🚢 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise: Harmony of the Seas
Post In Progress…
✈️ Official Day 1 - Leaving cold Minnesota and flying to Houston Texas
January 31st – February 9th, 2025
A week of sun, sea, wildlife encounters, ancient ruins, and epic adventures across Honduras and Mexico.
📝 Our Story
I never quite imagined I’d be the one taking my kids on cruises for vacations. Growing up, it always felt like something out of reach — but here we are, 40 years later, able to take trips like this not just for Leza and me, but for the kids, too. They’re pretty lucky, even if they don’t realize it yet. And honestly? Cruises are a huge bang for your buck. Best of all: we don’t have to plan what everyone wants to eat!
🚢 Our Cruise Background
This was our second cruise. Our first was on Disney back in January 2024 — and they set the bar high. I have nothing bad to say about that experience. I’d go back in a heartbeat! That cruise left from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and was only five days long. Our one regret? Not booking any excursions — and honestly, we wished it had been a couple of days longer.
🌴 Why We Chose Royal Caribbean
With that in mind, this time we decided to try a different cruise line and went with Royal Caribbean. We set sail from Galveston, Texas, aboard the Harmony of the Seas for a seven-night cruise. Our itinerary included Roatán, Puerto Costa Maya, and Cozumel, with unforgettable excursions — from cuddling sloths to exploring ancient Mayan ruins and swimming with dolphins. Below is a day-by-day guide of our journey to hopefully inspire your own Caribbean cruise dreams.
❄️ Escaping Minnesota Winter
Minnesota is cold — especially in January — so we were all beyond excited to leave the snow behind and trade it for warm sand and tropical breezes. One tip we recommend for new cruisers: give yourself plenty of buffer time before departure. We were leaving from Galveston and wanted to be sure we didn’t run into any travel hiccups, so we planned to arrive a couple of days early. Trust me, you don’t want to be the ones running down the pier as the ship sails away!
📍 Port Details & Rental Tips
Port Location:
Royal Caribbean Terminal
1402 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550
It’s about 70 miles south of George Bush Intercontinental Airport — not too far, but here’s the catch: finding a rental car in Galveston can be tricky, and they book up fast!
We used Enterprise, which has a location fairly close to the port:
5919 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77551
✈️ Official Day 1 — Leaving Cold Minnesota & Flying to Houston, Texas
This journey kicked off with an evening Friday flight from Minneapolis to Houston. By the time we arrived, we were wiped out, so we headed straight to the hotel and crashed — no sightseeing yet, just sleep! We had a packed Saturday ahead, so we wanted to be well-rested.
Our plan: wake up early, explore as much of Houston as possible, and then drive through the night to Galveston so we’d be close to the port on departure day.
🌆 First stop: Market Square Park
We started wandering through downtown and stumbled upon Market Square Park. It seemed like a lively spot — though we must have arrived before the action started, because vendors were still setting up. I’d definitely go back if we were in town during a full event, but even without the crowd, it was a nice little park to stroll through.
🍖 BBQ Heaven: Truth BBQ
After working up an appetite, we hit a must-visit BBQ joint: Truth BBQ. Apparently, they’re open until they run out of food — and yes, the long wait is worth it. Portions were massive, the meat was flawless, and I’d highly recommend it. Parking was a bit of a challenge, but we found a side street behind the building — conveniently near Voodoo Doughnuts, another one of our favorites!
🎨 Color Explosion: Houston Legendary Graffiti Building
With our stomachs stuffed, we needed to walk it off. So we made our way to the Houston Legendary Graffiti Building, where the walls are covered in vibrant, head-to-toe murals. We circled the building, taking in every corner. There were even some locals selling goods in the lot. Pro tip: if you’re wearing sandals or have little ones, watch for broken glass around the area.
🎭 Whimsical Stop: Smither Park
Next up was Smither Park — tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. This artsy spot is packed with tile walls, mosaics, and sculptures. There are swings, benches, and quirky art that’s fun for kids — though, full disclosure, our kids were over it after about five minutes. Still, it’s worth a stop if you have time!
