Hoopster on HARMONY, Jan 7-14 2017 REVIEW w/lots of photos

[cpayne]

Much better for my needs! We are all different, but this is the type of running track I prefer. It is similar to other tracks we have experienced on other ships.

 

Thanks for the details!

[tserface]

That's perfect! Thanks for going to the trouble of finding this video!

 

Tom

 

It took me a while' date=' but I found a video of the running track that I knew I had seen. Go to 25:55 of this video and there's a minute and a half showing the entire length of the starboard side and the bow portion. The port side is similar to starboard and the stern portion is open to the sea. From my memory, the track is the same as Allure and Oasis. It should alleviate your concerns.

 

 

 

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[Poplin]

I think I'm both tough and realistic on my ratings so bare with me and my perception of things this past week, especially if you disagree. I'll also take away the weather issues and travel stress and do my best to look at this objectively compared to past sailings.

 

"5" is a pass, but just barely...

6 ok

7 is very good but not memorable

8 memorable, but not the best ever

9 totally excellent, have recommended or raved

10 the best EVER... and it has to be EVER

 

Food:

Chops 9 - 2nd to my Legend experience, #1 restaurant on Harmony for us

Wonderland 9 - I will do this again!

150 CP 7 - just not memorable, prettty good, but not "wow" excellent

Jamie's 6 - not memorable, I truly do cook better Italian at home

Sabor 7 - not even close to my Navigator 10 experience. Pretty good though, but worth $60 upcharge?

Park Cafe 7 - steady Freddie... ya know what you're gonna get!

Solarium Bistro - 6 - a surprising let down, once for breakfast and lunch.

MTD 0 - my first outright fail for the situation they put us on. And the food I can't even remember

WJ 8 - an excellent surprise. The breakfast stations were excellent and plentiful with choices (ie. muesli with many toppings, not just a couple)

 

if I forgot to mention a venue, I likely didn't try it

 

Entertainment:

Production Shows 10!!!!!! - Columbus & Grease were both superb, best ever on any RCL cruise for many aspects

Headliner 10!!! - 7th heaven best Headliner ever on any of my sailings

Comedians 5 - if not for Simeon, would've been lower I'm afraid

Latino Band 7.5

Ice Dance Show 7

Fine Line 8

 

 

Venues

Sports Deck 10 (no brainer now with 2 Floriders)

Boleros 9

Studio B 9

Promenade 8 - I think I'd take the cozy Voyager promenades over O Class

Casino I didn't use this time (normally play poker)

Pool Deck 6 - I don't like the 4 pool format, massive crowding with poor layout

Solarium 4 - the slats are a major fail in design + no pool

 

 

Staff

Checker the DL 9 - I did not need his services but he was highly praised by others, besides remembering me from 3 years ago

Reyno SL 10!! - Rmembers me from 2 yrs ago, follows to see where I sit, and even though I'm not in a suite gives me the last 2 front row seats in the theatre when no other suites show up. How great is that for service and going an extra mile?

Dennis Garcia 8 - better than average, never had to ask for anything. First day asked for ice each night and got it. Toiletries in the bathroom without me asking

Bar Staff 9 - a big applause to the bar staff. For the most part great drinks everywhere. Also I never once made to feel inferior or made to wait when asking to fill my Coke Cup.

CD Bobby Brown 7

Activity Staff 7

 

 

 

General Thoughts

Crowding 5 - worst crowding in various areas of the ship I've ever experienced

The Abyss 7 - just ok, one and done

The Perfect Storm Slides 6.5 - overhyped imho

All Access Tour 3 - a big +fail with the new format

Rubicon Escape 9 - excellent fun and memorable

Boardwalk Balcony 7.5 - I would look to try a CP next time maybe

"Outward" focus 6 - almost a fail... go back and look through this entire review and look very very closely at the actual venues and ship pictures, counting as you go how many times you can see the ocean or look out a window. Then open up my Adventure or Serenade review and do the same thing... you'll get the picture.

 

If you take away the slides, cold/windy Solarium, downgraded All Access Tour, the overcrowded pool decks, and inward focus without seeing the sea you get.... well... a Voyager or Radiance Class ship!!! lol.

 

Overall thought? I'll give this cruise a 7. I brought back great memories of several things which absolutely stand out (23 of the "best evers" on one sailing!). Conversely this sailing had the most fails (scores less than 5) than on any other review I have ever done. I went into this sailing with very high anticipation, and maybe that was a big problem as Harmony overall did not live up to it.

