Finished my 8 day on Harmony - Full recap

[Wheeler825]

Boarding in Fort Lauderdale was easy.  From my Uber to the waiting lounge was less than 10 minutes, then we waited perhaps 10 minutes after that to board.

We had the Unlimited Dining Package and the drinks package.  We went straight to Jamie's to book, but they weren't open yet, so we walked over to Park 150.  Managed to book everything but Izumi for Hibachi for the days we wanted - they said only Izumi could book for hibachi.   We managed to book for Izumi on day 2 for day 6. 

After booking our dinners, we went back to Jamie's for lunch and it was phenomenal.  The wait staff was fantastic, of course.  We sat outside and it was a perfect way to kick off the cruise.  The pasta was the best I've ever had.

After that the week pretty much becomes a blur, all the days blended into one glorious one, but here's what I recall:

Most days we went to main dining for breakfast.  Service was only OK there, but they were of course always super busy.  I became partial to the create your own omelette with everything.  The smoked salmon added great flavor.  

After breakfast, we went up to the pool deck.  Found chair hogs out in abundance, usually all chairs taken by 9.  When asked, the crew were enforcing the 30 minute rule - they had been marking chairs with sticky notes of when they were 'reserved,' then taking the stuff to the towel stand if someone came along needing a spot, usually this was 2-3 hours after they were marked, from what I saw.  

Wait staff on the pool deck was generally fantastic, and the bars were pretty responsive if you walked up to one.  I had no problem making the most of my drinks package.

Excursions: Haiti - Beach and Haitian village experience.  Took a boat to a little cove, took a shortish tour through a village where they were roasting coffee and making peanut butter.  I'm not sure how authentic it actually was, but the whole thing was fun, my kid enjoyed it too.  The beach was nice but we didn't have long enough to spend there.  Labadee in general was nice once we got back to the Royal Caribbean area.  We brought snorkels and saw some cool fish.  Burgers and hot dogs were good.

Curacao - Excursion to Blue Bay resort and snorkeling there.  Great snorkeling.  Lots of fish and reef.  Huge cool drop off, they scuba dive from shore.  Great time.  If I were to do it again, I'd take a taxi from port and pay the blue bay day pass.

Aruba - Did the Kuku Kunukoo (I'm sure I mispelled that) party bus.  Wasn't my thing, but the kid and wife wanted to do it.  The bus was more loud and obnoxious than a party.  Could have done without the whole bus tour, as I didn't really care about the church or the lighthouse we stopped at.. Ended at Arashi Beach which was absolutely gorgeous.  Next time - cab straight to the beach first thing in the morning and get chairs/umbrella and drink myself stupid.  Before the excursion we went into town and did some shopping.  

 

Dining, with our six year old every evening:

Jaimie's Italian: Ate here twice, everything was good.  Service was slightly better for lunch, if that matters.. probably because there were less people.

Chops Grill: Ate here for dinner twice.  Was fantastic, not much else to say about it. One of the more kid friendly dining options.  Servers being more kid friendly helps a lot.  My kid was thrilled that they sliced his steak for him both times(which he devoured).

150 Central Park: Good food. Ate here twice as well.  Lobster Thermidor and Lamb Wellington were fantastic.  They had a cucumber martini which was delicious too.  The least kid friendly option on the ship, IMO.  My kid ate well, but I felt like the server had an attitude of 'why would you bring a kid.'  I was pretty annoyed by that feeling, but I understand as well.  Adventure Ocean closes for dinner time unless you dine after 7pm every night.  My kid enjoyed the beef short ribs.

Izumi(sushi): Sushi was only OK.  the seaweed was tough which made one of my rolls almost inedible.  Service was POOR.  We got seated at our scheduled time, then 5 minutes later asked if we could move so that 2 parties that reserved separately could sit together - not a big deal, but its there.  After we moved, it took almost 30 minutes before our drink orders were taken, then quite awhile before we got our apps or food.  Eventually I gave up on ordering another drink, though we tried them all throughout the cruise and liked them.

Izumi(hibachi): Great food.  Allowed to mix and match meats regardless of what the menu said. I got steak and lobster, my wife got lobster and scallops.  Show was pretty good, but nothing better than what I've gotten locally for a lot cheaper(when you factor in $15/pp + UDP)...Keeping in mind its on a ship so I don't expect them to use fire much.  Wouldn't waste the dinner again.

