How does it even float? Symphony of the Seas is a feat of engineering that boggles the mind. The vessel would tower above most city neighbourhoods, with 17 decks that soar 72.5 metres; it weighs 228,081 tons, spans just over 362 metres and can welcome 5,518 guests at double occupancy in 2,759 staterooms, including 28 additional balcony rooms that overlook the ocean or the ship’s signature Boardwalk.
Offering a playground for families and adults, the Royal Caribbean behemoth is now embarking on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami and will add visits to the cruise line’s new private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is slated to debut around May 2019. Highlights include the brand’s first duplex Ultimate Family Suite (see this month’s “Out Of This World” on page 112) and the capacious Central Park, packed with 20,000 lush plants and trees.
The central Boardwalk neighbourhood is the beating heart of the ship, flooded with light and carving several stories of space for retail, restaurants and the spectacular “Bionic Bar”, where robot bartenders mix your drinks after you peruse the vast array of options on the touchscreen – also available on Symphony’s sister ships. A short stroll away are several new restaurants, including Hooked Seafood with New English-style fare, Izumi, for fresh sushi rolls, and 150 Central Park for seasonal farm-to-fork fine dining.
If your kids (big or small) aren’t busy mastering the Flowrider wave machine, whizzing along the 25-metre zipline, summiting the climbing wall or playing laser tag, maybe you can convince them to catch a show? Multiple theatre spaces provide relentless evening entertainment with the likes of hit Broadway musical Hairspay and the open-air Hiro – a spectacular outdoor production that incorporates aquatic and acrobatic feats. And if the kids are already in bed then maybe it’s the perfect time to catch one of the adults-only comedy shows.
Even the most active cruise aficionados will struggle to sample every eatery and entertainment option during a seven-day sailing, which means you’ll surely be tempted to return. You may even decide to while away the hours at the pool with a cocktail in hand… it’s your holiday, after all. Just make sure you download the app – map included – to make sense of the vast vessel and to piece together your perfect cruise itinerary. The experience will certainly impress and might be the solution for anyone who’s been on the fence about a luxurious cruise experience.
www.royalcaribbean.com