 

Many of you offered very nice words throughout this review and I truly appreciate it and try to answer to them. If I missed saying thank you personally to any of your posts... "Thank you" :D I have a bucket list epic b2b booked for Aug/Sept on Jewel that I really hope to do a great review on. In the meantime....

 

H A P P Y C R U I S I N ' E V E R Y O N E ! ! !

I know this is a strange question, but are the doors to the staterooms magnetic? Our group wants to put a congratulations sign on one of the couples sailing with us. If I remember correctly, you can put a magnetic sign on the door.

 

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[Hoopster95]

It took me a while' date=' but I found a video of the running track that I knew I had seen. Go to 25:55 of this video and there's a minute and a half showing the entire length of the starboard side and the bow portion. The port side is similar to starboard and the stern portion is open to the sea. From my memory, the track is the same as Allure and Oasis. It should alleviate your concerns.

 

[/quote']

 

Yes! That's Derek Picone (his handle here on CC is DEIx15x8)

He has incredible video and photos in his Cruise Critic review:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2424199&highlight=vlog

[Hoopster95]

but are the doors to the staterooms magnetic?

 

I saw lots of doors with signs hanging on them, at least a couple with what I believe were magnetic clips or hooks.

[Hoopster95]

I spent every morning at the gym during our Anthem cruise (both actually) and can confirm that it is far superior!It makes going to the gym that much easier! haha :D

 

Lol :D. The only reason why I think radiance outward focus is better than Q/Anthem is that the forward view on Q/Anthem is 100% blocked out the floor to glass... you have to be facing the sides. On Radiance Class you can look straight out front and watch the approach.

 

ETA: Also... I LOVE, LOVE all of your reviews! You provide so many great tips and useful knowledge and they are so much fun to read on top of that! Thank you!

 

Very kind words. Thank you {*blush*} :)

[Debitoo]

Ah! I believe you're balcony is above the running track.:)

But your kids will be above Boleros. :eek:

Better them than me! :D Thanks! I'll report back if we hear anything.;)

[Hoopster95]

Better them than me! :D Thanks! I'll report back if we hear anything.;)

 

Ha! Hopefully they'll be so dead tired of running around Adventure Ocean all day they'll crash early and not even hear anything {fingers crossed} ;)

I'd love a review of those cabins (and noise) as I almost booked one of those insides last year and would like to learn if they're decent or simply need to avoid.

 

Have a great cruise! :D

[SeaTheWaves]

I'd love a review of those cabins (and noise) as I almost booked one of those insides last year and would like to learn if they're decent or simply need to avoid.

 

Have a great cruise! :D

 

I wonder if noise can be heard if you are in a Central Park View room. I know Central Park is much more quiet than the Promenade, but are you able to hear the music or people hanging out at the Trelis bar, when you're in a CP view stateroom?

[sammydh82]

Lol :D. The only reason why I think radiance outward focus is better than Q/Anthem is that the forward view on Q/Anthem is 100% blocked out the floor to glass... you have to be facing the sides. On Radiance Class you can look straight out front and watch the approach.

 

 

 

Very kind words. Thank you {*blush*} :)

 

The only Radiance class ship we've been on was Brilliance and it was for a short 5 day cruise. I can only vaguely remember that fitness center as we were not on the ship for long enough! Sounds like a legit enough reason to book another cruise, right?! haha ;)

[BornOnTheBeach]

Waiting for gf to get ready, I was playing with the TV monitor and my account. For the life of me I had not seen the following ever until this very moment...

 

You can view the entire week's menu on your TV!!!!!

 

 

 

 

I had not known this. I flipped through several of the days and took pictures. Now I wanted to check out our menu for tonight but look closely at the photo below. Day 5 and Day 6 are in the wrong spot! So which will be the actual menu tonight??

 

Any chance we can see those menu pictures?

 

BTW, thanks for the great review and pictures, payed very close attention to this all weekish.

[Hoopster95]

The only Radiance class ship we've been on was Brilliance and it was for a short 5 day cruise. I can only vaguely remember that fitness center as we were not on the ship for long enough! Sounds like a legit enough reason to book another cruise, right?! haha

 

Radiance Class.... all those windows are facing forward and out

 

 

 

 

Quantum. State of the art incredible gym, much nicer than Oasis Class hands down, including Harmony. Floor to ceiling windows also but you can't see forward....

 

 

because this is in your way, and.....

