THE WORLD'S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP | SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS

Yes you read my headline correctly! Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is currently the largest cruise ship in the world, accommodating 5518 passengers and approximately 2200 crew members. Being my first time on a cruise, I didn't know what exactly to expect. I had been told that you can eat at almost every restaurant on board, watch magical theatrical performances and enjoy fun activities, but little did I know what was to come when I boarded the Symphony of the Seas. 

The Pre-Inaugural of the cruise was an unforgettable experience. As we walked on board, we were welcomed by bright lights, broadway music and unbelievably friendly crew members. From checking in to arriving at our suites, everything was so well organised and planned. I was fortunate enough to stay in a ocean view balcony suite, which was surprisingly more spacious than I had anticipated. The suites are personalised for each guest, which is something you won't easily find in a general hotel room. Although the room was a luxurious space, that I could have easily escaped to, I really wanted to experience everything that was on board. 

If you are a foodie like me, you will go absolutely nuts on board the Symphony of the Seas. There are about 22 restaurants on board the ship, each offering a unique experience and atmosphere. I had the pleasure of attending a food tasting at each restaurant and I must tell you, the fish served at Hooked was my absolute favourite, although Jamie's Italian came a close second! The candy store, "Sugar Beach" serves the best gelato and endless amounts of candy, accommodating those who are gluten and lactose intolerant. Sugar Beach is bound to turn any adult into a kid again and is the ultimate sweets of heaven!

I know people may think Disney World is the most magical place on earth, but I'd like to reconsider this decision. The Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is my happy place! Being in the middle of the Mediterranean with endless amounts of things to do, it would be bizarre to find any person bored on this cruise. There is rock climbing, ice-skating, a surf simulator, water slides, a zip line and the ultimate 10 storey high plunge down the "Ultimate Abyss" slide. It doesn't matter how old or young you are, there is an activity for everyone. Never been an adrenalin junky before, but I had to experience the zip line. Situated on the 16th deck the zip line crosses over the middle of the ship from one end to the other, making it rather exhilarating when looking down. 

The night life on board is extraordinary! Our first night was a busy one as we started off celebrating with a "Sail Away" party on the top deck with live bands and free flowing cocktails! Dinner was held at the Main Dining area and the presentation of each dish was outstanding. Heading off to a live musical after dinner is such a treat! The cast on board are extremely talented and well rehearsed. There is such a sense of festivity, making it feel like you're living in a dream. From Karaoke bars to salsa dancing, we did it all! Although I'm not that into gambling "007 Casino Royal" has nothing on the Symphony of the Seas Casino. It's a fun and exciting place to be for a little Roulette, Poker and whiskey on the rocks. After this we headed off to the Silent Disco, where we danced the night away! Around 2am, the bars and clubs close for the night but the festivities continue at the 24 hour pizza restaurant, where everyone who enjoyed the parties treat themselves to a variety of pizza options. 

I suppose I can carry on typing for hours about the experience and everything else you can do on board, but I want you to experience it for yourselves. Regardless of if you have been on a cruise before or not, the Symphony of the Seas is the best vacation destination in the world!

If you wanting to book a cruise on Royal Caribbean, including the Symphony of the Seas, contact Cruises International South Africa {https://www.cruises.co.za/} They have the best package deals to the best destinations to accommodate your requirements. The team is so hands on, helpful and extremely friendly! 

If you haven't seen everything that I got up to on board the cruise, head on over to my Instagram "Travel" Highlights to see more!

TC

xoxo