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

[John&LaLa]

Still seems strange, as on Allure and Oasis, things have more color in the actual wall itself as well as around it:

 

 

 

Maybe the older ones are just dirty after 6-7 years

[adjjb12]

Yahoo article & pictures on delivery on Harmony.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/worlds-biggest-cruise-ship-set-delivery-france-112135180.html

 

Edited May 13, 2016 by adjjb12

[steamboats]

The Ulitmate Abyss is up and running. I saw a video posted by Vicky Freed with Michael Bayley being the first one to try it out (on Twitter). And Cruisecritic posted a video on Facebook. There are mats were you can "hold on".

 

steamboats

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Maybe the older ones are just dirty after 6-7 years

Shirley you can't be serious... :D

[Jevsy]

In today's Daily Mail - great pic of the fish!:D

 

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3587116/The-1billion-floating-town-finally-delivered-World-s-biggest-cruise-ship-Harmony-Seas-18-decks-10-storey-water-slide-handed-owners.html

[CRUISEFAN0001]

No doubt there are plenty of people excited about Harmony and the launch of Abyss.

 

Watching the build/evolution of Harmony...and planning ahead to potential cruise opportunities aboard...there has been plenty of optimism and joy to go around.

 

The wonderful job done by Lloyd in keeping folks informed and sharing photos has been nothing shy of fantastic.

 

But there are 2 sides to every coin.

 

This is not intended for spawning any debate...rather...its just respectful disagreement on the topic of what Abyss will bring toward this new ship. Plenty of folks have views in favor of Abyss and I respect those as well.

 

So I'm sorry...but seeing the final version details of the Abyss reminds me of the days when people put flames on the side of their cars or spinner wheels...gimmicky additions that ruin the overall appearance - but some others saw as "cool" back in those days.

 

Harmony looks amazing...from the front and sides...and inside...but from the rear, some feel it looks like a cheapy Carnival ship (not a good thing).

 

No doubt the newness of the slides will likely be popular for a while, but to others...its at the expense of devaluing the overall look of the ship and introducing a potentially loud new noise source. People can hype up the slides...and plenty will be excited about Abyss...but nearly everyone I've spoken to (more than 150 people at 2 events recently) thinks it is a gaudy gimmick.

 

Adding those things to the other Oasis class ships will surely deter some people from considering them as future cruise candidate. Others will find it inviting. Just this past weekend, a local cruise specialist travel agency held a "fanfare event" surrounding Harmony - when the photos of Abyss were shown. Of the 89 people who attended (newbies to seasoned cruisers), a quick hand-raising poll reflected most people disliked how Abyss looked on the ship - a number of them commented "that is really ugly". Certainly a tiny survey, but this just demonstrates that the "love" for Abyss will not be universal. To those who like it - please enjoy!

 

Having seen the coming and eventual failure of Dynamic Dining...we'll see how the Abyss "experiment" does over the next year or two.

 

Edited May 13, 2016 by CRUISEFAN0001

[racerxspeedy]

No doubt there are plenty of people excited about Harmony and the launch of Abyss.

 

Watching the build/evolution of Harmony...and planning ahead to potential cruise opportunities aboard...there has been plenty of optimism and joy to go around.

 

The wonderful job done by Lloyd in keeping folks informed and sharing photos has been nothing shy of fantastic.

 

But there are 2 sides to every coin.

 

This is not intended for spawning any debate...rather...its just respectful disagreement on the topic of what Abyss will bring toward this new ship. Plenty of folks have views in favor of Abyss and I respect those as well.

 

So I'm sorry...but seeing the final version details of the Abyss reminds me of the days when people put flames on the side of their cars or spinner wheels...gimmicky additions that ruin the overall appearance - but some others saw as "cool" back in those days.

 

Harmony looks amazing...from the front and sides...and inside...but from the rear, some feel it looks like a cheapy Carnival ship (not a good thing).

 

No doubt the newness of the slides will likely be popular for a while, but to others...its at the expense of devaluing the overall look of the ship and introducing a potentially loud new noise source. People can hype up the slides...and plenty will be excited about Abyss...but nearly everyone I've spoken to (more than 150 people at 2 events recently) thinks it is a gaudy gimmick.

