crosby99

I probably prefer Allure.

The are a few extras on Harmony but the is something about the finish/decor I don't like quite as much.

That said I would go on either.

It is good fun. It was free when we did it! Sadly the is now a charge....here is my review and a few pictures.

On a tour how does it work on a coach with small children under 2? would they sit on your lap? Is that safe? Someone mentioned bringing a car seat, but would that be practical/possible? I didn't think there was a charge for small children so I'm guessing they couldn't have their own seat?

It is supposedly child on lap....However; we always had a seat on every trip we went on

I was booking our entertainment online and all that's left at 10:30 time slots. Do they do a daytime diving show that the kids can attend?

They do a different(less impressive show in the day)....Get on board early and you can get all times once on the ship. They only release a portion of seats for advance booking on cruise planner.

However; make sure you do it asap once on board as they will book fast.

If this is for the Ventura cruise in your signature, ABP don't do P&O...that would be CPS https://www.cruiseparking.co.uk/

I cannot help with a review of Cruisepark, but when we did P&O, CPS drive your car away from outside the terminal(after you have removed all the luggage) and park it in their park next to the ship. On return, you walk to the car park and collect your keys from their portakabin and walk to your car. Don't know if hubby would be happy with this, but we had no problems.

 

Simon

CPS was really bad when we did it....couple of hours waiting to hand over the car.

Found ABP parking for Independence much easier

Done 3 crises the last year, Ovation, Brilliance and just on Explorer now.... I've noticed a huge increase in the taste and quality of the food in the Windjammer. Thoughts?

Never been disappointed with Windjammer...never do it for dinner though.

Thought on jewel food was very good

Is there a teen curfew? Specifically for ages 12-14. I assume the night activities end at the curfew time.

It is 1am on Jewel recently and from what i remember on other ships...However; they do say if part of official activity then it can be extended...however; apart from New Year on a previous cruise can't recollect that being the case activities ongoing after 1.

Please provide recommendation if you should book Shore Excursions with RC or separately with kids. any recommendations. First time in San Juan

Just come back from San Juan very easy to do on your own. Free trolly/hop on hop off bus around old town. Kids had great fun...personally wouldn't bother with a paid trip.

They had something a little different most days, I did get a really good Egg McMuffin likes sandwich at least twice on Oasis last year.

The Egg McMuffin things are the best thing in Park Cafe...controversial but much better than the famous Beef Sandwich

Hi all! We are leaving on the Harmony soon and would love to see a review of their kids facility if there is one out there that anyone knows of! I keep searching and can't fine anything!!! Thanks in advance!

 

 

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My attempt last year...... need to completely rewrite it at some point to not sound like an advert & add additional photographs....was just learning how to use Wordpress at the time http://www.modernlifeisgood.com/2016/08/10/cruising-with-kids-harmony-of-the-seas/

Does anyone have experience of being dairy free onboard?

 

I have had experience of dairy free diet on princess and some of the substitutions were odd to say the least ie shepherds pie presented to me with no potato on top as the mash had butter in it!

after a few days it did get better after i complained.

 

Im hoping P&O are more organised.

Few years back on Ventura main dining room the was an allergy waiter. He was very good at sorting things out. Unfortunately it took us several days to realise he existed.

Buffet restaurant was not very good

16 usually BUT on Harmony last summer it seemed no rules were enforced including kids in the tubs....expect the same on Freedom this summer.

I've looked at a million reviews and threads and haven't found the exact answers I'm looking for, so bear with me if these have been asked before. We are cruising the Grandeur of the Seas in August with a 6 and 4 year old.

 

1. I've seen guidance to go to the kid's club upon embarkation to "sign up" the kids to use the club for the entirety of the cruise. Does this mean the club fills up? Should I rush to get there right away on day 1? You should sign them up first day..staff have more time to answer questions then. They did mention about possibility of being full on jewel the other week; don't think it ever happened; as the were lots of kids on board.

 

2. Are there books and board games in public areas for us to play/read as a family when we're hanging around or is this something I should pack? You will find some of both But it will be very limited bring your own.

 

3. I've looked at daily activity sheets here and there for different ships over the past years and can't get a feel for if the evening shows will ever be appropriate or enjoyable for kids this age? 6 & 4 probably not. I guess a 6 year old might like some of the musical shows but they do last around 50 minutes. We always use kids clubs at these times.

