Harmony of the Seas, Aerial Aft View — Aerial view of the aft of Harmony of the Seas

Planning The Best Family Vacation Onboard Harmony Of The Seas

With so many things to do onboard for all ages, the third cruise ship in the award-winning Oasis Class is a great option for families who want to maximize every moment of their vacation.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on March 13, 2023

Nobody delivers on incredible family cruises like Royal Caribbean. After all — the cruise line is famous around the world for its cutting-edge ships, each loaded with cruise attractions for kids, cruise activities for teens and plenty for parents to do. One cruise ship that consistently ranks high for delivering some of the best family cruises is Harmony of the Seas®. The third ship to join the award-winning Oasis Class family of cruise ships, it takes adventure to soaring new heights with all kinds of family-friendly experiences, dazzling onboard entertainment and crave-worthy dining sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Harmony of the Seas also makes cruising with a baby easy. It offers a wide range of childcare services, as well as newborn- and toddler-friendly amenities that can be delivered right to your stateroom. It’s also home to the cruise line’s world-class Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, which provides hours of free, interactive, supervised fun for little ones aged 3-11 in a series of next-level play spaces, plus a Royal Babies & Tots program that offers nursery drop-off sessions for guests aged 6-36 months. While the kids are at play, grown-ups can unwind in the adults-only Solarium or soak in the non-stop music and action that takes place on the cruise ship’s sprawling pool deck.

And that’s not all — Harmony of the Seas features some serious thrills, including Royal Caribbean mainstays like the FlowRider® surf simulator, The Perfect Storm^SM water slides, epic ice-skating and AquaTheater shows, white-knuckle rides down the tallest slide at sea — Ultimate Abyss^SM — and so much more. When you plan a family cruise onboard this award-winning cruise ship, you’ll find it’s impossible to run out of ways to max out on memories. Here are just some of the top cruise activities for kids, teens and parents that await onboard.

1. Earn Some Serious Bragging Rights

For those with a competitive streak, Harmony of the Seas is the perfect ship to plan a family cruise on. It offers plenty of opportunities to show off your skills — both mental and physical. Put your puzzle-solving talents to the test in Escape the Rubicon, a mind-bending experience that requires friends and family to work together to solve a collection of riddles, challenges and puzzles before time runs out. Challenge someone in your group to a race to the top of the ship’s 40-foot Rock Climbing Wall. Whether you win or lose, you’ll still get to enjoy awe-inspiring views of the surrounding sea and sights. Spend a few hours trying for a new high score at the Royal Caribbean Arcade, home to classic games from the ’80s and ’90s, plus modern games both kids and parents will love. Or face off in a round of basketball or volleyball on the ship’s Sports Court, a fleetwide favorite that offers endless hours of fun for all ages.

2. Conquer The Ship’s Most Thrilling Onboard Attractions

There are many reasons why daredevils love Harmony of the Seas. One of them is the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea and a great way for guests of all ages to have a blast. Anyone who meets the 44-inch height requirement can brave this exhilarating 10-story plummet into the mysteries of the deep. There’s also The Perfect Storm — the boldest family of water slides at sea. Onboard Harmony of the Seas, it’s composed of dual racers called Typhoon^SM and Cyclone^SM. Each sends riders shooting along white-knuckle twists, turns and long, translucent stretches that offer spectacular ocean views. And on Super Cell^SM, thrill-seekers are funneled into a champagne bowl that loops them around and around before propelling them out toward the pool down below. That’s not all, though — this cruise ship features the iconic FlowRider surf simulator, where you can grab a board and attempt to tame 30,000 gallons of rushing water. Try to keep your balance while carving upright like a pro, or hit the surf boogie-style on your belly. And if heights give you a rush, conquer the ship’s zip line. It stretches across the entire Boardwalk ten decks high. Like most of the other top attractions onboard, it’s totally free for cruise guests.

