Harmony cruises start 8/22 !

  • Our first of several 2026 cruises on this Oasis Class ship

  • Having cruised 4 of the 6 ships in this class (Utopia has been a favorite), we look forward to this new adventure

  • Check back throughout September (and Year-end) for highlights of Six Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas trips, totaling 33 nights

Most recent Cruise 8/2-8/9/26. The Star

We have enjoyed our return to this Icon Class beauty

Previous Cruise:

Utopia of the Seas June 2026 - Cruise #10 on this ship since 2024 - 37 total nights

  • Multiple pages to highlight the many experiences on our favorite ship

Please check out some of our 50+ pages…click on a few blue boxes. 

What’s New?

Site active since July 2025

Updated August 20, 2026

Over 50 pages of information and photos 

Most Recent Additions to the IC website

  • Jewel of  the Seas TransAtlantic - August/September 2024
    • Extensive European Port Reviews
  • Caribbean Princess - 2nd voyage completed in June 2026

What’s Next in 2026?

  • 8/22/26 - RC Harmony of the Seas (first time on this ship)
    • Followed by a back-to-back in the same cabin (7+5 nights)
  • 9/10/26 - RC Harmony of the Seas
    • Another back-to-back, but changing cabins (5+4 nights)
  • 10/5/26 - RC Radiance of the Seas (first time on this ship)
    • Back-to-back in the same cabin (2x5)
  • 10/26/26 - RC Utopia of the Seas (just because)
  • 10/31/26 - RC Harmony of the Seas
  • 11/21/26 - RC Harmony of the Seas (Thanksgiving)
  • 12/21/26 - RC Explorer of the Seas (Christmas)

And 2027?

* Alaska in May on the Anthem

* Europe in October/November - Eastbound on the QM2 (Cunard); Westbound on the Legend (newest Icon Class)

What is this?

  • We began this website in July 2025, to share our experiences and insights, gained over a period of years, on different cruise lines and ships.

  • Every cruise offers a new opportunity - to learn and compare.

  • We share our personal experiences, tips and recommendations - with the goal of helping you become… “Informed Cruisers.”

 

Who We Are

  • Greg McDowell and May Aston, happily married 23 years

  • Cruising to see the world, experience new cultures and enjoy the cruiseship lifestyle - oceans, entertainment, dining, socializing, and ports - since 2010

    • Lifetime:  Through 2025, 47 cruises on 5 cruise lines, over 350 nights 

      • 2025:  18 cruises; for 103 nights

      • 2026:  20 cruises taken or planned for 104 nights (97 on Royal)

  • Norwegian (NCL) early on; Royal Caribbean (RC) focus last few years, enjoying benefits of loyalty status

  • Celebrity, Princess and Holland America in recent years

  • Over 35 Royal Caribbean voyages, 3-10 days each; over 250 nights total on RC

  • Several 10-16 day TransAtlantic voyages, east (3x) and west (4x)

  • We’ve cruised Europe, Australia, Asia, Alaska and Canada

  • Hoping to cruise monthly, with extended non-jet lag adventures to (or from) Europe, far into the future

Cruise partners looking happily at each other