Harmony 8 day cruise Nov 12-20 comments

[RJ257]

Just finished up an 8 day cruise to Labadee, Aruba and Curacao from Ft. Lauderdale. I am Diamond and Prime so no drink package. I was on Allure in April and wanted to compare the two ships. I had such a good time on both there isn't a lot to compare. Mostly comments so Ill keep it short.  I would sail on either ship again.

 

Ocean View Balconies on both but Harmony had the nicer room. Fresher and more updated looking. I booked My Time dining on both cruises. April Allure had 1500 less passengers so I had no wait at 6:45 dining time. My first night dining time on Harmony was 7pm and I arrived a couple minutes early. It was total chaos. I was surprised. People everywhere talking, complaining, a real zoo, etc so I did an about face back up the elevator and ate elsewhere. It probably got better but I never went back for my other nights. Keep in mind I do not cruise for the food. Dinner is my lightest meal of the day so no dining package. Even with many more passengers I never had a problem finding a quiet spot in the evening for anything I did except for the casino. i did notice however that Central Park with pool band playing was too noisy for me from 2-5pm ish. It's really nice there at night. My room was on deck 8.

 

It was Coast Guard Inspection day on the 12th. Rooms would be available at 2pm. I live within an hours drive and decided to arrive around 1:30. Drove right up to unload only my dive bag and parked in the lot next to terminal 18. Plenty of spots. I waited in my car and checked in at about 1:45 with no waiting anywhere. Did my safety thing as soon as I boarded and went to muster station. From there right to the room. My room attendant was great as they all seem to be. We went over my usual schedule and it all went well. I left extra money in his envelope.

 

I usually went out around 4:30-5:00 to Solarium bar and it was never busy. (except sail away day from 4:30-5 ish ) As a matter of fact the Solarium lounge chair seating was wide open every morning at 9-9:30 when I got there and again when I usually went back at 3:30 ish. You could literally sit anywhere. No hogging lounge chairs. Since tipping is a topic here I watched as folks would come up and order drinks then back to their chairs. Most had a package or were Diamond. Receipts were almost never printed at this bar ( Schooner and Boleros did print ) and almost no one left a tip. At the casino bar prime members never got a receipt and maybe half the folks or less would leave a dollar or two.

 

I had room service breakfast on my balcony each day. Room service was friendly, on time (7:30-8:00) every day and food was warm on days I ordered bacon, eggs, etc.. They usually called when on the way. I didn't get a spoon for cereal on two days so learned to eat cereal with a fork 🙂

 

The weather and seas were both good. Ports were great. The tram on Labadee saves a lot of walking. I went to Columbus Cove which is a personal preference. I took the bus ( number 10 ) to a beach In Aruba for $5 RT and then again in the evening up to Palm Beach area to shop and have a nice dinner. We were in port till 11pm. The system is safe, easy and cheap. I was renting a car in Curacao but weather was supposed to be iffy so I shopped and stayed in town. It was a decent day after all but did rain about 5:30. Should have stuck with original plan.

 

I don't remember all the entertainment on Allure but Harmony had a Dixieland Jazz Band and also a magician that was standing room only. I went to the Ice Show and Aqua Show which I also did on Allure. Good music all around the ship. I thought all were great. Casino much more crowded than April cruise but that was expected. Up some, down some then lit it up one night on slots and the tables. Such fun till the next night. Money disappeared at a dizzying rate. The last night it was all gold again. I could do no wrong. I do need a better strategy for my next 7-8 day cruise as there simply is no game in a casino that you can beat in the long run unless you are very lucky.

 

It was enjoyable cruise and I look forward to my next one in April.

 

 

 

 

[DonnaK]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.  WE will be on Harmony doing the same itinerary in February.

[NateUpNorth]

Same itinerary in December........ are they delivering a daily paper Cruise Compass to the rooms on Harmony... or is it guest services available?

Edit - apologies, extra questions if i may.......the bus to the beach, does it require exact change ($USD?) and approx how long did it take one way? Thanks! 

Edited November 22, 2022 by NateUpNorth

[RJ257]

7 hours ago, NateUpNorth said:

Same itinerary in December........ are they delivering a daily paper Cruise Compass to the rooms on Harmony... or is it guest services available?

Edit - apologies, extra questions if i may.......the bus to the beach, does it require exact change ($USD?) and approx how long did it take one way? Thanks! 

