HISTORY
MS Harmony of the Seas is an
Oasis-class cruise ship built by STX France at the Chantiers de
l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France for Royal Caribbean
International. With a gross tonnage of 226,963 GT, she is the largest
passenger ship in the world, surpassing her older sisters Oasis of the
Seas and Allure of the Seas.
History
The success of the first two Oasis-class ships led Royal Caribbean
Cruises to order a third ship of the type in December 2012. Harmony of
the Seas was floated out on 19 June 2015, began her first sea trials on
10 March 2016, and was delivered to Royal Caribbean on 12 May 2016.
After a construction time of 32 months, the ship first set sail on 15
May 2016 from the STX France docks in Saint-Nazaire, viewed by some
70,000 people. Her first destination was Southampton, England, although
her home port was Barcelona until 23 October 2016 when she crossed the
Atlantic.
Harmony of the Seas took two short "preview cruises", three nights to
Cherbourg and four nights to Rotterdam, after reaching port in
Southampton on 17 May. During these voyages, passengers complained of
ongoing construction, a lack of hot water, unopened attractions,
excessive waits at restaurants, and other issues. The ship's maiden
voyage departed from Southampton on 29 May and arrived at its summer
home port of Barcelona on 5 June. According to passengers on this
cruise, construction had finished and the ship was ready to sail.
On 10 November 2016, the vessel was officially christened by her
godmother, Miami-Dade County teacher Brittany Affolter.
Routing
For the inaugural season, Harmony of the Seas offered seven-night
western Mediterranean cruises originating from Barcelona and
Civitavecchia. In late October 2016, the ship crossed the Atlantic to
the United States, where she offers seven-night eastern and western
Caribbean cruises departing from Port Everglades, Florida.
Accommodations
Harmony of the Seas has 2,747 staterooms, with a wide variety of types,
to accommodate (at double occupancy) 5,479 guests ranging from small
interior rooms to larger rooms and suites, some of which are fitted with
wall-mounted 80-inch (200 cm) screens, covering nearly the floor to
ceiling, that show the ship's environment as if through a window, named
'virtual balconies'. These screens were first fitted on the Quantum
class of cruise ships. A full 43 categories of stateroom types are
offered, starting at a size of 180 square feet (17 m2); several types of
suites are available, including the new "Royal Class" suites.[
Amenities
As the third member of the Oasis class, Harmony of the Seas is very
similar to her two sister ships. However, there are some design changes
and extra amenities, most noticeably the "Ultimate Abyss" dry slide at
the stern of the ship and the "Perfect Storm" water slides. Harmony of
the Seas is the second Royal Caribbean ship to feature water slides,
after Liberty of the Seas underwent a refurbishment in January 2016 that
added water slides and Splashaway Bay. The ship is divided into seven
neighborhoods, including Central Park and Boardwalk, like her
Oasis-class sisters. Amenities include:
"Vitality" Spa and fitness center
"Splashaway Bay" water play area for young children
"Perfect Storm" water slide complex, featuring three slides
"Ultimate Abyss" dry slide complex, with two ten-story tall enclosed
slides
4 swimming pools and 10 hot tubs, including two hot tubs cantilevered
over the edge of the ship
2 Flowrider surf simulators
"Casino Royale" casino with a full selection of slot machines and table
games
"Puzzle Break: Escape the Rubicon" escape room game designed by
Seattle-based Puzzle Break and ShowFX
20 dining venues, including "Wonderland" molecular gastronomy restaurant
11,252 works of art
Studio B Ice Rink
The Aqua Theatre, an open-air stage which hosts diving, aerial and
acrobatics shows
The Bionic Bar, where drinks are made solely by two robotic arms
The Royal Theatre, a 1,400 seat venue for Broadway-style shows such as
Grease, Royal Caribbean's original show Columbus, and 3D movies
DreamWorks Experience, with characters from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, etc.
Two rock climbing walls
Full-size basketball court, miniature golf course and ping pong tables
Zip line
Adventure Ocean programs for children and youth; also Royal Babies and
Royal Tots programs
"Voom" high-speed Internet
Optional RFID enabled wristbands (WOWbands) which will provide the same
functions as the SeaPass cards
Promenade shopping mall featuring jewelry, fashion and accessories
Rising Tides Bar, a bar platform that raises and lowers three floors
between the Promenade level and the Central Park level
Carousel, Johnny Rockets, Starbucks, snacks and entertainment on the
Boardwalk area
Central Park, an open air garden path with food and shops
Technology
Harmony of the Seas is 20% more energy efficient than her sister ships
harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Small air bubbles from the
keel reduce drag and thus fuel consumption by 7-8%, and a smooth hull
surface further reduces resistance. The bubble system also reduces
propeller noise, and is used on Celebrity Reflection and Quantum of the
Seas. LED and fluorescent lamps replace incandescent light bulbs,
reducing power consumption and need for air conditioning. The engine
system uses a waste heat recovery system, and drives three Azipod
propellers.
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