King of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s latest cruise is the ultimate destination for ocean- bound leisure

ndonesiatatler was recently invited to the UK for a twoday luxury stay as part of the pre-inaugural cruise of the Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Harmony of the Seas. Our expectations were high, but Harmony of the Seas exceeded all of them.

Measuring in at a length of 361 metres by 65 metres wide and weighing 226,000 tonnes, Harmony of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship to ever set sail. Construction took more than two years and the ship cost more than a billion dollars to build. Comprising 2,747 staterooms, the cruise can carry some 7,000 guests alongside its 2,300 international crewmembers. Staggeringly, it boasts 20 restaurants and 42 bars and lounges for the intrepid traveller to explore.

These are arrayed, along with retail outlets and other amenities, over 16 guest decks to fulfill all guests’ dining, shopping, entertainment and relaxation needs. The 16 decks are divided into seven neighbourhoods for simple navigation: Central Park, Royal Promenade, Boardwalk, a youth zone, an entertainment area, the Vitality at Sea spa and fitness centre, and a pool and sports zone.

The check-in system at the terminal was reassuringly efficient, and, on our first day, we enjoyed dinner at the Solarium Bistro restaurant, famous for its Mediterranean cuisine. At one point, our glasses started to shake: the deep blast of the horn signalled the

cruise’s departure from Southampton for our two-night trip into the English Channel and back again.

There are three kinds of stateroom on the ship: balcony staterooms with private balconies providing an excellent vantage point of the beautiful views, ocean-view staterooms with windows facing the outside, which means never missing a moment of the aquatic scenery, and interior staterooms that come with LCD screens so you can still take in the views. All rooms also come with speedy Wi-fi.

Meanwhile, there are several specialty restaurants on board. Jamie’s Italian serves rustic Italian dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. Casually enjoying Italian food with our bare hands was quite an experience. Wonderland serves imaginative cuisine and sweet-shop-inspired cocktails—with its avant-garde décor, a trip here should not be missed. For even more culinary variety, the Windjammer Marketplace buffet restaurant boasts a wide selection of international dishes sure to satisfy any cravings.

Having drinks at the Rising Tide Bar on the Royal Promenade was simply amazing given that the bar is on a platform that rises and descends over three decks. Then, at the Bionic Bar, we had drinks served by a pair of robots: we entered our orders into an ipad then sat back as the robots mixed, shook and stirred with clinical precision.

For sports fans, golf areas, basketball courts, table tennis tables, badminton courts, waterslides and Flowriders for surfing are all available. Meanwhile, the ship is equipped

with babysitting facilities and a children’s area.

For those seeking more sedate pursuits or simply a relaxing stroll, the 12,000 or so lush green trees and plants and the futuristic vertical wall garden mean that Central Park lives up to its name and certainly takes you to a different place from other cruise liners.

In fact, to extend the location analogy further, as we wandered through bars and restaurants that never seemed to close, we got the distinct feeling that we were in New York: the city that never sleeps. But unlike some areas of NYC, the Harmony of the Seas never seemed too crowded. A serene sense of spaciousness has been created by the careful use of open spaces and massive atriums.

One of these spaces is occupied by a giant mirror-covered head—an art installation simply entitled Head by Czech artist David Cerny. This is the centrepiece of Harmony of the Sea’s US$6.5M art collection. Curated by International Corporate Art, the collection features bold, striking, and intriguing works by artists from all over the world.

After dinner, we enjoyed an incredible iceskating show and then a performance of the timeless classic Grease. We could have gone on to do much more: activities on the cruise don’t stop after sunset. Nightlife on Deck 4 is bustling and bursting with laughter thanks to comedy acts, while live music can be enjoyed at The Attic. For night owls, the nightclub district in the entertainment zone is the place to be for a little dancing and drinking, and, if you’re feeling lucky, head to Casino Royale.

This summer, Harmony of the Seas will be sailing around the Western Mediterranean. Book now for the ultimate holiday destination at sea. For more information please call +62 (21) 319 91338-9.