Not my cup of teaWay too big fr w

Item: Harmony of the Seas
Rating: 3
Author: nataliehansenrn

Harmony of the Seas Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

nataliehansenrn

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Barcelona Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 16, 2016

Ship: Harmony of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8329

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I was very excited to go on a brand new ship. Being an experienced cruiser in my young age we have been on 12 and was looking forward to the new. However some things left something to be desired. Why of course the new and beautiful was nice the enormous size of the ship was simply not for me. We had to make reservations for shows to say instead of just playing it by ear and going with the flow which is what me and my husband love about cruising. The service which by no mean was poor I believe there was simply too many people for the cruise. the kitchen especially at sit down dinner could not often keep up with demand. I did really enjoy Jamie's Italian restaurant. The white truffle pasta was by far the most amazing thing I have ever eaten.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Way to big for the way I like to cruise

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

3 out of 5

Marseille (Provence), France

5 out of 5

La Spezia, Italy

5 out of 5

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5

Naples, Italy

5 out of 5

35 Comments

zmobile 7 years ago

I just got off Harmony, no taxes at all during port.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

funtimes1010 7 years ago

@ Crooked, there is a tax on drinks while in port. I questioned it on my last cruise a few months ago. Has nothing to do with State tax. None of these ships have US Registries. Check the next time you go. If there is no tax charge, I'll buy the next 10 drinks for you. Lol.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

raymom 8 years ago

When you buy the drink pkg, you pay the gratuity at the time you purchase the pkg. No extra gratuity for drinks on bill at end of cruise!

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

raymom 8 years ago

Ive done drink pkg and was definitely worth it for me

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jwalker1742 8 years ago

Graham, if you haven't left for your vacation yet, I'd suggest going to the later dinner. My family and I have done it all but one of our cruises and we like is much more. On the ship, your eating schedule isn't quite the same at home, so from my experience, I wasn't hungry at all by 6.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

briarpatch 8 years ago

Reserving shows isn't a must. You can get in the standby line and easily get a seat.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

briarpatch 8 years ago

We paid for one drink at one of the shows nd it was $9. Bought another at the schooner bar and it was $12.95

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Hold up, you purchased the drink package and still had a tab at the end?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

kinjon 8 years ago

You will SE if you purchase the. Drink package for two at end of week check your bill and add on of app.200.00 for tips

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Ok. Im learning. Thank u for all the responses

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

mathfam 8 years ago

Gratuity is included with the UDP....you just have to pay the sales taxes while in Port...

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

hamblenhoneymoon 8 years ago

Yup

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Wait a min..... If I buy the unlimited package im still paying grat on each drink?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

hamblenhoneymoon 8 years ago

You do have to pay the gratuity for each drink though

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

tmunzert 8 years ago

I will Pay attention tomorrow when I get on my cruise. 🤔

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

mathfam 8 years ago

Lol..I am in Florida (Broward County) as well Platinum on RCL..Silver on NCL and...VIFP Gold on Carnival. Just read there is a 7% sales tax on drinks while in Port...per CC boards

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

batch123 8 years ago

Been on over 10 cruises out of FL. I live here. Never a State tax. We don't have any.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

mathfam 8 years ago

I know on NCL at Port of Miami there is taxes on drinks while in Port....I assume Port Everglades, since it is only 25-30 minutes away there will be a charge in Port

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

batch123 8 years ago

Umm... No its not. Depends on the State.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

mathfam 8 years ago

I read somewhere that you pay taxes on drinks while in Port...can anyone advise?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

tmunzert 8 years ago

Yes, let the party begin as soon as you put your foot on the ship. 🎉🎉🎉

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Woo hoo!!!!! Party time. Thank you so much for your response

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

tmunzert 8 years ago

Yes you can. As soon as you get on the ship.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Also..... if we pay for the drink package.. when we embark and await our luggage, can we start to use the drink package?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

You're awesome. Thank you so much. I have watched video on the net and have seen the same. Very heartbreaking. Thank you so much. Are the specialty dining options worth it?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

janetmarie 8 years ago

Play it safe and book shore excursions from the ship. You may spend more money but you will never get left if you're late getting back to the ship. We watched this happen to a couple and it was heartbreaking! Be sure to pack your swimsuits in a separate carry on!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Do you find that booking excursions through RC is worth it, or you can find a discount on shore. My fiance doesn't know about the trip. This is why i ask so many questions. I really appreciate all that reply. You don't have to, for that I am very greatful.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Ok that makes sense. This is what i wanted to know. Average price of drinks, how many per day and availability. What are the hours the bar open-close? Don't want to be drunk (this is our 1st cruise) but dont want to lose money either. The excursions are a little hefty, so im looking to maximize my money.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Thank u so much. I will pay in advance then.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

batch123 8 years ago

Just depends. But overall I would say yes

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

zmobile 8 years ago

Are the drink packages worth it? 1st time cruiser

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

graham123 8 years ago

we are going to do the 6pm dinning

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

tmunzert 8 years ago

We did my time dining on the allure and didn't have any issues. May have waited 15 minutes once or twice.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

graham123 8 years ago

my time dinning were you able to get a seat?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

batch123 8 years ago

Having to make an entertainment reservation would be a show stopper for me too. Go with the flow is best.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Cruising the Mediterranean