Armonia 9-16-19 Mini-Review

[NCTribeFan]

I'm not going to write a full-blown review or post photos.  I used to always do that and it's really a lot of work and I've just gotten lazy!

 

Background - I have >30 cruises starting in 2001; the majority having been on Carnival.  But this was my third consecutive MSC sailing and 2nd on Armonia.  I sailed her on 5/13 with DD and I believe we were on the next-to-last to get to call at Havana.  Being that I'm sailing to Bermuda on Carnival Sunshine 10/26, I had no plans to book this sailing, but when my TA let me know that she could get me a Fantastica OV with NO solo supplement (total incl taxes/fees was about $360), I jumped on it.  Since it was so cheap, I decided to purchase the Easy drink package.  I'm fine with the Heinenken draft, house Sauvignon Blanc (there's no Pinot Grigio in the Easy package), and the occasional Rum & Coke.

 

Since I'm a CPA and in the middle of "2nd tax season" I needed to work to convince the partners to let me take 6 days off work, so I flew down the morning of (which I do NOT like to do; it stresses me out).  I flew SW nonstop RDU-FLL bright and early on Monday morning, arriving at FLL at 9:25.  By the time I made a pit stop and grabbed a coffee at Starbucks, my case was being removed from the belt!  I grabbed it, managed to haul it, my small rolling carry-on, my tote bag, and my coffee to the exit, called QLS, walked out and the van was waiting.  He picked up another couple (who was sailing on Carnival Victory) and off we went.  I dropped my bag with the porter and headed into Terminal F.  Imagine my surprise when there was NO ONE in the line.  Not a soul!  I wound back-and-forth-and-back-and-forth to the woman checking documents, straight through security, right upstairs to check-in (and even being that early to port was given #8 boarding card), then off to have a seat and wait about 30 minutes until boarding started at 11:30.  When they did start calling numbers, they were up to #8 in about 5 minutes.

 

On to the ship, checked my 2 bags, grabbed my first lunch (slice of 4-cheese pizza, cheeseburger (no bun), some fries, and my first Heinenken draft).  My favorite spot is to find somewhere in the shade in the Il Girasole bar area.  Cabins were ready by 1, so I headed down to 8098.  I actually prefer an inside and should've booked one because I wake at the very first hint of light.  My brain just refuses to stay asleep and if I force myself to go back to sleep, I often re-awaken with a migraine.  So, I was up very early on several mornings.

 

Cabin was fine (identical to the inside we had in May on Deck 9 except the sink took about 3 hours to drain, which was kind of gross.  I left a sticky-note on the bathroom mirror for my steward, who I never met.  Now, I'm actually OK with that.  I absolutely don't need service people pretending to be my Best Friend.  I just want them to be pleasant (if/when we meet) and do their jobs, which he did.  Just clean the bathroom, make the bed, and leave the papers for me and I'm fine with them being invisible!

[NCTribeFan]

Food - I was a very picky eater as a child (thanks, Mom!), but outgrew that and now I'm not all that particular.  I do not especially like buffet food, since I think it's just always mediocre and always overeat since there are too many choices!  I did have lunch in the buffet one day, but usually went for pizza and/or a burger.  My favorite lunch spot on Carnival is the deli, and I do miss being able to get a made-to-order sandwich, but since MSC's pizza is so good, I was fine.  I did the buffet a couple of times for breakfast (get some toast, bacon, egg, cheese and make a sandwich) and also the made-to-order omelettes.  I did not eat in the MDR for breakfast or lunch so can't comment on that.

 

I opted for early dining this time.  At home, I eat early, but when I cruise, I usually choose late, just because I don't want to have to rush on port days.  Since I knew I didn't have much planned, I opted for early.  I was seated at table 503, which has a semi-circular bench and 4 chairs.  I was seated with 3 solo men; one left after the first night (and got ugly when I saw him in the Pub and declined to join him at a different table😒), then a different guy showed up.  The food was just OK.  Nothing that was inedible, but nothing that I thought was really great.  I just realized that there was no lobster.  Maybe a good things, since the tail I had in May was so dry that I couldn't get it out of the shell.

