Congratulations on booking. You should enjoy yourselves.
Dining: Where you eat is very much a matter of preference and what type of clothing you want to pack for dinner. The Windjammer is a buffet open for all three meals and typically opens for dinner at 6 pm; it is casual (no swim suits) dress. All of the other restaurants require reservations, the one exception is if you are already assigned a time in the main dining room. They also have dress codes ranging from casual to dressy casual to super dressy (formal night/captains dinner). Some of the speciality restaurants you will be able to book in cruise planner in a few months. When planning dining think about what you might feel like after a day of touring: are you and the kids more likely to want to splash in the pool, take a quick shower, toss on clean clothes and head to a buffet or shower, put on nice clothing and have a table service meal?
Cruise planner: I have a love-hate relationship with it. Shore excursions, drink and internet packages should start showing up shortly. There are typically more than 2 excursions per stop - depending on the itinerary anywhere between 10-16 I find to be the norm. You will also start receiving emails from RCL with discounts for drink, internet and some shore excursions. Do not book your drink packages - if you choose to go that route - without it being on sale. If you know there is something you want to do at one of the stops that is not a listed excursion, reach out to RCL Private Journeys and they can help customize something for you.
Other suggestions:
*There will be an arcade on board. If your kids are into that type of thing find and read the small print regarding charging on their SeaPass card at the arcade. You may not be able to do that until 90 days out though.
*Lay out the rules for the kids charging anything to their SeaPass card - milkshake at Johnny Rockets, cupcake at the cupcake shop, items at the store, etc.
*Start looking for lanyard holders for their SeaPass cards. The card will need to be held in a plastic sleeve attached to the lanyard as I believe that Harmony has card contact door locks instead of swipe door locks.
*Your state room will be tiny with 5 of you in it. If possible have the kids pack in duffle bags instead of suitcases, or make them share a suitcase. This gives you less to store in the closet or room.
*If you receive information about ‘Luggage Valet’, and your airline participates, I strongly suggest paying the fee. The program will take your luggage from the ship to the airport saving you the hassle of having to collect it after disembarking. The program is not offered at all ports.
*The last night your luggage needs to be outside your door by either 10 or 11 pm. Make sure all items that you keep out will meet TSA guidelines.
*Sign everyone up for Crown & Anchor.
*At check in your kids will be given color bracelets that they will need to wear the entire trip. The bracelets are coded with their muster station information on it and are mandatory for all children under a certain age (not sure if it is 11 or 12).
*Every time you get on the ship you will go though security, it is similar to TSA.
*The fewer electronic devices the better, or plan your charging schedule carefully. Depending on the ship I have had only 2 outlets in a stateroom.
Hope this helps.