My 2 weeks aboard Harmony of the Seas (review)

[Klstaack]

Also loving your review. Do you have any pictures of the lower level of the solarium.

[bluelagoon543]

thanks for the pictures. she looks like a beauty of a ship. A lot of improvements compared to her older sisters.

 

I like the new deck chairs for one...

[Single Cruiser]

Also loving your review. Do you have any pictures of the lower level of the solarium.

 

 

I'll have a look, the last level (deck 14) contains the open sides to the bridge wing bits and also has doors to the end of the cabin corridor on deck 14.

 

 

 

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[Single Cruiser]

[YOUTUBE]ypKx-Xohd94[/YOUTUBE]

 

Just uploading some of the video clips ..

Edited June 9, 2016 by Single Cruiser

[SF]

Thanks for taking the time to post this review. Really enjoying reading about Harmony as we are booked when she comes to the Caribbean. :)

Edited June 9, 2016 by SF

[JamesEM]

Thanks for review and photos, looking forward to more installments.

[Single Cruiser]

Ok , so where was I. Oh yeah day 3 Rotterdam.

Tonight's theatre entertainment was the Comedian Juggler Pete Matthews with shows at 8:30PM and 10:30PM.

 

Don't think I've posted a pic of the theatre yet, so here goes:

 

 

It's the usual arrangement, lower stalls entry via deck 4, balcony level from deck 5. The seats have a hole in the arm to allow drinks glasses but majority of the glasses didn't fit!. Also be aware in the balcony unless you are quite tall the safety rail obscures your view in the front two balcony rows.

 

Sandwiched between the two shows tonight was the "ultimate 90s street party". Whilst it was quite enjoyable it didn't have the same punch as the 70s/80s street parties I'd seen on other ships. One noticeable difference in the promenade from other ships was there is no extendable bridge that goes over the promenade like on Allure or flying bridge like on the freedom class ships.

 

Pics and video clips below:

 

 

[YOUTUBE]Gid_bQrn080[/YOUTUBE]

 

The night ended as previous nights in the Attic nightclub. Upon returning to my cabin I had a note that a meeting for consecutive (back to back) cruises would be held in the theatre the next morning..

Edited June 9, 2016 by Single Cruiser

[Single Cruiser]

So this was the last day of the 4 night cruise and a lot of great fellow passengers I'd got to meet were leaving in Southampton tomorrow :(

 

For those staying on we headed to the theatre, there was over 200 doing b2b 4 night and 3 night cruises.

 

We were greeted by staff and officers, offered a glass of cheap plonk or mimosa and also a schedule of the entertainment for the next 3 night cruise:

 

 

During the briefing we were informed that the aquatheatre show would not be ready for the 3nt cruise either which led to some annoyed passengers venting disapproval and when asked why it still wasn't ready the assistant cruise director couldn't give a straight answer and after heckles of "compensation" he ran off..

 

Luckily I was staying in the same cabin so all that was required was to go down to the attic at 9:30 with sea pass and any card for payment if needed and we would be processed onboard. If we then got off we would have to wait for the general boarding to start about 11 to regain access to the ship.

 

The afternoon I had booked to see the only one of the two ice shows that was currently showing - 1887. Whilst the performers were great and the visual effects ( you have to see it just for the effects alone!) I found it very hard to follow any kind of storyline like they have in other RC Ice shows. The second ice show iSkate which I was lucky to see a small preview off in the next cruise looks far more entertaining IMHO.

 

The night was pretty flat as last nights go. The headliner act was the "Tenors of Rock" which I'd seen a couple of times before but still popped in to watch as they are a good act. The nightclub ended earlier presumably to allow them to close the accounts and ensure people got up the next morning to get off!

 

So cruise no.1 completed

 

Coming up: 3 night booze cruise to France &. 7 night maiden voyage

Edited June 9, 2016 by Single Cruiser

[Single Cruiser]

And so my first back-back cruise change. I headed down to the attic about 9:15AM and they ticked us off a list as we entered the venue, refreshments were provided but no sooner as I'd poured a brew we were called through.

The system was relatively painless. Along the side of the studio b on deck 4 is the art gallery corridor. Security had stationed themselves at either end with the infamous "boing" machines. We were scanned off, walked along the corridor and then given new cards and the check-in reps were onboard with iPads to check setsail passes were complete on the system and any photos required before heading along the corridor to be scanned back on and into the casino and back onboard 😀.

 

The only thing was my card didn't have the beverage package sticker, nor did some of the others so we went upstairs to guest services who quickly checked and rectified the situation.

 

I then proceeded up to the Solarium bar and a view over to the terminal as the hustle and bustle of the last stragglers from the 4 day driving off and loads of excited early newcomers arrived..

