Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas completed its float out of its building at STX France in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Harmony of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's third Oasis-class cruise ship and is scheduled to have her first cruises in late Spring 2016.  She will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts, coming in just slightly larger than her Oasis-class sisters.

These photos are copyright Royal Caribbean International.

Today was our last port of call in beautiful St. Maarten, docking at 8am-5pm. 

We didn’t have any plans today, so we started off with some shopping.  Once you get off the ship they have water taxi’s that will take you over to their boardwalk for $7pp round-trip. This is where all the shopping, restaurants, bars, and beach are located. 

If you are looking for a great port to shop, St. Maarten is the place.  I picked up two new lenses for my Canon 60D camera; of course I justified it for the blog posts.

Lunch

For lunch we decided to eat at a very famous restaurant in St. Maarten, called The Blue Bitch.  I discovered this restaurant around a decade ago and have lunch there every time I get to visit.  They have free wifi you just ask for the password (blueb921). 

They also have a live band playing on the boardwalk, which makes it fun while you are having lunch.  I should have inquired how they came up with the name, because it’s not wild by any means. 

For those wondering were it’s located, once you get off the water taxi turn right down the boardwalk and it’s about the 5th restaurant down. 

Swimming

After a few hours of shopping and lunch my sister and I decided to part ways from the group and go swimming in the ocean.  The price for two padded chairs and an umbrella is $15 for the day. 

The water here is so clear and the beach is very soft, talk about some combination.   We only stayed out there swimming for an hour or so and headed back to the ship.  The water taxi was at the dock waiting on us and off we went. 

Once I was back on board I just walked around and explored the ship.  I came across Guinness world records certificate for the largest passenger liner in the world.  This was located right beside the R Bar on the Royal Promenade deck. 

In 2006 when the Freedom launched it was the largest ship, but we now have Oasis class, which surpass her by 70,000 gross tons.  To put that into scale for you, the Titanic was only 46,000 gross tons. 

Dinner

Tonight we headed back to the main dining room.

I just kept looking up thinking how beautiful this dining room is.  It almost made me sad to think about the new dynamic dining because this is such a trademark of cruising. 

The service in the dining room is absolutely outstanding, perhaps the best I’ve seen.  

Tonight we had an officer come over and talk to those who are sailing next week and said, “you tell me what table you want next week and I’ll make it happen.” Once again, above and beyond service from Royal Caribbean, it’s what keeps me coming back. 

After dinner all the waiters got up and danced all around the dining room and invited us to join them.  So you already know, I grabbed my little sister and off we went.  I must say, this was the first time I had danced in the middle of the dining room, but we had a blast. 

Post Dinner

After dinner we had our usual gathering at R Bar, but tonight we had the 70’s street parade.  This started at 10:30pm and they played all the classics from the 1970’s. 

I’ve mentioned this before on the podcast with Matt, but I’m ready for a new decade of music, the 1980’s. Sure I enjoy all the songs, but I think it’s time for something new, and well it’s my decade.  I’ll just have to keep cruising until they change it up, because I know it’s coming!

Everyone was pretty tired and we called it a night early, after my usual pizza pit stop. 

Up next is two sea days!  These days go by too fast when you are at sea.  Our plan is just relax and make the most of them. 

Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas had her float out process and we've found photos to share of this important step in her journey to entering service.

Harmony of the Seas is being worked at STX France shipyard.  She is the third Oasis-class cruise ship.

