Harmony of the Seas

Day & Night on Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas is a busy, noisy ship, with lots going on day and night. During the day, the action centers on the Royal Promenade, a busy thoroughfare for shopping, eating and the odd "event," such as a sale. This spills out onto the Boardwalk, where you'll find the Carousel and the shops flanking it.

Daytime activities might include, but are not limited to, trivia and trivia-like games, bingo, pub games, dance classes, sports competitions, art auctions, cooking demos, and spa and shop seminars. Ice skating is also open to passengers at Studio B during various times throughout the cruise.

The ship really comes alive at night, when everyone is decked out for dinner and enjoying the electric atmosphere. It's also when it might feel the most crowded, as people compete for limited space at the blockbuster events, especially those on the Royal Promenade.

At night, the bars are all about being loud, offering entertainment and keeping you dancing and singing along late into the night. However, because of the innovative neighborhood concept (which separates areas), it's quite possible to escape the crowds and enjoy, for example, piped birdsong and classical music in Central Park, the most sophisticated and upscale area of the ship.

The theater, where you'll find the big productions including "Grease," is magnificent -- and huge -- with seating for 1,380 passengers and with a giant movie screen flanking each side.

The ship's casino is located midship on Deck 4. The casino includes a huge number of slot machines, along with table games like blackjack, craps and roulette. It hosts tournaments throughout the cruise and has a sports book, poker room and bar.

Catch late-night adult comedy shows at the Attic on Deck 4. Late into the night, it occasionally hosts music and dancing as well. The best spot for music is Jazz on 4 (Deck 4). This cool venue just oozes mellow vibes and fantastic live jazz. No reservations necessary, but dancing and music starts late and goes later.

Harmony of the Seas Outside Recreation

There's so much to do on the outer decks of Harmony of the Seas, that it's sometimes hard to know where to start. But if you do nothing else onboard, try the Ultimate Abyss.

Even visually, it's a showstopper, with the entrance -- high up on Deck 15 -- designed to look like a giant angler fish. The Abyss has two slides, and riders will fly, at breathtaking speeds, down 10 stories atop mats (that add speed and eliminate friction burns). It's a blast and open to anyone at least 44 inches tall. The ride lasts 12 seconds, long enough to get your heart racing without time to be truly terrifying.

Adrenalin junkies also will adore the ship's zipline, which offers a seven-second ride from Deck 16 to Deck 15 over the wide-open space above the Boardwalk.

The ship features three water slides, collectively called the Perfect Storm. Two, dubbed Typhoon and Cyclone, are racing slides, while the third -- Supercell -- features a "Champagne bowl," which includes clear tubing

Harmony also has two FlowRiders -- surf simulators where passengers can hone their Boogie boarding or surfing skills.

You'll find two giant rock climbing walls on Deck 6. A mini-golf course (called Harmony Dunes) on Deck 15 is popular when the weather is pleasant.

Most popular with the kids is Splashaway Bay with its water cannons, a multilevel jungle gym and a drenching water bucket, two covered hot tubs and a lazy river feature.

Virtually all of the middle of Deck 16 serves as a sun deck on Harmony of the Seas, with lots of lounge chairs and little shade.

Harmony of the Seas Bars and Lounges

There are 14 bars aboard Harmony of the Seas, most of them featuring various forms of entertainment, such as live music or DJs.
Highlights include:

Boleros (Deck 5): This Latin-style lounge, located on the Promenade, features live music and dancing late into the night. The bar -- and its dance floor -- really gets going after showtime.

**Boot & Bonnet Pub (Deck 5): **The best spot for a pint onboard, the Boot & Bonnet is an English-style pub located on the Promenade. This is where you'll find the best variety of beers from around the world; the menu even has a beer-style guide (English Ale, Tripel and IPA, for example) to help novices make decisions. An acoustic guitarist provides the entertainment at night.

Rising Tide Bar (Deck 5 through 7): Worth trying once, this bar is more like an elevator with a bar than a place to hang out. It moves between the Promenade Deck and Central Park, a three-deck ride. Rising Tide ride times are listed at the bar's entrances, and it usually offers a number of trips each night.

Bionic Bar (Deck 5): Two robot bartenders make your drink (cocktails only) after you punch in your order via tablets. Watch as these bionic arms shake up your cocktail. Because the robots can make only two drinks at once, it could take a little while to get your drink, but the novelty of it is a lot of fun (at least the first time).

**Schooner Bar (Deck 6): **The nautically themed Schooner piano bar looks over the Royal Promenade and usually is quite busy. When music from the Promenade doesn't filter in, a pianist/vocalist entertains.

**Vintages (Deck 8): **A true wine bar, Vintages is located in Central Park. It features a large, tall table that can be used for wine tastings, offered several times a cruise for a fee, as well as smaller, more intimate tables and a bar, as well as a number of outside tables. You can also order nibbles from Jamie's Italian here for a fee.

