Negative Royal Caribbean International Experience: Harmony of the Seas

[Thetrail]

I, too, was on the Quantum in February 2015. I have sailed on the Harmony. Perhaps my responses will seem valid therefore.

 

 

 

Whole lobster was never offered, much less for no charge previously. The filet mignon is a Chops filet, which was never offered for no charge.

 

 

 

They are optional. Opt not to order them.

 

 

 

Yes, this is unfortunately true. It was, however, true on the Quantum, too. You should not, therefore, have been either surprised or suddenly appalled.

 

 

 

I am sorry that this was your experience. It was not mine. (and yes, you have to ask for drink service. There are no more roaming bar servers in the MDR)

 

 

 

I agree that RC is cutting back on staff. I also agree that it is a problem and a bad move on their part.

 

 

 

ICK. But then, I don't go to the Windjammer on boarding day.

 

 

 

I would have called when it first happened. I am glad that it was quickly fixed. $@ happens. ;)

 

 

 

Yeah, that's disgusting. Fortunately, I can live without popcorn.

 

 

 

Responded to above by others. No dynamic dining on the Harmony. Ever.

 

 

 

Best of luck in your future holiday plans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See my responses above, Ellipooh. :)

Asked and answered.....K.O.:):)

[Thetrail]

I just had to comment on this one. On Oasis, I was in the theater for CATS and the popcorn guy came around, said it was 5.00 when I asked him, and I paid that price. Why, because I'm on vacation and I wanted some popcorn. While it's an inflated price and yes, popcorn IS cheap, they are a business and I agreed to pay that for the popcorn, just like when I agree to pay for concessions that cost too much at a movie theater back on land. No one is getting nickel and dimed "to death" over optional popcorn :eek:

 

and just for funzies

 

 

 

Absolutely love your post!....K.O.:)

[StolidCruiser]

Aside from a toilet issue (which was promptly fixed upon reporting it), the bulk of the OP complaints stem around food and the concept of "revenue generation".

 

It's not rocket science and it certainly isn't secret.

 

If someone prefers not to be what they consider "nickel-and-dimed", they should sail on a line that doesn't. Simple.

[starvenger]

My sister has cruised multiple times on Princess and has talked about MUTS several times. Popcorn may be free there as well. Not on Royal. Given the cheap cost of such an item, maybe it should be. But then again, I also refuse to buy popcorn at the movies. Not only the cost but the calories.

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.

[Big_G]

None of the Op's complaints would have bothered me that much. Most were not anything new

 

The toilet overflowing in the middle of the night would have bothered me but I would have called then and there to get it fixed. The other stuff really wouldn't have effected my cruise.

[birdlord]

Does anyone feel as I do that many of these issues are because good and experienced crew took off for the Holidays. My experience on Serenade, many of the crew were taking a one to two month contract break. They are under contract and if a crew member manages to negotiate a contract that ends before the holidays and begins in late Jan or early Feb, then that experience will be missing from that ship. We took the Gallery tour on Serenade and the Sous Chef said they were already short 50 cooks and wait staff. With those shortages and many of the experienced crew taking a contract break, I can see how it would be an issue.

 

I would assume that would possibly be cause of less than stellar service; but I guess it's hard to know for sure. I have to say there were other services on this ship that were excellent. All the bar service everywhere on board, even on sea days, was fast and pleasant. There were even actually "too many" roaming servers around the pools - it seemed as soon as one asked if you needed anything, there was another one right behind them. I had noted this in my review because previous reviews had noted lack of service in these areas.

[wolfcathorse]

We paid for popcorn on Empress...just once, it smelled better than it tasted. The popcorn was unbuttered and cost $2.50 for a little bag!

[venicia]

csm........thank you for your review. As some others have stated some of the issues you encountered are unfortunately not new. Some persons just accept whatever since it is Royal. We have been sailing with Royal since Sovereign, but this month will probably be our last cruise with them when we complete the Oasis cruise. I am in total agreement with you on the nickle and dime all over the ship and we as well do not care for it.

 

When you factor in what you would like to see included in your cruise I would suggest looking at a better quality type of ship. Royal does have some fun and innovative things such as the bumper cars, NorthStar, IFly, and I will say we have truly enjoyed them, but not enough to be disappointed by other issues.

 

We are fairly new cruisers on Regent, but found overall, it met all our expectation and even though prices are higher, when adding in what is spent for drinks, tours, dining, etc on Royal we found we are coming out only a bit more expensive than Royal but much, much more satisfied. We do opt for a higher suite with them, but we always book a Grand Suite with Royal and there is no comparison. So, I believe you will be experiencing a more relaxing and pleasant cruise with a different line.

 

Again, thank you for your review and even though I wasn't on your cruise I've found some of the issues you spoke about on each of the Royal ships we've sailed on for the past 2 - 3 years.

 

Happy Cruising to all

[forkcreek]

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.

