Royal Caribbean just finished a massive six-week upgrade that added millions of dollars of changes to Harmony of the Seas, and we have your first look at what's different.

Royal Caribbean added new cabins, new restaurants, and even swapped out a couple of venues.

For example, several dining venues, including Sabor Modern Mexican and Mini Bites, have been largely retired from the Royal Caribbean fleet. As such, the highly anticipated Royal Amplification ensured there were new ways to drink and dine aboard the 226,963 gross-ton Oasis Class ship. 

Moreover, the cruise line has become focused on adding more non-smoking casinos to its fleet. Consequently, two venues on Deck 4 were removed to help expand Casino Royale and create the largest casino in Royal Caribbean history. 

Here’s an in-depth look at all the changes to Harmony of the Seas!

A more colorful pool deck 

One of the most noticeable transformations to Harmony of the Seas was the brand-new Caribbean-style pool deck, which turned the ordinary outdoor space into a resort-like escape. 

The vessel already had the Perfect Storm waterslide trio and kid-friendly Splashaway Bay. However, the space was brightened up with Caribbean-themed decor and not one, not two, but three Lime & Coconut bars!

The Lime & Coconut quickly became a fan-favorite for its solid selection of fruity, tropical drinks — hence why it has been added to ships ranging from Navigator of the Seas to Freedom of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas! 

And yes, drink packages and Diamond vouchers work at these poolside bars! 

The adults-only pool area was expanded

Unfortunately, Harmony of the Seas’ Solarium still doesn’t have a pool. Additionally, the lower level of the Solarium on Deck 14 was removed to make way for additional staterooms, including the Ultimate Panoramic Suites. These come with prime ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows and exclusive Star Class perks.

However, there’s a nice new outdoor sun deck for those serious about soaking up all the rays they can get since it isn’t shaded. This was a popular spot for sailaway on our itinerary since it offered an unobstructed view of Barcelona’s shoreline as we departed the port. 

Another major change made to the Solarium area was that Samba Grill, the cruise line's Brazilian steakhouse, was added to the Solarium Grill as a new specialty dinner option. Now, guests can pay extra for an all-you-can-eat feast with meats, appetizers, and desserts. 

More cabins were added, replacing some public venues

Royal Caribbean added 91 new cabins to Harmony, including a multi-story Ultimate Family Suite that overlooks the Pool and Sports Zone. 

However, some public venues needed to be removed from the vessel to make room for the expanded passenger accommodations. 

An example is the Vitality Café has been taken away from the spa and that space has become new cabins. You can find fresh-pressed juices and smoothies in a pop-up cafe in the On Air Club. 

Additionally, Wonderland, the specialty restaurant themed after “Alice in Wonderland," was completely replaced to add more staterooms on Deck 14. 

Similarly, the Conference Center is no longer on Deck 3. New cabins have taken over the previous space. On Deck 15, there's a new conference center area called Canvas. According to the cruise line, it's a "flexible, well-designed space suitable for corporate meetings, social events, and celebrations." 

A new tiki bar was added

When Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, launched in 2024, the cruise line debuted the first-of-its-kind Pesky Parrot bar in the Royal Promenade. 

This fun tiki bar transports you directly to a lively Caribbean resort, regardless of whether you're sailing to culturally rich destinations in Europe or island hopping in The Bahamas. 

Here, you will find an impressive lineup of unique, tropical cocktails, including the I-Land Negroni, Peanut Butter Piña Colada, and Tiki 'Mosa.

Photo gallery and excursions are now one combined area

The photo gallery and shore excursion planning area are now fully digital. The multi-purpose tablets on Deck 6 make it easy to view and purchase your professional photographs, along with fun tours for your port days. 

The biggest casino at sea is on Harmony of the Seas

The Attic and Crown Lounge were removed from Deck 4 to make way for an expanded Casino Royale. The new non-smoking area is directly outside of the Studio B ice rink. 

This move reflects a broader trend across the cruise line’s fleet, replacing less popular venues with more casino space to drive higher revenue. 

Although there’s no dedicated comedy venue aboard Harmony, you can still find an impressive lineup of variety acts in the Royal Theater. For instance, during my short three-night sailing, Paul Zerdin, a comedian and ventriloquist, performed multiple times.

A new sports bar was added to the Boardwalk

At long last, Playmakers has made its way aboard Harmony of the Seas. Of course, this means that the specialty Mexican restaurant is no more. 

Playmakers offers casual bar food (available à la carte) in a casual environment. Passengers can splurge on dishes like the Pile On Nachos, Campfire Cookie, Crispy Onion Ring Tower, Buffalo Chicken Crunch Roll, and Truffle Burger. 

A new Italian restaurant was added

Royal Caribbean also swapped out one of its older specialty restaurants for a newer concept.

Both Vintages and Jamie's Italian were replaced by Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

Located in Central Park, Giovanni's now serves a revamped menu. 

Tacos, burritos and more added with El Loco Fresh

Although Sabor Modern Mexican was removed from the Boardwalk neighborhood, cruisers can still find simple Mexican fare at El Loco Fresh, Royal Caribbean’s complimentary, grab-and-go Mexican restaurant.

It's on Deck 15 near the aft of the ship in the Pool and Sports Zone. Pro tip: it's also open for breakfast and offers a convenient (and less busy) alternative to the Windjammer and Solarium Bistro. 

Royal Caribbean moved the loyalty lounge to a new location

Before her amplification, Harmony of the Seas' Crown Lounge was located on Deck 4 in Entertainment Place. 

