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

[cpayne]

I have not read or seen anything about yoga in Labadee. Anyone have any details?

[Hoopster95]

Making our way back to our chairs, we hung a bit and a whole lot more cruisers were staring to show up and fill the beach. I was hoping they were all sick from the waves last night and/or not bothering to get off the ship, but I guess there was a late morning exodus to check out Labadee. We hung out, soaked up some sun, and then decided to take a quick walk around again to check out the old ruins and paths. The old paths leading up to the old abandoned Spa at the top of the hill are now chained off and blocked by the cabanas... In walking back around by Barefoot Beach, there's a path that leads straight up there and through the woods. Besides the old cobblestone walkway, there's truly not much to see up there other than coming across this viewpoint that I've never seen a picture of

 

 

 

which also produces a much nearer and beautiful full view of Harmony just around the corner from Bucaneer's Bay

 

 

 

Once we explored the old spa site up top, we meandered back to our loungers at Nellie's. So from the time we left for the above "short" walk, to this very moment was about 45 minutes. When we left, surely the beach was getting fuller but not atrociously full. Well, this is what we returned to 45 minutes later.

 

 

And 1/2 hour after that even more loungers were jammed everywhere in any spot possible.... sideways, at angles. anywhere they can fit. I think everyone on Harmony decided to get off at exactly 11am and explode onto Nellie's all at once. Not only that, take note if the sun is out or not.... yep, you guessed it, clouds started rolling in with patches of blue sky, but there was a very huge and ominous black could hovering inland, and you can see by staring up at the sky for a moment that the directions of the winds were pushing the clouds towards us.

 

I still wanted to grab a 1pm jet-ski time, and thus also eat lunch early when it first starts at 11:30am, so off we went back to Bucaneer's Bay to check with the excursion desk. No-go... all jet ski's cancelled for the day. While there, I couldn't resist another Harmony picture... it's interesting to compare the lighting and weather to the first picture just a few posts ago

 

 

 

Passing through the info area towards the buffet, I noted some of the drink specials. Beer buckets were offered as well as this... a whopping $8 for a coconut?

 

 

 

We braved some really bad winds at the buffet, with all cruisers hovering around the tables that are closer to the buffet itself as those tables closer to the Flightline path and beach were being bombarded by sudden wind gusts. we finish lunch and headed back to Nellie's to make do with this change in weather we were handed.

[Hoopster95]

I have not read or seen anything about yoga in Labadee. Anyone have any details?

 

Yes, it's on the Compass which I'll post at the end of today's review:

 

"9:15am ($) Yoga On The Beach (Meet at Fitness

Center 8:45am), Vitality Fitness, Deck 6"

 

Hope that helps :)

[Hoopster95]

Leaving the lunch area we began making our way back to Nellie's and to our loungers and belongings. At the entrance to Barefoot Beach we began to feel raindrops... within 10 seconds many raindrops, and we quickened our pace... another 10 seconds and it was starting to rain. We broke into a jog and entered Nellie's Beach to a pandemonium of people all running in different directions, trying to grab there stuff off their loungers and run for dry ground somewhere as the skies opened. I got to our loungers first and simply grabbed everything quickly and ran for the the cover of a tree and cabana behind us.

 

Is this really happening after all the crappy weather we've has so far on this trip?

Note Harmony in the distance... you can barely see her through that opaque rain cloud.

 

 

 

While hovering under the tree, I think that rain cloud was pushed towards Nellie's, as was the wind from lunch, as we began to start getting pelted by the rain sideways, we were about a total of 10 cruisers hovering around that tree/cabana, and we all simply bent down and crawled under the cabana deck in the dirt. That rain was a comin' down hard!!!

 

 

 

We were with a bunch of people from Chicago, and for whatever reason they were getting into some inappropriate, very unpolitically correct jokes... right down my alley! It turned out we had some really great laughs together as we shared that incredulous space in the muck under the cabana, with rain dripping down on us through the wooden slits of the deck above.

 

 

 

We waited for the rain to subside...and it did in approximately 15 minutes. We went back to our loungers... at least half the beach had bailed and likely went back to Harmony. We didn't last long either as the sun was gone for sure and the skies were predominantly grey and dark. So we packed up and went for a final walk around. We went to the large flee-market type store that is set up in front of the entrance to the Artisan Village

 

 

 

 

We passed by the open air market, but I had already warned gf of the Artisan walk and the aggression by the vendors I had personally experienced and also read so much about here on CC. We skipped going through the walkway, but I did end up purchasing a couple of things in the outside area right beside the tram pick-up

 

[Hoopster95]

We continued our walk up towards the roller coaster area and to Adrenaline Beach. The cabanas there seemed to have gone through a tough couple of hours... sheets strewn everywhere and pillows blown onto the sand, I think the weather had done it's toll here too. No one at all was left in any of the cabanas. The zip liners were still coming down though.