Wonderland: Went here twice.  Between the two visits, I think we tried everything except the tomato water.  It was mostly really good, but you go here for the experience not the food.  The first time, (day 1), they weren't busy and service was really good.  The second time (day 8 ) the sever had 3 tables come in at once and the service was delayed but still good.  Both times we had the same server, and she was fantastic.  Really did a good job with my kid and his requests.  The host(?)/ mad hatter was phenomenal.  During the second visit he came around entertaining the kids.  Made balloon animals, did some cheesy magic, etc.  I'm bad with names, but him and the server deserve an extra kudos here.  

 

Shows:

1887(Ice skating show): We sat in the front row.  Was a great show.  Very entertaining.  There was a storyline here somewhere, but I didn't catch it.  Either way it was a great show

Columbus(musical, comedy): This was really good.  My kid was on the edge of his seat the whole time, dancing and smiling.  Got pretty funny.  Some adult jokes which will go right over a little one's head.

The Fine Line (water show): Really good.  Crazy how these people can do these dives and stunts on a ship moving as much as it was that night.

Hideaway Heist(water show, not sure the name is right): This was good too, not as good as the fine line, but a lot of the same sort of things using the same performers. This wasn't a reserved show - it was walk in only... show up early.

Grease(musical, comedy?): We left halfway through.  If you've seen the movie you've seen the show.  Acting was ok, singing was ok.  the two mains did NOT harmonize well and there was zero chemistry in the cast.  Too long at 1.5 hrs. I wouldn't say that if it was captivating.  

 

Adventure Ocean: My kid was only there a few hours.  He seemed content enough, but wasn't thrilled to go.  There's another significant criticism here: he was crying at one point and they wanted him picked up.  They never bothered to use the RC app to message us, instead it seems they tried calling our stateroom, then the stateroom of the people we were cruising with.  They could have seen we were at a show by our reservations, or could have messaged us on the app.  Seems like a significant flaw in the system that should be ironed out.

Other things to note:

One particular lifeguard, Alvin, knew my sons name by the second day.  Would say hi anytime he saw him, even when we were on our way through for dinner.  Made my kid feel special. Keep this guy around.

Elevator etiquette didn't seem to exist.  Please teach your kids how to use an elevator.  Teens were the worse on this ship.

The casino blackjack tournament was fun. Few details were available ahead of time but it was $25 buy in for 500 in chips.  tables of 7 people, play 7 hands per round.  Top 7 from the first round move on to the second round for winner take all $500 cash.  There were about 85 players at this tournament, which apparently was an unusually large amount.

 

Room: We were in room 3178, a handicap accessible ocean view room, booked as a GTY.  This also happens to be directly under "The Attic" which has the midnight night club in it.  We woke up every night to the noise and the music from the club.  Great job Royal, putting a family with a six year old below the night club.  We got 3 towel animals.  I feel like the attendant was doing the bare minimum, or perhaps very new.  Not super personable, but we also didn't ask for anything special. I tipped an extra $100, which in retrospect was probably too much.  We also had an issue on night 2 where the toilet wouldn't flush but seemed to be resolved a few hours later, and the shower would have no hot water sometimes.

 

I may have forgot to add things, or if anyone has questions, please ask.

[AlmondFarmer]

27 minutes ago, Wheeler825 said:

Next time - cab straight to the beach first thing in the morning and get chairs/umbrella and drink myself stupid.

I don’t see any offerings in cruise planner with this description. 

[Wheeler825]

21 minutes ago, AlmondFarmer said:

I don’t see any offerings in cruise planner with this description. 

There aren't, but there are lots of taxis available the instant you get off the ship, and chairs/umbrellas were rentable at this beach.

[PeloAl]

43 minutes ago, Wheeler825 said:

Great job Royal, putting a family with a six year old below the night club. 

Cmon...don't book a GTY and then complain about it. 

[Wheeler825]

16 minutes ago, PeloAl said:

Cmon...don't book a GTY and then complain about it. 

This is fair, but I can't even fathom why they would put customer state rooms below a venue with loud bass music after midnight.

[Xaa]

Glad you all enjoyed it!  Bummer on the cabin, that has to be one of the fears when someone chooses a GTY.  Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes not.  Really glad you got the reservations you wanted for the most part.  Sounds like a great cruise!

[Wheeler825]

14 minutes ago, Xaa said:

Glad you all enjoyed it!  Bummer on the cabin, that has to be one of the fears when someone chooses a GTY.  Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes not.  Really glad you got the reservations you wanted for the most part.  Sounds like a great cruise!

