Negative Royal Caribbean International Experience: Harmony of the Seas

[chrisby]

I hear complaints about charging for some things that they never did before, or some things disappearing (like the chocolates on the pillows), and my thought is, my 12-night Anthem cruise leaving next Saturday is CHEAPER than my first 7-night I took on the Sovereign back in 1995! So I will give them a break, and I think others should too!

 

 

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[OSUZorba]

This will likely make no one feel any better but they also charge for popcorn on Disney ships. So it's not just a Royal thing.

 

Yup, but they also have caramel corn :).

 

Both times I was on Oasis, I really wanted popcorn while on the boardwalk, but they didn't have any. So I saw this post as "Hey, they finally figured out they should have popcorn on the boardwalk." Yeah, they shouldn't need to charge for it, but they also don't need to have it all. $2.50 isn't that high compared to popcorn at any other event.

[OSUZorba]

I hear complaints about charging for some things that they never did before, or some things disappearing (like the chocolates on the pillows), and my thought is, my 12-night Anthem cruise leaving next Saturday is CHEAPER than my first 7-night I took on the Sovereign back in 1995! So I will give them a break, and I think others should too!

 

 

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Heck, I just did a JS on Liberty for less than I paid for a D2 on Mariner in 2006. So even after they had gotten rid of a lot of the extras, but before they started a lot of the nickle and diming. Really, compared to my first cruise in 2006, they only thing I've really noticed going downhill was the every night MDR steak on my last cruise. Otherwise I think the food is better, ship is better and service is better. They haven't added a fee for anything I used to do/get for free.

[Thetrail]

Over the last few years, in an effort to be more profit conscious, RCCL embarked on a cost cutting program that never seems to end. For example, to reduce the number of cabin stewards, they have assigned each one additional cabins. The same in the MDR where to reduce wait staff, those remaining have additional tables. In place of real top known "headliners" quite often they have been replaced by jugglers, magicians and comedians with less than stellar performances. From personal experience, the food quality and service in the specialty restaurants used to be the norm in the MDR. To cover the cost of the "free" booze offered to D and above and suites, the basic fare has had to increased.

While overall, we still find RCCL to offer a reasonably good cruise experience and continue to sail on their ships, we are aware of the slow down slope trajectory. The ships are truly amazing but the hospitality aspect has suffered. We hope it bottoms out soon.

Your comment about having to increase fares because of "free" booze to D and above including suites is so ridiculous as to be laughable! Actually comical when I hear a statement that is so blatantly false. You must have done tons of research to actually post that on a public forum....K.O......:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Merion_Mom]

To echo what the OP said around the additional costs for select items on the menu in MDR, the thing that really bothers me is not so much the up charge for the items (this is the way it is now) but they also add 18% gratuity on top of the cost for the items as well.

 

I just got off Brilliance and this was the case. For this reason alone I did not nor will I on future RCI cruises order the up charge items. I cannot justify paying a 2nd gratuity charge for an item on the same menu in the same dining room served by the same server.

 

I agree that the 18% gratuity in a realm where a gratuity is already being charged is very very very odd AND off-putting.

[Merion_Mom]

Another random thought as people reminisce about how things used to be.

 

Two words.

 

 

 

RANCH STEAK

 

 

:D

[setsail]

Your comment about having to increase fares because of "free" booze to D and above including suites is so ridiculous as to be laughable! Actually comical when I hear a statement that is so blatantly false. You must have done tons of research to actually post that on a public forum....K.O......:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

There are a bunch of cc posters that think they get free drinks when in reality they are drinks with no upcharge and why is that, Creek knows.

 

Some of these posters must think the booze delivered to the pier is a freebie for rci. I thank 1st timers and up for paying for our drinks in the lounge:p

[nelblu]

I hear complaints about charging for some things that they never did before, or some things disappearing (like the chocolates on the pillows), and my thought is, my 12-night Anthem cruise leaving next Saturday is CHEAPER than my first 7-night I took on the Sovereign back in 1995! So I will give them a break, and I think others should too!

