The Monster Harmony of the Seas

[jakeil7]

If you are sensitive to screaming kids, Royal is not for you, no matter the ship size except for some of the niche cruises. 
 

As for elevators, I’d be interested to hear where they weren’t a problem. I actually kind of liked it. Forced me to exercise. 😁

[Midwestgal]

3 hours ago, molsonschooner said:

I don’t know if they would enjoy a smaller RC ships as I have normally found them to be more crowded than Oasis class ships.

I totally agree. I was surprised  at how not crowded Allure felt when we sailed. Smaller ships seem much more crowded 

[orkaren1]

This shows that it is good to review the ship well prior to booking.  By looking at what is offered on the Oasis class ships they are clearly geared for families.  A ship that features a childrens water play area, merry go round, climbing areas, many sports areas, kids club, etc. will be more attractive to families with children. WeT will be sailing on Harmony next week with our children and grandchildren and specifically chose this class of ship because of the actiivities offered for different age groups.  There certainly must be other ships or even cruise lines that attract an older, more sedate crowd.  I for one am 65 years young and much prefer the activities offered on the bigger ships. The last time we cruised it was on Oasis of the Seas and there were a lot of children onboard.  The children didn't bother me nearly as much as the rude, older people making nasty comments about everything.  To each his own.

[jndsilver31]

my wife and I have been on the Freedom of the Seas (twice), Independence of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas. We are booked on Oasis of the Seas in April 2020. We love the Oasis class ships, there is so much to do. In fact there is so much to do we keep going back so that we can get everything done.

 

I understand that these large ships is not for everyone, but it has been my experience that there are screaming kids on all the cruises. That is just part of cruising.

[Norwich Cruiser]

Totally understand Oasis class wouldn’t be for everyone.

But we’ve been lucky enough to have sailed on all on the Oasis class ships.

We enjoy cruising on all class of RCCL ships and have never had a bad cruise on any of them.

Oasis is our favourite class especially for the entertainment.

We also enjoy breakfast most days in solarium bistro and lunch on Central Park.

We've never found Central Park to be busy and enjoy our evenings out there.

The lifts have really never been an issue maybe a couple of minutes wait at peak show times but most are like that and that’s the only time along with muster drill they’ve felt crowded but all do then.

In peak school holiday season sure there’s many children they all have them then but again never a problem to us.

We’ve only cruised HA once after about 09.00pm we found everything really stopped for the night apart from the odd bar that was open definitely not for us.

[bilyclub]

5 hours ago, retdon said:

It all starts with having to drag your carry on luggage to a lunch spot along with the thousands of other passengers. We ended up eating hot dogs, only open seats we could find.

 

Check the carry on in before you board.  Or,  Royal will also take your carry once aboard and will deliver it to your cabin. It's called The Key, but it is a daily fee, which also includes lunch on boarding day in a reserved space.

[katiel53]

My thoughts are the total  opposite of yours, but you are entitled to your opinion.  It sounds to me that  you are seniors and are used to the, how shall I say it, nearly dead lifestyle of Holland America.  I say that as a senior who thought I died and was waiting for them to take me away when we sailed HA.

 

Unlike HA, RC is a family line and I am not a happy camper when kids are out of control or listening to screaming babies,  and I am sure your children, grandchildren and great grands never did.  My granddaughter has done so, albeit not on a cruise.  Her father just removed her from the dining area and came back when she was ok to be there.

 

I guess if my attitude were as negative as yours, I'd never sail again with family and stick to HA as even though my granddaughter is 14, I still enjoy seeing young children and the look on their faces while cruising.  I'm sorry that you have turned so bitter about children.  

I do agree, please don't sail on another RC ship as I wouldn't want to sail with you.  If I have mis-interpreted your review, I apologize and perhaps your can let me know where I did.  Thanks.

[John&LaLa]

I'm a big fan of Oasis ships, but kids can be kids, so we try and sail dates that historically dont have quite so many.  But that is getting harder to do lately.

 

Elevator issues are way overblown

[DustFSU]

A few things from sailing over year that I have learned especially on the bigger ships.  If the elevators are a issue for waiting for them, could be after a show or dinner time is that if you are try to get back to you cabin or another part of the ship, say you are at the front, just walk to the middle to the next set of elevators and it should be less wait/crowded.  You are on vacation and on a cruise, you shouldn't be in a rush to get somewhere.   I get some people are older and don't want to walk out of their way to get some where.  Another tip if you get out of a show just hang out in the theater for a while and let people clear out and then check out the elevators, like I said, you shouldn't be in a rush.  As far as smoke goes in the casino, I am not a big gambler, but I do like to play a little and also watch people play other games I might want to try to learn, but smoke is a little frustrating.  My mom is a pretty big smoker, but she is pretty considerate and doesn't smoke as much on a cruise and I just wish sometimes others would think the same and just not smoke in the casino, but I know it is allowed so I don't spend much time in there so I don't get really worked up about it.  But I have also found if you go in the early hours of it opening and not late at night you can avoid the heavy smoke times.  It's been 7 years since I have been on a cruise and can't wait to get on the Symphony in April!!! The last one I went on was the Allure and thought that the big ship was amazing and I didn't feel like it was ever crowded.  Maybe I've never had a bad cruise experience yet, but to me on a cruise for a week, don't have to work, don't have to cook, don't have to make my bed, there isn't much I can complain about.   Happy cruising, because I know I will be in April!!!! 

