Harmony Keel Blocks are in the House... well they're outside actually!

[MasterSchnief]

Thanks Lloyd. I am unsure if STX France had their own cabin factory previously and knew that STX Finland was certainly the market leader.

 

It is unclear if they kept that division or were able to develop their own using the technology with the split.

 

 

As far as I know, the cabin factory in Finland ist now part of Meyer Turku. Maybe that's the reason why they built one in France.

[MADflyer]

As far as I know, the cabin factory in Finland ist now part of Meyer Turku. Maybe that's the reason why they built one in France.

 

Thanks. I would hope the 'original' from 1982 has survived. I guess STX was able to take all or most of the technology with them for the building of this new factory.

 

I was now able to find them and they are still listed as the top builder of cruise cabins in the world and go by Piikkio Works Oy now.

 

It appears that they are just getting websites for all the new subsidiaries of Meyer Turku.

[LuckyAshley]

I noticed the deck plans do not have as many connecting rooms as Allure and Oasis, specifically lacking connecting hump balcony rooms and midship connecting rooms. Anyone know why this might be or if maybe the deck plans aren't 100% complete yet?

[MADflyer]

I noticed the deck plans do not have as many connecting rooms as Allure and Oasis, specifically lacking connecting hump balcony rooms and midship connecting rooms. Anyone know why this might be or if maybe the deck plans aren't 100% complete yet?

 

I noticed this right away as well. The reduction deck by deck appears to be 33.3% on my calculation, so that is a third gone.

 

I think there are actually many reasons for this decision.

 

If you follow these boards, one thing you notice right away is the dread that faces those that book a W, X, Y or Z GTY and get 'stuck' with the dreaded connecting cabin. They are often viewed as noisy and inconveniently furnished by passengers that do not need them.

 

Secondly, by moving them away from areas that are already attractive, like the hump, you give the clients that 'must' have a connecting cabin to book a less attractive location and that leaves inventory that is 'attractive' that might sell at a premium closer in.

 

Consumer behavior might also be at play. When I read these boards, there are often 'multi-generational' families sailing together. Many might book a more expensive suite of balcony, but then now opt for an inside for the other cabin to save money. You often see posters asking about how to book with one parent in each cabin so they are allowed to book this way.

 

Then, it might actually be more expensive to furnish and construct the prefabricated cabins. Having connecting rooms causes the cabins to be less 'generic' and more units need to be customized to these needs.

 

I have a few suites booked on the 3 day in Europe with friends. They had very limited inventory open to sell on that sailing and I was very happy to find that none of them were connecting as we are in a segment that does not want or need that.

[Lloyd555]

Looking more like an Oasis-class ship...

 

 

[swim13]

Funny to see a construction picture like this of the Oasis class after we have been so used to seeing the real deal for so long! :)

 

Thanks, Lloyd!

[Grandma Petania]

I noticed this right away as well. The reduction deck by deck appears to be 33.3% on my calculation, so that is a third gone.

If you follow these boards, one thing you notice right away is the dread that faces those that book a W, X, Y or Z GTY and get 'stuck' with the dreaded connecting cabin. They are often viewed as noisy and inconveniently furnished by passengers that do not need them.

I understand that people who don't need/want a connecting cabin would not want one to be stuck in one. However, when I sail with my live-in family of four, connecting ocean-view balcony cabins are a must. My son-in-law is wheelchair-bound. He isn't interested in the casino or the shows. Besides the ports, he mostly wants to hang out on his accessible balcony for hours every day/evening.

 

Of course we wouldn't leave him alone on the balcony with the door to the cabin closed. When he is on the balcony with the door to the cabin open, opening the door to the hallway would create a very strong wind tunnel. When my daughter, grandson and I go out on our own, we can exit through the connecting cabin while my SIL stays out on his balcony.

 

The four of us have sailed the Eastern Caribbean together twice on the Oasis. SIL loved St. Maarten, and enjoyed St. Thomas, but would like to find some different W/C accessible ports. DD is now doing research for a different itinerary and/or ship, and has come up against a lack of accessible cabins (with accessible balcony) that connect with another cabin for DGS & me.

 

My next cruise in February 2016 will be in a single cabin with my younger daughter, so we were happy to book a non-connecting cabin.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Looking more like an Oasis-class ship...

 

 

Thanks Lloyd!

 

Enjoying the progress of Harmony.

[Lloyd555]

First of the Harmony of the Seas' two diving towers/platforms delivered to STX France.

 

 

 

[call619]

Thanks. This is the first time I've followed the construction progress of a ship. I'm planning on booking a cruise on Harmony for 2017.