Now, the Crown Lounge is located on Deck 15 and replaced part of the former teen-friendly Living Room. The lounge has ample natural light, comfortable seating, and the ever-popular espresso machine! 

Teen club has a new location with an upgraded look

Teens have access to an enhanced hangout space, Social100, which offers activities like video games on brand-new consoles, movies, and more for guests aged 13-17.

There's a new escape room

Harmony of the Seas' old escape room was previously closed, much to the dismay of many guests. 

However, passengers can once again test their wits at "Escape V: Science Lab" to figure out a series of puzzles and clues to "escape" before time runs out. The entrance is found within Adventure Ocean on Deck 14.

April is seemingly the month for ship upgrades, as Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas arrived in dry dock for a major refit.

One of three cruise ships set to get a Royal Amplification, new venues and changes are going to be added.

After completing a transatlantic crossing in March, Harmony entered the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain a few days ago.

Here's what's happening to the ship today, and what we can expect from the six-week drydock.

Major work already underway

Upgrade work did not waste any time, as Harmony of the Seas is undergoing major work already.

I walked to an area near the shipyard to observe the ship getting work done on nearly all areas, including the top decks.

Different teams are focused on parts and working in tandem.  

The most visible work is at the very front of the ship, above the bridge. This is where the new Ultimate Panoramic Suites will be added.

These spacious suites do not have balconies, but they have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.

In addition, cranes are lifting large pieces of equipment and replacement structures to higher decks.

A new Caribbean-inspired pool deck will replace the old deck, along with the addition of the Lime & Coconut. These are tropical bars that evoke more of a Caribbean feel than the previous generic pool bars.

At the back of the ship, other teams are deployed working near the Aquatheater.

Remember, not all work done to cruise ships in dry dock are upgrades.  In many cases, routine maintenance work is taking place to keep the ship operating nominally.

New restaurants, bars, and experiences coming to Harmony

The most notable changes coming to Harmony of the Seas will take place inside the vessel.

New bars & dining venues coming to the ship include Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, El Loco Fresh and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse.

A number of new staterooms are being added to the ship, such as 28 cabins on deck 6, 11 and 14. The new ships replace venues such as Vitality Cafe, Wonderland, and the conference center.

The Pesky Parrot will replace the Bionic Bar, which is a welcome change by many cruisers. 

The Bionic Bar was intriguing when it first debuted in 2014, but it hasn't aged well.  The Pesky Parrot is a fun new bar idea that combines a Tiki bar with Caribbean feel. It was first added to Utopia of the Seas.

Another big change will take place on deck 4 with the removal of the Crown Lounge and Attic (comedy club). These spaces are being replaced with an expanded non-smoking casino.

Don't worry, the Crown Lounge will be relocated to partially replace the teen club in the Living Room.

Will Harmony of the Seas get a pool?

One of the unanswered questions about Harmony's upgrades is will it finally get a pool in the adults-only Solarium?

Harmony is the only cruise ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet without a pool in the Solarium, and it's because at the time, the cruise line experimented with a water mister as a way to add more seating but allow guests to cool off.

It's largely been panned by cruisers as a mistake, because even a small pool is more enjoyable.  When Symphony of the Seas debuted a few short years after Harmony, Symphony had a pool in its Solarium area.

Royal Caribbean has not specifically announced a pool will be added, so we'll have to wait and see.

Returning to service in May

Harmony of the Seas will resume cruises in late May with a European cruise season.

The 7-night cruises will sail from Barcelona, Spain to destinations in the Western Mediterranean until late July.

In August, Harmony will transition back to Florida, where she will offer primarily 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral.

One of four cruise ships getting work done this month

Royal Caribbean will have a number of ships in drydock in April, with Harmony one of them.

Four ships will be in dry dock, with three getting major upgrades.

The Royal Amplification program is an initiative to breath new life into aging cruise ships. It aims to bring newer concepts and proven winners to older cruise ships so they can better compare to newer ones.

Ovation of the Seas previously started work this year, with Liberty of the Seas scheduled to start work soon.

A passenger injured while sailing on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit seeking damages of more than $75,000. 

Jaimie Lewis, of California, was a fare-paying guest vacationing aboard Harmony of the Seas when she slipped on a walkway in Central Park and fell backward onto the hard deck in November 2024, as reported by Holzberg Legal.

The outdoor neighborhood was wet due to the rain, with Lewis asserting that passengers could not reasonably perceive how slippery it was. The lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, further alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to maintain the Central Park deck in a safe condition for guests. 

According to the complaint, there were no visible wet-floor warning signs or anti-slip applications on the floor, despite the ship's crew being aware of the hazard. As such, the lack of signage, warning cones, or verbal warnings left Lewis unaware of the danger, which directly led to her accident. 

Lewis's legal team, Gerson & Schwartz, P.A, claims that she sustained severe physical and emotional damage, including a concussion, neck injuries, and a puncture wound. 

Her lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical impairment, disability, and the aggravation of pre-existing conditions, along with damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish (i.e., shame and humiliation), and the loss of capacity to enjoy life — all of which exceed $75,000. 

Lewis asserts that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature. Moreover, she was not the first guest to allegedly slip and fall on a wet Central Park walkway to file a lawsuit.

(Credit: Jeanne Grubbs / Facebook)

Between 2020 and 2024, there were over ten specific cases involving guests who suffered similar accidents. For example, on November 8, 2024, another passenger fell on a slippery Central Park walkway on Allure of the Seas (Hill v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv25669). 

Similarly, on May 23, 2023, a guest on Oasis of the Seas slipped and fell on a wet Central Park walkway (Shipe v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:24-cv-20645).