**Dazzles (Decks 8 and 9): ** This two-deck nightclub has live music and dancing every day. The top-deck is great for watching rather than participating; it overlooks the dance floor and small stage on Deck 8. Wait staff serve both levels. Dazzles stays open late, and getting a table can be tricky, but if you've got your dance shoes on, you won't need one.

Solarium Bar (Deck 16): The Solarium Bar serves passengers using the adults-only space. Because it's the only bar in the area, it's fairly busy, but it's a nice spot to grab a drink pre-dinner.

We love the sheer variety of restaurants and food options aboard the Harmony of the Seas, and that cruisers are not wedded to the main dining rooms and buffet should they wish to grab a free meal elsewhere -- which is just as well, as Oasis-class ships are known for overcrowding at peak times. On Harmony, you can always find a place to eat, no matter what time of day.

However, we found the quality from venue to venue as well as menu to menu varied; one night, you'll have a great meal, while the next you might be disappointed. That said, the quality and experience are far superior in the ship's additional-fee restaurants. The spaces themselves are comfortable and well-designed. They feel cozy and quiet, in part, because each venue caps the dining capacity to ensure an intimate experience.

The only drinks included in the cruise fare are tap water, juice, coffee and tea (including iced tea), but with a solid wine and beer list and multiple cocktail venues, most passengers on the Harmony of the Seas purchase alcohol packages. Figure out your own drink needs before buying a package.  

Room service on the Harmony of the Seas is free but for a fixed delivery charge. Guests can choose as much as they want from a decent menu that includes breakfast items and all-day bites and order it either on the stateroom’s TV or by calling room service.

Harmony of the Seas Complimentary Restaurants

American Icon (Deck 3) The Grande (Deck 4) and Silk (Deck 5) Restaurants
Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) Dinner (D)
Harmony of the Seas has three main dining rooms, though the food is the same in each one. At dinner, American Icon provides set-time dining (same table, waiter and tablemates every night), while the other two offer the My Time Dining (eat any time, though reservations are encouraged). For all meals, vegetarian, no-sugar-added, lactose-free and gluten-free options are identified. Notify your waiter and maitre d' about any food allergies or dietary requirements when you first board to ensure they can accommodate specific needs.

Breakfast is served every day in American Icon, with no set dining times or reservations required. You can eat either a la carte by ordering from the menu or use the space's surprisingly extensive breakfast buffet. Or you can do both.

American Icon also serves lunch but only on sea days. Like breakfast, you can order strictly off the menu, visit the buffet or enjoy a combination of both. This is the best spot to get a salad onboard. Dishes are generally heavy on the salt, and we preferred the quality of the buffet options over items from the menu.

Dinner is always a five-course plated affair no matter which main dining restaurant you pick. All courses include a vegetarian option, beyond simple pasta dishes. Menus vary each night, but there's a small selection of always available items as well. Food was OK; we found the sirloin a bit tough but would be happy ordering the escargot every night.

Windjammer Marketplace (Deck 16)
Meals: B, L, D
The Harmony of the Seas’ buffet, 

Windjammer Marketplace

, is loaded with options at all meals, and it's always busy even at dinner. There are hot and cold stations, made-to-order grills and dessert bars. Wait staff are quick and efficient, which helps combat the high volume of people who move through each day.

Breakfast starts bright and early, with an "early bird" continental option. That's followed by a true breakfast, but sadly, you can't get made-to-order omelets in Windjammer, though you can get custom fried or poached eggs.

Lunch offers a huge DIY salad bar, American favorites, tons of bread (with gluten-free options clearly identified) and a carving station that rotates daily. There is a made-to-order pasta station as well as a rotating custom option that one day might offer paninis, the next German sausages with all the fixings.

Dinner is especially popular on formal nights on the Harmony of the Seas because, unlike other venues, no dinner dress code is enforced here. In addition to the salad bar, you will find a wide variety of hot items and an exceptional cheese table.

Sorrento's (Deck 5)
Meals: L, D
Located on the Royal Promenade, 

Sorrento's

 offers pizza by the slice or made to order.

Cafe Promenade (Deck 5)
Meals: B, L, D

Cafe Promenade

 offers quick bites 24 hours a day. In the morning hours, grab pastries and doughnuts. Lunch and dinner deliver tasty sandwiches. But the best might be the post-dinnertime sweets. Cookies, tea and coffee are served around the clock.

Boardwalk Dog House (Deck 6)
Meals: L, D
A fun addition to the Boardwalk, this serves up Coney Island dogs, bratwurst or chicken sausage, with various condiments, and add-on peppers, onions or kraut. Dogs are served up fresh and messy.

Vitality Cafe (Deck 6)
Meals: B, L, D
The only "light fare" onboard, the Vitality Cafe is located in the Vitality Spa complex and is open roughly when the spa is.

Park Cafe (Deck 8)
Meals: B, L
With its Central Park location, Park Cafe is a great place to get away from the crowds jamming the buffet and was our favorite spot to people watch. Enjoy a build-your-own bagel sandwich for breakfast and custom-made salads or kummelweck (roast beef sandwich) for lunch, along with hot soups and sandwiches. You can also grab premade items, like egg salad sandwiches or Thai shrimp and noodles for the road.

