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Tuesday, January 21, 2020

[Day 4] - Harmony of the Seas - Pool Day & Wonderland Dining Experience

On Day 4, Harmony of the Seas was headed Costa Maya, and the Shinglebells had no plans to get off the ship!

Our port arrival time was 11 AM, which is pretty late. Originally, had we stuck to the planned itinerary of Day 2 Coco Cay, Day 3 At Sea, we would have still been sailing down from the Bahamas to Mexico. However, since we swapped Day 3 with Cozumel, we were already in Mexico! So we were just putt-putting along, waiting until time to dock.

Rachel and I ran three miles around the track on Deck 5. She's training for the NYC Half Marathon in March. After, we went to the gym - which was nearly empty! - and did some squats, lunges and abs. There were hardly any people in the gym that morning, so we had our choice of weights and no wait for machines.

We were about to leave the gym when we noticed that we were pulling into port! And what do you know - the Carnival Glory!!!

Just a week prior, the Carnival Glory had gotten into an accident in Cozumel, colliding with the Carnival Legend and barely escaping collision with the Oasis of the Seas. The Carnival Glory had the most damage to the dining room area of the ship. Check out this makeshift patch job. Looks like the welded on some sheet metal, but there's also still plastic on the angular parts, so I'm curious about what's going on in there.

Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory

Yikes! I wonder when they'll really be able to repair the damage.



Carnival Glory

Also in port were Celebrity Edge (another runner-up) and Norwegian Escape (sailed in 2017).

Costa Maya

Costa Maya

Up until this point, we were entertaining the idea of getting off the ship and walking around. Then we saw all the people and decided not to do that.

They blocked off pedestrian traffic while Harmony of the Seas was docking.

Costa Maya

Costa Maya

Quite the crowd accumulation.

Costa Maya

Oh, yeah - today was Christmas Day! Apparently Santa came in on a zipline, but I missed it! Here's a card from our stateroom attendant -

Holiday Card

Mom and I went to Park Café to get breakfast burritos - what a classic Christmas morning breakfast!

Central Park Cafe

On the side of the Celebrity Edge, you can kind of see the "infinite veranda" staterooms. It's a pretty interesting concept - they claim it "turns the entire stateroom into a balcony with the push of a button." It was a difficult concept for Rachel to explain to me with no visuals, and I'll try my best to do it as well.... there's a glass wall/window, and you push a button, and it rolls down so it's like a guardrail. Make sense? No? Here's a video.

Celebrity Edge

We headed up to the pool deck to take advantage of less people on the ship.

Rachel asked me not to post any swimsuit pictures of her on Cruise Critic, but she didn't say anything about Victoria on Vacation. So if you see this photo, that means you're reading directly on Victoria on Vacation, and I really appreciate your support!

Poolside

Here's the top deck of the neighboring Carnival Glory. Looking kind of bare. It had a dry dock in 2017. I wonder when they're going to get the rear corner fixed... they aren't scheduled for a dry dock in 2020.

Carnival Glory

Celebrity Edge and Norwegian Escape

Creepin' on the pool deck of the Glory... I believe this is the adults-only pool.

Carnival Glory

Meanwhile back on Harmony of the Seas...

Pool Deck

Pool Deck

Pool Deck

Pool Deck

We decided to take advantage of the low crowds to do the water slides today. There are three water slides - the "champagne bowl" (often called a "toilet bowl") and two body slides. Really, they're all body slides because there are no rafts for any of them. The champagne bowl is the most popular, so if you go up the stairs and the line for it isn't too bad, go ahead and take advantage. Otherwise, keep to the right and get in line for the blue or yellow body slide. I believe the yellow is the faster of the two. It is completely enclosed. The blue has one tube portion that is transparent.

With the Champagne Bowl, you go in through one tube slide, then deposited in a large "bowl" which you will spin around (typically 1-2 laps in the bowl) before going down a second tube slide, out the bottom. If you don't make a full rotation and only do 1.5 spins, you'll need to scoot yourself over to the second tube slide in order to get out.

Guys, I performed really well here.... your girl did 3 full laps in the champagne bowl!

