Honeymooners' Guide to Harmony—of the Seas

CocoCay

I could go on forever about the incredible destinations you can visit on Harmony’s port days and all the fantastic excursions available—but I’ll just highlight our favorite: Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay. As big fans of exploring local culture and adventure, we honestly weren’t that excited about this stop. We got off the ship, turned left, and figured we’d wander a bit—maybe find a beach chair and relax. After passing a quiet stretch of sand, a few souvenir stands, and a snack cart, we followed a path through the trees that led us deeper into the island.

That path brought us to Oasis Lagoon—a stunning, sprawling pool with in-water loungers and a lively swim-up bar. It was here we discovered the island’s signature drink, the Coco Loco: a fruity spin on a piña colada that’s best enjoyed with a float of Kraken rum for a sweet, spicy kick. We spent the day soaking up the sun, sipping endless drinks (yes, your drink package works here!), feasting on tacos and burgers (also included), and connecting with some seriously fun people.

Surprisingly, it was CocoCay—once our least-anticipated stop—that we missed the most once the cruise was over.

Excursions & exploration

In Nassau, Bahamas, we boarded a replica pirate ship and cruised along the sparkling coastline while learning about the island’s rich, swashbuckling history. The crew kept things lively with stories, music, and endless rum punch, making it a fun and relaxing way to explore the culture from the water.

Labadee, Haiti, felt like a hidden gem. We browsed the vibrant straw market, chatting with local artisans and picking up beautiful handmade items. Then we spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun and swimming in the crystal-clear bay, surrounded by lush mountains and calm, turquoise water. It was the perfect blend of culture and beach day bliss.

Broadway musicals

Harmony of the Seas had “Grease” for their Broadway play, and it was such an amazing surprise. I had no idea you could watch a Broadway musical at sea! My husband and I are both big fans of theater, so we enjoyed this fun “night out” to see the show. They also had other shows throughout the week that were a lot of fun! "Columbus: The Musical" was hilarious.

Games/game shows

Our favorite activity onboard was a murder mystery game in the comedy club. We were all divided into teams and got to work with other cruisers to work out puzzles to solve a murder mystery before the other teams. Aside from how much fun we had playing, we also met some of the most fun cruisers who we would see around the ship all week long. Other games and game shows we enjoyed were “Love & Marriage,” bingo, trivia, and Quest (which deserves a section of its own).

Quest

Quest is Royal Caribbean's "adults only" game show, and this one really took me by surprise, since RCCL is known for being a "family cruise." When they say "risqué," they are not being dramatic. Teams must hurry to be the first to present specific items upon request: red lipstick? leopard panties? a bra, sized DD? It is wildly entertaining, though I keep my participation at level: spectator!

Dance

Can I actually dance? No. Did that stop me from doing so onboard, far out to sea with strangers? Also no. Between Latin dance at Boleros with Brazilian caipirinhas for courage, line dancing with our favorite entertainment staff at the nightly promenade parties, and club dancing the night away at RED: The Nightclub Experience, there is something for everyone—or you could just enjoy it all, because what happens at sea, stays on the Instagrams of your thousands of new best friends.

Karaoke

No matter how unlimited the drink package is, there’s no way you’ll catch me singing outside the shower—on land or at sea. We all have our limits! But karaoke quickly became a must-do activity for us. We loved showing up night after night just to watch, and ended up making some great friends during those long, laughter-filled evenings at On Air, the karaoke bar. We’re still connected with many of them on social media!

Main Dining Room

This was the heartbeat of our dining experience. The food was consistently excellent—especially fun for us as adventurous eaters who love trying new things. Highlights included the escargot, French onion soup, and my all-time favorite, crème brûlée. We never missed them when they were on the menu. But what truly made the Main Dining Room unforgettable was the service. Our assistant server, Felix, went above and beyond—learning our drink preferences, sneaking my husband an extra lobster tail just because, and even creating a custom fruity cocktail he named “The Felix,” which he brought me nightly to enjoy during the after-dinner shows. We’ve since sailed with him on two more ships, and each time he greets us like old friends—with lobster, “The Felix,” and a hug.

Sorrento’s

There’s not much to say here except: solid pizza, no extra charge, and open late. It checks every box when you need a quick, satisfying bite.

Park Café

This one’s a personal favorite—despite my husband not understanding my love for soup. Even on a hot day, I’ll never turn it down. Nestled in the serene Central Park on deck 8, this complimentary café serves sandwiches, salads, and yes, soup. It’s my go-to lunch spot. The Royal Kümmelweck, while not quite Buffalo-level Beef on weck, is the best version I’ve found outside of Western New York and is usually enough to lure my husband there with me.

Café Promenade

A great stop for quick, complimentary coffee, tea, sandwiches, and pastries. But the real hidden gem? The Ranger cookies. If you’re a coconut lover like I am, these are a must. They tend to disappear quickly, so grab a few if you see them—you’ll thank me later.

Vitality Café

Tucked inside the spa, this spot offers fresh juices and smoothies. They’re an extra charge unless you have a drink package (I always do). While the smoothies are a nice treat, I mainly stop in for two things: a Red Bull when I need a boost, and a Revive Vitamin Water when I need a reset.

Boardwalk Dog House

Simple, classic, and satisfying. After a week of decadent meals, one afternoon all we wanted was a good hot dog—and Boardwalk Dog House delivered exactly that. No frills, no fuss, just solid comfort food.

Wonderland

We splurged on specialty dining for our honeymoon, and Wonderland was one of the most memorable experiences. From the whimsical Alice in Wonderland-inspired décor to the theatrical service and molecular gastronomy, every moment was a surprise. The menu—unlocked with a “magic” paintbrush—is divided by the elements: Sun, Ice, Fire, Sea, Earth, and Dreams (for dessert). Standouts for us included the Liquid Lobster (a luxurious bisque with bone marrow and caviar) and “The Bird’s Nest”—elegant deviled eggs on a nest of crispy noodles, served under a veil of smoke released tableside. A truly magical evening.

150 Central Park

I saved the best for last. This specialty dining restaurant was the pinnacle of our dining experience—elegant, intimate, and unforgettable. When our server heard we were celebrating our honeymoon, he whisked away our menus and guided us through a curated tasting. The lobster Thermidor blew us away—creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor, topped with golden cheese and served in a velvety cognac sauce. When we both declared it our favorite, he brought us seconds without hesitation. The tableside cucumber martini—crafted with Grey Goose vodka, lemongrass syrup, fresh cucumber, and basil—was the best drink I had onboard. From the personalized service to the romantic setting, 150 Central Park made our honeymoon truly magical.