NOT QUITE UP TO EXPECTATION A rocky start for Harmony of the Seas

Posted on 06/03/2016 | About Southampton, United Kingdom

The Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship and Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis class vessel, was glowingly described pre-launch as ambitious, innovative and revolutionary. However, as the first passengers disembarked from its maiden voyage their words were, ‘disappointment,’ ‘unsafe,’ and ‘shambles,’ and the vessel was described as a ‘construction site.’

Passengers went on Twitter to share images of overflowing urinals, broken toilets, missing glass panels and sharp objects floating in the children’s pool.

Some shows were reported cancelled and one closed, and most of the children’s rides were out of service.

The top deck of the vessel was allegedly strewn with power tools, ladders and open paint cans, and guests described the sound of drilling through the night.

A spokesman told the Telegraph (UK), "As always, Royal Caribbean's highest priority is to ensure the safety of all its guests and crew members and any final maintenance is being carried out in accordance with strict safety guidelines.”

He then suggested that the sailing was not in fact a maiden voyage, but a pre-inaugural sailing and the ‘official maiden cruise’ would be the next sailing (Southampton to Barcelona).

He said, "These early sailings were made possible due to the early delivery of the ship and we hope this has been reflected in the great value offering guests secured for their holiday.

"We can assure our passengers that the incidents reported have been isolated incidents, most occurring more than three days ago, and they were all immediately dealt with.

"We are taking every measure to guarantee passengers that their time aboard Harmony of the Seas is the exceptional experience that was billed."

The spokesperson conceded that the Aqua Theatre was not ready yet.