SHIP SHAPE
Niamh Drohan enjoys a life on the ocean wave as she boards Symphony of the Seas cruise ship
AS a 27-year-old woman I’m hardly what would spring to mind as the typical holidaymaker you’d find on a cruise. I imagine most of my peers would feel the same way too – booking a cruise isn’t usually the first thing to pop into their heads when it comes to planning their next getaway.
But after my experience on Symphony of the Seas I can happily say that the tide is turning.
Royal Caribbean have an esteemed reputation for providing best-in-class cruise holidays – and with the launch of their recent ship, Symphony of the Seas, it looks like it’s a reputation that’s not going anywhere any time soon.
Much like the rest of the ships in their ever-expanding family, Symphony grabs your attention the minute you set eyes on it. Making other ships docked in the Port of Barcelona seem like small fishing boats in comparison, it’s an astounding 1,188 feet long, and 215.5 feet wide.
Costing more than €1billion and taking three-and-ahalf years to build, you can see no expense was spared from start to finish.
Why so big? Why so much? Is this not a bit excessive? Maybe before you set foot on it or see it in real life you might think so, but it’s hard not to be blown away by what has to be one of the most impressive-looking ships ever built.
If the exterior doesn’t impress you, the interior absolutely will. It’s hard to imagine how you can structurally design a vessel purposely to make it not look like a ship.
Seven different villages exist within the Synphony of the Seas – Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Spa and Fitness Centre, the Pool and Sports Zone, an entertainment area and a youth zone, all stretching across the 18-deck ship.
The attention to detail within the internal design speaks for itself – from a general aesthetic point of view – and boasts to be the “world’s most instagrammable ship”.
It sounds comprehensive, it sounds like there’s something for everyone, even if you’re not a general “cruise-goer” – and this is exactly what the Royal Caribbean are aiming for.
If you’ve always ruled out the idea of a cruise because you think you’ll be bored or there isn’t enough to do, then it’s time to reconsider.
Let’s start by talking about the important stuff – food. On board you’ve got a plethora of restaurants and food options, from luxurious eating in the main dining room, Mexican-themed cuisine and a seafood speciality restaurant, to all-out decadence with traditional American fast food and dessert dishes. In fact, there’s virtually anything you want.
If you’re the fit foodie type all of the restaurants are packed with healthy eating options that’ll keep you on track, as well as an on-board state-of-the-art gym that has personal trainers available if you’re looking for someone to give you an extra push through your sessions. Not
Exterior doesn’t impress? Interior will..
the gym type but enjoy running? You’re still covered, because at the top of the boat is a running track that stretches along the entire ship. Best part about it – it’s got spectacular views of the ocean as you’re running.
If you’re more of an entertainmentfocussed traveller, you’re still in luck. The ship has a casino, numerous bars, including one that is operated by a robot (yes,really), and a nightclub.
Imagine packing everything you’ve ever wanted into a holiday within walking distance to you – this is exactly what Symphony of the Seas is. Convenient but still luxurious.
On the rare chance that you find yourself becoming weary of a life on the ocean wave, Symphony of the Seas sails through a number of beautiful holiday destinations. It leaves dock in Barcelona and travels to Majorca, Marseille, Pisa, Rome and Naples before arriving back in the heart of Catalonia.
Cruise holidays are stereotypically seen as a more “settled and relaxed” holiday but perceptions are changing.
Ships like Symphony and others in the Royal Caribbean arsenal providing best-inclass on board entertainment and facilities that are designed to appeal to every kind of holiday-goer.
Speaking to the Irish Daily Mirror, managing director for Royal Caribbean
‘We provide a phenomenal break from normality’
in Ireland and the UK Ben Bouldin admitted that misconceptions of cruise holidays mean a lot of people think they a holiday for the “newlywed, overfed or nearly dead”.
He added: “Our single biggest challenge we face is convincing people of all ages that it’s just not like that – this will be very different to what you’re expecting it to be and now you get it.” So there you have it – changing the perceptions of what cruise holidays are supposed to be, one ship at a time, that’s Royal Caribbean’s objective and one that’s working extremely well for them. As they progress, Bouldin
admits the ships are now designed with young families in mind – or those who will have families in the not-sodistant future.
He said: “We’re all about young families. Millennials are becoming parents now, they’re really the future guests and we have to be current, more relevant, we have to start talking more digitally and acting more technically.”
Admitting that perhaps cruise ships wouldn’t replace the traditional backpacking pilgrimages to Thailand and other countries, Mr Boudin said he believed a Royal Carribbean holiday offered a “credible option” for anyone working full-time in the workplace.
He added: “We provide a phenomenal break from normality – a chance to go mad and experience everything.”
Symphony of the Seas offers guests a luxurious, relaxing getaway in the confines of a ship that, a decade ago, you could never have imagined would exist in your wildest dreams.