Earlier, on January 2, 2020, a passenger identified only by the initials A.S. experienced a similar fall on a wet and slippery walkway aboard Symphony of the Seas (Selwood v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:20-cv-24513).

Lewis's legal team argues that these prior incidents demonstrate a pattern of hazardous conditions that have not been adequately addressed by Royal Caribbean on its Oasis Class vessels.

Most recently, the court issued an update stating that Lewis must file proof of service on the defendant by April 22, 2026. The order further states that failure to do so will result in dismissal of the case without notice. The directive was signed by Judge David S. Leibowitz on March 23, 2026.

Lewis hopes to hold Royal Caribbean accountable for the alleged negligence that disrupted her vacation on the Harmony of the Seas cruise ship and impacted her long-term health.

Which Royal Caribbean Ships Have Central Park?

The Central Park neighborhood debuted on Oasis of the Seas. Since then, the outdoor neighborhood has become a defining feature of Oasis and Icon Class ships. 

Following its debut on Oasis of the Seas, the Central Park concept has been incorporated into all Oasis Class ships, including Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. 

Icon Class ships — Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and the upcoming Legend of the Seas — feature an evolved Central Park design. For example, the open-air neighborhood is home to the Izumi specialty restaurant, along with innovative infinite verandahs that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Read more: Icon of the Seas Central Park: What to expect

Aboard Oasis Class ships, the Central Park area is located on Deck 8 and offers passengers an array of retail and dining options, ranging from Chops Grille to Park Café, Hublot, the beloved Trellis Bar, 150 Central Park, and more. 

Because Central Park is not fully enclosed, its walkways are exposed to the elements, including rain, humidity, and condensation, which can occasionally make surfaces slick under certain weather conditions.

However, Royal Caribbean generally takes precautions to mitigate risks, including placing visible wet-floor warning signs throughout the outdoor neighborhood.

Harmony of the Seas Royal Caribbean Facts

Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship that set sail in May 2016. She measures 226,963 gross tons and is 1,188 feet long, according to the cruise line. 

At double occupancy, the Harmony of the Seas cruise ship can accommodate 5,479 guests, in addition to the 2,200 international crew members who help the vessel run smoothly. 

Highlights include the AquaTheater, zip line, FlowRider surf simulators, mini-golf course, Perfect Storm water slides, ice skating rink, Rising Tide Bar, escape room, adult-only Solarium, and more. 

Harmony of the Seas is set to undergo a major refurbishment in April and May 2026. As part of the ship's Royal Amplification, she will receive brand-new cabins, an expanded casino, Pesky Parrot Bar, Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade, Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, Caribbean-inspired pool deck, an upgraded Crown Lounge, and more. 

Following the dry dock, Harmony of the Seas will spend the summer of 2026 in Europe, offering bucket-list cruises to destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Seville (Cádiz), Spain; and more. 

She will return to Florida in August 2026. Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, will be Harmony's homeport through at least April 2028. 

Royal Caribbean is ending one of its cruises early to avoid winter storm Fern.

Passengers on Harmony of the Seas were informed on Thursday that their sailing will be cut by a day because of the storm. The Oasis Class ship was supposed to call at Cozumel, Mexico, on Friday, January 22. However, the final port visit of the 7-night Western Caribbean cruise was canceled at the last minute. 

Now, the 226,963 gross-ton vessel will spend Friday at sea en route to Galveston, with plans to arrive in Texas around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. 

"We are tracking the development of a major winter storm expected to impact Southeast Texas beginning late Saturday. In order to give you the best chance at a safe and uninterrupted journey home by avoiding the winter weather impacts to local infrastructure and transportation, we have decided to arrive in Galveston one (1) day earlier than originally scheduled," read a letter delivered to current passengers. 

(Credit: OldPostageScale/X)

Guests do not have to disembark on Saturday. If they wish to remain on board until Sunday, they may do so. 

However, remaining passengers must inform their cabin attendant or Guest Services by 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Unfortunately, the stores and casino will be closed in Texas, though. 

"Due to Customs and Border Protection requirements, all guests extending their stay will be asked to debark the ship with their travel documents in hand and reboard once the ship has been fully debarked. Luggage can stay onboard, no need to bring it shoreside with you," the letter continued.

(Screenshot taken at 9:50 a.m. EST. Credit: Cruise Mapper) 

Cruise Mapper shows that as of Friday at 9:50 a.m. EST, Harmony of the Seas had already cleared the Yucatán Peninsula and was sailing north through the Gulf of Mexico toward Texas.

Harmony departed from Galveston on Sunday, Jan. 18. There were no impacts to the first part of the itinerary, with the ship calling at its scheduled ports of Roatán, Honduras, and Costa Maya, Mexico, before the sailing was adjusted.

Compensation for the early return

All passengers will receive a one-day refund of the paid cruise fare as an onboard credit. 

Additionally, all pre-paid Royal Caribbean shore excursions for Cozumel, Mexico, were automatically canceled and refunded as onboard credit to guests' SeaPass accounts. 

According to the letter, onboard credits can be used anywhere on the ship, and any remaining amounts will be refunded to the card on file at the end of the sailing. 

Thankfully, there's no impact on the Crown & Anchor loyalty benefits that guests will earn for the weeklong cruise. 

"You'll receive loyalty points for the original sail nights, instead of the nights sailed. For this sailing, you'll still receive 7 nights worth of loyalty points," the letter concluded. 

