HARMONY - tips and pics from 1st US sailing 11/5/16

This is not an in-depth review but just some random photos, impressions and tips from the Harmony's first Port Everglades sailing, the November 5th three night sampler cruise. For an excellent detailed and pictorial review, complete with menus and much more, don't miss happychippy's thread at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2417945

BACKGROUND: I'm 65, married, and normally cruise with DH and our grandson, who we are raising. I originally booked this cruise as a getaway for my daughter and me but it wound up being my first solo cruise and, for the most part, it was simply wonderful.

EMBARKATION: I arrived to no lines at the terminal just before 10:30 and, unlike happychippy, I literally breezed through check in (just the minute it took for them to stamp my preprinted Set Sail Pass and for me to fill out the health questionnaire). I then took a seat in my designated C&A area upstairs until the unorganized boarding began shortly after 12:30. I understand that at some point a severed communication line led to a long delay in check-in. Royal compensated by giving everyone free internet and credited my pre-paid voom stream. But I was onboard just enjoying a nice lunch in Windjammer:

No seafood paella on embarkation but plenty of other choices.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Around 1:30, they announced the cabins were ready.

CENTRAL PARK BALCONY 11643: Located close to the aft elevator lobby, my cabin was beautiful, modern and had plenty of storage. I liked it much more than the Oasis cabin I had. There was an outlet above the nightstand and outlets and USB ports at the desk. The refrigerator is just that, not a cooler, and was empty so I was able to place my wine and water right into it. The shower is slightly larger and different (the door opens outward) than the tube showers I've experienced on previous ships. I had no problems with water pressure.

Be forewarned, THIS CABIN CAN BE VERY NOISY! I tried to take a nap on day 2 but, even with the balcony door locked, I could clearly hear the band up on the pool deck. I couldn't use earplugs because then I would have slept through my alarm. So I just relaxed outside on this deck 11 balcony and the band sounded louder than it had when I was actually on deck 15 mid-way between the pools by the Mast Bar! It may have been because we were docked in Nassau and the freakish way sound can travel but others have made similar complaints about hearing noise through the boardwalk balcony doors.

The balcony overlooks the Rising Tide Bar and, except for partial obstruction from the support beams, provides a nice view of Central Park. I was a little disappointed to discover at night that there were no twinkling lights in the trees.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

EAT, DRINK, PLAY: When I got onboard, I had gone to Dining Hospitality Desk by Guest Services and tried to book Jamie's for free lunch that was included in the Eat, Drink, Play promotion that came with neighborhood balconies starting with this cruise. They knew nothing about it. But in my cabin, my free bottle of red wine (a St. Martin Reserve Merlot) was waiting for me along with an Eat, Drink, Play letter stating that I was also receiving an OBC of $30 which could be used for lunch at ANY of the restaurants or at the spa, shops, etc. Since I wound up not buying anything, my OBC got applied to my daily tips.

SMOKING: Indoors, e-cigs and cigarette and smoking is only permitted in designated area in the casino. I only walked through the casino so I can't comment on it. Outside, e-cigs, cigarette and cigar smoking is allowed on Deck 15 port side in two areas (one adjacent to the Mast Bar) furnished with adirondack chairs, tables and large waist-high cigarette urns. I'm an e-cig and occasional small cigar smoker. I found the chairs to be extremely uncomfortable - a complaint that was echoed by all - and actually painful to get in and out of with my bad knees.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Swell. Is that another form of punishment for us? I can't sit in Adirondack chairs, I have metal hips and can't get up and out of them.

ENTERTAINMENT: Royal packed almost every show into these 3 days with 6 production, comedy and headliner shows that required reservations; and they were all fantastic with unbelievably talented performers!

Make sure to reserve COLUMBUS, The Musical - while this original production hasn't received much hype, it is not to be missed! You'll recognize some modern day songs with campy twists in this fun musical about a distant cousin of Christopher Columbus.

GREASE - I saw the original on Broadway way back when and I felt like I was on Broadway again, it was that good! TIP FOR PARENTS: Be forewarned, Royal's version uses the original lyrics not the "sanitized" ones.

