Showing posts with label Deluxe Beverage Package. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deluxe Beverage Package. Show all posts

Monday, May 25, 2026

Lost Shaker of Salt- Day 7

 Making Friends with the Staff
Sea Day #3
April 11, 2026


Living it up and doing it all... You have to, it's the last day! 

Morning
We woke up a little later than normal but the seas were so peaceful it made for a very relaxing evening and night of sleep. We opted to eat at Hola Tacos once again as it really was our favorite onboard the MSC Seascape. TIP- Hola Tacos is FREE for breakfast EVERYDAY, except Debarkation day! The service and food were FANTASTIC! 


Hello Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas... Been there, done that! And we LOVED her! 
Check it out: Allure of the Seas- July 2023


The seas were PERFECT and it made for a wonderful day! 


The pastry and churros basket... Chris REALLY enjoyed these! 


The queso fondido... I ate this every time we went to Hola Tacos becasue who doesn't want QUESO for breakfast!

We spent the majority of the morning in the Cabaret Rouge Lounge for trivia. We tried our hand at many trivia games but unfortunately, for the 1st time in 29 cruises, we did not win a single trivia this cruise! We grabbed our traditional souvenirs in the MSC Logo Store before going to the Marketplace Buffet for lunch! 


I could literally sit and stare at this ALL DAY! 

Afternoon
The Marketplace Buffet is the only complimentary restaurant that is open for lunch and it was SUPER crowded on this day! TIP- You can order room service or eat lunch at Hola Tacos but those cost an additional fee. We arrived at the buffet shortly before noon and it seemed all 5,500 passengers were also in this venue. It reminded me of a Carnival Embarkation Day buffet and it was not fun! Since this was the last day of the cruise, the head chef and the Cruise Director were in attendance and there was a special ceremony and parade of nations type of event which explained the crowds. It took us about 25 minutes just to find each other and a place to eat our lunch. It was a neat experience but I would wait until a little later for lunch next time.


I liked this vibe but I was not expecting a FULL ON PARTY! 

After explore the ship to see what the crowds were like on a sea day (more specifically the LAST sea day), we spent the rest of the afternoon in the Sports Bar to watch the 3rd round of The Masters. Since this was a sea day, the bar service started earlier in the day and it made a PERFECT afternoon onboard. On our way back to our room Chris made a pit-stop at the Venchi Chocolate shop and "accidentally" got in with a Chocolate Tasting group. This chocolate tasting was $40 total and included 8 pieces of chocolate (of your choice) and a large chocolate bar to-go. Unfortunately, I do not like chocolate so I did not participate but we purchased many bars to take home to our kids and my parents as well. Chris really enjoyed the experience and said the chocolate was worth the $40. 


The Waterpark around 1PM... It was not crowed AT ALL! 


The Marina (Main) Pool on Deck 18 aft. 


The Infinity Pool around 1:30PM. 


Venchi Chocolate Tasting Experience 
(Deck 6 Midship) 

When we went back to the room, we got dressed for dinner and enjoy the peacefulness of our balcony before going to the Cocktail Bar as it opened at 5PM. We stayed here until our dinner time of 7:30PM just talking to the bartender, Ashish Rao from Mumbai. The past few cruises we have really enjoyed getting to know the staff and hear their stories. I loved getting to talk to Ashish and learn about his work and travel life and I now want to go to Mumbai before I die! 

Let's Talk Ship- Day #7 


We love a day at sea! 

Evening
Dinner in the Main Dining Room was Italian Night and one of MSC's biggest events. We had read so much about it and we were very anxious to try it. The tables were decorated and the entire atmosphere of the MDR had a much better vibe, in our opinion. The service was once again exceptional and the food was better than most previous nights in the MDR. 


I LOVED the decor and atmosphere on Italian Night! 


The Italian Night MDR Menu! 


Calamari 
Chris- 2.5 & Kellie- 2.0
It was a little chewy but the Italian flavor was SPOT ON! 


Caprese Salad 
Kellie- 2.0
I was a little let down on this dish as I expected so much more! 


Chicken Parm
Chris 3.5 & Kellie 3.0


I loved the napkin folding from the waiters. 


Tiramisu
Chris 3.0 & Kellie- 2.5

After dinner we made the dreadful walk back to our stateroom to pack up for the week. This is the absolute WORST part of any cruise as it means the fun is over. We quickly packed our suitcases and left them outside our door for the "Assisted Debarkation" as we always do. TIP- We enjoy a slower end to our cruise and exit off the ship on Debarkation Morning so we choose to not carry our own luggage off. This usually allows a slower breakfast and a 8:30-9AM debarkation time (on any cruise line). However, you can carry ALL your luggage off and get off the ship as early as 7AM on most cruise lines. 

