Inside The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Harmony Of The Seas
The giant vessel, which features a 1,400-seat theatre, a park with 12,000 plant species and a 10-storey water slide, will house 8,500 passengers and crew
The worlds biggest-ever cruise ship, the 120,000-tonne Harmony of the Seas, has opened its doors to reveal a vast floating town as it was handed over by a French shipyard to its American owners.
At 66 metres , it is the widest cruise ship ever built, while its 362m length makes it 50 metres longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.
The huge vessel, which cost close to $1bn to build, has 16 decks and will be able to carry 6,360 passengers and 2,100 crew members.
The ship was built for the US-based Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited by the STX France yard in Saint-Nazaire on the Atlantic coast, where a ceremony marked the handover on Thursday.
Its not only the biggest cruise ship in the world, its also the most expensive ever built, said Richard Fain, head of RCCL, during a ceremony which featured blaring music and tightrope walkers performing splits over the aquatheatre at the back of the ship.
Among the onboard attractions are The Ultimate Abyss, a 10-storey slide from the top deck to the main deck which RCCL bills as the worlds biggest ship-mounted waterslide.
A giant climbing wall, a rope slide, mini-golf, surf simulator, floating jacuzzis, casino and 1,400-seat theatre playing Broadway musicals are among the other attractions.
Two robot barmen will serve passengers in the Bionic Bar.
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This was supposed to be a big year for big-ship cruise fans.
Back in January, before COVID-19 halted cruising around the world, two of the biggest big-ship cruise lines Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises were just starting up sailings with their biggest ships ever. Another major brand, Carnival Cruise Line, was just months away from rolling out its own record-sized vessel.
Royal Caribbean, too, had just brought out a new giant of the seas just 21 months earlier.
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In short, until the new coronavirus hit, the year was shaping up to be a particularly exciting one for big-ship lovers who always want to be on the latest-and-greatest vessels.
The excitement, alas, got squashed with the arrival of COVID. But the Year of the Big-Ship Bonanza hasnt been canceled. Its just been postponed.
Already, one of the vessels MSC Grandiosa is sailing again in the Mediterranean, albeit on cruises that only are open to residents of Europes Schengen countries.
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Cruise Ship Size And Capacity Development
Cruise ships are ranked as the largest ships in the world by gross tonnage , more significant than many cargo ships. These ships are designed and built to carry thousands of passengers on a single trip. In the last two decades, the cruise ships grew in length from 268 m, the longest ship at that time to 362 m as of today, doubled their widths from 32.2 m to 65.7 m, doubled the total passengers from 2,744 to 6,780, and tripled in volume from 73,000 GT to 228,000 GT. The worlds largest cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, has a gross tonnage of 228,081, is 361 meters long, 65.7 meters wide, and holds up to 6,680 passengers.
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Th Position: Quantum Of The Seas
The spectacular one of a kind Quantum of The Seas has been excluded from the podium by a nose:
Quantum of the Seas North Star and its amazing 360º panoramic views
Innovation, design and a combination of unconventional areas and on board activities make the experience on board this ship of well 167,800 tonnes, 348 meters and 4,180 passengers capacity unique!
If you are seeking an unforgettable experience, the Quantum of The Seas is the right ship choice! Some recommendations: the RipCord skydiving simulator and the amazing 360º panoramic view sfrom the North Star.
WOW!
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Panorama Carnival Cruise Line
Passengers 5,146 When Carnival Panorama launched it made history as the first new Carnival Cruise Lines ship in 20 years to sail from Long Beach, California. Highlights are SkyZone, an indoor trampoline park, and SkyRide, where passengers pedal around a two-lane bike course suspended high above deck. Guests can also brush up their culinary skills at the Carnival Kitchen cookery school. Sails the Mexican Riviera.
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The Dizzying Story Of Symphony Of The Seas The Largest And Most Ambitious Cruise Ship Ever Built
Symphony of the Seas which, on its maiden voyage from Barcelona in March 2018 became the largest passenger ship ever built is about five times the size of the Titanic. At 362 metres long, you could balance it on its stern and its bow would tower over all but two of Europes tallest skyscrapers. Owned and operated by Miami-based cruise line Royal Caribbean, it can carry nearly 9,000 people and contains more than 40 restaurants and bars 23 pools, jacuzzis and water slides two West End-sized theatres an ice rink a surf simulator two climbing walls a zip line a fairground carousel a mini-golf course a ten-storey fun slide laser tag a spa a gym a casino plus dozens more shopping and entertainment opportunities. To put it another way, Symphony of the Seas might be the most ludicrously entertaining luxury hotel in history. It just also happens to float.
Most peoples idea of a cruise is Oh God, Im going to be packed in with five thousand people I dont want to talk to and getting bored out of my tree, says Tom Wright, founder of WKK Architects, who has worked on cruise ships and land hotels. In fact, its like going to a hotel that just moves magically over night.
