Switch from Symphony to Harmony - wwyd?

[nanseev]

For info:  We live in Southern California and are on Navigator about every other month using casino offers (Prime). Last year’s annual cruise was on Wonder out of Port Canaveral.  DH and I are both teachers, so we typically travel during school vacations and minimal/no “adding” days before/after.
 

I booked my annual prime cruise for this year on Symphony sailing March 2025 out of Miami.  Since then, we learned about a family wedding at Disneyworld in February, and we decided to use our second tier cruise and combine the wedding with a week on Wonder (since we are traveling from west coast and it’s only a few additional days off work due to our long weekend holiday) - so we are cruising early Feb and late March.  
 

After booking Feb’s flights to MCO, hotel, car, etc (obviously unexpected trip and $$), I’m now concentrating on the Symphony March trip. Holy Guacamole!  Flights are crazy expensive from CA to both MIA and FLL, hotels are $$$….its just a lot considering our added Wonder trip from Feb.

 

There is a Harmony sailing out of Galveston for the same week as Symphony. After researching, found that flights from So Cal to Houston are half of the cost (saving ~$300pp), hotel half of cost (saving ~$150-$250 or more because we can potentially save a travel day), and our upgrade from INT to OVB is cheaper.  Even port charges are cheaper (minor, but you get the point).  

 

I was on Harmony years ago, but have never sailed on Symphony. One is east coast itinerary vs west coast - but that 100% doesn’t matter to me as I typically stay on the ship and enjoy the lack of crowds.  I will be giving up Coco Cay….but my Wonder trip is stopping there in Feb, so I think that makes up for it???

 

I’ve read that Symphony is a favorite for most…but is it worth $1k extra, especially where I’m cruising the month before…and the money tree in the back yard is dry…lol?  

 

We will get the 3-day dining pkg no matter which we choose…and Navigator has Hooked and Jamie’s, so I get those pretty regularly. Hibachi will be one of the choices on either one.

 

Tell me I’m not crazy to switch to Harmony…

 

(as a side note, we also have a b2b Mexican Riviera booked for Christmas/New Years on Navigator that I’m still trying to pay for!  I’m cruising like crazy this year so I’m trying to be smart and get the most bang for my buck as funds are not unlimited!)

 

Thanks for your opinions/input!

[Twin Dad]

We have sailed both Harmony (twice in last 12 months) and symphony within the last year and a half. Enjoyed both and have no preference. Symphony is newer but Harmony appeared to be in great shape this past April. For the cost savings, I’d definitely do Harmony. Other than the price difference, in my opinion you can’t go wrong either way. Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Roatan (not in order) are the ports from Galveston on Harmony I believe. I think the 3 port days are all in a row which may matter to you. Have fun!

 

Dan

[PhillyFan33579]

I spend a lot of time in the Solarium when cruising. Since Harmony doesn’t have a pool in the Solarium, I would pick Symphony over Harmony every time. However, this is probably not a big issue for most people. 

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

9 hours ago, nanseev said:

I’ve read that Symphony is a favorite for most…but is it worth $1k extra, especially where I’m cruising the month before…and the money tree in the back yard is dry…lol?  

Tell me I’m not crazy to switch to Harmony…

I’m cruising like crazy this year so I’m trying to be smart and get the most bang for my buck as funds are not unlimited!

Personally, I think you've answered your own question. 🙂 For those of us who are fortunate enough to cruise on a regular basis, but aren't billionaires, it makes sense to keep an eye on the bang-to-buck ratio. Yes, Symphony is a favorite, but Harmony is also lovely and I'm sure it would be a wonderful cruise. And $1k in savings is not negligeable. 

 

For a once in a lifetime vacation, or even once every three years, it probably makes more sense to plan exactly what you want. But in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to switch. 

 

Edited June 19 by la_croisiere_s'amuse

[TeeRick]

I've been on both ships and they are for the most part identical.  If price and itinerary are driving your decision then easy choice for you.

[ajtaylor29]

We've been on both and they're both great ships. Just did Harmony last year for the first time since it came to Galveston (which is drivable for us) and I thought it was in great shape!

Galveston is a great port to sail out of too....

If it were me, i'd take Harmony and the savings!