 

Adding those things to the other Oasis class ships will surely deter some people from considering them as future cruise candidate. Others will find it inviting. Just this past weekend, a local cruise specialist travel agency held a "fanfare event" surrounding Harmony - when the photos of Abyss were shown. Of the 89 people who attended (newbies to seasoned cruisers), a quick hand-raising poll reflected most people disliked how Abyss looked on the ship - a number of them commented "that is really ugly". Certainly a tiny survey, but this just demonstrates that the "love" for Abyss will not be universal. To those who like it - please enjoy!

 

Having seen the coming and eventual failure of Dynamic Dining...we'll see how the Abyss "experiment" does over the next year or two.

 

 

Well said CruiseFan0001!!

The novelty of the "abysmal" slides will wear off pretty quick for me.

I consider this RC version of "peacocking" - definition: behavior in an over the top and flashy manner for the purpose of attracting new customers.

The good news - All the cruise lines are trying to be innovative. Overall its a good thing that we have more variety to pick from with our cruises.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Well said CruiseFan0001!!

The novelty of the "abysmal" slides will wear off pretty quick for me.

 

I consider this RC version of "peacocking" - definition: behavior in an over the top and flashy manner for the purpose of attracting new customers.

 

The good news - All the cruise lines are trying to be innovative. Overall its a good thing that we have more variety to pick from with our cruises.

Interesting term...hadn't heard it before.

[A&L_Ont]

No doubt there are plenty of people excited about Harmony and the launch of Abyss.

 

Watching the build/evolution of Harmony...and planning ahead to potential cruise opportunities aboard...there has been plenty of optimism and joy to go around.

 

The wonderful job done by Lloyd in keeping folks informed and sharing photos has been nothing shy of fantastic.

 

But there are 2 sides to every coin.

 

This is not intended for spawning any debate...rather...its just respectful disagreement on the topic of what Abyss will bring toward this new ship. Plenty of folks have views in favor of Abyss and I respect those as well.

 

So I'm sorry...but seeing the final version details of the Abyss reminds me of the days when people put flames on the side of their cars or spinner wheels...gimmicky additions that ruin the overall appearance - but some others saw as "cool" back in those days.

 

Harmony looks amazing...from the front and sides...and inside...but from the rear, some feel it looks like a cheapy Carnival ship (not a good thing).

 

No doubt the newness of the slides will likely be popular for a while, but to others...its at the expense of devaluing the overall look of the ship and introducing a potentially loud new noise source. People can hype up the slides...and plenty will be excited about Abyss...but nearly everyone I've spoken to (more than 150 people at 2 events recently) thinks it is a gaudy gimmick.

 

Adding those things to the other Oasis class ships will surely deter some people from considering them as future cruise candidate. Others will find it inviting. Just this past weekend, a local cruise specialist travel agency held a "fanfare event" surrounding Harmony - when the photos of Abyss were shown. Of the 89 people who attended (newbies to seasoned cruisers), a quick hand-raising poll reflected most people disliked how Abyss looked on the ship - a number of them commented "that is really ugly". Certainly a tiny survey, but this just demonstrates that the "love" for Abyss will not be universal. To those who like it - please enjoy!

 

Having seen the coming and eventual failure of Dynamic Dining...we'll see how the Abyss "experiment" does over the next year or two.

 

 

 

When the Oasis started to be developed around 9 years ago many, including me, said they would never step foot on her. Why; because she is too big, too many people, ugly compared to the ships before her, and too gimmicky. I didn't want to sail on her because of amount of people on disembarkation day. If it was chaos on ships that hold 3,000, what would it be like on ones that hold double. :eek: RC had figured it out with Terminal 18. Boy, I didn't know what I was missing. I sail almost exclusively on Oasis Class, for the gimmick known as the flowrider. I am certain if you did a hand vote when RC started to add them on Freedom Class ships many would have said it was ugly and possibly follow up with they'd never sail on that class of ship either.

 

The Abyss will not be an eventful failure like DD, as it is a 30 second event if you choose to do it. DD never even made it to Oasis Class ships, yet I might add, because it was not properly organized on Quantum Class ships. Food is a necessity for all guests and if organized poorly then there is distain from the masses.

 

From the hand vote you spoke of, half said it was ugly. They should have followed with another vote to see if they would still sail on her even with it there. The thing is, for those that say no to Harmony there will be others waiting for their spots.

