First Time Harmony of the Seas

[superduper123]

We are a mid 50's, empty-nester couple. D+ almost exclusively Radiance and Vision class ( with a few Voyager class sprinkled in.) 

 

As we have no children, the Harmony wouldn't be a preferred choice of ship, and I admit to feeling a bit intimidated by the size/ crowds. However this particular cruise fit nicely with an already planned trip to Galveston. So we decided, why not?  😬

 

Can anyone share what they love about this ship? Bonus points if you are similar demographics. 😄

Thanks!

[cruisegirl1]

You will find all ages on Harmony.  Demographics often vary by time of year.  Sumer and holidays will have more families/children.  Oasis class ships, including Harmony have terrific entertainment and dining options. 

Enjoy

[BobNoxious]

54 and 61 here.  We loved Harmony.   It is bigger, so you MUST pre-reserve your big shows (aqua, ice show, grease) before your cruise (watch the app).   Then, when you board, you reserve the other shows (comedy, etc) first thing.  Then, you also reserve your dining package restaurants first thing.     You can see it is important to get an early boarding time - so be sure to "check in" the day that opens up as well.   As for crowds - it will be a LOT more people, but there is a LOT more to do - so it will be very spaced out in the evening (some are at shows, some are at the music hall, some are at Karaoke, some at Piano bar, others at boleros, etc...)      Definitely see Grease on board... it is just AWESOME!     Enjoy the Central Park area for coffees (park cafe) and drinks (outdoor trellis bar) and evening entertainment.   

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, superduper123 said:

Can anyone share what they love about this ship? Bonus points if you are similar demographics. 

 

Mid-40's here but have no kids and are fairly boring so that's kinda close, lol.

 

As I love to eat on cruises, the added food venues on Oasis class are a big draw to me.

 

Park Cafe is great in the early AM for an egg sandwich or lox & bagel. I also enjoy their paninis and the kummelweck (roast beef sandwich) for lunch or a snack. They have a nice salad bar too but that's too healthy for me. Central Park itself is actually a very nice spot to spend time, especially in the morning and evening.

 

My family enjoyed Sabor for dinner one night last year (many prefer lunch there). Great guac, apps, and dessert. Entrees weren't as good but didn't matter to us as we kept ordering refills of the apps.

 

Solarium Bistro is a unique place to try dinner. It's free but requires reservations. It's half buffet but entrees are brought to your table. Very Mediterranean with some interesting item which won't appeal to everyone... but it's free so I'd try it. You can also have breakfast here but it's basically a smaller version of the WJ. It used to be less crowded but that may not be the case anymore. It was packed on Wonder last month (worse than WJ).

 

Obviously you should see the aqua show.

 

That's what popped into my head for now. Honestly... I'd watch a ship tour on YouTube and/or read about all it has to offer and try everything that you've never done before (at least the free stuff).

 

Hope this helps. We have no problem with Freedom Class but definitely prefer Oasis Class and it has zero to do with kid-friendly activities.

 

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, BobNoxious said:

Then, when you board, you reserve the other shows (comedy, etc) first thing.

 

Is Harmony suddenly different from other Oasis class ships? Adult comedy was reserved pre-cruise with all the other shows on Wonder for last month.

[BobNoxious]

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

 

Is Harmony suddenly different from other Oasis class ships? Adult comedy was reserved pre-cruise with all the other shows on Wonder for last month.

I has on Harmony at end of covid - so I used my Oasis experience from a few weeks ago:  I was just on Oasis and only ice show, cats, and aqua were preboard.  Comedy was on ship.    Regardless, OP has never been on Oasis class - so it will be good advice to prereserve.     

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, BobNoxious said:

I has on Harmony at end of covid - so I used my Oasis experience from a few weeks ago:  I was just on Oasis and only ice show, cats, and aqua were preboard.  Comedy was on ship.    Regardless, OP has never been on Oasis class - so it will be good advice to prereserve.     

 

Weird that it would differ from ship from ship but good to know. My BIL/SIL will be on Oasis next March so I'll give them a heads up if it's still the same way. I know my SIL (the planner) would be sitting there wondering where the heck the comedy show was, lol.

[firefly333]

45 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Weird that it would differ from ship from ship but good to know. My BIL/SIL will be on Oasis next March so I'll give them a heads up if it's still the same way. I know my SIL (the planner) would be sitting there wondering where the heck the comedy show was, lol.

Bella1 we couldnt book comedy from the app. We could get to to with the daily schedule thing online in the planner. I think a lot of people dont see it to book in the app and assume you cant pre book. We were on oasis. 