[ocdb8r]

My thoughts will be a bit contrary:

 

1) Symphony is one of our favorite ships.  I don't think we'd balk at a Harmony cruise, but all other things equal, I would prefer Symphony;

 

2) While Galveston as a port is great, getting from IAH to Galveston is a lot harder and more costly than MIA to Port Miami.  We do not like the extra time and cost, unless we have another reason to be in the Houston area;  I understand time is in your favor coming from CA and it appears cost is as well....but just be prepared for a different experience;

 

3) While hotel and airfare now seems quite a bit more expensive, it's still quite a ways out.  Any chance you might consider waiting until closer to final payment time to make a decision?

[OCSC Mike]

Save the $1000.

[leaveitallbehind]

10 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I spend a lot of time in the Solarium when cruising. Since Harmony doesn’t have a pool in the Solarium, I would pick Symphony over Harmony every time. However, this is probably not a big issue for most people. 

Ship to ship, I actually agree with you and never understood what I consider to be a design flaw with Harmony with the respect to the lack of pool in the Solarium.  Strange as it may sound to others, I agree with you and avoid booking Harmony as a result. Symphony also is one of our favorite Oasis class ships anyway and would win that discussion just for that.

Edited June 19 by leaveitallbehind

[leaveitallbehind]

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

I've been on both ships and they are for the most part identical.

For the most part, with IMO a big exception as pointed out previously, with the lack of pool in Harmony's Solarium.  That and we also like Hooked which is not on Harmony, and don't like Jamie's, which is on Harmony. Probably nit picking to many, but to us sometimes the small things make all the difference.

Edited June 19 by leaveitallbehind

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

10 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I spend a lot of time in the Solarium when cruising. Since Harmony doesn’t have a pool in the Solarium, I would pick Symphony over Harmony every time.

 

16 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Ship to ship, I actually agree with you and never understood what I consider to be a design flaw with Harmony with the respect to the lack of pool in the Solarium. 

Interestingly, the lack of a pool on the Harmony is actually a plus for me! I also enjoy spending time in the solarium, but not to swim. Fewer crowds + more seating = my favorite Oasis-class solarium (Quantum class still wins overall). 

 

Then again, I'm one of those oddballs who frequently buys a photo package, never sets foot in the casino and only goes to bars to get water bottles with my Diamond vouchers, so maybe my tastes don't represent the typical cruiser. 🤣

[leaveitallbehind]

9 minutes ago, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

 

Interestingly, the lack of a pool on the Harmony is actually a plus for me! I also enjoy spending time in the solarium, but not to swim. Fewer crowds + more seating = my favorite Oasis-class solarium (Quantum class still wins overall). 

 

Then again, I'm one of those oddballs who frequently buys a photo package, never sets foot in the casino and only goes to bars to get water bottles with my Diamond vouchers, so maybe my tastes don't represent the typical cruiser. 🤣

LOL.  To each their own.  Agree completely that Quantum class Solariums are the best!  See - we have some cruising tastes in common.  As to the rest.....

[smokeybandit]

Unless there's a significant cost savings/travel savings on one vs. the other, I don't think it's worth switching.

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

41 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Unless there's a significant cost savings/travel savings on one vs. the other, I don't think it's worth switching.

 

Not disagreeing, just clarifying ... you wouldn't consider the $1k savings mentioned by the OP to be significant?

[smokeybandit]

3 minutes ago, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

 

Not disagreeing, just clarifying ... you wouldn't consider the $1k savings mentioned by the OP to be significant?

If it's actually $1k. By the time flights are booked, you find a hotel you like and you factor in cost to get to Galveston from Houston, it can be not much of a savings than when just doing cursory research.

[jcc1025]

 

We also live in Souther California and sail out of Galveston a lot just for the reason you listed. The flight and hotel cost going out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdal got so out of hand, in addition the flight options were reduced and it was so the travel times were not good. We also sail out of LA on Navigaor a lot but like the Caribbean so are on Harmony in a couple of months. We also like to spend time in the Solarium and at first the loss of the pool seemed bad but then after thinking about it the little pools there are usually so packed we don't use it much so think we will like the additon space and dinning and drink options in that area. Its always a persoanl decision and you will have a good time in either way.