moqui_girl

You have no cruise control, it's like the Cruise's book themselves!!!!! LOL!!! [emoji12]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Hahaha! If only they paid for themselves too!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This thread has a lot of future and current periscopers Current LIVE Royal Caribbean Periscopes

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2359524

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I understand your concerns regarding heart surgery. My daughter has an unrepairable complex cardiac condition and has had 3 open heart surgeries with more to come. We had the go ahead to cruise with her last year when she was 22 months. It was a fantastic holiday!

I wasn't too concerned about medical issues knowing that there was a doctor on board. I know they aren't specialist but they know enough to deal with an (highly unlikely) emergency. We had to visit the medical facility when my daughter had a temperature. She had a ear infection which they treated and they were very cautious and considerate about her condition.

I would also definitely recommend a balcony. It was essential to get some space when the little one was sleeping.

I really enjoyed being able to spend time with my daughter and my husband without having to worry about cooking and cleaning. I wouldn't hesitate to go with her again.

(On another note please don't cover your little one in a towel when in a stroller as suggested by the previous poster - it's stops the flow of air and can make the temperature soar to unsafe levels)

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The advantage of toddler clothes is that they don't take up much room so I don't mind slightly overpacking.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

When we sailed with our toddler (on a 12 night cruise) I took about 10 "day" outfits - shorts and Tshirt mainly. I took a dress for every evening as she ate in the main dining room with us. (I didn't buy most of them. They were given to us and was a good chance to wear smart clothes that she probably wouldn't wear again). We travelled on P&O on that occasion and they have self service laundries so it was pretty easy to just throw some bits into the washed if they got dirty. She also spent very little time in the pool so one swimsuit was enough.

I think what you are packing will be plenty.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I, for one, would happily book a first sailing again. Our experience didn't put me off at all. I loved being one of the first people to experience a ship.

A few people have said they should have cancelled the sailing. I would have been devastated if they had cancelled the cruise as it unlike I'll get to said on Harmony again any time soon.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I was on the 3 day voyage. We had no real issues. I feel the 25% future cruise credit is more than fair for the majority of people to make up for the fact that some facilities like the aqua theatre weren't working.

If people had specific issues with their cabins or bathrooms etc then I think they should make a case and be offered a percentage back in cash.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We were on Harmony last week. There were very few announcements and the ones we did have were necessary and informative.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We had an email today offering us 25% credit from out recent Harmony 3 night sailing to put towards a future cruise. I believe those on the 4 nighter have been offered 50% of what they paid.

We had a great time on the ship. The main disappointment was the lack of the aqua theatre (and we also had sold issue with VOOM) so I think what they are offering is fair.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Possibly it is a money saving issue but to me it just feels like it's just poor organisation and unwillingness (or not realising that they need to) upgrade their systems to those similar to other cruise lines.

It's possibly not a bone of contention for people who always sail P&O as its all they know and they just accept it. Having seen the comparisons with other cruise lines though it's hard not to be frustrated because it can be done so so so much better. However I'll make my peace with it before our next cruise and just get a better plan of action together.

I also gave detailed feedback in my questionnaire about my views on our last cruise. I'll do the same next time too!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I agree, but apparently one of the reasons is that passengers have made feedback that they would like their cabins to be available when they board, so one of the reasons boarding doesn't start until a lot later than other lines, is that once onboard you can go straight to your cabin and will not be cluttering up the public areas like the buffet with hand baggage.

 

It is also worth noting that we were advised that we didn't have to disembark until 9:45 am, which I reckon is later than other lines, so staff can't really start preparing fully the public areas for the next set of passengers until after then. Although all passengers are asked to vacate their cabin by 8:00 am which is similar to other lines. This will obviously have a knock on effect on subsequent boarding.

I did notice that on the last day we were asks to leave the ship earlier with Royal Caribbean so that is a good point.

However if they had better processes they could get everyone on quicker so that they wouldn't be dragging it out and having people wait around so much.

Also they haven't moved departure times to reflect the later boarding times. We had a toddler with us and we went straight to our cabin and then to register her at the nursery. By that time it was time for muster which took ages!! We hadn't eaten proper lunch expecting that we'd grab a snack on board but it just wasn't possible. It wasn't the most relaxing start to the cruise. Next time we'll know better!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This whole situation is so frustrating! We boarded Harmony of the Seas in Southhampton last week along with 6000 other passengers. Photos etc were uploaded in advance. It took 15 mins from shore to ship! We were eating lunch before 12. P & O are seriously lacking behind. We sailed Ventura last year and we didn't get on until 4pm. It was such a faff with a lot of waiting around before we got on and a real rush once we did. We are likely to book Ventura again this year but I would only book P&O for longer cruises. If it was just a few days it wouldn't be worth the hassle.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Not to veer off topic, but speaking of slip and slides.... has anyone seen videos of people using the water slides on Harmony? I've only seen a couple of people on Periscope, but there was a lot of scooching, and not very much sliding going on.

