7 Day Family Fun Cruise
Harmony of the Seas Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 33
7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)
Sail date: December 15, 2019
Ship: Harmony of the Seas
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 4 years ago
Review summary
Overall, we had a great 7 days on Harmony as a family. We booked a 2nd and 3rd cruise for 2020 so we must have enjoyed it.Embarkation
Being our first time with Royal Caribbean, we didn't know what to expect. Once we got out of the uber at 10:05 it took less than 20 mins to board the ship. We had bought The Key so we followed the signs to be quickly checked in (escorted to a open line) and then stopped at a table to get our 9 yr old a child band. Once we finished, they were already boarding Key so we followed the line onto the ship!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
My husband and I purchased the Deluxe Beverage pkg. While I had a harder time ordering enough drinks each day to "pay" for it, my husband didn't have a problem at all. He enjoyed trying every type of drink the menu offered. I tried to make up for it by getting fresh green juices at the Spa bar. However, the staff weren't the most friendly there during the trip. My only complaint is the milk shakes from Johhny Rockets! We were originally told and even read online the milkshakes are free the with the Deluxe package. We only at there once, then ordered shakes 3 times over the next few days. On the 2nd to last day a younger employee told my husband he couldn't get a single shake, he had to eat there to then get one. My husband spoke to the manager who didn't clarify but just told the employee to make him one. Love to learn what the real rule is for next year as it could change our decision to buy the Deluxe package. Overall, we liked being able to order anything, anywhere. I learned I had to specifically ask for Evan water and not all places had it (casino).
Onboard Activities
We didn't participate in as many activities as we thought we would. Much of that was due to overlapping with dinner time. But also due to my kids wanting to call it a early night almost every night. We did play several different trivia games in the Schooner Bar and thought the wait staff was always helpful. Wish the prizes they gave were a bit more enticing. But still fun. We played Bingo and $140 later I won't ever do that again. Purchased the best package to learn you play 3 games. No thanks!
Entertainment
Lots of options available. We saw Grease and the Headliner. Our Fine Line was cancelled then the 2nd night we got great center seats with the Key but it started to rain hard and we gave up waiting it out. Hope to see the show next year.
Children's Programs
Seemed like lots of options for my 9 yr old girl but she only attended the first night and preferred not to go again. Just wasn't feeling it she said. My 17 yr old did the same thing once he missed the 1st meet and greet so we never learned much about the teen program. They both were fine with it but I wish they would have been a bit more proactive but we had more family time which we enjoyed.
Service and Staff
We had the best room steward Abdul. Who made multiple towel animals for our daughter and always had our room tidy and cleaned.
We really enjoyed our MDR My Time wait staff, Ryan and Zaltan. We asked for them each night and after the 2nd night they saved us a table the rest of the cruise at our regular time of 6:45pm so we really didn't change it up. They had 2 big groups at the same time but always made time for us. They cut my daughter's steak every night since she ordered the same thing every day. By the end of the cruise they had our drinks waiting when we got there! They definitely deserved the extra tip we gave each night.
Ship Quality
Did not see many staff cleaning. Often saw dishes out in halls.
Cabin / Stateroom
Overall the oceanview room was good. Nothing stood out as worn or broken. I just personally didn't love the rockingor sounds of the water at night. Lesson learned on my end to not book guarentee. We got 3rd floor Room 3180
Ship tip
Take time to research, it helps to know what to expect in my opinion.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
My husband and son loved our own walking trip to the forts. My daughter and I wish we would have planned the route better as we took the long way around. But we sure got our steps in. Beautiful sites, look fwd to going there again.
Took the Double Decker Red Bus Tour. Overall, it was a good tour to see some sights but I wouldn't do it again. My kids found it boring.
Disembarkation
We choose a late self check out at 9am, taking our own carry on. While it was still quick and easy, they had 1 sign for the Key and when we got to it no one was there to tell us what to do. So dont be bashful and just ask. Once I did, we were taken to the front of the line to get off. We got an Uber to MCO within 5 mins.
Traveler Photos
