By
Rebecca Gibson |
The world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, arrived in the port of Southampton, UK on 17 May.
Comprising more than 500,000 individual parts, Royal Caribbean International’s latest newbuild measures 362m long, weighs 226,963gt and took 32 months to build at STX France’s Saint Nazaire yard in France. The US$1billion vessel is the 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, spans 16 guest decks and can carry 5,497 guests at double occupancy.
“Harmony of the Seas is redefining holidays and intriguing a new generation of travellers with a bold and unexpected line-up of first-at-sea innovations, while enticing them to explore the world from a new perspective,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “From thrilling onboard activities and experiences to visiting awe-inspiring destinations across the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Harmony places guests at the forefront and encourages them to create their own adventures onboard and at every destination.”
Harmony of the Seas features Royal Caribbean’s exclusive seven neighbourhood concept, which includes the Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.
Innovative onboard features include robot bartenders, interior staterooms with virtual balconies, an AquaTheater, a theatre, 20 dining venues, 23 swimming pools, whirlpools, two FlowRider surf simulators, the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, Splashaway Bay waterpark, the first two-storey Wonderland restaurant, and The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea. In addition to 11,252 pieces of artwork, the ship will also have the Central Park, which features 10,587 plants, 48 vine plants and 52 trees, some over 20ft high. Guests will also benefit from VOOM, the fastest internet at sea.
Harmony of the Seas will sail from Southampton, UK on a series of short getaways to Northern Europe before embarking on her maiden cruise on 29 May, arriving in Barcelona, Spain on 5 June. Her inaugural summer season will include 34 seven-night western Mediterranean sailings, starting on 7 June.
In November 2016, Harmony will arrive at her homeport of Port Everglades, Florida to offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. Here she will join sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, homeported in Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, on the east coast of Florida.