Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas: Overview and What to Do

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas is a relatively new ship, at least by cruising industry standards, at under 10 years old. Debuting as one of the largest ships in the world, since its 2016 launch, the ship has been surpassed by bigger (and, some might argue, better) ships. However, that hardly makes this ship less noteworthy.

If you’re looking for a Royal Caribbean cruise that will provide all the bells, whistles and fun that you expect from modern cruising, Harmony of the Seas will still deliver. Here’s what you need to know.

Harmony of the Seas Stats

As mentioned, Harmony of the Seas was one of the biggest ships in the world when it first set sail, surpassing sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Now, Royal Caribbean has larger ships in its fleet, but Harmony is no less impressive. The ship measures in as such:

• Gross Tonnage: 226,963
• Length: 1,188 feet
• Decks: 18 total (16 for passengers)
• Staterooms: 2,747 
• Passenger capacity: 5,479 (double occupancy)
• Passenger capacity: 6,687 (full occupancy)
• Crew capacity: 2,200

The ship is split into seven neighborhoods and features a range of some of Royal Caribbean’s favorite venues and attractions.

Harmony of the Seas Construction

Harmony of the Seas took approximately three years to build, at STX France in St. Nazaire, France, before the ship set sail in European waters on May 29, 2016, following a christening by godmother Brittany Affolter. 

The ship was built as the third Oasis-class cruise ship, with sister ships including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. While the former two ships are smaller than Harmony of the Seas, the latter two are overall larger.

As of late 2023, Harmony of the Seas is the fourth-largest cruise ship in the world, following not only Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, but also Icon of the Seas. However, while fourth-largest overall, Harmony of the Seas is technically the second-longest cruise ship in the world, surpassed only by Icon of the Seas. (See? For a nearly 10-year-old ship, it’s none too shabby.)

When debuted, the vessel impressed with its wealth of fun features set across its seven neighborhoods, much like the rest of the Oasis class. Fan favorites included the Ultimate Abyss, multiple swimming pools and water features, nearly two dozen restaurants and more. 

Harmony of the Seas was also notable for its energy efficiency, as compared to past Oasis-class ships. 

Harmony of the Seas Refurbishments

While you might expect that Harmony of the Seas would not have undergone any refurbishments quite yet, given its young age, that’s not exactly the case. In April of 2021, Royal Caribbean docked the ship in Cadiz, Spain, for some minor, routine refurbishments. However, this dry dock did not result in any major changes or enhancements.

Staterooms

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas truly offers some of the best staterooms in the biz. Even the most budget-friendly interior staterooms are designed to feel like a hip, high-end, boutique hotel. 

Whatever style of stateroom you choose, you’ll get plenty of floor space, a big bathroom, nice furnishings and a seating area in addition to your bed, along with plenty of storage for your luggage. Staterooms are broken down into the following categories:

• 448 inside staterooms
• 266 outside staterooms
• 718 staterooms with 3/4^th berth
• 1,957 balcony staterooms
• 46 accessible staterooms
• 76 virtual balcony staterooms
• 18 promenade staterooms
• 15 studio staterooms

So, what can you expect with each option? 

Interior staterooms are more stylish and roomy than what you might find on other, older ships. They measure in at up to 340 square feet and can hold up to six guests.

Ocean view staterooms will offer a window of varying sizes and shapes, depending on the room you pick, but expect more space than what you’d get in an interior stateroom, up to 354 square feet and capable of sleeping up to eight guests.

Balcony staterooms might not always offer as much interior space as an ocean view stateroom, but they do offer that great outdoor space, accessible via big glass doors that allow for views even when you’re not outside.

Read Also: Oasis Class Cruise Ships – What You Need to Know

Virtual balcony staterooms are cool, in their way, but do note that you won’t get that real balcony feel with one of these staterooms. Instead, virtual balcony staterooms feature a large screen along one wall that projects the real-time view of the outdoors. It’s the views, without the ocean breeze.

Promenade staterooms overlook the ship’s promenade and studio staterooms are more ideal for solo travelers. Staterooms come standard with amenities such as daily housekeeping, an in-room HD television, deluxe toiletries and in-room safes, but you can also upgrade your cruise to include more stateroom amenities, such as high-speed WiFi and laundry service.

