Royal Caribbean International’s new generation Oasis-class ship, <em>Harmony of the Seas,</em> is set to launch in April 2016<em>. </em>The third in the Oasis class of ships – currently the largest cruise ships in the world – will continue the award-winning cruise line’s philosophy of innovation and imagination to offer a unique vacation adventure for guests.

“We are orchestrating a medley of new exciting concepts with the best Royal Caribbean innovations to strike the perfect chord for adventurous vacationers. That is why we are calling our third Oasis-class ship <em>Harmony of the Seas</em>,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.            <em>      </em>

<em>Harmony of the Seas</em>, featuring the cruise line’s design of seven distinct neighborhoods for which Oasis class is known, will offer the most amazing collection of experiences, amenities and activities at sea. Guests can test their mettle on the ship’s <strong>three multi-story waterslides</strong>, all of which twist and turn over Central Park 10 decks below. One of the slides also will feature a champagne bowl that swirls guests around as they make their approach to the end of the ride.

“The Oasis class ships continue to astound and delight both new and experienced cruisers. They shatter preconceived notions of what cruising can be and continue to stand in a category by themselves,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “With <em>Harmony of the Seas</em>, we are making the most exciting experience at sea even better.”

<em>Harmony of the Seas</em> also will feature a new Bionic Bar on the Royal Promenade.  The Bionic Bar was first introduced aboard <em>Quantum of the Seas</em>, and feature robot bartenders serving up one-of-a-kind crafted cocktails while dancing to a fluid beat. Additionally, guests onboard <em>Harmony of the Seas</em> will enjoy RFID technology with <strong>Royal WOWBands</strong> that provide them access to their staterooms as well as make onboard purchases and reservations.  Like her sisters, <em>Harmony</em> also will feature the fastest Internet connection at sea where guests can stream video; Skype with family and friends back at home; and share their vacation memories through social media instantly while at sea.

While <em>Oasis</em> and <em>Allure</em> offered some of the largest staterooms in the fleet, on<em> Harmony of the Seas</em> the company has made some stateroom categories even larger.  Interior accommodations also will be outfitted with Royal Caribbean’s exclusive Virtual Balconies which offer a view in every stateroom, while single travelers will have studio stateroom choices. Suite guests also will have exclusive new areas to enjoy, from a well-appointed suite lounge and a private suites-only restaurant called <strong>Coastal Kitchen</strong> to an exclusive full-service <strong>Suite Sun Zone </strong>sun deck.

Younger and young-at-heart guests can take a spin on the handcrafted carousel or enjoy a new <strong>classic games arcade </strong>on the ship’s Boardwalk neighborhood. While parents enjoy the newly relocated <strong>Starbucks</strong> café on the Boardwalk, kids can meet new friends at a new climbing play area.

Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining will give <em>Harmony of the Seas’</em> guests a culinary experience as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities with more choice and flexibility than ever before. Those preferring a more traditional cruise dining style may select the “Classic” option which will offer two set seating times. Dynamic Dining’s “Classic” option allows guests to rotate through each of the main complimentary restaurants at an early- or a late-seating time throughout their cruise with their dining group and the same assigned waiter each evening.

New specialty restaurant concepts will provide even more variety for guests including <strong>Izumi Hibachi &amp; Sushi</strong>, with a new teppanyaki menu, and the <strong>Sabor Modern Mexican </strong>restaurant. The new <strong>Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine</strong> will give guests the chance to experience a unique culinary adventure for the senses when Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes in a whimsical setting that challenges the imagination with never-before-seen fare.

<em>Harmony of the Seas</em> will span 16 decks, encompass 227,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,479 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,747 staterooms. The Oasis class is an architectural marvel touting Royal Caribbean’s exclusive seven neighborhood concept, including Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.

With Quantum-class ships<em> Anthem of the </em>Seas (launching in April 2015 in Southampton, U.K.) and <em>Ovation of the Seas</em> (debuting in April 2016),<em> Harmony of the </em>Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s third new ship to launch throughout the next 18 months. Itineraries for <em>Ovation of the Seas</em> and <em>Harmony of the Seas</em> will be announced this coming March.

image (c) royal caribbean