 

 

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Yes and I do not have to pay for my lounge chair as I did on my 1st cruise on the Oceanic. Also, the only entertainment was provided by the CD staff and not by pros. The pro for old cruises was the quality & preparation of the food.

Don't miss the midnite buffet. lol.

[forkcreek]

Your comment about having to increase fares because of "free" booze to D and above including suites is so ridiculous as to be laughable! Actually comical when I hear a statement that is so blatantly false. You must have done tons of research to actually post that on a public forum....K.O......:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Thanks for your brilliant evaluation of my entire posting. We have over 1000 cruise nights on RCCL and have had many meals with officers including those involved in the financial aspects of a cruise and they were the ones who explained to us that the cost of the booze is calculated in the cost of a fare. Now, please tell us who told you different or where you got your stupid facts from

[troykahack]

Thanks for your brilliant evaluation of my entire posting. We have over 1000 cruise nights on RCCL and have had many meals with officers including those involved in the financial aspects of a cruise and they were the ones who explained to us that the cost of the booze is calculated in the cost of a fare. Now, please tell us who told you different or where you got your stupid facts from

 

 

So what do you get out of having dinner with officers?? Factual information just because an officer said it?? Please share all that information with us.

 

 

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Edited January 7, 2017 by troykahack

[forkcreek]

Despite your implications, cruise ship officers have reached their level by intellect and competence, You are free to distrust any one you wish; however, since I suppled my source the burden is on you to prove it wrong.

[setsail]

So what do you get out of having dinner with officers?? Factual information just because an officer said it?? Please share all that information with us.

 

 

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How about harmony has the ability to make fresh drinking water out of salt water but they do not do it because the ship carries enough shoreside water to meet needs. Do you know what the bulb on the bow is used for?

[grand isle joe]

How about harmony has the ability to make fresh drinking water out of salt water but they do not do it because the ship carries enough shoreside water to meet needs. Do you know what the bulb on the bow is used for?

 

............I thought it was that giant garden water hose that is dragged behind the vessel from port to port. If you look closely there is a gigantic hose reel at the original home port of each ship that unreels as the ship sails. It is often disguised as a large building. Don't be fooled.......;)

[troykahack]

How about harmony has the ability to make fresh drinking water out of salt water but they do not do it because the ship carries enough shoreside water to meet needs. Do you know what the bulb on the bow is used for?

 

 

I happen to have a 100 GT Master Offshore License (no longer current). The Bulb on the Bow is used to reduce water friction on the hull and make the ship more efficient. And guess what, you could have asked me and not necessary to ask an officer.

 

What else you get from them?? Do they comp you for your time??

 

 

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[maryjaden]

I don't feel overly nickel and dimed. I still think it's a good value. Our first cruise in 1999 was to the Mexican Riviera in an interior cabin, It was about $3500 including airfare and hotel. Just came back from sailing out of San Juan In a suite; cruise, hotel and airfare was about the same.

[LMaxwell]

 

What else you get from them?? Do they comp you for your time??

 

It's just an opportunity to sit with someone that is in a unique profession and have a conversation with them; learn a bit about their life, travels, or profession.

 

Jeez....

[Big_G]

I happen to have a 100 GT Master Offshore License (no longer current). The Bulb on the Bow is used to reduce water friction on the hull and make the ship more efficient. And guess what, you could have asked me and not necessary to ask an officer.

 

What else you get from them?? Do they comp you for your time??

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Are you suggesting you know more than a cruise ship captain?

[drrich2]

A few thoughts looking over the thread...

 

1.) While popcorn is cheap to buy & prepare, it's often used in a messy fashion. Make it cheap, and lots of people who only half want it will get it, making a big mess of spilt popcorn and tossed little brown sacks. Make it costly, and those who want it bad get it, they paid enough to avoid spilling too much, and there's probably less trash strewn about. Plus, it makes the cruise line money.

 

2.) On nickel & diming vs. 'all inclusive' - know that old saying you can't please all of the people all of the time? Well, consider...

 

1.) There are posts about how expensive RCL is, and people interested in NCL (or sometimes Carnival) because it/they is/are seen as a little cheaper.