No delivery. You can request a daily printed Compass from your room attendant. The bus to beach is $2.60 US each way if you pay in cash on the bus. I saw the bus driver provide change back to people. However as you enter the compound from the street where the buses arrive and depart there is a small building on your left. A person is there to make change or guide you to the correct bus if in doubt. You can buy RT cards for $5. You just scan it as you board the bus. The trip to Eagle Beach area took like 10 minutes? and up to the hotel area Palm Beach was another 5-10 minutes. Short rides. If you are not sure which stop is yours just tell the driver when boarding where you are going and ask that he/she let you know. You depart the bus using middle doors.

[bretts173]

Thanks for your review, happy to see people roll with the punches when something minor like a missing spoon happens. Sick of the ever increasing trend of writing a page complaining a spoon was missing and that when they rang to say it has ruined their whole cruise guest services didn't seem to care but would send a spoon down eventually.

 

Glad you had a great time.

[tiffcruisers]

Thanks for posting! On Harmony this Saturday, same itinerary. Expected to be a full cruise. The more the merrier 😍

[NateUpNorth]

12 hours ago, RJ257 said:

No delivery. You can request a daily printed Compass from your room attendant. The bus to beach is $2.60 US each way if you pay in cash on the bus. I saw the bus driver provide change back to people. However as you enter the compound from the street where the buses arrive and depart there is a small building on your left. A person is there to make change or guide you to the correct bus if in doubt. You can buy RT cards for $5. You just scan it as you board the bus. The trip to Eagle Beach area took like 10 minutes? and up to the hotel area Palm Beach was another 5-10 minutes. Short rides. If you are not sure which stop is yours just tell the driver when boarding where you are going and ask that he/she let you know. You depart the bus using middle doors.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to give such a thorough answer.

[barbeyg]

We are sailing next May on the Harmony.  Glad to hear you had an enjoyable cruise.  Thanks for the review. 🙂

[as3369]

On 11/21/2022 at 7:34 PM, RJ257 said:

Just finished up an 8 day cruise to Labadee, Aruba and Curacao from Ft. Lauderdale. I am Diamond and Prime so no drink package. I was on Allure in April and wanted to compare the two ships. I had such a good time on both there isn't a lot to compare. Mostly comments so Ill keep it short.  I would sail on either ship again.

 

Ocean View Balconies on both but Harmony had the nicer room. Fresher and more updated looking. I booked My Time dining on both cruises. April Allure had 1500 less passengers so I had no wait at 6:45 dining time. My first night dining time on Harmony was 7pm and I arrived a couple minutes early. It was total chaos. I was surprised. People everywhere talking, complaining, a real zoo, etc so I did an about face back up the elevator and ate elsewhere. It probably got better but I never went back for my other nights. Keep in mind I do not cruise for the food. Dinner is my lightest meal of the day so no dining package. Even with many more passengers I never had a problem finding a quiet spot in the evening for anything I did except for the casino. i did notice however that Central Park with pool band playing was too noisy for me from 2-5pm ish. It's really nice there at night. My room was on deck 8.

 

It was Coast Guard Inspection day on the 12th. Rooms would be available at 2pm. I live within an hours drive and decided to arrive around 1:30. Drove right up to unload only my dive bag and parked in the lot next to terminal 18. Plenty of spots. I waited in my car and checked in at about 1:45 with no waiting anywhere. Did my safety thing as soon as I boarded and went to muster station. From there right to the room. My room attendant was great as they all seem to be. We went over my usual schedule and it all went well. I left extra money in his envelope.

 

I usually went out around 4:30-5:00 to Solarium bar and it was never busy. (except sail away day from 4:30-5 ish ) As a matter of fact the Solarium lounge chair seating was wide open every morning at 9-9:30 when I got there and again when I usually went back at 3:30 ish. You could literally sit anywhere. No hogging lounge chairs. Since tipping is a topic here I watched as folks would come up and order drinks then back to their chairs. Most had a package or were Diamond. Receipts were almost never printed at this bar ( Schooner and Boleros did print ) and almost no one left a tip. At the casino bar prime members never got a receipt and maybe half the folks or less would leave a dollar or two.

 

I had room service breakfast on my balcony each day. Room service was friendly, on time (7:30-8:00) every day and food was warm on days I ordered bacon, eggs, etc.. They usually called when on the way. I didn't get a spoon for cereal on two days so learned to eat cereal with a fork 🙂

 

The weather and seas were both good. Ports were great. The tram on Labadee saves a lot of walking. I went to Columbus Cove which is a personal preference. I took the bus ( number 10 ) to a beach In Aruba for $5 RT and then again in the evening up to Palm Beach area to shop and have a nice dinner. We were in port till 11pm. The system is safe, easy and cheap. I was renting a car in Curacao but weather was supposed to be iffy so I shopped and stayed in town. It was a decent day after all but did rain about 5:30. Should have stuck with original plan.

