Harmony of the Seas

When it comes to different classes of ships, it is fairly common for cruise lines to launch one after another year after year, like they’re just releasing a new iPhone. That is not the case with Harmony of the Seas, the third Oasis-Class ship, which launched seven years after Allure of the Seas in 2016. During that time, Royal Caribbean tested the waters with the Quantum-Class ships before returning to give fans of the Oasis-Class something new to enjoy. 

Harmony is bigger than the previous Oasis ships, packed with entertainment, and a great option for families and children. It is very similar to its sisters, with a few major differences, such as a wide range of itineraries departing from Galveston and rare two-day weekend trips to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Is this a ship we recommend in the end? Let’s check it out.

What we like about Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas is, above all, a family-friendly ship for those who enjoy waterslides, lots of shows, and plenty of activities with children for a week or so. This ship has a FlowRider, a zip line, two waterslides, the biggest dry slide at sea called the Ultimate Abyss, an escape room, a small waterpark for children, a carousel, an ice rink, and a rock climbing wall. 

It is a lot, and we bet you will not get bored even if you stay onboard for a week, especially since the destinations are mostly sunny Caribbean ports. The ship even kept the library and card room, which were removed from Allure of the Seas during its 2025 upgrade. These spaces provide a quieter and cozier area for those who want to relax on a ship that can otherwise get crowded.

This is also a good ship when it comes to onboard options. We are talking primarily about dining options, and this is where Harmony of the Seas wins over Allure of the Seas. You have Chops Grille, Chef’s Table, Jamie’s Italian, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Sorrento’s Pizza, and 150 Central Park. There are also great options when it comes to cabins, as Harmony of the Seas is one of the few ships in the fleet that offers the Four-Bedroom Villa Suite, which sleeps up to 14 guests, and it also has solo-friendly cabins that are perfect for those traveling alone.

By the way, Harmony of the Seas is going to be completely reimagined and receive a lot of new venues in 2026. Just as Allure of the Seas got its brand new update in 2025, the same will happen to Harmony, which will be dry docked for about two months for the changes. 

The ship will receive the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, the El Loco Fresh complimentary Mexican restaurant, the Lime and Coconut Caribbean bar, the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, and the ultra-popular Playmakers Sports Bar, a great spot to play foosball, pool, and watch a football game while sipping margaritas. I do believe that the ship might lose the library to make space for some of these amenities, but that’s just me thinking out loud. I also think that the Wonderland restaurant may be replaced by Samba Grill, since Wonderland no longer appears on the official ship website.

What we don’t like about Harmony of the Seas

Keep in mind that this is a very popular ship, often offering weekend trips to Perfect Day at CocoCay and seven-night Caribbean cruises at affordable rates. It can be a rather busy, noisy, and crowded ship at times, even more so than Oasis or Allure of the Seas for some reason. Pool areas can get chaotic, and the same applies to the main indoor spaces. Perhaps that is because the ship has not yet undergone its major amplification project, which is scheduled for 2026, but I do hope to see more open deck space for walking around. 

Pools are also small, and the lack of a pool in the adults-only Solarium is a major oversight, especially on a ship that gets crowded and is so family-friendly like Harmony of the Seas. There is also a noticeable shortage of shaded areas and umbrellas around the pools, which is an area that will need significant attention in the 2026 update.

Conclusion

Harmony of the Seas is a great ship, and it will only get better in 2026. Should you cruise it in 2025? Sure, but you might also consider one of the 2026 itineraries when it receives several new amenities and updates to the existing ones. This is a ship with lots of cool restaurants and tons of activities, and we bet your children will have a blast onboard.