Mini Bites (Deck 15)
Meals: L
This mini-venue serves mini-foods -- literally, bite-sized treats like pork meatballs, little corn dogs, mini-quiches and tiny empanadas. You also can find single-bite cupcakes and fruit on toothpicks. Mini Bites is tucked away behind a Ping-Pong table on Deck 15.

Solarium Bistro (Deck 15)
Meals: B, L, D
The Solarium Bistro overlooks the adults-only Solarium, a peaceful retreat and another favorite of ours to get away from the crowds that are common on the Harmony of the Seas; it's completely underutilized by most passengers. For breakfast and lunch, the Solarium Bistro menu is essentially a toned-down version of what is offered in the ship's buffet. But at dinner it really shines, offering a Greek-themed buffet with menu items that include chicken kebabs, skirt steak or grilled shrimp. Lamb chops and lobster tail are also available at an extra cost.

**Coastal Kitchen (Deck 17): **

Coastal Kitchen

 is open only to suite passengers and Pinnacle Club members of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program. All suite passengers can dine at Coastal Kitchen at night, when it serves a fusion of Mediterranean and Californian farm-to-table cuisine.

A La Carte Restaurants and Specialty Dining on Harmony of the Seas

The best food on the Harmony of the Seas is found in specialty and a la carte restaurants. These venues range from casual diners to elegant dining rooms with whimsical touches, but they’re all consistently good. Those looking to try multiple a la carte restaurants should book a dining package, which offer discounts of up to 40% and can include either three specialty restaurants or unlimited dining during their sailing.

Izumi Hibachi (Deck 11); a la carte, or set price for the Hibachi Experience
M: L (sushi only); D (Hibachi and sushi)
Menu items at the Harmony of the Seas’

Izumi

 include sushi, sashimi, noodle bowls, soups and salads, all priced a la carte; there's also a hibachi grill experience where you'll sit with others in a square around a hot hibachi surface as the chef spends as much time entertaining as he does cooking.

Sabor Taqueria and Tequila Bar (Deck 6); a la carte
Open: L, D
Located on the Boardwalk, Sabor is the ship's Mexican restaurant. The concept is Mexican food made with fresh ingredients, and the menu promises things like guacamole made tableside. We found the venue to be hit and miss when it came to quality and portion sizes.

Johnny Rockets (Deck 6)
Meals: B, L

Johnny Rockets

 is a Royal Caribbean favorite. The 1950s-style diner on the Boardwalk serves up hamburgers, French fries (with toppings like chili and cheese), melts and hot dogs for lunch. This is not the spot for a "light meal," though you can get a salad or grilled chicken breast sandwich.

Those in the know head to Johnny Rockets for breakfast, which has no additional charge. Food is very diner-centric: flapjacks, fried eggs and hash browns.

Starbucks (Deck 6)
Meals: B, L, D
Head here for a fancier caffeine fix. It also serves a limited food menu (pastries and the like), as you'd find on shore.

Chops Grille (Deck 8)
Meals: D

Chops Grille

 is the Harmony of the Seas’ steakhouse. It is located in Central Park and always packed. That's because it sticks with the big chophouse faves, like filet mignon, New York strip steak, braised short ribs and veal chops. Dry-aged steaks and Maine lobster are available for an additional fee.

150 Central Park (Deck 8)
Meals: D
Michael Schwartz's 

150 Central Park

 is located in the quiet Harmony of the Seas’ Central Park garden area and features two dinner options: a standard three-course dinner or a premium four-course (including two appetizers) menu, where each course is paired with wine. This is not a quick meal, as a number of courses and drinks are prepared tableside -- a nice touch.

Jamie's Italian (Deck 8)
Meals: L, D
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver lends his name and menu to this Italian restaurant. The one on Harmony of the Seas is located in Central Park, overlooking the peaceful, plant-filled garden. We recommend the "Anti Plank" appetizers, beautifully prepared with either cured meats or vegetables. The burger entree is outrageous and delicious, with lots of smoky pancetta and gooey cheddar cheese. The 

Jamie's Italian

 lunch menu has fewer options than the dinner menu.

Wonderland (Decks 11 and 12)
Meals: D
Spanning two decks of the Harmony of the Seas, 

Wonderland

's decor, inspired by "Alice in Wonderland," is impressive. But it's the dishes that are truly imaginative. This one is for the foodies and fans of molecular gastronomy; if you don't like fussy food, skip it. Innovative offerings include a baby vegetable garden, with tasty breadcrumbs that resemble dirt or a reconstructed caprese salad, with a liquid olive and ricotta powder. The open kitchen is a lot of fun; you can see how the chef actually creates these molecular masterpieces.

Chef’s Table (Deck 8)
Meals: D
Located inside Chops Grille restaurant and offering just a dozen or so spots around the table, the prix-fix Chef’s Table is one of the more formal dining options on the Harmony of the Seas. The five-course menu offers wonderful wine pairings chosen by the ship’s sommelier. It is open on select sailings only, and reservations are required.