Pravision Services

Harmony of the Seas and the Rhythm of the Islands: A Family Cruise Chronicle

 

The salty air whipped through my hair as the Harmony of the Seas, a majestic titan of the sea, pulled away from Galveston. This wasn’t my first cruise rodeo – oh no, this was my third! But this time, it was extra special. I, Praveena and the whole RP squad were about to set sail on an epic seven-night journey through the Western Caribbean – my loving husband (G), my young adult sons Prathik and Reyansh (together, we’re the RP family!), and the cherry on top, my dear mom.

Our first stop, Roatan, Honduras, was…

Written By

Praveena Jogi

Let's Talk

You know, I say “everything happens for a reason,” and boy, do I believe it! This cruise, this whole adventure, wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t, for some inexplicable reason, decided to check my junk emails that day. There it was, a gleaming beacon of opportunity from United Airlines, announcing their cruise packages.

It was like destiny was calling! I immediately forwarded it to my husband (G), with a persuasive argument crafted by yours truly and the boys. We’d been talking about another family vacation, and this seemed like the perfect fit. Now, convincing G, the king of the budget, was a different story altogether.

Several phone calls, a few spreadsheets, and some strategic negotiations later, we finally had lift-off! But the real hero of this saga was Ann Grummon, our amazing cruise travel agent at United Airlines. She was an absolute lifesaver!

Finding the perfect accommodations for a family of five, with two young adults with grandma who value their space, can be tricky. Ann patiently navigated through countless options until she found the ideal solution: two balcony rooms, side-by-side, on the highest deck, right in the middle of the ship. It was perfect! Okay, maybe not perfect – we were hoping for connecting rooms, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers, right?

And Ann’s service didn’t stop there. She diligently followed up with reminders about payments, ensuring we didn’t miss any deadlines. She even sent us a friendly email just before our sail date, double-checking that we had all the necessary paperwork. Talk about going above and beyond!

With Ann’s help, the cruise was officially booked and paid for, eight months in advance. The excitement was palpable, the anticipation building with each passing day. We were ready to set sail on the Harmony of the Seas and create memories that would last a lifetime. And let me tell you, it was worth every penny… and every junk email!

     

Oh, the drama! It was like a scene straight out of “Home Alone,” except instead of forgetting Kevin, we almost forgot RJ! With just one day before our cruise departure, RJ was still battling final exams and school commitments. We had to reschedule his flight to the next day, leaving him with less than 24 hours to reach Dallas and then make the 4-5 hour drive to Galveston.

Talk about cutting it close! But remember my motto? “Everything happens for a reason.” Just as panic started to set in, a notification popped up on my phone: an email from Royal Caribbean.

The ship was delayed! Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Harmony of the Seas would be arriving late, pushing back our departure time to 11 pm. Boarding wouldn’t start until 8 pm. It was a miracle! The stars had aligned, the cruise gods were smiling upon us, and RJ had a fighting chance to make it.

With renewed hope, we packed PJ’s Tesla and hit the road. Now, road trips in an electric car have their own unique set of challenges, namely charging stops. But hey, who needs rest stops when you can have an adventure? During one such pit stop, I stumbled upon a sight that made my inner child squeal with delight: a pink Tesla tank truck! Of course, I had to document this momentous occasion. With the owner’s permission, I posed for photos with the pink beauty, adding another unexpected chapter to our pre-cruise saga.

Despite the charging detours and the near “Home Alone” situation, we rolled into the Galveston port at 8 pm – perfect timing!  As we boarded the Harmony of the Seas, a wave of relief and excitement washed over us. The fun was about to begin, and the RP family adventure was officially underway!

The Harmony of the Seas was more than just a ship; it was a floating city of wonder, a universe of experiences waiting to be explored. And explore we did! From the moment we stepped on board, the RP family was swept away in a whirlwind of activities, entertainment, and pure joy.

But first, let’s rewind to our grand entrance. The RP men, ever the strategists, decided to take the “scenic route” to the baggage drop-off area. This involved a detour behind the building, where, lo and behold, there were only a handful of cars. We all hopped out with our luggage while Amma, RJ, and I scoped out the scene and figured out the next steps.

Meanwhile, G and PJ headed to the pre-booked parking lot. PJ, the savvy planner, had opted for a non-Royal Caribbean lot, a bit further away but much easier on the wallet. Smart thinking, PJ!

Now, here’s where things got interesting. In the chaos of last-minute packing and RJ’s flight drama, we’d completely overlooked the emails about baggage tags. Oops! But fear not, for a kind-hearted port employee came to our rescue. He not only provided us with tags but also helped us attach them to our luggage and load everything onto his trolley. Talk about excellent service!

By the time G and PJ returned, we were all set and ready to roll. Reunited and it feels so good! We breezed through security, passports in hand, in a record 15 minutes. The efficiency was impressive!

Our keys were waiting for us at the door, and most of our bags were already lined up outside. Except for one. My bright orange suitcase, the one with all my essentials, was missing in action. A quick call to the service desk yielded a rather unhelpful response: “We have 2000 bags to distribute, ma’am. It will be there soon.”

