Showing posts with label Sea Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sea Days. 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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Thursday, April 2, 2026

Living in Harmony- Sea Day #3

 Red, White and Blue Done Royally 
February 21, 2026 
Sea Day #3


Its our last day onboard...we've gotta live it up! 

Morning
The ship was rocking as we made our way back towards God's Country and Galveston, TX but we were all able to see a little better and were up after 7AM. We met on the Royal Promenade to do some laps around the track before getting breakfast in the Main Dining Room. TIP- The MDR is open for all sea day and port day breakfasts and it is such a slower vibe than the Windjammer and we prefer it over just about anything else. 


Good morning- this is my favorite view! 


It has been a great cruise! 


These banana pancakes just hit different! 

After breakfast Luke went to Deck 15 Aft to do another round (or four) of the FlowRider before the lines got really long shortly before 10AM. At that point he went to the Main Pool and I went to wake up Natalie who was enjoying the much needed rest and extra sleep. Chris and I went to the Pub for Live Music and more talking with our favorite bartender, Xue, about her life onboard. 


This was easily Luke's favorite thing onboard! 


Check out Luke's Sea Day #3 FlowRider session! 

We all met at the Captain's Corner talk in the Royal Theater at 10:30AM where we learned so much about the ship, the crew and the travel aspects of the Harmony of the Seas. TIP- The Captain's Corner is done on most ships the last sea day and offers a time to meet, greet and ask questions for the Captain and his main staff. It is one of our favorite events on board and we have learned a lot about the future of Royal Caribbean (or other cruise lines) future. Today we learned that while "The Discovery Class" of ships that was just announced will be "smaller" it is actually anything but. It will be similar in size to the "Voyager" class which is 140K gross tons or more. We were hoping for a new upgraded "Radiance Class" or similar ships. But Royal LOVES the MEGA ships and it is working out well for them so I get it. 


Be sure to check this out on the last Sea Day! 


Harmony of the Seas facts! 

After the Captain's Corner we hurried to Schooner Bar for the Search for the Nations game. Chris and I had seen this many times but never played this game but the kids really wanted to try it. Unfortunately, this was the ending of this game and it actually began on Sea Day #1. Next time... Sorry Natalie. 

We paused at Schooner Bar and played some cards before the Veteran's Tribute that was happening below on the Royal Promenade. We have seen Veteran's tributes and programs on other cruises and other cruise lines but this was something truly spectacular with the playing of the National Anthem, salute to all armed forces and a speech by the captain. It was very moving and we all really enjoyed it! 


A view of the cupcake display in the Royal Promenade from the Schooner Bar! 


Katie, the Cruise Director, and Captain did a fantastic job with this event! 


Natalie ran into the Captain on her way to the Boardwalk and asked for a selfie! 

Afternoon
We had reservations at Jamie's Italian for 1:30PM and we arrived around 1:20PM and were immediately seated. The restaurant was packed and we were able to sit at the only available table. We were able to get this reservation once on board but I will book this prior to embarkation in the future as it is much lower in price and well worth it after this experience. We paid $25/ person onboard and it was as low as $14/ person if we booked ahead of time. Even at $25/ person this was an incredible lunch and a wonderful experience. 

We were able to order every single appetizer to try since there was 4 of us and we all wanted more than one appetizer. In addition, we were all able to order a pasta plate as well as a main entree which allowed us all to try most of the items on the lunch menu. The service was very fast since we were the last reservation time of the lunch hour. In addition, the food was literally piping hot and absolutely delicious. Giovanni's Table is one of my all-time favorite specialty restaurants on any cruise ship (Royal Caribbean) but it is safe to say Jamie's Italian is a tie at bare minimum. We all loved this experience so much that I have already reserved a lunch time for our 2 upcoming Royal Caribbean cruises. 


We anxiously seen it all week but it is OUR TURN! 


The Jamie's Italian LUNCH MENU 


Jamie's Bar Menu 


Squid Fritti
This was a solid 4.5 from everyone. 


