What Our First-Time Cruisers Thought of Symphony of the Seas
Beccy Miller
As part of an initiative with Royal Caribbean, our Beccy recently took away a group of first-time cruisers on the fantastic Symphony of the Seas
Spreading the word about Cruise Circle
Our first-timers all had an impressive social media following (to help spread the word about our services). We also wanted to get feedback from their unique point-of-view to help inform how we can best assist people new to cruising.
Our First-Time Cruisers
Bejal
Bejal is an eco-conscious travel enthusiast from Leicester with a gargantuan vegetarian appetite (her words, not ours!).
Alex
Alex is an interior stylist and DIY enthusiast from Aberdeen. She started picking up tips from Youtube, and the rest is history.
Jennie
Jennie is a disability blogger, campaigner and community builder based in Hartlepool & London. She's even been on the BBC, both radio and TV!
Jenny (and family)
Jenny runs a popular blog called Monkey and Mouse which focuses on family travel and activities with her two boys, aged 9 and 11.
The Trip and The Ship
They sailed on the 2nd biggest ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, cruising the Mediterranean and visiting Mallorca, Marseille, Rome and more.
Their Favourite Things
The Relaxed Vibe
One thing that has struck our party is how relaxed everything was. With the number of activities onboard, some expected a sensory overload, but they managed to find pockets of calm and relaxation among all the activities. The Central Park area was one such area, featuring a living wall and endless natural plants.
The Accessibility
As a full-time wheelchair user, Jennie was impressed with the level of accessibility on board. From lowered bars, pool hoists available for swimming pools and hot tubs, and even access to a sports court where she played some basketball.
The Pool Decks
There are three main pools and a children’s splash zone, with plenty of sun loungers to relax on. It can be a little crowded on sea days, so we recommend having a port day on the ship to enjoy all the facilities. There are several water slides on Symphony, and our gang enjoyed racing each other on them (the little kids and the big kids!).
The Bionic Bar
Having a robotic bar mix a drink is a fun novelty, and all our cruisers put it to the test. You pop in your chosen spirits, mixers, and garnishes then your drink is mixed for you. Jenny’s kids could also get involved, creating their non-alcoholic concoctions.
The Shows
These were a standout with all of our cruisers. Between us, we caught every major show, like the 1977 ice-show, Hiro in the Aquatheatre, Hairspray in the main Royal Theatre, plus comedy, jazz, magicians and more.
The Activities
Plenty of activities are also included in the price, which can be booked on their app (really handy). Our first-timer cruisers had a go at laser tag, ziplining, surfing, rock climbing, quizzes, and sports classes.
The Food
There are endless choices included, with light snacks like Mexican nachos, hot dogs, ice cream and pizza, plus a choice of two buffet restaurants - The Windjammer (the main one) plus another in the adults-only Solarium area, which tends to be a little more relaxed. The main dining room is also open for breakfast and dinner, with a rotating menu and theme each evening, so there is always something new to try. The speciality restaurants are also fantastic, with the Whimsical Wonderland and seafood restaurant Hooked being two standouts.
The Neighbourhoods
Everyone loved the different neighbourhood areas on the ship. The boardwalk had a carousel and arcades, perfect for families. Central Park, with all its greenery, had you forgetting that you were actually on a ship. The promenade was the beating heart of Symphony of the Seas, with the fabulous Rising Tide bar, which lifts up and down between floors.