If you want to go as fast as possible down water slides, I have some tips for you. The goal is to reduce the friction between you and the slide by minimizing surface area in contact with the slide surface. To do this, position yourself in a "flat-as-a-board" plank and cross your arms over your chest. Lean your head forward, tucking into your chest. Tighten and lift your core so that only your heels and your shoulder blades are touching the slide. Now, when you start down the slide, you need to get good momentum. Start in a standing position and use the bar at the top of the slide to swing into the tube (don't just sit down and push off... unless the lifeguards make you, in which case, follow safety protocols), then assume your slide position as quickly as possible. You'll be flying down the slide as fast as possible!

Pool Deck

Carnival

Pool Deck

This is the Solarium, which is the 16 and older pool deck area. Three hot tubs and a little splash area, but no swimming pool.

Solarium

We learned that sunscreen can rub your name off of your SeaPass. The missing print was temporarily tattooed on Rachel's arm like a newspaper transfer. She had to go down to Guest Services and get a new card, and I had to later that week.

SeaPass mixed with sunscreen

So for lunch, we headed to Sabor. We forgot that there is a an exception to Unlimited Dining which doesn't allow you to dine at specialty restaurants at port days. You would think that actually, it would be the opposite.... because less people are on the ship on port days. The manager was willing to give us a discount of $14/person (vs. the typical $28/person). We decided to head across the way to Johnny Rockets and see what kind of deal they would cut us there.

Sabor

Sabor

Harmony of the Seas


The manager at Johnny Rockets agreed to waive the $6.95/person surcharge. It was our experience that managers have some ability to make deals, so it's not a guarantee that they'll waive the surcharge, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets

Some classic Johnny Rockets dancing.

Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets

Some more questionable holiday décor in the Promenade....

Towels

The Celebrity Edge and Norwegian Escape left Costa Maya first, leaving us with a lovely view while we got ready for dinner.

Costa Maya

While Mom and Dad enjoyed the Diamond Lounge, Rachel and I went to Schooner Bar. It's located on Deck 6 Aft above the Promenade, near Rising Tides. Schooner Bar is a Royal Caribbean classic. It's on all of their cruise ships and is nautically themed, as one would guess from the name.

We were welcomed... kind of, not really... by a bartender holding a drink tray, positioned out in the lounge area to take orders. Rachel and I found a table overlooking the Promenade and looked through the drink menu. Then we waited... and waited... the bartender was just standing there. Never came to take our orders. So Rachel got up to order for us from the bar.

Schooner Bar

Schooner Bar

The good thing about Schooner Bar is the Lavendar Martini. I'm not sure where else you can get one on the ship.

Schooner Bar

Schooner Bar: Good martinis, mediocre atmosphere, lousy service (we visited again and experienced the same thing).

Schooner Bar

Here's Rising Tides in action.

Rising Tide

Rising Tide

Okay, so the dinner plan for tonight was a little crazy. Judy just could not get out of her mind the cheese platter that she enjoyed ordering in the main dining room on Navigator of the Seas last year. It was the one thing she missed about the main dining room. So Rachel suggested that one night, we go to the main dining room first so Judy could get her cheese platter.

Our dinner reservation for tonight was for Wonderland, which is for "curious appetites." Rachel warned the Shinglebells that the menu was going to be interesting. Stove was apprehensive. And he kept hinting, "The menu in the main dining room looks really good tonight." Uhhh… did it? I did not agree, but Stove was clearly nervous about Wonderland, and Judy wanted a cheese platter. Rachel made a reservation for the main dining room, since it was Day 4 and we hadn't eaten there yet. The head waiter even called my parents stateroom to make sure that we were coming.

And we showed up. Because we hadn't dined in the main dining room before, we had to be shown to our table. And it turns out that no one knew where it was. They led us back to a corner, then realized it wasn't there, so we backtracked and finally made it to our table. It was located on the fifth floor, which is the top (third) floor of the main dining room. Personally, I prefer to sit on the lowest main dining room floor... on the third floor it feels like you're tucked away in the balcony.

We met our waiter, and I'll just say, she was not our biggest fan. "Where have you guys been all week?" We told her that we had specialty dining, and we felt her judgement. She was very respectful in asking if we had other reservations that we were in a hurry to get to, so Rachel told her about our 9PM reservation (to Wonderland!!), and she told us that she would get us out in time to make it.

Stove is smiling in this photo, but the reason I took it is because he was complaining about the butter. "What happened to the real butter?" I think he may have been remembering Princess Cruise Lines, or one of the cruise lines that serves fresh butter in a cold dish. Or maybe we're just specialty dining snobs now.

