Royal Caribbean’s Harmony Embarks on Trans-Atlantic Crossing

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony Embarks on Trans-Atlantic Crossing

The Harmony of the Seas is currently returning to North America, having started a trans-Atlantic crossing to Port Canaveral in late July.

Sailing from Barcelona, the 13-night cruise is highlighted by visits to destinations in Spain, such as Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, Málaga and Cádiz.

The repositioning voyage also includes eight days of cruising in the Atlantic before arriving at the ship’s homeport in Central Florida on August 8, 2026.

As part of its new year-round deployment in Port Canaveral, the Oasis-class ship will kick off a series of four- to seven-night itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

For its first sailing in the region, the Harmony of the Seas offers a four-night cruise to the Bahamas that features visits to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The vessel’s schedule is also highlighted by short cruises to the Western Caribbean, in addition to longer itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean.

Other ports of call set to be visited by the 2016-built ship include Cozumel in Mexico, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

Before starting its repositioning voyage to North America, the vessel spent the past few months offering summer cruises in the Western Mediterranean.

Sailing from Barcelona and Rome, the itineraries were part of Royal Caribbean’s summer season in Europe and included visits to destinations in France, Spain and Italy.

The Harmony of the Seas also underwent a modernization project while in Europe, introducing new features as part of the Royal Amplified initiative.

Among the new features that debuted onboard the 5,558-passenger ship are a Caribbean-inspired pool deck and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

Royal Caribbean also added nearly 100 staterooms to the vessel, replacing technical areas and public rooms with additional accommodation space.

Royal Caribbean Cuts Steel on Fifth Oasis Class Ship

Royal, Caribbean, ship
PHOTO: Royal Caribbean steel cutting of a fifth Oasis Class ship. (photo via Royal Caribbean International

Sixth Oasis class mega ship ordered by Royal Caribbean

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A sixth Oasis class mega cruise ship is due to be delivered to Royal Caribbean International in autumn 2023.

Parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd yesterday revealed that it has entered into an agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique to order the latest in the family of giant vessels.

The ships, reputed to cost more than $1 billion each to build, are capable of carrying 6,680 passengers.

The Oasis class ships made their debut a decade ago with Oasis of the Seas followed by Allure of the Seas.

Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas have since entered service for the line.

The line’s fifth Oasis-class ship is due for delivery in spring 2021.

The new order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed in the second or third quarter of this year, according to the company.

RCCL chairman and CEO Richard Fain said: “It is such a pleasure to announce the order of another Oasis-class ship.

“This order is a reflection of the exceptional performance of this vessel class and the extraordinary partnership between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.”

The French shipyard’s general manager Laurent Castaing added: ”This is the 23rd cruise ship that Royal Caribbean will be building at our shipyard, and we are especially proud of it.

“The order reflects the confidence our customer puts on us, based on the exceptional quality of our long-term co-operation between the two companies and on our capacity to bring innovative solutions to meet our customer’s expectations.”

RCCL brands operate a combined total of 60 ships with an additional 16 on order.