 

On Wednesday morning (Ocho Rios day), I was sitting and reading when a young man came to me and talked me into booking dinner that night at Surf & Turf at a 20% discount.  It was very good.  I couldn't even finish the last couple of bites of my filet.  I only had a little bite of the red velvet cake, which did not impress.  I had an aunt to made The Best Red Velvet Cake Ever, and nothing I've ever had since has been up to that standard.  Since the menu is so limited, it's not something I'd want to do multiple times during a sailing, but it was definitely worth it, and I was able to get my Easy-package included wine with the meal.

 

I only had gelato once so don't know what flavors they had other days.  I had a scoop of pistachio and one of chocolate.  They also had strawberry available and had vanilla soft serve.

 

I had the spinach and artichoke dip twice in the pub.  Nothing spectacular but a nice snack with a beer in the afternoon.

[NCTribeFan]

Entertainment - I went to some of the shows.  The first show (don't remember the name and didn't bring home the dailies) was quite good.  The Adams Family show was weird, but I enjoyed it.  The Greatest was pretty bad.  I would never get up and leave a performance (that is SO rude), but I was tempted.  There was just no theme that I could discern.  The other shows were mostly dancing, acrobats, etc with very little singing, but this one had more songs.  Not that the vocalists were awful, but I just didn't enjoy it.

 

There were some really good bands on the ship in May (lots of Latin music) and I didn't find that this time.  Now, I was spending my evenings in different venues and was out and about at different times, so maybe I just missed them.  The Entertainment staff was different, too, and not quite as engaging.

 

I had my pre-dinner drink in the Bacardi Rum Bar this time and there was usually a guy on sax (not my favorite instrument) when I was there around 5:30.  But he was pretty good, if you like that sort of thing.

[NCTribeFan]

Ports - I didn't book this for the itinerary, which is unusual for me.  Instead of Havana, we got Costa Maya and a second sea day.  I did not make plans for Jamaica or Cozumel. 

 

Normally, I always get off the ship and at least wander around the port area.  When Miguel came on and announced the ship was cleared and people could disembark in Ocho Rios, he noted that it was going to be over 100 degrees!  When I went to the rail and looked out and so the VERY long pier, I just decided to stay on the ship.  No way was I going to hike all the way down there just to look at some junk souvenirs.

 

The next day in Grand Cayman, I had a ship tour (which I also don't normally do) that had an island tour and stop at the Cayman Islands Brewery.  I'd had a bottle of Mango Tango in May and it was delicious, so I was looking forward to that.  Turned out it was our first stop.  So there we were, at 10 am, with armbands that had 5 tags on them!  Now, the glasses were small (about 6 oz) but still!  I had 2 Mango Tangos (even better on draft), then tried both their stouts, and finished with another Mango Tango.  By then, I was feeling good enough that I bought a t-shirt (which I also never do!).  Then it was off to the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory, where I had a sample of cake and then had to sample some rum, too!  Decided I needed to buy something to eat by that point!!  We then went to Hell, and when we got back on the bus, our driver/guide said that there were several people who really wanted a beach stop, so she was taking us there.  PEOPLE - please read the tour description before you book.  There was NO beach included in the tour.  I'm sorry that you wore swimsuits under your clothes all day.  Not my fault!  And I realize that the tour operators/guides want to keep people happy.  But I wanted to get back to the ship and have some real food by then.  We went to the beach, a handful of people got in the water while the rest of us stood around in the heat or sat on the bus doing nothing.  And some of them had the audacity to get on the bus in WET suits and didn't have towels!  And what do you want to bet that they didn't tip.

 

Cozumel was next.  I got off the ship and headed to the Tacos and Tequila bar/restuarant on the corner of the street where I usually go (to have a giant blue margarita and get wi-fi).  Had some guacamole and chips and checked in on Facebook.  Chatted with a couple of older Swedish woman who had a flight of tequila.  Then just headed back to the ship.

 

Costa Maya - booked a tour to the Chacchoben Mayan ruins through Native Choice tours.  Had to hike through all the made-for-tourists-fake-Mexican/Mayan stuff at the port, out to where the taxis line up, down to the little pyramid, and then off into what felt like the jungle to get to their building.  It was about 7:45 and no one out there except me and the occasional guys who looked like they were headed to work.  I was mildly uncomfortable, being a solo female wandering around in a strange country on her own in an area that was fairly deserted.  But I was at their place after about a 10 minute walk.  Paid the balance, got my wristband and waited for the others.  Our minibus had 10 - a man and his father from Florida, a couple from Portugal, two young women from Poland, me, and a couple from Ireland with their 3-yr-old.  Again, the tour description stated that it was recommended for children over 8.  These two pushed this kid around in a stroller over dirt, rocks, roots in unpleasant heat and humidity.  Poor kid!  He actually handled it pretty well.  The site was very interesting.  They've left a lot of the jungle and haven't cleared everything, unlike some other sites I've visited.  Tough on my old knees going up some big, stone steps, but I enjoyed the tour.

