The cruise ship “Harmony of the Seas” is the largest ship in the world today. This giant oasis class reaches 362.12 meters in length and 66 meters in width. Its height is 70 meters and a depth of 22.6 meters. The crew is 2,100 people. “Harmony of the Seas” - a cruise ship built at the French shipyard in Saint-Nazaire for “Royal Caribbean International” - is the largest passenger ship in the world, surpassing the dimensions of its older sisters - “Oasis of the Seas” and “Charm of the Seas”.
History and plans for the future
The success of the first two oasis-class ships inspired the Royal Caribbean Cruises to order a third ship of this type in December 2012. “Harmony of the Seas” was first launched on June 19, 2015, since then its first sea trials began. On May 15, 2016, the ship sailed from France to its first destination, Southampton (England). At the end of October 2016, the ship will cross the Atlantic towards the United States and arrive at the port of the Everglades (Florida) in early November.
The largest liner in the world: photo
Comparison, for example, with the famous "Titanic" leaves the last no chance. If it were possible to imagine these ships together, then the famous giant of the last century, in comparison with the modern "Harmony of the Seas", would be just a pleasure boat. The largest cruise ship of our century has 2,747 cabins of various shapes and sizes, which can accommodate 5,479 guests.
There are both economical small options with a simple and restrained interior, as well as large luxury rooms (some of them are equipped with an 80-inch wall-mounted screen almost from floor to ceiling that imitates a virtual balcony). The size of the room can reach 180 square meters, there are several types of "suites", including the new "royal class".
Infrastructure
The largest ship has an incredibly rich infrastructure. In the stern is located an aquatheat. At a height of 20 floors there is a dry slip complex "Ultimate Abyss". The liner has a spa and fitness center, its own small bay where you can even surf, 2 climbing walls, an area with three water slides, 4 pools and 10 jacuzzis, including two hydromassage baths hanging over the edge of the ship.
On board there is a casino, 20 restaurants, including the Looking Glass with molecular cuisine, a cinema, a bionic bar where drinks are served by two bartender robots that can make two drinks per minute and 1000 drinks per day. There is also a central park, a royal theater, a life-size basketball court and numerous playgrounds for children and youth.
On board there is also high-speed Voom internet. Each guest is given a special bracelet that serves as a pass to many entertainments. The largest cruise ship is more like a resort town than just a big ship.
Powerful harmony
Harmony of the Seas has two 4-story 16-cylinder engines that, when operating at full capacity, would burn about 66,000 gallons of diesel per day. The cruise industry is now one of the fastest growing sectors of the mass tourism market: in 2016 alone, 24 million passengers prepare for a sea ​​voyage, in 2006 this figure was 15 million, and only 1.4 million in 1980.
As already mentioned, “Harmony of the Seas” is the largest liner in the world (photos are presented on the page). And the most expensive. Travel prices start at $ 1,125 per person for seven nights, including a Western Mediterranean tour.
What makes Harmony of the Seas so unique?
1. An impressive selection of restaurants, ranging from fast food to restaurants with the most sophisticated cuisine.
2. Sports entertainment. A set of dry slides in the open air is just what you need for those who are looking for thrills. There is an ice rink where passengers can rent skates and ride during the day. There is a full-sized basketball court, an 18-hole mini-golf course and two surfing machines.
3. The mysterious indoor hall for the game "Escape the Rubicon." This unusual event involves the creation of a team that will participate in a simulation of marine emergencies. When “something goes wrong” and the cruiser is “captured”, members of the brave team will have to find the keys to find an escape plan. A great way to spend time for families and friends who crave active and non-standard leisure.
4. A new level of stage show. The largest liner to date (weighing 226,963 tons) is the first cruise ship to ever offer the full version of the Broadway "Briolina". Particularly noteworthy is the water theater with two 36-meter diving sites, which looks just fabulous in the evening lighting.
5. More than just cabins. Prices range from about $ 800 for a base cabin for three night flights to over $ 4,000 for a seven-night superior room. Can't afford an expensive ocean view room? 70 cabins contain "virtual balconies" from floor to ceiling, which are LED screens that exactly resemble balconies onto which a picture is projected from external surveillance cameras installed on the sides of the ship, recreating a real-time view of the ocean. The screen also has a computer railing, because testing showed that their presence made people feel much safer than with "open" virtual windows.
Marine oasis
On board the ship there is even an oasis with more than 10,000 plants and 50 trees. The cost of the ship is about one billion dollars. In the summer of 2016, the liner, according to the plan, will carry out seven-day cruises in the Mediterranean Sea, and in the fall, at the end of October, will go on a trip to the Caribbean.