Winter Storm Fern has placed more than 200 million Americans under weather advisories

The potentially historic winter storm is expected to bring snow, high winds, and freezing temperatures to 230 million people in more than 30 states across the U.S., from Arizona to Texas, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. 

Local officials have told residents to prepare for widespread power outages, travel disruptions, and school closures. 

Airlines are also bracing for significant flight delays and cancellations, with more than 1,000 flights already canceled on Saturday, CNBC reported. 

As such, carriers have waived change and cancellation fees, as well as fare differences, for major airports across the country. Even restrictive basic economy fares can be changed without penalty. 

A group of live streamers were kicked off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship this week for two different incidents caused onboard.

The group of live streamers call themselves the "Cx group" and they are lead by streamer Ice Poseidon, and their approach is to broadcast on Kick.com nearly everything they do.

During the course of their 7-night western Caribbean cruise, a number of incidents lead up to most of the group being kicked off the ship.

Clips of the group doing various things started circulating online, including one member getting into a verbal argument with a passenger because he was standing up and recording the show. 

Dave Willis was recording when another passenger wanted him to sit down because it was blocking their view. He then berated the family and used profanity and slurs to get his point across.

In another clip, the group (including Ice Poseidon) went door to door around the ship looking for upside down pineapple magnets on guest doors.

Upside down pineapples are known for being a symbol of couples that engage in swinging. When they found one, they knocked on the door and asked the passenger if that was indeed what they were interested in.

This all lead up to incidents that caused the ship's Captain to get involved and request the group go home early.

What got them kicked off the ship

According to Cx group leader Ice Poseidon, there were two different incidents that got the 7 members kicked off the ship.

The first incident was a fight on the pool deck between two members, David Ryan and Dave Willis.

Evidently the two started fighting over a joke that kept escalating, but it erupted into punches and tackling each other.

The fight was live streamed and a clip of it was widely circulated, which got the two of them immediately detained and kicked off thee ship in the next port of call, which is Roatan, Honduras.

The rest of the group seemed to be okay until the next morning when the ship's staff contacted five other members early in the morning to ask to leave too.

According to Ice Poseidon, a total of five group members were called down to the ship's security and interviewed before being asked to leave the ship.

He said their removal stemmed from a combination of harassing other passengers in an elevator while live recording and subsequent complaints from cruise ship passengers.

Not only were they kicked off the ship, but Royal Caribbean forced the group to pay a $800 taxi ride to get them to the nearest airport in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

He later said the issue was guests complaining about them recording, ""[A woman] said, 'I didn't like the camera,' and that was it."

"Literally, the sight of a camera will get you kicked off of the boat now."

Each of them had to secure their own flights home at their own expense.

Three other members of the Cx group not directly involved in the incidents were allowed to stay on the ship.

"I didn't do anything that would be a nuisance"

Upon reaching his hotel, Ice Poseidon live streamed his thoughts in a 2 and a half hour video laced with profanity.

"I didn't do anything that would be a nuisance on that boat, except for the first day asking for swingers, but that's not big of a deal," he explained.

He said he stopped immediately once being told that was not acceptable by the ship's staff.

He then later questioned why he was kicked off when others were the ones that were the instigators of the group, "Why am I getting the blame?"

The ship's security team told him guests went to Guest Services to complain. Specifically an incident in an elevator where the other passengers felt "intimidated".

He then downplayed his filming on the ship after the first day. 

Later in the video, he claims he received a call from the ship's security to check on their progress and let them know they're welcome to cruise again with the line. This confused him given he was just removed from the ship.

He says he's going to try to get a refund for the rest of the sailing.

Royal Caribbean has big plans to upgrade Harmony of the Seas in 2026 with lots of new upgrades and changes.

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean announced three of its ships will undergo a Royal Amplification to improve the onboard experience. 

Royal Caribbean Blog has already shared the plans for Ovation of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, so in this article, but today we have a look at what changes are coming to Harmony of the Seas. 

Harmony of the Seas' Royal Amplification is scheduled to take place in April and May 2026. Harmony will depart from Galveston, Texas, on March 16, 2026, on a 16-night one-way cruise to Barcelona, Spain. She's not scheduled to re-enter service until May 21.

Although Harmony of the Seas isn't the oldest ship in Royal's fleet, there are a lot of exciting changes coming to the 9-year-old Oasis Class ship. Here's what's in store for Harmony post-Royal Amplification. 

Deck-by-deck changes coming to Harmony of the Seas

Starting on Deck 3, the Conference Center is being removed and replaced with 29 new inside cabins. Moving on up, the Attic comedy club and Crown Lounge are being removed to make way for an expanded casino (the largest Casino Royale in Royal Caribbean’s fleet!).

The move reflects a broader trend across Royal Caribbean's fleet, where less popular venues are being replaced with more casino space to drive extra revenue. 

Deck 5 is only seeing one minor change, which isn't too surprising: the Bionic Bar is being replaced with the Pesky Parrot Bar. The Pesky Parrot made its debut on Utopia of the Seas and has since been added to Allure of the Seas. Royal Caribbean also plans to add the Pesky Parrot Bar to Ovation of the Seas during the ship's Royal Amplification in 2026. 

A few notable changes are coming to Deck 6. First, the Vitality Cafe is being relocated to make way for new staterooms (6454, 6456, 6458, 6460, and 6462). Additionally, the Picture This photography studio will be moved next to the Focus photo gallery.

However, the most substantial change is that Sabor is being replaced with Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade — a move that also took place on Allure of the Seas during her long-awaited Royal Amplification earlier this year. Also new to Harmony of the Seas is the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, which will likely be in the Solarium Bistro like on other ships. 

