IT’S COMING! HARMONY OF THE SEAS WILL BE THE LARGEST CRUISE SHIP IN THE WORLD

By: Christian Stan

Royal Caribbean has released new details on its next vessel: the third iteration of its Oasis-Class vessels will be named Harmony of the Seas. When complete, it will be the largest cruise ship in the world.

Royal Caribbean confirmed that it will launch in 2016 Harmony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. The line says the third vessel in its Oasis class series, will measure 227,000 tons, eclipsing its two record-size sisters by more than 1,700 tons.

The 16-deck-high cruise ship will hold a record 5,479 passengers at double occupancy, nearly 100 more than the two earlier Oasis class vessels. The first two Oasis class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, made waves in the cruise industry when they debuted in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and are by far the largest cruise ships currently afloat. Chock full of dozens of eateries, bars, showrooms and deck-top fun zones, they each measure 225,282 tons and carry 5,400 passengers at double occupancy.

Harmony of the Seas will have giant, multi-deck water slides — a first for Royal Caribbean. Currently under construction at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, Harmony also will be the first Oasis class ship with a “bionic bar” where the drinks are served by robot bartenders — a concept that first debuted in October on Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum of the Seas.

Harmony will have larger cabins than Oasis and Allure in some categories. In addition, windowless “inside” cabins will be outfitted with Royal Caribbean’s exclusive Virtual Balconies, which offer a real-time view of the outdoors — a concept found also on Quantum of the Seas. Suite passengers also will have exclusive new areas to enjoy including a suite lounge, a private suites-only restaurant called Coastal Kitchen and a full-service Suite Sun Zone sun deck.