NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
Line gives agents a sneak peek of Harmony of the Seas, set to be the world’s biggest cruise ship when it launches in May. Hollie-Rae Merrick reports from Saint- Nazaire, France
SHIP TOUR: Royal Caribbean’s Ben Bouldin (left, centre) shows agents round the ship
Royal Caribbean previews record-breaking Harmony
More than 1,250 UK agents will get the opportunity to see the third Oasis-class ship in Southampton before it heads to Barcelona for the start of its inaugural season.
And to ramp up the excitement ahead of the launch, Royal Caribbean International hosted nine of its top agents on a visit to the Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France, where Harmony is being built. It will be the world’s largest cruise ship by a ruler length when it launches in May. Sales director Ben Bouldin said
he was expecting uplift in activity from the trade following the visit. “Having some of our key agents here will help lift excitement even further,” he said. “I’m expecting those agents who have been on the trip to return and share their experience with staff, customers and online through social media. “Having agents see the size of the ship and the magnitude of what we are building really helps us to bring it alive.” Bouldin admitted that a third- in-class ship doesn’t usually get
“Having some of our key agents here will help lift excitement even further”
as much attention, but he insisted Harmony was different. “Despite having two sister ships
in Oasis and Allure, the launch of Harmony is different,” he said. “We’ve learnt a lot since the launches of those ships six or seven years ago and we’ve also launched another class of ship [the Quantum class] since then. “This ship has everything we
love about the Oasis class, but polished with the magic and technological advancements we introduced on Quantum and Anthem. It will have new entertainment, and even flying acrobatics have been incorporated into the AquaTheater show.” Bouldin said there was a “huge opportunity” for agents with a more affluent customer base to begin selling Royal’s products. The line will introduce its new Suite
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Class offering in May and it will be rolled out across the Oasis and Quantum-class ships. “We will be having a push on the
Royal Suite Class and we will be sharing more tools to help agents wanting to sell this,” he said. “There’s an opportunity there and we would be silly not to focus on it in the run-up to May.” Agents on the shipyard visit
got to see the Boardwalk and AquaTheater, staterooms, the Royal Promenade and the line’s first-ever slides, including the 30-metre Ultimate Abyss. The group also saw speciality
dining room Wonderland, which was introduced on Quantum, but has been modified to spread across two floors and now has its own bar. John Sulley, vice-president of
food and beverage, told Travel Weekly that it was looking at ways to mix dining and entertainment.
“Until Wonderland (on Harmony), we haven’t really had bars in restaurants,” he said. “We are looking at how we can integrate bars and restaurants, and also throw entertainment into the mix.”
Agents’ views
“Royal Caribbean has learnt from both Oasis and Allure, as well as the more recent Anthem and Quantum, and come up with something that offers the best of both classes of ship. I can’t wait to see the final product.” Paul Frost, Jetline Cruises
“I was thrilled to see history in the making and the sheer amount of effort and manpower that goes into building the biggest cruise ship in the world.” Tony Andrews,
Cruise.co.uk
“We’ve been selling cruise for 10 years and I still felt excited to go on board. I loved the extra dining options and the water park.” Simone Clark, Iglu
Harmony by numbers
l Harmony is 33cm longer than Oasis and Allure
l Its total capacity is 6,410, with 2,747 staterooms
l The Ultimate Abyss slide will span 10 storeys
l There will be 16 guest decks and 18 in total.
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