Family Cruise Review: Harmony of the Seas from Galveston with Royal Caribbean

Emily Miller
Jul 15
3 min read

This Voyage Voices post is from our Senior Cruise Correspondent, Emily Miller.

In April, we set sail aboard Harmony of the Seas — me (Emily), my husband Kerry, and our daughter Jordyn. It was a trip full of magic, unique dishes, and a few underwater acrobatics that defied logic. We hope to share why we think that families looking to sail out of Galveston aboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas will be pleasantly surprised about the quality of the food, entertainment, and the ease of getting on the ship. Here’s a look at our experience, from the moment we left Houston to the bittersweet return to dry land.

Embarkation: A Breeze in Galveston

We kicked things off with a shuttle from Hobby Airport to the Galveston cruise terminal (shoutout to Galveston Limo — solid, no complaints). The real star of the show —the new Galveston terminal. Clean, organized, and surprisingly uncrowded despite the sea of passengers boarding Harmony.

Thanks to some Royal Caribbean wizardry (and the fact that we checked in online early and used passports instead of birth certificates), we qualified for Express Boarding. We were through the terminal in under 10 minutes. Sorry, Jordyn — no time to admire the sculpture of sea creatures playing in a band, which she had been looking forward to.

We’re those people who check into our muster station immediately — no way we’re delaying sail away! The post-COVID muster process is still a dream (Royal, please never go back to the old way). And despite some pre-trip confusion about Texas alcohol rules, everything felt totally normal onboard.

Dining: Allergy-Friendly and Fancy Feasts

As a family with food allergies (me: gluten, Kerry: shrimp), Royal Caribbean continues to impress. Safety is clearly a top priority, and it shows.

We dined mostly in the Main Dining Room, where I got to pre-select my meals the night before—hello, custom coconut shrimp, beef tartare, and gluten-free baked Alaska! Jordyn got adventurous, trying new veggies, desserts, and even escargot (which made a brief appearance before being spit back onto her plate). She’s now begging me to make baked Alaska at home. Pray for me.

Other food highlights:

Sorrento’s (because pizza, obviously)
Mini Bites (perfect poolside nachos and quesadillas)
The Dog House and snack stations on the Boardwalk
Room service breakfast on excursion days
And the crown jewel: Wonderland

Wonderland is whimsical, weird, and wonderful. We pushed our reservation back an hour to enjoy the signature cocktails (a must). Highlights included deviled eggs in smoke, tomato water, and a caprese salad with “liquid olives” and “ricotta powder.” Dessert? A chocolate sphere melted with hot caramel and a raspberry mousse “apple.” Pure magic.

Entertainment: Shows That Dazzled

We lucked out with some new show previews!

AquaTheater

The Fine Line: Mind-blowing. Synchronized swimmers holding their breath forever, divers leaping from terrifying heights, and a pool that’s apparently 17 feet deep?!
Hideaway Heist: Less intense but super fun. We sat higher up and got a peek behind the curtain—fascinating, not ruinous.

Ice Shows

1887: A Journey in Time: No clue what the plot was, but the skating was phenomenal. There was even a guy doing a circus wheel on ice. Still processing that.

Main Theater

Columbus the Musical: Not that Columbus, but his bumbling cousin. Silly, catchy, and full of familiar tunes. The set design was impressive!
Grease: We skipped it this time—seen it before, and we had other priorities.

Girl, Jordyn, in front of hearts making a heart with her hands

Ship Life: Big, Bold, and Surprisingly Chill

Jordyn was obsessed with the Ultimate Abyss (a 10-story slide!) and the carousel. Family programming was top-notch: science night, gaga ball, a boardwalk carnival, silent disco, movies, and even open crafting (she made me a Grimmery from Wicked — weird, but I love it).

Despite being the biggest ship we’ve sailed and nearly sold out, it never felt crowded. We always found pool chairs, and our interior balcony in Central Park was the perfect adult hangout spot in the evenings—live music, greenery, and great people-watching.

Disembarkation: Land is Overrated

Leaving the ship? Always the worst part. 0/10. Do not recommend. That said, it was efficient. Our bags were ready an hour early, and thanks to facial recognition and our trusty passports, customs took all of 30 seconds. Still, I miss the sea already.

Safe travels,

Emily and Family

Chart Your Course with Voyage Geeks

If Emily’s account of her unforgettable cruise aboard Harmony of the Seas has you dreaming of ocean breezes, world-class dining, and family fun at sea — Voyage Geeks is here to make it happen! Whether you're eyeing the Harmony of the Seas or any of Royal Caribbean’s incredible ships, we’ll help you plan every detail for a smooth, stress-free, and spectacular vacation.