World’s largest cruise ship to get a sister
The new world's largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, will be getting another sister in 2021.
Royal Caribbean announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the STX France shipyard to build a fifth Oasis class vessel for delivery in the spring of that year.
Harmony is the third ship in the Oasis class series. The first two Oasis class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, debuted in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
A fourth Oasis class vessel already is on order for delivery in 2018.
While the vessels share the same basic layout, Royal Caribbean made changes to the design in advance of Harmony's construction that resulted in a bigger footprint.
Harmony is nearly three feet wider than its sisters and a tad longer, too. It measures a record 226,963 tons, nearly 1,700 more than Oasis and Allure.
Royal Caribbean didn't say whether the newly ordered Oasis class ship would be even bigger than Harmony or if it would offer new attractions.
Harmony has a number of features that aren't on Oasis and Allure. Among them: Ultimate Abyss, which just might be the most thrilling attraction ever conceived for a cruise ship. Comprised of two swirling slides, it drops nine stories from near the top of the vessel down to one of its lowest decks.
Harmony also is home to a Bionic Bar where the drinks are served by robot bartenders, a concept that first debuted in 2014 on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas.
In addition, Harmony has larger cabins than Oasis and Allure in some categories, and windowless "inside" cabins are outfitted with Royal Caribbean's exclusive Virtual Balconies, which offer a real-time view of the outdoors.
It's a concept that first debuted in 2014 on the line's Navigator of the Seas.
Harmony holds nearly 100 more passengers than Oasis and Allure at double occupancy. Its total capacity is 6,780 people, not including crew, a new record for the cruise industry.
Have you ever cruised with Royal Caribbean, and how did you find the experience? What’s your take on these new mega cruise liners?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
Written by Gene Sloan. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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