Live Review - Harmony of the Seas 2/18-2/26 Southern Caribbean

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, gowensricks said:

Greetings!

I know that you are in a suite, however I have a question: is there still reserved seating for Suites, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle on Harmony? Did you make reservations for the Ice Skating Show, or were you allowed in due to status?

 

Thank you!

Yes, there is still reserved seating areas for Suites, Pinnacle, and Diamond + for the theater, Aqua show, and Ice skating. 
 

Last night at both the Theater and Aqua show people without reservations were put into a waiting line.  Since we had reservations I do not know if that applied to Suite, Pinnacle, and or Diamond Plus as well.

 

There is also a large section of reserved seating for The Key passengers adjacent to the area for Suites, Pinnacles, & Diamond +.
 

In my opinion, the Key has devalued this benefit for those of us in those categories. Full disclosure, we are also Diamond + in addition to sailing in a suite. 
 

Edited February 21, 2023 by DaKahuna

[gowensricks]

9 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Yes, there is still reserved seating areas for Suites, Pinnacle, and Diamond + for the theater, Aqua show, and Ice skating. 
 

Last night at both the Theater and Awua show people without reservations were put into a waiting line.  Since we had reservations I do not know if that applied to Suite, Pinnacle, and or Diamond Plus as well.

 

There is also a large section of reserved seating for The Key passengers adjacent to the area for Suites, Pinnacles, & Diamond +.
 

In my opinion, the Key has devalued this benefit for those of us in those categories. Full disclosure, we are also Diamond + in addition to sailing in a suite. 
 

Thank you very much @DaKahuna. Yes, we will be sailing Harmony in May and are Diamond Plus and was just wondering if we needed to make reservations. Perhaps I will anyway.

 

Thank you for taking the time to "bring us all along" as I am reading every word you type. Continue to enjoy your cruise!

 

Gina

[DaKahuna]

Today’s lunch was in Chops and I am stuffed. The food and service was wonderful.  I was slightly surprised to see so many guest ordering the Steak Burger.  

 We both started with the jumbo shrimp cocktail. Knowing that they never get the cocktail sause to my liking I asked that waiter for extra horseradish in my sauce.  When my order arrived there was a small cup of horseradish in addition to my sauce.  It was wonderful to mix my own to my liking.  FYI, i used half the cup of horseradish! 
 

My wife ordered the roasted chicken and it was a very large serving.  I had my third filet of the cruise and it did not disappoint. We both shared asparagus and mashed potatoes as our sides. 
 

my Dw ordered the red velvet cake and I ordered the meringue key lime pie. We ended up swapping half way through.  I liked them both.  My wife does not like chocolate os she was not a big fan of the red velvet cake for that reason.  Otherwise she thought both were good.

 

Edited February 21, 2023 by DaKahuna

[DaKahuna]

3 minutes ago, gowensricks said:

Thank you very much @DaKahuna. Yes, we will be sailing Harmony in May and are Diamond Plus and was just wondering if we needed to make reservations. Perhaps I will anyway.

it was very easy to make reservations pre-cruise and I am seeing onboard the option to make additional reservations. I highly recommend doing so.   We do dinner every night at 6:30 pm so planning days/times for show reservations was easy. 
 

Edited February 21, 2023 by DaKahuna

[DaKahuna]

Before I forget, I wanted to mention an annoyance I have with cruising on RCI that is totally independent of the ship.  That annoyance is those damn Cruise Director and Art Auctioneer announcements.  
 

I do not mind the Captains once a day announcements but the last thing I want is for my lunch conversation to be interrupted by telling me specials in the spa or upcoming art sails.  
 

This is one thing where I have to say Celebrity Does it right. 
 

[George C]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

Today’s lunch was in Chops and I am stuffed. The food and service was wonderful.  I was slightly surprised to see so many guest ordering the Steak Burger.  

 We both started with the jumbo shrimp cocktail. Knowing that they never get the cocktail sause to my liking I asked that waiter for extra horseradish in my sauce.  When my order arrived there was a small cup of horseradish in addition to my sauce.  It was wonderful to mix my own to my liking.  FYI, i used half the cup of horseradish! 
 

My wife ordered the roasted chicken and it was a very large serving.  I had my third filet of the cruise and it did not disappoint. We both shared asparagus and mashed potatoes as our sides. 
 

my Dw ordered the red velvet cake and I ordered the meringue key lime pie. We ended up swapping half way through.  I liked them both.  My wife does not like chocolate os she was not a big fan of the red velvet cake for that reason.  Otherwise she thought both were good.

