As the Symphony of the Seas sails in the Mediterranean waters, the ‘floating city’ will create huge waves in the cruise sector, offering an ultimate playground for guests of all ages

Royal Caribbean will open a new world of activities, entertainment and vacation when Symphony of the Seas, the cruise line’s newest ship, sets sail on her inaugural season in Europe this April.

Symphony of the Seas will be the largest luxury cruise liner in the world, a feat of mega-engineering and a complete destination capable of hosting guest numbers similar to that of a small island. She will also debut the greatest composition of family attractions.

Built at a cost of more than $1.4 billion, Symphony of the Seas, will be the most adventure-filled cruise ship with new surprises at every turn.

The 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Symphony of the Seas will kick off a summer season on April 21 in the Mediterranean, calling on ports in Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence, France; and Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples, Italy.

Beginning November 24, 2018, the adventure-packed ship will make Miami, Florida, her year-round home, sailing seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from the state-of-the-art new Terminal A at Port Miami.

Offering 28 more staterooms than her sister ship Harmony of the Seas and encompassing 230,000 gross registered tonnes, the ship has a total of 18 decks and 24 guest elevators. It will be able to carry 6,780 passengers and 2,175 international crew. At 215.5-ft wide and 1,188-ft in length, with a 30-ft draft, the ship will achieve a maximum cruising speed of 22 knots, driven by her four bow thrusters, each reaching an output of 7,500 hp, the equivalent power of 30,000 horses. In short, Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis-class ship is of monstrous proportions; more a floating city than a luxury cruise liner.

Symphony presents a dynamic art collection comprising more than 1,000 pieces in public spaces across an array of different mediums, including paintings, sculptures, installations, photography, works on video and more.

There is much more to this ship than her impressive size. New dining concepts and family activities; awe-inspiring theatre; aerial, ice and aqua entertainment; and the most dynamic suite in family travel will join the line-up of Royal Caribbean exclusives – such as the robot bartenders at the Bionic Bar, powered by Makr Shakr; the iconic AquaTheater showcasing unrivalled high-flying, high-diving performances; and the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea – for a thrilling crescendo of diverse experiences, all set in the unique seven-neighbourhood concept of the award-winning Oasis-class ships.

The neighbourhoods include the two-deck-high Royal Promenade interior mall, the unique greenspace Central Park surrounded by 12,000 trees and plants, the beautiful open area of The Boardwalk, the Pools and Sports Zone, the spa area Vitality of the Sea, Entertainment Place and the Youth Zone, a specific area for kids from babies to teens.

Symphony of the Seas has a raft of innovations but the ultimate goal of the ship is to deliver a true family experience, understanding that it’s not just about the children but parents and even grandparents, says Royal Caribbean.

“There is nothing better than the whole family being kept active and entertained; every detail on this ship has been carefully designed to deliver incredible experiences for families,” it says.

Arabian Gulf families can take advantage of the many new features on board Symphony of the Seas which are well suited to their requirements, it adds.


Family suite

Symphony will introduce The Ultimate Family Suite, which spans 1,346 sq ft, accommodating a family of up to eight in two bedrooms. Split over two levels, the Ultimate Family Suite is a dream come true for kids and will debut features such as an exclusive slide from the kid’s only bedroom to the living room below, a floor-to-ceiling Lego wall, and an air-hockey table and hidden nooks for chilling.

A separate 3D movie theatre-style TV room, complete with a popcorn machine and a library of video games across multiple gaming systems will bring a new level of competition to gamers in every family. The outside features a 212-sq-ft wraparound balcony, a climbing experience and a full-size whirlpool that will provide unmatched ocean views.

Guests in the Ultimate Family Suite will have their own personal Royal Genie to take care of their needs while they enjoy all the services and premium amenities of the Royal Suite Class.

The ship also has a wide variety of contemporary suite accommodations available throughout the ship, from the Loft Suites with their breath-taking views to the spacious multi-room Owner’s Suites.

“We’re excited to introduce Symphony of the Seas, our boldest composition yet, offering the best of Royal Caribbean with some new surprises for our guests to create a vacation that adventurers of all ages can enjoy together,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

“We set out to create a new level of vacation adventure and deliver the ultimate escape for families of all shapes and sizes. Symphony will introduce the most cutting-edge, customisable, and digitally-enhanced experiences in the Royal Caribbean fleet,” he added.

The vessel will debut new food and beverage concepts adding to an already diverse line-up of more than 20 speciality and complimentary restaurants offering has over 3,000 individual menu options across the ship’s seven neighbourhoods. They include sophisticated dining venues such as Jamie’s Italian by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and Royal Caribbean’s whimsical restaurant Wonderland.


Entertainment

Royal Caribbean’s unparalleled entertainment will once again raise the bar, touting immersive shows where theatre magic extends beyond the stage and into the audience, says the cruise line. The hugely successful “Hairspray” – the brand’s first Broadway musical at sea – will return on Symphony with a total refresh to headline the Royal Theatre along with a new original Royal Caribbean show, “Flight,” a historical satire on the evolution of air travel that ends with an homage to the famed Wright Brothers. In the iconic AquaTheatre open-air amphitheatre, a new aqua show, “HiRo”, offers a serious wow factor with high-diving and acrobatics. Studio B will showcase a new time-travel adventure, while a high-tech ice-skating show, “1977”, will bring guests to London on the eve of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee when her Crown Jewels are stolen in the heist of the century.

State-of-the-art technology and special effects will transform Studio B into the world's largest and ultimate laser tag arena as family, friends and foes battle over the fate of the last planet in the galaxy.


Boardwalk reimagined

Symphony of the Seas will introduce the new generation of Royal Caribbean’s famed Boardwalk neighbourhood, infused with new energy, interactive experiences and lively venues conceptualised for endless entertainment for all ages.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade will be the place to watch the “big game” from around the world across 30 big-screen TVs, ensuring everyone has the best seat in the house to cheer on their favourite team. Spanning the length of the Boardwalk, the vibrant sports bar and arcade will be a hot spot for families.

The Ultimate Abyss will catapult the brave from the tallest slide at sea into the heart of the Boardwalk to revel in their adrenaline rush.

The awe-inspiring AquaTheater will activate the ocean backdrop and starry nights with a breathtaking show of aquatic acrobatics and stunning high-diving aerial performances found only on Symphony of the Seas.