Notes from Armonia Miami-Havana Jan 2019

[spamwhiches]

My experience is limited to the Armonia sailing at the end of January so YMMV. I'm sure someone with more sailings or intimate knowledge may be along to answer soon. 

[NCTribeFan]

Thanks so much for posting the Dailies!  I've been doing some reading on the Cuba board and trying to make decisions on what to do in the ports and I'm in my usual state of "Paralyzed with Indecision." 

[Beamafar]

On 2/20/2019 at 12:03 PM, Dear_Maria said:

Thank you Beamafar for such a amazing review!

 

I loved it!

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this review and share your pictures.

 

I am off on the Armonia in 12 days time, and I feel really prepared. 

 

Again thanks 🙂

 

Bon Voyage, Maria.

[Beamafar]

Did they have afternoon tea? Any spa specials? Trying to decide if I should book before or wait.. Did they do a big buffet with chocolate sculptures and ice sculptures? 

They don't do formal Afternoon Tea (only in Yacht Club on other ships). However, they have a small selection of sandwiches and pastries in the buffet - the times varied between 3.30pm-5pm and 4pm-5pm.

 

No big buffet with chocolate or ice sculptures either. The only time I've experienced MSC doing that was at Christmas.

 

There were different Spa specials each day, except Monday and Tuesday's were the same. Here they are from Tues to Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Beamafar]

I thought people might also like to see the end of cruise offers. This may influence your decision about purchasing any of these items beforehand.



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[Beamafar]

16 hours ago, sailawaybellaluna said:

Thanks for this review! It was wonderful!

 

My husband and I are currently considering booking the Armonia for April, 2020, along with our two children. We really would love to visit Cuba, and this seems like a great option for our entire family!

 

We cruise frequently, but have never done so with MSC, so I appreciate the information. We aren't really mega-ship people (nor are we crazy party people), so I think we may enjoy MSC!

 

I had reservations about our first time on Armonia's sister ship due to its size.  However, there is an intimacy on small ships that's lacking on the bigger ones - it's a nice change (for us, anyway, as we usually sail on the bigger ones).

 

We chose this itinerary for Cuba, too.  Afterward, we felt that an overnight was enough for us in Havana.

[Beamafar]

47 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

Thanks so much for posting the Dailies!  I've been doing some reading on the Cuba board and trying to make decisions on what to do in the ports and I'm in my usual state of "Paralyzed with Indecision." 

 

I know that feeling!

 

I would recommend to anyone to do the Hop-on Hop-off in Havana on the first day to get a 'feel' for the place.  Then you'd have an idea of where you want to explore more of on the second day.  Just download a map beforehand as they don't have any on the bus.

Edited March 1, 2019 by Beamafar

[Beamafar]

10 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Double post!

 

Edited March 1, 2019 by Beamafar

[Nashna]

Bea, Thank you so much for your excellent report.  You have been so helpful answering questions and were instrumental in our booking MSC Divina for next January.  Cuba is definitely on our list of ports to visit in 2021.  As an American, it has always bothered me that our Country imposed travel restrictions.   I hope, by 2021, our Government will have changed and we are allowed to visit without the pretense of restrictions.  Thank you for the all the menus and photos.  That strip steak looked so delicious that I am serving one for dinner.  Although...it just isn't the same if one has to cook it.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

7 hours ago, Beamafar said:

They don't do formal Afternoon Tea (only in Yacht Club on other ships). However, they have a small selection of sandwiches and pastries in the buffet - the times varied between 3.30pm-5pm and 4pm-5pm.

 

No big buffet with chocolate or ice sculptures either. The only time I've experienced MSC doing that was at Christmas.

 

There were different Spa specials each day, except Monday and Tuesday's were the same. Here they are from Tues to Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

 

 

Thanks, I shall chew on this information and decide what to pre book. 

[Beamafar]

Nashna ... Goodness, thank you!  ... hope that your Divina cruise is a wonderful experience.

 

Believe me, the strip steak was really good and I was sorry I hadn't chosen it more often.  But, usually, the "always available" (as it's labelled on Med cruises) isn't very good, so I had (wrongly) assumed the same thing in this instance.  I will elaborate to say that this was my first US-based MSC cruise experience (I've probably indicated that already  🙄).

 

Those on here who are familiar with me know that I'm no MSC cheerleader.  Having said that, I do enjoy the MSC experience.  For me, the biggest factor is the international demograph onboard.  We've met so many people from other countries (especially European), some of whom we keep in touch with.  We will be cruising in August with a couple from Norway who we met on Meraviglia a couple of years ago.

Edited March 1, 2019 by Beamafar

[Caymus88]

Hi Beamafar. I’m considering a cruise on Armonia, but have a few questions.

1. Are the beds in the cabins king Sized? I noticed some were listed as doubles.

2. In the Y C area is there any smoking at all that would be considered inside?

    Allergic.

3. Are the entertainments ie movies, shows, trivia in English? TV programs?

Thank you for your amazing review. 

