Check-In:
Check-in process was very smooth at the new Miami Royal Caribbean Terminal. We all did our cruise check-in prior on the Royal Caribbean App. We were able to upload our check-in photo, card on file, and everything prior to arriving at the pier. At check-in, we just had to show our Set Sail Pass, Passport, and answer a couple of heath questions and we were right through!
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​First Impression:
We walked onto deck 5, which is full of restaurants, bars, and also home to guest services. The energy on board was incredible! We did a walk-through of the different neighborhoods to get a feel for the ship. The Boardwalk on the aft of deck 6 is home to a carousel, arcade, Johnny Rockets, fun food stands, and the ending of the Ultimate Abyss slide. Central Park on deck 8, truly feels like walking through a nice neighborhood with fine shops and good restaurants. On the top decks, we took a look at the impressive pools, sports court, Flowrider surf simulators, slides, mini golf course, and more.
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Wi-Fi:
The Wi-Fi package- Voom—truly felt like the fastest internet at sea. It is definitely worth the purchase if you want to stay in contact with people back home. It also allows you to contact your friends and family on board through the WhatsApp or iMessage. We were able to send some of our trip photos and videos to the office in STL for a preview of the ship!

Entertainment:
We chose to split up to see some of the big shows! Hairspray is currently on board and was such a fun performance. Stephanie Turner and her husband Will saw the production of Flight which is a journey through time, chronicling aviation milestones. The special effects of the show were very impressive. Stacey Hoehne and Ashley Curry caught the late-night comedy show which was highly entertaining! Throughout the ship, there were also performers in the Dazzles Nightclub, Irish Pub, Boardwalk, Aqua Theatre, Ice Show, and more.



​​“For adults, there is an amazing spa facility that offers many different treatments and for those who love to stay fit, there is a state-of-the-art fitness center and classes, plus a complete jogging track around the entire ship. There are also quieter places on the ship like the beautiful 2-story Solarium complete with its own Bistro restaurant serving lighter fare. Many of the shows are geared to those of all ages. The ice-skating show is always breathtaking, the Aqua Theater with its production of Hiro presented heart-stopping acrobatics over the water and the amazing original production of Flight, where you feel you are a part of this story of flight from a future time back through the Wright brothers. The show was done in a way that is unique and powerful. And of course, the new and updated version of Hairspray was one of the best I have seen!” -President & CEO, Stephanie Turner.

​Dining:
We all had a lovely dinner at the Coastal Kitchen specialty restaurant. Coastal Kitchen is normally exclusively for suite guests and Pinnacle Club members. The food and service here was top-notch. Stephanie Turner’s husband, Will, declared that this chocolate cake was a 10/10. The following night, Ashley Curry and Stacey Hoehne enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Main Dining room. Stephanie and Will dined at Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver for their second dinner. There was a wide variety of choices and some of the dishes were served family style for our group of 8 -10. Though everything was tasty, the pastas were top-notch. The desserts were also very spectacular. For lunch on Wednesday, the ship opened up the specialty restaurant options and had samples so that we could get a taste of each restaurant. This was an excellent way for us to try the shrimp sushi from Izumi, Mad Hatter Purple Potted Shrimp from Wonderland, filet mignon from Chops Grille, and cured meats from Jamie's Italian.

Ship Tour:
We got a chance to see the different room categories, including the top suites. These suites are very impressive! The top Star Class suites come with a Royal Genie to truly give a VIP experience.

 “After experiencing 220 cruises, this one definitely had the most to offer for every age group. If I were planning my trip with a family, I would absolutely recommend a Suite for all of us – there are many with different sizes and layouts – to have that gathering place for everyone. But, I must say the Verandah staterooms - from Oceanview to Central Park - were well laid out as were the inside rooms with a virtual window. No choice is a bad choice – it just has to be right for you.” -President & CEO, Stephanie Turner.

Our Overall Thoughts

“I was blown away by everything on this cruise ship! The entertainment was spectacular and there were endless activities to choose from.” – Supervisor of Leisure Travel, Stacey Hoehne

“When you’re on such a large ship and have never seen what all it has to offer, I recommend exploring it without a plan. Each corner you turned brought a cool new view or vibe. The boardwalk made you feel like a kid again with hot dogs, an arcade and the carousel. Walking through Central Park was quiet and relaxing with the perfect spot for a coffee and breakfast sandwich. Each deck had something fun to discover. I recommend seeking out the “Wonderland” dining venue. So much fun!” – Travel Consultant, Ashley Curry

​“This ship was so beautiful. I see it as a perfect vacation for multigenerational families. I know my teenage grandsons would love all the great activities on board. It was also very exciting to watch Stacey Hoehne on the Flowrider. I could see my grandsons playing laser tag or climbing the rock wall or perhaps even ziplining. For young children I loved the kids pool area, it looked like so much fun with a variety of colorful things to climb on or through. Kids also have their own unique area on the ship as well as The Adventure Ocean Program with lots of varied activities. There is also the arcade with many different games. Even I rode the carousel on the Boardwalk – bringing out my inner child!” -President & CEO, Stephanie Turner

Our 2-night cruise was considered a “preview cruise”, so we didn’t get a chance to experience everything that was offered on board. We’ll just have to book a 7-night cruise soon to experience the rest of all that the Symphony of the Seas has to offer. Like the Laser Tag, Aqua Theatre, Ice- Skating Show and to try out the rest of the restaurants and bars! The Symphony is currently sailing out of Miami switching between the Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries! 

Written By: Supervisor of Leisure Travel, Stacey Hoehne

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