Royal Caribbean is launching the world's largest cruise ship again, and although it only surpasses its three "siblings" by a few gross tons, no one can deny it that title.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
The fourth member of the Oasis class has some new features compared to its predecessor, the Harmony of the Seas, which itself had marked significant differences from the first two units, the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas, built almost a decade earlier. But before discussing these differences, let's review the design of these mega-cruise ships, whose size seems unattainable for the competition.
The Symphony of the Seas' 228,081 gross registered tons surpass the next largest ships on the market by 60,000 tons. Although it is the largest of its three sister ships, the difference between them is only 2,800 gross registered tons. To achieve this size without lengthening the ship, which would severely limit its operational capabilities, the engineers opted to drastically increase the beam, enough to divide the main body into two sections, leaving several open-air parks in the center.
Royal Caribbean has chosen to divide the ship into seven themed neighborhoods, with
Central Park as the central space between the ship's two cabin blocks. Adorned with 12,000 live plants, it's a veritable Garden of Eden surrounded by specialty restaurants and luxury shops. Here you'll find, among others, Jamie's Italian, an Italian-style restaurant by television chef Jamie Oliver.
Ultimate Family Suite. It's one of the great new additions, an impressive two-story loft cabin with a slide, air hockey table, LEGO wall, 3D cinema, video games, and much more.
The Boardwalk is the central space between the ship's two cabin blocks at the stern. Here, the area takes on an urban feel, reminiscent of an American beach promenade, complete with a hand-carved carousel, the Johnny Rockets burger joint, and the spectacular AquaTheater. This venue hosts shows that combine diverse disciplines such as diving, tightrope walking, synchronized swimming, and dance. Truly spectacular shows, like the new "HiRo." New to the Boardwalk is the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, a gathering place to watch major international sporting events on 30 TV screens. Also new is Sugar Beach, a colorful candy and ice cream shop that also hosts workshops and family activities.
Royal Promenade. This bustling interior street, lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, is a signature feature of Royal Caribbean's larger ships. Highlights include the Rising Tide Bar, a platform that rises to Central Park while passengers enjoy drinks, and the impressive Bionic Bar, where two robotic arms prepare cocktails ordered via tablet.
Entertainment Zone. This is another of the most important interior areas, home to Studio B, a large ice rink where, in addition to skating, impressive musical shows take place. New on Symphony of the Seas is that the ice rink also transforms into a giant high-definition screen thanks to projectors that take the new show "1977" to a whole new level. Furthermore, Studio B features a new inflatable laser tag arena, called Battle for Planet Z, for the enjoyment of passengers. The Attic nightclub hosts silent party sessions where each guest listens to the music through wireless headphones, while Jazz on 4 offers a live music experience.
The Ultimate Abyss is an impressive double slide that descends ten decks dry.
Pools and sports area. This is the adventure and sun zone, featuring The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest waterslide at sea, which takes you from the top of the ship to the Boardwalk in just a few seconds. Meanwhile, The Perfect Storm water slides, along with the two Flowrider surf simulators, the Splashaway Bay children's water park, and three swimming pools, complete the refreshing fun. El Loco Fresh is the new casual dining option next to the sports court. It's an open-air Mexican taqueria.
Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center. A large spa and a huge gym with the latest cardiovascular and training equipment occupy a large space at the bow.
Youth Zone. The children's entertainment area is unparalleled. Divided into different rooms according to the children's ages, it caters to everyone from babies in the nursery to pre-teens who can do crafts, watch movies, or play video games. Teenagers have their own more sophisticated club. Here you'll also find Escape the Rubicon, a team game where you try to escape the Rubicon submarine before time runs out.
Three swimming pools, a children's water park, surf simulators and several water slides make up the most refreshing fun on the ship.
Aside from these areas, another major new feature on Symphony of the Seas is The Ultimate Family Suite, a duplex family stateroom with a slide connecting the upper and lower decks, an air hockey table, a LEGO wall, and even hidden play areas. This 125-square-meter suite includes a 3D movie theater, a popcorn machine, video games, and a 20-square-meter balcony with a pool table, a rock-climbing wall, and a whirlpool tub. Attended by a butler, this suite offers the highest level of family comfort, and despite its very high price, it is already booked for the next two years.
At the bow, next to the adults-only sundeck, Hooked Seafood is another new dining option on Symphony of the Seas. It's a New England seafood restaurant, serving both lunch and dinner.
There are also new additions to the shows at the main theater, where you can see the acclaimed musical "Hairspray", brought directly from Broadway, but also "Flight", a Royal Caribbean original production that spectacularly pays tribute to the history of aviation.
Hooked Seafood. This is another new culinary offering from Symphony of the Seas, focused on seafood and fish.
With a ship of this size, the list of facilities is endless, so we have focused on the new features or the most iconic spaces, but there are many more, which together make up a truly unique holiday experience in the world.