Ultimate Garlic Buns
I kid you not, my mouth is watering while I type this! These were INCREDIBLE!
5.0+ from everyone 


Tomato Bruschetta 
This was a solid 4.5 as well- although Luke was not as enthusiastic about it as we were. 


Truffle Burrata 
This was odd but I loved it. 
Kellie-5.0 and all others 3.5


Cured Meat Plank 
This was like a Charcuterie board on crack and it was delicious! 
5.0 from everyone! 


Truffle Arancini
We all loved these balls in the MDR and these were even better! 
4.5 from everyone! 


Creamy Prawn Linguine 
Luke-4.5 


Penne Vodka Arrabbiata 
Kellie-4.0 
This was the only "let down" of the meal but it was still SO GOOD! I will order the lasagna next time! 


Avocado Caesar Salad 5.0
Had the waiter not allowed us to order both pasta and main entree, I would have missed this and it is easily the BEST CAESAR SALAD I have ever had! 


Italian Banana Split 3.5
Luke was so full he barely ate any but it was good! 


Classic Tiramisu 4.5
This was the perfect end to our meal! 


This was a HUGE success and we will be back in June (and July). 

After lunch Chris went to nap in the stateroom while the kids went to play Table Tennis on Deck 15 Aft and then mini-golf. I opted to lay out in the shade of the Solarium for most of the rest of the afternoon before we all met in the Aqua Theater for their afternoon show. This was a great show and we loved theme- Hideaway Heist! 


I loved getting to see the Aqua Show in the daylight as well! 

Natalie and I did some last minute shopping and got some souvenirs from the shops onboard and then went to Johnny Rocket's for an afternoon shake before meeting the boys in the Schooner Bar for 1990s trivia. This was SO MUCH FUN... we didn't win but we loved the vibe. 

Natalie was feeling a little last minute "I must do everything" moment so she went and put on shoes to do the zipline one more time. She was able to get one ride in before it started raining but she had her moment! 


Natalie LOVED the zipline! 


Go, Natalie GO! 

Evening
Dinner in the Main Dining Room is not one of our favorite menus but the service was top notch and the kids loved many of the options they ordered. We made sure to get the names of all of our servers and managers so we could give them "shout outs" in the survey email we would get the following week. We also gave each of them as cash tip. 


Spaghetti- 4.0
Luke loved this and ordered almost every night! 


International Cheese Plate-3.0
If you know, you know! 

The kids love this last night! 

After dinner we spent nearly 2 hours in the peace and quiet of Vintages. Ursula is such an incredible server and we were able to talk to her about her life back home and life on board. The kids played chess in Central Park and then played more Table Tennis. The FlowRider worker even stopped and talked to Luke as he saw him so much this week. We love that even our kids are talking with the crew and making memories of their own! 

We all grabbed some late night pizza from Sorrento's and then called it a night shortly after 11PM. We were tired from an excellent week aboard the Harmony of the Seas. 


Day 7 was a success... We just we there was a day 8! 


That's a WRAP... Harmony of the Seas, WE LOVE YOU!
 
Did you miss Cozumel- Day 6? 

It has been an OUTSTANDING cruise and all that we had hoped for AND MORE! The kids LOVED this MEGA Ship and are already getting excited for more in a few months. 

We've got 3 more cruises booked in 2026 and we are debating about booking a true last minute cruise on MSC in April. We thank each of you for following along as we love sharing our week and cruise with y'all! 

Up Next... The Mariner of the Seas (our SUITE LIFE to achieving Diamond)... But BEFORE that a VERY LAST minute sailing on the MSC Seascape out of Galveston! A new cruise line and a last minute STEAL-  It is going to be awesome!

Coming Soon:

MSC Seascape- April 2026
Mariner of the Seas-June 2026
Symphony of the Seas- July 2026
Liberty of the Seas- December 2026
Freedom of the Seas (Graduation Cruise)- June 

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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