Harmony of the Seas
Discussion
Robertj21a said:
Couldn't agree more, the mere thought of going on it brings me out in a cold sweat. I suppose we're all different but I'll never understand why so many people manage to find pleasure from being stuck on a block of flats in the middle of the ocean without any means of doing anything different.
It's not a block of flats it's a mobile hotel, waking up to a new view every morning in a new port.wilwak said:
We do quite a few cruises and have used as a way to see the world.
I hate crowds and queuing but when I think of a cruise ship as a very nice ferry at a very good price I feel so much better about it!
We've been to so many places that we never would have seen otherwise.
There's also a lot of difference between the different cruise lines. Some are party ships, some are more relaxed and some are certainly more heavily populated than others. Some I like and some I hate.
Stepping off in a new port each day is what we love.
Out of interest, what's your view of say Cunard Vs some of the more relaxed American type mega ships.I hate crowds and queuing but when I think of a cruise ship as a very nice ferry at a very good price I feel so much better about it!
We've been to so many places that we never would have seen otherwise.
There's also a lot of difference between the different cruise lines. Some are party ships, some are more relaxed and some are certainly more heavily populated than others. Some I like and some I hate.
Stepping off in a new port each day is what we love.
I'm reasonably open to trying it, but do like to explore on my own rather than as part of a regimented group tour which is what is portrayed on TV.
I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
s2kjock said:
I'm reasonably open to trying it, but do like to explore on my own rather than as part of a regimented group tour which is what is portrayed on TV.
I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
All cruises you are free to explore. The organised excursions are optional. I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
I always wanted to go on a cruise until I started pricing up how much a cruise cost if you wanted anything over the rather basic and cramped standard cabins and cruise somewhere more exotic than the Med. It isn't that much more expensive to go on a sailing holiday on a (hired) yacht in the Caribbean (£2k per person without flights) than a cruise (£1.8k per person, for a suite, without flights) for the same week in July.
bulldong said:
I agree. Whilst I am fascinated by the size of it and the engineering, I look at all the "attractions" on it and think it looks comparable to going on holiday in the seventh circle of hell.
Me too. My receptionist goes on at least two cruises a year, and as she stands there telling me all about her holiday, I smile and say how nice it sounds, but what I'm actually thinking is "That's my worst nightmare". 
Robertj21a said:
Couldn't agree more, the mere thought of going on it brings me out in a cold sweat. I suppose we're all different but I'll never understand why so many people manage to find pleasure from being stuck on a block of flats in the middle of the ocean without any means of doing anything different.
A transatlantic voyage might seem along those lines, but otherwise your cruise ship is just a floating hotel, and you wake up in a different city every morning, which I love. I have considered an ocean crossing but the idea of not being able to get off and do or see something puts me off. s2kjock said:
I'm reasonably open to trying it, but do like to explore on my own rather than as part of a regimented group tour which is what is portrayed on TV.
I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
Ok, I really have to clear up this misconception I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
What you do on a cruise, every single cruise from every single cruise company, is completely up to you, from start to finish. From personal experience some people just want to stay on the ship all day when it's in port, eating, swimming, sunbathing, whatever and if you want to do that, you can. Or you can skip breakfast, get off the shop as soon as you can and get stuck into hardcore sightseeing, or anything in between. In virtually every city that I've been to on a cruise we've chosen to explore completely on our own, and once you've docked you can get off and just have to be back on time. Prior to arriving there's usually a presentation about the destination that you can attend and then you can choose to book yourself on a tour if you like, and there are countless various ones to choose from at any given destination. We did a couple in Alaska as sights tended to be further out so it was more convenient to join a tour, and one on Corsica to see the gorges. Otherwise you just get off, go for a wander, do whatever and see whatever and come back when you have to be back.As has already been mentioned, despite the number of people onboard, the size of the ships means that it honestly hardly ever feels crowded, despite how hard that may be to believe. The only time it feels busy is at breakfast when the buffet does get crowded and you do get some queues, but honestly it's really no worse than if you were staying in a hotel. At sea most people want to be in the pools or on the sun loungers so if you want to go for a stroll around the deck or find a place to sit, watch the sea and relax, there won't be many other people joining you. Sunsets at sea are magical as is the night sky, as one previous poster mentioned, and despite being someone who hates people and hates the very idea of coach tours and whatever else like that, I love cruises.
HoHoHo said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
Epic is very square. We nicknamed it the lego-brick.
And it's not brilliant in the inside
They're built to a price of course and even this new Harmony of Seas room decor looks a little 90's hotel, but they're comfortable enough for us by a good margin!
NJK44 said:
INWB said:
No. Why would I pay money to go to something I hated? I've never been to Butlins or Pontins either. Both would be hideous.
How do you know you'd hate it if you've never been on one? Open your mind, you might love it. Haha, takes all sorts.
Having reluctantly tried it at first, cruising is now easily my favourite holiday. The economies of scale on these floating villages and consequent VFM is astonishing when you factor in all the top notch food on tap, the huge breadth of entertainment on offer plus seeing all the different destinations.
Waking up in a new place, going up to the 11th floor for a superb breakfast with the best view in the house is great (e.g Cannes looking over the bay with the posh yachts buzzing about below).
Get on the forums to see what to do at each place (don't go near the organised stuff). Part of the fun and loads of free stuff.
I've done the kids ones: you know they're safe on board with absolutely stacks to do (all sports, climbing walls, music mixing desks, chilling etc etc). They loved it. I particularly liked the chance for them to try new food (e.g. snails, gazpacho) and if they didn't like it they could revert to pizza or burger and chips no problem. Coffee and fantastic cakes on tap all day for the ladies! Service was 10/10 from the friendliest staff you could meet. They're very strict on alcohol so no hordes of drunken youths wandering about.