3. Fill An Entire Day With Sun-soaked Fun On The Pool Deck

Everyone who cruises on Harmony of the Seas should set aside a full day to enjoy the ship’s wow-worthy pool deck. Grab a few chaise loungers for everyone in your group, then kick back and enjoy the sunshine in between refreshing dips in the pool. If you’re looking for action, you’ll find it here. The pool deck hosts regular happenings like belly flop contests, dance-offs and DJ-driven pool parties. You can also look forward to surprise live performers, prize giveaways and other fun pop-ups. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be happy to learn you have plenty of great dining options nearby. Like Mini Bites, where big flavor comes in small, bite-sized packages — think grab-and-go sliders, pizza, taquitos, grilled cheese and more. The Solarium Bistro, known for its fresh and healthy Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The ever-popular Dog House, located on the ship’s beautiful Boardwalk. And of course, the Sand Bar and Pool Bar, serving up all your favorite vacation libations.

4. Let The Kids Have A Blast At Adventure Ocean While Parents Enjoy “Me” Time

As mentioned earlier, Harmony of the Seas is home to the award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Program by Royal Caribbean. A hit with parents, it offers little ones endless opportunities to make friends and engage in fun, educational, supervised activities with other cruisers in their age group. Onboard Harmony of the Seas, the program encompasses a slew of cool play spaces — like the Imagination Studio, where kids aged 6-12 can unleash their creativity while working on sculptures and crafts. The Adventure Science Lab, which offers budding scientists the opportunity to work on engaging experiments. And the Adventure Ocean Theater, where it’s always “play” time. There’s even a teen lounge where older kids can mingle, listen to tunes and enjoy pre-planned social events throughout the day. What’s more, all of these programs are completely free for cruise guests. While the kids are having a blast, parents can retreat to the tranquility of the Solarium, an adults-only space with whirlpools, a full bar and plenty of room to relax in the shade or the sunshine.

5. Elevate Every Family Dinner With World-Class Cruise Dining Options

Royal Caribbean is a favorite cruise line among foodies because the brand’s culinary concepts are out of this world. Onboard Harmony of the Seas, you’ll have a wide range of crave-worthy cruise restaurants to choose from — each sure to deliver an unforgettable family meal. There’s the classic Main Dining Room, which serves up multi-course feasts in a beautiful, upscale venue — everything here is included in your cruise fare, too. There’s also Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, where delicious Asian-inspired flavors are prepared tableside by a master chef with cooking moves that are as awe-inspiring as the food is tantalizing. And there’s Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, where every dish is a work of art and a fusion of unique, unexpected flavors. For a classic steakhouse experience, nothing beats Chops Grille℠, which has been serving up expertly seared prime cuts across the Royal Caribbean fleet for over a decade. It’s a favorite specialty restaurant for guests celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones. No matter what kind of atmosphere or cuisine you and your family are in the mood for, you’re in for bold, delicious flavors and a memorable dining experience onboard Harmony of the Seas.

6. Enjoy A Night Out At The Theater With Spectacular Entertainment Every NighT

When you book a fun vacation for the whole family onboard Harmony of the Seas, every evening is an opportunity to enjoy family-friendly cruise entertainment. This fan-favorite Oasis Class ship hosts some of the coolest productions at sea. There’s Grease, the Broadway hit that’s all about hand-jiving, poodle skirts and summer lovin’, presented in the beautiful Royal Theater. There’s also Columbus, a Royal Caribbean original production that follows the famous Italian explorer’s luckless distant cousin on a thrill-filled seafaring voyage. If you want to see spectacular stunts on ice, head to the ice-skating rink for a performance of 1887 — a story that follows a time-traveler in pursuit of love across different eras. And at the AquaTheater, you can settle in for high dives, edge-of-your-seat acrobatics and flawless choreography in the water and on land in a breathtaking aqua show called Hideaway Heist. Every performance onboard Harmony of the Seas is free for cruise guests — all you have to do is reserve your seats at the Box Office or via the Royal Caribbean app.

These are just some of the many family-friendly activities that await when you book a cruise onboard Harmony of the Seas. Check out what other vacation activities his cruise ship has to offer, or start browsing travel itineraries.