 

 

 

Here we are at the very end of Adrenaline Beach looking back, a few brave souls still enjoying the sand and water

 

 

 

Walking back along the beach towards the lunch buffet area to head to the pier, you can see the rock walls built out into the sea... those weren't there a couple of years ago... it used to be a pristine and beautiful open long beach all the way down. And we again come across these blue fold up cabanas... eyesores.

 

 

 

 

That was pretty much it for Labadee this go 'round as we sauntered with everyone else walking back on the pier with towels wrapped around them or over their heads.. I've got the exact same photo as below during my Freedom & Oasis sailings, so I needed one here with Harmony as well.

Bye for now Labadee.... screw you Weather Gods!!! :p

 

[Hoopster95]

My only non-planned dinner coming into this cruise was this night, day 6. I had thought this would be either an MTD or Solarium Bistro dinner. Having my gf see the beauty of the Main Dining Room during a ship walk-around, it was back on night #2 that I we decided to book MTD for this night.

 

Flashback to night #2. The only times available on my Royal IQ ap was 5:15pm or 9pm. The later time is way too late for us, so I booked for 5:15. I then also went and talked to the Diamond DL, Checker, to see if he can do anything, and I also went up to the Maitre'D at the My Time Desk. Our only play was in fact to show up at 5:15, or show up at 6 and wait... hoping for a cancellation or someone not showing up. We really didn't feel like getting into another disappointing situation by having to wait for an hour for example, so we opted for the early seating.

 

Knowing we'd miss sailaway (likely in the rain, lol!) I took one final parting shot from my balcony.

 

 

 

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??

 

 

 

 

I don't have any pictures of the following, but I'd be interested to know what you would do if this happened to you. Here's what we did...

 

We showed up at the MTD desk and they had our reservation no problem. We were escorted to our table, a 4 top against the wall. The 4 top was made up of two 2 tops pushed togerther, each with it's own table number which I thought was weird (I should've taken this clue that The Weather God that I just told to screw off in Labadee gave a call up to his cousin the Dinner Issue God)

 

Anyhow, we sat, we ordered, we ate our appies, we await or entrees and all of a sudden a waiter shows up with another couple to seat at the table with us? What the?? They look at us weirdly, we look at them, we both turn and look at the waiter seating them... we all just look at each other. The waiter continues to usher them to their seats and we're sitting there incredulous to this. As they are being seated, the waiter asks if it's ok... in hindsight I should have said no but I'm really not a whiner, things happen for a reason... the lady being seated said it's ok... and there we were, sitting at a 4 top all together shoulder to shoulder, not knowing what to say to each other. Ah well, what a nice comfortable dinner this had become.:rolleyes: I had thought right there to get up and call a Maitre'd over but I thought better of it, there's worse things in life. Instead I tried to start a conversation with the gal beside me. They were from Russia on vacation, and her husband spoke no English. We ended up having a real nice conversation as she translated to her husband, taking about Russia, real estate, and plenty of other topics.

 

Truthfully, once our entree's came we did not take our time... we ate and we excused ourselves quickly, not bothering to say goodbye to the waiter. I stressed to the Russian couple that it was very nice talking to them and thanked them for being so gracious. It turns out they had that four top to themselves in MTD the entire week until we had shown up. She thanked me right back for being just as nice, so it was all good. I had meant to stop at the Maitre'D desk on the way out but decided to walk right by... actions speak louder than words. What would be my goal? Was it really important to me?

 

Bottom line, how could both a Maitre'D and the subsequent waiter continue to allow that to happen? Think about it, if you were taking someone to a table that was already occupied, would you not stop and ask them to wait, and maybe call the Maitre'D for another vacant table? This was a major procedural fail in the dining room that I suspect would've blown the fuse of many others put in that position.

 

By the way, other than the escargot, I can't remember what I ate.

[Hoopster95]

Tonight was to be a full night of enjoying the ship until late, wiht tomorrow being the final day on the cruise...and a sea day.

 

Having finished dinner super early up at MTD a described above, we headed off for a drink and some time walking around the ship until the show. I had noticed from the Promenade a small line forming for the show tonight: Columbus The Musical. We ensured we got there with plenty of time to be seated comfortably.