 

 

 

and then the Massive solarium glass roof panels

 

 

 

So... Anthem/Quantum you can't see straight ahead, only to the sides

[Hoopster95]

Any chance we can see those menu pictures?

 

BTW, thanks for the great review and pictures, payed very close attention to this all weekish.

 

Ugh... sorry :(

I didn't take pics of the entire week's menu order at all.

[sammydh82]

Radiance Class.... all those windows are facing forward and out

 

Quantum. State of the art incredible gym, much nicer than Oasis Class hands down, including Harmony. Floor to ceiling windows also but you can't see forward....

 

So... Anthem/Quantum you can't see straight ahead, only to the sides

 

 

AHHHHH now it looks familiar! :D Thank you for the photos and another 100% accurate comparison!

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Any chance we can see those menu pictures?

 

BTW, thanks for the great review and pictures, payed very close attention to this all weekish.

Days 1-4

 

 

 

 

 

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[suzyluvs2cruise]

Any chance we can see those menu pictures?

 

BTW, thanks for the great review and pictures, payed very close attention to this all weekish.

Days 5-7 and Always Available (Classic)

 

 

 

 

 

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[Hoopster95]

Days 5-7 and Always Available (Classic)

 

Excellent! Thank you Suzy :)

I only had night 1, and then 5 & 6.

[racerxspeedy]

I did grab this weeks menus as well. We are still onboard so I will post when I have time next week. I did get a pic from 11329 -finally

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Excellent! Thank you Suzy :)

I only had night 1, and then 5 & 6.

Last night onboard after 2 great weeks. Loved your review. Hope to sail with you again one day.

 

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[twisterfreak2280]

I did grab this weeks menus as well. We are still onboard so I will post when I have time next week. I did get a pic from 11329 -finally

 

 

 

Looks windy again! Are the balconies really windy back there?

 

 

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[Hoopster95]

Bottom line.... BEST headliner ever!!!!!

 

 

 

Hey everyone,

 

I think someone from 7th Heaven's staff posted a comment and a link to their professional video on my short youtube video for this review. They had great staff roaming around taking photos and shooting professional video.

Below is the video they linked to mine... excellent! It's an entire performance in the Royal Theatre well worth listening to while your at work or making dinner :). And you can see near the end of the video how the crowd was enjoying this Headliner band.

 

[YOUTUBE]ru092b-ejgY[/YOUTUBE]

[racerxspeedy]

There was surprisingly little wind on the balconies at the back of the ship. There was a lot more on the pool deck and at the front of the ship. We had a perfectly smooth cruise Jan 28-Feb 4.

[GJM]

Amazing review - loved the pictures. We were originally planning on Allure but was thinking of Harmony, I really hate the idea of no pool in the Solarium, even if it is just to dip in the water. But the entertainment sounds amazing. We have been on Voyager, Liberty (2), Oasis and Enchantment.

 

We are torn between Allure & Harmony, looking for the stop in San Juan since we have never been. Any thoughts?

[Hoopster95]

We are torn between Allure & Harmony, looking for the stop in San Juan since we have never been. Any thoughts?

 

Thx GJM. Harmony vs. Allure? I guess depends on how important the following differences are for you:

Cats vs. Grease, Abyss & Perfect Storm slides, Rubicon Escape, Solarium pool vs. no pool, Jamie's vs. Giovanni's, Wonderland vs.no Wonderland, Diamond Lounge in a hole on deck 4 or with great view of the Boardwalk, and the newer colours/sleeker lines and of the "Quantum"-style cabins & decor all over the ship vs. the older style.

 

I think Harmony will attract hundreds more teens/kids per cruise solely because of the slides if that makes a difference for you.

Personally, I have no kids/teens, now having been on Oasis and Harmony, I'd go back to Oasis.... so Allure in your case... but this is just my own humble opinion for my own personal wants & needs.

 

May I offer you another choice? Look at the incredible itineraries offered on either Jewel or especially Adventure (now refurbished with new updates, restaurants and slides) so that you can have a full day in San Juan either pre or post cruise. Here's a full day in San Juan pre-cruise....

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2395801

 

Whatever you choose have a great cruise! :D

[Hoopster95]

I like to see a picture looking up from Central Park at the balcony cabins just forward and starboard of the center crossway that is overhead. Particularly interested in the few on the highest deck just forward of the crossway above.

 

 

Hey mad-dog. Hope these help you

Looking forward and up

 

 

 

 

Looking forward and down from the middle "bridge"

 

 

 

 

Looking back from under the slides