It was.  We are planning 2 more in the next year.  I feel obligated to criticize what needs criticism, when overall it was fantastic.

[Xaa]

Totally get it.  Improvement by its very nature is a negative process.  Very few things are perfect in every single way even if overall we rate them a perfect score.  You picked a great first cruise, great ship, really good ports of call.

[ScottD]

Fair assessment of everything, I enjoy honest reviews that aren't all glowing or all negative, so thank you! I will say that the towel animal thing seems to be fleet wide... ours told us they were told to do it every other day or so. I haven't been able to even try for a GTY room, seems like everytime I add the 3rd person (my kid), the option goes away. But your experience is one of the reasons I'd rather just be safe. 

[MTNeedsAVacay]

We were also on this cruise! Agree with the comments on the towel animals - we got 2 the entire 8 days and they seemed to be the bare minimum (a stingray and a small mouse). As an adult, I don't really care that much, but we also had young kids, so they were really looking forward to the towel animals after getting so many of them on previous sailings. We enjoyed all of the shows we saw except the magician guy on night 2 or 3 (can't remember). He was really cringe-y and just had some lame jokes that fell flat and were borderline inappropriate in a family setting. We had first seating in MDR, which was at 5:00pm. I don't remember ever having first seating be that early. Usually 5:15 or 5:30. We went to MDR the first 2 nights and again on second formal night, but service is just too slow with little kids. They brought out fruit cups for the kids every time and were good about getting all the kid food first, but each time we were there it was almost a 2 hour dinner. Other than those 3 nights, we just ate a the Windjammer for dinner, which was really great food. At the pool decks, I didn't see any staff clearing off chairs around the kids pool area - I even saw one person come and tie her towels around 3 chairs then left, and she never once came back in the 3 hours I was there. After awhile, other people came by and I told them the seats were available because no one had come back in awhile. But, perhaps if we had brought it to the staff's attention, they might have removed the stuff. 

Overall a great cruise! Can't wait until the next one!

[Wheeler825]

44 minutes ago, MTNeedsAVacay said:

We were also on this cruise! Agree with the comments on the towel animals - we got 2 the entire 8 days and they seemed to be the bare minimum (a stingray and a small mouse). As an adult, I don't really care that much, but we also had young kids, so they were really looking forward to the towel animals after getting so many of them on previous sailings. We enjoyed all of the shows we saw except the magician guy on night 2 or 3 (can't remember). He was really cringe-y and just had some lame jokes that fell flat and were borderline inappropriate in a family setting. We had first seating in MDR, which was at 5:00pm. I don't remember ever having first seating be that early. Usually 5:15 or 5:30. We went to MDR the first 2 nights and again on second formal night, but service is just too slow with little kids. They brought out fruit cups for the kids every time and were good about getting all the kid food first, but each time we were there it was almost a 2 hour dinner. Other than those 3 nights, we just ate a the Windjammer for dinner, which was really great food. At the pool decks, I didn't see any staff clearing off chairs around the kids pool area - I even saw one person come and tie her towels around 3 chairs then left, and she never once came back in the 3 hours I was there. After awhile, other people came by and I told them the seats were available because no one had come back in awhile. But, perhaps if we had brought it to the staff's attention, they might have removed the stuff. 

Overall a great cruise! Can't wait until the next one!

Ah I knew I missed a show.  I guess its okay we missed the magic guy, you're not the first I've heard this take from.  We mainly hung out by the end of the big dual water slide, on the front port side..

[barjpoe]

Wasn't on this ship, but where DH sight isn't what it use to be, we skip magicians and jugglers.

[GatorCruiser]

Appreciate the write up , we will be on our her in a couple of weeks for my kids spring break. Look forward to it. First time on harmony. I plan on hitting up Sabor margaritas mucho 

[Wheeler825]

29 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

Appreciate the write up , we will be on our her in a couple of weeks for my kids spring break. Look forward to it. First time on harmony. I plan on hitting up Sabor margaritas mucho 

I really liked the jalapeno cucumber margarita.  Bartenders at the sabor bar were great

[Ampurp85]

I am glad for the most part your sailing was good. I know getting the dinning times for the UDP was a major concern, so I am glad it worked out. I will also say it is the teens/tweens who misbehave in the elevators the most

I sailed Harmony in November 2022 and Hideaway Heist was just being put on and I found it dull in comparison Fine Line, I also think Columbus might be Royal's best original production. I was also on deck 3 and it was a mess, I was right by the MTD room and could hear so much. 

