World’s Largest Cruise Ship Floats Closer to Completion

Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas is no longer the largest cruise ship in the world; Its new Symphony of the Seas sister-ship is.

The slightly bigger 230,000-ton vessel is approaching its April 2018 launch having just been floated out for the first time at the STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.

The Symphony is the fourth Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ship following the Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, and it will showcase a similar feature set and new attractions as well.

With the vessel’s superstructure complete, its final interior outfitting can now commence at the shipyard’s finishing dock.

Contributing to the ship’s increased size are 28 additional staterooms. All of Harmony of the Seas’ guest favorites will still be along for the ride including seven neighborhoods, Broadway-style entertainment, the AquaTheater, Bionic Bar, Perfect Storm waterslides and Ultimate Abyss dry slides.

Passengers will be catered to by the Gold Anchor Service of every staff and crew member onboard.

#SymphonyoftheSeas on the move during her float out today: https://t.co/yssvJPjAQf  #cruise pic.twitter.com/mw58mggMkq

— Royal Caribbean PR (@RoyalCaribPR) June 10, 2017

When I last visited STX France to preview the then soon-to-emerge Harmony of the Seas, the Symphony was still in its initial construction as its midship blocks were erected towards the sky. Seeing them tower above the building basin with its hull still dry was a dramatic sight to behold. Currently, these are the very structural elements that are in part submerged, supporting what will soon become the completed ship.

READ MORE: Royal Caribbean Introduces Symphony of the Seas, Breaks Ground on PortMiami Terminal

Once the Symphony of the Seas does set sail, it will partake in an inaugural Mediterranean summer season. Its first featured ports will be the likes of Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence, France; Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples, Italy.

By November 2018, the ship will homeport in Miami, Florida to embark on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes.

Royal Caribbean International sails 24 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Special thanks to Donald Wood for contributing to this report.

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