Main Dining Room

I ordered the Caesar Salad. It's a safe bet for Royal Caribbean. Then again, does this lettuce look wilted???

Main Dining Room

Ladies and gentlemen, here it is - THE LEGENDARY CHEESE PLATTER!

Ha! This was not what Judy remembered. There were no crackers. And what is that... a block of Kraft cheese?? Judy then recalled that last year, as the cruise progressed, they ran out of items for the cheese platter like crackers. So if you want this very memorable cheese platter (which is actually listed on the dessert menu), be sure to order it early in the cruise.

Main Dining Room

Stove and Rachel ordered the escargot and commented that it was overdone.

Main Dining Room

I decided to compare the main dining rib short rib to the short rib at Jamie's. It's just another bad short rib. This time I don't blame the sauce, but think it was overcooked.

Main Dining Room

Stove and Rachel got the tilapia, which was the fish of the day not listed on the menu. Our waiter didn't mention that it was fried, and they weren't expecting that. Tilapia is probably the last fish that I would assume would be fried.

Main Dining Room

Judy ordered the lasagna and said that it was as good as the pasta at Jamie's. Simultaneously a compliment to the main dining room and an insult to Jamie's Italian.

Main Dining Room

We skipped dessert in the main dining room (you know... since we had ANOTHER dining reservation), and our waiter seemed offended. This isn't the first time this has happened. For some reason on cruises, when you tell your server that you don't want dessert, it's like a stab to the heart.

Now on to Wonderland! This restaurant is themed around - you guessed it - Alice in Wonderland. But before you say, "Wait! Isn't that Disney's character?" know that Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland was based on Lewis Carroll's novels, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. So as long as they don't use licensed Disney characters or their likeness, Wonderland is fair game.

Wonderland is an experience for the curious appetite. You begin by going through the Rabbit Hole into a peculiar fantasy.

Wonderland

Wonderland

Wonderland has a lounge with a bar on the upper level. This restaurant is known for its creative drink menu, and you do not need a reservation or to pay the cover to visit the bar.

Wonderland

Fun and interesting furniture throughout. You can see the tree reference here. Maybe we're in the garden. What's missing are the doors of different sizes - missed opportunity.

Wonderland

The venue is beautiful. It's my favorite atmosphere of all the specialty restaurants, and the other Shinglbells agree. The dining room is a double-height space with a geometric faceted façade which overlooks the Boardwalk. Later that evening, they started the Aqua Show, and we could see the divers.

Wonderland

To get to the dining room, you go down.... down.... down... a spiral set of stairs.

Here's your place setting. That's not a fork.... it's a paint brush!

Wonderland

And the menu is.... blank!

Wonderland

So you wet your paint brush in water and "paint" the menu.

Wonderland

This is a cool effect, giving off Disney Cruise Line Animator's Palate vibes. My question is - what does this have to do with Alice in Wonderland? It's been awhile since I've read the book or seen the Disney movie, so if I'm missing the reference, please let me know. But it seems to me like this is just a cool effect that they just decided to do to make things interesting. I appreciate the effect, but it's not on theme.

Rachel and Stove said that it was a lot of effort just to read the menu.

Speaking of the menu... it sure gets curiouser and curiouser. With names like "Liquid Lobster" and "Tomato Water," I can understand Stove's aversion.

Wonderland

Here's the drink menu I was talking about. I chose the Rolling Stone because honestly, it was the only drink on the menu that I knew I would enjoy. Mezcal and cucumber - that's my jam! The other drinks were... and I hate to phrase it like this... boy drinks. And I know some woman is going to say, "Wait a minute - I love scotch whisky!" To which I'd respond, "You and my Uncle John."

Notice at the top of the menu it says "Drink Me." It's on theme, and I appreciate it.... but why didn't the dinner menu say "Eat Me"? Who messed that up? Also, I wish they were more in-your-face with "Drink Me" and "Eat Me." I seriously don't understand why they passed up on the opportunity to adorn these labels on the glassware and serving dishes. This is a reference that most everyone will understand and love - a completely "Instagrammable" moment that was overlooked!

Wonderland

The glassware is cool, though. Rachel ordered a glass of wine, and it was served in this awesome tall glass.

Wonderland

Here it is, the Rolling Stone! I enjoyed it.