[Lloyd555]

Harmony aft with azipod mechanics covered by blue tarps.

 

 

 

Looking up from American Icon Grill.

 

 

Visual assistance for last photo. ;)

See full deck plans online.

 

Edited March 27, 2015 by Lloyd555

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I find it odd that they have the 3 floors open to each other even though there will be DD.

[Lloyd555]

Harmony aft with azipod mechanics covered by blue tarps.

 

 

 

Looking up from American Icon Grill.

 

 

Visual assistance for last photo. ;)

See full deck plans online.

 

Oops. Deck 3 - American Icon Grill

[John&LaLa]

I find it odd that they have the 3 floors open to each other even though there will be DD.

 

Easier to change down the road

[call619]

Now I'm really going to be following this. I booked the April 15 2017 cruise. The family doesn't know yet, I'm trying to think of a good way to surprise them.

[Dave85]

I find it odd that they have the 3 floors open to each other even though there will be DD.

 

 

Agreed -- I expected that they would be closed off on Harmony given that it's purpose built for DD.

[klombar]

Now I'm really going to be following this. I booked the April 15 2017 cruise. The family doesn't know yet, I'm trying to think of a good way to surprise them.

 

We are on the same cruise. Great fun watching the building progress. Two years away and we cant wait to sail on the Harmony!

[dedosr]

Now I'm really going to be following this. I booked the April 15 2017 cruise. The family doesn't know yet, I'm trying to think of a good way to surprise them.

 

Print out a letter to them telling them about the cruise. Then cut the letter up in pieces to resemble puzzle pieces. Put a piece of the puzzle in a plastic Easter egg until all pieces are in separate eggs. Hide the eggs with other eggs, then have an egg hunt. When the participants in the egg hunt open their eggs, they will find pieces of the letter that was cut up. Watch the fun as try to figure out what is going on. One person will finally figure out to put the pieces together to read the letter. We did this before and it was a lot of fun! Especially when they read the letter and found out about the vacation we booked!!:D:D

[call619]

Print out a letter to them telling them about the cruise. Then cut the letter up in pieces to resemble puzzle pieces. Put a piece of the puzzle in a plastic Easter egg until all pieces are in separate eggs. Hide the eggs with other eggs, then have an egg hunt. When the participants in the egg hunt open their eggs, they will find pieces of the letter that was cut up. Watch the fun as try to figure out what is going on. One person will finally figure out to put the pieces together to read the letter. We did this before and it was a lot of fun! Especially when they read the letter and found out about the vacation we booked!!:D:D

 

We are going to be on Oasis next year for Easter. Do you think they would allow an egg hunt in Central Park?

[Biker19]

Agreed -- I expected that they would be closed off on Harmony given that it's purpose built for DD.

I assume they copied the design from the Oasis and changing that would have involved extra engineering costs. Plus, with the open design they could go back to an MDR concept if DD really tanks.

[dedosr]

We are going to be on Oasis next year for Easter. Do you think they would allow an egg hunt in Central Park?

 

Well that would be neat. When we were on the Oasis and Allure, Central Park was never closed, so that being said, organize it in the wee hours of the morning, and you would not interfere with anything. Tell everyone to meet you there say at 4 am, you get there at 3:55 am to put out the eggs, and it will all be over by 4:10 am.

[John&LaLa]

Well that would be neat. When we were on the Oasis and Allure, Central Park was never closed, so that being said, organize it in the wee hours of the morning, and you would not interfere with anything. Tell everyone to meet you there say at 4 am, you get there at 3:55 am to put out the eggs, and it will all be over by 4:10 am.

 

4AM. :eek:

[Dave85]

4AM. :eek:

 

I was wondering the same thing... who would want to do an Easter Egg Hunt at 4am... especally on vacation?! LOL

[karmacats]

I was wondering the same thing... who would want to do an Easter Egg Hunt at 4am... especally on vacation?! LOL

 

well, i would, but that's because i usually haven't gone to sleep yet then! :eek: I'm also hoping, probably in vain, that the slides are open all night, or at least pretty late.

 

I'm booked for Feb 25, and can't wait!

 

BTW, i feel like i read something about this on here before but can't find the comments - did we determine there's no cafe promenade?!?!?!? i didn't see one on the deck plans. i need to know where i can get my frou-frou coffee drinks! (yes, i saw the starbucks, but if it's a true starbucks like oasis and allure, we won't be able to use drink packages there.)

[call619]

Starbucks better open early if I'm doing an egg hunt at 4 a.m.