Cruising on a Megaship

Earlier this month I was able to take my first cruise on a megaship, The Symphony of the Seas.  Until recently, it was the largest cruise ship sailing until the arrival of Wonder of the Seas this spring.  Holding 6,680 passengers and a crew of 2,200 people, this ship is in fact a floating city.

Having cruised in the past on average-sized ships and more recently small Disney ships and river cruises, I wanted to experience the other end of the spectrum.  Going into this, I really didn’t think I would like it.  I envisioned huge crowds to board and on the ship, walking forever to access other areas of the boat, and limited access to activities, but I was wrong.  This ship is designed to distribute people throughout the ship, while keeping areas easy to access.

The check-in process was a breeze.  Despite being given an afternoon time to board, we decided to go at 11:00 and were instantly able to start the check in.  Royal Caribbean has the boarding process down, and we were able to quickly get on board and start exploring. 

Unlike most ships where entry is in a central area with limited space, the Symphony puts you right in the middle of the promenade deck with shops, restaurants, and guest services.  This area is what I consider one of the 3 main hubs of the ship.  It also contains the Bionic and Rising Tide bar, Starbucks, the pizzeria, and many other frequently visited areas.  The boardwalk area contains the carousel, arcade, sports bar, climbing wall, and diving pool.  Last, Central Park is exactly what it sounds like.  Over 200,000 live plants along walkways with restaurants, bars, and live musicians, while birds chirp in the background.

With 22 restaurants, 4 pools, an ice skating rink, rock climbing, laser tag, an escape room, surf simulator and numerous shows and music venues, there was never a lack of things to do.  Surprisingly though, there were plenty of areas to for quiet time to read or relax, something I wasn’t expecting. 

I think the thing that impressed me the most though was the thoughtful layout of the ship.  We were near the aft elevators literally steps from everything when we exited the elevators on various floors.  With an abundance of elevators, there also never seemed to be a long wait.

To sum it up, I thoroughly enjoyed all that Symphony of the Seas had to offer.  With a variety of entertainment offerings and a great layout, you can enjoy all a megaship has to offer, while still not feeling overwhelmed navigating a large ship.  We would love to help you with your next cruise.  Let one of the agents at Pineapple Escapes help you plan the perfect vacation.

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