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Just returned 3/18 from Allure OTS deck 6 mid starboard. 25 cruises mostly on RC, and Allure, and all locations have some plusses and minuses but overall it was convenient as any for adults and our teens Hallways straight as an arrow (like any cluttered during cleaning times but saw plenty of unimpeded scooters) and for some reason unusually quiet, especially in the a.m. So much so we accidentally slept in several days.

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Three 26"×18"×12" hardside rollers and one full-size garment bag fit under our OV balcony cabin bed with ease. Also, since we always fly in, I recommend this medium sized bag as you can pretty much stuff it and it's nearly impossible to go over airlines 50 lb limit. The 29" bags are >50 lbs way before they are full. Big bags seem like a good idea but they will cost you in the long run.

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Print, fold, staple, DONE. Let's not over engineer this. Fam of 4 usually travel with 5 or 6 tagged bags, NEVER had a tag come off or lost a bag between the dock and our cabins. (Probably next cruise now 😎)

24 cruises. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision. Newest: Harmony OTS. Oldest: Grandeur OTS.

2 oxymorons for any self-respecting adult male;

"dress shorts" and

"dress jeans".

24 cruises. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision. Newest: Harmony OTS. Oldest: Grandeur OTS.

Originally posted by Ashland.

"Thanks for correcting me :o...I guess the person that said the HOTS JS was just like the Quantum class led me astray :eek:

We usually always stay in a JS but last month on HOTS we opted for a Boardwalk cabin...when I'm treating the extended family I have to down size."

No worries I was just checking myself. Making sure I didn't miss something. Not a lot of perks either way, but I do enjoy the Coastal Kitchen JS benefit, and 2X points. Cheers.

24 cruises. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision. Newest: Harmony OTS. Oldest: Grandeur OTS.

Folks just in the interest of accuracy, I was just on Harmony this past Mar., in a JS, and it DID have a walk in closet. I know because my wife and daughter had it stuffed full. Kind of confused by those who disagree. Are there JS configurations on Harmony w/o walk in closets​?

24 cruises. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision. Newest: Harmony OTS. Oldest: Grandeur OTS.

Hey just a caution if you plan to fly to FLL, MIA, or PBI...While on Harmony OTS this March, I booked Allure OTS for March 2018 at a decent price, but now checking airfares for next March from DFW, airfares have doubled, mileage awards also high. I know it's far out, and there will be some pockets of opportunity, but I have done this trip annually for a decade and have never seen it like this. I Assume it has something to do with all the big ships porting in South Florida now and Symphony coming. Anybody have a good airfare strategy?

24 cruises. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision. Newest: Harmony OTS. Oldest: Grandeur OTS.

Harmony 😎

24 cruises. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision. Newest: Harmony OTS. Oldest: Grandeur OTS.

Very well written and thoughtful review. And my family happens to agree completely. Thanks!

24 cruises. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision. Newest: Harmony OTS. Oldest: Grandeur OTS.

Worth it. Also been doing late dining in MDR with my bunch since they were 5 or so, and it's the best family time on the ship. We generally are all coming and going all day and it's the one time we have to get together, tell stories of the day, laugh, and (sort of) plan the next day. Now they are 13 and 18 and it's about the only time I see them[emoji23]

You have to go yourself and ignore all the negative and positive reviews, draw your own conclusions.

Best advice yet.

24 cruises and counting. Classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision.

Stick with Grandeur. Been on both and if you like the sea and the sand, and the island life, the toys and gimmicks of the Anthem are not worth losing 2 days and 2 ports. If you need a fix on average carnival rides like bumper cars and north star, go to your local county fair this summer after your awesome cruise on Grandeur.

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Trellis Bar in Central Park and Champagne bar.

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The limit on the Harmony is $13, so you may not need to change your M.O., and a consistent cash $1 per mixed drink seemed still much appreciated by bartenders will get you special attention.

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Correct, was on Harmony 3/11/17. Hope that helps.

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I did not actually witness it, but on Harmony 3/11, after my 13 yo worked out with us once, my wife said she signed a waiver or permission form of some kind at the spa desk and he was able to, and did use the gym on his own for the remainder of the cruise.

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We've been on Allure several times, Oasis twice, and just off Harmony. Some cruises are better than others, and they have some minor decor and feature differences, most notably the slides on Harmony and mini pools in the solariums on (I think) Oasis and Allure, but regarding the items you mention, service, food quality, cleanliness, etc., and many other factors, I find them identical. If you are trying to choose and you don't need THE NEWEST, or slides for kids/teens (mine said they were fun but they would not take Harmony again just for the slides so we are back on Allure next) then choose based on embarkation port, itinerary, and price, and I think you will be pleased with any of them. They are wonderful ships.

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Quoted from above;

"The only advantage to booking adults in each room is that it allowed you to bring on more wine since it is by cabin

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Just to add some good news, it doesn't matter whether there are adults or only kids in a cabin, you may bring two bottles of wine or champagne per cabin, period. The age or number of occupants in the cabin does not matter.

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Allure offers 15-17 year olds dinner with their parents for 2 hours every evening :-) 6 hours of sleep and 16 hours with other teens they will meet onboard do do whatever the heck they want, like surf, basketball, soccer, shows, ship organized teen activities if they like that sort of thing, dance, swim, eat, eat, eat, shop, see an outdoor movie, Zipline, crafts, sun, visit with parents by the pool, you get the idea.

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Yes, and yes they have changing tables.

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BTW, Harmony of the Seas was AWESOME for all 15 of us!! 3/11-3/18.

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FYI we are from TX too and just got back from HOTS with 8 adults and 7 teens. We all have and can all still drive to Galveston, and all of us agree you will be pleasantly surprised flying to FLL or MIA

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Agree on Florida embarkation preference also. Love NY/NJ, but unless it's just to save airfare, Bayonne doesn't compare to Port Everglades or Port of Miami.

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Oasis class hands down.

2 teens, 23 cruises, 12ish with the kids. Anthem more if your kids like cooler weather and want to play video games and county fair rides on vacation. Oasis, Allure, Harmony if your kids like sun, water, pools, 2 flowriders, sports, meeting other teens, more space, etc.

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We've cruised 2nd week of March for past 13 yrs. We like it better than summer crowds for sure.

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