[ARandomTraveler]

I'm 43, not a full empty nester yet, but my daughter is going into her senior year at college so she lives out of state most of the year. I will say that age-wise I don't necessarily fit the demographic, but I have the parental, financial and lifestyle mindset of an empty nester. 
 

We went on our first Oasis class (Symphony) during Thanksgiving week and loved it. I thought there was way more to do on the ship as a "childless" adult than there was for kids, and I think I enjoyed the ship far more with her as an older "kid" than I would have if I had brought her on there as an actual kid.
 

I loved all the options for things to do, tons of shows, places to eat, music venues to hang out in, and places to find a lounger where there weren't any people with young children. It was great, my favorite class of ship of the 3 classes I've sailed so far (Voyager class, Freedom class and Oasis class). 

Edited July 13, 2023 by ARandomTraveler

[OCSC Mike]

11 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Bella1 we couldnt book comedy from the app. We could get to to with the daily schedule thing online in the planner. I think a lot of people dont see it to book in the app and assume you cant pre book. We were on oasis. 

 

Interesting. I always use the website as it seems to be the lesser of two evils, at least for reservations. I only prefer the app for grabbing a check-in time at midnight.

[neverbeenhere]

Crowds- That's what the diamond lounge is for.

 

Practice your eye roll and disgusted look prior to boarding to deal with unruly parents.

 

Children head to certain locations on these ships, stay away from those locations and you will be fine.

(Yes, this may mean you won't see the sun other than in port)

[spethstation]

The Harmony is my favourite ship (so far). I think my favourite thing was the Rising Tide bar! At the time I sailed they were doing 2 for 1 martinis and I was here for hours 😆 I also travelled without children and was so happy I got to experience it without any - there is so much for adults to do! You'll have fun no matter your age!

[Tree_skier]

3 hours ago, superduper123 said:

We are a mid 50's, empty-nester couple. D+ almost exclusively Radiance and Vision class ( with a few Voyager class sprinkled in.) 

 

As we have no children, the Harmony wouldn't be a preferred choice of ship, and I admit to feeling a bit intimidated by the size/ crowds. However this particular cruise fit nicely with an already planned trip to Galveston. So we decided, why not?  😬

 

Can anyone share what they love about this ship? Bonus points if you are similar demographics. 😄

Thanks!

Late 50's and empty nester here... Not quite D+ yet but getting close.  Oasis of the Seas last March was our first Oasis class ship and we loved it.  We're are booked on Harmony this coming December B2B.    We cruised in March so it was crowded and there were lots of kids. I absolutely loved Oasis. Oasis class is so well designed to minimize the feeling of crowdedness.  There will be moments of course, like sea days around the pool,  but the flow of people really does help you not feel the large number of people on board.

 

I love the extra dining options as well as the entertainment.  It seems to me that the larger ships (quantum class and Oasis class) have more and higher quality entertainment. The aqua show is awesome. The broadway shows are very good. I'm a huge fan of the Ice shows and there just seems that there is always something to do no matter what time of day it is. 

 

I'm sure you will have a great time on Harmony.

 

 

[gometros]

We were in the same boat (pun intended) as you, although 10 years older. We cruised Harmony of the Seas for a first time on RCI this February. Before that, we cruised mostly Disney Cruise Line, so I didn't know what to expect moving up to such a large ship. We really enjoyed it. The stage shows were as good as DCL and the variety of shows was really nice. We did them all. We even appreciated the more adult comedy show . Even though our cruise mates preferred the standard dining, I like the option of any time dining (although, I noticed long lines coming out of dinner, so maybe somebody more experienced in that area can address that). I think my only complaint about the ship was that as big as it was, many of the venues like Dazzles and the Schooner Bar were too crowded and finding a seat for the more popular shows was difficult.

 

I noticed you mentioned Radiance. We're cruising her next summer and really looking forward to it. 

[taglovestocruise]

4 hours ago, superduper123 said:

We are a mid 50's, empty-nester couple. D+ almost exclusively Radiance and Vision class ( with a few Voyager class sprinkled in.) 

 

As we have no children, the Harmony wouldn't be a preferred choice of ship, and I admit to feeling a bit intimidated by the size/ crowds. However this particular cruise fit nicely with an already planned trip to Galveston. So we decided, why not?  😬

 

Can anyone share what they love about this ship? Bonus points if you are similar demographics. 😄

Thanks!