Decks 7, 8, 9, and 10 are remaining unchanged, except for one small modification in Central Park: Hublot will be moved next to Cartier and Omega, rather than on the left side of the Park Café. Surprisingly, Royal Caribbean isn't replacing Jamie's with Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. 

Higher up on the ship, Royal Caribbean plans on adding a few more interior cabins on Deck 11 towards the aft of the ship. These include staterooms 11900, 11902, 11904, 11906, 11908, 11910, 11912, 11914, 11916, 11918, 11922, and 11928. 

According to the deck plans, cabins 11920 and 11924 will be new balcony staterooms. Rather than having private verandahs that face across the Boardwalk, these will face straight aft toward the AquaTheater. 

The same is happening on Deck 12, with interior and two special balcony staterooms. However, to make way for the new cabins, Wonderland, the whimsical specialty restaurant inspired by Alice in Wonderland, will be removed. 

Deck 14 will see some of the most substantial changes. 28 new staterooms will replace the lower level of the adults-only Solarium and Adventure Ocean kids' club, particularly the Voyagers, Explorers, and Aquanauts rooms.  

Although the deck plans don't state it specifically, it appears that two of the new staterooms will be the Ultimate Panoramic Suites that were also added to Allure of the Seas. These spacious suites do not have balconies, but they have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and a king-sized bed with a Duxiana mattress. 

Unfortunately, the new staterooms mean that the Solarium will have fewer seating options, as the lounge chairs near the bridge wings won't exist anymore. 

On Deck 15, the Pool Bar will be transformed into the Lime & Coconut to complement the new Caribbean-inspired pool deck. Moreover, the Crown Lounge will take over part of the Living Room, one of the dedicated teen spaces. Mini Bites will also become El Loco Fresh, allowing guests to enjoy casual poolside tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. 

Finally, while the new deck plans don't list the Ultimate Family Suite on Deck 17, it was previously announced that Harmony of the Seas would be receiving this popular suite as part of her Royal Amplification. 

First introduced on Symphony of the Seas, the Ultimate Family Suite is a special cabin for families seeking an over-the-top vacation experience. 

According to the deck plans, it seems that two Crown Loft Suites are being transformed into the Ultimate Family Suite on Deck 17. The brand-new suite 1730 will replace the former cabin 1730, as well as 1732.  

Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide

Changes coming to two other ships

As mentioned earlier, Liberty and Ovation of the Seas are the other two ships getting major upgrades through Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplification process. 

The enhancements are meant to modernize older vessels and offer a more consistent guest experience across the fleet. 

For example, following Allure of the Seas' renovation, Harmony of the Seas is the only Oasis Class ship that doesn't have a Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade onboard. 

One Royal Caribbean ship had a combination of power and propulsion issues yesterday, a rare occurrence on the same day.

Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas ran into a series of electrical issues during its July 4, 2025 sailing, prompting late-night power outages and propulsion problems as the ship made its way from Cozumel, Mexico, to Galveston, Texas.

Despite the issues, the ship has remained safely operating as she moves back to her homeport.

Power issues followed engine trouble

Earlier in the voyage, the 226,963-gross-ton ship had experienced a minor electrical issue involving one of its firewall systems. Just days later, passengers began reporting power failures in multiple parts of the vessel. The problems began shortly after midnight and prompted an emergency response from the ship’s officers.

By 1:00 a.m., the ship’s captain began broadcasting updates over the public address system. Guests onboard described power flickering in cabins and common areas. One key system affected was propulsion, which forced the ship to reduce speed while technicians worked to restore full functionality.

"It was a quick flicker like a thunderstorm at your house," wrote Chris Matthews. 

"It took a while for them to reset everything. We lost our lights for about 15 secs, AC for about 10 mins, and the onboard TV took an hour to come back on. You could tell they were resetting the breakers in a specific order."

"I'm on Harmony now. We lost power last night for a short time. It was restored quickly. Captain told us we'll be 1.5 hours late getting into Galveston. Its a beautiful day at sea," wrote Staci Taylor.

Captain's update provided clarity on the situation

In a ship wide message recorded by cruiser Liz Addington, the captain directly addressed the situation:

We are in a safe situation. Weather is great. We are speeding with about ten knots currently with the reduced propulsion towards Galveston, and we are currently working on restoring all electrical systems for the propulsion. I will come back to you later on with further information. 

And in case you're sleeping, I'm sorry to wake you up with this announcement, but as we have 6,500 guests on the ship and 2,200 crew members, there are lots of crew members and guests who would like to know what's going on. 

And we are now in a totally safe position. Our technical teams are working on restoring all the systems currently. 

So in case you are sleeping, I'm truly sorry to wake you up with this announcement, but I would like to keep you all updated on what is going on.

Power was restored overnight

Overnight, ship technicians gradually restored power throughout the vessel. By the following morning, all systems were reported to be fully operational.

The issues occurred during the final sea day of a 6-night cruise that included stops in Roatán, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel. 

Due to the earlier propulsion issues, the ship’s next sailing was delayed by one hour.

"Harmony emailed me regarding our cruise tomorrow out of Galveston. We were supposed to board at 12:30, now moved to 1:30. Due to propulsion issues," wrote Andrea Bolding on Facebook.

A 12-year-old passenger fell to his death on the final night of a cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas. 

The 226,963 gross registered ton (GRT) ship was en route to Galveston, Texas, after a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise when the pre-teen fell from an interior-facing Central Park balcony cabin. 