[Single Cruiser]

Before I continue on some various useful bits of info.

 

Harmony follows the same embarkation procedure as the Quantum Class. Your cards are in a sealed envelope outside your door and you use your printed set sail pass to get onboard and initial drinks before you can get to your room at 1PM to get you seacard.

 

The card is the contactless type, no wow bands are provided but you can purchase these from next to guest services for $5. These open your cabin door, allows purchases at bars/shops but you still need your card to get on/off the ship.

 

The coke freestyle drinks machines are available in Sorrentos, windjammer and mini bites by the back deck.

 

The waivers are required for the flow rider, ice skating, rock wall and zip line. They can be done via your stateroom tv or at the counter next to the wipe out bar aft deck 16.

 

For breakfast everyone was descending on the windjammer and it was packed most days. Alternative free venues for breakfast include:

 

American icon main restaurant

Bistro in Solarium

Park cafe in Central Park

Johnny Rockets on the boardwalk

Mini bites outside below the windjammer on aft deck

Coastal kitchen for the grand suites and above

 

If you pre-purchased voom internet package you get a code in an envelope in your stateroom. Once connected to Royal wifi you try to load a web page and get the login screen, at the bottom is have access code and that's it, once done it keeps a cookie in your device.

It wasn't quite as fast as onboard Allure but this might be due to the satellite coverage more aimed on the med and caribbean areas.

 

At the current time no bow cam channels were available but the usual navigation channel was on.

 

The current cruise director, Ken Rush did his morning rush breakfast show each day which was shown from midnight onwards..

 

The Royal IQ app worked perfectly, you don't need any internet package to connect to the wifi to check account balances, book and reserve ents. It can also be used for an extra $6 per device per cruise for instant messages or calls to cabins and other users onboard. Useful if you want to know where group members are without taking CB radios!

[Single Cruiser]

The first obvious difference I noticed is a lot of the 3nt cruisers were the party "booze cruisers" , the bar staff knew this as well as all the bars suddenly became 2-3 times busier, often 3 deep at a bar!

 

Some were immediately disappointed as the opening cruise director show explained that the aquatheatre was not going to be ready for this cruise!

 

However notice that in his message this time, the reason has changed from the 4nt itinerary, (aquatheatre not ready) to , it was too cold to rehearse.

 

[YOUTUBE]Txg9OFop2KM[/YOUTUBE]

 

Tonight's ents after sailaway was a female vocalist called Toni Warne. They also decided to repeat the 90s street party which was held the previous night!

The final straw was the nightclub was to have a "silent disco" , the ones where you get headphones and pick your track and have your own party..

To me this is the ultimate in being unsociable. I like to meet people and chat at the bar etc in a nightclub but wearing headphones you might as well just bring your iPods with you ...

 

I decided to have an early night after 4 nights of partying in the previous cruise plus I had a shore excursion booked the next day, we were staying on UK time but the meeting point was in Studio B at 7:45AM.. :eek:

[streamlines]

Thanks for this, interesting to see how it develops over the 3 cruises.

[Single Cruiser]

An early start due to having to meet for my shore excursion. We stayed on ships time so France was 1hr ahead but was stickered up and off the ship by 8AM (9AM local).

Despite there only being a few tour coaches the shore ex staff managed to direct us to board the wrong coach! Leading to half of us having to get off one coach and board the next!

 

Other than the chateau we went to and then a brief 0.5hr walking tour around there wasnt a great lot to see so was soon returning to the ship about 4/5hrs later..

 

 

The Cherbourg cruise terminal is next to the naval sub exhibit at the museum and come the sail-away a crowd had gathered.

 

[bogofman]

Hi Craig,

 

I remember you from the old Ocean Village forums :)

[Single Cruiser]

As we sailed away a flotilla of small ships tagged along but soon disappeared into the sea mist as the fog horn was sounded most of the night!

 

 

Tonight's ents in the theatre was an Acapella Group called the magnets who were really good. Unfortunately tonight (on a 3 night booze cruise effectively) they decided to change the nightclub to be a chill out lounge from 11:45-1AM so guess was DJ's night off. After a cpl of drinks to depressing Enya-esq sounds I returned to my cabin.

 

Another note had been left, this time inviting those of us who were consecutive cruisers to an exclusive sneak preview of about 1/3rd of the 2nd ice show i-skate at 09:30 the following morning. So probably a good job I didn't stay out late!

 

[Single Cruiser]

Hi Craig,

 

I remember you from the old Ocean Village forums :)

 

Infamous me :D

[ken_nyc]

Thank you for keeping us informed!! Still, I will be reading your posts as we leave in 17 days!

[Single Cruiser]

So given the trip between the French Coast and Southampton is only a few hours sailing what to do with a whole day at sea!