[Beamafar]

Hi Caymus ... thank you for your kind comment.

 

1.  The bed is actually 2 singles pushed together so I would class it as kingsize.

 

2.  There is no YC on Armonia.  The only smoking areas inside were in the smoking lounge beside the English pub and on one side of the casino.  If you avoid these areas, you'll be fine.

 

3.  They had movies in the Business Centre which, I believe, were in English. Though as we didn't go, I can't say for definite.  But they were well-known American ones.  (They should be listed in the daily activities' pages that I've posted). 

 

I heard Trivia questions being posed in English.  I don't bother with the TV as the English stations are usually only news ones.

 

Hope these answers help.

[Caymus88]

5 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Hi Caymus ... thank you for your kind comment.

 

1.  The bed is actually 2 singles pushed together so I would class it as kingsize.

 

2.  There is no YC on Armonia.  The only smoking areas inside were in the smoking lounge beside the English pub and on one side of the casino.  If you avoid these areas, you'll be fine.

 

3.  They had movies in the Business Centre which, I believe, were in English. Though as we didn't go, I can't say for definite.  But they were well-known American ones.  (They should be listed in the daily activities' pages that I've posted). 

 

I heard Trivia questions being posed in English.  I don't bother with the TV as the English stations are usually only news ones.

 

Hope these answers help.

Thank you. Very helpful 

[Bollinge]

Thank you Beamafar. I have read through your comprehensive report, but I wonder what is the freebie Black Card Voyagers’ Club meal, bearing in mind there is no speciality restaurant?

 

And do we get one freebie per week on a 14 night back-to - back?

[Beamafar]

You're welcome.

 

MSC introduced a Speciality Restaurant onboard Armonia for her Miami season;  it's called Surf n' Turf.  There is only the one menu and Black Card members can enjoy a 3 course meal there.  If you're B2B you will get to have 2 meals there.   The menu is in post #89 directly beneath the photo of the MDR menu for that night (sorry - I've tried to copy and paste it here but it won't upload.  Also, it's a bit blurry - the seas were rough on the night in question.  I've discussed what we had and posted photos from post #90)

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2631573-notes-from-armonia-miami-havana-jan-2019/?page=4

[Norwegian Cruiser 73]

Bea, you mentioned the "the always available menu", the beef paillard comes into my mind 😂 Haven't seen the paillard on the menus lately though. 

[Beamafar]

25 minutes ago, Norwegian Cruiser 73 said:

Bea, you mentioned the "the always available menu", the beef paillard comes into my mind 😂 Haven't seen the paillard on the menus lately though. 

 

Yeah ... I've commented on that before.  Even the salmon was gone from the menu on our last few cruises - steamed fish and grilled chicken were the only 'Always Available' options.

 

On Armonia, they had NY strip steak on the 'Classic favourites' which was what the Med's 'Always available' is known as.  I had it on the last night - it was really good - nothing like the beef paillard that you could sole your shoe with!  I'd always got the impression that the food offerings on US-based ships were up a notch from Med cruises;  that was certainly our experience on Armonia.

[speedyt]

Thank you for your review! It was very informative. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to our trip in May.

[tch912]

I'm late getting to this post, considering I'm looking at this cruise for New Year. I am enjoying the trip report along with the pictures. I'm sorry you missed Montego Bay because this is my favorite place in Jamaica.

Thanks again for your detailed report.

[Europe Cruiser 05]

Hi Beamafar. This is my first post on CC and first cruise with MSC. I, as many others have stated, really appreciate your very thorough review and your open approach for any and all questions. We will be doing this cruise later this year and I wondered if they offered any photo specials? I'm trying to decide if I should book before or wait. Thanks in advance. 🙂 

[Beamafar]

Hi Europe Cruiser ... I'm afraid I can't answer you - sorry.  We don't purchase photos on the ship, so we don't look at, or for, the specials.  I've checked back through the 'Daily Special' leaflets that accompany the daily programmes and the only mention of the specials is "Ask for our special offers"!

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Beamafar, we just upgraded from balcony to suite ( I know it's not a true suite) a s2 since prices went down... what's the difference on this ship besides more room? Is there a particular restaurant we will be assigned separate from the others? 

[Beamafar]

23 minutes ago, AerynSun_JohnCrighton said:

Beamafar, we just upgraded from balcony to suite ( I know it's not a true suite) a s2 since prices went down... what's the difference on this ship besides more room? Is there a particular restaurant we will be assigned separate from the others? 

 

Yes ... on this class of ship, Fantastica suite guests can enjoy MyChoice dining along with Aurea Suite guests.  The MyChoice restaurant is La Pergola, on deck 6.  You can also have breakfast and lunch here (check the daily programs as it's closed for lunch on some port days.  It's also closed on disembarkation day).  While the menus will be the same as in the other MDR, the service is better.

[speedyt]

Not trying to hijack or anything but I was thinking about trying this myself. What did you do to upgrade just call them and ask if they have anything? Thanks.