[aubreyc1988]

Absolutely love your post!....K.O.:)

 

I aim to please :D

[ONECRUISER]

Does anyone feel as I do that many of these issues are because good and experienced crew took off for the Holidays. My experience on Serenade, many of the crew were taking a one to two month contract break. They are under contract and if a crew member manages to negotiate a contract that ends before the holidays and begins in late Jan or early Feb, then that experience will be missing from that ship. We took the Gallery tour on Serenade and the Sous Chef said they were already short 50 cooks and wait staff. With those shortages and many of the experienced crew taking a contract break, I can see how it would be an issue.

 

Serenade and before Brilliance always does this big change over after the Europe/Boston cruises, not sure if other ships do but definitely change in service after. But 30 yrs ago one waiter might have one or two tables and served 5 course 2hr meal. One of my cruises last month, on Serenade Oct30-Dec23 waiter had 6 tables and now a 3 course. Room attendant in 1988 had 8 rooms, cleaned 4-5 times a day, this Nov my attendant had 12 rooms all suites inc my 2 bed 2 bath cabin... Changes are here to stay, more with less...

[grand isle joe]

................do you think they will call me down to the "naughty room" if they catch me smuggling pop corn in my luggage? In the future I can see RCL allowing a two bag carry on pop corn allowance.....:cool:

[finallyonboard]

................do you think they will call me down to the "naughty room" if they catch me smuggling pop corn in my luggage? In the future i can see rcl allowing a two bag carry on pop corn allowance.....:cool:

 

lol:d

[Biker19]

................do you think they will call me down to the "naughty room" if they catch me smuggling pop corn in my luggage?

No, but they might object to the microwave you brought along.:p

[grand isle joe]

No, but they might object to the microwave you brought along.:p

 

 

...:D............probably not the microwave but rather the extension cord needed for operation....:eek::D

[setsail]

I had to check my dates again, yes we were on this cruise also:rolleyes:

[aubreyc1988]

I had to check my dates again, yes we were on this cruise also:rolleyes:

 

surprised you made it back, with all the talk of being nickel and dimed to DEATH :D :p

[LMaxwell]

Even with optional charges that you can bypass, some of us still feel nickel and dimed in that situation. But we also have been cruising since before specialty dining and numerous upcharge opportunities. I won't put someone down for feeling put off even if they did not choose to spend the money. I used to love never having to think about prices on a cruise besides casino, drinks, spa, excursions.

[setsail]

surprised you made it back, with all the talk of being nickel and dimed to DEATH :D :p

 

Somehow we suffered through it all, and managed to turn our Nichols and dimes into dollars on the spinning wheel:D the bars had great pours:p

[Colorado Babe]

Times are definitely changing. We did not see our stateroom attendant until the third day and to be honest, our stateroom definitely showed it! Good times! [emoji847]

 

 

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[aubreyc1988]

Somehow we suffered through it all, and managed to turn our Nichols and dimes into dollars on the spinning wheel:D the bars had great pours:p

 

Somehow, I think we would be friends if we met IRL lol

[joemccartney722]

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.

[vacationlover_mn]

Thanks for your review!

 

 

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[The sea calls my name]

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.

 

Please don't be. My DH and I just celebrated our 40th anniversary on Harmony of the Seas the week of Thanksgiving, and while on board booked our second cruise on Oasis of the Seas for Thanksgiving 2017. Yes, things that were complimentary in 1989 when we first started cruising with RCCL are now an extra charge, but there are still so many included features that a cruise can be the best 7 days of your year is you "don't sweat the small stuff". There is so much negativity on CC related to the dining room service and the food quality. I have never had to cook for 6000 guest and doubt I could produce all items the right temperature and to the satisfaction of all on any given day if I had to attempt this feat. My philosophy is any meal that I do not have to prepare is a wonderful meal. There are so many options now that everyone should be able to find quality and enjoyment in their dining experience somewhere . Yes , toilets over flow and light bulbs burn out on ships just like they do at home. I am saying all of this to encourage you , that your time on these beautiful vessels, sailing on God's majestic seas can be magical if you will not major in the minor things . Enjoy your planning and your cruise and hopefully many more in the future.

[csm2000]

Great comments all the way around by everyone. We certainly didn't have a bad time on our cruise but there were many operational business type changes made by RCI that took effect since our last RCI cruise almost 2 years previous. In total, they detracted from the total experience for us. I really don't care about popcorn but have sailed on enough other cruise lines to know it is included in others. It is yet another example of the business model RCI has adopted. In reality, there are many ways to spend our entertainment money and cruising is still at the top of our list. The good thing is that there are many different cruise lines fighting for our money and attention. They all have their strength and weaknesses. Accordingly, check as many options out as you can and stick with what you like. After all is said and done, you're on a magnificent ship on a beautiful ocean sailing to port of call for new and exciting experiences and adventure. It don't get much better than that!

 

 

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