Cruise
Harmony of the Seas: First Impressions Last a Lifetime
by Glenn J. Nashen
They say that ‘first impressions last a lifetime’. As a repeat cruiser, I’ve had many first impressions on very impressive ships. My experience aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas four years ago left such lasting impressions that I just knew we would be destined to meet again someday. That 2019 cruise was extra-special as I traveled with just one of my three children, 18 year-old Nikki – a daddy-daughter holiday. That was an exclusive trip on what was then the largest passenger ship in the world.
This year, my middle child, Tali, 19 years-old, would be my lucky travel-mate for a return voyage aboard Harmony. I was anxious to witness the excitement in her eyes when she would embark upon this extraordinary ship.
Harmony set sail in 2016 and is currently the third largest cruise ship in the world. She’s also the longest, and has a passenger capacity of nearly 6780, plus a crew of 2200. One would think with 9000 people onboard that you’d be constantly knocking elbows and reaching for the last scraps of food at the buffet! Nothing could be further from the truth. With 2747 staterooms, 16 guest decks, seven “neighborhoods”, and 20 restaurants, there is ample space to spread out and enjoy your vacation as you like. It is nothing short of a floating luxury resort with all the amenities, more than you could imagine.
This was our first post-pandemic cruise, as it likely was for most guests. Few people continued to wear masks. There was more than enough space for everybody to feel comfortable, with washing stations as you entered the buffet restaurants and hand sanitizers at each of the 24 guest elevators.
Tali and I began each day soaking up the early morning sunshine through the large stateroom balcony door. The gentle, warm breeze and sounds of the sea were refreshing and mesmerizing. Then, we would head up to the sports deck for a few games of pickleball. The multi-sport court is also used for basketball, volleyball and dodgeball. We teamed up with sport enthusiasts who looked forward to a good heart-pumping sweat to get the day started.
There were bountiful options for breakfast and brunch. We usually chose from the generous offering at the Windjammer Café where guests from all over the world mingled among the hot and cold buffets, fresh baked pastries, omelet station, and juice bar. We would greet foreign-speakers with a friendly smile and often break the ice with a curious, “Where are you from?”, usually in English, sometimes in French. It could not be easier, or more fun, to talk to complete strangers. It’s thrilling to meet guests and crew members from all around the world. I’ve made it a habit to learn to say ‘Thank You’ in a dozen languages.
Harmony has a mind-blowing 23 areas with pools, hot tubs, waterslides and flow-riders! We alternated sun-bathing on the busy pool deck near the thrilling water slides, chilling at the tranquil adult-only solarium, and snoozing at the secluded lounging area along the jogging track.
Choosing a lunch destination was a favorite pastime. The terrace at The Park Café, surrounded by lush greenery offered a unique setting to enjoy our veggie Panini and roast beef sandwich. With birds chirping and guests strolling past us along the meandering pathway in Central Park we needed reminding that we were actually on a ship!
Sports animator MX (South Africa) enthusiastically instructed us in zip-lining 10 stories above the Boardwalk. Then it was off to rock-climbing on the massive 40 foot wall followed by soaking in the hot tubs. We ate ice cream and drank lots of Pina Colada, Daiquiri and Mojito mocktails each day, enjoying our special time together, chatting about what to do next, knowing full well there simply wouldn’t be enough time to do it all.
One particular afternoon we attended a wine-tasting event at Vintages in Central Park. Linda, our sommelier, (Indonesia) decoded the intricacies of our six glasses of wine. We learned how to pair with various dishes and she counseled us on bottles from $15 to $150.
Each afternoon we’d grab a couple of slices of pizza from Sorrento’s, open 24-hours-a-day, and fill our “bottomless” tumblers in one of the automated soda machines. We’d head up to our 11th deck stateroom balcony to snack, relax, gaze out at the sea and chat. The “Voom Wifi” connection was solid, so we sent pictures and videos daily to our family and friends back in chilly Montreal. Our outside cabin and balcony were spacious and the attendant, Anthony (Jamaica), was attentive, friendly and thorough. He made monkeys out of twisted towels and kept the room spotless. Twice-a-day tidying was recently reduced to once and that was just fine with us.
We usually went to the late seating in the Main Dining Room, where service was formal and classy. Our waiters, Gerald (Philippines) and Ping (China) and our uber-friendly head waiter, Ercan (Turkey) always asked how we enjoyed our day. Our meals were exquisitely plated and tasted delightful. Unfortunately, the endless lobster tail dinners are a thing of the past. One of our outstanding meals was at Izumi, a hibachi and sushi specialty dining restaurant. Chef Julien (Philippines) put on quite a show, cooking up traditional Japanese dishes right in front of us. With spatulas and knives whizzing by, eggs being tossed in the air, singing and cheering galore, my meal included filet mignon, scallops, lobster tail and shrimp. They easily accommodated Tali with tasty vegetarian options. There were so many other specialty restaurants to choose from – another reason to return someday soon!
Night time entertainment was a big highlight. We loved both musicals in the Royal Theatre: ‘Grease’ was sensational – amazing Broadway calibre voices, delightful dancing, lavish costumes and extravagant sets. ‘Columbus’, was a whimsical, dimwitted musical parody that brought us to our feet loudly applauding the talented actors. The two ice-skating shows in Studio B were lively and well-choreographed with some of the best skaters from Europe and North America. The aqua-shows were simply unbelievable with divers soaring high above the audience, splashing into the pool and disappearing under the deck. Highly entertaining and action-packed, the divers, swimmers and even a tight-rope walker provided heart-stopping thrills and edge-of-your-seat excitement.
Other activities included the art auction, a delightful singer from “Lettermen” fame, live music, dancing, and shopping galore. There was even a parade down the Royal Promenade, a massive dance party and balloon-drop. There was so much activity, entertainment and food that we simply could not find enough time to do it all!
Instead of excursions we opted to remain on board when it was quiet and there were no lines. We enjoyed these port days by exploring the ship. The one exception was in Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private Haitian resort, where we took advantage of the beautiful beaches. Tali and I lounged under beach umbrellas and splashed in the warm turquoise water. We were spoiled with non-alcoholic fruit drinks and a grand buffet. Local artists performed in marching bands, dance troupes and acrobatics. Merchants offered their crafts in the marketplace. Everything was within a 10 minute easy walk from the ship. A shuttle also circled the resort. It was a great day at Labadee.
This was a remarkable Royal Caribbean experience – they excel at taking care of each one of their guests, ensuring a spectacular vacation. From the moment we arrived at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale until our return one week later, everything was perfectly organized. Like an orchestra, each part was in perfect harmony (pardon the pun).
They also say, ‘you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression’. For those like me who have cruised more than once on Harmony of the Seas, I believe you can enjoy the first impression, over and over again.