☁️ Mirror Magic: Cloud Column
Our next destination was Cloud Column, the giant silver sculpture near The Museum of Fine Arts that’s often called Houston’s answer to Chicago’s Cloud Gate (“The Bean”). We didn’t go into the museum but enjoyed strolling the surrounding sculptures. It was peaceful and made for some cool photos.
🌿 Nature Break: Hermann Park & McGovern Centennial Gardens
We moved on to Hermann Park — way bigger than expected, with tons of places to explore. We landed at McGovern Centennial Gardens, and although it wasn’t peak bloom season, it was still a beautiful stop. As you enter, you’re greeted by a large pond and green lawns, and you can walk up to a small waterfall with nice views of the area (though mostly of Miller Outdoor Theatre). The kids especially loved all the ducks wandering around!
💦 Final Houston Stop: Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
By this point, the kids were pretty much done — but we squeezed in one last stop at Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park. We arrived right at sunset, snapped a few quick photos, and hopped back in the car. The towering waterwall is even more impressive in person, and the adjacent grassy field is perfect for relaxing. We wished we could have stayed longer, but Galveston was calling.
🏠 Final Destination: VRBO in Galveston
We arrived at our rental late in the evening, ready for a good night’s rest. We booked a house on Vrbo that was incredibly close to the port — here’s the [link for reference] (be sure to insert your actual link). It had one big room, a separate bedroom, and a kitchen — only one bathroom (accessible through the separate bedroom), but overall it was a great setup. We’d heard stories on Facebook about travelers having trouble with car rentals or Ubers in Galveston, so we wanted a place within walking distance, just in case. Thankfully, we had zero issues with either!
🚢 Day 1 at Sea — February 2nd: Departure from Galveston, Texas
The morning came quick! We ordered our Uber and rode to the port, checking in around 11 a.m. For those of you cruising for the first time, every passenger chooses a boarding time window, so you’ll have a designated time to arrive and board. I’m not sure what happens if you’re late — but honestly, the excitement of getting there on time makes it a non-issue. Just plan ahead!
First impressions: holy ship — this boat was HUGE. Compared to Disney Wish, it felt like double the size! We were on the Harmony of the Seas, which at the time was the second-largest cruise ship in the world. It truly is a floating city.
When you board, they take your luggage and deliver it to your stateroom later in the afternoon, so if you need anything before 1 p.m., carry a backpack or keep a few essentials with you. Even though we could board at 11 a.m., rooms weren’t ready until around 1 p.m., so we just explored and got the lay of the land.
🍽️ Windjammer Buffet
Aside from exploring the ship, food was our top priority! It’s always fun to see what the buffet has to offer. On this ship, the main buffet is called Windjammer, and it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a pretty solid selection. Even with over 5,000 people onboard, it didn’t feel as crowded as you might think — though at peak times, finding a seat could be tricky. Oh and don’t forget to “Washy Washy”!
🌴 My Top Cruise Tips
Here’s a list of things I recommend after learning along the way:
🛶 Book Excursions!
We didn’t do this on our Disney cruise and highly regretted it. Excursions make it so easy to enjoy getting off the boat without stressing over what to do next. We personally like booking through the cruise line — it includes transportation, and if an excursion runs late, the boat will wait for you (or so the crew says!). You can book independently, just be sure to factor in travel time.
🎭 Live Shows
The lineup on Harmony was fantastic:
Grease (yep, the Broadway show)
1887, an ice skating show (yes, they have a rink onboard!)
Columbus...The Musical! Return to the Caribbean, a comedy show
The Fine Line Aqua Show, where performers dive from the top of the ship into pools below
Arrive early — seats fill up fast!
📱 Use the App
With comedy clubs, dance parties, live music, trivia, a casino, surfing, zip-lining, and more, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The Royal Caribbean app is incredibly helpful for planning your days and keeping track of activities. Honestly, I was glad the first couple days were at sea — it gave us time to figure out the ship!
