Harmony of the Seas Commences Sea Trials

Published Mar 11, 2016 7:46 PM by The Maritime Executive

The largest cruise ship built to date, currently under construction at STX France shipyard, commenced first sea trials on Thursday.

These first trials for Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas will run for three days and will focus on verifying the performance of the vessel’s electric power plant and propulsion system.

STX France started construction of the $1.1 billion vessel in September 2013.

Harmony of the Seas is 13 inches longer than Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas and slightly wider. The ship has a height of 70 meters (210 feet), 16 decks and is 362 meters (1,187 feet) long. This is 50 meters longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.

Harmony of the Seas will be capable of carrying 2,185 crew and 6,000 passengers. She will have larger cabins in some categories than its sister ships. Also, like other vessels, the windowless interior cabins will feature virtual balconies that provide a real-time outdoor view.

Harmony of the Seas is reported to have the fastest Internet connection at sea. Using Voom, Royal Caribbean International’s new satellite Internet service, guests can post to social media, including on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, as well as stream movies, games and apps.

Further trials will take place over the next two months, with delivery set for 12 May.

Harmony of the Seas will debut with a European cruise season June through October 2016 and then follow it up with year-round Caribbean seven-Night Eastern & Western sailings starting November 2016 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.