 

Maybe a slip and slide ain't a bad idea!

You are right, there was a lot of scooching!

They tell you to arch you back a bit - to reduce your contact with the slide I think andgo faster. I didn't do that cos I didn't want to go too fast and I didn't have enough speed to get around the champagne bowl a second time so had to scooch into the exit [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The comments about lack of disposable income in the UK just made me laugh out loud!! A very bizarre comment!

In addition we, as a rule, have significantly more vacation days that lots of Americans. Just looking around at friends and family and to number of ships going out of Southampton, cruising is definitely a growing market in the UK. Obviously we have less people to start with than some other counties so we will reach a saturation point quicker. I don't think we are close to being there yet!

I'm sure some British travellers are frugal (I would call it smart) but you can't make a blanket statement about everyone.....

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We got off Harmony yesterday. It's a great ship and I wouldn't, in anyway, describe it as a mess! We had a fantastic time!

We enjoyed the solarium for what it was. If we hadn't sailed on Allure I wouldn't have though anything of it but I do agree that a pool would be a welcome addition. It's not enough to stop me sailing on it again now. There is still loads and loads of other great stuff to do.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Any pictures of Boardwalk balcony room 11313? What do those balconies have on them?

As confirmed by another poster you get a table and 2 chairs. However the table is higher than we normally have experienced on a balcony and would have been suitable to use as a dining table, which I thought was great!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Firm but comfortable, more of a memory foam bed. Choice of two different density pillows again firm and semi-soft. In our opinion some of the best we have had on a cruise.

 

 

 

Martyn

Our bed was a regular mattress with a memory foam topper. We didn't get a choice of pillow but I didn't ask and maybe higher classes of cabin automatically have more choice.

The pillows were good quality and comfortable. The bed was just ok. I slept well but mainly because I was exhausted by being so busy!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hi Moqui, thank you for your reply I do agree to a point but we recently got of Indy and it was the same problem when the weather was poor it was crowded indoors but once the sun came out the atmosphere changed and there seemed more room everywhere although the pool areas then got pretty full and the sports deck. I tend to think if you have bad weather it can be a little harder to find things to do because I guess the majority of guests love enjoying the sun and the pools etc.

I agree it's probably true of most cruises but Oasis class just lends it's self even more to outdoor entertainment with the aqua theatre, Boardwalk, Central Park etc. I noticed the biggest difference between dry and wet weather on Harmony than other ships I've been on. I've also said Allure in the Caribbean and it just seemed much better suited there.

Not complaining though. Having Harmony out of the U.K. was great but if I was in charge of ship schedules I'd put the oasis class regularly in warmer climates too!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hi, it did actually, the first 4 days were terrible and I had to speak to the Internet people everyday. It dropped out all the time and the first room video I uploaded took around 18 hours due to all the drop outs.

 

The last 3 days was good, download of about 4mb and upload of around 2mb. The other videos I uploaded, even though they were similar file sizes as the room one only took around 30 minutes to upload.

 

Thus did refund 50% of the cost of the first 4 days Internet due to the issues. Fortunately though on the 3 nighter I had no reason to ever speak to them as it was so reliable.

I can confirm the same. First day of the 3 nighter was awful. Dropped out every time my phone went into standby. I complained and was told that this is the service that is provided - I questioned it and asked for a partial refund but was (more or less) told tough. The rest of the cruise it was spot on and didn't drop out once. I periscoped and face-timed regularly and it was great.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You are very welcome Pharaoh and Clarea - it was fun to share the trip with other cruise nerd around the world [emoji5]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Any estimated time Starbucks will be ready?

I've not hear anything. The doors were blocked with screens so you couldn't see it. I did see (from a distance) when the screens were down briefly - it didn't look like it was nearly ready. I did see people working in there around the clock though so I bet it won't be that long.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I've just come off Harmony and honestly there is good reason not to sail an Oasis class regularly from the UK. It's a fantastic ship but you really need dry and preferably warm weather to fully enjoy it.

When the weather was poor the indoor area seemed crowded and lots of the "fun activities" (ultimate abyss/zip line etc) were closed. When it was sunny the atmosphere of the ship changes and there are lot more activities on offer to people.

I've never sailed Quantum class but I imagine it would be much better suited to variable weather conditions.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

My cruise is now over so I get knocked off the top of the periscope list (@emmasummerill). [emoji22][emoji22][emoji22]

Until next time.....

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I just got off Harmony. Not travelling in a suite, just a Boardwalk balcony. The ship is great! I saw hardly any workmen and those I did see seemed to be finishing up work and clearing their stuff away. I certainly has no health and safety concerns. We had an awesome time.

I'm not saying those that sailed earlier in the week didn't have additional issues but as of now the ship is functioning well.

The areas still not open are the aqua theatre, Starbucks and two of the waterslides. Everything else is great [emoji106]🏻

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We just got off too. We had a lovely time. It's a great ship!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums