Royal Caribbean will launch three new ships between now and April 2016. Those are two new Quantum class ships Anthem of the Seas (launching in April 2015 in Southampton, UK) and Ovation of the Seas (due to debut in April 2016 ) plus Harmony of the Seas.
Harmony of the Seas is the next generation Oasis-class ship, the largest in the world.
She will continue many of the memorable features of the class, while expanding and evolving others.
“We are putting together a mix of exciting new concepts with Royal Caribbean’s best innovations to strike the perfect chord for adventurous vacationers. That’s why we named our third Oasis-class ship Harmony of the Seas, ”said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
By the numbers
Harmony of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 227,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,479 guests in double occupancy, and feature 2,747 staterooms. The hallmark of the Oasis class is the unique seven-neighborhood concept, including Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. .
The ship will offer guests a variety of new amenities and activities. They include three multi-story water slides that spiral over the 10 decks of Central Park below. One of the slides will also feature a glass of champagne that will turn guests around as they near the end of the trip.
“The Oasis-class ships continue to amaze and delight new and seasoned cruisers. They break preconceived notions of what cruising can be and remain in a category of their own, “said Richard D. Fain, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.” With Harmony of the Seas, we are making the most exciting experience at sea even better.
Harmony of the Seas will also feature a new Bionic Bar on the Royal Promenade.
We got our first glimpse of the Bionic Bar during a shipyard preview for Quantum of the Seas. It’s hard to beat robot waiters serving artisan libations while busting a move.
We also got our first exclusive look at the RFID technology behind Royal WOWBands. Rubber wristbands give guests access to their cabins and allow them to make purchases and reservations on board.
Harmony of the Seas will feature a faster cruise internet connection. Guests can stream videos, SKYPE, and post their experiences on social media at speeds similar to those on earth.
While Oasis and Allure offered some of the largest staterooms in the fleet, on Harmony of the Seas the company has further expanded some stateroom categories. Interior rooms will also be outfitted with RoyalCaribbean’s signature virtual balconies offering a view in every stateroom, while individual travelers will have studio stateroom options. Suite guests will also have exclusive new areas to enjoy, from a well-appointed suite lounge and private all-suite restaurant called Coastal Kitchen to an exclusive full-service Suite Sun Zone sundeck.
For younger guests, a craft carousel awaits, as does a new arcade of classic arcades in the ship’s Boardwalk neighborhood. Parents can relax at the Starbucks on Boardwalk.
Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining will provide Harmony of the Seas guests with a culinary experience as broad and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities with more choice and flexibility than ever before. Those who prefer a more traditional style of dinner cruise can select the ‘Classic’ option which will offer two seating times. Dynamic Dining’s “Classic” option allows guests to rotate through each of the top restaurants for complimentary seating early or late during their cruise with their dining group and the same assigned server each night.
New restaurant concepts
New specialty restaurant concepts will provide even more variety for guests, including Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, with a new teppanyaki menu and the modern Sabor Mexican restaurant. The imaginative new cuisine of Wonderland will provide guests with the opportunity to experience a culinary adventure unique to the senses as Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes in whimsical surroundings that defy the imagination at a fare never seen before.
