Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, arrived in Southampton on 17 May 2016. The port was bustling as onlookers gathered to be among the first to see the new ship making her debut.
After 32 months of construction, the ship’s arrival marks a major milestone for Royal Caribbean International as Harmony becomes the 25th ship in the fleet.
Intricately built with more than 500,000 individual parts, Harmony measures 362m (1,188ft) in length and is 226,963 gross registered tons.
The newest addition to the RCI fleet combines the seven-neighbourhood concept that Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships are known for, with a lineup of modern holiday amenities.
Innovative features include Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea with a 10-storey plunge; robot bartenders at The Bionic Bar, powered by Makr Shakr; virtual balconies with real-time views of the destination and the fastest internet at sea.
Harmony of the Seas will sail from Southampton, U.K. on a series of short getaways to Northern Europe before embarking on her maiden cruise on 29 May, arriving in Barcelona, Spain on 5 June.
The ship and her 2,100 dedicated crew members will officially launch her inaugural summer season with the first of 34 seven-night western Mediterranean sailings on 7 June.
In November 2016, Harmony will arrive at her homeport of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from where she will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. The newest member of the fleet will join sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, homeported in Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, on the east coast of Florida.
