When the largest cruise ship in the world arrived at the UK port of Southampton this week, the Ship Efficiency Review editorial crew couldn’t help but break into a rendition of “I Like Big Boats and I Cannot Lie…” with much gusto. A timely take of Sir Mixalots’ famous hit record.
This gargantuan cruise ship cast a shadow over Southampton when it sailed into port ahead of its maiden voyage from Southampton to Rotterdam on May 22.
The 1,188ft long Harmony of the Seas cost Royal Caribbean one billion US dollars and took more than two-and-a-half years to construct in a French shipyard.
To give some perspective to the size of this 6,780 passenger-carrying beast, its length from bow to stern is actually 125 feet longer than the height of the Eiffel tower and it is three times the height of London’s famous landmark Big Ben. It also holds the record for being the widest cruise ship ever built.
An aspect that we have reported on previously, that has become a reality is the robotic bar tenders equipped with iPads that join the 2,100 crew. Definitely a bold, boundary-pushing leap into catering for the high-tech passengers onboard and those of the future.
Some key statistics about the mega ship:
- The weight of Harmony is 227,000 gross tons – that is 1,718 GT heavier than the current record-holder.
- The cost to build the ship was US $1 billion
- The distance from bow to stern is 1,188 feet – that is one foot longer than the previous record-breaking cruise ships Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.
- The average cruising speed of Harmony of the Seas is 22 knots
- The power of each of Harmony’s bow thrusters is 7,500 horse power. The ship has four thrusters, with a combined power of 30,000HP.
- The Harmony of the seas is the 25th ship to join the Royal Caribbean International fleet.
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