 

2.) There are people who think RCL ought to charge a little more, and use it to serve better food.

 

3.) Some reports indicate MDR &/or Windjammer food was good.

 

4.) Some reports paint it as anything from lackluster to disgusting.

 

5.) Some people drink alcohol; some of them probably like the idea of A.I. including alcohol. I don't drink and I don't want to pay inflated average fares subsidizing somebody else's booze indulgence.

 

I notice RCL has specialty restaurant package deal options, like 5 nights eating at such. I booked that for my wife & I for a cruise we hope to be blessed with this year. So we opt to pay more money & get better food. But I'm cheap; we book inside cabins (not paying hundreds for a hole in the wall to stare at the ocean through when I can look at it from a deck up top just fine). Paid ~$200 extra for a Royal Promenade inside stateroom so wife (& maybe daughter) can 'people watch.' Yet some people cough up the money for big suites (honeymooned in a junior suite; nice, but how many hundreds extra for a week? Bleh!!!).

 

My point is, mainstream cruises have gotten modular/ala carte/build-your-own to accommodate a wide range of customer wants/needs.

 

Richard.

 

P.S.: Bought our toddler a bag of that over-priced popcorn. I think it made my wife a little jealous. And then there's that blasted candy store on the Boardwalk...

[aubreyc1988]

A few thoughts looking over the thread...

 

1.) While popcorn is cheap to buy & prepare, it's often used in a messy fashion. Make it cheap, and lots of people who only half want it will get it, making a big mess of spilt popcorn and tossed little brown sacks. Make it costly, and those who want it bad get it, they paid enough to avoid spilling too much, and there's probably less trash strewn about. Plus, it makes the cruise line money.

 

2.) On nickel & diming vs. 'all inclusive' - know that old saying you can't please all of the people all of the time? Well, consider...

 

1.) There are posts about how expensive RCL is, and people interested in NCL (or sometimes Carnival) because it/they is/are seen as a little cheaper.

 

2.) There are people who think RCL ought to charge a little more, and use it to serve better food.

 

3.) Some reports indicate MDR &/or Windjammer food was good.

 

4.) Some reports paint it as anything from lackluster to disgusting.

 

5.) Some people drink alcohol; some of them probably like the idea of A.I. including alcohol. I don't drink and I don't want to pay inflated average fares subsidizing somebody else's booze indulgence.

 

I notice RCL has specialty restaurant package deal options, like 5 nights eating at such. I booked that for my wife & I for a cruise we hope to be blessed with this year. So we opt to pay more money & get better food. But I'm cheap; we book inside cabins (not paying hundreds for a hole in the wall to stare at the ocean through when I can look at it from a deck up top just fine). Paid ~$200 extra for a Royal Promenade inside stateroom so wife (& maybe daughter) can 'people watch.' Yet some people cough up the money for big suites (honeymooned in a junior suite; nice, but how many hundreds extra for a week? Bleh!!!).

 

My point is, mainstream cruises have gotten modular/ala carte/build-your-own to accommodate a wide range of customer wants/needs.

 

Richard.

 

P.S.: Bought our toddler a bag of that over-priced popcorn. I think it made my wife a little jealous. And then there's that blasted candy store on the Boardwalk...

 

Had to reply to you, because we do some of this too, esp on our upcoming sailing on AOS and I was just thinking about how this was a really smart decision! I used to be ALL about getting the nicer room, with a view and what not, then I realized that I didnt just want to sit on my balcony alone or with my husband all the time, not venturing out on the ship to meet people or enjoy the really nice common areas! A balcony is still nice to have, but more often than not these days we have been opting for a cheaper room and choose to get the "optional fee add ons" from Royal.

 

1) Booked inside cabin at a really cheap rate instead of OV or balcony, it's port intensive itinerary and I knew the savings would come in handy for the ports

 

2) With the money we saved with that, we bought non stop flights to San Juan to utilize the day before we sail better, the beverage package for me (husband doesn't really drink), and some really nice excursions in each of the ports, plus one precruise excursion in San Juan, and booked 2 nights BOGO of specialty dining - YES, an OV or Balcony was that great in price

difference!