Paquebot #HarmonyOfTheSeas @SaintNazaire1 Nouvelles photos de la construction http://t.co/dAlIjTet0j @RoyalCaribbeanF pic.twitter.com/amjTMSekoS

— escalecroisiere (@escalecroisiere) June 18, 2015

#harmonyOfTheSeas et c'est parti pour la mise à l'eau sous le regard de passionnés #saintnazaire @RoyalCaribbeanF pic.twitter.com/Li61TEgteP

— cathy ryo (@RyoCathy) June 19, 2015

On le voit maintenant en entier. Impressionnant #harmonyOfTheSeas #saintnazaire @RoyalCaribbeanF #stx pic.twitter.com/OLloqkGMR8

— cathy ryo (@RyoCathy) June 19, 2015

Cap sur la forme C #harmonyOfTheSeas @RoyalCaribbeanF #saintnazaire #stx pic.twitter.com/6GPEcAoIQT

— cathy ryo (@RyoCathy) June 19, 2015

8 remorqueurs mobilisés pour la manoeuvre #harmonyOfTheSeas @RoyalCaribbeanF #stx #saintnazaire pic.twitter.com/Edh5qJ7ktH

— cathy ryo (@RyoCathy) June 19, 2015

Construction paquebot #HarmonyOfTheSeas @SaintNazaire1 nouvelles photos http://t.co/dAlIjTet0j @RoyalCaribbeanF pic.twitter.com/KN1MBehbnl

— escalecroisiere (@escalecroisiere) June 19, 2015

Oups #HarmonyOfTheSeas à bon port forme C et non forme B #lasttweet #saintnazaire @RoyalCaribbeanF pic.twitter.com/iRCL7yw1Bp

— cathy ryo (@RyoCathy) June 19, 2015

La mise à l'eau de l'#Harmonyoftheseas a officiellement commencé ! pic.twitter.com/thppgWFpIR

— Royal Caribbean FR (@RoyalCaribbeanF) June 19, 2015

In honor of Fathers Day this weekend, Royal Caribbean is kicking off a Weekend WOW sale that offers a deal on cruises booked this weekend.

Royal Caribbean is offering

• Book an Interior or Ocean View stateroom and receive $25 Onboard Credit
• Book a Balcony or Suite and receive $50 Onboard Credit

This discount is on top of the 30 for 30 sale, where guests can get 30% Off Suites & Balconies, 20% Off Ocean View staterooms &  10% Off Interior staterooms.

The deal is valid on all sailings departing on or after July 19, 2015, excluding China departures. Offer applies to new bookings made Jun 19-21, 2015.

Offer is combinable with current standard/full fare rates, restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military, BOGO), Next Cruise offer, 30-for-30 Sale, and Anthem Upgrade Offer. Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, weekly Sales Events, Net Rates, Crown & Anchor Discounts.

Offer available in the United States and Canada.

Royal Caribbean Blog contributor Michael Poole is on Freedom of the Seas this week reporting all about his cruise experience.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to St. Thomas, so I was excited to get back to this beautiful port of call.  I didn’t have anything booked prior to the cruise, but my brother talked me into snorkeling with sea turtles and sting rays. 

The excursion cost $99 per person and last around six hours, so it was a full day activity.  The official name of the getaway is Caribbean sail to Christmas & Honeymoon Coves. 

We docked in St. Thomas at 11am and my ticket said to meet in the theater at 11am for an express departure.  It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Royal Caribbean excursion, as I usually do my own thing, but it was very organized and I was very impressed. 

We sailed over to Christmas Cove in a large sailboat, looked like one out of Pirates of the Caribbean.  The boat was pretty rocky from the wake and it took around a half hour to get there.

The guides were very informative with our gear and what we were about to see.   We saw quite a few sea turtles ranging in size and I loved when they came up for air.  The water was so clear you could see straight down to the bottom, I can’t even describe how beautiful the water is.  

After playing with the turtles for a bit, we went over where all the sting rays were, and I’m not going to lie it scared me at first.  After a few minutes of noticing they don’t bother you, I started to get a bit more relaxed. 

We were snorkeling in the water for a little over an hour then back onboard for honeymoon cove.

Our ride over to the next stop took a little over an hour and they served rum punch and went very slow.  At this point we were all just relaxing and enjoying our views. 

Once we arrived to the cove you could jump off and swim to shore or have the tender boat take you over.  Of course, I jumped off and headed over to the cove, I mean how over do you get to swim to shore in the Caribbean? 

They served a small buffet lunch and we just relaxed for a few hours.  The total excursion lasted six hours and we were back onboard at 6:30 and we left St. Thomas at 7pm. 

