Wonder of the Seas or Harmony of the Seas?

[Joseph2017China]

29 minutes ago, Lindanuf said:

Wonder has 1 flowrider?

Wonder was not originally going to the Caribbean, and hot weather.  With 5 ships, this was the cold weather version.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

4 hours ago, Joseph2017China said:

Wonder was not originally going to the Caribbean, and hot weather.  With 5 ships, this was the cold weather version.

Since the Wonder's casino is huge that's a hint of where she was originally scheduled to cruise.  

[Diver2014]

Go with Harmony. We’re on Wonder right now and not that impressed (other than we love the lay out of the Windjammer on Wonder). We were on Harmony in January of 2020 and found it to be more to our liking. Wonder is overly geared towards families.

[danoconnl]

In what ways geared toward families compared to harmony?

[renza]

1 hour ago, Diver2014 said:

Go with Harmony. We’re on Wonder right now and not that impressed (other than we love the lay out of the Windjammer on Wonder). We were on Harmony in January of 2020 and found it to be more to our liking. Wonder is overly geared towards families.

Basically the same ship with one less flowrider. They are both geared for families. 

Edited January 20, 2023 by renza

[Psychecupid]

Maybe this is too much and too late to do any good for your choice. If you went already, hope you had a good time. First RC, Harmony is fine. We just got off Wonder, and we went on Harmony around the same time last year. We prefer Harmony for its aesthetics - Swarovski staircase, people! That and the fanciful decor of Wonderland on Harmony were eye candies, but might not be important to your young kids. On the Wonder, the feeling is a more pared down, such as Central Park, which has less vegetation. Harmony had climbing ivy, which made it seem like a real park. Last but not least, the giant purple dragons that run down the aft elevators on the Wonder was an absolute eyesore!

 

As mentioned above, Wonder has a new layout on the upper decks - Windjammer is in a U shape, so the crowd could flow easier.

 

Food wise, Windjammer on the Wonder is surprisingly good, especially for dinner. Lunch can be very boring. MDR’s food is okay, good for lunch. The lobster size for Lobster night was pitiful. 

Specialty dining was fine - Hooked Seafood is great, Wonderland had lost its charm because the family style dinner got cold after the long explanation. On Harmony, Wonderland was spectacular in every way. Chops Grille was great. There is a weird tipping culture - somehow the waiters would give some free things and forgot to put a drink or 2 on the bill - wondering if it is to get more tips?

The shows on Wonder were the forte - the ice skating 365 was Olympic quality - this trumped the one on Harmony. The other shows are very good too. 
 

Beware of the photo studio next to the RC Photo area tucked in a corner up the Promenade staircase - they are individual and not RC - very scam-like. 

 

[Norwich Cruiser]

Harmony a great saving

[JustUs275]

2 hours ago, Psychecupid said:

...Harmony had climbing ivy, which made it seem like a real park. Last but not least, the giant purple dragons that run down the aft elevators on the Wonder was an absolute eyesore!...

I totally agree with the purple creatures being an eyesore...they made me think of giant tapeworms! 🫢

 

...As mentioned above, Wonder has a new layout on the upper decks - Windjammer is in a U shape, so the crowd could flow easier...

I really liked the Windjammer setup on Wonder, too. The only time we found it congested was at breakfast on port days. Otherwise, it did seem to flow really well and we enjoyed the food.

 

We are on Harmony in October, so I was glad to read there are some really positive aspects compared to Wonder. Thanks for the info!

 

Terri

 

[Twenty2020]

Edited, just realized this is a year old.

Edited January 16 by Twenty2020

[budmeister]

We have been on both. Definitely go Harmony.

[deliver42]

We've also been on both. For the shows alone, I would pick the Harmony.

[JP350]

Have been on both many times. For 2k go Harmony, it's never worth an extra two thousand dollars in the same class, and the kids won't notice the difference. 

[George C]

On 1/15/2024 at 7:45 PM, Twenty2020 said:

Edited, just realized this is a year old.

A year is nothing I have seen 8 and 9 year old updated , would love to see cruise critics to not allow anything mote than a year or two .

[TravisP]

The only thing I did not like about Harmony was not having a pool in the Solarium. Other than that, I loved the ship. I have not been on Wonder yet, will be on that one the first week of March. 

[pugmom]

Have been on both ships and for the price difference, I would definitely go with the Harmony! 

[royalmariner24]

On 1/12/2023 at 10:10 AM, Sigyn said:

I've never sailed RCC, but looking at an end of May 2024/early June 2024 Caribbean cruise for my husband and myself and our three kids, who will be 16, 21 and 22 at the time of the cruise. We'd get two cabins - one for the kids and one for us. Trying to decide whether to splurge on Wonder of the Seas ($7,700 for the cruise) or save money on Harmony of the Seas ($5,500). We'd be happy with either itinerary. I've looked at both ships and they seem fine, but as someone who has never sailed RCC, I don't know how much difference a new ship makes versus one that will be 8 years old at the time of the cruise.  The Icon of the Seas will be out by then, too, but that cruise is at $9,800, so I'm just gonna skip that one as an option since I'm sure Wonder of the Seas would be just fine if we opt for new and $2K less. 

 

[BND]

Having been on both, we prefer Harmony.

[royalmariner24]

The food on the Wonder in the Windjammer was excellent when we went on plus the Windjammer is newer and larger. The Solarium Bistro is also new on Wonder completely different set up. I love both ships. Whatever is in your budget . You won’t be disappointed.

[TheHawk1]

The Solarium is one area of major difference, with Harmony having no pool, but Wonder being completely enclosed, with only windows for fresh air. In that case, I preferred Harmony.

 

Windjammer is the other differentiator, where Wonder has a new u-shaped designed, which is much better for traffic flow and crowds than the older Harmony design.

 

Harmony is also getting a little long in the tooth (almost 9 years old).  If you prefer newer ships like I do and the price difference is not a consideration, then I would choose Wonder.

[gavvy]

Wonders Solarium is not built for the climate it's currently sailing in, we found it far too hot and no/ little air circulation.  There is AC but it was not efficient -  There is also a lack of shade on the top decks as well so we found it hard to sit outside.

 

Wonder seems to be more inward-looking - there are very few places to sit and look out, though that is a complaint on all Oasis classes I believe.

 

The Effectors show was good to look at but with a weak story and iffy singing.