Harmony of the Seas from DCL

[Sleepyluke]

I posted this over on RC, but not nearly as much activity over there and you people have the same addictions that we do.

We are 9x DCL cruisers and love the laid back atmosphere and kids activities. BUT, the constant price increases have gotten over our heads now. I have seen the DCL is double the price of RC for a while but never found significant savings for times we were looking. Well fast forward looking to October 2025, DCL week is over $6k while RC is under $3k with the current deals out of Galveston on the Magic vs Harmony. While I know it won't be Disney, will we be disappointed? We are not fans of a Vegas atmosphere and really want to relax and disconnect for week. I know there are tons of kids activities, but is it non stop lights and glitz?

Also, some love it or hate it, but can you still tell you are on a ship? i love the rocking motion of the ship and don't want to turn into a floating Vegas if that makes sense. Nothing wrong with it, millions of people love it, but that is not what I want to cruise for.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

We sailed on the Harmony way back when she was new. Don't recall any Vegas atmosphere unless you went to some of the shows or the casino. We enjoyed it and felt it was fairly close to DCL in quality.

Things can change over the years though so more recent Harmony cruisers could give you a more up to date comparison.

 

[holula]

I’ve been on Oasis and apart from the food, I had a great time. It’s definitely not a floating Vegas.

 

[dreamer17555]

I was just on the Allure. It is not Vegas but it is much louder IMO vs DCL. Tons of music (a bunch of it live) everywhere and even the Solarium wasn't exactly quiet. However the shows were actually better than DCL (and I do not say that lightly.) I missed all the trivia, drawing, cooking classes on DCL because I like calmer activities but if the price works I would give it a try

 

[OKW Lover]

I responded to your other post but now that I read this one with a bit more info let me suggest that you waste no more time and go ahead with booking the Harmony. The price difference is huge.

I would suggest however that on the Harmony you book an ocean view balcony. They have interior balcony rooms as well, but all that does is look across the ship at the rooms on the other side of central park/boardwalk

The ship is big, but yes, it does still move a bit and you'll know you are on a ship.

 

[retlaw_yensid]

I'll be honest. I have not cruised any other line other then DCL, so I don't have true first-person experience with any of this. But I have watched a number of YouTube vlogs by people that have. And the #1 concern that I keep seeing with "cheaper" cruise lines is that they seem to nickle-and-dime you for things that are otherwise included with DCL.

For instance:

• I keep seeing people having to buy a separate drink package (for the sodas, etc that are included with DCL).
• On other cruise lines, it seems that the number of dining locations included with their base cost were very limited, compared to the rotating dining and buffet options included on DCL.
• On other cruise lines, there seem to be a lot of on-board activities and rides that cost extra. I don't recall seeing too many of those on DCL.
• On other cruise lines, at their private island ports, there seem to be a lot of areas that cost extra just to enter. I don't recall Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point charging to go into separate areas on their islands.

Other cruise lines like to brag about their prices being lower. But when you're done with their cruise and add up all of the "extras" that you had to pay for to make the experience equivalent, I often wonder how much of a difference would it be then?

 

[dreamer17555]

I'll be honest. I have not cruised any other line other then DCL, so I don't have true first-person experience with any of this. But I have watched a number of YouTube vlogs by people that have. And the #1 concern that I keep seeing with "cheaper" cruise lines is that they seem to nickle-and-dime you for things that are otherwise included with DCL.

For instance:

• I keep seeing people having to buy a separate drink package (for the sodas, etc that are included with DCL).
• On other cruise lines, it seems that the number of dining locations included with their base cost were very limited, compared to the rotating dining and buffet options included on DCL.
• On other cruise lines, there seem to be a lot of on-board activities and rides that cost extra. I don't recall seeing too many of those on DCL.
• On other cruise lines, at their private island ports, there seem to be a lot of areas that cost extra just to enter. I don't recall Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point charging to go into separate areas on their islands.

Other cruise lines like to brag about their prices being lower. But when you're done with their cruise and add up all of the "extras" that you had to pay for to make the experience equivalent, I often wonder how much of a difference would it be then?

As a very loyal to DCL cruiser let me address this-

I did a 4 night Allure of the Seas for 2 ppl in a guaranteed Oceanview balcony in Oct. They had so many more included dining options (like the buffet opened for dinner and Loco fresh, and Johnny Rocket's breakfast), we spent zero for any onboard activity (included with cost- ice skating, flow rider, rock climbing, zip-lining, mini golf, sports deck). We also spent no more at Coco Cay than DCL (we rented a float before the cruise for $10, we would do the same at Castaway) and my son loved the giant pool with underwater speakers. And the show were better than DCL (and I hate admitting that)- Dive show, Ice show, First night main stage show, comedians, and a full production of Mamma Mia that was as good as any national tour I have seen of it.

The entire cost spent for the soda package x2 (basically getting me what I get on DCL), tips, float rental, fare, and port and taxes was just under 1k. There is no way that you can get a 4 night for 2ppl for the price and that was with a soda package.