🍽️ Dinner Time
There are two dinner options:
A set time (we chose 5 p.m.), or
My Time Dining, where you can eat anytime within a window.
The set time worked best for us since we wanted to catch the shows afterward. A heads-up: they really don’t like you to be late. We were 15 minutes late one night and got seated at a different table with a different waitstaff. After that, the kids were determined to get there early — they didn’t want the crew “mad” at us again!
🎉 Theme Nights
Ah, theme nights… a love-hate situation! Every cruise seems to have them: Caribbean Night, Western Night, 90’s Night, Formal Night, etc. What’s frustrating is it’s really hard to get clear answers in advance. Royal Caribbean support was vague, and because ships and themes change, no one could tell us exactly what to expect.
My advice: check the Facebook groups for your specific cruise. Guests from the week before often post schedules and tips. Overall, don’t stress. Dress to impress on Formal Night, pack a few versatile outfits, and go with the flow. Some people nailed the theme nights, and others — well, let’s just say they did their own thing!
🦆 Ducks!
Apparently, hiding little rubber ducks around the ship is a cruise tradition (though not on every line). Some people even attach cute notes or hometown info to them. Kids love hunting for them, and it’s a sweet surprise to stumble upon one. You can leave them, re-hide them, or keep them as a fun souvenir.
(Psst: I’ve got links to cruise ducks and essentials if you want to join the fun — just ask me for them or check out my resources page!)
🍹 Drink Packages
In my opinion, the drink packages are pricey. And the kicker? If you’re sharing a room with another adult, they alsohave to buy the package. You’d need to drink about 10–12 drinks a day to break even.
We skipped both the drink and soda packages, preferring to splurge on excursions. Drinks averaged $8–$15, which honestly isn’t bad — cheaper than some spots in downtown Minneapolis! Harmony even has a robot bar where mechanical arms mix cocktails.
⚠️ Pro tip: Always check your receipts. We made the mistake of not noticing extra tips already included and ended up double-tipping a few times.
❄️ Wrapping Up the Day
We ended Day 1 with plenty of food, a couple of drinks, and the 1887 ice show — a perfect start to our adventure!
🌊 Day 2 at Sea — February 3rd: Cruising
Today was a classic “at sea” day, so we woke up semi-early with three top priorities: food, coffee, and sun. ☀️☕🍽️
I’ve probably said this before — but I’ll say it again because it’s worth repeating: the BEST part of cruising is not having to figure out what the kids want to eat. You just say, “Go find food yourself!” It’s pure vacation magic.
Honestly, we didn’t do much except lounge in the sun, wander the ship, and hop into random activities from the app like trivia and karaoke. And that’s exactly how we wanted it. 😎🎤
After a blissfully lazy day, we wrapped things up with our usual dinner time and then caught the musical Grease — which was fantastic! 🎶✨
🌊 Day 3 — February 4th: Cruising
Today was another relaxed day at sea, with no big plans except to watch the kids take on the surfing and kneeboarding simulators 🌊🏄♂️ and, of course, sample as much food as possible. Priorities, right?
We were still excited just to wander the ship, discover new spots, and jump into random events. One highlight: we signed the kids up for ice skating on the ship ⛸️— how cool is that? (Pro tip: spots fill up fast, so be sure to use the app to book early!)
The rest of the afternoon was pure vacation bliss: the kids lounging by the pool with their $10 pineapple drinks. 🍍 Talk about living their best life… not spoiled at all (insert major sarcasm here 🙄)!
For the evening, we kept it fun with dinner, a silent disco with the kids 🪩🎧, and an early bedtime — because the next morning was our first big excursion: meeting the sloths! 🦥
⚓ Day 4 — February 5th: Roatán, Honduras
For all the Broadway fans out there, here’s a partial quote from Dear Evan Hansen:
“Today is going to be a good day, and here’s why.”
