By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International has revealed more details about its third Oasis-class newbuild, which is to be named Harmony of the Seas when she debuts in April 2016.
Currently under construction at the STX France yard in Saint-Nazaire, Harmony of the Seas will span 16 decks, weigh 227,000gt, carry 5,479 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,747 staterooms. The ship will offer some of the popular venues and elements found onboard her sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, as well as several new features.
“We are orchestrating a medley of new exciting concepts with the best Royal Caribbean innovations to strike the perfect chord for adventurous vacationers,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “That is why we are calling our third Oasis-class ship Harmony of the Seas.”
Like her sister ships, Harmony of the Seas will be configured with Royal Caribbean’s exclusive seven neighbourhood concept, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.
Other onboard features will include a handcrafted carousel, a Starbucks cafe, a new classic games arcade, a climbing play area, and three multi-storey waterslides, one of which features a champagne bowl design.
Harmony of the Seas will offer larger staterooms than the existing Oasis-class ships, as well as studios for single travellers and new Virtual Balconies in all interior staterooms, which offer guests a real-time view of the ocean. Meanwhile, suite guests will be able to access exclusive new areas including a suite lounge, a private restaurant called Coastal Kitchen and a full-service Suite Sun Zone sun deck.
Guests will be able to experience Royal Caribbean’s new Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine and dine in the new speciality restaurants, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and Sabor Modern Mexican. They can also benefit from Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining concept, which will enable them to dine more flexibly while onboard the ship. For example, they can select the ‘classic’ dining option and rotate through each of the main complimentary restaurants at an early- or a late-seating time throughout their cruise with their dining group and the same assigned waiter each evening.
In addition, the newbuild will feature a new Bionic Bar with robotic bartenders, which was first introduced on Quantum of the Seas, and Royal WowBands powered by RFID technology to provide them with access to their staterooms and make onboard purchases and reservations. Guests will also be able to access the fastest internet connection at sea, allowing them to stream video, make calls, share photos and more.
“The Oasis class ships continue to astound and delight both new and experienced cruisers,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “They shatter preconceived notions of what cruising can be and continue to stand in a category by themselves. With Harmony of the Seas, we are making the most exciting experience at sea even better.”
Harmony of the Seas will be the third Royal Caribbean to launch in the next 18 months. The line will also debut its second and third Quantum-class ships – Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas – in April 2015 and April 2016 respectively. Itineraries for Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas will be revealed this March.