THE FINE LINE - this outstanding aquashow is very modern with a surreal theme. 1887: A JOURNEY IN TME - a fantastic ice show featuring an equally fantastic bubble blower. THE ATTIC COMEDY SHOW - comedian AJ Jamel had us all in stitches and I thought the venue was a good match. I was too tired to make it to the HEADLINER SHOW that featured a comedic ventriloquist. Escape the Rubicon was not open for my cruise. There were a ton of daytime and other evening activities too, including trivia, adult coloring, line dancing, karaoke, battle of the sexes and more, including just exploring the ship.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Swell. Is that another form of punishment for us? I can't sit in Adirondack chairs, I have metal hips and can't get up and out of them.

By the 3rd day, my knees were shot. If the area was relatively empty, I followed someone else's lead and pushed two chairs smack together and sat on the arms. I was told Super Mario made one of the head honchos sit in them on the TA to see how uncomfortable they were. Supposedly, they are going to see about cushions or something.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Were you disturbed by the noise in your cabin just on day 2 when the band was playing. or even at times on other days?

I didn't attempt the Perfect Storm water slides but I did try The ABYSS once - and once was more than enough for this old lady!I Once you've done it, it's not really scary and I personally didn't feel it has any repeat value, except perhaps as a quick way to get down to deck 6. I guess kids may feel different about the Abyss. For me, not only does it block the view but I think it makes the Boardwalk feel closed in.

TIP FOR THE LET'S CELEBRATE! PARADE - try to get a viewing spot in the open promenade area between the car and Sorrento's or you will not be able to see a lot of the dancing, etc. On a side note, Christmas apparently is NOT a holiday. It was conspicuously absent from the parade. Okay, in this age of PC, I can understand omitting the religious aspect by I still think they could have included some dancing snowmen or something.

SOLARIUM: Nope. No swimming pool was magically installed upon Harmony's arrival to the U.S. Still a disappointment for what would otherwise be a beautiful area. A solarium pool affords not only a way to cool off but easy access steps for those with mobility issues. Harmony only has misting leaves and hot tubs.

On the Harmony, the Solarium Bistro is free for dinner but reservations are required. The night I tried (day 2), it was closed for a private function. I had lunch there on day 3 but was disappointed in that it was just pared down Windjammer offerings.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Were you disturbed by the noise in your cabin just on day 2 when the band was playing. or even at times on other days?

Other than when I tried to nap on day 2, I wasn't in the cabin much during the day. Unless it was because of the way the sound was traveling while we were docked, I would imagine it would be like that any time the pool band was playing.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

FOOD: For the most part, I found the food to be pretty good. I didn't dine in any specialty restaurants (happychippy's thread includes a review of Wonderland). First night MDR included a new crispy shrimp appetizer and a tender filet mignon, both delicious. Second night, I grabbed a quick dinner in the WJ which mirrored a few MDR items including Barramundi (a nice fish) and rack of lamb (so tough, it was inedible). Third night, I was surprised by the lobster tails on the menu which also included prime rib among the entrees as well as Baked Alaska and cherries jubilee among the desserts.

SWAG: Royal made their first sailing from Florida seem even more special by leaving an inaugural present on the bed each day.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

ARTWORK: Seeing it in person did nothing to change my opinion of the rotating head sculpture in the Royal Promenade by Czech artist David Černý. I have never liked his work. Actually, I found most of the artwork on Harmony to be disappointing compared to the magnificent artwork on Oasis.

This just blocks the view:

Missed the beautiful carved horses leading to the carousel; just empty space on Harmony:

This is different:

