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Harmony of the Seas Tips and Casino Slot review

lattegirl10

By lattegirl10,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Mrsinsyder

Mrsinsyder

Posted
Posted
I don't want to take the thread off topic' date=' but here goes anyway . . . :rolleyes:

 

I would really like to hear your thoughts about your NCL cruises vs. Harmony, Oasis or Allure. We've done Princess and RCL, but never NCL and I find myself wondering whether it would be a good alternative. I know there are lots of reviews elsewhere, but would appreciate your thoughts --- pro's and con's of each. We enjoy the size, activities, entertainment and specialty dining of the Oasis class; how do you think the NCL ships compare? Thanks.:)[/quote']

 

Not OP, but I've sailed on NCL many times (and RCI). We found our recent sailing on NCL to be overall superior to the experience on Allure. However, if you like the size of Oasis, NCL won't compare. Overall, the MDR food was better, and the speciality food was MUCH better on NCL. The shows were a higher quality, though not as 'gimmicky' as NCL. Then again, we thought Blue Planet was absolutely ridiculous, while a lot of people like it. Activities between the two probably gives a nod to RCI; we found there was more going on with our Allure sailing - we found ourselves more often 'bored' on NCL than we did on RCI.

 

Overall, it's a tough toss up for me because the experience on NCL is far superior IMO, but I like the Oasis class ships more.

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tlcpandb

tlcpandb

Posted
Posted

Thanks so much for info. Are the WOW band removable during the cruise or did you have to wear them all the time. Do they scan them for drinks, getting on and

off the ship and for show reservations? Are they worth the $5 esp with kids to not have to carry around their sea pass card? Did they stay on well. While swimming etc? Thanks in advance.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
Thanks so much for info. Are the WOW band removable during the cruise or did you have to wear them all the time. Do they scan them for drinks, getting on and

off the ship and for show reservations? Are they worth the $5 esp with kids to not have to carry around their sea pass card? Did they stay on well. While swimming etc? Thanks in advance.

WOW bands are removeable. I don't believe they can be used for getting on and off the ship.

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lattegirl10 Great Review Rare

lattegirl10

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

The wow bands are worth the money. Especially when guest services won't give you a duplicate card. We had a balcony 9540 and an interior 9541 that were directly across from each other. My husband and I had the balcony and the kids had the inside room. Since we couldn't get a duplicate card to access the kids rooms and vice versa, we exchanged WOW bands.

Edited by lattegirl10
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ravenjls

ravenjls

Posted
Posted
The wow bands are worth the money. Especially when guest services won't give you a duplicate card. We had a balcony 9540 and an interior 9541 that were directly across from each other. My husband and I had the balcony and the kids had the inside room. Since we couldn't get a duplicate card to access the kids rooms and vice versa, we exchanged WOW bands.

 

Yikes! My son and his friend are switching rooms my my sister and husband on our upcoming cruise. Not sure what to do if they dont allow extra key cards.

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ptf2009

ptf2009

Posted
Posted
Guest services. But one day one there is a kiosk in the middle of the prominade with one or two people working. I suggest you go there first.

 

Excuse my ignorance, but what are the WOW bands? I mean what purpose do they serve? After reading your "tips" we are looking so forward to going on HOTS in March! However, we will miss not having a pool in the solarium. We enjoyed going there in the evenings when we had the pool to ourselves! And hottubs are not an option.

 

Happy cruising!

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Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
Excuse my ignorance, but what are the WOW bands? I mean what purpose do they serve? After reading your "tips" we are looking so forward to going on HOTS in March! However, we will miss not having a pool in the solarium. We enjoyed going there in the evenings when we had the pool to ourselves! And hottubs are not an option.

 

Happy cruising!

See the bottom of this page:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/anthemoftheseas/already-booked/smart-check-in/

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Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

Posted
Posted
The Guest Service person told me that if they key in a new card the other card will not be valid. We didn't understand this either, since we have always gotten an extra copy.

 

I am just curious: Did you "push" this at all? Question the person? Try a different person?

 

That is just SO not true! "Everyone" gets an extra key when they ask. It has never been a big deal.

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SRQfireman

SRQfireman

Posted
Posted
Just off the Thanksgiving week sailing of the HOTS. This ship is amazing! I sailed with my husband (46) and two teenage sons ages (17) and (14). We have sailed Oasis, Allure, Disney Dream, Norwegian Getaway and Escape as well as Carnival Breeze, so my perspective is comparing HOTS to those ships. Instead of periscoping and writing a full review, I am going to give you tips that I haven't seen on cruise critic, and things that I wanted to know before cruising on HOTS.

 

Tips:

 

 

 

Obvious- Book everything early and before you get on the ship.

On day one, get to the port early, get your WOW band first before you eat, you will be eating all day, every day on the ship, so park cafe can be second.

 

While you are in the Prominade, walk by the casino kiosk and spin the wheel for free prizes. I won free drinks at the casino bar.

 

If you are an adult and you purchased the drink package, don't bother buying the soda package for the kid in the room, because a soda cup comes with your package. Especially, if your family aren't big soda people. The worst thing about the soda package is the big cup you have to lug around everywhere, and the majority of the kids and I'm assuming the adults forget the cup and leave cups everywhere. Besides, having a cherry coke from the pub "boots and something" is everything.