🦥 Sloths. That’s why.
🚎 Heading to AJ’s Monkey and Sloths
Our first-ever excursion was on the island of Roatán, off the coast of Honduras (or as the locals call the mainland — just “the mainland”). Today’s port ran from 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, giving us plenty of time for adventure and exploring the port later.
We booked the Easy Roatán Monkey, Sloth, and Iguana Interaction excursion — and let me tell you, it was worth every penny.
After disembarking, we met up with our group, hopped on a local tour bus, and began a 45-minute ride through Roatán. Our tour guide was fantastic, weaving stories and local history into the journey. By the time we arrived, we were buzzing with excitement.
🏡 AJ’s Monkey and Sloths
When we got to AJ’s Monkey and Sloths, the magic began. As we waited our turn, we looked up and spotted iguanas and lizards sunbathing in the trees above us. You could even hear their little claws tapping on the metal roof. It was such a cool reminder that we were surrounded by God’s creatures, just going about their day.
Once inside, we started with these adorable little guinea pig–like animals (guinea pigs? gerbils? the mystery lives on!). When the staff shook their food container, they went wild — and we loved every second.
The AJ’s team was phenomenal — they offered professional photos (for a fee) but were just as happy to snap shots on our phones or let us take our own with pro cameras.
🦥 The Star of the Show: Sloths
Then came the star attraction: the sloths! Three of them were passed gently from person to person. The staff explained sloth facts (like don’t rub their backs!) and told us about their personalities. One sloth was so attached to a staff member that it reached its arms back with a “please don’t leave me” gesture every time she tried to hand it over — absolutely heart-melting.
🐒 Monkey Trouble Throwback
Next up was the monkey enclosure. The staff made sure we took off earrings, sunglasses, and anything shiny — because these little guys are sneaky!
Inside the cage, the monkeys were pure chaos — jumping, swinging, and clambering over us. It was nearly impossible to snap photos, but we managed a few. All I could think of was Monkey Trouble, that childhood movie where the mischievous monkey steals everything in sight. Total flashback moment!
🦎 Arch’s Iguana & Marine Park
After reluctantly leaving the monkeys, we boarded the bus to Arch’s Iguana & Marine Park — and it just kept getting better.
Iguanas were everywhere. Not behind fences, but out in the open, doing their iguana thing. Our guide warned us that while most were docile, the black ones might chase you if provoked — and apparently, as kids, they used to taunt them on purpose. Childhood on an island hits differently!
We got to feed the iguanas, gently pet their sides, and stroll through the lush habitat. Down by the shore, we reached the marine park, where we watched massive fish being fed while learning more about the local ecosystem.
🛍️ Macaw Market & Chocolate Treats
Surprise stop! We pulled up to Macaw Market, a local spot packed with handcrafted souvenirs and a mini chocolate factory. Naturally, we stocked up on unique chocolate and treasures before hopping back on the bus.
Back at the port, we still had time to check out some local shops before heading back on board.
🍽️ Back Onboard: Dinner & The Fine Line Aqua Show
Once back on the ship, it was showers, dinner, and then the grand finale: The Fine Line Aqua Show. Think Olympic-level divers, acrobatics, and sheer WOW factor — all happening at the back of the ship.
📸 Don’t Miss the Photos!
👉 Be sure to check out more photos of the sloths [HERE]!
🏛️ Day 5 — February 6th: Exploring Chacchoben Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya, Mexico
Our port time today was again from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. We woke up bright and early, eager to discover more of Mexico. Yesterday’s adventure with sloths would be tough to beat—but ancient pyramids might just be equally epic in their own way!
🌴 Arrival & Travel to Chacchoben
Today’s excursion was to the incredible Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, ancient temples and pyramids dating back over 1,000 years. After a quick breakfast, we disembarked and met our tour group at the designated spot within the Port of Costa Maya.
We boarded our tour bus for an approximately one-hour drive to the Chacchoben Archaeological Zone—where our adventure truly began.
