Royal Caribbean Cruises took delivery of “MS Harmony of the Seas” on 12th May. At 226,963 Gross Tons and a length of 362 M (1,188 ft) MS Harmony of the Seas is now the world’s largest passenger vessel, overtaking her older sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
At a cost of over US$1 Billion she was built by STX France at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire France, and launched on 19th June 2015.
Operating at a cruising speed of 22 knots Harmony of the Seas will be able to carry a maximum of 6780 passengers with a crew of 2300. Harmony of the Seas undertook 3 and 4 day voyages in late May prior to the official maiden voyage. The maiden voyage departed from Southampton on May 29th and ended in Barcelona. Barcelona will be the ships home port for the summer until 23rd October when she will cross the Atlantic.
In line with vessels in the same Oasis Class, Harmony enjoys a Central Park feature of real grass and plants which are open to the outside air. These are enjoyed by inside staterooms that on conventional cruise vessels would have no windows or external features.
Here are some more facts and figure regarding this incredible vessel
10 million – the number of man hours if took to construct and fit out the Harmony of the Seas
18 – The total number of decks on board, 16 of which are solely for passengers
10,000 – The number of plants within the vessels park area
2- Number of purpose built rock climbing walls
2747 – The total number of cabins and staterooms on board
1188 – Total length of vessel in feet from bow to stern. This is one foot longer than previous vessels Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas and more than 100 feet longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower
2150 - The amount of water in Tonnes that Harmony of the Seas has in her swimming polls and other water leisure facilities
Further and in addition to the many other leisure facilities and restaurants, the vessel has an incredible 10 story water slide, surf machines, a deck tope water park, and even a bar where robots mix cocktails that you can order via an iPad!
For the initial season Harmony will provide 7 night cruises in the Western Mediterranean area. In October 2016 she will cross the Atlantic to offer 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, operating out of Port Everglades in Florida.
We wish all of her passengers and crew safe, happy and successful sailings in the months and years ahead
