
While I usually prefer smaller vessels with fewer passengers, I nevertheless was amazed at the immense size and scope of this ship and its number of activities and attractions. It began service in May 2016, and was built in St. Nazaire, France. The Harmony has capacity for 6,780 passengers with 2,747 staterooms. It contains a crew of 2,100 that represent 65 nationalities.
Also, the ship has seven so-called neighborhoods with various activities, including a rock climbing wall and a huge slide. I did neither. It has 16 decks, 24 elevators, 10 restaurants, and three shore exits for quick departure of passengers for tours and pleasure. All these facts are meant to demonstrate the immense size of the ship and its variety of activities. You almost need a tram to get from the front to the back of the ship.

Mayan Cacao Factory, Cozumel. Photos by Dave Pattison
Our next stop was at the relatively new port of Falmouth, Jamaica. It was once one of the busiest ports exporting sugar and importing slaves. It now retains some large Georgianstyle mansions. It is near the home of Bob Marley. It is close to the ports of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. I took a shore excursion, but unfortunately we had a day of heavy rain. We drove through the countryside and through the tropical rain forest of fern gully, a national park. Because of the rain we spent some time shopping at a new center that is all too typical of Caribbean ports, which I find a little lavish. They are usually full of jewelry shops and crafts made in China.

The author in front of the Harmony of the Seas, currently the world’s largest passenger ship. Submitted Photo

Woman in colorful Mayan costume at the San Gervasio ruins.


Church near Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Hand rolling cigars in Labadee, Haiti.

San Gervasio Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico.
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