Might give RCCL a try after a long time away-questions

[CruiseMomTX]

So we cruised RCCL a long time ago maybe 10 or so years ago and have been cruising Carnival quite a bit the last few years.  Now were thinking of trying the Harmony of the Seas in Jan and have some questions for those that can compare or tell their likes vs dislikes of RCCL vs Carnival.  Here a some of our questions and I'm sure I'll have more, lol and Thank You for any help/input!  I will also post this on the Carnival Board.

 

1.  RCCL vs Carnival in general?

2.  We normally get casino rates, just booked our first 2 Ultra Cruises on Carnival, what kind of casino perks rates does RCCL give and do you prefer RCCL or Carnival casino offers?

3.  Dining options?  Do you make reservations online before you sail and what is everyones favorite on the Harmony?  Do they have anytime dining?

4.  Spa on the Harmony, is there a thalassotherapy pool & thermal suites like on the Carnival Breeze?

5.  We are 1 point away from being Platinum so will be we Platinum on this cruise and if so are the benefits any good?

6.  We will be going with my parents and my dad will need a wheelchair or scooter, I'm guessing you can rent this onboard.  We will have our own cabin but will they let us board with them if they give priority to people needing assistance?

7.  Does RCCL have a drink package like Carnival and does everyone in the room over 21 have to buy is?  Is it worth it?

8.  On the Harmony are there any adult only areas or areas where you have to be in a certain type of cabin to use?

 

[Clarea]

Can answer some questions.

 

Harmony has both fixed and My Time (anytime) dining.  With My Time, it is your option to show up whenever you like or make reservations.

 

You will not be Platinum until the cruise after your next.

 

Rent wheelchairs and scooters from third parties, like scootaround.com.  No rentals onboard.

 

RC does have a drink package, and everyone 21 and over in the stateroom must purchase it.

 

Solarium is free, but limited to age 16 and over.

[Biker19]

9 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

7.  Does RCCL have a drink package like Carnival and does everyone in the room over 21 have to buy is?  Is it worth it?

Yes, but if you call, you can get the second person the much cheaper refreshment package. The break even point is around 5 drinks a day.

[CruiseMomTX]

9 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

Can answer some questions.

 

Harmony has both fixed and My Time (anytime) dining.  With My Time, it is your option to show up whenever you like or make reservations.

 

You will not be Platinum until the cruise after your next.

 

Rent wheelchairs and scooters from third parties, like scootaround.com.  No rentals onboard.

 

RC does have a drink package, and everyone 21 and over in the stateroom must purchase it.

 

Solarium is free, but limited to age 16 and over.

Thank you!  I was wondering about being Platinum, on Carnival if you move up a VIFP level during that cruise you get it for the whole time and don't have to wait until the next cruise, so I guess thats not so on RCCL.

[CruiseMomTX]

Sorry another question:  How is the internet?  We would want a package to be able to contact our teens back home.  Also can the people on the ship, my parents & us, message each other easily?

[Clarea]

3 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

Sorry another question:  How is the internet?  We would want a package to be able to contact our teens back home.  Also can the people on the ship, my parents & us, message each other easily?

 

Harmony has excellent internet.  There should be a free app that allows chat among guests with that same app on the ship.  Contacting people not on the ship would require an internet package.

[Biker19]

4 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

Sorry another question:  How is the internet? Also can the people on the ship, my parents & us, message each other easily?

Pretty good for a sat based system.

That depends on whether the RCI app will have the chat feature enabled by the time you sail - don't know. Otherwise you'd need to get a VOOM package for as many devices as you need to communicate with each other at the same time.

 

[CruiseMomTX]

Again thank you everyone for the help & information!  We did go ahead and book the Harmony for Jan so on to more research and planning.  I do have a few more questions.  Are the cabin walls or door magnetic?  We like to bring magnetic hooks to hang swimsuits and things on and maybe put a sign on the door.  How is the dress code compared to Carnival?  We are used to and love Carnival's relaxed dress code so wondering if we need to pack some dressier clothes for RCCL.  My husband usually wears dress pants and a long sleeve shirt (no tie or jacket) on formal nights and other nights dress shorts and a button down shirt.  I always wear a dress but not always a real dressy one.  How does the check in and boarding process compare to Carnival's?  My dad has mobility issues and we will probably look into renting a scooter or wheelchair, does anyone have a recommendation which is easier to use on the ship?  I'm thinking a wheelchair would be easier and we could take it off the ship if needed in ports.

[cruisinghawg]

I believe the walls are magnetic and you will be fine with what you wear to dinner. Do not know about mobility question but most of what I see are scooters and not many wheel chairs.

Edited December 12, 2018 by cruisinghawg

[gerif]

If you are going to rent a scooter and do not have an accessible cabin booked, you need to make sure it will fit through the door. Also, if the bed is nearer the door, there is no way of getting the scooter into the cabin (and it cannot be left in the hallway).