Soon? It was already 1 am! I needed my medication, and my patience was wearing thin. So, I marched down to the service desk, determined to find my elusive suitcase. And there it was, sitting all alone with a few other bags. Apparently, these bags required an additional security check.

Now, here’s my two cents on the situation. While I appreciate their thoroughness, a little communication would have been nice. Had they informed me about the extra check, I would have gladly gone down earlier and saved myself the late-night trek. But hey, I understand – security first! In the end, they did their due diligence, and my suitcase was reunited with its owner.

I’d give the whole baggage experience a 7 out of 10. Room for improvement, but not a complete disaster. And hey, it wouldn’t be a true RP family adventure without a little bit of unexpected excitement, right?

well, let’s just say it was a learning experience. We’d envisioned pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and maybe a playful monkey encounter. Reality served us a different dish. We hired a car, a rather basic AC car, mind you, for a whopping $300! The driver, a smooth talker, promised us a secluded paradise, a “private beach” for a mere $20 per person. He painted a grim picture of the public beach – overcrowded, with an entry fee to boot.

Now, the RP family isn’t one to shy away from a little adventure, but something felt off. We’d already splurged on the car, and this extra cost, coupled with the driver’s eagerness, set off our internal alarm bells. So, after our brief encounter with some rather sleepy sloths and magnificent macaws (another $20 a pop, mind you!), we decided to cut our losses and head back to the ship.

Yes, we’d paid for a full day, and yes, we returned within two hours. But the feeling of being taken advantage of left a sour taste in our mouths. To be fair, we did pay the driver the full amount – after all, it was our decision to return. But let’s just say, the “private beach” dream remained just that – a dream.

Back on the Harmony of the Seas, the disappointment quickly melted away. The ship was a world unto itself – a floating city of endless entertainment, delectable food, and breathtaking views.

To be continued…

 

Ah, Costa Maya! Now that was more like it. After the Roatan rollercoaster, we decided to play it safe and stay within the port area. And you know what? It was a fantastic decision!

The port itself was like a mini-city, bustling with shops, restaurants, and activities. We strolled through the colorful marketplace, haggling for souvenirs. 

Now, the highlight of Costa Maya was undoubtedly the rope bridges. Remember that “private beach” fiasco in Roatan? Well, this made up for it tenfold! For a reasonable $14 (a steal compared to our Roatan escapade!), we ascended into a world of swaying bridges and breathtaking views.

Imagine this: me, camera in hand, capturing the vibrant hues of the port below. The turquoise waters shimmered under the midday sun, the colorful buildings popped against the lush greenery, and in the distance, our magnificent Harmony of the Seas stood proudly, a beacon of comfort and luxury. I had all the time in the world to snap photos, to truly soak in the beauty of it all. It was a photographer’s dream!

The boys, ever the adventurers, were in their element, racing across the bridges and pointing out the exotic birds nestled amongst the foliage. 

Speaking of pools, there was one within the port itself, complete with a swim-up bar. It looked inviting enough, but the sheer number of people crammed into it was a bit overwhelming. We decided to give it a miss – after all, we had our own luxurious pool waiting for us back on the ship.

We did consider the dolphin swim, but the enclosure seemed rather small, like an Olympic swimmer trying to do laps in a kiddie pool. Plus, with the “price tag” vibe we were getting from everything else, we figured it wouldn’t be worth the splurge.

By lunchtime, we were happily back on board the Harmony of the Seas, our bellies full of delicious Mexican fare and our hearts content with our Costa Maya adventure. It just goes to show that sometimes, the best experiences are found right under your nose, or in this case, right within the port!

Ah, Cozumel! Our final port of call and a whirlwind of activity, even though we chose to stay within the port area again. You see, after the Chichén Itzá experience during our RP family’s 7 Wonders trip, we were craving something a bit more relaxed.

And honestly, when it comes to snorkeling, nothing beats Hawaii, right? We’ve been spoiled by those vibrant reefs and crystal-clear waters. Besides, we knew in our hearts that Cozumel deserved its own dedicated trip, a deep dive into its unique charm and hidden gems.

Our Cozumel adventure began with a mandatory family photo op in front of the iconic Cozumel sign at the port. You know, the one with the colorful letters? It’s practically a rite of passage for any visitor!

From there, we wandered through the maze of shops, soaking up the lively atmosphere. I even decided to embrace the island vibes and get my hair braided. $15 for a single strand seemed a bit steep, but hey, when in Cozumel!

The port was buzzing with energy, but I managed to find a quiet spot near the water’s edge for a solo photoshoot. With the majestic Harmony of the Seas as my backdrop, I braved the crowds and captured some truly Instagram-worthy shots. Just me, the shimmering turquoise water, and our magnificent cruise ship – a perfect moment of tranquility amidst the chaos.

But as luck would have it, the heavens opened up, and a sudden downpour sent us scurrying back to the ship. Luckily, we made it just in time for lunch, escaping the deluge with our shopping bags and braided hair intact.

Even though our Cozumel exploration was cut short by the rain, it was still a memorable experience. We left with a taste of the island’s vibrant culture and a yearning to return someday for a more in-depth adventure. After all, there’s only so much you can squeeze into a few hours at port!

SHARE :
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Leave a Comment

More Articles