North Palm Beach Life
  • Home
    • People
    • Eats >
      • Belle's Bar and Grill
      • Elisabetta's
      • Oliv Pit Athenian Grille
      • Cupcakes >
        • Lady Bug Cupcakes
    • News >
      • 2019 North Palm Beach Fireworks Show
      • 2018 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
      • Brightline >
        • Brightline Dino Train
        • Polar Express 2019
        • Breezin' on Brickell
        • Brightline Day Trips: Frost Science Museum
        • A Trip on Brightline
        • Brightline Select Service
        • Brightline Tasting Train
        • Brightline Train Unveiling
        • Brightline Topping Out
        • The Polar Express Train Ride
        • Richard Branson at Brightline
      • David Drebin
      • Downton Abbey Exhibit
      • The Lubben Brothers
      • History >
        • 25th Anniversary
        • 50th Anniversary
      • North Palm Beach Country Club
    • Weather
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise Compete
    • Azamara Quest
    • Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line >
      • Grand Celebration Cruise
      • Grand Classica Inaugural Cruise
    • Carnival Cruise Line Stories >
      • Carnival Cuba Cruises
      • Carnival Horizon >
        • Carnival Horizon Pig and Anchor
      • Carnival Liberty
      • Carnival Sunrise >
        • Carnival Sunrise Cruise to Bermuda
        • The Chef's Table on Carnival Sunrise
      • Carnival Studios >
        • Carnival Studios - Behind the Scenes Tour
      • Carnival Victory
      • Carnival Vista >
        • Carnival Vista Craft Beer
    • Crystal Serenity Holiday Cruise - The Beginning >
      • Crystal Serenity - Grand Turk
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Maarten
      • Crystal Serenity - Antigua Donkey Sanctuary
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Lucia
      • Crystal Serenity - Barbados
      • Crystal Serenity - Virgin Gorda
      • Crystal Serenity - Wrap Up
    • Harmony of the Seas - Preview Cruise Review >
      • Harmony of the Seas - Wonderland
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Ultimate Abyss
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Fine Line
      • Harmony of the Seas - 1887
      • Harmony of the Seas - Bionic Bar
      • Harmony of the Seas - Pre-Cruise Coverage
    • Cunard's Jackie Chase >
      • History of Cunard
    • MSC Seaside >
      • MasterChef at Sea
    • Oceania Riviera
    • Queen Mary in Long Beach
    • River Cruising in Germany - The Ms. River Splendor >
      • River Cruise in Germany -- Mainz and Koblenz
      • River Cruising in Germany - The Romantic Rhine
      • River Cruise in Germany - Heidelberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Wurzburg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Bamberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Nuremberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Regensburg
    • SeaTrade Cruise Global 2019
    • Symphony of the Seas - Miami Inaugural Voyage >
      • Symphony of the Seas - Ultimate Family Suite
      • Symphony of the Seas - Showtime
      • Symphony of the Seas - Perfect Day at Coco Cay
      • Symphony of the Seas - Photo Gallery
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 - Interviews >
      • Gig in the 561 - Penny Davis
      • Gigi in the 561 - Interview - Dave Hafer
      • Gigi in the 561 - James E. Hibbard
      • Gigi in the 561 - Interview - Paige Pauley
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
    • Pamme's Chitchat >
      • GX2
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
    • Travel Bistro
    • The Lady Reggie
    • Because, Cate
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Travel News from Business Wire
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Fun >
      • Events >
        • La Bella Macchina 2017
      • AtmosFX Digital Decorations
      • Calypso Cruise
      • Pumpkin Patch 2017
      • Reindeer Games
      • River Paddle Event
    • Brian Wilson: Life in the UK >
      • Life in the UK - Bath, England
      • Life in the UK - Croquet
      • Life in the UK - Music in Russia
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka - Sigiriya
      • Life in the UK - US Embassy
    • The Florida Keys >
      • Key West
      • The Hemingway House and Museum
    • Joe Cartwright - Travel Writer >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Island Destinations
    • Lake Okeechobee Picnic
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
    • U.S. Virgin Islands >
      • Coral World - U.S. Virgin Islands
      • St. Thomas Food Tour
      • St. Thomas Tour
    • Vizcaya
  • Contact
    • Smoothie Me Please
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search

World's Largest Cruise Ship Makes a Splash in Miami

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
November 16, 2018
​
MIAMI_
Royal  Caribbean's newest, biggest and grandest ship – Symphony of the Seas – made its official debut here during a preview cruise for travel agents, media and special guests. It's the fourth Oasis-class ship in the fleet, joining Oasis, Allure and Harmony. 