[A&L_Ont]

Every ship Peacocks the last one built. Quantum Class can even raise its preverbal tail feathers, even though it is not as big as the Oasis Class.

 

I'd say if it wasn't for Peacocking we wouldn't have balconies, let alone loft cabins. The ships would still look like the ones that brought my parents to Canada as immigrants after the war. Cruise lines strut their tail feathers to attract their mates and it is a calculated move.

 

I won't river cruise but if they added a flowrider to their ship they will have caught my attention. To the point that I would start to look up their pricing and itineraries.

 

Who knows, maybe NBC should bring back their Peacock. :)

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I'll take the Abyss over those hideous rope courses on NCL's and Carnival's newest ships. At first, I thought that they weren't finished construction and the scaffolding was still assembled! :eek:

Edited May 13, 2016 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[ocav]

Who knows, maybe NBC should bring back their Peacock. :)

 

 

 

NBC needs more than a peacock next season...

[hexdragon]

Shirley you can't be serious... :D

I am, and don't call me Shirley

[A&L_Ont]

NBC needs more than a peacock next season...

 

You have that right, and I'm glad you caught the joke.;):)

[hexdragon]

The novelty of the "abysmal" slides will wear off pretty quick for me.

I consider this RC version of "peacocking" - definition: behavior in an over the top and flashy manner for the purpose of attracting new customers.

On the Disney boards, when they talk about ships like Harmony, they say about how boxy they look, like container ships, just for people. They say that the Disney ships have the sweep of classic ocean liners.

 

Well... I will reserve judgement until after I sail on her... But 3000 people and split embarkation ports... I wonder how they are gonna do the lifeboat drills? Am I going to have to do two of them?

[CRUISEFAN0001]

I am, and don't call me Shirley

Thumbs up! :)

[pihanettie]

The way I see it, I have 2 kids, 11 and 12, been on Allure and Oasis, loved it and things like the slides (water and dry) make us want to sail again on Harmony. For people like me, deciding between Harmony and Oasis, no brainer, one has a lot more for the kids (and I can hang on the balcony while they are off on their own). But maybe without kids, I would go for Oasis. These new-fangled things give people options, some want the tacky (if you want to refer to the slides as that), some don't. You can gravitate to the one you prefer.

[Jenjer]

I'll take the Abyss over those hideous rope courses on NCL's and Carnival's newest ships. At first, I thought that they weren't finished construction and the scaffolding was still assembled! :eek:

 

I thought the same thing until I sailed Getaway and my family fell in love with the ropes course. It does not look nice but it sure is functional and brings so much fun to a vacation.

 

How the abyss works we will have to wait and see but people the masses wants slides. We all have pretty short attention spans and we want the new, the next, the exciting, the first.

 

Its kind of like I don't care what color my stateroom is decorated in its not my home its my vacation. You don't have to look at the slides everyday for the rest of your life only when you sail her. So why does it matter? I am sure a few people pick a cruise because of the appearance of the ship but most pick it because of attractions (like abyss or ropes course) itinerary and price.

 

I for one can not wait to sail Harmony.

[A&L_Ont]

On the Disney boards, when they talk about ships like Harmony, they say about how boxy they look, like container ships, just for people. They say that the Disney ships have the sweep of classic ocean liners.

 

Well... I will reserve judgement until after I sail on her... But 3000 people and split embarkation ports... I wonder how they are gonna do the lifeboat drills? Am I going to have to do two of them?

 

If you are referring to Harmony in the med I can answer some of your questions as we sailed on Allure last year in the med. 1,400 people boarded in Rome, the rest (4000) in Barcelona. You will only to Muster on the day your board.

 

We boarded in Rome and they put a red sticker on our cards. That showed crew that we did not have to attend muster in Barcelona when we were asked at the pool. When we disembarked in Rome we did have to give up our sea pass cards. I'm can tell you a way to have a set later tonight.

 

If you have any other questions please ask.

[Thelongos]

I remember being on oasis a few times, being next to some other ships thinking why do they have slides and we don't on the biggest ship in the world.

 

As for me and my three young children, we'll be on the slides (probably not the abyss as much as the water slides).

 

I can see how some may not like it though, the water slides look okay but the abyss does look out of place haha. The Oasis class is not an ohh-ahh romantic intimate boat it's a WOW boat and they did it!

