The world’s largest cruise ship is the answer to your ultimate family vacation!
Royal Caribbean’s SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS, is a 1,188-foot behemoth floating destination complete with 22 restaurants, 24 pools, 2,759 cabins that can host 6,680 guests — plus 2,200 crew members with a total of nearly 9,000 people.
And that’s not even the exciting stuff. The ship is a theme park itself equipped with the tallest slide at sea, laser tag arena, merry-go-round, rock climbing wall, two surf simulators and even a zip-line on deck! Who said cruise ships aren’t cool?
There’s plenty for adults to enjoy too, as the epicness doesn’t stop there with daily entertainment from Broadway’s hit musical Hairspray, aqua shows, ice shows, and even a bar with robot bartenders!
With literally something for everyone, here’s what to expect on this mega-resort…
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ARPAN AIR, INC.
International Representative – Philippines
Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises
Telephone: +632 892 2701 to 03
Mobile: +63 955 213 3579
Email: rylcaribbean@arpanair.com.ph
Facebook: Royal Caribbean Philippines
Website: www.royalcaribbean.com
Stepping foot for the first time and discovering what’s inside the world’s most gigantic vessel is overwhelming itself!
While the new ship features have the same design as its sister ship, Harmony of the Seas, it boasts of 18 decks and seven distinct “neighborhoods” and exciting new features, you wouldn’t know where to start!
THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Each neighborhood has its own personality, so it tends to casually segregate the crowds.
You’ll mostly find the kids and outdoorsy type at the fun Boardwalk and Splashaway Bay waterpark.
The Boardwalk feels like a mini theme park with fun street performances, merry-go-round rides, and cotton candy and ice cream shop at Sugar Beach. It’s also home to Playmakers sports bar, where you can still catch your favorite game from their 30″ flat screen TVs.
While the adults can seek peace and refuge in the adults-only area, Solarium lounge…
or at the leafy Central Park, complete with living trees, an Italian restaurant, and an alfresco wine bar.
DINING:
The newest bar on deck is now the most favorite bar on the ship! The Bionic Bar features automated robot bartenders pulling from a library of liquors and mixing cocktails to the beat!
The Rising Tide Bar serves your favorite cocktails while on a three-deck ride that ascends and descends in air from Central Park to the Royal Promenade. It’s not exactly a thrill ride, but it gives you a great view.
Food is something I look forward to when on a cruise! You’ll still find complimentary favorites like Windjammers’ buffet with its iconic panoramic views of the ocean, or our go-to resto for dinner at the Main dining which offers a delicious three-course meal.
But the real culinary fun is found in the specialty restaurants. Many of Royal Caribbean’s popular restaurants are on board including Chops Grille, Jamie’s Italian, Johnny Rockets, Izumi, 150 Central Park, Sorrento’s, Wonderland, among others. With two new eateries on board.
Find El Loca Fresh located on Deck 15, Sports Zones and get some quick Mexican bites such as tacos and burritos.
Seafood lovers will be able to satisfy their cravings with Hooked, a New England-style eatery, offering fresh seafood and a raw bar complete with freshly shucked oysters!
ACTIVITIES:
The ship is home to multiple slides, including the record-setting dry slide, the Ultimate Abyss!
Plunge ten stories into the mysteries of the sea on the tallest dry slide, (seen on the left side of the pic) that gets you going 9 feet per second at its steepest. Test your strength by trying their rock climbing activity. (seen on the right side of the pic)
My favorite is the Perfect Storm…
A waterpark with its trio of twisting and turning slides with ocean views.
Round up a team and blast your way in their glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena or solve puzzles in their custom-built escape room.
Did I forget to mention a Zip-line on deck?!
Of course, Royal Caribbean’s signature activities like FlowRider, mini-golf, and rock climbing are still there.
Keep your fitness routine on track with the fun activities and facilities found onboard. You’ll find the traditional facilities like swimming pool, jogging tracks, fitness center, basketball court and fitness classes.
Health junkies should make sure to book for their indoor cycling class. (Fee applies for some classes.)