Are you doing different classes on your next two cruises?

[Wheeler825]

26 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I am glad for the most part your sailing was good. I know getting the dinning times for the UDP was a major concern, so I am glad it worked out. I will also say it is the teens/tweens who misbehave in the elevators the most

I sailed Harmony in November 2022 and Hideaway Heist was just being put on and I found it dull in comparison Fine Line, I also think Columbus might be Royal's best original production. I was also on deck 3 and it was a mess, I was right by the MTD room and could hear so much. 

Are you doing different classes on your next two cruises?

What do you mean by different classes?

[Ampurp85]

25 minutes ago, Wheeler825 said:

What do you mean by different classes?

Harmony is Oasis class, meaning bigger ships. If you sail Mariner, its Voyager......... Freedom, which is Freedom class etc. I was asking if you booked Harmony again or different ships. 

[Wheeler825]

25 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Harmony is Oasis class, meaning bigger ships. If you sail Mariner, its Voyager......... Freedom, which is Freedom class etc. I was asking if you booked Harmony again or different ships. 

Oh. With the kid we will do oasis or bigger. I’m playing with the idea of a solo getaway with casino offer, which I’d do a small ship. We’ll see 

[Ampurp85]

19 minutes ago, Wheeler825 said:

Oh. With the kid we will do oasis or bigger. I’m playing with the idea of a solo getaway with casino offer, which I’d do a small ship. We’ll see 

Oh okay, right now only the Icon is bigger than Oasis class . But be careful of the smaller ships with casino offers. I think Freedom is the sweet spot when it comes to smaller classes, any lower and you will be sorely disappointed. 

[Wheeler825]

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Oh okay, right now only the Icon is bigger than Oasis class . But be careful of the smaller ships with casino offers. I think Freedom is the sweet spot when it comes to smaller classes, any lower and you will be sorely disappointed. 

As long as there's a bar, a casino, and a deck to lay on I'm good.

[SaveTheSharks]

We were also on this cruise.

As a direct comparison of my previous cruise on Symphony just a few months back in November, this one felt much more busy despite being both at "full capacity". Will also agree with sentiment of others on the chair-hogs as we had to circle the pool deck multiple times like vultures to get chairs as soon as someone stood up with their things (and again in comparison, wasn't a problem on symphony in November)... It was a long weekend right? President's Day in the US? Family Day in Canada? School breaks?

It was also tough getting reservations on specialty dining at preferred times despite trying to sort things out even as early as noon on embarkation day. And when we did dine at the restaurants, they were practically half-empty - so not sure why there was no available reservations unless staffing was the factor and is still an issue.

 

In any case, really enjoyed the port stops. But still bummed we didn't stick to the original 10PM all-aboard time that this cruise was originally scheduled to leave Curacao and Aruba before being adjusted to 6PM. The stops served as a nice preview for us to plan a non-cruise return for a more extended stay.

[Bowen]

How often do they change out shows on the ships? We were on Harmony back in 2019 and I’m pretty sure 1887, fine line, and hideaway heist were some of the shows.

[Wheeler825]

26 minutes ago, SaveTheSharks said:

It was also tough getting reservations on specialty dining at preferred times despite trying to sort things out even as early as noon on embarkation day. And when we did dine at the restaurants, they were practically half-empty - so not sure why there was no available reservations unless staffing was the factor and is still an issue.

In any case, really enjoyed the port stops. But still bummed we didn't stick to the original 10PM all-aboard time that this cruise was originally scheduled to leave Curacao and Aruba before being adjusted to 6PM. The stops served as a nice preview for us to plan a non-cruise return for a more extended stay.

I also found that odd that the specialty restaurants were half full despite having no available reservations.  As for Curacao and Aruba, I thought I read that about leaving port late, but couldn't remember if I was delusional or not by the time those ports came up.

[barjpoe]

In my opinion they needed/wanted to open the Casino earlier then 10:30PM

[ScottD]

41 minutes ago, Bowen said:

How often do they change out shows on the ships? We were on Harmony back in 2019 and I’m pretty sure 1887, fine line, and hideaway heist were some of the shows.

Not very often at all. The broadway shows are basically there for years due  to stage and prop setups.  Not sure how often they may change Aqua and ice shows, but they also seem to stay the same for very long periods of time. 

[Ampurp85]

I don't think they ever really change a show unless they become too dated. Most of these cost millions to produce or get the license for, doesn't make sense financially to change them every so often or at all.