Brand New to Royal - Sailing on Harmony of the Seas - Lots of questions about Royal

[kimma11]

Thank you to everyone who can help answer some questions. We have sailed on Carnival a few times already, and decided we wanted to try out the Harmony. Royal's website isn't the easiest to navigate so I have lots of questions.

 

1) Are the Casinos well ventilated or do they have a strong smoke smell?

 

2) Do the ships have lots of activities like trivia, bingo, etc

 

3) What is the best option for specialty restaurants? Do you buy a meal package? Do you reserve before boarding?

 

4) We have had oceanview balconies before, this time we are doing the Boardwalk balcony. What did y'all think of this room type for those who booked one.

 

5) Is the arcade big and are the games expensive? My daughter lives in the arcade.

 

6) Are there any spa deals or spa treatments that are a must have?

 

7) What other tips do you have to seasoned cruisers new to Royal?

 

Thank you to everyone for any tips or advice y'all can offer. I am in planning mode now and can't wait for 2019!!!!!

[Clarea]

The casino is the only indoor area to smoke, so it has become the defacto smoking lounge.

 

With regard to activities, this is a Compass (daily schedule) from a while back: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=53928716#post53928716:

 

Oher Carnival VS RC info: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2625641

[Tee & Chilli]

You'll gets lots of opinions here about food. Wonderland is a must try. Check out the cruise planner for specials on specialty restaurants. Some sailings have bogo ($40 per person).

 

Spa deals can be found on port days. In your cabins you'll find lots of advertisements delivered each evening.

 

Tips - register for shows before you leave home. You'll avoid the stand by lines.

[Hokie79]

Tons of activities to do on the ship that are all fun, water slides, flowrider, zip line, mini golf. Lines can get long on some of these though. Embarkation day or right when they open have the shortest lines.

 

The aqua theatre shows are also well worth seeing. I really enjoyed them both.

 

For food, keep in mind there are a number of included places that are different but good, Park Cafe, Solarium Bistro in addition to Windjammer and the main dining room.

 

The pizza place does made to order pizzas that I found to be pretty decent and better then the ready premade ones.

 

Tons to do on the ship and think one would have to go on her multiple times to see and do everything.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[big al]

Thank you to everyone who can help answer some questions. We have sailed on Carnival a few times already, and decided we wanted to try out the Harmony. Royal's website isn't the easiest to navigate so I have lots of questions.

 

1) Are the Casinos well ventilated or do they have a strong smoke smell?

 

2) Do the ships have lots of activities like trivia, bingo, etc

 

3) What is the best option for specialty restaurants? Do you buy a meal package? Do you reserve before boarding?

 

4) We have had oceanview balconies before, this time we are doing the Boardwalk balcony. What did y'all think of this room type for those who booked one.

 

5) Is the arcade big and are the games expensive? My daughter lives in the arcade.

 

6) Are there any spa deals or spa treatments that are a must have?

 

7) What other tips do you have to seasoned cruisers new to Royal?

 

Thank you to everyone for any tips or advice y'all can offer. I am in planning mode now and can't wait for 2019!!!!!

 

These are MY opinions only...first, the Harmony blows away any Carnival ship, and I've done 6 CCL cruises, 15 on RCI, 37 total ( I'm also a cruise agent..)..DON'T MISS: Diving shows in the Boardwalk area ( reservations a must!) , Ice skating shows in Studio B, Royal Promenade parties & parades ( deck 5 - center of the ship..) , Dazzles night club for live music ( deck 8 ), Central Park AT NIGHT is one of my top 3 favorite places on the ship- live classical trio often plays there...Sitting in the canti-levered hot tubs in the adult solarium ( adults only pool area front of the ship) has stunning views of the sea, Boleros for Latin music on deck 5 is hopping, Schooner Bar on deck 4 is a piano bar with lots of trivia games, and piano singers doing Elton, Billy Joel, Beatles, ETC..., Zip Line, Flowriders , all fun..for dining, I like Chops Steakhouse, 150 Central Park, & Jamie's Italian for specialty venues..I love a pint in the British Pub ( deck 5 ), a drink on the Rising Tide Bar ( bar goes up 3 decks into the sky!!) on deck 5, and I love eating at Johnny Rockets on the Boardwalk and watching the waiters dance to the oldies ..kids will love the arcade and the kid's pool area called H20 Fun Zone depending how old they are, along with the Boardwalk ( with a carousel there), and of course, The Flowrider kids will love for sure...any more questions, give a shout..TIP: Book all dining, shows, etc., BEFORE you board, and do it ASAP ( usually 90 days before boarding )...:cool:Sorry, not a fan of Boardwalk balconies- too noisy for me and views of the sea are minimal ..regular balconies, especially "hump" balconies are much better IMO..lots of bingo & trivia, yes...there is a meal package. BUT you cannot pick the times & dates you go to them until you board..don't like that myself...Norwegian much better for specialty dining & FREE alcohol IMO...

 

Big Al :D

Edited June 17, 2018 by big al
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