A Fast Start
February 15, 2026
Galveston, TX
Harmony of the Seas... Ready or not, here we come!
Morning
After over 20 cruises out of our home cruise port, we have our Galveston Embarkation Day routine down to a science and this morning was no different. We were out the door by 7:30AM for a quick 80 minute drive to Galveston via I-45. We have a tradition of stopping at the Kolache Factory and like usual, these did not disappoint. We also stopped for gas at Buc-ee's in Texas City just 15 minutes from the Cruise Port. It was a very windy and foggy day but the Harmony of the Seas was at Terminal 10 waiting for us as we arrived at 9:15AM.
The feeling I get when I see this sign on Embarkation Day is hard to describe... IYKYK!
We park in the North Lot of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal 10 parking and since this is so close to the actual terminal, we did not drop off luggage. TIP- This is easily the BEST parking EVER; but you will pay for it! We paid $215 for the week with taxes and fees but it was worth it as the other lots are only ~$20 cheaper.
Hello from RCCL North Parking Lot at Terminal 10!
The Davis Family has arrived!
We gave our checked luggage to the porters (with a good tip) and then made our way inside the bottom of the cruise terminal where we waited only a few minutes before they released everyone to get checked in upstairs. We were all checked in and waiting to board the ship within 7 minutes and the whole process was a breeze. The only complaint is how the RCCL Cruise Terminal has you wait for boarding the ship. It is completely random and not organized but it didn't last very long. They called the Pinnacle & Diamond level passengers and then called us- Emerald to board the ship at 10:21AM. We heard the first DING at 10:25AM and after 28 cruises, this was our FASTEST START TIME EVER!
We are headed to check in... LET'S GO!
Once onboard we stopped in the Royal Promenade to make our dinner reservation at Izumi. TIP- I highly recommend making dining reservations in the Royal App ahead of time but we were waiting for On Board Credit from our Travel Agent- Cheryl at Cruises Only and had to book once on board. We paid $55/ person which is full price. If we would have booked prior to embarkation, we could have paid as little as $35/ per person. However, it was FREE since we have OBC but if you are really wanting a specific restaurant, I would book early as they do sell out. For example, we hoped to try Jamie's Italian for lunch on a Sea Day but they were sold out... Or so we thought!
We then went to Deck 3 to the Main Dining Room to confirm our SET dining time of 7:30PM and a table for just the four of us. The old cruising days of sharing at table at dinner are not at all for us so we always go to the Maitre'd on Embarkation Day to confirm our table. We felt the "Mega Ship" vibe while waiting to confirm as we arrived to the MDR at 10:35AM and we were 20 people or so deep in line. The whole process felt very rushed and not personal at all- very unlike Royal Caribbean. I asked the worker for a table to ourselves and was told it was a table for FOUR.... But it was NOT! TIP- If you are going to confirm this with the Maitre'd, I would now suggestion actually walking in to see the table yourself as this would have saved us nearly an hour later on this day. More on that later!
After the MDR we went up to Deck 15 to get the FlowRider, Ultimate Abyss and Rock Wall waivers signed as that is a PRO TIP for all Royal Caribbean ships. Chris and I grabbed our first drink of our Deluxe Beverage Package at the Wipe Out Bar and the kids started exploring Deck 15. We then played our traditional Embarkation Day golf game at the Harmony Dunes. It was WINDY but Chris won!
That first drink feeling... IYKYK!
Less than an hour on board but we are already IN LOVE with the Harmony!
Family Mini-Golf was a success and once again Chris is the winner!
Afternoon
We then went to the Windjammer on Deck 16 Midship shortly after it opened at 11AM. It was already crowded but we managed to find a table and enjoy an "early lunch" before the kids went exploring on their own. We all walked down to Deck 6 to explore the Boardwalk before it got busy with passengers. We were able to ride the carousel and enjoy a drink from Sabor. TIP- Sabor was RARELY ever busy for a quick margarita or drink. A worker came and offered specialty dining and despite being told Jamie's Italian was sold out for lunch, this manager was able to get us reservations for the last Sea Day at Jamie's Italian. We paid $25/ person onboard and could have paid as little as $17/ person if booked prior to embarkation.
The Carousel is one of my favorites... On a cruise ship nonetheless!
We LOVE the Boardwalk so much!
It really is hard to believe all of this is on a CRUISE SHIP!
The kids opted to change into their swimsuits to try out the hot-tubs and the FlowRider. TIP- Be sure to pack your swimsuits and a change of clothes in your carry on bag if you want to swim or try out the FlowRider or Waterslides on Embarkation Day. We forgot the crocs so be sure to pack those in the carry on as well. Luke was able to get 3 sessions on the FlowRider while Natalie enjoyed the cantilevered hot tubs just outside the Solarium. Chris and I enjoyed a nap in the shade in a deck chair briefly before the announcement for the opening of the staterooms was made right before 1PM.