We dont set out to build the largest ships, Kulovaara told me, somewhat sheepishly. The goal is to build the best ship. But we have so many ideas that we need a little bit more space.
Whats The Nicest Cruise Ship
#1. Seven Seas Explorer. Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
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Royal Caribbean Debuts Worlds Largest Cruise Ship In Fort Lauderdale
- ANNA JEAN KAISERMiami Herald
Royal Caribbean debuted its latest, and largest, ship for its maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Friday: Wonder of the Seas.
The French-built ship is the worlds largest cruise ship, after Royal Caribbeans Symphony of the Seas. Wonder of the Seas has room for 6,988 passengers and 2,300 crew members. It weighs almost 240,000 tons.
The Miami Herald was denied access Friday to a media tour of the new ship. Royal Caribbeans website says the ship is 1,118 feet long and 210 feet wide. Its 18 decks hold 2,867 staterooms, rock climbing walls, waterslides, a carousel, laser tag, a mini golf course, an arcade, an outdoor movie theater and a zipline. The mega ship has nine complimentary restaurants, 11 specialty restaurants and 11 bars and lounges.
The ship is the newest in Royal Caribbeans Oasis class of ships. The five ships in the Oasis class are the five largest cruise ships in the world part of former CEO Richard Fains vision to create floating mega-resorts.
How Big Was The Titanic Vs Modern Ships
In April 1912, the RMS Titanic was not only thelargest passenger ship in the world, but it was the largest ship ever built.The Titanic was 882 feet meters long and had a gross tonnage of46,328 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,435 people. Comparing the Symphonyof the Seas vs the Titanic, Royal Caribbeans biggest shipcategorically dwarfs the Titanics size in every way, more than doublingits passenger capacity and nearly quintupling its gross tonnage. The Titanicslength, however, is still competitive at about 75 percent of Symphonys.Conducting a Titanic size comparison with ships built in more than acentury of technological advancements since isnt exactly fair, but it helpsprovide a relatable benchmark nonetheless.
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Top 10 Largest Cruise Ships In The World
Heres a top 10 lists of largest cruise ship in the world. Nowadays, cruise liners have populated the ocean with beautiful and largest cruise ships and some are so large so that titanic looks insignificant. In the post, I am going to share the largest cruise ship owned by biggest cruise line companies. Those largest cruise ships are not only big but also well designed, completed with luxuries facilities, and premium price tickets.
10. MS Explorer Of the Seas
MS Explorer of the Seas
STX Finland Cruise Oy built this 10th largest cruise ship, MS Explorer of the Seas, in august 1st, 1999. The cruise ship is belonged to Royal Caribbean International and it is capable to depart 3,114 passengers and crews at a time. It is 1,020 feet long, the beam is 38 m long and the weight is 137,308 Gross tonnages. This ship is also the 8th largest cruise ship belong to Royal Caribbean International.
9. Mariner of the seas
8. Navigator of the Sea
Navigator of the Seas
Navigator of the Sea is 4th voyager-class cruise of Royal Caribbean and that means the cruise line came out from STX Finland Cruise Oy. The length, beam, full capacity, even the gross tonnage is same as Mariner of the sea so We can consider this as the 8th largest cruise ship. Navigator has voyaged since 2002 and that is what makes Navigator and Mariner of the sea different.
7. Queen Mary 2
6.MS Independence Of the seas
MS Independence of the Seas
5. MS liberty of the seas
MS Liberty of the Seas
The Largest Cruise Ship Ever Built Completes Sea Trials
Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built, has completed its first set of sea trials as the vessel moves one step closer to completion.
Wonder of the Seas is over 236,000 gross tons in size, larger than any other cruise ship in the world and over five times larger than the Titanic. The cruise ship is scheduled to debut in March 2022 and will be the fifth Oasis Class ship from the cruise line.
Royal Caribbean posted the following construction update on Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built.
During sea trials, everything is tested on the ship to ensure the vessel is seaworthy. The cruise ship was pushed to the limit on propulsion, navigation, engine performance, and more.
More than 40 sea acceptance tests were completed including checking piping, electricity, and the HVAC system over the course of four days.
During the four days, Wonder of the Seas traveled around 1,500 nautical miles reaching the top speed of 24 knots.
You can read more about features that will be on Wonder of the Seas here.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don’t know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation.
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Comparing Wonder Of The Seas To Titanic
Not only is Wonde rof the Seas larger than Titanic, all of the Oasis Class cruise ships are larger than the Titanic in gross tonnage, as well as size.
The Titanic measured in at 882 feet and 9 inches long, and weighed 46,328 gross tons.
Wonder of the Seas measures 1,188 feet in length and has a gross tonnage of 236,857.
In terms of gross tonnage, Titanic doesn’t even make the list the top 64 world’s largest cruise ships by gross tonnage.