🚍 Travel Tip: The bus ride is comfortable, but it's a good idea to bring water and snacks for the journey.
📷 Exploring the Ancient Ruins
Chacchoben is a national archaeological park managed by the Mexican government. The area is beautifully maintained, with paved paths winding through lush jungle.
🎥 Pro Tip: They have strict rules about recording videos—there’s an additional fee for video cameras. Regular photography with my Canon R5 was no problem at all, but definitely be aware of the policy if you're planning video content.
We spent a few hours walking along the paved trails, stopping at various temples to listen to fascinating stories and history from our knowledgeable guide. Each temple felt mysterious and awe-inspiring—a tangible connection to the distant past.
🐒 Wildlife Bonus: Though no sloths this time, we did spot some playful spider monkeys swinging through the trees. It was another reminder of how incredible our planet is when we just slow down and look around.
🎁 Souvenirs & Refreshments
Near the entrance of the site, there are a few small shops where you can buy souvenirs, grab some quick snacks, and use restroom facilities. It’s a convenient stop to catch your breath and shop local before heading back.
🍦 Back at Costa Maya Port
After our tour, we boarded the bus back to Costa Maya Port. I'm pretty sure most people (including us) took advantage of the ride and had a quick nap—nothing like a cozy, air-conditioned bus ride after a jungle adventure!
We spent a little time exploring the vibrant port shops, grabbing some delicious ice cream, and soaking in the atmosphere.
🍽️ Dinner & Evening Plans
At this point, the kids were hungry (of course!), and what better place to feed them than the unlimited buffet back onboard? We headed back to Harmony of the Seas, showered, and then enjoyed a hearty dinner.
🎭 Evening Entertainment: No family shows scheduled tonight, so Leza and I attended a hilarious comedy show. As for the kids—they vanished after dinner, thoroughly enjoying their freedom, and we didn't see them again until the next morning!
📸 Want to see more?
👉 Be sure to check out the full photo gallery of our day at the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins [HERE]!
⚓ Day 6 — February 7th: Cozumel, Mexico
The days seemed to be flying by, and the excitement didn’t stop. Today was our last excursion, and we were all looking forward to the Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaab National Park, inside Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park. Just like the other mornings, we woke up early, grabbed breakfast, got off the ship at the Cozumel Cruise Port, and made our way to the bus area to head off on the adventure.
🚌 Getting There & First Impressions
When we arrived at the park, we took a quick walk around to get our bearings. We were shown where the dolphins were and where to get food, but we weren’t given much direction on when to do what — and honestly, that was probably the biggest downside of the day. We had four hours at the park but no set schedule, and the tour guide floated between groups without a clear plan. We even missed the sea lion show because we didn’t know where or when it was happening.
⏰ Cruise tip: Watch out for time zone confusion! You’ve got cruise time and local time, and they don’t always match. I recommend setting your device to cruise time and turning off the auto time zone setting.
🐬 Dolphin Time!
We got in line for the dolphins first, suited up with life preservers, and were split into small groups. Our group had six, plus a family of four, and everyone got personal time with the dolphins — it was amazing! The dolphins danced, gave high fives, hugged, kissed, and showed off some pretty remarkable tricks. The trainer was knowledgeable and kept the experience fun and engaging.
One important thing to know: you can’t bring your own camera or phone when you’re in the water. At first, this felt frustrating, but honestly, I get it — it would be nearly impossible to capture good photos yourself, and you’d miss the moment. We ended up paying about 💲400 for the full digital photo package (yes, pricey!), but it came with a couple hundred images, including a family photo, and looking back, I’m really glad we did it.
🍽️ Lunch & Manatee Encounter
After all the dolphin excitement, we headed to the buffet for lunch. There were plenty of food and drink options included with the park ticket, and it was a nice break before our next activity.
Next up: the manatee encounter. A large group of us gathered around the ocean enclosure, and the trainer brought the giant manatee over so we could pet and feed it. The manatees weren’t as soft and squishy as the dolphins — they were more like little hippos with fins — but they were still adorable. Fun fact: we learned they actually have fingernails on their flippers!