Central Park, located on Deck 8, is one of seven neighborhoods onboard the Oasis Class ship and is home to bars, restaurants, and shops. 

Witnesses claim the boy had been playing with friends he had met onboard before going over the stateroom's balcony railing. Supposedly, he was on the cruise with his family to celebrate a birthday.

Royal Caribbean crew tried to resuscitate the passenger; however, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful, and he died before Harmony of the Seas arrived in Galveston on September 8. 

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told PEOPLE. 

Outpouring of support 

"My daughter was friends with him and said he was upset today," wrote Sara Tullas in a Harmony of the Seas Facebook group.

"If anyone knows the family, please send them thoughts and prayers...I wish I would have known he was struggling today," she continues. 

Shannon Elizabeth shared similar thoughts, explaining her son had befriended the boy. 

"I haven't been able to really wrap my head around this and the conversations I have had to have with my son really tripped me up," she says.

"My son made friends with this boy and he saw too much of what happened. Just breaks my heart and the fact we were [on] this boat is just wild." 

Because of the incident, boarding for the Sept. 8 voyage was delayed

"Due to an emergency on our previous sailing, our boarding tomorrow will be delayed," read a statement emailed to passengers, "As a result, the terminal will be closed until 12 PM."

Guests were asked to arrive one hour after their pre-selected arrival time but no later than 3:00pm, as all passengers were required to be checked in and onboard by 3:30pm. 

Harmony of the Seas is currently on a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise calling at Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship is scheduled to return to Galveston on September 14. 

Read more: 30 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

Other similar incidents 

A 16-year-old boy slipped and fell to his death while trying to enter his cabin through a nearby balcony while docked in Labadee, Haiti. 

The Broward Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Laurent Mercer of the Wallis and Futuna Islands in the South Pacific.

"The ship's medical team responded to the pier and attempted CPR, but the [boy] had sustained major head trauma and he was pronounced dead," the Broward Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement. 

Last November, another 16-year-old boy died after falling from his cabin balcony into Central Park while sailing on Allure of the Seas. TMZ reported the passenger was transported to a hospital for treatment but eventually succumbed to his injuries. 

The Oasis Class ship was traveling from Port Canaveral to Nassau, Bahamas when a ship-wide announcement was made asking for blood donors. 

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won't provide any further comment," read a statement issued by Royal Caribbean. 

While I was on a week-long spring break retreat, I noticed a few mistakes people were making. These mistakes can happen to first-time cruisers as well as experienced cruisers like myself.

I sailed on Harmony of the Seas, which is one of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships in the fleet.

From not making reservations for the production shows to showing up late for events, these mistakes can be easily avoided with some planning and preparation.

By telling you what I saw, I hope you will learn what not to do on your upcoming cruise. I hope my advice will help you have a more enjoyable vacation!

1. Not making show reservations as early as you can

Cruisers sailing on an Icon, Quantum, or Oasis Class ship need to remember to make show reservations before they set sail. These shows are typically the Broadway productions (like Grease on Harmony of the Seas), comedy acts, and various shows in Studio B, the AquaTheater, and Two70.

Reservations can be made on the Cruise Planner website before the cruise begins. You can wait to make reservations when onboard, but it’s recommended that you do it online rather than waiting to do it on the ship. You will most likely find that many guests make reservations before getting onboard, so if you wait, a show that you want to see may already be full.

Making reservations early ensures you will see the show you want, and it doesn't cost you anything! By making reservations early, you can select the date and time that works for your schedule. If you wait, you may be stuck with a show reservation that is too late or too early for your liking.

According to the Royal Caribbean website, reservations open on the Cruise Planner “on the first day of the month before the sailing.” So if your cruise is on June 15, reservations will open on May 1.

There was one show my friend and I were not able to make reservations for on the Cruise Planner. Luckily, when we got onboard on embarkation day, I checked the Royal Caribbean app and was able to quickly snag two seats that opened up for the comedy show on the second day of the cruise.

We were happy that we made reservations as soon as we could for all the other shows because at every show we went to, there was always a line of people waiting in the standby area to get inside the venue.

If you find yourself with no reservation, it’s advised to get to the standby line 30-45 minutes before the show. It’s common for some people who secured a reservation to change their minds and not show up. The earlier you are in the standby line, the more likely you will get in to see the show.

Read more: The 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation

2. Not getting to shows or activities early enough

Speaking of long lines, another lesson I learned while on Harmony of the Seas is to get to shows and activities early to avoid crowds.

Not every event on Harmony of the Seas required a reservation. All of the main shows I mentioned earlier required a reservation (excluding one at the AquaTheater), but many of the daily activities were a free-for-all.

For example, there was one night when we wanted to go to the Finish That Lyric game show. My friend and I grabbed a drink and headed over to where the event was taking place a few minutes before the show started, but we were shocked to see that people were crowding outside of the venue. People could hardly get inside to see the game show, and once you were inside, it was impossible to find a seat.

This instance happened a few times where small venues would host popular events and it would become crowded rather quickly. If you want to attend an event and have a decent seat, I would recommend you get to the venue at least 20-30 minutes before it starts.

Read more: Harmony of the Seas review: What this cruise ship is like in 2024

3. Trying to do everything on the first day

Harmony of the Seas is a giant ship with so much to do, including the Ultimate Abyss, FlowRider, zipline, and more. Because our particular sailing had lots of people (we were sailing at nearly full capacity), there was often a line for these activities.

I noticed on the first day of the cruise, the line for the Ultimate Abyss was so long that it was wrapped around the FlowRider. I couldn't believe how many people were standing out in the hot sun waiting to go down the slide. My friend and I decided to do the slide on one of the sea days, and when we went, there wasn't a line! I think this was because we went at a random time of the day, around 2 p.m.

You don’t have to do everything on the first day of your cruise. You will have plenty of time to do everything the ship has to offer, especially if you are on a long cruise. On short cruises, though, you will probably feel the pressure to do everything on day one.

A tip I would recommend to cruisers is to try to do some of the free activities while docked in port. This means people will be off the ship and there will be fewer lines. Do keep in mind that many of the activities have different hours on sea days versus port days. On port days, the activities are usually open for only a few hours. In this instance, I would recommend doing these activities at times of the day when people are busy eating, like lunch or dinner time.

Also, to get an idea of what times activities are offered before embarking on your cruise, you can look at the daily compasses we have on our website. By planning ahead, you won’t have to miss out on experiencing all the fun activities onboard.

4. Not reserving a dining time for My Time Dining

When booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, you have the option between Traditional Dining or My Time Dining.

Personally, I always choose Traditional Dining because I enjoy sitting at the same table every night and being served by the same waitstaff. I love the ease of being able to walk in and go to my assigned table without ever having to wait to be seated.

When you select My Time Dining, you eat dinner in the Main Dining Room whenever you want; on Harmony of the Seas, it's from 6:30 to 9 p.m. You can choose to make a dinner reservation ahead of time or show up at the Main Dining Room and wait to be seated.

There are two lines for My Time Dining each evening: those with a reservation and those without. The line for no reservations was super long every night on my cruise! I overheard someone say they had to wait for an hour because the line went all the way through the Main Dining Room lobby and up the nearby staircase.

To avoid the chaos of the My Time Dining non-reservation line, I recommend making dinner reservations as soon as you can, whether before or during your cruise. This does somewhat defeat the purpose of being able to eat whenever you want, but if you want to avoid the long lines every night, making a reservation is much easier and could save you waiting a long time in line.

5. Only eating at the included dining venues

One of my favorite parts of cruising is enjoying all the food onboard. On Harmony of the Seas, there are so many places to try, but not all of them are included in your cruise fare.

While I normally like all the complimentary food, such as Sorrentos and Park Cafe, my two favorite meals during my cruise were at specialty restaurants.

On the first night of the cruise, we chose to eat at Jamie’s Italian for dinner. Because I am a Diamond Plus loyalty member, I was able to use the BOGO specialty dinner offer - this can only be used on the first or second night of the cruise.

The food at Jamie’s Italian was amazing and high quality. My favorite dishes were the arancini, truffle tagliatelle, and the chocolate brownie with caramel gelato.

During one of our sea days, my friend and I enjoyed Johnny Rockets for lunch. To eat here, it cost $15 per person. I haven’t eaten at Johnny Rockets for many years, so I thought it was fun to try something different. The food tasted great and I loved the BBQ chicken bacon melt, cheesy french fries, and super sundae.

While it's totally fine to eat at just the included venues during your cruise, I recommend you try at least one of the specialty restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I don't think you will be disappointed!

Read more: I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas for $463 a night. Take a look inside my 172-square-foot cabin

6. Not following the rules

On the last day of the cruise, my friend and I were seated in the Royal Theater waiting for the late-night comedy show to start. As we were waiting, I saw two odd things occur. First, I saw two people in the front row get out their vape and blow big clouds in the air. They weren't even trying to hide it! Then a few moments later, a young woman ran up on stage and yelled something to the crowd. She was clearly intoxicated. Very quickly, a security guard took her off the stage.

This story is a reminder to all to follow the rules that are in place!

You are allowed to smoke and vape in designated areas on the ship, but certainly not in indoor venues like the theater. Don’t try to sneak in your cigarettes or vapes, even on your private balcony.

Also, know your limits when it comes to alcohol. While Royal Caribbean doesn’t restrict the number of drinks you can have, don’t go overboard and think you can do whatever you want, like run on stage!

Read more: Things that can get you kicked off a cruise ship in an instant

7. Trying to make an early flight after the cruise

If you flew to your cruise port, it’s recommended that you do not book your flight home any earlier than noon.

Of course, this varies where the airport is in relation to the cruise port. For example, you could probably get away with booking an earlier flight if you cruised from Port Everglades because the Fort Lauderdale airport is a quick 10-minute drive from the port. However, if you are cruising out of Galveston, as I did for Harmony of the Seas, it’s important to know that the Houston airports are much farther away from the port.

My flight was at noon on disembarkation day, so I got off the ship at 8 a.m. and was in the Lyft by 8:30 a.m. After an hour-long drive, I made it to the HOU airport in time for my flight.

My friend had an even later flight, so she opted to purchase the Royal Caribbean shuttle from Galveston to the IAH airport. This cost her $45, which was cheaper to purchase than a Lyft/Uber because it's an hour and a half drive. For context, my hour-long Lyft ride was around $90 with a tip. I was not able to purchase the shuttle to HOU because my flight was technically too early (at 11:50 a.m.).

On the bus, my friend overheard a family panic about potentially not making it to the airport on time for their flight at noon. The bus didn't leave the port until 9 a.m., and by the time they got to the airport, it was around 10:30 a.m. If there was a long line to check bags, or there was another delay, I am not sure if they would've made their flight!

To avoid extra stress on disembarkation day, try to book a later flight option. You can never be guaranteed what time you will be cleared to disembark the ship. Sometimes catching a Lyft or Uber can take longer than expected, too.