If you want busy and party atmosphere it's there plus live pub music and quizzes. And of course the shows in a massive theatre which I thought were great, plus Ice rink. But there are libraries, gym and quiet areas all over too. You choose. Lectures for free, I did a photography course wandering the ship with a pro showing how to take good holiday snaps.
Off peak season they are now doing many themed cruises. I went with my brothers on a 5-day rock cruise, 24 bands doing basically Reading festival but on a ship with sunbathing, top grub and a bed 50 yards away. You get to mingle with all the band members too if you want (e.g. Steve Rothery, Steve Hackett). Brilliant atmosphere. As an idea of cost, direct return flights to Miami plus cruise and all grub and entertainment was £900, just beer on top. How much is a weekend in a tent at Reading with portaloos?
Be boring if we all liked the same things though!
Having reluctantly tried it at first, cruising is now easily my favourite holiday. The economies of scale on these floating villages and consequent VFM is astonishing when you factor in all the top notch food on tap, the huge breadth of entertainment on offer plus seeing all the different destinations.
Waking up in a new place, going up to the 11th floor for a superb breakfast with the best view in the house is great (e.g Cannes looking over the bay with the posh yachts buzzing about below).
Get on the forums to see what to do at each place (don't go near the organised stuff). Part of the fun and loads of free stuff.
I've done the kids ones: you know they're safe on board with absolutely stacks to do (all sports, climbing walls, music mixing desks, chilling etc etc). They loved it. I particularly liked the chance for them to try new food (e.g. snails, gazpacho) and if they didn't like it they could revert to pizza or burger and chips no problem. Coffee and fantastic cakes on tap all day for the ladies! Service was 10/10 from the friendliest staff you could meet. They're very strict on alcohol so no hordes of drunken youths wandering about.
If you want busy and party atmosphere it's there plus live pub music and quizzes. And of course the shows in a massive theatre which I thought were great, plus Ice rink. But there are libraries, gym and quiet areas all over too. You choose. Lectures for free, I did a photography course wandering the ship with a pro showing how to take good holiday snaps.
Off peak season they are now doing many themed cruises. I went with my brothers on a 5-day rock cruise, 24 bands doing basically Reading festival but on a ship with sunbathing, top grub and a bed 50 yards away. You get to mingle with all the band members too if you want (e.g. Steve Rothery, Steve Hackett). Brilliant atmosphere. As an idea of cost, direct return flights to Miami plus cruise and all grub and entertainment was £900, just beer on top. How much is a weekend in a tent at Reading with portaloos?
Be boring if we all liked the same things though!
s2kjock said:
I'm reasonably open to trying it, but do like to explore on my own rather than as part of a regimented group tour which is what is portrayed on TV.
I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
Bar having to be back by x time so they can set off, if you have an idea about what you're doing when you get to place y, you can just go off and do your own thing. On the Caribbean cruise we went on this most involved getting off, bypassing the hoardes of taxi men, finding a taxi else where and taking us to a good beach. Very easy.I can understand why having thousands of folk wandering around a foreign city/prt and then needing rounded up before a set departure time necessitates organised excursions but it's not for me, or are there cruises where you have more freedom in this respect (ie "you've got 6 hours, off you go and if you are late back you find your own way to the next port"?)
Some excursions can be fun though. River rafting and racing yachts have been highlights.
The americans are a funny bunch to watch though. Think TG Africa special where they go to find the Nile. They're definitely like that lot with their daft shorts and socks pulled up.
The talk of food just reminded me, when I was on my cruise I mentioned I couldn't decide between the beef dish and the chicken dish and asked for a recommendation the waiter suggested I just have both! And when someone mentioned they liked a certain desert he went and grabbed another for everyone else. Superb although you can soon put on some weight!
Yes, not spending all day overeating is one of the challenges. They are really happy for you to eat as much as you want of anything at anytime and it's all lovely.
Talking of the Yanks, one of the waiters did tell me about a bloke on Lobster night who had ordered 7 portions!
I remember once not being able to face a big dessert so just asked for icecream and oh do you have any butterscotch sauce. He came back 10 minutes later with my own special sauce made up in a serving boat.
Talking of the Yanks, one of the waiters did tell me about a bloke on Lobster night who had ordered 7 portions!
I remember once not being able to face a big dessert so just asked for icecream and oh do you have any butterscotch sauce. He came back 10 minutes later with my own special sauce made up in a serving boat.
HarryW said:
wilwak said:
We do quite a few cruises and have used as a way to see the world.
I hate crowds and queuing but when I think of a cruise ship as a very nice ferry at a very good price I feel so much better about it!
We've been to so many places that we never would have seen otherwise.
There's also a lot of difference between the different cruise lines. Some are party ships, some are more relaxed and some are certainly more heavily populated than others. Some I like and some I hate.
Stepping off in a new port each day is what we love.
Out of interest, what's your view of say Cunard Vs some of the more relaxed American type mega ships.I hate crowds and queuing but when I think of a cruise ship as a very nice ferry at a very good price I feel so much better about it!
We've been to so many places that we never would have seen otherwise.
There's also a lot of difference between the different cruise lines. Some are party ships, some are more relaxed and some are certainly more heavily populated than others. Some I like and some I hate.
Stepping off in a new port each day is what we love.
HoHoHo said:
Oakey said:
Wait, is all the food free?
Depends on the ship and package.On NCL ships most restaurants are included but you then pay extra for some and shows for example.
Believe me, the cruise companies know how important it is to feed people with excellent food.....and they do.
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