Royal Caribbean just completed its first Royal Amplification of an Oasis Class ship, and I was lucky enough to be onboard one of the first post-dry dock sailings to check out all the new changes.
I've been a fan of Oasis Class ships since 2014, when I sailed aboard Oasis of the Seas during my high school spring break. At the time, she was one of the largest and most impressive ships at sea — and although new ships and classes have debuted, there's still something about Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class that feels unmatched.
At just three nights, my Harmony of the Seas cruise was a quick one, but it was enough time to get a feel for the refreshed spaces and see how the ship's new additions make it stand out.
For example, the cruise line added new staterooms, restaurants, and even swapped out a couple of dated venues, like Sabor Modern Mexican.
After spending 66 hours on the updated Harmony of the Seas cruise ship, I was surprised by 8 things, both good and bad, that future passengers should be aware of!
There's a new Italian restaurant and wine bar in Central Park.
Jamie's is on its way out with Royal Caribbean, with Giovanni's becoming the line's staple Italian specialty restaurant.
During Harmony of the Seas' Royal Amplification, the 226,963 gross-ton ship replaced Vintages and Jamie's Italian with Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen offers a more upscale menu with options that will please any palate, ranging from made-to-order pizzas to chicken parmigiana, fettuccine alfredo, classic lasagna, grilled filet mignon, osso bucco, and more.
There's still not a pool in the adults-only Solarium.
One of Harmony's biggest pre-Royal Amplification complaints was that the adult-only sun deck didn't have a pool, and many were hopeful that one would be added during the dry dock.
However, despite being one of the most requested upgrades, the Solarium remained without a pool, continuing to offer the same hot tubs and water misters.
Instead, the bulk of the refurbishment to the adult-only area leaned more toward changes to the lounge experience. Royal Caribbean, for example, removed the lower level of the Solarium to make way for new staterooms and added a new outdoor sun deck area.
Harmony of the Seas finally has a functioning escape room.
Harmony of the Seas' old escape room closed and never reopened. Now, however, passengers can once again test their wits at "Escape V: Science Lab," a new themed escape room that replaced "Escape the Rubicon."
Guests will have to work together to successfully solve a series of puzzles and clues to "escape" before time runs out. The entrance to this extra-cost activity can be found within Adventure Ocean on Deck 14.
Staterooms were largely untouched.
While Harmony of the Seas received over thirty new staterooms, the existing ones remained largely untouched. Royal Caribbean isn't known for overhauling its accommodations during dry dock, as the line typically focuses on public spaces over cabin renovations.
Still, I was disappointed to discover that my inside stateroom showed obvious signs of wear and tear. For example, there was a massive yellow stain on the carpet between the two twin-sized beds, and one of the hooks on the bathroom door was broken.
In the grand scheme of things, those issues aren’t make-or-break problems. However, they stood out more than they otherwise would have on a vessel fresh out of a multi-week dry dock.
The Pesky Parrot bar is quirky and a lot of fun.
The Pesky Parrot bar first launched on Utopia of the Seas in 2024. Since then, it's been added to three ships, including Harmony of the Seas, where it replaced the technology-focused Bionic Bar.
This fun tiki bar transports you to a beachfront Caribbean resort and is a fun place to grab a pre- or post-dinner drink since it's so close to the Main Dining Room.
In addition to an immersive environment, the bar offers a unique lineup of fruity, tropical cocktails, including the I-Land Negroni, Peanut Butter Piña Colada, and Tiki 'Mosa.
The new non-smoking casino is awkwardly placed outside of Studio B.
Deck 4 welcomed some substantial changes during Harmony's Royal Amplification. The Attic and Crown Lounge, for example, were removed and replaced with a non-smoking Casino Royale, creating the largest casino in the fleet.
The new expanded casino area is directly outside of the Studio B ice rink and features everything from slot machines to table games and even another bar with virtual gaming options.
This move reflects the cruise line's broader trend of replacing less popular venues with more casino space to drive higher revenue. However, its location creates an awkward contrast between the family-friendly entertainment venue and the adult-focused Casino Royale.
Royal Caribbean removed the Vitality Café.
When Utopia of the Seas launched in 2024, it was quickly noted that the ship did not have the Vitality Café in the spa and fitness center. As such, there wasn't a dedicated spot for fresh, healthy smoothies and juices.
Around a year after the ship's debut, the cruise line listened to feedback and added a makeshift juice shop in the Spotlight Karaoke lounge on Deck 5.
A similar change was made aboard Harmony of the Seas, with Royal Caribbean removing the Vitality Café (to make way for more staterooms) and replacing it with a simple pop-up in the On Air Club.
There isn't a new Broadway-style production show.
Last year, Royal Caribbean closed the curtain on its long-running Grease musical in the Royal Theater. Unfortunately, Harmony didn't get a new Broadway-style production during its Royal Amplification.
Instead, Voices, an original musical production that brings together talented vocalists and virtual technology, is the primary show in the Royal Theater.
Other shows, such as the high-diving spectacle The Fine Line and jaw-dropping ice show 1887: A Journey in Time, were not replaced or changed. They are available free of charge, and reservations can be made through the Cruise Planner or Royal Caribbean mobile app once onboard.
The changes weren't as epic as I hoped, but it's a better ship than before.
Harmony of the Seas received several worthwhile upgrades, including new dining venues, bars, and activities. For example, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, the Pesky Parrot bar, and the expanded non-smoking Casino Royale bring Harmony more in line with Royal Caribbean’s newer vessels.
However, some of the most anticipated changes never materialized. There isn't, for instance, an adult-only pool in the Solarium, and the vessel lacks a Broadway-style production show. Many existing staterooms may show noticeable signs of age, too.
Ultimately, Harmony of the Seas did not receive a dramatic transformation — but that's far from a bad thing. The Royal Amplification focused more on refreshing the Oasis Class ship rather than making it vastly different from its counterparts.
Some guests may be disappointed by the changes (or lack thereof), but Harmony of the Seas still offers the signature Oasis Class features, entertainment options, and overall atmosphere that have made these vessels so popular for nearly two decades.
