Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas Makes U.S. Debut
by Daniel McCarthy /
The world’s largest cruise ship has officially hit the U.S. Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas landed in Florida’s Port Canaveral just before dawn on Thursday, the first North American port of call for the 6,680-guest cruise ship. It is scheduled to arrive in Port Miami today.
“We’re proud of the confidence our partners at Royal Caribbean have in us. Although this ship will be home-ported in Miami, our cruise partner trusted the capabilities of this port for its first U.S. port of call,” said Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray.
The ship debuted in April and cost more than $1 billion dollars to build. It is the 25th ship in Royal’s fleet and the fourth Oasis-class ship, joining Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas.
Features include a 10-story waterslide, the tallest on any cruise ship, called the Ultimate Abyss; a revamped boardwalk area with a new bar, and candy and ice cream shop; Royal’s first New England-style seafood restaurant, with Hooked Seafood located in the ship’s Solarium; and a brand new original show, “Flight,” a satire of the history of the air travel industry.
It will also feature “the world’s most adventurous and interactive family suite,” according to the line, which will include a kid’s-only bedroom on the second floor with a slide to the living room down below. The suite will also include a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, an air hockey table, and a separate 3D-theater-style movie room with a popcorn maker.
There are also twenty-eight additional balcony rooms overlooking the Boardwalk area, a feature that separates Symphony from the other ships in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class.