 

I don't remember all the entertainment on Allure but Harmony had a Dixieland Jazz Band and also a magician that was standing room only. I went to the Ice Show and Aqua Show which I also did on Allure. Good music all around the ship. I thought all were great. Casino much more crowded than April cruise but that was expected. Up some, down some then lit it up one night on slots and the tables. Such fun till the next night. Money disappeared at a dizzying rate. The last night it was all gold again. I could do no wrong. I do need a better strategy for my next 7-8 day cruise as there simply is no game in a casino that you can beat in the long run unless you are very lucky.

 

It was enjoyable cruise and I look forward to my next one in April.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your review.. We set sail in January same itinerary so this has been very helpful!

[RJ257]

9 hours ago, tiffcruisers said:

Thanks for posting! On Harmony this Saturday, same itinerary. Expected to be a full cruise. The more the merrier 😍

I heard it will be more people for your cruise and more children. Have a great trip!

[FlGoodShips]

This will be our very 1st cruise. Jan 7th.

Checked in online today, but could not do entertainment. Does that come later...a little closer to cruise?

Also, any other suggestions, help with activities, games,etc would be appreciated.

Thank you.

p.s. we have a central park balcony.

[Peachy59]

44 minutes ago, RJ257 said:

I heard it will be more people for your cruise and more children. Have a great trip!

Noooo! Ha! How did you hear that? Will be on that sailing.

[RJ257]

37 minutes ago, Peachy59 said:

Noooo! Ha! How did you hear that? Will be on that sailing.

My attendant had a security meeting last Friday or Saturday morning? He was told bookings were up for coming cruises. He  said "next week" so that could be now or the cruise that starts on the 26th. Sorry I didn't think to ask specifics other than 7000 expected.

[mom2bcr]

On 11/21/2022 at 8:34 PM, RJ257 said:

I had room service breakfast on my balcony each day. Room service was friendly, on time (7:30-8:00) every day and food was warm on days I ordered bacon, eggs, etc..

How much did you tip each day for this?  We haven't cruised in a while and I want to make sure we tip appropriately~Thanks!

[RJ257]

5 hours ago, mom2bcr said:

How much did you tip each day for this?  We haven't cruised in a while and I want to make sure we tip appropriately~Thanks!

As a single I gave them a couple dollars and that's fine. Maybe another dollar or two as a couple. They were all so pleasant!

[MightyMike]

Good review. We tried to get on Harmony for next spring but were bumped to Wonder instead.

[mom2mybugs]

On 11/23/2022 at 1:10 PM, RJ257 said:

My attendant had a security meeting last Friday or Saturday morning? He was told bookings were up for coming cruises. He  said "next week" so that could be now or the cruise that starts on the 26th. Sorry I didn't think to ask specifics other than 7000 expected.

I’m on the dec 31 cruise and I expect with all the kids and teens, the ship will be packed! Jane

[Katems75]

2 hours ago, MightyMike said:

Good review. We tried to get on Harmony for next spring but were bumped to Wonder instead.

How does one get bumped?  Did you actually book Harmony and then RC called you and said you were now on Wonder??  How/why?? Did you have any say in the matter?

[DaKahuna]

 Thank you for your comments.  We are sailing the same itinerary on Harmony in February. 

 

 

[MightyMike]

6 hours ago, Katems75 said:

How does one get bumped?  Did you actually book Harmony and then RC called you and said you were now on Wonder??  How/why?? Did you have any say in the matter?

 

Basically, yes. Wonder was originally planned for Asia. They moved her to Florida and she took over all of Harmony's itineraries. Then Harmony was moved to Fort Lauderdale.

[RJ257]

21 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

I’m on the dec 31 cruise and I expect with all the kids and teens, the ship will be packed! Jane

Could be. Depends on when they have to be back in school. I do also cruise in the spring but research Easter and spring breaks of colleges before booking.

Edited November 29, 2022 by RJ257

[mom2mybugs]

3 minutes ago, RJ257 said:

Could be. Depends on when they have to be back in school. I do also cruise in the spring but research Easter and spring breaks of colleges before booking.

I'm a teacher in Illinois... It's mostly be back on January 9, but true, some schools will be back Jan 2.  It's a goofy year but I'm prepped for crowded.  Jane

[RJ257]

5 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said:

I'm a teacher in Illinois... It's mostly be back on January 9, but true, some schools will be back Jan 2.  It's a goofy year but I'm prepped for crowded.  Jane

It will be a good time! Enjoy.

[Sass4]

Do you recall what side the ship docked on in Aruba and CURACAO? Starboard or Port?

[RJ257]

Starboard I believe.

Edited December 5, 2022 by RJ257