Dec 9th Harmony of the Seas Review

[Punchy]

A quick review of the Harmony of the Seas review:

 

Background: Me 39, the boss is 41. Our 2 kids stayed back in Minnesota with Grandma and Grandpa so it was truly a vacation. I enjoy land based vacations much more than cruising but the local casino gave me a "free" cruise and the schedule worked out right for family babysitting so away we went. First cruise on Royal so no status to brag about or expectations.

 

Travel: MSP-ATL-FLL. Flight from ATL to FLL got canceled due to the snow storm in ATL. We had to rent a car and drive from ATL to FLL starting at 2AM. We couldn't get our checked baggage back so did a Walmart run for vacation clothes. The good news is that Delta was able to get our bags to meet up with the ship in Jamaica on Day 4. One travel tip. If you are attempting to rent a one way one day car rental and they say all are gone, change your rental search to 1 week instead of 1 day. You will get a discount returning the car early but still will be pricy but will get you out of the airport.

 

Embarkation: Took about 30mins as we arrived at the cruise port at 1:15pm.

 

Cabin/Room: We had 6692, bed by the balcony. Great location for doing many activities on decks 4-8. Going to the pool was only slightly annoying but if you don't plan on much pool time this is a great deck.

 

Food: We did the ultimate dinning package so hit all the specialty restaurants. Our favorites in order:

1. 150 Central Park
   
2. Chops
   
3. Jamies
   
4. Sabor
   
5. Izumis
   

Other Food: We tried breakfast at Johnny Rockets, Room Service, Main Dining Room, Vitality Café, Solarium Bistro, Wind Jammer, Park Café and Café Promenade. I can say that there isn't a whole lot of change between any of them and in general the breakfast food is bad to average. I would stick with room service cereal and café promenade specialty coffees for breakfast. Other food on the buffets, Dog House and small bites were disappointing but edible.

 

Activities: Water slides were great, Abyss was good to do once, its bumpy. All the shows were of surprisingly good quality. I was expecting your bad cruise ship entertainment but everything was good. Casinos always have a happy vibe or a sad vibe depending on the people playing. This was a sad vibe Casino, I was looking around for anyone happy just to join a table and not one smiling face in the joint.

 

Overall: I still prefer land based vacations but was able to do a balcony with the drink package and dining package for under $1,500 for both the wife and I so it was a tremendous value. While I don't prefer cruising as a vacation, Cruise Critic is some of the best entertainment in the world. Just to poke the bear that is cruise critic: I saved loungers on the deck, removed auto-tips, crowded onto elevators, saved seats in the theater, shared the drink package, bragged about my status (or lack there of), snuck into the diamond lounge(really did do this) and smoked on the balcony. Have at me :cool:

[Punchy]

Ports: Labadee just sat on the Columbus Cove Beach, very nice beach day, food was terrible at the port. Jamaica was rainy didn't get off the boat. Cozumel had lunch at La Chosa Cozumel very good. Visited some friends on the island and got back on the boat.

 

Also I smuggled alcohol on board forget that one, even with the drink package.

[iujen94]

A quick review of the Harmony of the Seas review:

 

 

 

 

While I don't prefer cruising as a vacation, Cruise Critic is some of the best entertainment in the world. Just to poke the bear that is cruise critic: I saved loungers on the deck, removed auto-tips, crowded onto elevators, saved seats in the theater, shared the drink package, bragged about my status (or lack there of), snuck into the diamond lounge(really did do this) and smoked on the balcony. Have at me :cool:

 

 

Don't forget to mention - I'm sure you wore shorts and a ratty t-shirt on formal night! [emoji23][emoji23]

 

 

 

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[Clarea]

... I saved loungers on the deck, removed auto-tips, crowded onto elevators, saved seats in the theater, shared the drink package, bragged about my status (or lack there of), snuck into the diamond lounge(really did do this) and smoked on the balcony. Have at me :cool:

 

Sound like you had a great time!:)

[Keith1010]

Although you prefer the land based vacations glad you enjoyed the cruise.

 

Happy Holidays.

 

Keith

[easyboy]

Good to know you got the car rental!

 

 

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[poncho1973]

Don't forget to mention - I'm sure you wore shorts and a ratty t-shirt on formal night! [emoji23][emoji23]

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Hairy legs at dinner put me off the feed! (see sig below)

[Pratique]

Glad to hear that Delta was eventually able to get your bags to you, and that you had a good cruise. I was on hold with Delta for six hours after they canceled my flight home due to the snow in ATL. Thank goodness for VOOM I was able to make alternate travel arrangements from the ship before we got back to Florida.

[molsonschooner]

Sound like you had a great time!:)

Sounds like he has a great sense of humour.

[Husky1987]

Just to poke the bear that is cruise critic: I saved loungers on the deck, removed auto-tips, crowded onto elevators, saved seats in the theater, shared the drink package, bragged about my status (or lack there of), snuck into the diamond lounge(really did do this) and smoked on the balcony. Have at me :cool:

 

 

Thanks for the great report. Since you made it through the week unscathed, I shall follow your lead and do all the same on the Harmony next month. ;)