Ditto for length Among the top 64 largest cruise ships in the world today, the “shortest” ship comes in at 984.1 ft with the AIDAprima and AIDAperla.
Titanic was built at an estimated cost of $7.5 million in 1912, which in today’s dollars would cost approximately $400 million.
Wonder of the Seas cost $1.35 billion to construct.
Titanic could handle 2,453 passengers, while Wonder of the Seas has a capacity of 5,734 passengers at double occupancy.
A Busy Month For Msc Cruises
It has been a busy month for the fastest-growing cruise line in the world. In early November, MSC Preziosa became the 12th ship in the fleet to return to service by starting sailings from Brazil in South America.
On November 18, the cruise line celebrated the float out of MSC Seascape, which will join the fleet in November 2022. The cruise line also had the first-ever naming ceremony at a cruise line private island for the new MSC Seashore.
Feel free to discuss this topic and all things cruise at our new boards. A place where readers can ask questions, help their fellow cruisers and general cruise discussions on cruise lines and ports.
And if you like, feel free to cast your vote in the 2021 Cruise Ship Awards covering a range of categories, including best cruise ship and best cruise line.
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Ms Harmony Of The Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis-class cruise ship that was built by STX France for the Royal Caribbean International which is one of the biggest and best cruise lines in the world. It has a gross tonnage of 226,963 and was built after the success of her older sisters Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Until 2018, it was the largest cruise ship in the world.
It was ordered on 12 December 2012 and was completed nearly four years later. On March 10, 2016, it began its first sea trials and was delivered to Royal Caribbean on May 12 of the same year. The construction took a solid 32 months. 70,000 people attended its first sail that took place three days later from STX France docks in Saint-Nazaire.
It has a length of 362.12 m or 1,188 ft and a depth of 74 ft.
Harmony of the Seas has various types of staterooms totaling to 2,747 and can accommodate 5,479 guests. Some of these rooms and suites have 80-inch screens that cover almost the entire floor and ceiling and act as virtual balconies as they show the surroundings of the ship as if through a massive window.
As expected, the Harmony of the seas has various amenities, the most notable of which are a dry slide by the name Ultimate Abyss and a water slide called Perfect Storm.
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How Does The Pioneering Spirit Compare To The Titanic
The Pioneering Spirit is 8.7 times larger than the Titanic was in terms of gross tonnage. The Pioneering Spirit is 4.4 times wider than the Titanic was and is 77% longer.
The Pioneering Spirit does have accommodation on board for over 500 people but these are crew who work onboard.
| Gross Tonnage |
| 6% Longer | 67% Wider |
If you would like to learn about the size of modern cruise ships and how these compare to the Titanic, check out this post next: How Big Was The Titanic Compared to Everyday Objects?
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Video: Largest Cruise Ship Ever Built
STX France, the shipyard that is building Royal Caribbeans Harmony of the Seas, has released a video of the ship showing inside and outside of the largest cruise ship ever built.
The video begins with the the float out of the vessel and ends with new video of the interior of the ship. The pool deck, Central Park, Solarium, Aqua Theater, Studio B , and other entertainment venues are shown, although most are still under construction. You can watch the short four minute video below.
Harmony of the Seas will begin the first set of sea trials today when the ships propulsion and maneuverability will be tested. The ship will then return to the shipyard so the interior of the vessel can be completed.
Harmony of the Seas is the 3rd Oasis class ship from Royal Caribbean. The Oasis class ship are the largest cruise ships in the world at more than 225,000 gross tons. Each ship can carry more than 8,000 passengers and crew members. Harmony of the Seas is set to debut in two months and will sail a season in Europe before heading to her homeport in Port Everglades. Once in Ft. Lauderdale, the ship will sail week long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbeam.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don’t know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation.
Celebrity Beyond Celebrity Cruises
Passengers 3,260Celebrity Beyond is the newest and biggest ship in Celebrity Cruises innovative Edge class, notable for the Magic Carpet bar and restaurant platform that moves up and down the outside of the ship. Larger than its two sibling vessels, Celebrity Beyond has 179 extra cabins, including two-storey villas that are the biggest in the fleet, and 40 per cent more outside deck space. Sails the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
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Meet Wonder Of The Seas
At about five times the size of Titanic, the world’s largest cruise ship is Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.
Spanning 18 decks, Wonder is the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship to be launched.
Size is everything with Symphony, as she is 1,188 feet in length. If you were to stand her up, she’s almost as tall as the Empire State Building .
There are four pools and 10 hot tubs on Wonder of the Seas to enjoy
Getting around the ships is pretty easy, thanks to the neighborhood concept Royal Caribbean developed for these ships. There are eight neighborhoods inside the ship to help distinguish areas from each other and make navigation for guests simpler.
You will find 2,867 staterooms, including 175 suites.
Read more: Interesting facts you might not know about Wonder of the Seas
