Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas Arrives at Southampton, UK

Out of the mist and water spray appears the new Harmony of the Seas, the world's largest ship, arriving to celebratory fanfare at Southampton, UK.

The port of Southampton, UK, welcomed the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International's 226,963-grt Harmony of the Seas, upon its first arrival into port this week. After 32 months of construction, the ship’s arrival marks a major milestone for Royal Caribbean as the ship becomes the 25th ship in the fleet. 

The stern of Harmony of the Seas with its Ultimate Abyss is shown at Southampton.

Built with more than 500,000 individual parts, Harmony measures 1,188 feet long, the size of about four soccer fields. It's staffed by an international crew of 2,100.

Royal Caribbean said its newest addition combines the seven-neighborhood concept that the line's Oasis-class of ships are known for with a robust line-up of wow amenities. Most notable is The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea with a 10-story plunge.

The ship also has robot bartenders at The Bionic Bar, powered by Makr Shakr; virtual balconies with real-time views of the destination; and VOOM, the line's high-speed Internet service.

Harmony of the Seas will sail from Southampton, UK, on a series of short getaways to northern Europe before embarking on its inaugural cruise on May 29, arriving in Barcelona, Spain, on June 5. The ship's inaugural season will consist of 34 seven-night western Mediterranean sailings, beginning June 7.

In November 2016, Harmony of the Seas will then reposition to Port Everglades, FL, from which the ship will operate seven-night eastern and western Caribbean sailings.

Two sister Oasis-class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, homeported in Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, will all sail from Florida's east coast this coming winter.