 

3) I will be playing in the casino, paying money to eat in JR, and if someone offers me popcorn at an upcharge and I want it, I will pay for it.

 

But honestly, everyone vacations different, and I still appreciate the OP's point of view and honest review of their view of the ship, even if I don't agree with it

 

AND surprisingly, I hardly ever find Carnival to be much cheaper overall than RCI, really depends on itinerary and dates, but they usually are pretty close in price (Carnival Vista commands a high price right now, probably more than Oasis or Allure) and NCL is usually the same as RCI or more expensive...just based on what I have seen sailing all three lines. And I love going back and looking at my invoices from years past and often find that I paid MORE then than I do currently when I cruise!

Edited January 8, 2017 by aubreyc1988

[rhino7176]

I will be a new RC passenger on Oasis in 3mos. I am very disappointed to read OP's experience, and even more so to see responses that all of it is not only true but also old news. Now I'm really bummed.

 

 

I just got off the Oasis less than a month ago... Fantastic ship, fantastic service and great food. Not sure of the Harmony, bu the complaints to me seem a bit ridiculous, as I have been on may RCI ships and have never had complaints. Sounds to me to be unrealistic expectations and no research done on what to expect.

 

You will have a great time on Oasis!

[matj2000]

who in the heck would actually pay for popcorn?

 

it cost almost nothing..

 

Some idiots must, because someone is giving the RC a reason to sell it.

 

On Princess, they came around a gave everyone popcorn, cookies, and blankets..........for Nothing extra..................

 

Edited January 8, 2017 by matj2000

[aubreyc1988]

who in the heck would actually pay for popcorn?

 

it cost almost nothing..

 

Some idiots must, because someone is giving the RC a reason to sell it.

 

On Princess, they came around a gave everyone popcorn, cookies, and blankets..........for Nothing extra..................

 

 

1) I've paid for popcorn before, on and off of a ship

 

2) Yes it is inexpensive, but you are on vacation and are going to pay a premium for things that cost "almost nothing" on land - ALSO, if you are going to use that logic, fountain soda costs "Almost nothing" and loads of people pay for that on ships and on land.

 

3) rude to call people idiots, period, but also ridiculous to call someone an idiot because they choose to pay for something you don't want to.

 

4) This isn't Princess/Carnival/NCL/MSC, this is RCI and while thats great that some cruiselines offer it for free, RCI doesn't, and I'm sure there are things RCI offers that Princess doesn't etc, this is a tired and useless argument here

 

and 5)

 

[Thetrail]

Thanks for your brilliant evaluation of my entire posting. We have over 1000 cruise nights on RCCL and have had many meals with officers including those involved in the financial aspects of a cruise and they were the ones who explained to us that the cost of the booze is calculated in the cost of a fare. Now, please tell us who told you different or where you got your stupid facts from

NO need to broadcast my cruise nights or how many meals I've had with officers on RCI ships. Think about your post, maybe actually try to find an answer, use a bit, just a tiny bit of common sense and you may come to realize that your wrong. It's OK....K.O.:rolleyes:

[travelgoddess1]

When we first booked our Harmony sailing, Dynamic Dining was the only option. When RCI decided to scrap plans to bring DD to Oasis Class ships, there was no notification to passengers with existing reservations (at least, we were never informed). We were automatically moved over to traditional dining, but I understand the frustration in not being told of the change. Not everyone follows CC and RCI to the extent that I and others do, so it's understandable that the OP would not be aware of the change.

[peacefrogdog]

Agree somewhat with OP. We have been on a total of 6 RC cruises and our recent Harmony cruise was the least enjoyable. Definitely noticed the cut back in staffing.

 

However it was still a great trip, not as good as previous cruises but a fun family trip. I can't say that things like the charge for popcorn or lack of little chocolates on our pillows ruined our vacation. But I can say we have tempered expectations for any future cruises we book. We will no longer expect them to be like they were 5 years ago, but it probably won't stop us from booking.

Edited January 8, 2017 by peacefrogdog