Royal Caribbean International's new ship, which will be launched in May of next year, will offer seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean during its inaugural season.
Royal Caribbean International announced today that Harmony of the Seas (http://youtu.be/RLwkVdE7ml8), the world's largest and most innovative cruise ship, will be based in Barcelona. The ship, which will be launched in May 2016, will offer seven-night Mediterranean cruises during its inaugural season.
The third ship in the Oasis class—which also includes the Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas—will continue the company's philosophy of constant innovation and reimagining to offer unique vacations to its passengers. The Harmony of the Seas will feature 16 decks, 227,000 gross tons, 5,479 passengers at double occupancy, and 2,747 staterooms.
As the company recently announced, Harmony of the Seaswill feature the concept of seven different themed neighborhoods for which the Oasis class is known: Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and the Youth Zone.
The ship will also offer the most incredible collection of facilities, experiences, and activities at sea. Water slides, a new bar served by robot bartenders (Bionic Bar), the fastest internet connection at sea, and electronic wristbands that will serve both for cabin access and for making purchases and reservations on board will join the already "classic" features of the Oasis-class ships, such as the Flow Ryder surf simulator, the zip line, the Aquatheater, and the Central Park, a natural landscaped park.
The Harmony of the Seas, still under construction at STX France (Saint-Nazaire, France), is a sister ship to the Allure of the Seas, which will offer seven-night Mediterranean cruises starting in May 2015.
Other ships in Europe
Royal Caribbean has also announced the rest of its ships that will sail European waters in 2016. A total of eight of its most innovative vessels will depart from six European ports and call at 80 destinations in 27 countries across the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, Scandinavia, and the Baltic Sea.
Cruises from Barcelonato
In Barcelona, the Harmony of the Seas will be joined by the Brilliance of the Seas , which will alternate 12-night cruises to Italy and Italy and Greece.
Great Britain and Scandinavia
The UK will see the return of the Independence of the Seas in the summer of 2016. The ship will offer 10- and 14-night cruises in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands from Southampton, while the Navigator of the Seas will offer 6- to 14-night cruises in the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands.
The Serenade of the Seas, meanwhile, will offer seven-night itineraries through the Fjords and seven- to thirteen-night itineraries through Scandinavia and Russia from Copenhagen in August and Stockholm in June and July.
Venice and Rome
From Venice, the Jewel of the Seas and the Vision of the Seas will sail the Adriatic and also visit Greece and Turkey (and Croatia in the case of the Jewel of the Seas). The Jewel of the Seas will thus double the company's capacity in the iconic City of Canals.
The Rhapsody of the Seas, meanwhile, will be based in Rome (Civitavecchia) with cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey.
Passengers who wish to do so can also opt for a transatlantic cruise and thus combine European and Caribbean itineraries.
