Our 1st Cruise with the kids
Planning our spring break cruise with our kids (3 and 5) was exciting and we could not wait to see how much the kids loved cruising like we do! The Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas is a fantastic choice for families, with plenty of activities and amenities to keep everyone entertained. Here are some tips to help make your family's cruise experience on the Harmony of the Seas a success:
Choose the right stateroom: When booking your stateroom, keep in mind that you won't be spending a lot of time in it. Consider the size and layout of the room, and whether you want a balcony or an interior room. A balcony can provide a nice view and some extra space, but interior rooms are typically less expensive. If you have young children, you may want to consider booking a room near the kids' club or the pool. We opted for a balcony room so when the kids were sleeping or napping we could sit on the balcony and relax or read. I would suggest you get a room with the king size bed by the balcony door so that you do not have to climb over the kids when you come in to the room. We also had a room that overlooked the boardwalk which gave us lots of time for people watching. We could also see the ocean and the aqua theatre!
Check out the kids' clubs: The Harmony of the Seas has a great kids' program, with age-specific activities and clubs for children ages 3-5 (Aquanauts) and 6-8 (Explorers). These clubs offer a variety of supervised activities and games, including arts and crafts, story time, and scavenger hunts. Your kids will love making new friends and participating in the fun. The hours vary but we used it a few times so we could go see a show or hit the casino.
Take advantage of onboard activities: The Harmony of the Seas has a ton of onboard activities for all ages. The ship features the tallest slide at sea, a rock climbing wall, mini-golf, and a splash pad for young children. The ship also has a Broadway-style theater, an ice-skating rink, and a casino for adults. Be sure to check the daily schedule of events and plan your day accordingly. If you plan to go to the pool on the "sea days" I would recommend you go to the pool early to make sure you get a chair. The pool can get very crowded on sea days.
Plan shore excursions carefully: While it can be tempting to book every shore excursion available, keep in mind that young children may not have the stamina or attention span for long tours. Choose excursions that are age-appropriate and have breaks for snacks and rest. Since we have been on several cruises we opted to book excursions through vendors outside of the cruise ship which has more variety and less cost.
Pack wisely: Pack everything you need for a fun and comfortable vacation, including sunscreen, swimsuits, and comfortable shoes. Bring along some snacks and drinks for your kids, as well as a few toys or games to keep them entertained. You may also want to pack some motion sickness medication, as the ship can be rocky at times. A few of our must have items are listed below.
Relax and have fun: The most important thing is to relax and enjoy your family vacation. Take lots of pictures, make memories, and cherish the time you have together. The Harmony of the Seas is a wonderful ship with something for everyone, and your family is sure to have a fantastic time.
What to pack
If you're planning a spring break cruise with kids, it's important to pack everything you need to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable vacation. Purchasing items onboard is expensive and limited. Here are some items to consider packing for a family with kids:
Swimwear: Pack swimsuits and cover-ups for the whole family. Don't forget to include water shoes for the kids if they have sensitive feet. The deck can get very hot and you will want them at Coco Cay.
Sun protection: Bring plenty of sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses for everyone. We love stick sunscreen for the face and lotion for the body. Some of the Caribbean islands require "reef-safe" sunscreen so keep that in mind.
First aid: It's also a good idea to pack a small first aid kit with items like band-aids and aloe vera in case of sunburns. If you are sensitive to motion bring dramamine can help. We always travel with our vitamins and a few basic homeopathics.
Clothing: Pack comfortable clothing for both warm and cool weather, as temperatures can vary on a cruise ship. Be sure to bring extra outfits for the kids in case of spills or accidents. Also, consider packing a few dressier outfits for formal nights on the ship. We did not bring "formal-wear" on this cruise. We ate in the main dining room 3 nights, upscale dining 3 nights and 1 night in the windjammer. We opted to get dressed up one night and the rest we went smart-casual.
Shoes: Bring comfortable walking shoes for excursions, sandals or flip-flops for the pool area, and dress shoes for formal nights.
Magnets: hook magnets that can hold 50-100lbs to hang bags, swim suits, clothing organizer (shoe organizer) and sheet/curtain room dividers. (see pic below)
Over the door shoe organizer: We used two of these. One for each of the kids to separate and organize the kids clothes, swim and pajamas. (see pic below)
Dark colored sheet or curtain: If you want to separate your sleeping space from the kids' this is ideal. (see pic below)
Toiletries: Pack all the necessary toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. They offer some toiletries in the room but we preferred to have our own.
Medications: Bring any necessary prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, motion sickness medication, and children's cold medicine.
Entertainment: Pack some toys, books, and games to keep the kids entertained during downtime. The dining rooms do not offer crayons or coloring pages so make sure you plan to bring some entertainment for them while you dine. We loved dining at Sabor since the climbing gym was across the way and the kids would play there while we waited for dinner.
Sound machine: We loved having the sound machine to drown out the hallway noise. Overall the room was very quiet, though. We were right by the aqua show and could not hear anything through the balcony door.
