Harmony of the Seas
I have sailed on Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas and loved them so had high expectations for this new ship and I wasn’t disappointed!
The ship certainly has the WOW factor! Obviously it is HUGE and the view on approach is stunning.
Boarding was seamless and fast and then it was up the escalator (first one I have seen on a ship) and up to deck 10 to our cabin.
Like other Oasis Class ships, Harmony of the Seas has a number of different ‘neighbourhoods’ including the Royal Promenade, Central Park and Promenade. It’s easy to forget you are actually on a ship when you are sat in a coffee bar looking out at real trees and plants and watching the work go by!
We had a balcony cabin overlooking the Boardwalk. We could look down on the street below with a carousel, Starbucks, Jonny Rockets and other bars, restaurants and shops. We also had great views of the aqua theatre and could see the purple tubes of the mighty Ultimate Abyss slide. This is a 10 storey slide that takes just 13 seconds to get from top to bottom and is well worth a try! We could hear the shrieks from our balcony with the doors open, but as soon as we closed the doors it was silent! The cabin was spacious with the option for a queen or two twin beds as well as a large sofa. I loved the fact that with the doors open you can hear the music and noise of the street below, but the sound proofing is so good that with the doors closed you get a great night’s sleep.
This ship seems to have taken the best bits from all the other ships and there’s something for everyone. For kids, there is never a dull moment. The kids clubs cater from babies right through to teens with different clubs for different ages – they even have their own movie theatre showing DreamWorks classics.
Looking for something to do? There are water slide to suit all ages – and bravery levels! – and you can take you pick of pools. The Perfect Storm is a collection of water sides to satisfy any thrill seeker. There are arcades, a climbing wall, the FlowRider surf simulator, a zip wire and not forgetting the Ultimate Abyss slide. There’s an ice rink and you can even arrange private tuition if you want. There is also a huge gym and a gorgeous spa. I can highly recommend the hot stone massage.
Looking to be entertained? This is where the ship really comes into its own! We saw the Tenors of Rock on our first night and then the West End standard production of Grease in the Royal Theatre which was absolutely amazing. We also saw the 1887 ice show in Studio B and caught some comedy in Attic before dancing the night away with the amazing Wild Boys 80’s tribute band who took the Royal Promenade by storm. There’s also late night live music in Dazzles or extra late dancing in Attic for those with any energy left and not forgetting the Casino Royale! The aqua theatre wasn’t on when we were on board but we saw the divers and synchronised swimmers practicing and it looked amazing.
Looking for something to eat? You are truly spoilt for choice. As well as the main dining options of Silk, American Icon and The Grande there is a host of speciality options such as Izumi Japanese sushi restaurant, 150 Central Park – the gastro restaurant created by Michael Schwartz – Sabor Mexican restaurant, Chops Grille, Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland and the Windjammer self-service market place caters for all tastes. Need a drink? There are so many bars to choose from dotted around the ship and I would recommend taking a trip on the Rising Tide bar that slowly descends from Central park to deck 5 whilst you sip your drink and watch the world go by. Another ‘must-try’ is the Bionic Bar where you choose a cocktail that is freshly prepared for you by one of two robotic arms! Vintages Wine Bar is a nice place to escape and is fully stocked with top-notch wines from across the globe.
When it’s time to sleep, the ship has an amazing array of cabin options. Inside cabins with virtual balconies are great if you just want a base, ocean view and balcony cabins offer spacious accommodation and I would definitely recommend an inside balcony overlooking either the Promenade or Central Park as an option to a sea view balcony. You still get the sun but you can also soak up the ambience from the neighbourhoods below and you get some added incentives on certain sailings! If you are looking for more space and options there are many suites to choose from. The amazing Presidential suite can accommodate up to 14 people and has a huge balcony and the Aqua Theatre suites will give you some of the best views of the water shows. The loft suites certainly have the WOW factor!
There’s so much more I could tell you about this amazing ship so if you want to know more just get in touch!
I believe that there’s a cruise ship that’s perfect for everyone, but it’s not the same ship so if you want any help finding the perfect cruise for you, just let me know.