Suites

If you really want to travel in VIP style, you can upgrade your cruise to the Royal Suite Class. The accommodations within Royal Suite Class are truly unparalleled. Luxury suites are big, beautiful and totally yacht-worthy. 

Royal Suite Class cruisers enjoy extra amenities and personalized services that elevate your cruise even further. Amenities you can expect include luxury bath products, priority boarding and departure, concierge service, complimentary specialty dining and complimentary gratuities.

Royal Suite Class is further broken down into three class tiers. Sea Class is all about giving you the tools to rest and recharge before another day of adventures. Sky Class is all about formatting your cruising experience to fit your personal needs, and putting your needs first. Star Class is the top tier that gives you everything you could ever want in a cruise. Suite options aboard the ship include:

• AquaTheater suites
• Owner’s suites
• Grand suites
• Crown loft suites
• Royal family suites
• Junior suites
• Sky loft suites
• Presidential family suites
• Royal loft suites

Junior suites are on the lower end of the suite spectrum, offering less space and fewer flashy details, but you still get all the VIP amenities discussed above.

Grand suites offer extra space, including large balconies, living areas and large bathrooms with tubs and double vanities.

As the name suggests, royal family suites are big enough for the entire family, with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, large balconies, dining areas and more. The presidential family suites are even bigger, at nearly double the size and with four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Worth Reading: Incredible Cruise Ships With Family Suites

Owner’s suites offer outdoor and indoor dining areas, a dry bar, living area, master bedroom and other luxury spaces.

Crown loft suites are split-level, with open, second-floor lofts. Otherwise, they offer two bathrooms, a dining area and a balcony. Similarly, sky loft suites are split-level as well, and offer large balconies. AquaTheater suites stand out by offering views of the AquaTheater and Boardwalk.

Lastly, the royal loft suite is the biggest and the best of the bunch, with more than 1,500 square feet of space, a wraparound balcony, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and even a baby grand piano.

Free Dining

With nearly two dozen dining options, you’ll hardly be left wanting for a tasty bite to eat when you’re sailing aboard Harmony of the Seas. However, where can you eat for free, without shelling out any extra cash? Free dining options aboard this ship include:

• American Icon, one of three main dining rooms
• The Grande, second of three main dining rooms
• Silk, the last of three main dining rooms
• Windjammer Marketplace, the ship’s buffet
• Sorrento’s, a pizza joint
• Café Promenade, a light bites and coffee shop
• Boardwalk Dog House, a quick spot to get a hot dog or two
• Vitality Café, the spa’s healthful dining choice
• Park Café, for fast, casual and convenient bites
• Mini Bites, a unique restaurant that specializes in serving tiny treats
• Solarium Bistro, a casual eatery near the adults-only Solarium
• Coastal Kitchen, a complimentary dining option that’s only open to suite guests and loyalty program members

Must Read: Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive?

As you can see, there are a ton of free dining options aboard Harmony of the Seas. You’ll definitely not go hungry, even if you want to eat on the cheap. However, if you do want to splurge on specialty dining, you have plenty of options there, too.

Specialty Restaurants

The specialty, for-a-fee and a la carte dining options on Harmony of the Seas include various venues that the cruise line has become known for. Restaurants include:

• Izumi Hibachi, for hibachi and sushi, a staple on most cruise ships
• Sabor Taqueria and Tequila Bar, a Mexican eatery
• Johnny Rockets, from the classic brand that offers diner fare
• Starbucks, for your caffeine fix
• Chops Grille, the ship’s steakhouse
• 150 Central Park, a fine dining spot 
• Jamie’s Italian, an Italian restaurant from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver
• Wonderland, a futuristic restaurant offering food as fun to look at as it is to eat

In addition, other culinary experiences are available on the ship for a fee, including the Chef’s Table, prix fixe menu experience.

Bars and Lounges

Thirsty? Harmony of the Seas has you covered with an array of watering holes where you can whet your whistle. Make tracks for the following bars and lounges for a good time and even better drinks:

• Boleros, a Latin-inspired lounge
• Boot & Bonnet Pub, an English-style pub
• Rising Tide Bar, a bar that literally rises up from the deck at certain times of the day
• Bionic Bar, a futuristic bar manned by robots
• Schooner Bar, a nautical classic found on many Royal Caribbean ships
• Vintages, a wine bar
• Dazzles, a nightclub with lots of room for dancing
• The Solarium Bar, for drinks in the adults-only Solarium

Whatever your preferred drink, whatever your preferred drinking environment, you can likely find it on this ship.