 

The answer lots of circling:

 

After breakfast headed to studio B. Surprised to see a number of senior officers including the captain. This was a nice gesture but ultimately was a PR stunt as we had "endured" :rolleyes: this construction site :D for 7 days and had to consume all that food and drink.

Still another glass of cheap plonk and the hotel director and Capt made their way around the guests to chat.

 

The show I-skate was only a small part and the skaters were in "blacks" , I.e. Without the costumes. To be honest I actually preferred that as you concentrate on the performance rather than the costume, sound and light..

 

The show is effectively a "dance-off" between the groups of skaters where each shows off their own talents and moves rather than anything hard scripted. It worked perfectly and a standing ovation was given by all at the end.

 

I'm going to really look forward to this when I get back on in a few months time :) .

 

Another letter in my cabin explained the process again for consecutive cruises however this time I was to change cabin to an external balcony on deck 7 from my park balcony on deck 11. I could leave clothes on hangers and rest packed into the case and the steward would move it.

 

I went to look at the new cabin and found my new room steward Joey and explained I'd be in there for a week from the next day. Tip my steward before heading to breakfast and he had moved my case by the time I headed down to the attic and the run the corridor to get my new cruise card for the "Maiden Voyage" down to Barcelona..

 

Only about 50 passengers were staying on from the 3 night to the 7 and only a handful like myself doing all 3.

 

They had a special theatre version of the two resident comedians from the attic late night 10:45 so went to that. They were fair;y funny but no Bobby Davro..

 

And with that the 3nt mini France cruise drew to an end. In reflection it was pretty dull and the worse of the 3 by far but was looking forward to the 7nt voyage as was meeting my agent and her family. Having had her book my cruises for over 10 years it was the first face-face..

[paulfnw1]

I also did the first 14 days and it was awesome! Problem with the first 4 dayer there was too many moaning Brits on board!! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] And I am British, but without doubt this ship and all the staff are amazing. I've just about done all RC ships but this is my favourite experience so far. Yes there was work going on in the first 7 days but didn't effect my fantastic experience. But do understand it will have effected some before I get a barrage of abuse. I also think RC have been very generous with the FCC compensation for the 3 and 4 night sailing.

 

 

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[clochette]

what a great review thanks. it must have been so fun to keep staying on.

[Single Cruiser]

I also did the first 14 days and it was awesome! Problem with the first 4 dayer there was too many moaning Brits on board!! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] And I am British, but without doubt this ship and all the staff are amazing. I've just about done all RC ships but this is my favourite experience so far. Yes there was work going on in the first 7 days but didn't effect my fantastic experience. But do understand it will have effected some before I get a barrage of abuse. I also think RC have been very generous with the FCC compensation for the 3 and 4 night sailing.

 

 

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I agree [emoji2].

 

Right time for the 7nt one..

 

 

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[Single Cruiser]

So another change-over day. As with the previous change I headed down to the attic and very efficiently swiped off and back on with my new card.

 

Headed up to my new room and the cabin steward had already got it ready and my case was in there.

 

The balcony cabin was set up identical to that of the Central Park balcony except the external balconies are about 3 times as deep and the chairs have separate foot stools yet the table is a small wooden one versus the dinner table size on the park.

 

 

There was also the first of our daily goodies - day 1 was a Royal Caribbean cap, flag and lanyard.

 

 

With no one on the ship I took advantage of having the ship to myself:

 

[Single Cruiser]

About 10:30 there was a tannoy to the staff informing them to get ready, man their stations and smile as they would start boarding about 5300 passengers in 15 minutes.

 

The difference on the open decks was amazing, everything was open, slides, kids splash, they'd even overnight finished the suite sun deck and bar over the Solarium.

The only bit left cordoned off was the teen outdoor area where all the tools and workshop was, and they started moving stuff out of that from Vigo..

 

Around lunchtime we had the dreaded words code bravo, code bravo, code bravo deck 2 . The captain came on to explain no flames found at the moment but smoke was in the incinerator room where it shouldn't be! They stood the fire crew down about 20 minutes later.

 

Sailaway was the best of the 3 from Southampton with most waving the provided flags, the Sun was out and the vibe positive.

 

Although the aquatheatre shows for that night had been postponed they hadn't been cancelled. I'd re-arranged for the show on night 3 which was now going to be the first ever show of the "fine line" .

 

Bobby Davro had been drafted back for a late night show after the evening showing of Grease.

[Single Cruiser]

After a pleasant day at sea, tonight's gift was a pair of special commemorative bottles of Heineken to keep or enjoy in our stateroom..

 

The Capt also did a welcome aboard speech on the promenade as it was the first formal night.

 

[DesertBears]

Thank you for reviewing. Enjoying so far. Very curious as we are booked in November.:eek: