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25 Cool Little Details on the World's Biggest Cruise Ship

5/29/2016

4 Comments

 
Carousel on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
By John Roberts 

Royal Caribbean's new big cruise ship Harmony of the Seas sailed out of Southampton, England, with plenty of publicity about all the big things it features. Most notably: It's the largest cruise ship in the world and will regularly carry more about 6,000 passengers on itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean once it arrives in the U.S. 

You'll be hearing plenty about the waterslides and Ultimate Abyss 10-story thrill ride, as well as popular favorites that appear on other Royal Caribbean ships, like the FlowRider surfing simulator, zipline, rock climbing walls, skating rinks, Central Park neighborhood, the Promenade and Boardwalk. 

But Harmony of the Seas also offers interesting little spaces and touches that give the ship its own character. Here are 25 neat little things to find on the world's biggest cruise ship.
 
Classic carousel --
 It's not just for the youngsters. Hop on a horse on the Boardwalk for a gentle spin, evoking memories of your carnival days. (Pictured at top)
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
A Kate Spade store -- Shop for designer handbags while sailing? Sure. The Kate Spade boutique also features a live music stage up top at the Promenade. The ship also has other upscale boutiques like Bulgari, Hublot, Cartier and Omega. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
What a view -- Two viewing platforms jut out from the Solarium and act as wings that you can stroll out to get a view hanging off the side of the ship, just as the captain and other officers navigating the ship can from the bridge wings you see out in front of these passenger viewing areas. They can be a bit windy out there, though. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Coke Freestyle machines -- Buy a soft drinks package and you can help yourself to unlimited refills. Make your own concoctions at the machines; two at Sorrento's on the Promenade, one at Mini Bites on Deck 16 near the sports court and two in the Windjammer buffet area. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Design touches in Windjammer -- I particularly like these rolling pins accenting the Bakery area. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Elevator icons -- Look up while riding to see exactly where you need to go. The most popular destinations are noted, like the pool deck and Central Park. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
The Wonder of Our World -- The art onboard is an eclectic mix of modern pieces using a range of cool mediums. Look around in the stairwells to see all the interesting pieces, which feature small description placards giving info on the artists, how they were created and what they are meant to depict. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Puzzle Break -- Harmony of the Seas includes a dedicated space for Escape the Rubicon, an interactive game in which you decode puzzles with fellow passengers in order to escape a certain space ship-based predicament within one hour. It's a blast. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Mini Bites -- On Deck 16, near the sports-related activities, this is a nice spot offering light snacks like meatballs, mini corn dogs and fruit cups. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
The Big Head -- A rotating silver giant noggin is made up of seven segmented horizontal slices that align every so often to create a complete face and head. The artistic curiosity looms over the Promenade and is a popular photo subject. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Vitality Cafe -- A quiet spot to grab a smoothie or healthy snack after a workout or spa treatment. Located on Deck 6 at the entrance to the spa and fitness center. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Gym time -- Speaking of the fitness center, Harmony of the Seas' gym is on Deck 6, giving it a nice large space away from the usual cruise ship fitness areas that are located at the top of the ship. And one deck down, accessed easily from the workout area is a jogging track on Deck 5. With 2.4 laps per mile and mostly covered areas away from poolside crowds, runners can have a pleasant and uninterrupted workout. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Kiddie climbing -- The Luckey Climber activity gives little ones a chance to burn off energy in a safe way. This spot is located on the Boardwalk in the shadows of the adult rock climbing walls. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Dive school -- Wanna-be scuba divers can get their certification onboard Harmony of the Seas with the PADI dive classes. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Beer cocktails -- The menu at Boot & Bonnet, the English-style pub on the Promenade, offers a variety of creative cocktails that blend beers and booze. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Red high-backed chairs -- Ask to pull up a seat at these beauties in Silk, the set-time dining venue on Deck 5, and you'll be sitting in style.
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
The Attic comedy club -- Look for late-night comedy shows at the venue dedicated to making you laugh.
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Cool canines -- I found these guys occupying a spot on the wall in The Attic. This might be my favorite art feature onboard. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Jazz on 4 -- Smooth sounds in a relaxing music venue on Deck 4. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Family pool area -- This colorful place on Deck 15 is a treat for families, with little seats and tiny loungers for the kids to soak up the sun alongside their parents. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Navigational nudges -- When you are wandering the Promenade and lose your sense of direction, perhaps after a few pints at Boot & Bonnet, a handy sign post indicates Forward and Aft directions so you can get oriented properly. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
The Arcades -- Harmony of the Seas has two spots with games that provide a change of pace from too much sun or to escape any rains. One on the Boardwalk and another Deck 15. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Washy washy -- No Purell-style hand sanitizer stations in the Windjammer. Signage and crew direct you toward the buffet entrance and encourage you to use the bank of hand-washing sinks. Let's hope everyone takes heed. 
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Ping-Pong arenas -- Two enclosed areas on Deck 16 adjacent to the sports court and the mini-golf course are the perfect solution to windy days that make it difficult to either ping or pong on most other cruise ships.
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
Zoltar -- Because I wanna be Big! Try not to smile when you see this classic on the Boardwalk.
 
Happy sailing and thanks for reading!
​JR
Wait! There's more to see. Check out 5 Fun Things to Do on Harmony of the Seas.
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4 Comments
Emma Hart | Paper Planes and Caramel Waffles link
1/8/2017 06:51:14 am

I spent a couple of nights on Harmony of The Seas when it first set sail from Southampton and it was impossible to see everything on board. This post makes me realise how much I missed out on but super glad I spotted the Zoltar machine, it definitely brought a smile to my face :)

Reply
JR
1/8/2017 08:36:45 am

Hi Emma,
I also was on Harmony for the first trip out of Southampton. It had its issues at that time being so new, as I'm sure you noticed. Like you say, there is so much onboard to see and do.
I would love to get back to try it all again.
Thanks for reading and dropping a comment here.
Happy travels!
Cheers,
JR

Reply
KL
1/11/2018 10:34:28 am

I'm going on the Harmony of the Seas in Oct 2019...Yes, that's right 2019!!! Sure looks like there will be more than plenty to do! OMG I probably won't get to see it all in a 7-night cruise!!! Just means I'll have to book another when I'm board!! Maybe for 2020!!! Got to have something to look forward to!!! Thanks for the pics and suggestions!! :-)

Reply
JR
1/11/2018 11:22:02 am

The anticipation will be growing as the months tick away. That is so far off. Hahaha. I hope you have a great cruise. The ship does have so much to do. You definitely will be hard-pressed to get it all in in one week, especially if you get off and have a lot of fun in ports, too.

Cheers, and thanks for reading.
JR

Reply



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