We went back to the Cocktail Bar just minutes before they were closing down but of course Ashish made us a few rounds of drinks before they officially closed the bar down. We ended the night at the Sports Bar for Christo del Rey last performance. We found several people enjoying the last night onboard and the bartenders gave us some wonderful drinks (for free). 


Thank you TED for these delicious drinks! 
Here's to MSC Seascape and this awesome cruise! 


We love this vibe! 

Let's Talk Ship- Night #7 and Cruise Recap

It was a wonderful week spent onboard the MSC Seascape and we enjoyed trying out a new cruise line and all the new things that come along with it. I am not sure MSC will be a new favorite cruise line by any means, we thoroughly enjoyed our week and our cruise. Reminder- A cruise is what you make of it and we had a great time despite all of the differences we noticed. I will say MSC offered OUTSTANDING service each and every day! Plus the Seascape herself was GORGEOUS and I believe the most beautiful ship we have ever sailed in 29 cruises! 


MSC Seascape... It's been fun! 

We've got 3 more cruises booked in 2026 plus Natalie's European Graduation Cruise in 2027! 

Up Next... The Mariner of the Seas (our SUITE LIFE to achieving Diamond) and the kids first trip to the Bahamas on the Symphony of the Seas this summer! 

 God is Good... ALL THE TIME! 

Click on a link to see our past cruising adventures:
Harmony of the Seas- February 2026








 


Carnival Conquest- 2006

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Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Living in Harmony- Sea Day #1

 All of the Above 
February 16, 2026 
Sea Day #1 


What a GREAT day on the Harmony of the Seas! 

Morning
I woke up naturally around 7AM only to find out the boys had been up since 5AM. We met the boys at Park Cafe in Central Park on Deck 8 for coffee before going to the Windjammer Bar on Deck 16 for freshly squeezed orange juice. TIP- If you purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package, the freshly squeezed OJ is included and honestly worth every penny and unlimited! 


It's Sea Day #1 and I am ready to explore IT ALL! 


You know... I like Mondays on a cruise ship! 

Luke wanted to eat "real breakfast" in the Main Dining Room so the boys and I were at Deck 3 when it opened at 8AM. The service was quick and the food was delicious and in my opinion, way better than fighting for a table in the Windjammer. TIP- Sea Days can get VERY crowded in the WJ between 8:30-10AM so we opt for full service in the MDR. However, it too can get crowded and there can be a wait of 10-20 minutes if you arrive in the 9AM window. 


The Main Dining Room Breakfast Menu 
TIP- This menu remains constant on all days the MDR is open for breakfast (including Sea Days) 


The Banana pancakes were incredible! 

Chris and I wanted to try every single bar/pub on the Harmony of the Seas since we had the Deluxe Beverage Package (why not?) so we opted to check a few more off our list while Luke went and did the FlowRider when it opened at 9AM. TIP- Like most activities on Sea Days, the FlowRider fills up FAST. Be sure to set the alarm to experience it before the crowds if that is your thing. Luke was able to have 5-6 sessions before it got really busy. He only waited >5 minutes between each session on this first Sea Day. 


A stop on our Bar Crawl on the Harmony of the Seas... 
The Mast Bar on Deck 16 Midship (near the pool). 


A view of Central Park from Deck 15 (near the Main Pool). 


Good Morning... It's going to be a GREAT DAY! 


Luke enjoying the FlowRider all to himself for about 10 minutes! 


This view will NEVER get old! I literally have several these laying around the house and office to look at when I am stressed. This view makes EVERYTHING better! 


I believe this was Luke's favorite thing to do on the Harmony of the Seas! 
Check out Luke's Sea Day #1 FlowRider! 

Luke also enjoyed the Waterslides and Water Park on Deck 15 Midship. TIP- While we were sailing on 1 water slide was actually working as the other two were under repair FLEET wide for a safety concern. This was a bit of a bummer but we didn't let it bother us too much. 

I made sure to wake up Natalie around 9:30AM and she then spent over an hour in the gym on Deck 6 Forward. We then all met at Schooner Bar for Morning Trivia and stayed for the Classic Rock trivia. We failed miserably at both but it was a lot of fun. 

Afternoon
For lunch we split up as Chris and I love Park Cafe and the lighter lunch options and the kids wanted to try the Windjammer out for Sea Day lunch. Luke LOVED the Windjammer for lunch on our Anthem Cruise 2025 and he was really disappointed in the selections here on the Harmony. (I think this was due to the itinerary being in Alaska for our Anthem cruise but it is hard to tell). Chris also grabbed something at the Doghouse in the Boardwalk. TIP- These are FANTASTIC and so much better than our experience on the Allure of the Seas 2023 and Anthem of the Seas 2025. 

