By: Sarah Jackson, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
I had the privilege of sailing on Royal Caribbean – Symphony of the Seas this week from Miami, Florida. This was the first sailing of the ship from Miami after the 2020 pandemic shutdown, and my first sailing on Symphony of the Seas! I am thrilled that I was able to have the experience. For my husband and I, this was our first trip in 9 years without our daughters! The focus of our first getaway vacation was a relaxing adult trip.
Please keep in mind that due to the pandemic, there may be limited access to select areas on the ship. Check your Royal Caribbean app for the most up to date information before and during your cruise. There is also no way to do everything, both on the ship or at CocoCay. Identify your must do items for your trip and plan to return! As soon as possible, make reservations for your must do items to ensure you are getting the most of your trip.
Our cruise was a simulation cruise to help the ship return to sailing. It was a shortened trip - sailing from the port of Miami to Royal’s private island, CocoCay in the Bahamas. The ship spent a day at CocoCay and then returned to the port of Miami.
The Symphony of the Seas, built in 2018, is currently the largest cruise ship in the world at 1,188 feet long and 215.5 feet wide. The ship can hold 6,680 guests total at maximum capacity and 2,200 international crew. The Symphony of the Seas is a part of the Oasis-class and the 4 th vessel in this class including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas. You may expect a similar experience across all of the ships in the Oasis class, but the newest ships in each
class will likely have the newest amenities and technology. The Oasis ships have a lot of outdoor activities and offer numerous room options to meet all budgets.
Our first day was spent exploring the ship and getting to know the crew. For a late, light lunch, we went to Vintages because they offer tapas (an added cost) and wine. Vintages was amazing and we found it to be a relaxed atmosphere. Dinner reservations were made at Hooked, where I had quite possibly the best crab cake I have ever eaten. The service and food were amazing - I highly recommend Hooked if you are interested in a specialty restaurant.
After dinner, it was time for a couple’s hot stone massage at the spa. Reservations are required for the spa. The spa team was very accommodating and I could feel the relief of stress after our session! Take the time to visit the spa during your trip – it is absolutely worth it.
Day 2 of our trip, the ship arrived at CocoCay. Breakfast at the Windjammer (complimentary dining) included a view of the water and island. There is no cost to walk around the island and most of the island is complimentary such as the tram, Chill Island beaches, Oasis pool, and food. If you are traveling with kids, there are 2 water splash areas that have no additional cost – Captain Jill’s Galleon and Splashaway Bay, located immediately at the entrance from the pier. Additional activities are available at an added expense – the waterpark, zipline, private beach club, cabanas/floating beds, and excursions (snorkeling, jet skis, scuba, etc.).
We went out to the island early and the majority of our day was spent relaxing at the beach club – both at the infinity pool and the beach. Cocoa Beach Club is a private beach club that has floating cabanas, an infinity edge pool, and restaurant (dining is included with your Beach Club ticket). Unfortunately, for us the floating cabanas were quickly
reserved and we were unable to reserve one – if you are considering a cabana, book as soon as possible. Try the Coco Loco – the island’s specialty drink (if you have a drink package, the drink package will also work on Perfect Day). The Coco Loco is dangerously good!
We wrapped up our perfect day snorkeling in the water at Chill Island Beach. There were many fish to see including a parrot fish eating coral, but nothing exciting for us such as sting rays and sharks. I found the required life vest to be a little uncomfortable, but it was an easy process to pick up our snorkel gear at the snorkel shack on Chill Island. If you are going to the beach club, head left from the pier to Chill Island. Pick up your snorkeling gear first and take it with you to the beach club. You can then visit other beaches with the snorkel gear later in the day.
Fantastic food and service was provided in the main dining room for our dinner selection back on the ship – reservations were required. After dinner, the ship offered a behind the scenes dress rehearsal of the Aqua Theater show. The sneak peek was breathtaking and I cannot wait to see the full show!
The next morning the ship was back in the port of Miami for departure. Departure from the ship was an easy process – a color coded luggage tag with a number was provided in our stateroom the evening prior to departure. The number on the tag corresponded to a departure time that was announced on our in-room TV.
Whether you are looking for an adult only getaway or your next family adventure, Symphony of the Seas is a phenomenal ship with something for everyone. You simply cannot go wrong sailing on the Symphony of the Seas! I am very excited to share this ship with my family and already planning our next cruise!
Tips for an amazing cruise experience with Royal:
Please reach out to Sarah, an agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan your next vacation or you may contact Marvelous Mouse Travels.
