A symphony in motion
Gilly Pickup flew to Malaga to see what Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ship is all about
As soon as I arrived at the dockside, I could see that Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel, its 25th, is a stunner. I was here for a pre-launch voyage from Malaga to Barcelona, keen to find out more about this floating resort. Symphony of the Seas is more than simply a cruise ship, with an eye-opening selection of activities as well as around 20 restaurants and cafes.
So, what’s the ship like? Spanning 18 decks, Symphony is capable of accommodating 5,518 guests at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers. She also employs 2,200 crew. This behemoth is one of the line’s Oasis Class ships, categorised by their size and neighbourhood layout. One neighbourhood, Central Park, is bursting with cafes, shops and bars including the Rising Tide, which glides up and down three decks.
Another neighbourhood, The Boardwalk, has a full-size carousel and two 43 feet high rock climbing walls. This is where to find Playmakers sports bar and arcade where families can cheer on their home team playing on any of more than 30 big-screen TVS, while munching on American classics like wings, popcorn shrimp, sliders, burgers and picture-perfect sundaes. After finding inspiration in celebrating a win, it is game on at the arcade with Ms. Pac-man, Star Wars Battle Pod, Ice Skee-ball and a line up of other popular arcade games. If all that doesn’t set your head spinning then the zip wire, surfing machines and “Ultimate Abyss” surely will. The latter is the tallest slide at sea – an adrenalin pumping ten storeys high with a glass platform to look down at the 100-ft drop as you whizz down the stern of the ship.
Those who prefer less hectic experiences might like to have a dip in one of the 19 pools, a round of the nine-hole mini-golf course or try out the ice-skating rink.
Symphony has taste buds tingling as families hop from bow to stern. Guests can eat the atlas here – there’s everything from Japanese and Italian to Mexican as well as a seafood restaurant, opportunities for fine dining and even an ice cream and confectionery café. It all goes to ensure that even the choosiest culinary connoisseur has something to enjoy in between adventures. The Park Café with outdoor bistro seating, overlooks the central piazza and I found it a great place to relax with a drink while people watching.
A musical staircase – a nod to the
name Symphony – and laser-tag arena, a glow-in-the-dark experience where participants battle it out over the fate of the last planet left in the galaxy, also feature.
Evening entertainment in the 1,400 seat Royal Theatre includes
Hairspray, the cruise line’s first Broadway musical at sea, while Flight:
Dare To Dream is an ambitious stage production introducing 3D flying technology, video and automation. Going where no stage production has gone before, space and zero gravity are simulated as actors “float” within a replica of the International Space Station.
After all that activity and food, it’s nice to know there is a comfortable cabin to retire to. The most imaginative of all the cabins has to be the two-bedroom family suite. It is, without a doubt, one of the most adventurous and interactive suites in family travel. Sleeping up to eight people, it has a 3D cinema room with popcorn machine, a library of video games, an air hockey table, floorto-ceiling Lego climbing wall and a 212 sq-ft wraparound balcony with whirlpool, pool table and climbing
frame. Oh and there’s a slide from the kid’s bedroom to the living room below. Well, after all, who needs stairs? As if that isn’t enough, it comes with its own personal Royal Genie – otherwise known as a butler – to take care of the guest’s every need. It does come at a price – £30,000 for five nights in fact, though this hasn’t deterred punters, according to boss Michael Bayley who says the suite is sold out for most of 2018. Other cabin categories include insides, ocean views and balcony staterooms. They all have plenty of storage and are comfortably appointed and pleasingly decorated.
With huge appeal to families with children, the ship is a great choice for multi-generational holidays. It offers a variety of shore excursions specifically designed with families in mind too. But with its vast spa and peaceful solarium, sophisticated restaurants, shows, bars and casino, Symphony of the Seas will appeal to couples and groups too. ■
The ship is a great choice for multi- generational holidays