Worst ship and cruise ever

Item: Harmony of the Seas
Rating: 2.7
Author: sophie1502

Harmony of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

sophie1502

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 34

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 08, 2017

Ship: Harmony of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12-971

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

This is my last cruise on this line. Don't need to travel with sloppy, poorly dressed people at dinner. Last trip on the Allure was excellent but that was 3 years ago. Just did Regent. It's worth the extra money as you never have another expense onboard. All inclusive.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

It was quick and easy to board the ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

RCCL has deteriorated into a low end cruise. Food in every dining room was mediocre. Menu in Chops Grille was changed and steak was tough and poor quality. No dress code in the dining room so people in shorts, flip flops and t shirts. Quality of food at Windjammer was inferior. Been sailing on this line since the 1970's and this was my last trip with them. There is now a charge for room service.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

During the day on board, there was nothing to do but play Bingo (for money) the spa (for money) or sit at the pool. Other activity was trivia. Movies were for children. No movie theater - just pay per view on TV.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Ice show was excellent as usual. Grease - boring and dated. Columbus the musical - stupid. Good adult comedy show. Always enjoyed ending the evening at the Schooner Bar where everyone sang along. This one was poorly attended and no one participated in the singing. Piano player could only play from his song book.

Children's Programs

Didn't travel with any.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Staff very attentive everywhere we went on board.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

No issues with cleanliness. Wash your hand enforced in Windjammer only.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Cabin was large. Excellent storage for clothing.

Ship tip

Don't sail on this ship if you want excellence in food. Beware of the duty free gimmick. If you purchase anything over your allowance the ship reports it to customs when you land and you will pay a duty tax. THey tell you it's a random selection but you are tagged before you leave the ship. Do all your expensive shopping in ports of call. This is dishonest to try to dupe you into making purchases.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

Live here so nothing for us at this port.

Thumbs Up 2

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

1 out of 5

Been here a dozen times so just a beach.

Thumbs Up 2

Falmouth, Jamaica Did not visit port

Cozumel, Mexico Did not visit port

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

Long. Had to spend an hour locked in a private customs room as we made a large purchase.

12 Comments

MizCricket 7 years ago

Many comments about being flagged for large purchases on the ship over the US Customs limit (either per person [$800] or per family {$1600]). ALL cruise lines do this. When the ship arrives back in port, Customs boards the ship & their first order of business is to go over purchase receipts. Every passenger over their duty limit is flagged and grabbed as they disembark. My husband was "snatched" on Carnival 3 years ago in Galveston because of a large jewelry purchase onboard. (When we made this purchase, the ship's jewelry staff told us duty was approx. $300.) We had declared the purchase on our immigration form, but that didn't matter ("trust NO ONE to be honest") -- the ship's staff made me get off the ship, go through CBP without him, while he was herded off with a Customs agent who escorted him off the ship, through CBP and into the "little room" where he had to pay duty with CASH (or check, which he didn't have) for the duty on our purchase. An ATM machine was offered as a payment choice (cash withdrawal on a credit card = 23% interest!!). An hour later he's allowed to leave with his pink receipt in his hand. The CBP agent told him if we had purchased our item in the ports, they would NEVER know about it. WORD of ADVICE: DO NOT GO OVER YOUR PER PERSON or PER FAMILY LIMIT FOR ONBOARD PURCHASES. Otherwise be prepared to pay approx. 5.5% duty with CASH, CHECK, or ATM Withdrawal (with interest).

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Cruiserholics 7 years ago

We have cruised for years and seen the dress become more casual. Do some research. Ships with not a lot of slides could be more your style

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cardamon 7 years ago

I used to be one of those people that felt dressing for dinner was important. However we just finished a family cruise on the Anthem. My son and family are "casual" people - they did not dress up for dinner in the main dining room Grande. They were not made to feel uncomfortable- if they had been made to dress up, we would have had to eat all our meals in the Windjammer. I am thankful my son and grandchildren had the dining room experience!

Thumbs Up 4

Flag

dylanjhamilton 7 years ago

When on the Harmony last month it was so good we booked it for next year best experience ever

Thumbs Up 8

Flag

Bigmoma 7 years ago

We went on IOTS and we loved it. Yeah sometimes people were dressed out of sort but u dress how u want. U want to dr as up (we do) u do it if u don't u don't. Worry about urself not everyone else. We are going on Harmony in 33 days. We are not going to worry about what people wear or don't wear we are going to relax and have fun.

Thumbs Up 9

Flag

chadley77 7 years ago

Pay no attention to the clothes police. Royal Caribbean is awesome. Went on the Freedom of the Seas in 2015 and loved it.

Thumbs Up 7

Flag

mjbourbeau 7 years ago

Just got off Harmony yesterday and it was amazing! When I go out to dinner at home I don't look around the restaurant, take inventory if what everyone is wearing, and let it affect my meal. I certainly don't do it when I cruise either. I don't judge people by their wardrobe. Relax and enjoy yourself...it's a vacation!!!

Thumbs Up 22

Flag

funtimes1010 7 years ago

I think she was referring to me guys. I wore a tux to dinner but one of the buttons was open. My bad Sophie.

Thumbs Up 15

Flag

alleycat51699 7 years ago

I wonder if Sophie's idea of sloppy and poorly dressed is navy blue socks with a black suit and a tie from Target.

Thumbs Up 6

Flag

JOHIOSTATE 7 years ago

searaymn, you should DEFINITELY sail with Royal Caribbean. I have sailed with them 6 times and have never had anything but an amazing vacation. The ships and crew are outstanding.

Thumbs Up 11

Flag

afamnheidi 7 years ago

Sad that you let how other people look affect your cruise experience.

Thumbs Up 19

Flag

searaymn 7 years ago

Thanks for the info. We were considering RCL.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Perfect week

6,000 people mega ships not for me. Good for families and