Category: Royal Caribbean Review

Royal Caribbean Review Blog - Last Day Of The Cruise

You've made it to the final day of our Royal Caribbean Cruise review!

In This Post:

Brunch In the Main Dining Room

After sleeping in, we decided to take advantage of our last chance to eat brunch in the main dining room on Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Brunch Menu

The main dining room Brunch Menu had a nice variety of breakfast-y choices and lunch-y choices, besides desserts - this is a cruise after all!

Royal Caribbean Brunch Menu | Symphony of the Seas Review

Here's what we went for:

Baked Potato Soup

Rich and creamy, served with cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream and fresh chives.

Baked Potato Soup | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Fried Chicken & Waffles

Tender chicken fried golden brown, warm homemade waffles and a side of Tabasco®. infused honey.

Gotta love hot honey! :D

Fried Chicken & Waffles | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Eggs Your Way

Two (or one if you only want one!) farm fresh eggs served any style with (very!) crispy bacon, sausage links (skipped), hash browns and white or wheat toast.

Eggs Your Way | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

NY Bagel and Lox

A plate of smoked Atlantic salmon, sliced cucumber, pickled onions, arugula and cream cheese served with your choice of plain or everything bagel.

NY Bagel & Lox | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

This one was a miss for me. I was excited for it, but in the end I didn't get the everything bagel I hoped for and the bagel itself was cold and tough. I felt really bad that I did not finish this. You can't win them all!

Key Lime Pie

Tangy key lime custard in a brown butter graham cracker crust.

Not even a huge key lime pie fan in general, but this made up for the bagel miss. :)

Royal Chocolate cake

Layers of dark chocolate cake and decadent chocolate.

Royal Chocolate Cake | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

After Brunch we strolled around the ship some more to see what details we could learn for you to help you on your next Royal Caribbean cruise!

Macallan Tasting

On the Royal Caribbean app there was a Macallan Tasting at 1pm in Vintages. This is a paid activity and you can see the set up at this special table.

While the app indicates that there is a fee for the activity, it does not indicate how much the tasting costs.

See Also: Free Liquor Tasting & History of Whisky Event on a Cruise

Hot Sauce at El Loco Fresh

We carried on to El Loco Fresh to capture a shot of some of the hot sauces they have as mentioned here.

Hot Sauce at El Loco Fresh | Symphony of the Seas Review

Then we proceeded to the pool deck for some final runs down the water slides and on the flow rider.

Cruise Ship Laundry

The last bit of laundry needed done before we disembark the cruise ship, and in order to help things dry more quickly we implemented a few tips:

We propped the shower door open with the trash can and left the bathroom door open. This allowed more airflow to the clothes as they dried on the line.

Royal Caribbean Bon Voyage Menu

The Bon Voyage menu is served on the final night of your Royal Caribbean Cruise.

Royal Caribbean Bon Voyage Menu | Symphony of the Seas Review

Here's what we ordered!

Seafood Cake

Panko breaded and deep-fried until golden brown, served with mango-carrot slaw and a spicy garlic.

Mediterranean Tapas Medley

A spread of hummus, chilled tzatziki, classic Greek salad and soft pita bread.

Mediterranean Tapas Medley | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Vegetable Greek Moussaka

Layers of grilled eggplant, Roma tomatoes and tender potatoes and onions, topped with panko breadcrumbs and served with oregano-tomato salsa.

Vegetable Moussaka | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Grilled Steak with Chimichurri

Marinated strip steak prepared to order with chimichurri, garlic potato wedges and tender roasted vegetables.

Grilled Steak with Chimichurri | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Black Forest Tart

Vanilla tart shell wth rich dark chocolate ganache and cherry filling, topped with raspberry whipped cream, lemon zest and a maraschino cherry.

Crema Catalana

Smooth and rich Spanish-style custard finished with a crackly caramelized sugar topping.

Huge shoutout to our incredible dining team - Wiryawan and Bayu - who took care of our group all 8 nights of this Southern Caribbean Cruise!

Best Dining Staff | Symphony of the Seas Review

On Air Karaoke

Karaoke was buzzing on the last day of the cruise in On Air in the Royal Promenade. I've never done karaoke on a cruise ship myself, but it's great fun to watch others have a blast with it.

The Night Before Disembarkation

The sad moment has arrived when we start to see all the suitcases lining up in the hallways. If you would like luggage assistance you need to pack your bags the night before and place them in the hallway.

You can then pick them up after you disembark.

Night Before Disembarkation on Symphony of the Seas

In our case, we prefer to keep our luggage with us so we don't have to rush off the ship in the morning. We only have carry-on bags anyways, so it's not too burdensome.

After packing up our bags we ran up to Sorrento's Pizza one last time.