Symphony is everything you loved about those ships, and more. Drawing heavily from guest feedback, President/CEO Michael Bayley talked about the ship's 25 percent improvement in efficiency as well as the addition of features like Playmakers Sports Bar and new dining options, like Hooked seafood restaurant.

Every new Oasis-ship can proudly claim the title of “largest cruise ship in the world,” and Symphony now has that honor, with marginally more tonnage than Harmony. At capacity, it will carry over 6,000 guests and 2,000 crew. 

Throughout, Symphony reflects the refinements, attention to detail and lessons learned. Despite its size, you never feel lost, thanks to an abundance of signage, both digital and real. Royal has also worked hard on its app, which provides your personal cruise details, a daily planner, a personal calendar and what you need to know about all the ship's myriad things to do. Available in both IOS and Android, it will gradually roll out to all the ships in their fleet.

We boarded through the distinctive glass facade of the Port of Miami's new Terminal A, built by Royal to handle megaships like Symphony, where they scanned our passport photos on entry. Upon arrival back, the biometric facial recognition units made going through Customs a breeze.

Our cruise was a short one – two nights, with a stop in Nassau, Bahamas. Here are a few takeaways:
  • The ship is indeed beautiful. First-time cruisers are no doubt in awe as the enter on Deck 5 and find themselves walking along a dazzling boulevard of shops, restaurants and nightclubs, interspersed with million-dollar artworks that reach into the soaring elevator atriums. Day and night, it's a mesmerizing smashup of sights and sounds.
  • Royal executives onboard talked about their mission: Create the ultimate family vacation. This ship is built to deliver exactly that, regardless of age group. There are so many activities and features  to choose from, I'm not sure we could have gotten to all on them if we had two weeks instead of two days.
  • Speaking of “ultimate,” one of the new additions to Symphony is the Ultimate Family Suite on Deck 17. It's two stories of family fun, including a bright orange slide that connects the top floor to the bottom. There's pretty much everything you could want, including a media room, table tennis, a hot tub on an oversized balcony and your own personal “Royal Genie” – a concierge to attend to your every need. The cost? It currently ranges from around $30,000 to $80,000, depending on the voyage.
  • Royal's onboard entertainment continues to be second to none. Along with an updated version of the Broadway hit “Hairspray,” Nick Wier, senior vice president for entertainment, and his team offer an amazing journey through the history of “Flight,” a jaw-dropping ice show, “1977,” and a frenetic display of aerial and water artistry in the Aqua Theater, “Hiro.” The production values rival anything you might see on land.
  • They have expanded the Solarium – an adults-only area -- into an inviting retreat you probably won't want to leave. It has its own outdoor bar under a cascade of colored light sculptures and a dining bistro as well.

There was also a lot of talk about the upcoming expansion of their private island, Coco Cay. Opening next May, we donned VR headsets to get a virtual tour of what will be a full-featured water park featuring the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, as well as overwater cabanas guests can rent for the day. The theme is “Chills and Thrills,” and Royal is spending $250 million to over-deliver on both.

I have to also give Royal props for adding extra plugs in the staterooms. It's the first time we didn't have the use the six-power strip we always pack for cruises. Well, even on the largest cruise ship in the world, it's still the little things, right? 
Picture

Go Aboard 'Symphony'
​Photo/Video Gallery

Picture
                           Showtime! 
Symphony of the Seas features top-flight entertainment, like the mesmerizing ice show "1977," a compelling journey through the history of "Flight" and the high-energy, water and air production, "Hiro." SEE MORE HERE.
Picture
       The Ultimate Family Suite
It's split-level, features a big orange slide, accommodates eight and costs up to $80,000 to book. Royal Caribbean calls it the "Ultimate Family Suite." READ MORE.
Picture
         Perfect Day at Coco Cay
Three years ago, Jim Berra, Royal Caribbean's Chief Marketing Officer, said the cruise line had a vision of what a "perfect day" might be for their guests. Combine their private island, Coco Cay, and $250 million, and that vision is about to become reality.
READ MORE.

