After sailing on the inaugural cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas out of PortMiami I knew I had to write this post. This Oasis class ship offers something for everyone and has surprises around every turn. There are things you can experience on this class ship that you can’t get anywhere else.
Here are 10 things you should experience at least once on Symphony of the Seas. I’m sure at least one of them will give you reason to want to come back.
Incredibly Interesting Art Around the Ship
There are rewards for taking the stairs on Symphony of the Seas. Yes, you get the physical workout, but the artwork that you see on every deck is stunning. I’m not an art connoisseur but I found myself stopping at each deck to see the brilliant, creative art pieces found along the way.
But that’s just scratching the surface of the art you will find on Symphony. There is the ball-shaped Volkswagen Beetle in the Promenade, the Crystal Hallway based on a cave in Mexico, elevator shafts full of inspiring artwork, and the Big Wonder found in the Solarium. If you are an art lover or even someone who appreciates intriguing artwork, you will love checking out Symphony of the Seas.
Awe Inspiring Acrobatics at the Aqua Theater
Make sure you get reservations to see the shows at Aqua Theater. They are free and they allow you to have the best seats in the house. Otherwise, you will have to wait 10 minutes before show time to see if there is space for you. But with seating for 600 plus, Aqua Theater offers some of the most interesting entertainment at sea. Jaw dropping acrobatics and surprising visuals synced to music give you a sense of wonder and amazement. Watching high-diving aerialist jump from a 30-foot platform on a moving ship is just something you have to experience yourself. I also didn’t expect to see two tight-rope walkers 30 plus feet above the audience during the show, but you never know what you will see at Aqua Theater.
Elaborate Shows in Royal Theater
Speaking of shows, I can’t leave out Royal Theater. By the way, these shows are included in the fare of your cruise as well. I love that Royal Caribbean has chosen not to add an upcharge to entertainment options as this. Shows like Hairspray and Flight dazzle the audience with special effects, acrobatics and top-notch performances which always result in a standing ovation. The productions are performed with flawless precision and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. The theater itself was very cold, so you might want to bring a sweater. I guess they have to keep the performers cool during all of their dances and activities on stage.
Engaging Ice Shows at Studio B
I’m still wrapping my mind around these amazing skaters doing spins, twirls, and triple lutz jumps on a moving ship. But the ice shows are not just skating routines. They are stories, stunts, magic tricks, and cinematic tales told through the elegant movements of skating. And the technology was impressive. From using drones, lasers, lighting effects, and even snow, the ice shows should not be missed on Symphony. Again, they are free to attend. Just see if a reservation is required. I sat in the front row and had some ice shavings hit me a few times, so you can really get in the action of Studio B.
Glow-in-the-Dark Laser Tag at Sea
While we are on the topic of Studio B, this place is transformed into laser tag during certain times of day. Battle for Planet Z is a glow-in-the-dark, fast-paced laser tag map that was a big hit during my cruise on Symphony. It is complimentary to play too. If you get hit during the game your vest will take a few seconds to recharge and then you’re back in action again. At the end they show you stats of the players. Kids are loving laser tag at sea, and I heard a bunch of them talking about how much fun they had.
Thrilling Descent Down the Ultimate Abyss
The tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss takes you 10 stories down in just a few seconds. This is a water-less slide, and it’s something everyone absolutely needs to try, provided they are at least 44 inches tall that is. The entrance is located between the two FlowRiders and ends up at the back of the Boardwalk. During the quick descent you will hear all kinds of sounds and see flashing lights to make the slide even more intense.
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Memorable Strolls Through the Boardwalk
Now that you’ve take the slide down the Ultimate Abyss, you can enjoy some iconic Coney Island type atmosphere. Take a ride on the carousel. Grab some candy from Sugar Beach. Eat a burger from Johnny Rockets. Play some arcade games or watch a football game at Playmakers. You can even ask Zoltan your future. The lights and sites of the Boardwalk are one of my favorite parts of Symphony. And if you’d rather just relax a little you can walk back to the Aqua Theater and watch the ocean views while you sit and soak it all in.
Refreshing Walks Through Central Park
Another relaxing activity, walking through Central Park is full of lush views of vegetation and eateries. With over 20,000 tropical plants and trees, this area is full of life, and it’s a great place to just walk for a while. At night Central Park is transformed with it’s warm lights and live music. If there is rain, umbrellas are provided on either side of the park so you can even take a stroll in the rain comfortably.
Irresistibly Fun Water-slides
Cruisers are loving the new water-slides that Royal Caribbean has added to its cruise ships. Symphony’s massive water-slide complex is called the Perfect Storm. It involves 3 water-slides. Two are racing water-slides and the other has a large bowl that allows you to swirl around and then plunge down another chute.
A Serene and Spacious Solarium
If you’re like me, you just want some peace and quiet on a cruise ship. The spacious Solarium is the perfect place to soak in some warm sunlight and tune out any loud noises onboard the ship. There are plentiful loungers in the Solarium and 3 hot tubs. And I love the “wings” on either side of the Solarium that let you walk outside and see some great views of the ship and sea. At night the Big Wonder (one of the most beautiful works of art on Symphony) lights up the Solarium and provides a majestic glow. I honestly believe I could spend my entire cruise in the Solarium and be perfectly content. After all, there is the Solarium Bistro right nearby for some wonderful eats.
I really could have made this list a lot longer. With fun activities like FlowRider, a zipline, great pools and hot tubs all over the pool deck, Symphony of the Seas is the current world’s largest cruise ship for a reason. You need space to put all these amenities.