Feeling like James Bond tonight? Consider the Casino Royale to be your little slice of Vegas right at sea.
ENTERTAINMENT:
I strongly recommend you don’t miss any of the new shows prepared by the Royal Caribbean Entertainment on deck.
The 1400-seat main theater entertainment on Symphony of the Seas will include a full-scale production of the Broadway’s hit musical Hair Spray.
Big Hair, big dreams, and all the right moves! I enjoyed the feel-good performance as Tracy Turnblad dances her way to stardom.
While Studio B ice rink theater also got an upgrade, I was very impressed with the high-tech drones and their special effects at the beginning of the show.
1977 is a time-traveling show on ice featuring a cast of former Olympian ice-skaters from around the world, each given their theme and act complete with acrobatic leaps, spins, and lifts!
While the Aqua Theatre (open-air amphitheater) will be headlining AquaNation.
An act like no other showing off a collection of high-flying diving, trampolining, synchronize swimming and acrobatics.
THE ROOMS:
Balcony Stateroom (Ocean View)
These 80sq. ft. staterooms offer a gorgeous view, with two twin beds that convert to Royal King, sitting area with sofa, private balcony, and bathroom. (can accommodate up to 4 guests)
Though cruise ship rooms might be smaller than what I’m used to, the service is parallel to that of a 4-star hotel. There’s 24-hour room service in case you ever get hungry in the middle of the night.
The bathroom comes with complimentary towels, shampoo, conditioner, and soap.
But if you’re ready to splurge the ship boasts of its Ultimate Family Suite. A two-level luxurious kids room that features a slide, a Lego wall, an air hockey table, a library of video games and a movie theater-style TV room with a popcorn machine.
And if things weren’t over the top, wait until you see the wraparound balcony’s climbing wall feature, bumper pool table, and whirlpool. (can accommodate up to 8 guests)
There’s even a private butler or on-call “genie” to help you with anything you need. I suggest asking him to take the perfect Instagram vacation photo for the family. 🙂
I had no problem streaming, browsing, checking emails and updating my social media accounts in real time with the hassle-free VOOM– the fastest internet at sea! (Internet package fees apply)
Make sure to also download the new Royal Caribbean app for easy updates on the activities and navigating on board.
Overall, I highly recommend Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas.
Seeing how big and immense the ship was a very memorable experience for me. At first, I thought it would be cramped sharing with 6000 passengers, but you don’t really feel crowded because there are 18 decks onboard.
Royal Caribbean has continuously changed my stereotype thinking that cruising is just for the old and rich. With all the crazy slides, Instagrammable facilities, spectacular entertainment and amazing food, It’s definitely an ultimate vacation for all ages to enjoy!
The ship Symphony of the Seas will start leaving out of Barcelona in April for weeklong 7N Western Mediterranean itineraries that hit Palma de Mallorca, Provence, Rome, and Naples are priced about $2,000. On November 28, it’ll leave on its first journey out of Miami, touring the Western Caribbean with a starting price of $980.
For more info about Symphony of the Seas, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas.
Royal Caribbean’s is also family-friendly cruise ship where some packages are free for kids that make a big difference when you are on a family budget. You can book with Arpan Air or with your preferred travel agency in case you want some last minute changes to your booking.
Congratulations, Royal Caribbean for a successful inaugural! Cheers!
Royal Caribbean president Michael Bayley, Arpain Air senior vice president and COO Joy Abrogar, Simeon Aquino Jr. of Blue Horizon Travel, Abbie Sandico of Acewin Travel, Tanya Lara of Philippine Star, and Ferdinand Dondi Ocampo of Allpoints Travel.
ARPAN AIR, INC.
International Representative – Philippines
Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises
Telephone: +632 892 2701 to 03
Mobile: +63 955 213 3579
Email: rylcaribbean@arpanair.com.ph
Facebook: Royal Caribbean Philippines
Website: www.royalcaribbean.com
Live an Awesome Life,
ABI of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We were media guest of Royal Caribbean International. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. If your curious what it feels like to cruise with Royal Caribbean, its largest cruise ship in Asia- Ovation of the Seas will dock June 9 in Manila!
