Alright, so I finally got around to experiencing the Harmony of the Seas, and let me tell you, the moment I stepped on board, it was a lot to take in. You hear about all the stuff they pack onto these massive ships, but seeing it is something else. My first thought was, “Where do I even start?” My goal was to hit as many of the talked-about attractions as I could, and I definitely put in the effort.
Water-Based Fun We Tried
First things first, we obviously had to check out the pool situation. The main pools were pretty packed, as you’d expect, people everywhere trying to snag a lounger. For the little ones, Splashaway Bay was a hit. They were having a blast with all the water cannons and slides there. I spent a good chunk of time just watching them go wild.
Then there were the big water slides, the Perfect Storm trio – Typhoon, Cyclone, and Supercell. We tackled those pretty early on. They were decent, you know? Good, twisty fun. The lines moved okay sometimes, other times you were waiting a bit. Standard water park stuff, but hey, you’re on a cruise ship, so that’s kinda cool. We did those a few times just for a quick thrill.
But the main event, the one everyone gawks at, is the Ultimate Abyss. It’s not a water slide, mind you, it’s a dry slide, and it’s huge. Ten stories, they say. Getting up there, you climb a bunch of stairs, and the entrance is this freaky anglerfish thing. You grab a mat, they shut the door, and down you go. It’s super dark, super fast, and you get some serious Gs. My stomach definitely did a flip. It was a rush, for sure. Did it once, maybe twice. That was enough for me!
Getting Active and Seeking Thrills
Okay, so next up, we tried the FlowRider. I’d seen videos of this, people trying to surf or boogie board on that constant wave. Spent a while just watching. Lots of wipeouts, which, honestly, is half the fun. I gave the boogie board a shot. Lasted about five seconds before the water just yeeted me. Good for a laugh, mostly at my own expense.
Then there was the Zip Line. It’s strung up high above the Boardwalk neighborhood. It’s not super long, maybe a nine or ten-second ride across. The view’s pretty neat, looking down on everyone. But it’s over so quick, you barely have time to process it. Still, it’s one of those things you gotta do if you’re on the ship, right? Just to say you did.
We also gave the Rock Climbing Walls a go. They’ve got a couple of them on the back of the ship. Let me tell you, it looks easier than it is. My arms were burning after just a few minutes. It’s a proper workout if you actually try to get to the top. Good challenge, though.
Shows and Other Spots Onboard
The entertainment was actually pretty impressive. We made sure to catch a show at the AquaTheater. Those divers and acrobats are incredible. Doing flips and dives into that tiny pool at the back of a moving ship? Wild. We also saw one of the Broadway shows, I think it was “Grease.” Honestly, it was really well done, proper professional production. And they had an ice-skating show! On a cruise ship! That was cool to see. The only downside? Booking these things was a pain. You had to be on the app right away, or go stand in line. Seats fill up fast, so you gotta be quick.
The Boardwalk area itself was kinda neat. It has that old-school amusement park vibe, with a proper carousel. More for the little kids, or for a cute photo, but still a nice touch. We’d stroll through there in the evenings.
And Central Park, that was a surprise. A whole open-air park with real plants and trees in the middle of the ship. It was a much calmer spot, nice for a quiet walk or to just sit and relax for a bit, away from all the hustle and bustle.
So yeah, we really tried to cram in as much as possible. It’s a lot, almost too much to do in one trip, but we gave it a good shot. Each attraction had its own vibe. You just gotta pick what looks fun and go for it. Definitely an experience, that’s for sure.
