Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas is heading into drydock, and when she returns, she’s coming back even bigger. That’s right, one of the world’s largest cruise ships is about to squeeze in even more staterooms, along with a few new surprises.
So how do you add more rooms to a ship that already carries over 5,400 guests at double occupancy? You get creative. On deck 3, the ship’s conference center is saying goodbye and in its place, 29 brand-new inside cabins take its place. Up on decks 14 and 15, spaces that were once part of Adventure Ocean, the kids’ club, and even a section of the Solarium are being transformed into additional accommodations. These will be a mix of insides, balcony cabins, ocean-view staterooms, and even some suites.
Harmony fans who loved Wonderland, the whimsical specialty restaurant, might be in for a surprise. That entire space is being converted into more staterooms, complete with inside and balcony options. Even the Vitality Café on deck 6 is being trimmed down to make way for a few more cabins. And up on deck 17, two of the ship’s duplex suites are being merged into one extra-large, over-the-top suite that’s bound to become a hot ticket for those baller guests who love to drop insane amounts of money on a suite for, well, no reason at all.
This drydock isn’t just about adding more rooms. Harmony is also getting the Royal Amplified treatment, which means a round of updates and new venues. The Casino Royale is expanding to become the largest casino in the entire Royal Caribbean fleet. Samba Grill, a Brazilian-style steakhouse, is joining the dining lineup. And the Bionic Bar gets sent to the scrapyard, as it’s making way for the Pesky Parrot Bar, a tiki-inspired watering hole that first appeared on Utopia of the Seas.
All of this kicks off in early April when Harmony makes her way to Europe for the refit. She’ll reemerge in May, refreshed, reimagined, and ready for more Caribbean adventures, with more people onboard than ever before.