Currently on Harmony of the Seas

[ZerasPride]

Oh, the Central Park area is lovely. My favorite area of the ship. I wish it just had a view to the ocean. But I find that views out to the ocean are at a premium. You only get them from your room or the upper decks.

Yes that Central Park area was amazing! We were on the 8th deck so only had to walk out our room and stroll down the hall to that area. It was so unique for being on a ship and I believe there was some type of live music playing that just made the evenings so enchanting. I wish Disney ships has a "neighborhood" like that.

 

[epcotrulz]

Sorrento’s pizza is maybe a step above Elio’s, flavorless crust and no crispness to it.

 

[epcotrulz]

I haven't tried RCCL yet and am sorry you are having a bad experience. I am one of those who can't really justify DCL pricing any more. Probably in part b/c we are 5 people and that always substantially increases the costs, so DCL is at least double on most itineraries. We have been on many other lines and do not see DCL as being miles ahead of any of them, though.

I have heard good things about Celebrity and Princess, but at this point I feel so burned by RCL that I will be a DCL cruiser for the foreseeable future …..

 

[Happy100]

We did an Independence of the seas cruise about 5 years ago and were disappointed. We still enjoyed the cruise but a lot of what you mention was our experience. Except I thought the food was comparable to DCL.
I had heard from others the "newer" RCL would be better. Sad to see that may not be the case. We are trying Carnival Panaroma next year and staying in the Havana themed area and hopeful that we enjoy it more then our RCL.

 

[Intr3pid]

The issue is, you are comparing your themed Disney cruise with a 5500-pax, half-price floating city. It's two different experiences. You are very much paying for Applebee - yet looking for a Ruth Chris.

We rarely ever sail the Caribbeans in another cruise line. They all have the same ports and dates, so why fix something that's not broken? If you want to try others, look for different itineraries. Or a significant enough difference that won't force you to compare small things.

And a lot of it is about expectations too. We enjoy other cruise lines but not as a way to replace DCL. Rather, these experiences add a different layer to our travels. For instance, they can take us to places DCL won't. Or offer food choices that DCL can't. Or allow an additional cruise within our vacation budget.

 

[tidefan]

The issue is, you are comparing your themed Disney cruise with a 5500-pax, half-price floating city. It's two different experiences. You are very much paying for Applebee - yet looking for a Ruth Chris.

We rarely ever sail the Caribbeans in another cruise line. They all have the same ports and dates, so why fix something that's not broken? If you want to try others, look for different itineraries. Or a significant enough difference that won't force you to compare small things.

And a lot of it is about expectations too. We enjoy other cruise lines but not as a way to replace DCL. Rather, these experiences add a different layer to our travels. For instance, they can take us to places DCL won't. Or offer food choices that DCL can't. Or allow an additional cruise within our vacation budget.

I would agree with this, however, I think that many people once off of DCL just think that there is RCCL and that is all. There are so many other options out there. Princess, HAL, Celebrity, and Virgin are all great if you are looking for great food and less upcharge. If you want more bells and whistles (which is where I put RCCL), there is also NCL and dare I say, the new Carnival Mardi Gras (and soon to be Celebration/Jubilee).

Each of these is going to be a bit different and have pros and cons that are dependent upon just exactly what kind of cruise you are doing. For instance, if I had 2 older teens, they would love RCCL or the new Carnival ships for the "bells and whistles". If it is just me and my wife (and my DD as she loves it the best), we would lean Princess or Virgin as the food tends to be better and more is included in your fare.

Do your research and see what works best. There are tons of options.

 

[epcotrulz]

The issue is, you are comparing your themed Disney cruise with a 5500-pax, half-price floating city. It's two different experiences. You are very much paying for Applebee - yet looking for a Ruth Chris.

We rarely ever sail the Caribbeans in another cruise line. They all have the same ports and dates, so why fix something that's not broken? If you want to try others, look for different itineraries. Or a significant enough difference that won't force you to compare small things.

And a lot of it is about expectations too. We enjoy other cruise lines but not as a way to replace DCL. Rather, these experiences add a different layer to our travels. For instance, they can take us to places DCL won't. Or offer food choices that DCL can't. Or allow an additional cruise within our vacation budget.I’m comparing the marketing to what I’m gettin

The issue is, you are comparing your themed Disney cruise with a 5500-pax, half-price floating city. It's two different experiences. You are very much paying for Applebee - yet looking for a Ruth Chris.

We rarely ever sail the Caribbeans in another cruise line. They all have the same ports and dates, so why fix something that's not broken? If you want to try others, look for different itineraries. Or a significant enough difference that won't force you to compare small things.

And a lot of it is about expectations too. We enjoy other cruise lines but not as a way to replace DCL. Rather, these experiences add a different layer to our travels. For instance, they can take us to places DCL won't. Or offer food choices that DCL can't. Or allow an additional cruise within our vacation budget.