Cell Phones

Just a little pointer if you have AT&T cell phone service, you will get phone service at no extra charge.  I was actually able to pick up full 4G LTE, which was much faster than the ship Internet.

My brother has Verizon and it was roaming all day, so that’s one more perk of having AT&T.

Dinner

Tonight we headed back to the main dining room for dinner at 8pm. 

Freedom of the Seas is the only ship I know of that does dinner at 8pm and not 8:30 for late dinner. 

Tonight at dinner they introduced all the staff and managers on the staircase, and played more music. 

One of my favorite things about our waiter is each night he brings extra dishes we didn’t order for everyone to try.  This is just one more way Royal Caribbean goes the extra mile to ensure you have a great dining experience. 

I’m sorry for no food porn, I was locked out of my cabin and didn’t have time to get a new key before dinner. 

Post Dinner

After dinner each night my group, plus some new friends we have met meet up at the R Bar.  

This bar is new to Freedom of the Seas and replaced the Champagne Bar in January during her dry dock. 

I usually spend a lot of time at the pub, but I’ve just loved going to the R Bar each evening.  They are known for fresh cocktails, I’ve been having an old fashion each night and they are just perfect.  The décor in this bar is very intimate and creates a great vibe for a romantic drink before or after dinner. 

Dancing Under the Stars

Tonight was the Dancing Under the Stars Party on the pool deck from 10:30pm to 12:00am.  This is always one of my favorite events during the week to dance under the stars. 

Only problem was almost no one showed up!  I couldn’t believe how empty it was on the pool deck, mostly just teenagers.  I’m not really sure what caused the party to be a flop, maybe everyone was just so tired from being in St. Thomas all day. 

The bar closed down at midnight and I decided to call it a night... well after my late night pizza, that is. 

That’s all from St. Thomas; tomorrow we visit my favorite port St. Maarten.  

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas had its high-speed internet access enabled while the ship is in the Mediterranean, according to O3b Networks.

O3b uses a new type of sattelite internet that reduces latency, increases internet speed and improves voice and video quality for the user.

O3bMaritime has already provided four of Royal Caribbean’s ships (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas,Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas), each with more bandwidth than the rest of the cruise industry combined.  In the near future, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas will move across the Pacific, bringing exceptional cruising experiences and at-sea high speed broadband to the Japanese ports of Okinawa and Kyoto, as well as other Asian destinations.

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley commented on the partnership with O3b, "With O3b we have added a dimension to cruising that has never existed before.  Our new internet capabilities allow our guests to surf, stream and share their vacation experiences with their friends and family back home. It also allows us to provide our business clientele a new way to stay connected with their colleagues."

Royal Caribbean opened bookings for its third Quantum-class cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas today.  Guests can now book cruises for the ship's maiden season in Australia and New Zealand.

Ovation of the Seas will arrive in Australia on December 6, 2016 when she docks in Perth.  Ovation of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship to ever be homeported in Australia.

After arriving in Australia, Ovation of the Seas will visit Adelaide and Hobart, before arriving in Sydney to begin her official Australian season.

Ovation of the Seas will offer four sailings from Sydney during her summer season starting from December 15, 2016, including:

• A 15-night New Zealand cruise beginning with an overnight in Sydney on December 15, 2016 followed by calls at Hobart, the Milford Sounds region, Dunedin, Wellington, Picton, Tauranga and Auckland.
• A 10-night New Year cruise around New Zealand departing December 30, 2016, with calls at the Milford Sound region, Dunedin, Wellington, Napier and Picton.
• A 14-night cruise during the January school holidays with visits to Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Dunedin, and the Milford Sounds region.
• Ovation of the Seas leaves Australia on January 23, 2017 with a 14-night Sydney to Singapore cruise visiting Brisbane, Darwin and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang).