 

4. Will the kids club provide a schedule each day for my kids to pick and choose activities that they want to participate in? Yes will be delivered to room each night.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Here is my review of Kid facilities on Jewel of the Seas last month which should give some additional ideas plus the is a link to same for Harmony.

When I get my scanner working (& learn how to upload on wordpress) will add the kids cruise compass for the week.

Longer the cruise the better BUT I do love Allure

I would go for Navigator though

The slides on harmony are probably a bit too big for a 3 year old.

It is a pity they didn't add something between them and what is in Splash Away Bay.

The slide on Adventure Beach on Jewel was a real surprise as it is geared at younger kids but does have a thrill aspect.

The show Center Stage was removed when Grease went in. They still have once upon a time in which I saw on freedom as well and Invitation to Dance which I just saw on Explorer.

I saw Once Upon a Time on Navigator the summer prior to Independence being launched. Once Upon a Time has surely now served its time.

Wasn't the a 4th show as well previously?

Centre Stage was the best of the shows IMO and that is the one that has gone :(

Wasn't that fussed on Grease on harmony last summer.

They are bigger on Harmony.

Proper shower door instead of the tube.

We did it on Independence several years back. It was pretty good but not exceptional. It was the singers from the show doing the acting...they were fairly amateurish and could not really ad-lib

Since then we have done a Murder Mystery weekend and one on the Orient Express.

Having done professional ones would never do it again.

So, Just to give my two sense...

 

I am also quite a picky eater, but BOY, do I love Wonderland.

 

Its not something that I can or would do everyday, so I really try and make myself forget about the foods that I don't like, and just try whatever gets put on my plate.

 

We've been there twice now, with two very different experiences (menu changes, and such), and I have loved it each time.

 

If you're willing to really just try what is put in front of you without thinking about it, I bet you would like almost everything.

 

AND...the Terrior Beef would be right up your alley, for being a meet and potato guy.

Still one of the best restaurants I have eaten in on both sea and land. Very fond memories.

I have added quite a few additional photos to my review since this thread made its last appearance

http://www.modernlifeisgood.com/2017/02/19/wonderland-harmony-of-the-seas/

Suggestion to try Solarium Bistro for breakfast, we all loved their buffet and the atmosphere is much nicer than the buffet.

 

 

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Really liked it for lunch as well. Less hectic than Windjammer

Definitely have her go to the teen club the first night. They do activities to get the kids to meet each other, and lots of groups get formed such that kids hang out together informally for the rest of the cruise.

Our teen lover the 12-14 group. Activities are a sort of side issue from the "hanging out" bits

Agree 1st night is really important

On April 14th the Royal Princess will be visiting Grenada and I'm signed up for the Underwater Sculpture Park Snorkeling adventure with Grenada Seafaris Powerboat Adventures. I was notified that we need some more people to make this happen. It's s 2.5hr excursion to be picked up at the terminal and to be brought back there as well. Pickup is 12:45pm and drop-off is 3:30pm. I was told by friends who had done this dive that the water is calm and crystal clear and the sculptures are the homes for many fish and underwater coral. If you really want to take part in the adventure contact Grenada Seafaris Powerboat adventure. If you don't want to snorkel you can just swim in the area just off of the boat. The boat will also tour the coastline of Grenada which will also be fun. I don't work for this company but I am a passenger on the Royal Princess and I am too looking forward to going.

We went to the sculpture park recently on an overall bad tour.

Few comments not really water for just swimming in.

Water is crystal clear and sculpture park is interesting but the are not many fish at all.

Thanks everyone. I'll ask when I get on board. We did a cruise last year and the girls got bored in the 9-11 age group so hopefully they will let my youngest go up.

Our eldest(13) loves the teen club. On Allure last year she was just turned 12 that month...the is no way in my opinion activities are suitable for a 10 year old or would most teens want a 10 year old in their club....a few weeks/months short of 12 I suspect ok but not a year or more. Activities often merge and they will be mixing with up to 17 year olds.

Like both BUT Jewel is now my favourite ship behind Allure.

I like the whole feel of the Radiance Class ship and never missed the promenade at all. For the size of the ship Jewel really packs a lot inside. Biggest negative would be pool decks are a bit small.

However; I would go on either tomorrow :D

Yes works fine in cabin.