 

Perhaps they are targeting the market with younger children on this ship? So many different ships, lines etc catering to different audiences...we are all so lucky!

 

Sent from my Galaxy Note 4

[leisuretraveler223]

No doubt there are plenty of people excited about Harmony and the launch of Abyss.

 

Watching the build/evolution of Harmony...and planning ahead to potential cruise opportunities aboard...there has been plenty of optimism and joy to go around.

 

The wonderful job done by Lloyd in keeping folks informed and sharing photos has been nothing shy of fantastic.

 

But there are 2 sides to every coin.

 

This is not intended for spawning any debate...rather...its just respectful disagreement on the topic of what Abyss will bring toward this new ship. Plenty of folks have views in favor of Abyss and I respect those as well.

 

So I'm sorry...but seeing the final version details of the Abyss reminds me of the days when people put flames on the side of their cars or spinner wheels...gimmicky additions that ruin the overall appearance - but some others saw as "cool" back in those days.

 

Harmony looks amazing...from the front and sides...and inside...but from the rear, some feel it looks like a cheapy Carnival ship (not a good thing).

 

No doubt the newness of the slides will likely be popular for a while, but to others...its at the expense of devaluing the overall look of the ship and introducing a potentially loud new noise source. People can hype up the slides...and plenty will be excited about Abyss...but nearly everyone I've spoken to (more than 150 people at 2 events recently) thinks it is a gaudy gimmick.

 

Adding those things to the other Oasis class ships will surely deter some people from considering them as future cruise candidate. Others will find it inviting. Just this past weekend, a local cruise specialist travel agency held a "fanfare event" surrounding Harmony - when the photos of Abyss were shown. Of the 89 people who attended (newbies to seasoned cruisers), a quick hand-raising poll reflected most people disliked how Abyss looked on the ship - a number of them commented "that is really ugly". Certainly a tiny survey, but this just demonstrates that the "love" for Abyss will not be universal. To those who like it - please enjoy!

 

Cruise ships are not aesthetically pleasing to begin with. From the outside, they pretty much look like floating tenements. And you're worried about a slide making it look gaudy? The whole ship is gaudy. Oh, and Carnival? Pretty much exactly the same as Royal, or NCL... or just about any other line for that matter. What makes them similar far exceeds what makes them unique.

[cello56]

I wonder what the AGE/HEIGHT/WEIGHT restrictions will be for the water slides and the Abyss? Does any one know?

[adjjb12]

Video of Abyss:

 

Looks fun, I wasn't expecting handles on the mat. Smart idea.

[John&LaLa]

How do the mats get back up

[MrsKC08]

When the Oasis started to be developed around 9 years ago many, including me, said they would never step foot on her. Why; because she is too big, too many people, ugly compared to the ships before her, and too gimmicky. I didn't want to sail on her because of amount of people on disembarkation day. If it was chaos on ships that hold 3,000, what would it be like on ones that hold double. :eek: RC had figured it out with Terminal 18. Boy, I didn't know what I was missing. I sail almost exclusively on Oasis Class, for the gimmick known as the flowrider. I am certain if you did a hand vote when RC started to add them on Freedom Class ships many would have said it was ugly and possibly follow up with they'd never sail on that class of ship either.

 

The Abyss will not be an eventful failure like DD, as it is a 30 second event if you choose to do it. DD never even made it to Oasis Class ships, yet I might add, because it was not properly organized on Quantum Class ships. Food is a necessity for all guests and if organized poorly then there is distain from the masses.

 

From the hand vote you spoke of, half said it was ugly. They should have followed with another vote to see if they would still sail on her even with it there. The thing is, for those that say no to Harmony there will be others waiting for their spots.

 

Agree with you completely! There are always going to be people who dislike something or think it is too gimicky, but I assure you that RCCL will not be hurt by those people choosing not to cruise on the Harmony. There will be many people waiting to sail on her.

 

As the saying goes...You can't please everyone! We are all uniquely different and have different tastes. I know people who would never cruise PERIOD, and yet I find the utmost enjoyment on each and every cruise I go on.

 

Plain and simple, if you don't want to do the slides, then don't...it's no big deal. And if you refuse to sail on this ship because of the slides, well then...that is just silly in my opinion.