NORTH PALM BEACH LIFE

Contact us: northpalmlife@gmail.com

Picture
© COPYRIGHT  2021,  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
    • People
    • Eats >
      • Belle's Bar and Grill
      • Elisabetta's
      • Oliv Pit Athenian Grille
      • Cupcakes >
        • Lady Bug Cupcakes
    • News >
      • 2019 North Palm Beach Fireworks Show
      • 2018 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
      • Brightline >
        • Brightline Dino Train
        • Polar Express 2019
        • Breezin' on Brickell
        • Brightline Day Trips: Frost Science Museum
        • A Trip on Brightline
        • Brightline Select Service
        • Brightline Tasting Train
        • Brightline Train Unveiling
        • Brightline Topping Out
        • The Polar Express Train Ride
        • Richard Branson at Brightline
      • David Drebin
      • Downton Abbey Exhibit
      • The Lubben Brothers
      • History >
        • 25th Anniversary
        • 50th Anniversary
      • North Palm Beach Country Club
    • Weather
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise Compete
    • Azamara Quest
    • Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line >
      • Grand Celebration Cruise
      • Grand Classica Inaugural Cruise
    • Carnival Cruise Line Stories >
      • Carnival Cuba Cruises
      • Carnival Horizon >
        • Carnival Horizon Pig and Anchor
      • Carnival Liberty
      • Carnival Sunrise >
        • Carnival Sunrise Cruise to Bermuda
        • The Chef's Table on Carnival Sunrise
      • Carnival Studios >
        • Carnival Studios - Behind the Scenes Tour
      • Carnival Victory
      • Carnival Vista >
        • Carnival Vista Craft Beer
    • Crystal Serenity Holiday Cruise - The Beginning >
      • Crystal Serenity - Grand Turk
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Maarten
      • Crystal Serenity - Antigua Donkey Sanctuary
      • Crystal Serenity - St. Lucia
      • Crystal Serenity - Barbados
      • Crystal Serenity - Virgin Gorda
      • Crystal Serenity - Wrap Up
    • Harmony of the Seas - Preview Cruise Review >
      • Harmony of the Seas - Wonderland
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Ultimate Abyss
      • Harmony of the Seas - The Fine Line
      • Harmony of the Seas - 1887
      • Harmony of the Seas - Bionic Bar
      • Harmony of the Seas - Pre-Cruise Coverage
    • Cunard's Jackie Chase >
      • History of Cunard
    • MSC Seaside >
      • MasterChef at Sea
    • Oceania Riviera
    • Queen Mary in Long Beach
    • River Cruising in Germany - The Ms. River Splendor >
      • River Cruise in Germany -- Mainz and Koblenz
      • River Cruising in Germany - The Romantic Rhine
      • River Cruise in Germany - Heidelberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Wurzburg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Bamberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Nuremberg
      • River Cruising in Germany - Regensburg
    • SeaTrade Cruise Global 2019
    • Symphony of the Seas - Miami Inaugural Voyage >
      • Symphony of the Seas - Ultimate Family Suite
      • Symphony of the Seas - Showtime
      • Symphony of the Seas - Perfect Day at Coco Cay
      • Symphony of the Seas - Photo Gallery
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 - Interviews >
      • Gig in the 561 - Penny Davis
      • Gigi in the 561 - Interview - Dave Hafer
      • Gigi in the 561 - James E. Hibbard
      • Gigi in the 561 - Interview - Paige Pauley
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
    • Pamme's Chitchat >
      • GX2
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
    • Travel Bistro
    • The Lady Reggie
    • Because, Cate
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Travel News from Business Wire
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Fun >
      • Events >
        • La Bella Macchina 2017
      • AtmosFX Digital Decorations
      • Calypso Cruise
      • Pumpkin Patch 2017
      • Reindeer Games
      • River Paddle Event
    • Brian Wilson: Life in the UK >
      • Life in the UK - Bath, England
      • Life in the UK - Croquet
      • Life in the UK - Music in Russia
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka
      • Life in the UK - Sri Lanka - Sigiriya
      • Life in the UK - US Embassy
    • The Florida Keys >
      • Key West
      • The Hemingway House and Museum
    • Joe Cartwright - Travel Writer >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Island Destinations
    • Lake Okeechobee Picnic
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
    • U.S. Virgin Islands >
      • Coral World - U.S. Virgin Islands
      • St. Thomas Food Tour
      • St. Thomas Tour
    • Vizcaya
  • Contact
    • Smoothie Me Please
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search