DEBARKATION: Time from ship to shore - literally as fast as I could walk plus 2 minutes. My best tip to you is, if everyone in your group has a US passport, GET THE MOBILE PASSPORT APP! I left the ship around 8:45 and was whisked away to the Mobile Passport App line, literally wheeling my luggage past several very long winding lines. My only wait time was under 2 minutes and that was because I was blocked by a family that cut under the ropes and was trying unsuccessfully to activate the app. Security had them return to their line, I held my iPhone to the QR scanner and the agent waved me through customs. Currently, Port Everglades is the only cruise port to just now offer this service and, as it becomes more known, I would expect to find more people using it. You need to download the app and scan your passport into it as well as take a selfie and answer 4 standard questions. Then, within 4 hours of arrival (I did it about 45 minutes before leaving ship), connect to WIFI and submit info to get a QR code receipt for entry.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Other than when I tried to nap on day 2, I wasn't in the cabin much during the day. Unless it was because of the way the sound was traveling while we were docked, I would imagine it would be like that any time the pool band was playing.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

It would be tolerable for us then. Thanks.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Well that's about it, except for some random photos below and some final musings. Feel free to ask questions. If I don't know the answer, hopefully someone else will.

I found the crew to be friendly and professional. I had a great steward, waiter and assistant waiter as well as lovely tablemates. Most of the passengers were friendly and happy to be on this beautiful modern ship.

Would I sail Harmony again? If it was just me, probably not, and I'm unsure of the March cruise my husband and I have booked. With my teenage grandsons who would definitely love the Harmony, yes but only if the price was right. And currently it is not, which is why I also have the Oasis booked as a backup to Harmony for next Thanksgiving. Both eastern itineraries, but my Harmony booking is $1200 more and I just don't feel it is justified. Although it is squeaky clean and has that new ship smell. LOL

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks for review and info on passport app. I had no idea.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You're welcome.

And my apologies to all if you're not reading this through the Forum app. My first time using the app and I didn't realize that for anyone using a regular browser, the text would be scaled down so tiny because of the size of the pictures. Ugh!

~ Judy

Sent from my iPad using Forums

EAT, DRINK, PLAY: When I got onboard, I had gone to Dining Hospitality Desk by Guest Services and tried to book Jamie's for free lunch that was included in the Eat, Drink, Play promotion that came with neighborhood balconies starting with this cruise. They knew nothing about it. But in my cabin, my free bottle of red wine (a St. Martin Reserve Merlot) was waiting for me along with an Eat, Drink, Play letter stating that I was also receiving an OBC of $30 which could be used for lunch at ANY of the restaurants or at the spa, shops, etc. Since I wound up not buying anything, my OBC got applied to my daily tips.

The cups for the soda package were in our room along with the EAT DRINK PLAY letter. Instructions were to take the letter to Johnny Rockets for the meal and present it along with our seapass card. The letter was asked for by the server and we went during dinner hours on the last evening. Didn't utilize the rock climbing wall session.

Be forewarned, THIS CABIN CAN BE VERY NOISY! I tried to take a nap on day 2 but, even with the balcony door locked, I could clearly hear the band up on the pool deck. I couldn't use earplugs because then I would have slept through my alarm. So I just relaxed outside on this deck 11 balcony and the band sounded louder than it had when I was actually on deck 15 mid-way between the pools by the Mast Bar! It may have been because we were docked in Nassau and the freakish way sound can travel but others have made similar complaints about hearing noise through the boardwalk balcony doors.

We were in Boardwalk Balcony 11729 (last one on deck 11) and the wind noise at night was terrible. And you could definitely hear noise, aka screaming (from the Abyss) and music from the aqua theater shows. We had this room on Allure and didn't experience noise issues with the balcony door closed, but I noticed our balcony door on Harmony had about a 1/4 inch gap on the left side. I love the boardwalk rooms, so even with the noise, I'd still get it again.

Thanks for the comments and photos!

You have confirmed my worries about the Adirondack Chairs on the Pool Deck!

I am going to have to help my wife out of them and may even have trouble getting out of them myself.

I hope you commented on their discomfort on your comment from.

Thanks again...

Love the review, thanks very much! I have the 12/9/17 booked and have never been on one of the Oasis class ships. I booked one of the virtual balcony cabins and am trying to imagine what that's like.

Also, I have the mobile passport app but haven't used it yet. Thanks for the helpful info. I'm going to try it for my Princess cruise in January.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

You're welcome.

 

And my apologies to all if you're not reading this through the Forum app. My first time using the app and I didn't realize that for anyone using a regular browser, the text would be scaled down so tiny because of the size of the pictures. Ugh!