 

A little known place that your drink package covers is the vitality spa cafe. Its on the same side as Starbucks and you can get smoothies, coffee, protein shakes and if you want to be totally healthy, get freshly made juices.

 

Did you know that fountain drinks are complimentary at Johnny Rockets? I didn't, until day 4 when I ate there (Wish I had this list). I love free stuff!!

 

The Spa---- Bought the couples spa pass on day one. This was a disappointment coming from Norwegian Escape. There is only 6 maybe 7 hot bed loungers in the thermal spa area. When we were there, people were doubling up. We got our money back and enjoyed the vast beauty of the solarium, which is free. We really enjoyed this area at night and found that hideaway area in the front of the solarium that has the glass bottom.

 

You don't need sneakers to slide down the abyss. But, listen to the instructions, I skinned my elbow coming down the second time. Still super fun.

 

Ladies, it was not super cold on the ship. I wanted to know this for packing purposes because I get cold easily and I wanted to wear my cute tube tops and spaghetti strap outfits.

 

The waterslides are super fun, did all three. My suggestion is to do the yellow first, the blue (which is super fast and fun) and then the green which the toilet bowl one.

 

Here's a huge tip, I've noticed on most ships I've been on, Lunch has the best and most options. Instead of rushing and waking up early to catch the breakfast buffet, just order room service and have your coffee in bed or on your balcony, a slowing enjoy you beautiful vacation morning. Enjoy lunch around 1ish at the hot dog place or any of the vast restaurants that are only available at lunch time. Then you will be good and hungry for dinner reservations.

 

Add garlic sauce and/or pizza sauce to your already made pizza slice, you'll thank me later.

 

So much more to add and I have't gotten to the slot machines yet; let me know if you want some more........

 

whoa.........where are the beverage police at? Are they off duty now ? I thought they'd be piping in by now.......somebody know the # to the beverage police ?:D:eek::D

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Maksim

Maksim

Posted
Posted
Just off the Thanksgiving week sailing of the HOTS. This ship is amazing! I sailed with my husband (46) and two teenage sons ages (17) and (14). We have sailed Oasis, Allure, Disney Dream, Norwegian Getaway and Escape as well as Carnival Breeze, so my perspective is comparing HOTS to those ships. Instead of periscoping and writing a full review, I am going to give you tips that I haven't seen on cruise critic, and things that I wanted to know before cruising on HOTS.

 

Tips:

 

 

 

Obvious- Book everything early and before you get on the ship.

On day one, get to the port early, get your WOW band first before you eat, you will be eating all day, every day on the ship, so park cafe can be second.

 

While you are in the Prominade, walk by the casino kiosk and spin the wheel for free prizes. I won free drinks at the casino bar.

 

If you are an adult and you purchased the drink package, don't bother buying the soda package for the kid in the room, because a soda cup comes with your package. Especially, if your family aren't big soda people. The worst thing about the soda package is the big cup you have to lug around everywhere, and the majority of the kids and I'm assuming the adults forget the cup and leave cups everywhere. Besides, having a cherry coke from the pub "boots and something" is everything.

 

A little known place that your drink package covers is the vitality spa cafe. Its on the same side as Starbucks and you can get smoothies, coffee, protein shakes and if you want to be totally healthy, get freshly made juices.

 

Did you know that fountain drinks are complimentary at Johnny Rockets? I didn't, until day 4 when I ate there (Wish I had this list). I love free stuff!!

 

The Spa---- Bought the couples spa pass on day one. This was a disappointment coming from Norwegian Escape. There is only 6 maybe 7 hot bed loungers in the thermal spa area. When we were there, people were doubling up. We got our money back and enjoyed the vast beauty of the solarium, which is free. We really enjoyed this area at night and found that hideaway area in the front of the solarium that has the glass bottom.

 

You don't need sneakers to slide down the abyss. But, listen to the instructions, I skinned my elbow coming down the second time. Still super fun.

 

Ladies, it was not super cold on the ship. I wanted to know this for packing purposes because I get cold easily and I wanted to wear my cute tube tops and spaghetti strap outfits.

 

The waterslides are super fun, did all three. My suggestion is to do the yellow first, the blue (which is super fast and fun) and then the green which the toilet bowl one.

 

Here's a huge tip, I've noticed on most ships I've been on, Lunch has the best and most options. Instead of rushing and waking up early to catch the breakfast buffet, just order room service and have your coffee in bed or on your balcony, a slowing enjoy you beautiful vacation morning. Enjoy lunch around 1ish at the hot dog place or any of the vast restaurants that are only available at lunch time. Then you will be good and hungry for dinner reservations.

 

Add garlic sauce and/or pizza sauce to your already made pizza slice, you'll thank me later.

 

So much more to add and I have't gotten to the slot machines yet; let me know if you want some more........

Thank you for putting this together. Quick question: since you sailed on both Allure and Harmony, would you prefer one over the other? We are thinking of going as a family with kids and grandkids next year. Harmony is a lot more expensive and I like Allure itinerary slightly better. What would you recommend? Helen.

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lattegirl10 Great Review Rare

lattegirl10

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

There's a long counter where one side is "make your own pizza" with all the ingedients out and the other side, there's about four different types of pizza you can request that's ready to go. I didnt want to wait for my pizza to be made so I got a pepperoni slice and went to the other side and had them add extra garlic sauce.

Edited by lattegirl10
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