[DustFSU]

7 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

I'm a big fan of Oasis ships, but kids can be kids, so we try and sail dates that historically dont have quite so many.  But that is getting harder to do lately.

 

Elevator issues are way overblown

I agree with you.  I have two little ones at home and have been on many cruises before I had kids with them running around, but its usually in the area like pool, putt putt and maybe in the halls.  They aren't harming anyone, they are just kids and having fun.  If you want to avoid them there are many ways and area's to do that.  The elevator thing is just impatient people.  You are on vacation in the middle of the ocean, where are you in a rush to go?  Take a walk/detour and find another elevator.

[GarlicBread]

Harmonster of the seas! 

[MonikaJ42]

We were just on the Harmony (Oct 6-13) and we absolutely loved it! From our stateroom to the food, everything was amazing. We are open minded patient people and we know what we booked (2nd largest cruise ship, 8000 + passenger and crew) and expected some crowding (really only on sea days and sometimes at the elevators).  Plus all the comments about the kids, well they are on vacation too! No issues with the kids as the kids we saw were all well behaved.  Just everything on this ship met and exceeded our expectations and I just get so sad that some of you don’t feel that way.  Everyone has their opinions and as the saying goes you can’t please everyone but to us the Harmony is a beautiful amazing ship that does not disappoint.  Happy cruising!!

[Jesseslola2]

Ha,ha Katiel52 you are funny!!

 

We are also Oasis class cruisers, had been in all of them plus the freedom class.

 

We tried  Celebrity Edge, 25 of us. Loved the ship, the Infinite Veranda cabins and the food. However, there is nothing to do.. a few singing shows,  a few activities. The only fun activity was the silent disco.  Nothing to do after breakfast to the night. This was our 11 days trip in Europe. Good thing we were mostly out on excursions. Sea days were so boring. All we did was eat. There were lots of kids running around, probably bored out of their minds.  Mostly over 50s and lots of wheelchairs. Celebrity is trying hard to attract millennials, but so far not successful. I guess unless they offer what Royal Caribbean offers, it will be tough.

 

We are back Royal Caribbean next year  April on Symphony.  Can’t wait!

[Clarea]

44 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 ...

 

Elevator issues are way overblown

 

Disagree.

[MonikaJ42]

53 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

I'm a big fan of Oasis ships, but kids can be kids, so we try and sail dates that historically dont have quite so many.  But that is getting harder to do lately.

 

Elevator issues are way overblown

I agree! The elevators are really not that bad! Yes at times you might have to wait a couple minutes but you are on vacation so are you really in a rush to get somewhere!?  Just give yourself some extra time at busy times and you will be just fine! 

[Gelynia80]

59 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

I'm a big fan of Oasis ships, but kids can be kids, so we try and sail dates that historically dont have quite so many.  But that is getting harder to do lately.

 

Elevator issues are way overblown

Lol my bf and i are leaving ours at home and were hoping theres not a ton, but if there is, i at least, can tune them out. Also theres the solarium though i see sometimes kids arent kicked out of there.

 

Our next cruise though we are taking the 3 youngest. Idk if my oldest will join us, but hes an adult now.

 

Earlier i was wondering if thered be a lot of kids the second week in nov and remembered how many families i know who homeschool and can take vacation any time.

[molsonschooner]

23 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Disagree.

It sure would be nice if there was a third bank of elevators, and have them all working. I understand that there has been one elevator out of commission for a few weeks now. That would be vert frustrating 

[thrifty99]

8 hours ago, ryano said:

Yet another complaint about the elevators. 😞  This is a real deal breaker for me and Im glad I cancelled my Harmony cruise and took the FCC.  Hopefully Ovation is a little better in this regard.    Thank you for your review  🙂    

We have sailed on Oasis, Allure, and Harmony several times.  We have not had issues with the elevators. Only times we saw them busy were after muster drill, at gangway at some ports, and right after a show outside the theater.  Other than that, most of the cruise just a minute or two wait.  No different than the smaller ships we have also sailed.  
 

Note that we like to take the stairs for anything less than 4-5 decks away so we may use elevators less than some. If one had mobility issues and had to take an elevator for any deck change, I can’t comment on that. 

[John&LaLa]

18 minutes ago, thrifty99 said:

We have sailed on Oasis, Allure, and Harmony several times.  We have not had issues with the elevators. Only times we saw them busy were after muster drill, at gangway at some ports, and right after a show outside the theater.  Other than that, most of the cruise just a minute or two wait.  No different than the smaller ships we have also sailed.  
 

Note that we like to take the stairs for anything less than 4-5 decks away so we may use elevators less than some. If one had mobility issues and had to take an elevator for any deck change, I can’t comment on that. 

 

I've sailed them 25+, that's why I said the problem is overblown. 

After muster can be a zoo, and that might affect those rushing to the lounges for free liquor.😉

 

FWIW, I do have mobility issues, so I do depend on the elevators if I need to go more than two flights

Edited October 15, 2019 by John&LaLa