DNV GL has welcomed Royal Caribbean’s new vessel Harmony of the Seas into class. With 227,000 GT and a length of 361 metres, Harmony of the Seas is the largest cruise ship ever to set sail. After her delivery at STX Europe shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, the DNV GL-classed vessel sailed to Southampton last week and will set sail to Northern Europe on a series of short getaways before embarking on her maiden cruise on 29 May, arriving in Barcelona on 5 June.
“Cruise ships demand specialist expertise and real dedication – each one is unique and, as they grow in scale and functionality, increasingly complex. You therefore need partnerships you can trust – that’s why we choose DNV GL,” says Petteri Keso, Harmony of the Seas Project Director at Royal Caribbean Cruises.
“DNV GL has been involved with the vessel from the very beginning, from providing advisory and verification services to testing and inspections, right through to helping us undertake the final sea trials, which are in process now. They understand us and we rely on them to ensure everything is done to the highest standard. It has been a very enjoyable voyage with them,” continues Keso.
“The success of such a highly advanced project is a reflection of the excellent cooperation between Royal Caribbean, STX and DNV GL. We have been able to understand each other’s business and requirements and worked together to find solutions and to ensure this complex build ran as smoothly as possible,” says Hans Eivind Siewers, Segment Director Passenger Ships and RoRo, DNV GL – Maritime. “The end result is a vessel that is innovative not only in terms of its on-board experience, but its performance and environmental impact.”
Harmony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's third Oasis-class cruise ship and will cater for 5,497 guests. Some 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than her sister ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, includes many innovations designed to ensure sustainable operations, including: an exhaust gas treatment plant from Wärtsila, three highly efficient ABB Azipod propulsion units (producing 20 megawatts each) and a steam turbine that generates electricity from recovered waste heat. LED and fluorescent lighting systems throughout the ship reduce power consumption and heat radiation, thereby minimizing the strain on the air conditioning system.
One of the main highlights of the design is the hull. Optimized for the vessel’s operational and speed profiles, particularly at the bow, the hull is designed to reduce drag and enhance efficiency. While an advanced anti-fouling coating prevents potentially invasive marine species from attaching. The hull also features the same air lubrication system introduced on the vessel Quantum of the Seas in 2014. This system creates tiny air bubbles that stick to the bottom of the hull and reduce resistance, further enhancing efficiency.
HARMONY OF THE SEAS
- GT: 227,000
- Length: 361 metres
- Width: 66.4 metres
- Draught: 9.1 metres
- Cruising speed: 22 knots
- Guests: 5,497 at double occupancy (6,780 max)
- Crew: 2,100
- Decks: 20
- Neighbourhoods: 7