 

As we entered the lower level, there was Reyno standing there!... Reyno is rated as the #1 concierge by many loyal RCL cruisers. I met Reyno on Quantum, and incredibly enough he caught my eye and quickly came over. He recognized me but forgot my name, We had a little chat... as the suites concierge (and/or one of the jenie's) he had seats saved front row and 2nd row center. I noticed him doing this night 1 for Grease as well. We said our goodbyes and we went off to our seats on the side.

 

 

 

It was getting closer to the show, maybe 10 minutes to go and gf is poking my shoulder... she says "hey, that guy down there is waving at you". It was Reyno! He followed up to where I was sitting, and I guess now this close to showtime, he would be releasing the 2 front row seats that were left. He waved us down, he gave me a wink as we got there and wished us a great show, and scurried off in a rush. Thank you retyno!... that was awesome. And here we were front row

 

 

 

I've sat plenty enough times front row before, and I have to say if there's ever a show you should try to get great seats for up close and front, then this is it. I mentioned in the very first post of the review that Columbus The Musical cannot be missed. It was even better than grease, the very best production show I have ever seen on RCL. The screenplay, the humor, costumes, singing/acting, and just the whole set... A-1 top-notch.

 

 

 

 

Needless to say Weather God & Dinner God had given a call up to their cousin, Entertainment God... par for the course, about 20min into the show and right after the above scene, the show was stopped.... it was delayed due to a technically to their set... and then an apology by CD Bobby Brown as they had to cancel the remainder of the show altogether! The show "does not go on" after all. Wow.... lol! We all filed out of the theatre in a buzz and murmuring, not really knowing what to think

 

 

Next up was not the typical 70's party... but instead the "Totally Awesome 90's Street Party" in the Promenade. It's a great idea that needs a lot of polishing. For example, on the 70's party usually two of the RCL singers perform a 70's medley live for the building crowd.... for this 90's party that didn't occur. It just started out of the blue. The music was great actually, a really nice change, and the party was really well attended

 

 

What this party missed was the same level of interaction as the CD/Village People have when doing YMCA. There wasn't anything specific that they could really grab the crowd with. The "dancers" weren''t doing a whole lot to be honest, the choreography wasn't there... there's a HUUUUGE opportunity to make this party so much better with well known dances like Ice Ice Baby, Beat It and others. While not the 90's, why wasn't the Thriller flash mob introduced for this party right at the beginning?!?!?!? With a packed crowd, would've really set the tone. Like the 70's party, the flashing rings were thrown out, but none of the glow necklaces or other things that some ships have given out in the past. It was a nice change from the 70's party and I hope to hear from future reviews that it becomes much better and much more polished

(More on Thriller in tomorrow's review)

 

 

 

We headed right into Boleros for some salsa as we had skipped our favorite venue the last coupe of nights. we dances, and when the band was on break, we headed upstairs to check out the White Party in the Solarium. I remember on Oasis the Solarium Nightclub was one of my favorite evenings, it was so much fun and packed. In this case, we got up there and it was cool and windy... from those slats in the Solarium roof... There were several people huddled in groups and not much else going on. we turned right around and went back down to Boleros. We hung out in Boleros for another full set until after midnight and then went again to see if the White Party had gotten better... it was marginally better with a group of dancers on one side of the Solarium. We bailed, it was too cool and windy up there.

 

I had to have the alarm on i the morning to get to the All Access Tour, so we decided to hit the sack and get a good start to our final day tomorrow.

[Hoopster95]

 

 

 

 

[bobmacliberty]

Wow Hoopster. I gotta admire your optimism/positive attitude. This cruise didn't just give you lemons, it squirted the lemon juice into your eyes. You're a better man than me!

[Tall-Cruiser]

Hoopster - Great review and photos.

 

I had to laugh reading the section of your review of the 90s Party, but your assessment of it is spot on. On all past cruises I have taken, they all had the 70s disco party in the RP and they were all well attended, in fact packed from end to end in the promenade. This time on Harmony (for me) was the worst I have attended. While some people may be sick of the Village People/YMCA theme, it brought some excitement, so did the Bee Gees, Donna Sommers and many other tunes. Like you said, starting with Thriller alone would have set the tone. I also thought not having the Globe open up at center of the RP (like on Oasis and Allure) was a design miss-opportunity for the dance parade, as it provided another vantage point for guest to enjoy the dancing and singers singing to the crowd in both directions. This was the first time in all my cruises that I left the 70s or 90s dance parade around midway and went to Guest services instead. Still, we had a great cruise.

[racerxspeedy]

Just landed - boarding Harmony today!!

