Oasis' Third Sister is Named

Harmony of the Seas^℠

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas^℠ is the next addition to the Oasis class. Keeping with the tradition of innovation, she will have Royal Caribbean's first water slides at sea. This artist rendering shows the water slides, which will span three decks with exhilarating twists and turns.

Additional Announced Features

• Harmony of the Seas also will feature a new Bionic Bar on the Royal Promenade.
• Guests onboard Harmony of the Seas will enjoy RFID technology with Royal WOWBands.
• Suite guests also will have exclusive new areas to enjoy like Coastal Kitchen and a Suite Sun Zone sun deck.
• Dynamic Dining will come to Harmony of the Seas. Those preferring a more traditional cruise dining style may select the “Classic”option which will offer two set seating times. Dynamic Dining’s “Classic”option allows guests to rotate through each of the main complimentary restaurants at an early- or a late-seating time throughout their cruise with their dining group and the same assigned waiter each evening.
• New specialty restaurant concepts including Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Sabor Modern Mexican restaurant and Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine.

This ship, currently under construction at STX France, will be the third ship in the Oasis class which includes Allure of the Seas the largest ship at sea.   It is scheduled to debut in April, 2016.   A fourth unnamed ship is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

Another Sibling for Oasis and Allure

Oasis of the Seas Meets Allure of the Seas for First Time
Photo Courtesy Royal Caribbean

Two Sisters 

Met in 2010 

Another Sister 

Planned for 2016

On Saturday, November 13, 2010, a historic first occurred when the two largest ships afloat met for the first time.   The Allure of the Seas had just arrived from Finland to its home port of  Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida when it was met by it's sister-ship Oasis of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Confirms New Build

Royal Caribbean International has been in contract talks with ship-builder STX France. It appears that talks broke down with STX Finland, who built the currently sailing Oasis-class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.  RCI has just confirmed plans to build a third 5400 ton vessel, yet to be named, by mid-year 2016.

The Oasis-class ships have been so successful, with their seven neighborhoods and specialty dining options, that Royal Caribbean is in the midst of a $700 million revitalization program across the entire fleet.  (see our Grandeur of the Seas Revitalization articles for one of the latest upgrades).

The cost of the new sister ship was not disclosed in the Royal Caribbean announcement, but when the rumors first surfaced in November, Royal had indicated the cost of the third ship was expected to be less per berth than the previous ships.

Royal Caribbean also has a one-year option to build a fourth ship in the Oasis-class.

 

Norwegian Epic Delivered to NCL

Photo by Bernard Biger

Do you remember your first car when the dealer handed over the keys to you?  You opened the door and smelled that new car smell - you were in heaven.

If you were in  St. Nazaire, France on June 17, 2010, you would have witnessed a similar event but on a much grander scale.    Norwegian Cruise Line today accepted delivery of its largest and most innovative ship to date, Norwegian Epic, from STX FRANCE SA. Norwegian Epic at 153,000 gross tons is the largest ship ever constructed in St. Nazaire and therefore represents a major milestone for STX.

“Norwegian Epic represents the next level of Freestyle Cruising with branded entertainment, more than 20 dining options and a wide range of accommodations including the largest suite complex at sea,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s Chief Executive Officer. “Following more than four years of development and construction, we are pleased to take ownership of this beautiful ship and introduce her to the world. We are confident that Norwegian Epic will amaze our guests.” 

Epic: Spider Web

Schedule

9 PM June 17 -  depart St. Nazaire en route to Rotterdam
June 19 - travel agents & media - two-day inaugural cruise.

June 21 -  one-night preview cruise to Southampton, arriving on
June 22 -  two-day inaugural sailing
June 24 - depart Southampton on 7-day transatlantic crossing
July 1 - arrive in New York
July 2 - christened by legendary entertainer Reba McEntire followed by a two-day inaugural cruise
July 4 - host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

Beginning July 10, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 30, 2011. 

Ports of call on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. The Western Caribbean cruises visit Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The 2011 cruise season from May-October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a series of seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. When she returns to Miami on November 5, 2011, she will sail a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 7, 2012. 

Additional Blog Posts for Norwegian Epic  (click here)

Link for more information about Norwegian Epic and Itineraries

We will be onboard Norwegian Epic for our 2010 National Conference.   We are looking forward to sailing on this latest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet.