How to Maximize your time on Harmony of the Seas: A Family Guide

Our family recently took a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas with our kids (ages 9 and 11).  

Harmony of the Seas has a lot of activities from waterslides and mini golf to ice skating and zip lining. The ship features multiple pools, splash zones for younger kids, and the popular FlowRider surf simulator. There’s also a rock climbing wall, a carousel on the Boardwalk, and nightly entertainment, including Broadway-style shows. (We loved the shows!)

Choosing the Ship Over the Shore

Usually, we plan our cruises around the ports. We did things a little differently on this cruise—we treated the ship as the destination, not just the ride to it. We started our cruise research based on the ship activities, looking at everything and even comparing waterslides on different ships. Last time we were on a ship with Flowrider, the kids were not tall enough to go on it so it was high on their list of things they wanted on a ship this time around. Harmony of the Seas has so much to offer, but with over 6,500 passengers, it can feel overwhelming if you don’t go in with a plan. Since we were cruising over spring break, we knew the ship would be packed with families just like us. We chose this ship because of all the fun activities, but we also knew we weren’t the only ones. To avoid the frustration of long lines, we had to be a little strategic about when we did things.

Get a Jumpstart on the Fun

One of our favorite tips? Check the schedule as soon as you board. While most families are busy unpacking, it's the perfect time to sneak in an activity or two before the crowds roll in. We headed straight for the rock climbing wall and had it all to ourselves—no lines, no waiting, just pure fun. It felt amazing to kick off the cruise by checking off something we were all excited about. That little win set the tone for the rest of our adventure.

Beat the Crowds

FlowRider on Harmony of the Seas

One of our favorite tricks? Let everyone else rush off the ship first. While most passengers were off on morning excursions, we enjoyed a quiet breakfast and headed straight for the FlowRider. There were just two others there—way better than the dozen-plus waiting during sea days. As we looked around, we smiled at the other families, a little nod of pride that we had made the right call.

After FlowRider, we slipped into a hot tub—and had it all to ourselves. I soaked in the view and the peace, fully appreciating not having to climb over people to find a seat (something that happens a lot on sea days). We didn’t rush. We just enjoyed the quiet, the sunshine, and being together as a family.

By hitting popular spots early in the cruise or while others were ashore, we avoided the lines and got more time to actually enjoy the activities. It helped us slow down and savor it all.

Mornings Onboard, Afternoons Ashore

We found a rhythm that worked: spend the morning on the ship, then explore the ports in the afternoon. This helped us skip the early rush and avoid the crowds coming back onboard for lunch. The soft-serve line? Non-existent. Searching for a table at breakfast? We had our pick of the tables as most families were already off the ship.

One day, we did try heading out early with everyone else. After snorkeling all morning, we came back starving—only to face long lines everywhere. Tired and cranky kids (and parents!) confirmed it for us: our go-with-the-flow schedule made for a better experience.

Rock Climbing on Harmony of the Seas

Final Thoughts

Cruising on a ship this size can feel hectic, but small shifts in your schedule can make a big difference. If you’re traveling with kids, consider flipping the routine. I totally get the urge to be first off the ship—we’ve done plenty of cruises like that. But this time, we picked the trip for the ship, and it worked for us.

Next time, it might be more about the itinerary than the ship—and that’s part of the beauty of cruising. You can tailor it to your mood, your family, and your travel style. It doesn’t have to be the same every time.

FreshCruiser Tip: A little planning goes a long way—and sometimes, it’s just about going against the flow.