Overall - my mother's first experience cruising was favorable and she looks forward to traveling on cruise again. However in the future if she is still in WC after her surgery - I will bring rider chair and book suite or handicap room. Or we won't cruise. RCCL also needs a better elevator system for handicap (WC, Walkers, Rollators, Riders, etc). We waited two and three elevators to get in. Some individuals can be very rude and push around you to enter when they are fully capable of walking a flight of stairs up or down as my husband and I did when not attending to our seniors. PLEASE designate at least 1 or 2 elevators forward and aft on each side for handicap only or add the KONE system to ALL ships. And add a category for FAMILY traveling without CHILDREN when asked for option to describe traveling party as none of yours fit our family experience without children and with handicap parents.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Traveling with my mother in Wheelchair (86) and my mother-in-law using rollator (92) plus my aunt and husband. They directed my husband, aunt and mother-in-law to one line and my mother and I directed to disabled line for check in. When I told them we were all together, I was told only "one person with the wheelchair." They did not take time to listen or pay attention. My husband noticed us in different area and spoke to someone whereby they directed him to where I was with my mother in wheelchair. At window for check in - again they split us up and my husband needed my business credit card to place on file for charges. Instead he ran back and forth between lines. This should not happen. Improve this process as many handicap (wheelchair, rollators, canes, rider chairs, etc).
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We had breakfast either in Windjammer or American Icon Grille. We also ate lunch at American Icon Grille several days and enjoyed presentation of buffet. Found Windjammer to be very crowded and not handicap friendly. Guests on ship rude, pushed in front of WC I was pushing around buffet. Impossible. Recommend a section in Windjammer (even if have specific hours) that is designated for handicap and their families only. One of my favorites is Park Cafe. Great selections for both breakfast and lunch.
Main Dining Room
5 out of 5
American Icon Grille waiter and assistant were outstanding. Arnold and Wilfred went above and beyond not only as our servers in dining room at dinner but immediately knew all our names first night. Would wait for us and assist my mother in WC to her chair at table and my mother-in-law with rollator to her chair. My glass of wine was always waiting when I arrived at table. They were just amazing and if I cruise on Harmony of the Seas again would specifically ask for them. Kirk, chef came out and visited frequently during dessert and coffee. What a pleasure and made eveing dining experience for our family a special event.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Great fitness center. No handicap pool or access - reason for a 4 star rating. Solarium great and wish there were a wading pool or the walk through sprinkler working (broken). Had to wet towels and place them on my mother as she had no access to these facilities. My husband and I used the spa. Christina and Lorena were both excellent and enjoyed our massages and treatments.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Excellent per usual. We also enjoyed band in Dazzles and Anthony in Schooner Bar. Were never able to get to Pub on promenade as hours we went there was always a "street party" and he was not playing. Need to reorganize some schedules. The Aqua Show was outstanding and one of the best we have ever seen (Fine Line) - sorry not more of this particular one later in week. My mother missed it because it was cancelled in night she was scheduled to attend. Comedy Club entertaining.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Joe our room steward on deck 12 went out of his way to be sure we had everything we needed (Cabins 12726, 12724 and 12716). He deserves accolades for helping with wheelchair storage, being sure he was able to come and go while we were out at breakfast.
I cannot say enough about Albert, Wilfred, Chef Kirk and Tonya at American Icon Grille. All were absolutely outstanding.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Small and smaller than I recall on other sailings but then again - it could have been same size - just felt small. Plenty of cabinet space. Overall cabin clean and ready for us. Please be sure cleaning under beds however I do not believe there is enough time for the cabin stewards to clean the way they would like as they have a small window of opportunity to turn over cabin between cruises.
Ship tip
Walk the stairs if you can. Much more convenient during busiest hours as wait for elevators packed with people who can and don't walk stairs often moving one to two floors/levels.
Handicap - mother in WC and Mother-in-Law with rollator. We have our own WC and we were directed NOT TO HANDICAP AREA but to main lines for disembarkation. Significant improvement needs to be made in this area. Initially we went to Open Air on Deck 5, signed up for WC transport off ship. We would have had to wait 45 minutes. I inquired as to an area of WC transport for Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle. NONE available according to concierge with exception of a separate area on Deck 4 we could wait forward or aft. We waited at Promenade Deck in Cafe for our number to be called. Handicap signs not very visible. had to ask to use handicap line. Ship personnel had to go and ask (duh - we were pushing a WC and my mother-in-law with rollator) if we could use handicap exit forward deck 5. This is an area where RCCL needs to make significant improvement all the way around and work with the port personnel to improve.
The elevator problem may be corrected/improved soon. Royal is testing new Cone systems on Harmony right now... https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/12/04/royal-caribbean-testing-intelligent-elevator-harmony-of-the-seas
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