 

Key lime looks great will have to order that , we normally like chops , will have the UDP on our harmony cruise, like CK for lunch and breakfast but not for dinner.

[depplep]

I can't believe the art auctions are still a thing, but I guess enough people still buy.

[Engineroom Snipe]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

Yes, there is still reserved seating areas for Suites, Pinnacle, and Diamond + for the theater, Aqua show, and Ice skating. 
 

Last night at both the Theater and Aqua show people without reservations were put into a waiting line.  Since we had reservations I do not know if that applied to Suite, Pinnacle, and or Diamond Plus as well.

 

There is also a large section of reserved seating for The Key passengers adjacent to the area for Suites, Pinnacles, & Diamond +.
 

In my opinion, the Key has devalued this benefit for those of us in those categories. Full disclosure, we are also Diamond + in addition to sailing in a suite. 
 

 

So interesting @DaKahuna made that observation about Key buyers. For a fraction of the cost of suite or C&A higher tiers, one can bypass everyone else. I was never one to like the shows so much that I wanted reserved seating but for those who do, the Key could be a good buy because it includes internet and a few other perks for lest than 5% of a suite.

 

You full disclosure is appreciated and makes your comment that much more interesting. 🤫

[CruiszBug]

1 hour ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

 

So interesting @DaKahuna made that observation about Key buyers. For a fraction of the cost of suite or C&A higher tiers, one can bypass everyone else. I was never one to like the shows so much that I wanted reserved seating but for those who do, the Key could be a good buy because it includes internet and a few other perks for lest than 5% of a suite.

 

You full disclosure is appreciated and makes your comment that much more interesting. 🤫

I've purchased the KEY twice in the past. My favorite was when becoming Pinnacle on the Odyssey TA. No Pinnacle benefits made me perk up when I heard about the sale of the KEY on CC. Cancelled VOOM for about the same price. Didn't use the timed activities nor the show seating benefits. Just the early arrival and embarkation lunch plus the VOOM internet. Last day breakfast and escort never happened. That was due to the nightmare disembarkation for passengers and immigration for crew.

Edited February 21, 2023 by CruiszBug
Too many pronouns!

[Engineroom Snipe]

6 minutes ago, CruiszBug said:

I've purchased the KEY twice in the past. My favorite was when becoming Pinnacle on the Odyssey TA. No Pinnacle benefits made me perk up when I heard about the sale of the KEY on CC. Cancelled VOOM for about the same price. Didn't use the timed activities nor the show seating benefits. Just the early arrival and embarkation lunch plus the VOOM internet. Last day breakfast and escort never happened. That was due to the nightmare disembarkation for passengers and immigration for crew.

 

For the right price, getting the Key just for Internet service allows you to ignore the other benefits without financial worry. Should you want them, they are available.

 

I expect them to start charging more for the Key since we might like it. 😮🤔😭😁

[DaKahuna]

Do not get me wrong.  I think The Key is a great deal for tjose not sailing in a suite.  You do get Priority boarding, right behind Suites and Pinnacles, and the reserved seating may even be considered better than that for Suites, Pinnacles, and Diamond +.  I am just says to me it seems to dilute some of the advantages of being a Sky Class passenger.

 

[perfect match]

I’m enjoying your review very much @DaKahuna. Thank you for taking the time to share your cruise with us. 🛳

[CruiszBug]

3 hours ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

I expect them to start charging more for the Key since we might like it. 😮🤔😭😁

I think they have started doing just that!

[topnole]

10 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Yes, there is still reserved seating areas for Suites, Pinnacle, and Diamond + for the theater, Aqua show, and Ice skating. 
 

Last night at both the Theater and Aqua show people without reservations were put into a waiting line.  Since we had reservations I do not know if that applied to Suite, Pinnacle, and or Diamond Plus as well.

 

There is also a large section of reserved seating for The Key passengers adjacent to the area for Suites, Pinnacles, & Diamond +.
 

In my opinion, the Key has devalued this benefit for those of us in those categories. Full disclosure, we are also Diamond + in addition to sailing in a suite. 
 

Is there reserve seating for D+ at the aqua show.  I don’t remember that.  

[topnole]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 That is so true but I’ll never sail Star Class. I just cannot bring myself to spend that much money on a cruise.  I don’t need all the extra papering.  
No offense to RCI but if I get that level of personal service in a Sky Suite on Celebrity.  Do not need the unlimited sprciality dining.

