---

November 10, 2021

Oasis of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas: we discover the evolution of Royal Caribbean‘s successful Oasis class.

We accompanied Harmony of the Seas on her last sailing in the Mediterranean before her transfer to the United States. It’s worth remembering that this is the third ship in the Oasis class, the first to be built in France with new technology available. So let’s find out what she has more than her younger sisters (“Oasis” and “Allure”) born in Finland in 2009 and 2010. Recall that “Harmony” when it entered service in 2016, was the largest cruise ship in the world, today surpassed only by its evolution Symphony of the Seas and in a few weeks also by the brand new Wonder of the Seas.

But records are not enough to make a ship the ideal vacation destination, the important thing is what it offers to passengers who decide to spend time on board. Royal Caribbean has outdone itself by creating a mix between the “Oasis” class ships and the futuristic “Quantum” class ships. Several years ago, the slogan of Royal ships was “like no vacation on Earth”: this concept could very well be repeated for this great ship, which is the main destination of the vacation, where the itinerary takes a back seat and there are so many things you can do on board.

But what differentiates this ship from others? In my technical opinion its width has allowed its designers to study unique architectural solutions. In fact, this is a ship that can be said to be “turned inwards” and not towards the sea: three large areas have been created in the middle of the ship where life on board is concentrated and where the main rooms and cabins face.

In the middle of the ship is the Royal Promenade, three decks high, the heart of nightlife, with skylights in the ceiling from which natural light filters in from Central Park. The latter is the most incredible environment ever created on a cruise ship: 10,587 real plants make it possible to stroll through a navigable park overlooked by various restaurants and stores. As we have seen on its sides, we find all the balconies of the cabins that have an upwards view of this open area. In fact, the four swimming pools are located exactly above shifted on the right and left sides allowing a large opening in the superstructure.

Finally, at the stern there is another “street” that ends with the Aquatheater, a large amphitheater that during the day is dedicated to bathing and in the evening turns into an arena for fascinating water shows performed in its deep pool. The spaces are so large (and therefore you never have the perception of overcrowding) that the ships of this class are divided into seven thematic districts, just like a small city sailing with almost 9,000 people.

Added to this already exceptional structure are the “Bionic Bar” and the “Wonderland” restaurant, both of which were very popular on the “Quantum” class. The new “upgrades” also include the solarium, which has been lengthened, and the new toboggans, including the “Ultimate Abyss”, the highest slide installed on board a ship. The design of the cabins has also been revised to reflect the colors of the “Quantum” class ships; the multitude of categories already available on “Oasis” and “Allure” is thus combined with a new layout that makes the stay on board even more pleasant.

In addition to the hotel equipment, the entire project has been technically reviewed to make it compliant with the “Safe return to port” regulations; furthermore, the ship has been equipped with scrubbers that make it more environmentally friendly, without forgetting that the technological update has made it possible to increase the energy saving of this cruise-liner, which consumes 20% less with the same nautical performance as its sisters.

For the STX shipyard in Saint Nazaire, its construction was a real challenge, after all, the two previous “sisterships” had seen the light in the Turku shipyard. The construction techniques are the same as those of our shipyards, only that for larger volumes, spaces and systems of greater capacity are used, such as the new 1,450 ton gantry crane that allowed the construction of this giant in less than 90 pre-equipped assembly sections. Then the work on board was always the same, from the hotel fittings to the boarding of the prefabricated cabins. A very complex know-how that few large European industries possess.

Let’s conclude with the “numbers” of “Harmony of the Seas”: 226,963 gross tonnage, 362.12 metres overall length, 47.42 metres beam, 92.4 MW of installed power, 2,747 passenger cabins, 6,780 guests as maximum occupancy, 2,100 crew.

Don’t miss more information and Reviews of Royal Caribbean on Cruising Journal, with opinions, tips and cruises on offer.

Matteo Martinuzzi

Comments