Royal Caribbean commercial director for Royal Caribbean Australia & South East Asia, Sea Treacy, commented on the arrival of Ovation down under, "At USD$1 billion, Ovation of the Seas represents the single largest investment in Australia and New Zealand cruising by any cruise line. This ship truly ignites the imagination about what is possible on a cruise holiday – from skydiving in the middle of the ocean, robot bartenders, to North Star, an observation capsule that transports you more than 90 metres above the sea providing stunning 360 degree views."

"Being the imaginative and adventure-loving nation that we are, it is not surprising that over 20,000 Aussies have pre-registered their interest since we first announced her local deployment. Ovation of the Seas’ first season will be historic and we can’t wait for Australians to experience the world’s most advanced ship right on our doorstep," Treacy said.

"In her first season alone, Ovation of the Seas is projected to inject more than $20million into the Australian economy with 14 total calls across the country, and almost 30,000 guests are expected to experience the new generation of cruise ship. Some of the other delights her guests can look forward to include bumper cars, a circus school, spectacular shows in the custom-built Two70 entertainment venue, 18 different dining options including Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, Broadway shows and high speed internet."

Royal Caribbean Blog contributor Michael Poole is on Freedom of the Seas this week reporting all about his cruise experience.

Today was our first of three sea days, I love just relaxing around the ship and enjoying some pool time in the sun. 

I made an appointment for the Next Cruise office right when I got onboard for today at 9:30am, to book some future cruises.  

My advice is to always book the first appointment of the day, as the staff always seem to run over.  We didn’t get helped until 10am and it took around an hour. 

I booked the Allure for next summer and Harmony for Spring 2017.  One of the perks from booking onboard is you get on board credit for the current cruise or the future cruise.  Also, you are only required to put down $100 deposit for the booking, which is nice for a sailing almost two years away. 

Pool Deck

After booking the cruise we headed up to the pool deck for some fun in the sun! 

I actually skipped breakfast, as I was still pretty full from dinner.  The pool deck was packed, but then again it was a little after 11AM on a sea day. 

We all jumped in the pool to cool off and they started the belly flop contest shortly after.  This is a fun activity to sit back and get entertained poolside. 

I noticed a lot of children in the pool most of the day, the pool staff was trying to control them the best they could, but they were everywhere. 

The captain actually mentioned our sailing is the most people to ever sail on Freedom of the Seas, 4,440 guests onboard.  My brother and I laughed because the same thing happen to us this past spring on the Oasis of the Seas. 

Lunch at Johnny Rockets

For lunch we headed to Johnny Rockets, this is an upcharge restaurant at $5.95 per person. 

We were a group of seven, so we had to get two tables, but it didn’t take too long. 

The staff started dancing to the music once we arrived, so I thought I would be fun to grab my little sister and dance with them!  She was so embarrassed, but who cares we are on a cruise right? 

I ordered the smokehouse burger, but just asked for a single burger to save room for dessert. 

One of my favorite desserts on a cruise ship is their world’s famous apple pie and ice cream.  This is one of those must try items when you dine at Johnny Rockets. 

Dinner

Tonight was a special evening because we were celebrating my grandmothers 75th birthday.  She loves Mexican food so we thought what better than having dinner at Sabor. 

The cost for dinner here is $25 per person and let me warn you the food just kept coming. 

Since we had a larger group at dinner he just brought all the starters out, and we didn’t mind.  For the main course I order the pork belly tacos and they were amazing, my brother actually said, “I’m ordering those next week”.

We had pre-arranged to have a cake for my grandmother and it was $13.  The service was absolutely outstanding the whole evening, even the chef came out to see how we were enjoying our dinner.  The restaurant is very small, but wasn’t full during our dinner. 

After dinner we headed to the R Bar, where we pull 10 chairs together for our group! 

That wraps up our first sea day, up next is St. Thomas!  

Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's third Oasis class cruise ship, reached another construction milestone, with the installation of her last block at the shipyard in STX France.

Harmony of the Seas will have her inaugural cruise in June 2016.

The photos were taken earlier this week at the STX shipyard in France. All photos are copyright Royal Caribbean International.