If you only have an early flight option, there are a few things you can do to get off the ship at the earliest possible time. If you choose a self-assist departure, you can carry off all your luggage yourself and not have to wait for your bags. You can get the earliest departure time as well, which on Harmony of the Seas was 8 a.m. If you are doing the regular departure, you can request the first time slot to get off the ship by doing so in the app or visiting Guest Services before disembarkation day.

A Royal Caribbean crew member recently shared what it's like to do a high dive on a cruise ship, and it looked scarier than when watching from the seats.

Crew members often share their unique day-to-day lives on social media, and this woman shocked the Internet with her daredevil antics.

Ginni van Katwijk, a Dutch cliff diver, recently shared a video to Instagram of a shocking high-dive.

She lives and works on the Oasis Class Harmony of the Seas, and has been with Royal Caribbean for 11 years.

Harmony of the Seas is currently the world’s fourth-largest cruise ship, although she held first place when she was first launched in 2015.

The ship carries over 5,000 passengers and crew members.

About 20 of these crew members are performers at the ship's AquaTheater, which is seen in the viral video.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships feature an AquaTheater uniquely designed to combine a pool, diving boards, a high wire, and technology for a stunning show space.

Read more: Harmony of the Seas review: What this cruise ship is like in 2024

Harmony of the Seas has a sensational aerial, synchronized swimming, dancing, diving, and slackline show called “The Fine Line,” in which Katwijk performs.

The show combines talented crew members, lights, music, and acrobatics to dazzle guests in the AquaTheater.

However, Katwijk's recent performance on social media went above and beyond (literally).

Katwijk was visibly nervous before she dove off the 55 feet platform

Katwijk shared a video of her record-breaking high dive, leaping 55 feet (16.8 meters) down into the water.

She posted the video to her Instagram feed under the username @adventures_with_ginni.

In it, she shows an angle of her perspective of the dive, pointing out the pool’s features from above.

The AquaTheater’s diving tower includes two springboards and two higher platforms, reaching 32.8 feet (10 meters).

From these high platforms, a dive into the pool marks a total of 55 feet.

She marks a point in the left third of the pool where she is attempting to land—a place that looks tiny from her high vantage point.

Guests can be seen walking the deck and sitting nearby.

As her hands begin to shake with nerves, Katwijk says “Just like normal, we got this. Easy peasy."

Then, she stretches her arms high and leaps, doing a couple of flips as she dives down into the water.

Katwijk elegantly lands feet-first in the spot she pointed out earlier, with a loud splat confirming her landing. 

The video also catches a round of applause and cheers from the deck as guests witness her performance.

Commenters expressed anxiety and shock, applauding her bravery

The video was posted on March 30th, 2024, and already has upwards of 40 million views.

Many commenters also jumped in to share their opinion.

“That should be illegal,” user @queendawkins commented.

@waiyi_chan echoed this perspective: “How is this allowed?”

“The landing sounds like a shotgun!” @therealmotzemog commented on the loud noise of her dive into the pool.

In addition to being shocked at Katwijk’s high dive, users also couldn’t believe that this was taking place on a cruise ship.

In addition to the shocking height of the dive, being on a cruise ship poses extra challenges due to the possibility of wind and waves.

“WHY IS THIS ON A CRUISE SHIP?” @lotsasmiles wrote.

Plenty of users expressed that they would never be able to complete a dive this high, with lots of comments reading “no thank you."

‘You’d have to pay me to do this.’

Many commenters seemed concerned that this dive would be offered as an option for guests, but Katwijk made it clear that this experience was only for trained professionals, aka the AquaTheater performers.

“Currently, guests are not allowed to swim in this pool at all—it’s just for shows and for the performers to train and warm up in,” she wrote in a previous Instagram post.

Read more: Trying out the free activities on Harmony of the Seas

The AquaTheater pools are the deepest at sea 

Harmony of the Seas is no stranger to these exciting high dives.

In 2017, Cesilie Carlton, an American high-diver on the ship, posted a video on Instagram performing the 55-foot high dive from the same high platform.

Carlton's video was filmed by fellow performer Sydney Brown and showed a similar dive from the platform.

The AquaTheater on Harmony of the Seas is uniquely designed for exciting aqua shows. 

Quests are not allowed to use the AquaTheater pool, as it is only used for shows and performer warm-ups.

As part of the shows, Oasis Class ships boast the deepest pools at sea. The pool’s depth can be adjusted to a depth of almost 18 feet (5.5 meters).

In a previous Instagram post about the pool, Katwijk shared that the pool has a mechanism underneath that takes up 3 feet, leaving 14 feet for divers to land in.

"YES," she wrote, "We touch the bottom every time when we come from the high dive!" 

The AquaTheater is the most technologically advanced aspect of the Oasis Class

Royal Caribbean's unique AquaTheater shows may look effortless, but there's a lot of work behind the scenes to fit everything together.

The divers, stage managers, swimmers, and tech crew must all communicate clearly and trust one another to perfect their timing and performer safety.

So that performers can hear stage manager instructions at all times, there is an underwater speaker in the Aquatheater pool.

Read more: Crew member shows what it's like to sail on an empty cruise ship with no passengers

In addition to these vocal cues, there is a lights system at the diving boards that behaves like traffic lights, letting divers know when they're clear to go.

The performance looks simple at its completion, but it takes a lot of moving parts for the show to go on.

“No one just has an epiphany and wakes up and says, ‘Let's build the AquaTheater,’” said Richard Fain, former Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 

“It’s very much an iterative process and evolutionary. You learn from doing it on other ships, and each time you learn more, and you use that.”