What will be the biggest cruise ship in the world is now more than just a rendering.
Planned for 227,000 gross registered tons, Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas had its final block of ship structure lowered into place at the STX France shipyards in Saint Nazaire, France on Tuesday.
Due in April 2016 and bound for Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale the following November, the ship is slightly larger than its two sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Harmony of the Seas will hold 5,479 passengers at double occupancy in 2,747 staterooms, which is 41 more staterooms than either older ship.
It’s the first of two Oasis-class vessels being constructed at the French shipyards, with the second, which has yet to be named, due in 2018. Royal Caribbean is also expecting delivery of the China-bound Ovation of the Seas in April 2016 and a fourth Quantum-class vessel in 2019.
The title of world’s largest cruise ship, though, will be short-lived for the 16-deck Harmony of the Seas as soon as the first of four Carnival Corp.’s announced 6,600-passenger vessels come to market in 2019. Two of the four will be built for the company’s European-based line Aida with the other two’s brand yet to be revealed. The company owns Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).
Harmony’s arrival to Fort Lauderdale in 2016 will be on the heels of Norwegian Escape’s debut this November. South Florida will also see the new Carnival Vista in November 2016 and Regent Seven Seas Explorer in December 2016.
With Harmony’s arrival, the original Oasis-class vessel Oasis of the Seas will migrate up the Florida coast to Port Canaveral leaving Harmony with Allure of the Seas sailing seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. Harmony’s first voyage from South Florida will be Nov. 5, 2016.
Harmony of the Seas will be similar to its sister ships with features like Central Park, which has real trees and grass in the middle of the ship. What’s new on Harmony, though, will be three water slides that will hang out over Central Park 10 decks below. One set of slides will be racing slides with acrylic sections so riders might catch a glimpse of the park below. Another slide will have a bowl feature that lets riders swirl around before sliding out a hole in the middle before exiting the ride. All three will be single-rider body slides, meaning no tubes or mats.
“This is the first water slides Royal Caribbean has put on a ship,” said Josh Martin, president of Orlando-based Aquatic Design & Engineering, which has partnered with longtime Royal Caribbean designers Wilson Butler Architects to produce the new water park. “So it was very significant, very challenging to just think through how do we integrate those in to what was an existing class of ship and make them feel like they were always meant to be there.”
The line often takes concepts from its newer ships to roll out in new designs, as well as retrofit older ships when they go into dry dock. That notion means there will be more robot bartenders at sea as featured in the Bionic Bar, which debuted on Quantum of the Seas, will also be aboard the Harmony.
As far as accommodations, virtual balconies will be installed in inside staterooms offering an ocean view of sorts, while single cruisers will have studio options. Those ponying up for suites will get more exclusive areas including a private lounge, sun deck and their own restaurant called Coastal Kitchen.
The line announced some specialty restaurants aboard including Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and Sabor Modern Mexican as well as Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, a new concept that promises a culinary adventure for the senses in a whimsical setting.
“We are orchestrating a medley of new exciting concepts with the best Royal Caribbean innovations to strike the perfect chord for adventurous vacationers,” said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley in a press release last February. “That is why we are calling our third Oasis-class ship Harmony of the Seas.”
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