We are both in our 70s. 6 sailings on Oasis Class. Over 50 nights including 3 transatlantic crossings. Oasis Class is by far our favorite. 

[luvbrady]

Also mid-50's one launched one still in college.  YES- are there more people, sure.  But there's also more space for those people to disburse.  So it all becomes kind of relative.  They places you would expect to be busy on any class of ship at certain times (pool deck on sea day, Windjammer on embarkation) will not disappoint and will be crowded LOL. As many have said Park Cafe is great- but if you go between 12-1:30 ish it will be crowded.  Go at 3 not so much....But just as you can find your nook for some peace and quiet an exploration of the ship will get you there. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

Only thing i miss on the Harmony is there was no pool in the solarium. 

[George C]

Oasis class is by far my favorite, entertainment is the best ( although we will miss jazz club) we normally sail in grand suites so having suite restaurant is nice and I like all the specialty restaurants. 

[deliver42]

Oasis Class is my favorite. been on the Oasis, Symphony, harmony, and the Wonder. It rarely feels crowded. Buffet at peak times, after shows, and royal Promenade when they have something special going on. The aqua shows and the ice shows are amazing, and most of their feature shows in the theater are very good. The only exception for the feature shows in my opinion was the Wonder. The shows there were, to me, not up to par with the rest of the Oasis Class.

[budmeister]

Hi,

We are in our 50, no kids, and love the shows( but not Cats!!! ) and variety of live music and the variety of eating places. I especially love sitting in Central Park with my coffee and snacks from the Central Park cafe. I get a lox and bagel there for breakfast almost every day and enjoy it sitting in Central Park.

 

I have been on every size ship but the very newest- Icon and Wonder- and never have a problem with the size or crowds. I do not sit at the pool though, or go to the bars or casino. We do  go to a variety of lounges for the music. 

 

Enjoy!

Edited July 13, 2023 by budmeister

[barb in ga]

We're a generation older than you, but have been cruising Royal for almost 20 years. Since Oasis class debuted in 2009, we've sailed that class 14 times, on all Oasis class ships except Wonder(booked on her for October). We enjoyed every RCI cruise, but we especially enjoyed the entertainments and food offerings on the Oasis Class ships. Plenty of places to relax quietly and as many activities as you wish to take part in. Be sure to check out the music venues all over the ship including Central Park at night.

 

We cruised Harmony last summer with my grown son, his wife and daughter 7YO. Everyone had a fabulous time! I especially liked the Aquashow and ice shows on Harmony. The staff was great everywhere.

Barb

[PhillyFan33579]

21 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Only thing i miss on the Harmony is there was no pool in the solarium. 

I am in my late 50s and D+. I prefer spending time at the Solarium, but don’t on Harmony since it is the only Oasis class ship without a pool. This fact alone makes it my least favorite Oasis class ship. However, I still enjoy Harmony and have cruised on her three times in the last year, so it definitely isn’t a show stopper not having a pool in the Solarium. 

[superduper123]

39 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I am in my late 50s and D+. I prefer spending time at the Solarium, but don’t on Harmony since it is the only Oasis class ship without a pool. This fact alone makes it my least favorite Oasis class ship. However, I still enjoy Harmony and have cruised on her three times in the last year, so it definitely isn’t a show stopper not having a pool in the Solarium. 

Interesting. I've never been on a ship that didn't have a pool in the solarium.

[jsf]

We are in our 70's and have been on 35 cruises starting in 1991, we were on Harmony in Jan. 23 and to us it was too big. I admit there is  a lot to do but we felt very crowded in MDR, thought there seemed to be little time to just relax. Maybe we were spoiled since we started cruising so long ago but I think we will try to cruise smaller ships.

[LilBlackDress]

We are also mid 50's, an empty-nester couple and we were Diamond on Harmony, D+ On Symphony, 
I didn't mind Harmony and Symphony. I didn't find it too crowded but I also did not spend a lot of time around the pools... The solarium and central park were nice places to just chill. 
The Broadway shows I could take them or leave them... I wasn't a huge fan of Grease but it may have been because both leads were under-studies 😕 
Loved the Aqua Show and Ice Skating shows! 

My DH Loves Oasis Class. He hasn't really said why, but my guess is the Specialty Dining and the Aqua Show. 

I am happy we did Hatmony before Symphony only due to when we went on Symphony. It was the 2nd sailing after the restart and there were only 1127 passengers out of a full capacity of 6400 I think. It was as if we had the entire ship to ourselves. The only time we really saw people were at dinner and shows.