[NCTribeFan]

One of the first things I do after I book a cruise is come here to CC to join the Roll Call.  Imagine my surprise when I didn't find one!  OK, I wasn't planning much but, still!  I checked a few more times and nothing.  Then, I think on the Friday before we sailed on Monday, there it was!  Several people had posted in it that they'd posted in a RC that had vanished.  Very strange.  So, since it was within 7 days of sailing, it was too late to sign up for the M&M.  I sent CC a message and received a response that I could just go to the Service Desk and find out where and when it would be held and attend.  I did that after boarding and was told it would be the next day and I'd receive an invitation in my cabin letting me know where and when it would happen.

 

I did receive my invitation for Tuesday at 10 am in the Rum Bar.  When I arrived, my name was not on the list, but I showed it to the gal checking off names and proceeded to have a petit four or two and a couple of mimosas.  There were only about 15 people.  I do think that being on the morning of the first sea day, after there's been a time change, may prevent some people from attending.  Not sure how many signed up but I know there are often many fewer people.  That's another thing that I don't like to do - say I'll be somewhere and not show.  Especially not after the effort that they go to for these parties.  There was the cake, the heads of departments, the CD, and the Captain, the free group photo.  All for this handful of Cruise Critic people!  Much nicer than what Carnival does for CC, which I told to the staff members there that I talked with as well as Miguel.  I also told him that I'd sailed in May and how I loved Havana so much that as soon as I got home, I booked (on another cruiseline where friends had booked) to return, only to cancel a couple of weeks later.  Everyone I spoke to during the week said how disappointed they were that we couldn't call at Havana.  Here's hoping we have an administrative change soon that will again loosen the restrictions because I really want to return and I know all those people who booked specifically for Havana want their opportunity to visit.

 

I did attend the Voyagers Club returning guests party.  Had a couple of glasses of bubbly, had a chat with a young staff member who asked if I had any comments, good or bad.  Told him I wished the tour operators would stick to their listed tour stops, and told him I hadn't met my cabin steward but to please not give him a black mark for that, as I was perfectly OK with it (wish I hadn't mentioned it!).  I was impressed that the Captain went around to every single person in the room and clinked glasses with them and said Salut!

 

The first night I went to the Rum Bar to have my before-dinner drink, I looked up and saw my favorite bar server from May.  And he came right over and asked how I was and if my DD was with me!  How these workers remember someone when they've seen thousands of other faces over the months just amazes me!  There were also a couple of dealers in the casino who remembered me.

 

Like I said, I didn't bring home the dailies, and there were a lot of things I didn't do, but I'll try to answer any questions.

[NCTribeFan]

Forgot to mention disembarkation...

 

In my effort to keep this very affordable cruise that way, I decided to use miles to fly home on American from Miami.  Had a nonstop at 5 pm, so was in no hurry to disembark.  Being that my cabin location was on a lower deck than in May, I was given Red tags, which I believe had a time of 8:30.  I took them down to the service desk, told the young woman that I had a late flight and asked if it was possible to exchange them for a later time.  She confirmed that I was not on a ship tour nor ship transfer to the airport, and gave me Orange 2, which had a time of 10:20.  Much better!

 

I was out of the cabin at about 7:45, went up and had my breakfast, sat in my favorite spot, drank tea, and read.  After a while I realized that I hadn't heard them call ANY colors at all for quite a while.  Then, when they did call a color, lots of people jumped up and scurried off.  The folks at the table next to me were upset that their color (and a few others) hadn't been announced.  After that, colors began to be called regularly.  Not sure what had happened.  Maybe the announcements just hadn't broadcast up there on that open deck.  At least there was no fire alarm in the terminal this time (which put them behind by about 45 minutes in May!).

