As it has done for many years, Royal Caribbean continues to base one of its largest and most iconic ships in Barcelona. This year it's the Symphony of the Seas, following the success of the Wonder of the Seas last season, which was awarded the Excellence Award for best ship in the Mediterranean this week.
The Symphony of the Seas promises a truly special vacation this summer, not only for adventurers but also for children, foodies, and anyone who loves thrills, as it's packed with state-of-the-art activities. Some must-sees include the "Perfect Storm" water slide, Broadway-style shows, and restaurants like "Wonderland" and "Hooked Seafood," as well as the "Laser Tag" arena and the "Aqua Theatre," one of the best shows you'll see on a cruise.
Your itinerary, departing from and arriving in Barcelona, includes visits to Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, Florence/Pisa, Rome, and Naples. The Western Mediterranean has everything for adventurous spirits: get lost in the streets of Rome, the Eternal City, and immerse yourself in its history and architecture, contemplating the grandeur of the Colosseum; or from Naples, head to Mount Vesuvius, climbing to the summit of the volcano and then savoring a classic Neapolitan pizza.
Symphony of the Seas, which also held the title of the world's largest cruise ship, only surpassed its three predecessor "siblings" by a few gross tons and a few meters in length.
Royal Caribbean chose to divide the ship into seven more or less themed neighborhoods:
Central Park. This is 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.
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."
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.
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.
Aside from these areas, another 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 is one of the first suites to be booked.
At the top of the bow, next to the adults-only sundeck, Hooked Seafood is another new dining option added to the Symphony of the Seas. It's a New England seafood restaurant, offering both lunch and dinner.
With this size of ship, as with all those of the same class, the list of facilities is endless, making for a truly unique holiday experience.
Some interesting facts about the Symphony of the Seas
– Length 362m long, longer than the Eiffel Tower (324m high).
– Ultimate Abyss. At 45.7 m above sea level, the Ultimate Abyss is taller than Buckingham Palace.
– Bionic Bar. Serves up to 1,000 drinks per day with 21 mixes and 30 different drinks.
– On an average seven-night cruise, 5,000 dozen fresh eggs, 379 liters of chocolate ice cream, 953kg of lobster tails, and 1,134kg of fresh salmon are used.
– Propellers. Just one of its four bow propellers has more power than seven Ferrari sports cars.
But Royal Caribbean has placed more ships in Europe in 2023, including the Explorer of the Seas , which will sail the Adriatic and Greece, departing from and returning to Ravenna. One of its most popular itineraries will visit the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, Corfu, Athens, Mykonos, and Argostoli. The Explorer of the Seas visits this acclaimed part of the world, brimming with incredible sights and experiences, such as enjoying ocean views while savoring fresh seafood tapas in Corfu, exploring the old town of Kotor with its 11th-century architecture, or admiring the
World-famous Santorini sunsets while sipping a cocktail.
This ship isn't as big as the Symphony of the Seas, but it doesn't lack anything. Jacuzzis, surfing, ice skating, and rock climbing are just some of the activities available, along with sophisticated and exceptional bars and restaurants.
The third ship to highlight is the Odyssey of the Seas , which departs from Rome (Civitavecchia) and visits Greece, Israel and Turkey, giving the opportunity to experience the eternal city, the Acropolis, the Holy Land and Ephesus on the same cruise.
Flights and transfers included
Royal Caribbean has included the Fly & Cruise package for the safety and peace of mind of its customers. Flights and transfers are included from Madrid and Barcelona.
But this package isn't only available for this ship. On European and Caribbean cruises departing from April to October, customers will have the option of purchasing the fly-and-sail package and completely forgetting about their trip. They simply choose the ship and cruise they wish to embark on, and the company takes care of the rest, including flights and transfers from the airport to the port and vice versa. On cruises departing from the United States, it also includes a pre-cruise hotel night.
And in 2024, Icon of the Seas
The Icon of the Seas, currently under construction in Turku, Finland, is the first ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet powered by liquefied natural gas. The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint at sea. It is scheduled to enter service in 2024 and will have a gross tonnage of 250,800 tons, making it the world's largest cruise ship by gross tonnage
We will discover Category 6, the largest water park at sea, its seven pools including Royal Bay, the largest pool on a cruise ship, many activities and dining with 40 concepts that redefine gastronomy.
