Harmony Cruise - Halfway Through

[levonfan]

We brought our 5 yr old daughter to all shows except Grease. We opted to send her to 'ship school' I was glad we did. There were plenty of kids there but the content isn't ideal in my mind. It's all about teens wanting to get laid, teen pregnancy and such. It's just not something I need my 5 yr old seeing and asking me about for all eternity. BUT my daughter picks up on things, digs deep and demands details and more info. So we would really be answering questions for months to come. Other kids perhaps wouldn't care or pick up on it.

 

We do a lot of theatre so she is well trained with sitting quietly. But I would think most children would be very engaged with the aqua-theatre shows and ice shows so definitely see those. The headliner (ventriloquist) was really good and totally acceptable for 5yr olds. Columbus was very musical and had great stage props so is worth bringing her to as well!

Thanks Sounds like our daughter. We are supposed to see the show the first night, might have to change it not sure id be completely comfortable leaving my daughter the first night in ship school

[QueenofKrakatoa]

I always bring my own towels, but that's not to knock anyone that uses RCI towels. I just prefer a larger towel.

[countess5]

Have you been to any of the specialty restaurants this trip? We are trying to get into Izumi one night, but the only times available are 5 or 9 or later. Hopefully we can get a decent time once we get on ship.

 

Just a comment on Izumi and Habashi, they are right outside the Casino and in a back corner with no windows. We had a reservation two weeks ago and when we arrived canceled because of the atmosphere. Very busy area too with the lower MDR entrance right there.

 

Just our opinion, food is important but so is the experience. Such a hudge ship so why stick this in the corner.

[rtazz17]

Hey, all, had some time this afternoon to jot down a few random thoughts. It's our first time on the Harmony of the Seas, which is doing a Western Caribbean this week out of Fort Lauderdale. We were lucky enough to escape last weekend's nor'easter -- by the skin of our teeth -- and are very grateful to be on board.

Full disclaimer: this is absolutely an opinionated post, some positives, some negatives. It's our first time on this ship, but my 29th cruise, and I feel fully entitled to my opinions and very capable of forming them!!

 

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Check-in was smooth and quick. We got to the pier around 11:15, and were almost immediately on board. Entering onto the Promenade from the gangway is very impressive, and a great way to feel the excitement and magnitude of the ship. Luggage was waiting for us after the 1pm announcement that all cabins were available.

 

The Meet & Mingle was held in Dazzles on the morning of day 2. Prizes were quite nice, including bottles of wine and a dinner gift certificate to Jamie’s. It’s a beautiful lounge. Empty during the day, with low-key music playing in the background. Kind of a Viking Crown equivalent but with a view of the Boardwalk and aft. One of the few public indoor spaces you can go to escape the crowds.

We were bummed to miss Labadee, which has become one of our favorite ports over the years.

 

Food has been universally very good, despite a very annoying scheduling glitch. When we booked, we were told second seating traditional dining was closed, so they gave us My Time. No problem. I booked all of our entertainment about having a flexible schedule. Surprise! When we checked in, we were assigned late seating, and they would NOT change us back to My Time, despite the confirmation showing that assignment. Night one we at in the Windjammer due to a show conflict. Night two going forward, Maitre d’ Omer has been working with us to make dining room seating work for us.

 

Other than the nasty My Time lady we spoke with on day one, service has been universally excellent. Friendly, professional, and very accommodating.

 

There is a fabulous hand washing station on each side as you enter the Windjammer. It’s brilliant. Such a much better idea than Purell, and virtually everyone seems to use it.

 

There were vats of beautiful, peeled shrimp cocktail at the Windjammer at lunch today.

 

I haven’t had one yet, but the made-to-order pizzas at Sorrento’s look amazing.

 

I LOVE the jogging/walking track on Deck 5. Did a 5k walk there the other day without getting blown overboard.

 

Try as I might, I will never understand the appeal of a non-oceanview balcony. This is our first time on an Oasis-class ship, and by the time we booked, oceanviews were prohibitively expensive. Central Park sounded far more appealing than the Boardwalk to us, so we went ahead and booked one. I’ll try (most) anything once. I know this cabin has its fans, but sorry, it feels like we’re in a nice highrise apartment building or hotel, not a cruise ship at all. Looking out at other balcony rooms is something we usually only experience in port, not every moment on the ship, morning, noon, or night -- in port or at sea. Not for me at all.

Not only that, it is LOUD. On sea days, pool music BLASTS for many of the daylight hours. Sitting on the balcony is not relaxing, and naps, which are one of my husband’s favorite cruise treats, are impossible. Seriously, I just don’t get it.

Someone also needs to explain to me why there is no sheer curtain in the Central Park balcony cabins, only a blackout curtain. In exactly the staterooms where you NEED an opaque window covering, there is none. You either close the curtains entirely or give your across-the-park neighbors a show.

Cabin layout is spacious and sensible, but another big *** for me is the lack of an outlet/USB port on one side of the bed. So, ONE of us can keep a charged phone or other device on the night table, but the other cannot. Really??? Also, the night table top is way too small to hold the stateroom phone and anything else. I took the phone off and put it on the floor under the bed.

Entertainment’s been very good. The Aqua Show is SPECTACULAR. One of the most impressive shows I’ve ever seen, much less at sea -- on a moving ship. We also had a great time at Grease and at both ice skating shows, both the scripted story and the exhibition.

 

I really don’t like the spectacle of “auditioning” before the Love & marriage show, but other than that, Marc Walker is very quick-witted and did a very nice job with the contestants. It was packed, as was today’s belly flop contest.

 

Absurdly, to me, they now sell popcorn at many venues before the shows. Small, movie-sized boxes for $2.50 each. AND PEOPLE BUY IT. Really??? How many more ridiculous things will you continue to pay for??

 

This is the first ship I’ve ever been on where you have to sign out pool towels. I find the process incredibly insulting and demeaning. I’m a grownup who paid a lot of money for this vacation. I’m not stealing your damn towels. Don’t proactively treat me like a potential criminal.

 

Even without a pool, the Solarium is great.

 

Wifi’s been decent, except for constantly having to re-log in and enter a password every time.

 

Diamond perks are virtually worthless except for the lounge/3 free drinks, and if you have an alcohol package, there isn’t much else.

 

The bartenders are awesome. As is all the bar waitstaff. Overworked and sometimes understaffed, but they always have a nice word and a smile on their faces.

And I think that’s a nice note on which to end for now. Looking forward to Columbus tonight, and days 5 through 7!!

 

Just a note on popcorn,ANYWHERE its priced like that