 

~ Judy...

I'm having no problem reading the text with a laptop Judy. Very much enjoying the review.:)

great review, we were on this sailing, not brave enough to do the abyss. Your points are on target.

We were in Boardwalk Balcony 11729 (last one on deck 11) and the wind noise at night was terrible. And you could definitely hear noise, aka screaming (from the Abyss) and music from the aqua theater shows. We had this room on Allure and didn't experience noise issues with the balcony door closed, but I noticed our balcony door on Harmony had about a 1/4 inch gap on the left side. I love the boardwalk rooms, so even with the noise, I'd still get it again.

Next October is our anniversary/family cruise and DH and I booked 12329 (last one on deck 12) and was concerned about the "obstruction" marking on that cabin. I've seen a picture of the view from the cabin you had and don't think the obstructed view was all that bad. As long as we can see some ocean, feel breezes, and check out the weather conditions, we should enjoy our cabin. Were you ok with the obstructed view on the other side?

We normally don't nap, so screaming and music noise should quiet down by bedtime (hopefully).:rolleyes: We, too, enjoy the boardwalk balconies and have another one booked on Oasis next March but that one is a lot closer to the elevator!;)

The cups for the soda package were in our room along with the EAT DRINK PLAY letter. Instructions were to take the letter to Johnny Rockets for the meal and present it along with our seapass card. The letter was asked for by the server and we went during dinner hours on the last evening. Didn't utilize the rock climbing wall session.

 

We were in Boardwalk Balcony 11729 (last one on deck 11) and the wind noise at night was terrible. And you could definitely hear noise, aka screaming (from the Abyss) and music from the aqua theater shows. We had this room on Allure and didn't experience noise issues with the balcony door closed, but I noticed our balcony door on Harmony had about a 1/4 inch gap on the left side. I love the boardwalk rooms, so even with the noise, I'd still get it again.

Yes, the soda cup was in my cabin along with the wine and letter. I thought the reason Central Park balconies were given a $30 OBC may have been the logistics of trying to squeeze in all those eligible for free Jamie's lunches on the 3-day cruise. I'm a little surprised Royal didn't do this for the Boardwalk balconies but maybe Johnny Rockets could handle the volume with a quicker turnover and more seating perhaps.

I've never experienced a Boardwalk cabin. I'm up in the air about my March booking. It's for a Boardwalk balcony but a HA one on deck 14 close to under the zip line landing. Just not sure about this ship for my husband.

~ Judy

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks for the comments and photos!

 

 

 

You have confirmed my worries about the Adirondack Chairs on the Pool Deck!

 

 

 

I am going to have to help my wife out of them and may even have trouble getting out of them myself.

 

 

 

I hope you commented on their discomfort on your comment from.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks again...

I can tell you there is no way my husband could use those chairs. Fortunately, he only uses e-cigs now but he still enjoyed the comraderie of the smoking area on our cruise last year. On the Harmony, people with drinks on the tables had to perch on the edge of the chairs to reach the tables or lean far forward for the ashtray urns. And regrettably, but understandable, a lot of people just gave up and flicked ashes on the deck while sitting back in the chairs.

Yes, I commented on the survey but I think Super Mario's complaint to a head honcho may hold more weight.

~ Judy

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you all for the compliments- I'm glad you found this mini review helpful.

Love the review, thanks very much! I have the 12/9/17 booked and have never been on one of the Oasis class ships. I booked one of the virtual balcony cabins and am trying to imagine what that's like.

 

Also, I have the mobile passport app but haven't used it yet. Thanks for the helpful info. I'm going to try it for my Princess cruise in January.

For your first time on an Oasis class ship, best tips are: make your reservations as soon as they open for your sailing, study the deck plans ahead of time, don't try to do everything, go with the flow and enjoy!

With the mobile passport app, just do all the steps but the submit whenever you have a chance rather than waiting until the last day. Then all you have to do is connect to wifi and press submit anytime within 4 hours of going through customs at Port Everglades.

~ Judy

Sent from my iPad using Forums