Royal Caribbean’s long-anticipated cruise ship, the new Symphony of the Seas, will embark on its maiden voyage on 7 April 2018 from Barcelona. Taking more than three years to construct, Symphony of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, surpassing the cruise line’s previous record-holding ship, Harmony of the Seas.
The ship was taken on a one-off, five-night preview sailing from 31 March, calling in at Naples and Rome. Its maiden voyage from Barcelona will be the first of a series of 7-night Mediterranean cruises during the summer months. By the end of October, Symphony of the Seas will move to Miami, Florida, which will then become its homeport for regular Caribbean cruises.
The massive vessel is 1188 feet long and 238 feet tall, with over 2200 international crew members from 77 countries. The 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Symphony of the Seas is a game-changer in its Oasis-class line.
Things to do on the Symphony of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas has 2759 staterooms that can welcome over 5500 guests at double occupancy. Accommodations range from Royal and Family Suites to Balcony, Oceanview and Interior Staterooms. Guests can also choose from over 20 dining options, ranging from hand-cut steaks to Japanese grills.
While the Harmony of the Seas boasted amenities like a 10-story slide, a robotic bar, and a zip-line, the new ship takes it a step further, creating a truly thrilling experience for guests.
Facilities include two 43-foot rock-climbing walls, a full-size basketball court, an ice-skating rink, and Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea with a ten-story plunge. There is also a 40-foot-long surf simulator, Flow Rider, a glow-in-the-dark laser tag game called Battle for Planet Z, and a custom-built escape room where guests must solve puzzles before the clock times out.
Royal Caribbean president and CEO, Michael Bayley hopes that the “Symphony will take family vacationing to an all new level with energy and options never before found in one place.”
Tickets are still available for the summer Mediterranean voyages.