Snacks: Pack some snacks that the kids enjoy, such as granola bars, crackers, and fruit snacks. We loved having the packages snacks to bring on our excursions and for quick eating while on board. It's also a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle for each family member to stay hydrated throughout the day. There are water bottle refill stations throughout the ship. If you get the drink package bottled water is included.
Stroller: If your kids are still using a stroller, bring it along to make it easier to navigate the ship and shore excursions. The ship is very large and walking from end to end carrying a baby would be challenging.
Lanyards: To hold your key card/room key. It's easy to keep them strung around your neck than to take them out each time. We upgraded to the WOW bands which can be used to order drinks, buy items and open the room door.
Towel clips or bands are great for days at sea. The decks can be very windy and its nice to have to hold the towels down and mark your chair.
How to save money
Going on a Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas cruise can be an exciting and memorable experience, but it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to save money while onboard the ship. Here are some tips to help you save money during your cruise:
Set a budget: Before you go on your cruise, set a budget for your trip and stick to it. Decide how much you're willing to spend on things like upscale dining, drinks (if you don't get the drink packages), excursions and casino, and plan your spending accordingly.
Book shore excursions in advance: Booking shore excursions through the cruise line in advance can save you money compared to booking them onboard. You can also do some research and book excursions through third-party vendors, but make sure they are reputable and reliable. We prefer to book our own excursions and have had some really great experiences and saved about 40%.
Take advantage of free activities: There are many free activities onboard the ship, including shows, live music, and outdoor games. Take advantage of these activities and enjoy the entertainment without spending extra money.
Bring your own drinks: Most cruise lines allow passengers to bring a limited amount of soda, water, and wine on board. Check the specific policies of your cruise line before you go and bring your own drinks to save money on beverages. Also, you can watch for discounts on drink packages (sign up for the cruise line emails to get the offers).
Use the ship's amenities: The ship's amenities, like the pool, organized activities, kids club and gym, are included in your cruise fare. Take advantage of these amenities and enjoy them without spending extra money.
Eat at the complimentary restaurants: Many cruise lines offer complimentary dining options in addition to the specialty restaurants that charge extra fees. Some upscale dining restaurants are free for breakfast or have and free items with the drink package. For example, Johnny Rockets has breakfast that is included in the normal cruise fare but lunch and dinner are extra. They also have milkshakes that are included in the drink package. Take advantage of these complimentary options and enjoy delicious meals without paying extra.
Upscale Dining
The Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas offers a variety of upscale dining options for guests who are looking for a more sophisticated culinary experience. Here are some of the upscale dining options available on board:
Wonderland: Wonderland is a whimsical restaurant that offers a multi-course tasting menu with imaginative and creative dishes. The menu changes frequently, and each dish is presented in an artistic and playful way. This restaurant is known for its more super-sophisticated dining that can take more than an hour so keep that in mind when going with kids.
150 Central Park: This restaurant features a seasonal and farm-to-table menu that showcases fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine list with expert sommeliers to help you find the perfect pairing.
Jamie's Italian: Created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, this restaurant offers a menu of rustic Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients. The menu features handmade pasta, artisanal meats, and fresh seafood. {this was our favorite meal on board and the kids loved it too}
Izumi: This Japanese restaurant offers a menu of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The restaurant also offers a variety of sake and Japanese beers.
Chops Grille: This classic steakhouse offers a menu of prime cuts of beef, grilled to perfection. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list and a variety of other meat and seafood dishes.
Coastal Kitchen: This restaurant is exclusive to suite guests and offers a menu of coastal-inspired dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes frequently to reflect the season and availability of ingredients.
Sabor: Upscale Mexican dining with a fresh menu featuring meat and seafood items. This restaurant is at a lower price point than the other options but just as delicious. The food and drink combinations were fantastic. {we ate here twice on the last cruise}
Things to do on board
Splashaway Bay: This water park features water slides, fountains, and water cannons for children to enjoy. There's also a splash area for toddlers and a large water slide for older kids.
Adventure Ocean: This is Royal Caribbean's award-winning youth program, which is designed for children ages 3-17. Adventure Ocean offers age-appropriate activities, games, and entertainment for kids, including arts and crafts, science experiments, and themed parties.
The Ultimate Abyss: The Ultimate Abyss is a 10-story slide that provides an exhilarating ride from the top deck to the Boardwalk below. This slide is sure to be a hit with older kids who are looking for an adrenaline rush.
Ice skating: There is ice skating and an ice skating show. Check the schedule for open skate times as well as the ice skating show times.
Miniature Golf: The Harmony of the Seas features a miniature golf course, which is perfect for family-friendly competition.
Royal Promenade: The Royal Promenade is a central hub of activity on the ship, with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Kids will enjoy the street performers, parades, and live music that take place here.
Hunting for ducks: lots of cruise guests hide runner ducks aroudn the ship which can be fun for the kids while at sea. We had our best luck hunting in Central Park in the morning while mom and dad got coffee.
Zip Line: The Harmony of the Seas has a zip line that spans the length of the Boardwalk. This is a thrilling experience that will be sure to excite older kids.
These are just a few of the many activities available for kids on the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas. With so much to do and explore, kids will never be bored on this exciting ship.
Going on a cruise soon? Comment below and let me know if you have any questions!
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