Harmony of the Seas Delivered

Published May 16, 2016 4:58 PM by The Maritime Executive

Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of the company’s latest cruise ship Harmony of the Seas at a traditional delivery and flag changing ceremony in Saint Nazaire, France.

Costing more than a $1billion, Harmony of the Seas will be the 25th ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Harmony of the Seas will homeport in Barcelona, Spain and embark on the first of 34 seven-night sailings in the western Mediterranean on June 7. In November 2016, the vessel will arrive at her homeport of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from where she will offer seven-night eastern and western Caribbean sailings. The newest member of the fleet will join sister-ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, on the east coast of Florida.

Following 32 months of construction at the STX France shipyard involving thousands of workers, the world’s largest cruise ship is now home to 2,100 crew members from 77 different nationalities. Joining the festivities in the ship’s signature AquaTheater were Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises and Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International together with Laurent Castaing, General Manager, STX France.