Wonderland

The Mad Hatter's Purple Potted Shrimp. Pretty sure the Mad Hatter was consuming tea and cakes, but okay, I'll take it - this is even curiouser. The shrimp was actually very good. And get this - Stove loved it!

Wonderland

The Bird's Nest has an awesome presentation. When it's delivered to the table, it has a clear glass lid over it which is encasing smoke. When the lid is removed, the smoke is released. Also, Alice is always talking about eating eggs and birds, so this dish is on theme. And I enjoyed the eggs.

Wonderland

Reconstructed Caprese. Not specifically on theme, just weird.

Wonderland

Now - the Liquid Lobster! Another menu item included just because it sounds weird. It's actually tomato bisque with caviar and not anything to be afraid of.

Wonderland

The Citrus Seas Shhh was Judy's favorite. Well, she said it was the most memorable, actually, so that doesn't necessarily mean favorite. Also said, "A lot of time invested for a miniature snow cone," and while I didn't ask her to clarify, I'm pretty sure she meant her time spent in the restaurant, not the time of whoever scooped the snow cone.

Wonderland

The Chicken and the Egg -

Wonderland

Snap, Crackle, and Pork -

Wonderland

What's that... another short rib?!?! The Rib "I" Luscious Short Rib. I initially said, "No more short rib for me! I've tried enough!" But then I tried it and decided that it was the best of the three (vs. Jamie's Italian and main dining room). It was the sauce... I actually liked this sauce.

Wonderland

Branzino in Crispy Bread

Wonderland

Mushrooms... this is on theme. But like most Royal Caribbean desserts, the presentation was beautiful and the taste was mediocre.

Wonderland

This one is called "The World." Now this is a dessert that I can get behind. It comes out as this hard shell chocolate ball. Warm peanut butter ganache is poured over the top.

Wonderland

Wonderland

The chocolate shell melts...

Wonderland

To reveal salted caramel ice cream! My favorite dessert so far.

Wonderland

The Forbidden Apple..... woah, woah, woah! Whoever created this menu must've been keen to the underlying sexuality theme in Alice in Wonderland. Either that or they were confusing Alice in Wonderland with the Bible - classic mix-up! This apple should be Forbidden, and it's because it's pretty gross. Don't be fooled by the outside - the inside is raspberry cream.

Wonderland

Okay, the Shinglebells are divided on opinions of Wonderland. Judy said, "It was like Royal Caribbean tried to Disney. Did not quite pull it off." I totally understand that thought. They did choose to use the name Wonderland which most will associate with Disney. And it's just not a good idea to compete with Disney.

If the goal was to take this restaurant full-on Wonderland, there were a lot of missed opportunities. Maybe there is a clock which indicates that it is always 6:00. They should add to the menu Mock Turtle Soup and the Queen's Tarts. Maybe the dessert menu could be presented on playing cards. And then at the end of dinner, they should do something that indicates we have awoken from a dream. There are so many creative opportunities with this Wonderland theme. I honestly wonder if whoever worked on this project even read the book or did any research.

I think they could be successful if they drop the familiar characters and references and instead take this in an unfamiliar Meow Wolf direction. It could be a well-represented artistic dining experience with original theming and storytelling. I like the idea of experimental dining and a unique, imaginative menu. It doesn't need to revolve around a well-known literary character.

Now the food.... to quote Judy, "The food was just plain bizarre."

I actually enjoyed the unique menu. Having sailed Royal Caribbean so many times with the same bland dining room menu, I really enjoyed that this was unlike anything I've ever experienced before on a cruise ship. Also, I think unique dishes work in their favor as far as perception of quality. When I order a steak medium rare, I know exactly how it is supposed to look and taste. But Liquid Lobster? If I don't like it, maybe it's just because it's weird, not because whoever was manning the grill forgot to take off my steak and it was delivered to me well done. I think this would be a good direction for Royal Caribbean to take their main dining room menu. Instead of serving well known food at a mediocre quality, serve more creative, lesser-known food, and we might not even understand that it's only mediocre.

We all really loved the venue, and our service here was excellent. Our waiter was nice and personable.

Three out of four Shinglebells have no desire to return to Wonderland. Rachel said that she was glad we tried it, but it's a one and done thing. I am the only one who really enjoyed the experience and would definitely return again. I liked it. I'm totally down for the weird.

That was a late evening! We were greeted in our stateroom by this little buddy....

Towel Animal

See you Day 5... will we leave the ship???

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