After lunch Chris and I walked around Deck 5 to try and walk off some of our lunch and then went to the Solarium on Deck 16 forward to try and find lounge chairs in the shade. We found 2 chair perfectly shaded and spent the next 2 hours there just lounging, reading and napping. It was literally a perfect Sea Day afternoon. The kids opted to spend their afternoon in the Main Pool and Hot Tubs and LOVED it! 


The Solarium Bar on Deck 16 is tucked away and in the shade! 


Luke and I are loving Central Park this afternoon! 

We all met up at Boleros for a gameshow called The Hot Seat. Luke was even chosen to play a round but did not advance! We even ran into an old bartender from our cruise on the Jewel of the Seas 2025- Yash! And funny enough, he recognized us! It was really cool. Despite Boleros not being our absolute favorite bar, we tried to frequent it more than usual solely due to Yash being there. We all grabbed some pizza from Sorrento's and then decided to go and walk around the Promenade while Chris went to take a nap in the stateroom. The kids and I enjoyed the chess tables in Central Park before all meeting at The Attic on Deck 4 for the "Escape Room" game. I assumed this would be an actual escape room but it really was more of a "Who Done It?" type of activity. Luke was not a fan at all and honestly it had too many people and too many moving parts. It was a decent experience but I would not do it again. 


Which one of us will end up in the Hot Seat? 


This makes my heart SO HAPPY! 


Time really needs to slow down... They are growing up so very fast! 


Another perfect view of the Gulf of America! 


Life is GOOD! 

TIP- Have your kids download games onto their phone/device for afternoon boredom! 


They are just learning chess and this was fun to watch! 


This "Escape Room" game certainly was an experience! 

Evening
We all got ready for formal night #1 aboard the Harmony of the Seas and then went to Vintages for Pre-Dinner wine and the kids enjoyed the live music and more chess/ checkers in Central Park. This is truly the most perfect way to spend an evening onboard. 


This girl... STOP! Just STOP IT! 
We only have 18 months left with this gorgeous girly and I am trying to enjoy and take in EVERY MINUTE!

I loved getting all "fancy" with her for this Formal Night! 


Where have my babies gone? 


My whole heart in one picture! 


Be still my heart! 

Our favorite place to be... Together on a cruise (at Vintages). 


I am truly blessed! 

We made our way to dinner hoping for a better experience than the previous night and it was a great dinner in the Main Dining Room. The service was really good for a Formal Night and it took just over an hour from start to finish. TIP- The Royal Caribbean MDR service has drastically improved and truly is hard to beat in the cruising industry. We love the full service sit-down dinner but to be honest, we want to get in and get out. Many of the opposing cruise lines really suffer in this area of service and I am so grateful Royal Caribbean is thriving in this area! 


The Taste of France Menu 


The Fried Calamari
Everyone but Natalie gave this a 3.5 (it was a little chewy). Natalie- 4.5


The Famous Royal Caribbean Escargot
Luke- 4.0, Kellie- 4.


French Onion Soup 
We all gave this a 5.0 as it truly is a staple in the RCCL Menus! 


Steak Au Poivre
This is new option on this menu and we LOVED it! 
Kellie- 4.5 & Chris-5.0


Creme Brulee 
The kids and I gave this a solid 3.5!

After dinner Luke opted to go to bed as he did not sleep well on night #1 due to a very hard mattress. TIP- Royal Caribbean may be known for speedy MDR service but their mattresses are literally the worst in the industry. They are stone hard and give very little breath. We went to Guest Services in the afternoon and asked for a mattress toppers for the boys cabin. However, I highly recommend going to Walmart and buying the "Egg Toppers" prior to your cruise and bringing them with you onboard. They are kind of a hassle to tag along with you on Embarkation Day but well worth the $12-15 you will spend. Most of the time, I leave it onboard and the steward uses in their own room (or so I have heard when I have asked). 

Natalie opted to enjoy the hot tub near the Solarium and Chris and I went to the show in the Royal Theater called Voices. This is a new show on this ship and it was done very good. It is an all A Capella show and the singers were actually good. Although it was not as engaging as other shows, we really enjoyed it! Chris and I went to Vintages to end the evening and we loved the quiet atmosphere and outstanding service! Easily the best place on board!


Cheers... It is a GREAT cruise already and it's only day 2! 

 Natalie met us at Sorrento's around midnight and we grabbed some late night pizza before going to bed! 


Check out the Royal Promenade (Empty) at Midnight! 

It was a great day spent onboard Harmony of the Seas and we literally tried to do All of the Above but the ship is so big and extensive, it will take more than one day to see it all! 


This was a PERFECT day! 
Did you miss Day #1? Check out Embarkation Day!

Stay tuned for Sea Day #2. 

God is Good... ALL THE TIME! 

Click on a link to see our past cruising adventures:
Jewel of the Seas (B2B Part 2)- July 2025








 


Carnival Conquest- 2006

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