Activities and Entertainment

If you thought, with all of the above, that Harmony of the Seas offers a ton for cruisers to enjoy and experience, you haven’t seen anything yet. When it comes to finding something fun to do, beyond just chilling in your amazing suite or dining and drinking your way through the ship, your options are near-endless. Here’s what you can expect.

The Perfect Storm Water Slides and Ultimate Abyss

Many cruise ships have waterslides now, but Harmony of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to boast one. But Royal Caribbean didn’t just settle for one great waterslide. No, they’ve given you multiple, amazing water slides to choose from.

Choose between three different Perfect Storm slides — the Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell slides, filled with death-defying, stomach-dropping twists, turns and thrills.

Also Read: FlowRider on Royal Caribbean – What You Must Know!

Or, take the Ultimate Abyss slide, which drops you 10 stories for an adventure you won’t soon forget. When it debuted, the Ultimate Abyss was the tallest slide on a cruise ship in the world. Do note that the Ultimate Abyss is a dry slide, not a water slide.

The Zip Line

Want to see Harmony of the Seas from a completely new angle? Take the zip line that soars over the ship’s boardwalk. The line hangs nine decks above the action, so you can see it all with ease. 

Vitality Spa

The Vitality Spa provides spa treatments that include all your favorites, like massages, wraps and facials. You can also choose medi-spa treatments to address more specific beauty needs.

You can additionally get a quick treatment at the salon, such as a manicure, pedicure, hair style or cut. There’s even an option to get your teeth whitened, for a more dazzling smile in all your vacation photos. 

Duty-Free Shops

The plentiful on-board shopping options assure that you never have to leave your retail habit at home. Aboard Harmony of the Seas, cruisers enjoy browsing through a variety of luxury products from well-known brands, whether you’re looking for a new jewelry piece or a bottle of world-class liquor, a stylish purse or a bottle of your favorite cologne. Best of all — everything is tax and duty-free. 

The AquaTheater

Most cruise lines have some sort of Broadway-style show, or a musical or theatrical act, but Royal Caribbean may be one of the only with its own high dive show.

Gather around to watch Olympic-level high divers take to the skies, performing daring stunts and aerial acrobatics, before they dive straight into what’s the deepest pool at sea. From the AquaTheater, you’ll not only enjoy a great show, but also views of the ocean beyond the 30-foot diving platforms.

Ship Casino

Like most cruise ships, Harmony of the Seas has its own casino, but even if you’ve never played a game of poker in your life, or stood at a single slot machine, you can feel prepared when you step into the gambling ring, thanks to the casino’s gambling classes.

Before the casino opens, attend a class with the professional dealers and learn, step by step, how to play some of the casino’s most popular games, including blackjack, roulette, three card poker, Texas Hold ‘Em and dice. 

The Fitness Center

There’s nothing keeping you from sticking to all your fitness goals while you’re on a Harmony of the Seas cruise. This ship has a fully outfitted fitness center that’s stacked with all the latest fitness tech.

Plus, better yet, all of the equipment faces out to the ocean views, for floor-to-ceiling looks at the gorgeous sky and sea while you sweat. The fitness center also offers a large variety of fitness classes, including pilates, spinning and yoga classes. 

Kids Venues

Royal Caribbean’s kids club is Adventure Ocean, where children are split into three groups by age, and then given plenty of fun activities to enjoy, all day long. Programming ranges from the educational to the entertaining. You can read more about age limits with the cruise line right here.

For older kids, ages 12 to 17, multiple spaces allow for preteens and teens to enjoy activities more suited to their own interests, such as video games and staff-overseen parties. There’s also a Splashaway Bay venue on the open deck, which is just for kids to have some water fun!

Harmony of the Seas Itineraries

With current itineraries starting at six nights and sailing across the Caribbean, you’ll have plenty of time to explore all of the above during a Harmony of the Seas cruise. Need even more time? Transatlantic cruises are also currently available for booking.

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Final Thoughts

Harmony of the Seas wow-ed when it first made waves in 2016 and it still wows today. If you’re looking for a ship that offers plenty for any cruiser — from couples to families to friend groups — to enjoy, and you want an updated experience, but don’t necessarily need to pay for the latest and greatest, Harmony of the Seas has you covered.