In March 2024, we took our first cruise, sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Nassau, Bahamas. We boarded Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, which was, at the time, the third-largest cruise ship in the world! While many suggest starting with a smaller ship, we chose to go big for our inaugural 7-night journey. After all, we wanted to experience the best cruising at a reasonable price.
Embarkation Day Excitement
On embarkation day, we were buzzing with excitement as we stepped onto the ship. It felt like entering an entirely new world! The grandeur of Symphony of the Seas took our breath away. We started our adventure by exploring the ship, with our first stop at Boleros, the Latin bar. Although we only visited this venue once, we spent most of our evenings at Schooner Bar (more on that later).
Drinks on Board
We opted for the drink package, which cost us just over $1,000. While this seemed steep, it relieved us from worrying about drink prices during our vacation. Onboard, alcoholic drinks typically averaged $15 each, so the package, which included everything from cocktails to smoothies, which we enjoyed every day was worth it. We sampled a variety of beverages we might not have tried otherwise, enjoying refreshing frozen drinks under the sun.
Culinary Delights
The food on the ship exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed many culinary firsts, including mussels and escargot. If you’ve never tried escargot, we highly recommend it—it’s a buttery, garlic-infused treat best enjoyed with bread. The Windjammer buffet was perfect after a day in the sun, but El Loco Fresh stood out for its convenient and delicious Mexican food, allowing us to quickly refuel before heading back to the pool. For Symphony to be feeding thousands of people a day, multiple times a day, they did a really good job with the food options and how the food tastes. We all have different tastebuds but being able to nail the flavor and seasoning of food on a consistent level takes a lot of skill, patience, and execution.
Entertainment Extravaganza
Symphony of the Seas offered endless entertainment options. We loved the lively game shows at On Air, as well as Broadway-style productions like “Hairspray” and the stunning AquaTheatre show “Hiro.” The performances at “Hairspray” were exceptional, making us forget we were on a ship in the middle of the ocean. The acting, singing, and production set this show apart and we loved the show! “Hiro,” in particular, featured breathtaking aquatic stunts that captivated us for the entire hour. The Entertainment
Exceptional Service
The service aboard was top-notch. Every crew member made us feel like royalty, emphasizing that “it is your vacation.” One memorable evening at Schooner Bar, Alex requested a less sweet drink, and the head bartender crafted a perfect cocktail that we fondly named “the Alexandra.” Our dining experience was equally impressive; with My Time Dining, we returned to our favorite servers who remembered our drink order of Prosecco and had it within minutes of us sitting down, adding a personal touch to our evenings. We can share stories like this throughout the entire blog but the little things like that make your vacation that much memorable and makes you want to come back for more.
Our Cabin Experience
We chose an ocean view room, which turned out to have an obstructed view at the front of the ship. While we couldn’t see much from our room, we didn’t spend much time there anyway. The cabin was spacious enough to feel comfortable, and while the bathroom was standard for a cruise ship, it met our needs.
Final Thoughts
We loved our cruise experience and have already booked two more with Royal Caribbean and looking to book a third. The incredible service, entertainment, drinks, and food made our trip unforgettable. Contrary to the stereotype of cruises being “floating retirement homes,” we found Symphony of the Seas catered to a younger crowd, with newer ships like Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas appealing to families and younger travelers. We highly recommend cruising as an affordable way to explore new destinations without breaking the bank. We were also able to pay for our flights and hotel through credit card points, allowing us to splurge on excursions in Jamaica. Check out our credit card blog showing you how we were able to make that happen!
– A & K