The issue is that it’s a crappy product IMO. I don’t think because it’s cheaper they should have people sitting on the floor because they don’t have enough events or serve crappy cuts of meat or not enforce the adults only areas … that’s my issue.

I’m sharing my experiences with fellow DCL fans, if you enjoy Royal, good for you! But I know why I’m disappointed and my frame of reference is just fine.

 

[MMSM]

Greetings from Harmony of the Seas! This is my first (and last) RCCL cruise. But while I’m here figure I would offer to get any info I could for my fellow DIS folks.

Here are my thoughts and opinions after three days

- Balcony is larger but room is overall smaller (12140) than a standard DCL balcony cabin; cabin is askin to a Hampton Inn. Split bed is uncomfortable.
- Venues are overcrowded, people sitting on the floor at quizzes, long lines for shows, etc
- Aqua show was canceled, haven’t seen it
- Haven’t seen Grease yet
- Solarium should be called “the green house” stays super hot with no breeze, age limit not enforced, same with Solarium Bistro, when I asked an officer about the age limit he shrugged
- Most of the ship common areas have zero view to the outdoors
- Smoke smell from casino makes its way into MDR
- Food in the MDR is decent, but nothing has wowed me. A step below DCL
- Spa staff rude and disinterested in helping me (after being place on hold for 15 minutes hung up and went down there to talk to someone)
- Toddler aged children running around the gym
- Called guest services about the third erroneous charge to my account, after 24 minutes on hold I was hung up on, had to go stand in a 20 minute line
- 30 minute wait for a milkshake at Johnny Rockets (I bought the beverage package)
- 20 minute wait for specialty coffee in the morning
- Asked to borrow a pen from cruise staff and that was met with “no”
- Most questions asked if the crew are met with confusion or wrong answers and no one ever offers to get you an answer.
- Chat feature with other guests on the Royal App is an up charge, $2/day, must buy for everyone in your cabin for entire cruise

None of this is exaggeration. I honestly keep trying to make the best of the situation but they just really don’t give a sh*t about guest experience they only care about finding ways to nickel and dime you.

This is a group trip and while spending time with my friends has been great, six of the eight of us agree this is not a great experience and none of us will sail RCL again.

Thank you for sharing. Was actually looking at RCL.

 

[IAMOZBY]

I was looking into RCL for Alaska but the wifey said its DCL or nothing. She's always right.

 

[Intr3pid]

I don’t think because it’s cheaper they should have people sitting on the floor because they don’t have enough events or serve crappy cuts of meat or not enforce the adults only areas … that’s my issue.

Actually, that's exactly how life works. Try it with airlines, with your Applebees, and your Walmarts. If you want a better experience, pay up.

 

[epcotrulz]

Actually, that's exactly how life works. Try it with airlines, with your Applebees, and your Walmarts. If you want a better experience, pay up.

If you disagree with a stranger on line you can just read it, and move on. Enjoy the rest of your day!

 

[TxT365]

Sooo good to hear the experience. We were trying to weigh the benefits of doing RC over DCL due to the price difference. Your review made it so much easier to decide.

Trish

 

[Mango7100]

Thanks for the review. We were looking at RCL but I had a fear of the cattle drive feeling of being on a mega ship. We have done 3 RCL cruises previously but on the Mariner class. We are looking at the Haven on NCL to try something different beside DCL.

 

[dwg]

We have done 14 Disney Cruises over the years so obviously we enjoy the Disney Cruise. I have not been on RCCL myself but my BIL/SIL are pinnacle club members and currently do about 14 RCCL cruises a year. They really like RCCL. I have not tried RCCL and it is not for a lack of wanting too but between my research and hearing from BIL/SIL and others who have been on RCCL regarding having to reserve seats for the shows in advance, sitting at the captains table, etc. and listening to SIL complain about how crowded the shows were when the crew was supposed to be following COVID protocols made us not want to pull the trigger on a RCCL cruise. While I have not been on a cruise since COVID started I learned from these boards that Disney added shows and kept people from different families apart which makes me think that Disney did a better job overall with handling their COVID response. We are set to cruise on the Wish in November.

My opinion regarding the price difference is in part due to the fact that the MDR is always more than just dinner. It is dinner and a show. As the OP mentioned the standard rooms are slightly larger and the bathroom is split so that more than one person can get ready at a time. Also you don't have a casino to subsidize the cruise fare which can be a huge profit center for a cruise line helping to keep the cruise fare down. A lot of times people post that they are done with Disney and the other cruise lies are less expensive so they won't cruise with Disney anymore. I have enjoyed this thread because I feel like it is not focusing on just the cost and acting like there are no reasons that justify the difference in price.