👟 Pro tip: Bring water shoes! They’re a lifesaver for walking on the hot cement, wooden dock, and especially on the underwater platform (which feels a bit like chain-link fence) during the dolphin and manatee encounters.
📸 Wrapping Up the Day
After the manatee interaction, we walked around the dock, dipped our feet in the pool, and took a few more photos before meeting at the main entrance to catch our bus back to the port. Once we got back, we strolled through the port area, did a little shopping, captured a few last memories, and then made our way back to the ship to shower and get ready for dinner.
🌙 Evening Fun: Crazy Quest & Relaxation
That night, there wasn’t a family show, but there was an adults-only event called Crazy Quest — a hilarious game show where contestants had to hunt for random items from the audience. Let’s just say, yes… multiple clothing items were involved! As for the kids, I’m pretty sure they happily vegged out with food and their iPads, enjoying some chill time.
Overall, it was another fantastic day in the books — and time to rest up for our final full day onboard. 🛳️✨
👉 If you want to see more pictures of our dolphin adventure, click here!
🌊 Day 7 February 8th: Cruising
Today was our last full day on the ship. The week started off slowly, but flew by quicker than expected. There were so many great moments and memories to be thankful for. The agenda today was pretty laid back. We needed to hide the rest of all the ducks that kids didn’t hide already, soak up the sun, eat food, and also some of the activities from the app.
We did a scavenger hunt with the kids, road the carousal with them, and watched a pretty fun belly flop contest.
In the afternoon we watched another ice skating show called iSkate, and then we headed for dinner. After our meal we had one last final show on the ship Columbus...The Musical! Return to the Caribbean, a comedy that was very entertaining. Here’s a tip for all of the broadway shows in the Royal Theatre. It can get very cold in there. What we realized after the first show was that there are vents directly under every seat! So the very first show we were freezing, so this time we brought a sweatshirt and covered it up beneath us and it was a world of a difference.
After the show it time to pack our bags and get some rest as our disembarkment was at 9am.
🌊 Day 7 – February 8th: Cruising 🛳️
Today was our last full day on the ship. The week started off slowly but flew by quicker than we expected. There were so many great moments and memories to be thankful for, and today was all about soaking it in and enjoying every last moment.
The agenda was pretty laid back — we needed to hide the rest of the ducks that the kids hadn’t hidden yet, soak up the sun, eat plenty of delicious food, and check off a few activities from the Royal Caribbean app.
🎉 Fun & Games on Deck
We spent part of the morning doing a scavenger hunt with the kids, followed by a ride on the carousel, which was a big hit. We also caught a pretty hilarious belly flop contest at the pool — always a crowd favorite and full of laughs!
⛸️ Afternoon Entertainment
In the afternoon, we made our way to another ice skating show called iSkate, which was just as impressive as the earlier show we had seen. The talent and production quality were fantastic, and it was a fun way to cool down after a morning in the sun.
🍽️ Dinner & Final Show
After dinner, we headed to the ship’s final big performance — Columbus… The Musical! Return to the Caribbean, a comedy that was both entertaining and surprisingly hilarious.
Here’s a tip for all the Broadway-style shows in the Royal Theatre: it can get very cold in there! We realized after the first show that there are vents directly under every seat. The first night we froze, but this time we came prepared with a sweatshirt to cover the vents — total game changer.
🌅 Wrapping Up the Adventure
After the show, it was time to pack our bags and get some rest, as disembarkation was scheduled for 9 a.m. It’s always a little bittersweet wrapping up a trip like this, but we went to bed full of gratitude for such an amazing week at sea.
⚓ Day 8 February 9th: Return to Galveston, Texas
Arrival: 7:30 AM
Disembarkation: Early breakfast and smooth disembarkation process.
Reflection: Our hearts were full, and we were already dreaming of the next cruise.
