The restaurants are eerily empty, the theatre is nothing but a naked stage, the cabin floors are bare and the decks are far from finished. But despite its skeletal aesthetic, it’s not hard to imagine what Harmony of the Seas will look like when it hits the high seas in May.
When it sets sail on its maiden voyage, the Royal Caribbean giant will steal the crown as the biggest purpose built cruise ship on the planet. It’s just 13 inches longer than its sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, and slightly wider. While its gross tonnage hasn’t yet been confirmed, construction workers are estimating that it will hit a record 227,000. Theoretically, she’ll be able to carry up to 8,880 passengers and crew.
As part of the pre-launch campaign, the leading cruise line invited over 100 international journalists to the French shipyard for a VIP tour of the ship. On-board, passengers will enjoy cabins and suites featuring generous balconies, spacious public spaces and brand spanking new amenities. One of the most exciting additions is the dizzyingly high Ultimate Abyss, the 10 storey waterslide that stretches from the ship’s sundeck down to the Boardwalk entertainment zone. All dreamt up by the very same German company behind Olympic Park’s £3.5 million helter-skelter Orbit Tower.
As well as being impressive in size, Royal Caribbean claims that the ship is 20% more efficient than its other fleet members. This is thanks to next generation engine design, LED lighting and the line’s pioneering ‘bubble technology’ designed to create a smoother glide. Not to mention an exhaust scrubber that will help the ship belch out cleaner, greener emissions from its twin funnels. For environmentally conscious cruisers, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy a greener holiday.
The finishing touches will include 12,000 plants, trees and shrubs to brighten up its open-air Central Park area, the installation of the Bionic Bar featuring twin robot cocktail mixologists and the addition of Jamie’s Kitchen. Interestingly, the popular ‘Dynamic Dining’ concept will be shunned in favour of a traditional main dining room system, as well as the option of set evening meal times and ‘MyTime’ dining.
Want to catch a glimpse of Harmony of the Seas for yourself? She’s set to cruise into Southampton on May 20th, followed by nine days of celebrations. On May 29 she’ll begin her maiden voyage to Barcelona before kicking off a summer season in the Mediterranean. After a sun kissed season in the Med she’ll head to Florida to begin her Caribbean season.
If you’d like to find out more about package holidays on-broad Harmony of the Seas, get in touch with Cruise 1st‘s friendly team today on 0808 2746 777!
Images via: YouTube – Olivier Martins, Wikimedia
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