The kids had this MASSIVE hot tub all to themselves at 12:45PM on Embarkation Day!
Chris and I made our way to Deck 11 where our 2 inside cabins were located and found all 4 pieces of our luggage so I opted to unpack everyone while the kids enjoyed a rather empty ship and Chris took a nap.
Stateroom 11541- We thoroughly enjoyed this inside cabin on Deck 11 (forward).
After the rooms got set up and our luggage was unpacked, the kids and I went to Deck 15 to ride the Ultimate Abyss. This is a DRY slide that takes you 10 stories to the Boardwalk below. This was SUPER intimidating at first and all three of us were a little nervous but it turned out to be Luke's favorite thing on the ship and I LOVED IT! TIP- Try out the Ultimate Abyss on Embarkation Day to avoid long lines. We never had TERRIBLY long lines but it was shortest on Embarkation and Early Port Days!
We are ready to explore more of the ship!
Hello MSC Seascape & Regal Princess!
Will we see MSC in April???
The Ultimate Abyss Operating Time for our cruise!
We are ready... albeit a little nervous!
Luke was literally SO SCARED !
But we all made it down in one piece!
It was seriously awesome and I LOVED it so much!
Central Park is GORGEOUS and never disappoints!
The Oasis Class Vintages has REALLY spoiled me! I love the isolation and location on the ship. It was NEVER crowded and always very quite and chill... A true definition of my type of bar!
A view of the Aqua Theater at the aft of the Boardwalk on Deck 6
This was a gorgeous sunset!
It doesn't get much better than this! I could stare at this for the rest of my LIFE!
This evening and this sunset really set the tone and vibe for this cruise and I knew right then and there that this was going be an INCREDBLE cruise!
We loved the Boardwalk area of the Harmony of the Seas!
This is going to be an EPIC cruise!
Time needs to SLOW DOWN!
Evening
We enjoyed more time at Vintages while the kids played table tennis on Deck 15 prior to dinner. We made our way to Deck 4 to our table at 7:25PM only to find out we were able a table for EIGHT and with a baby and currently screaming toddler. I was not having that, so I waited to talk to the Head Maitre'd to get our table fixed. Being that it was the first night and people were still coming in, we were pushed aside. The whole ordeal was very frustrating as I took time to come and take care of our request VERY early in the Embarkation Day process and was told it was taken care of and it was not. The Customer Service in this instance was actually awful and easily some of the worst we have had with ANY cruise line in our 28 cruises. Eventually, around 7:50PM we were taken to Deck 5 to sit at a table for four. We tried to make the most of it from there on out and our wait staff was very quick to accommodate us but this whole meal time took nearly 2 hours since we were late arriving at our finalized table. The food was good and the service was average but we made an effort to not let it ruin our evening.
The Welcome Aboard Menu in the MDR
The Crab Cake
Luke- 4.5, Chris- 3.5 & Kellie- 4.0
This was VERY flavorful!
Kellie- 4.0 & Natalie- 3.0
Luke- 4.5
*He ordered this nearly every night!
Prime Rib
Chris- 3.5, Luke 3.5 & Kellie- 3.0
This was cooked perfectly but not near as flavorful as we all remember from our Anthem Alaska Cruise.
Boston Cream Pie
Kellie -3.5 & Chris- 4.0
After dinner Chris went to take his medication and then lay down for a brief nap while Luke, Natalie and I meandered around the ship. We met up with Chris on Deck 4 to explore the Smoke Free Casino and then go to the adult comedy. TIP- You have to reserve show tickets on Harmony of the Seas (as well as most other MEGA ships in the RCCL Fleet) ahead of time in the app but they do have a standby line as well.
The kids were very tired and opted to go to bed early but Chris and I tried to try out a few more places on our Bar Hop. We stopped at the Trellis Bar in Central Park and the bartender made me an "off menu" specialty from his home country of Brazil. It was delicious!
The Trellis Bar in Central Park may be small but the bartenders are AWESOME and the drink menu is wonderful!
We then opted to just stay up to enjoy the Balloon Drop in the Royal Promenade around 10:45PM but it was well past 11 and the festivities had yet to begin so Chris opted to go to bed but as soon as we got on the elevator, we heard the countdown to the Balloon Drop! TIP- They fell around 11PM so just be patient!
We were all tired as this cruise was in the middle of the school year and our busiest time as a family. It was a GREAT Embarkation Day and we could not wait to explore more of the Harmony of the Seas on Day 2!
Stay tuned for Sea Day #1!
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- March 2019
The Norwegian Breakaway- November 2018
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- 2018
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