As far as Disney customer Service goes (past experience) I think it has been very good when ever we had an interaction with the crew. My BIL thinks that RCCL's crew has been great to them because they are pinnacle club members and the crew is afraid to cross pinnacle club members. Crew members should never feel that they need to give good customer service because they are afraid of the customer. I understand the customer service rating needs for them to be all 5's but I never felt that the crew I interacted with were providing good customer service because they were afraid. Maybe that is just me.

 

[Cheburashka]

The issue is, you are comparing your themed Disney cruise with a 5500-pax, half-price floating city. It's two different experiences. You are very much paying for Applebee - yet looking for a Ruth Chris.

I've seen plenty of posters on these boards arguing that RCCL is as good or better than DCL and for less money, so it isn't unreasonable for the OP to have expected something in the same ballpark. Same for NCL and Carnival. I never really believed those posters, but they can be so vociferous, I'm not surprised if some others do.

 

[epcotrulz]

Happy to share my experiences! Glad some are finding it helpful.

Just saw the water show “Big Daddy’s Hideaway Heist” or something like that. Like a mid-century modern take on a cirque type water show. The acrobatics were very good and I enjoyed the show. We needed to sit all the way off to the side though. We had reservations and when we arrived 30 minutes prior to show time all the center section seats were already taken or reserved for “key, suite, pinnacle” etc. They ended up opening those seats up though and people in their standby line took a bunch of those prime spots. So, yeah … lol. My expectations are so low now that I just shrug.

Dinner was not great tonight. Pesto sauce was actually an Alfredo sauce, again, shrug … Tiger shrimp dish was five normal size shrimp.

 

[Intr3pid]

I've seen plenty of posters on these boards arguing that RCCL is as good or better than DCL and for less money, so it isn't unreasonable for the OP to have expected something in the same ballpark. Same for NCL and Carnival. I never really believed those posters, but they can be so vociferous, I'm not surprised if some others do.

And they get their share of pushback as well.

This thread, unfortunately, has a bitter tone. Not constructive criticism - just bitter. I mean, we are criticizing pizza crusts now. OK, maybe that's how bad the experience is.

But, this is also the largest cruise line in the world - one that's going to carry thousands of returning guests every week. It's got tons of letdowns, but it can't all be a funeral. So, when I read this sort of review, I do have to reach for that salt shaker. As I do with the ones you referred to.

 

[belle032]

I was intrigued by this title of this thread as we've considered the RCCL mega ships. I appreciate the initial review - I do think these ships would be too large for us and will probably pass on them in the future. We enjoy the DCL Dream size and the newer CCL ship sizes more.

But remember you are comparing a giant floating city to the DCL ships, so some aspects may be hard to do a fair comparison. Such as capacity for events. However, it's unfortunate you've had such bad service for sure. Bad service isn't justified on any cruise line.

Just throwing in my 2 cents though - the running commentary you're posting is coming off as you just searching high and low for every single negative aspect you can find and report back on. I don't know if it's to justify your decision of going back to only DCL or what. You're absolutely entitled to your opinions, but cruise lines other than DCL aren't necessarily inferior or "crappy" products because of your singular experience. There are multiple boards on this very website that will back up that argument.

Everyone vacations differently and needs to find what works best for themselves and their families. No one is wrong or right here. Happy future cruising to you.

 

[holula]

I've seen plenty of posters on these boards arguing that RCCL is as good or better than DCL and for less money, so it isn't unreasonable for the OP to have expected something in the same ballpark. Same for NCL and Carnival. I never really believed those posters, but they can be so vociferous, I'm not surprised if some others do.

Personally I think NCL is more on par with DCL - is it as good, no. But for the price difference especially somewhere like Europe I would happily sail NCL.

Royal’s ships are nicer than NCL IMO but everything else is better on NCL.

 

[epcotrulz]

I was intrigued by this title of this thread as we've considered the RCCL mega ships. I appreciate the initial review - I do think these ships would be too large for us and will probably pass on them in the future. We enjoy the DCL Dream size and the newer CCL ship sizes more.

But remember you are comparing a giant floating city to the DCL ships, so some aspects may be hard to do a fair comparison. Such as capacity for events. However, it's unfortunate you've had such bad service for sure. Bad service isn't justified on any cruise line.

Just throwing in my 2 cents though - the running commentary you're posting is coming off as you just searching high and low for every single negative aspect you can find and report back on. I don't know if it's to justify your decision of going back to only DCL or what. You're absolutely entitled to your opinions, but other cruise lines other than DCL aren't necessarily inferior or "crappy" products because of your singular experience. There are multiple boards on this very website that will back up that argument.

Everyone vacations differently and needs to find what works best for themselves and their families. No one is wrong or right here. Happy future cruising to you.

I’m not looking to debate anyone. If you find what I’m saying helpful, that’s great! If I think this is an inferior product that I’m actually experiencing real time, then this is my (and my travel party and fellow cruisers) opinion. Have a great day!