[Hoopster95]

Wow Hoopster. I gotta admire your optimism/positive attitude. This cruise didn't just give you lemons, it squirted the lemon juice into your eyes. You're a better man than me!

 

Thx. We did our best my friend. It was easier knowing winter at home has been one of the worst we've in a decade with quite a bit of ice and snow... Rather be in the Caribbean even in rain over that 😊

[Hoopster95]

Just landed - boarding Harmony today!!

 

Great photo.

Have an awesome cruise Racer!!!!!!! 😄

[Hoopster95]

I had to laugh reading the section of your review of the 90s Party, but your assessment of it is spot on.

 

Ah... You thought so too?!

My thought is they skipped over the current most popular decade, even with the younger crowd: the 80s. Wouldn't it be great to bring out the cruisers dressed as zombies for Thriller flash mob, then they stay all dressed for the 80's event to start. Truthfully, the RCL staff were dressed in 80's breakdance gear anyways rather than a 90's look.

 

Case in point, 7th Heaven Did an incredible medley with Def Leppard, Queen, Michael Jackson, Rush, The Romantics.... Full of 90's tunes. I've have video panning to crowd, half of them dancing and singing out loud along with the band when this genre came on.

 

Btw my work schedule has been brutal yesterday and today so will try to finish up Day 7 tomorrow... One of my better days of good photos and the All Access Tour review

[twisterfreak2280]

Thx. We did our best my friend. It was easier knowing winter at home has been one of the worst we've in a decade with quite a bit of ice and snow... Rather be in the Caribbean even in rain over that 😊

 

No kidding! My family is out in Vancouver and I've been saying all winter Ontario and BC have switched weather patterns.

 

Thanks for the great review...making the 364 day wait difficult lol!

[perfect match]

Can't wait to go along with you on the ship tour. I keep saying I want to do a tour, but haven't done so yet. One of these cruises I'm going to make it a priority. :cool:

 

Racerxspeedy, watched your sailaway on the PE & FLL webcams today. I didn't realize you were aboard until I saw your post tonight. Hope you have a great cruise!

Edited January 29, 2017 by perfect match

[tahqa]

Another interesting and crummy change.... those "roll-up" blue cabanas. I did not investigate their cost or how they worked, but I can;t imagine booking one of those for cash and then having to stare at the back of another cabana just 10 feet in front of me. Does anyone want that? Or do they want to be under a palm tree, with the sand in their toes,l looking out at the ocean and seeing the waves lap into the beach? These roll-up cabanas don't make sense to me at all and really ruined the look of the beach... more pictures later. Back in 2012 I hug out in this area all day, taking video also as I zipped down the Flightline of the beach under me... it was so much more beautiful back then

 

In the meantime the yoga class was in full swing

 

 

Actually, my wife and I like the clamshells (roll up cabanas as you call them :)). I like the shade and my wife loves the sun so the clamshell gives us a great middle ground that we both enjoy. Yeah, they're not the greatest looking but the trick is to get on the island first and to claim one that is front row and doesn't look at the back of the one in front of it. We had a great location with two palm trees, the clamshell and plenty of beach and ocean in front of us. It actually made it into kind of a private haven at a decent price of $35 (might have been $45, I don't remember).

 

But, you're right, if you get there late and all the front row ones are gone then it would absolutely be a bit crummy.

[Hoopster95]

Thx Tahqa for explaining those mini-cabanas.

$45 x 50 cabanas = approx $2250.

This is crystal clear now :(

 

For those of you who have only been to Labadee in recent years or never at all, here's what the beach looked like iin 2013 when there were no blue mini-cabanas nor any of the breakwater rocks

 

 

[Hoopster95]

I've been saying all winter Ontario and BC have switched weather patterns.

 

Ain't that the truth! Thx for following along Twister :)

[Hoopster95]

Today's main events:

• Lot's of photos around the ship with no one around.
  
• All Access Tour
  
• Columbus: The Musical (rev 2)
  
• Chop's (rev 2)
  
• 7th Heaven farewell show
  

 

Ok, let's get to this last day.... I will try to get the whole morning done this evening (incl the All Access Tour). I have a ton of photos to share rather than commentary, so let's get to it....

 

I had set my alarm relatively early in order to get going for the All Access Tour and left myself plenty of time. Quietly showering and getting ready, I left gf to sleep in. Having a quick breakfast at the Park Cafe I had quite a bit of time to roam the ship grab a slew of more pictures of areas perhaps I did not get good shots of before. There was hardly anyone around at 8am... perfect! I took a ton of photos for my memories, and this morning was likely the best day for my pictures. Here we go

 

 

 

Re-visiting Jazz on 4 after grabbing my daily macchiato at the DL.

