Did you know that the Harmony of the Seas is five times bigger than the Titanic, with its 18 decks covering an area equal to 84 football fields? On board you’ll find 4 swimming pools, 2 climbing walls, an ice rink, a basketball court, a theater with 1,400 seats, and 20 restaurants. The ship can accommodate over 6,300 passengers and nearly 2,400 crew members.

You probably heard about this in the media when the cruise ship docked in Rotterdam at the end of May. But did you also know that 35 Ambius employees from the USA and the Netherlands planted around 10,000 plants and trees on this largest passenger ship in the world?

Arno de Winter (Customer Care Service Technician at Ambius) was one of 13 Dutch colleagues who volunteered for this project. He spent two full weeks at the shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, contributing to this massive task. Below you’ll find Arno’s photo report; the pictures were taken in early May.

Sharing knowledge

Even before arriving in port, you can see the Harmony of the Seas from a distance. What a gigantic ship! And what an experience to work here! Ambius USA secured this mega project and asked us (Ambius Netherlands) to help create the ‘hardware’ for two living plant walls and to plant two huge spaces. Of course, we gladly shared our knowledge and expertise with our international colleagues!

kennis delen

Flawless preparation

From the exterior, the ship appears complete, but stepping aboard reveals an active fit-out site. Hundreds of contractors and inspectors are working tirelessly to meet strict deadlines. Ambius faces a demanding timeline to stay on schedule. Our American colleagues operate with high-precision project management, having thoroughly mapped out and structured every logistical phase.

Dutch plants and trees

All plants and trees come from Fachjan in Honselaarsdijk, Westland. The plants are delivered in ‘modules’; these are containers each with a unique code. Onboard, all modules are assembled like puzzle pieces, so every plant ends up exactly in the right place. Safety is a top priority, which is why we wear safety helmets. A thorough safety training on your first day at the ship is standard procedure.

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Full force

The trees range from 4 to 12 meters tall and are all securely packed. They are lifted one by one into the ship through the top using a cherry picker. The remaining greenery is transported by carts to the two planting areas: Central Park, an open space on the 8th floor, and the partially glass-covered Solarium on the 15th floor. In total, about 10,000 plants and trees are brought on board and placed in the right spots using manpower and a small spider crane.

It’s about the experience

This is Central Park before the 35 Ambius colleagues started their work. In the Netherlands, our market has long moved beyond simply selling a plant pot. We offer our clients a ‘workplace experience.’ Our work on the Harmony of the Seas fits perfectly with this. Although it’s hard to imagine now how it will look once finished and thousands of passengers are enjoying all the greenery.

Advanced vertical living wall system

Using certified cradles, every module is installed into two opposing living green walls spanning three decks high. The intricate botanical design gradually takes shape as installation progresses. Both living walls and their integrated irrigation systems were custom-engineered with absolute precision. This marks one of the first cruise ships to feature this specific vertical greenery system. An automated dosing system manages the precise distribution of water and nutrients to keep the plants thriving.

Specialist care on board

All trees and plants are installed in pristine, vibrant condition. They receive specialist maintenance from a dedicated on-board crew tasked with caring for the ship's entire botanical collection. Ambius US conducts periodic quality control audits to monitor plant health. Should environmental factors (such as maritime conditions or sea air) affect any foliage, specimens are promptly replaced to preserve the display's flawless presentation.

Proud of the result

With installation completed strictly on schedule, our work is done—time for a photo with the Dutch installation team. As part of a global organization, collaborating and exchanging technical expertise with our American colleagues has been an invaluable experience. We are immensely proud of the world-class result delivered through this joint effort!