As I predicted we were up too early (before 4 am) today. But it’s okay because before long we’ll be on Harmony of the Seas!
Embarkation Morning
Fortunately our hotel had fresh coffee in the lobby and after enjoying a couple of cups, we all decided to go to breakfast at a nearby waffle house instead of wait for the complimentary breakfast at 7 am.
We navigated there (thanks Sister M) and all ordered the All Star breakfast. It was good except for the eggs weren’t cooked as ordered. Sister T ended up with super runny eggs (she had ordered over medium) and Sister M and I had them switch ours to match our orders.
It sure is a bargain for all that food! Sorry no food pics, I just dug in. The route changes slightly going back but Sister M got me there.
At some point before leaving the hotel we did the app portions of the safety drill.
Rental Car Return
We left the hotel at 10 am for Cape Canaveral. I needed to gas up before dropping off the car at Budget. Sister M was my front passenger navigator and we got there in about 45 minutes. The highway turns into Astronaut Blvd. Stopped at RaceTrac for gas (took about 3 gallons). Sister M bought a few bottles of water and soda to take.
It was just a block to Budget rental car (but easy to miss because you don’t see it until right there). The sign says to park in one of the numbered spots and note the mileage. We did that and inside the building was a line for returns. I was next and it was a fast return and the receipt was emailed to me. We loaded right up into a shuttle going to the Harmony and it filled up quickly.
Port Check-in
We got to the port within 5 minutes and quickly unloaded. The porter was nice and made tags for my sisters. Then we were directed to go on into the terminal. There weren’t any lines so they didn’t care what time anyone had. We had to show our setsail passes and passports before going through metal detector. Then we took the escalator to check-in where it was just one family in front of us to check in. There our passports were scanned before we were free to go onboard. We took a boarding photo before going up the gangway.
Once onboard we wanted to make show and restaurant reservations and split up. They made the show reservations while I headed to chops to make the restaurant ones. They found me there in line. We got all three restaurants the days and within 15 minutes of the times.
We had a hiccup trying to find the aqua theater as we expected it early in the cruise but after posting in the facebook group got information with the show name so was able to find it.
Embarkation Afternoon
It was 11:50 am by this time so we headed to Park Cafe for lunch.
Lunch
Sister T had a couple of salads. Sister M and I had the kummelweck sandwich — hers with chips and mine with pasta salad.
The maker put too much mustard on it and not enough meat but it was still good! Topped it off with my favorite cookies.
Then we headed to our muster stations to get that done.
Cabin
At 1 pm we headed to our cabins. Sister T is in an interior cabin at the bow section on 9 and we’re in a central park interior at the other end same floor.
I really liked the room and think it’s a great option in the future.
The only thing that I don’t like is this one is a connecting cabin and I can hear the neighbors talking and TV through the door.
It’s the same bathroom in all the non-suite rooms.
We have a view of Central Park from the window.
I unpacked my backpack and cpap then headed down the hall to get our suitcases. Sister M had noticed them on the way to our cabin.
After getting unpacked I realized the plug by the beds is on the one I thought Sister M wanted. When she got back to the cabin we decided to switch and I moved my stuff. There’s two closets and we each took the one by our respective bed.
Sailaway
We met up on deck 15. The smoking area is much smaller than the one on Allure and seating is at a premium. Also instead of dining type tables with chairs they have Adirondack chairs with a smaller coffee table. I’m sure it takes much less space but is also less comfortable.
Shortly before sailaway we went to the back of deck 5 and saw the ship is docked right in front of fishlips. Before we had changed our check in time to noon our plan was to have brunch there before turning in the rental car.
The outside decks were packed and live music was playing.
Our schedule had said sailaway was at 4 pm but it actually was 4:30 before we started pulling away. I stayed out viewing the scenery (beaches, Kennedy Space Center) before going inside.
Embarkation Evening
It was about 10 minutes before our dining time of 5 pm (early!) so headed to the deck 3 dining room.
Dinner
My sisters were already waiting so joined them near the front. The doors didn’t open until a couple of minutes after 5. We were walked to our table (363) near the back. Our servers were Gerald and Jose.
I thought the appetizer selection was great but not too excited about the main entrees. Of course we started with bread.
I started with the crab cake which was very good.
This was followed by the cream of mushroom soup. I forgot to ask for no truffle oil.
I really liked that there were more mushrooms than I had in June on Allure.
For main I went with the prime rib and swapped out the starch for a baked potato.
Sister M had the same and Sister T tried the battered seafood plate and enjoyed it. I might get that next time. The sides were great but the meat was tough and sinewy. Ended up only eating 1/3 of it.
For dessert I had my favorite, apple blossom, with a decaf coffee.
Here’s where I messed up by taking my melatonin along with other evening pills.
Evening Activities
After dinner I headed to the schooner bar and ordered a lavender daquiri.
It was so good I had another. It’d had been a long day so I decided to skip the shows tonight and head to the cabin. I used the last of my diamond drinks and got two sodas for my sisters.
The cabin steward had already turned down our room and left her card (Loreili).
She came back later with distilled water for me. She never got the message but saw the cpap. So nice! I asked for daily cruise compass and she got me one for tomorrow.
Diamond treat of cookies had arrived.
About 9:15 I turned out the lights. Here’s the diamond benefits letter.
Letter from diamond concierge.
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