Royal Caribbean International has officially taken delivery of the world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas.
The new 227,000-gross tonne vessel becomes the latest addition to the company’s Oasis Class fleet, but will be slightly larger and able to hold more passengers than the existing 225,282-gross tonne Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
Harmony of the Seas has a total of 2,747 staterooms for a maximum capacity of 6,410 passengers, who will be served by a crew of 2,100. The ship is 362 metres long and 66 metres wide, and the 18 decks will be accessible using a total of 24 passenger elevators.
After 32 months of construction at the STX shipyard in France, the ship was officially handed over to Royal Caribbean on Thursday 12 May 2016.
“Harmony of the Seas [combines] revolutionary ship design with the technological strides that have defined the Royal Caribbean brand,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman & CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises. “Thank you to STX France for their ongoing partnership in building our ships, which continue to introduce unexpected industry innovations.”
Michael Bayley, president & CEO of Royal Caribbean International, added; “Harmony is truly magnificent in every sense of the word, from her architecture and design to the level of care and attention to detail with which our incredible crew are taking to prepare for our first guests.
“The ship is the ‘best of the best’ of what our guests love most about Royal Caribbean, combined with new and thrilling experiences never before found in one place but it is the passion and dedication of our crew that will make everlasting memories for our guests.”
Costing more than a US$1 billion to build, Harmony of the Seas features seven separate “neighbourhoods”: Central Park, The Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Pool & Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.
Stand-out facilities include ‘Ultimate Abyss’, the tallest water slide at sea which plunges 30 metres down 10 decks of the ship, plus 23 swimming pools, whirlpools and two surfing simulators. It will also feature a large theatre showing productions of the Broadway musical ‘Grease’.
Harmony of the Seas will initially homeport in Barcelona, offering a series of seven-night sailings in the Mediterranean. Then in November 2016 it will cross the Atlantic to Florida, from where it will offer a season of seven-night Caribbean sailings.
FACTS & FIGURES
Length: 362 metres
Width: 66 metres
Decks: 18
Staterooms: 2,747
Capacity: 5,497 (double occupancy)
6,410 (maximum)
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