That may be true but I can only express my views. Others are free to agree or disagree as it suits them.  My opinions are my own.  Anyone is welcome to agree or disagree as suits them.

Thank you. 
 

But the key doesn’t get you the SL/CK, the suite sun deck, etc along with the big beautiful stateroom. And the concierge can do a lot for you if needed.  Those are things we love about sky class.  I see your point on the key however.  
 

 

[DaKahuna]

7 hours ago, topnole said:

Is there reserve seating for D+ at the aqua show.  I don’t remember that.  

we’ve not been to the Aqua show yet.  I will verify this when we go. I was basing my statement on the reserve seat banners I saw in the theater and at the ice show that said all three.

 

[DaKahuna]

7 hours ago, topnole said:

But the key doesn’t get you the SL/CK, the suite sun deck, etc along with the big beautiful stateroom. And the concierge can do a lot for you if needed.  Those are things we love about sky class.  I see your point on the key however.  
 

 

I quite agree.  Especially the concierge.  Junior was able to get us a lunch reservation at Izumi Hibachi after I was unsuccessful at getting it on my own. 
 

We’ve not been to the Suite Sundeck so far.  Maybe I’ll go there when we get back from taking a walk around Curaçao today.  We do not have anything else planned.

 

It seem’s John y Rocket’s is extremely busy this cruise.  A couple next to us in Chop’s at lunch yesterday said they just wanted a burger and fries but the wait at JR’s was an hour or so.  They had the UDP so decided just to come to Chop’s and get the steak burger.

 

[topnole]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

I quite agree.  Especially the concierge.  Junior was able to get us a lunch reservation at Izumi Hibachi after I was unsuccessful at getting it on my own. 
 

We’ve not been to the Suite Sundeck so far.  Maybe I’ll go there when we get back from taking a walk around Curaçao today.  We do not have anything else planned.

 

It seem’s John y Rocket’s is extremely busy this cruise.  A couple next to us in Chop’s at lunch yesterday said they just wanted a burger and fries but the wait at JR’s was an hour or so.  They had the UDP so decided just to come to Chop’s and get the steak burger.

 

FYI.  There is a hot tub up on the suite sun deck.  The bar is 10 feet away.  That is a hard combo to beat.  Usually plenty of loungers open.  You should definitely go up there for a beverage and to enjoy the view.  

[DaKahuna]

We went for a walk to the Suite Sundeck after breakfast this morning.  We went through the Solarium and through the Solarium Cafe. It was busy but not exceptionally so. People were seated at tables inside and outside.  There were about six people in line at the buffet bar but lots of open tables.

 

On the way back to our room we walked by the Windjammer.  There were about 20 people in line waiting to be let into the WJ.  It looked very crowded inside too.

We do not have any activities scheduled for today ashore. We are just going to take a walk around the Fort area and the DW plans to do some shopping / window shopping. 
 

We have dinner reservations at 150 Central Park tonight.  It will be the first time we have dined at this venue. 
 

[Tulsacoker]

9 hours ago, topnole said:

Is there reserve seating for D+ at the aqua show.  I don’t remember that.  

I don't remember any special seating at the Aqua for suites or D+  

[DaKahuna]

2 minutes ago, topnole said:

FYI.  There is a hot tub up on the suite sun deck.  The bar is 10 feet away.  That is a hard combo to beat.  Usually plenty of loungers open.  You should definitely go up there for a beverage and to enjoy the view.  

Yes, it is a nice looking area. 

[topnole]

Just now, Tulsacoker said:

I don't remember any special seating at the Aqua for suites or D+  

We got to the aqua theater a little too close to show time so anything reserved had been released, but I don’t recall seeing it either.  I was hoping they still did suites seats at least since we now mostly cruise  in that category.  I’ve never seen D+ seating at the aqua theater in all my years of oasis class cruising.   

[topnole]

3 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Yes, it is a nice looking area. 

It’s better when the bar is open!   😂

[DaKahuna]

3 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

I don't remember any special seating at the Aqua for suites or D+  

As I said, that could be a wrong assumption on my part.  I will find out when we go to the Aqua show later this cruise. 

[topnole]

4 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Yes, it is a nice looking area. 

I took my daughter up there for some daddy daughter time and she was in heaven.  Got her a Virgin coloda and we enjoyed the hot tub and a title lounger time chatting before we had to meet back with her two younger brothers.  So peaceful and calm.  
 

Then it was back to kids splash zone area and she went back to being a crazy 7 year old.  She was a perfect angel (7 going on 30) when she was up their alone with me).  Such is life.