 

I realized I didn't have the list with me and wasn't sure of just where my tag color was supposed to "muster" but decided I wasn't going to worry about it.  Mine tag ended up being called early, about 8:05, so I made a pit stop then down the aft elevator from the buffet area, through the photo gallery and Rum bar and right off the ship.  Easy to spot my red luggage with the lime green handle wrap.  Through the crowd and to the curb where I requested an Uber, which was there in about 90 seconds.

 

Unlike some airports, where you cannot check your bags until 4 hours prior to your flight, I was able to do that and wind my way through security and to my gate area.  Decided it was time for more caffeine, and shortly after that, time for some lunch.  Grabbed a turkey & cheese baguette at the Cuban place, ate half and saved the rest for on the flight.

 

Actually had an aisle seat in an exit row and no one in the middle or window seat.  Watched the first part of Avengers: End Game and before you know it, we were on the ground.  I was home shortly before 8 pm.  Had to get up for work the next morning.  Ugh.  Finally did most of my laundry this weekend!

[Huntingdon1701]

Thanks for the review. It'll be my first time on MSC in May, so soaking up as much information as I can find!

 

The cruise critic gathering sounds very well supported by MSC. There doesn't seem to be a roll call for mine yet, in contrast to most of my other cruises. 

[NCTribeFan]

You might try contact the mods.  As I noted, this was an issue with my sailing.  Many people (who booked much earlier than I) had posted in a Roll Call and then it disappeared.

[jdvmd]

Glad you had a good time!

You said you mentioned to the young staff member that you had not met your cabin steward and in parentheses put (wish I hadn't mentioned it). What happened? Did you finally meet the steward?

[kidless]

I just got off Armonia this morning! We had a great time! Our Cruise Critic M&M was about 75 ppl and was very well done! Will be writing a review soon! 

[NCTribeFan]

I was afraid that my steward would get a "black mark" for not introducing himself to me and I wouldn't want that because he did just fine.

 

I imagine our M&M would've had more people if we'd actually had a Roll Call that hadn't vanished (I think maybe more than once!).

 

I keep thinking of other things...

 

I've read several other threads where people complained about the cabin temperature (either too hot or too cold).  Now, I'm one that tends to be cold when others are comfortable.  I'm not a fan of blasting, freezing air.  I just don't like it blowing on me.  And, when you're somewhere where it's about 100 degrees outside and are dressed in lightweight, minimal clothes, interior areas shouldn't be meat-locker cold!  It's ridiculous to need to carry around a sweater when it's that hot out!

 

I do realize that some (usually men and menopausal women 😋 ) want that cold air, but I just think it's silly.

 

Anyway, my cabin was warm when I boarded.  That seems to be common on many ships.  I do like a cold cabin at night because I like to get under that nice duvet and pull it up to my nose.  But as soon as I get up, I turn the dial back to at least half-way to warm.  Unfortunately, there were a couple of days that I forgot to turn it down a bit and when I returned to the room in the afternoon, it was warm.  But it seemed to respond fairly quickly.

 

On the public interior decks, you could walk bow to stern and pass through several different temperature zones so it was hard to know just where you might be comfortable and where you might not.  But, overall, I didn't think it was much different from other ships I've sailed.  They all seem to have areas that are either too warm or too cold.  And, like food and entertainment, you can't make everyone happy!

[cellfree]

NCTribeFan, appreciated your thorough review, did a “mini” one under Reviews, we were on 9/9 sailing, had been on Divina and Seaside in the past, have Meraviglia booked for November, had a great time and as you stated “you can’t make everyone happy.” We found no fault with anything, are looking forward to Armonia moving to Tampa late 2020.

[aprilF]

On 9/29/2019 at 8:55 AM, NCTribeFan said:

Entertainment - *snip*The Greatest was pretty bad.  I would never get up and leave a performance (that is SO rude), but I was tempted.  There was just no theme that I could discern.  The other shows were mostly dancing, acrobats, etc with very little singing, but this one had more songs.  Not that the vocalists were awful, but I just didn't enjoy it.

 

*snip*  The Entertainment staff was different, too, and not quite as engaging.

 

 

 

Had we not been up front, we might have left Time to Rock.  The Greatest also wasnt all that great.

 

By December the Entertainment staff was very engaging.  There were a coupe that were a little more reserved but mostly they were very outgoing on my sailing.