.  We have reservations for Hibachi in a couple of days.

 

[Stvr California]

An afternoon snack at Johnny Rockets?

Why not?

 

[Stvr California]

Originally we  scheduled 150 Central Park for dinner before out 9:30pm showing of Grease.  After a family meeting we decided it was too much.  Food coma on day two is real.  As an alternative we ambled slowly down to Sabor for a “light” meal.  It was still too much, especially for Joe and me after our hot dogs but we soldiered through. The ceviche was great - everything else was just okay.
 

After dinner we retired to our room, catatonic.

 

[Ampurp85]

Sabor has amazing guac and the churros can be pretty good as well. Everything else is a meh. 

[GregD]

I agree. Sabor is only good for the chips and guac, and maybe a few apps. The rest is pretty bad IMO.

[WAAAYTOOO]

I love the queso fundido at Sabor but I’m not sure they even have it on the menu anymore.

[OCSC Mike]

9 hours ago, GregD said:

maybe a few apps

I'm a big fan of the chicken bacon jalapeno one. My meal there is basically chips n guac, 3-4 orders of that as my main, an entree I wind up not liking, and churros.

Good margaritas too but they became less noteworthy to me as Royal started adding more and more interesting margaritas at other venues.

[Stvr California]

4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I love the quest fundido at Sabor but I’m not sure they even have it on the menu anymore.

Take heart, it is still on the menu.  I will give it a try later and give a report.

[Stvr California]

6 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I love the quest fundido at Sabor but I’m not sure they even have it on the menu anymore.

Take heart, it is still on the menu.  I will give it a try later and give a report.

[Stvr California]

Guess who has an ad at the entrance of Pardise Beach.  @Matt and Royalcaribbeanblog.com

 

[OCSC Mike]

16 minutes ago, Stvr California said:

Pardise Beach

Hope you have a great day there! Had our first visit last month and would definitely go back.