Harmony – The Verdict!

So yes, you’ve all seen the media hype about Harmony’s first sail out recently so here’s my verdict based on my 6 nights on board.

On the Negative Side…………

One of the biggest attractions that everyone was looking forward to was cancelled without notice. The Aqua Theatre Show.  So all those of us who had pre-booked shows on our cruise personalisers had no clue the reservations had been wiped until we were on board, and only once we had noticed it on the Daily Compass Information Sheet in our cabins!

I had booked a Boardwalk balcony overlooking the Aqua Theatre, and saw the amount of workmen hurriedly trying to assemble the stage, whilst the swimmers/divers/performers were rehearsing.  There was no way it was going to be fit for purpose during our short trip, and through speaking to one of the staff was told that in fact the ship was 2 weeks behind schedule but were committed to go ahead with the 2 ‘pre-inaugural’ sailings.

Talking of which, no one mentioned that this sailing and the 26th May departure were pre-inaugural, and most passengers were under the impression that this was ‘The One’..

The children’s play areas weren’t open, including the ‘Perfect Storm’ water slides and Splash City.  (Mind you the weather was pretty bad, overcast and raining on and off – not that the weather puts off the kiddies as we know).  However none of the inside play areas were open either! Oh and the Abyss, had to keep closing due to the bad weather, as people were getting stuck in the tubes!  (I did have a giggle when I heard.. 🙂 ) As did the ZipWire.

Health & Safety: Missing  panels on the side of the ship in the children’s pool area – which was on Deck 16, so you can imagine the health & safety risk. Workman sanding down the decks as you were trying to enjoy a drink, or leaving electrical appliances lying around unattended.

Work was being carried out by Contractors in all areas of the ship.  (At all hours of the day and night) We had to call Security 3 times from 1145pm to 01:30am to finally get the workmen to stop drilling and hammering below us working on the Aqua Theatre.)

Problems with unfinished cabins – wet paint on surfaces – plumbing problems – no hot water – toilet flush not working.

Finance problems.  People who had paid for a drinks package were being charged for drinks on top of the package.  Gratuities were being added twice daily on some accounts.  Naughty Naughty Royal Caribbean.  None of the financial problems benefited the passenger however, all extra $$$’s in the RC Coffers!

Restaurants:  Personally, I didn’t really have a problem with the table seating, service, and food.  However I have had feedback from guests on board that mis-allocating tables by restaurant staff resulting in long queues was prevalent and long waits for courses were common.

Customer Relations Desk has never been so busy with queues of disgruntled passengers snaking along the Royal Promenade daily.

Tenors of Rock – Royal Theatre

However on the Positive Side….

The ship is beautifully designed and decorated.  I particularly liked the big screen guides on each floor – like a Digital Compass.  Giving information on how to get around the ship to a particular point from where you were.  Events, Dining, Shops.  The Royal Q Internet where you could book shows, check your account (we did that at least twice a day!)

The shows we saw, Grease, 1887 The Ice Show, Bobby Davro (hilarious! raised the roof!) Comedians, Jugglers, Ventriloquist, Tenors of Rock – Classical Guitarist & the Resident Band in Dazzles – everyone of them were brilliant – couldn’t be faulted!

The food – Wow! Windjammers had such a great selection of dishes, and plenty of them!  Waiters & Waitresses in abundance ready to assist.  Ok so sometimes it got a bit busy, that’s to be expected in all Buffet restaurants I’ve been to on ships.  You just have to time it right. The Main Dining Rooms Americon Icon, The Grande & Silk, same menu, different decor, but great service.  (Although there was a bit of Musical Tables going on, as the waiting staff were still finding their way around as well as the passengers! )

The Speciality Restaurants including  Wonderland (got to say, a little disappointed with the decor – lets just say it was different to the Marketing photo’s I had seen) Although the wet paintbrushes to reveal the menu was a clever gimmick.  The food was excellent as was replicated in all the other Speciality Restaurants – Chops Grille being my favourite.

The Rising Tide Bar was very popular, although if I have to criticise, I would say that there were only 18 seats, and alot of people standing. Could have been better designed and once you were ‘onboard’ it was just like sitting in any other bar on board.. another gimmick.

The Bionic Bar – now that was a bit of an eye-opener.  In that it was great to look at and the Robots put on a great dance display when they werent preparing drinks!  However…… the drinks came in plastic cups and the waiting time, conveniently displayed on screens, could be anything up to an hour in busy times!  Still,  a very enjoyable  gimmick.

The Abyss! I ‘did’ the Abyss a total of 6 times.  The first time I literally had to be hoofed down, as I wouldnt let go!, the second time to confirm I had conquered my fear, and the other 4 times because it was quicker to get down to the Boardwalk & Central Park rather than wait for a lift!  I also did the Zipwire – just the once.  As it was closed alot due to the bad weather, so when the sun poked its head out I headed up to the Sports Deck, donned my harness and stepped out into nothingness which was as daunting as disappearing down into the Abyss!  It was all over in less than 10 seconds, but thrilling all the same.

My favourite part of the ship was the Solarium Bar & Bistro. Available for breakfast lunch and dinner.  At the front of the ship, it has an air of calm and tranquility.  No pool, but a couple of jacuzzis to wallow in, and beautiful rattan furniture in brown & green.  The whole area is light and airy, due to the fact that most of it is outside.  Great when the weather is fine, but not so when the rain fell, as everything was sodden!

THE VERDICT

She’s a beautiful ship, lots of attractions, great shows, delicious food, varied menus.  If you’re a Royal Caribbean fan, you’ll love it.  I think she is better suited to the Caribbean and the warmer climate due to the design, as didn’t do well in the rain, with puddles everywhere, and wet furniture.

As you all know I’m not a fan of the big ships and the Harmony is no exception.  Would I go on her again? No, been there, done that, enjoyed the experience with the exception of the noisy contractors and the absence of the Aqua Theatre, but she’s not the ship for me.

Were you on the Harmony? What was your experience like?