Great atmosphere and space... I regret not visiting ehre another night other than night #1. Very cool place.

 

 

 

 

Come up the stairs directly in front of The Entertainment Place comprising of Studio B/DL/Jazz on 4/The Attic, and you end up here...

 

 

 

 

Right here is the Excursion "Desk"... it's not a desk but a series of designer tables with ipads. Any staff member will also have ipad in hand

 

[Hoopster95]

On other side of the Excursion Desk is "On Air" on the port side....

 

 

 

and my favorite evening hang-out by far "Boleros" on the starboard side. Even if you do not enjoy latin music, try stopping by an feel the energy late one night when the dance floor is packed. And the fabulous Coconut Mojito's are the signature cocktail.

 

 

 

 

 

Back out to the Promenade is another shot looking aft, with the Moving Head sculpture front and center

 

 

[Hoopster95]

Moving aft you come across the center kiosks of the onboard shops in the center, where all the watch sales, $10 bargain sales, jewelry raffles, etc all happen. With some of the bad weather we had, the coupe of times they had sales down here I can tell you was super busy

 

 

 

I set foot in Sorrento's once the entire cruise... right now! lol. I had no desire for pizza. I can tell you, like on Quantum's updated and totally superb Sorrento's, this one looked the same and I did walk by later in the day noting the proper pizza ovens and fresh made to order pizza's... not the cardboard slices you see on the smaller classes.

 

 

 

 

 

Every RCL ship with a Promenade has a classic car in it... Harmony's no exception

 

 

[Hoopster95]

I never did use the Cafe Promenade, opting to be outside as much as possible in Central Park's Park Cafe over this venue.

 

 

 

Guest services right next door

 

 

 

The Bionic Bar immediately across from Guest Services on the Starboard side

 

 

 

 

And here's the final area of the Royal Promenade at the aft end.. This is right between the Bionic Bar and Guest Services. The gentleman in this shot is standing at the Loyalty Ambassador Desk... just to the left is the Port Shopping Desk. Dead center are several tables and ipads for cruisers to use... this was a great place to check on events, etc... quieter than most... if you needed to check your calendar. Those stairs go up to the entrance to the Boardwalk with Schooner Bar and the Photo Shop on either side.

 

[Hoopster95]

Our meeting point for the All Access Tour is Deck 5 aft, the entrance to Silk. I was still early so I thought about where I can go for 15-20 minutes and thought that I did not get many photo memories of the Sports Deck. I'm glad I went up there as it was a beautiful morning and I grabbed a ton of cool shots. You've all seen plenty of Florider, zio-line, sport court, etc photos so here are a few of the one of a king Abyss and Harmony Dunes mini-golf

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hoopster95]

Like the title says....

If you're considering this $150 per person tour and you wish to see what for me was the very best of All Access Tours, and what it should include, please take a look through my Quantum tour here

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45076447&highlight=All+Access#post45076447

 

The Tour has permanently changed (for now)...

and I regret to say it sucked on Harmony It's rushed and does not go to half the venues that you used to go. Definitely not worth the $150US. I regret not going back to the DL Checker or Guest Services to ask for refund. I also regret not doing the Galley Tour and Back-Stage Tour free as I was invited as a D+... this Semi-Access Tour did not even get to the Theatre.

 

So let me explain....

 

Once signing a waiver, you're given a headset ( a definite improvement) and a lanyard with your All-Access VIP Pass. This is your souvenir for your $150US.

 

 

 

 

Since we were in Silk, it made sense to start at the Galley. Patiently waiting, My 9am tour start time became 9:05.... then 9:10... then 9:15.... as people for the 9:30 starting showing up. The Chef finally shows up ushering another group out. We were going to start late. What do you think the chances are that this tour will go an extra 15 minutes to make up for that? Or will they just shorten everything up? Yes.... if you have any doubt, it's the latter.

 

Just an fyi, the coffee served on Harmony at this time in the dining room/ WJ/ etc is Lavazza... great coffee actually. Who knows which brand will get the next contract

 

 

 

 

And here's one heck of a stir stick!

 

 

That machine is for the soup bins.

 

 

No joke, we were in and out of the Galley in maybe 10 minutes... again, if interested what is possible to see take a quick look through my Quantum Tour link. On my Adventure TA a few years ago our Gallery Tour group was also offered the taste testing pre-dinner with all the Chefs which was a totally great and memorable experience! This was more like "here's the kitchen, here's the room service area, here's a few employees, here's the dish washing station..... thank you for coming, see ya"