Royal Caribbean Sorrento's Pizza Menu

Nothing fuels you quite like Sorrento's :p

Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Tips:

The cruise line provides some helpful tips for an easy departure and explains what to do the night before and the morning of departure. These are very helpful tips for first time cruisers and veterans alike.

Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Tips

Needless-to-say, I appreciate the bottom right corner outlining the locations and hours food will be available on disembarkation day. :p

Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Times

You may be wondering, "When can I get off the ship? How early can I disembark?"

On this particular cruise the scheduled departure times were between 7:15am and 9:45am. They often call all luggage tag numbers before the listed time of 9:45.

Royal Caribbean Disembarkation Times

If you are "Self-assist" meaning you have your own luggage, you can depart at any time. You do not have to depart at 7:15am.

As we usually don't have a flight scheduled until later in the day we take our time, try to enjoy some breakfast, and make our way off the ship toward the end. :)

Windjammer on Disembarkation Day

If you can't make it to the main dining room on the day of departure, you can always head to the Windjammer, Park Cafe, or Solarium Bistro for "regular" guests (meaning non-suites).

View of a Princess Ship in Florida Cruise Port from Windjammer Buffet on Royal Caribbean

A few more helpful details

As we did a final pass through the room we thought we would share a few documents in the cabin that could be helpful to you.

Royal Caribbean Show Summary

On embarkation day we received a printout which described the main scheduled entertainment shows onboard during our cruise. On the reverse side it outlined the days and time each would be showing.

Royal Caribbean Entertainment Symphony of the Seas

I found this very helpful as you can decide if it's something you are interested in or not and plot out when you want to reserve tickets.

Remember, all the shows are free, but you do need to reserve a space in advance to ensure you'll have a seat!

You can see all this information on the Royal Caribbean App too, which is great, but something about having it consolidated to one piece of paper and seeing it all at one time was very appealing to me. :)

Royal Caribbean Laundry PRices

Here's the price list for Laundry Service on our Royal Caribbean Cruise. If you cant DIY your laundry, then here are your options. Please check your Crown and Anchor Loyalty Status perks for any applicable discounts on laundry. :)

Royal Caribbean Laundry Prices

Prices range from $1.99 to $14.99 per item, but you can usually also send an entire bag for around $35 before discounts so check for that option in a pinch if you have a lot to send in as it may be a savings.

Royal Caribbean Room Service Menus

Room service on Royal Caribbean is not free. There is a flat fee of $7.95 + 18% gratuity for each delivery. So if you order 1 item from this menu or 10, the charge is the same.

If you order Lunch and Dinner, you'll pay the charge twice. If you order once a day every day for a 7 night cruise you'll pay it seven times.

Lunch, Dinner, Snacks Room Service Menu

Royal Caribbean Room Service Menu

Breakfast Room service Menu

Continental Breakfast Room Service Delivery on Royal Caribbean is FREE!

If you want hot cooked eggs under the American Breakfast Category then the $7.95 + gratuity service fee mentioned above still applies.

Royal Caribbean Breakfast Menu

Continental Breakfast Door Hang Tags

There is a strange amount of enjoyment that comes from filling out your order on these breakfast menus and hanging them on your stateroom door at night.

Feel free to write a little note of appreciation on here too. :)

You can select your preferred delivery time but please know it's hard from them to deliver exactly within that window some days so it could come earlier or later.

I'll really miss having coffee, juice, fruit, and pastries delivered to my door in the morning.

Until next time, Royal Caribbean!

I hope you have enjoyed this Symphony of the Seas Review!

Up next: Gallery One Double Tree By Hilton Fort Lauderdale Hotel RevieW W/ Photos

Double Tree Hilton Fort Lauderdale Room Tour and Review

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Labadee Haiti Royal Caribbean Review

3/10/2025

Welcome to Labadee! This is Royal Caribbean's 260-acre private resort on Haiti.

Labadee - Royal Caribbean's Private Resort on Haiti

When you get off the ship in Labadee you have a great photo opportunity, if you're patient, with the Labadee sign and the ship in the background.

In This Post:

One Day in Labadee Cruise Port
Exploring Labadee
Walking Trails on Labadee
Souvenirs on Labadee
Labadee Beach Bar Menu
A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu
Hairspray Broadway Production
Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Cruise Port Review

This lovely tropically colored building is a shop "Boutik Logo Store" as well as excursion counter on either side.

While there are paid activities at Labadee including Kayak Adventure, Sip and Paint, Walking Tour, Aqua Park, Coaser, Flight Zip Line, there is also plenty to do for free, just follow the signs!

Plenty to do on Labadee - paid and free - just follow the signs!

If you don't feel like walking around the island, you can catch a free tram and hop off at your beach or food establishment of choice.

Barefoot Beach Tram Service

There is a special Barefoot Beach Tram Service exclusively for Star, Sky, Pinnacle, and Concierge Suites guests. Guests who have reserved a Barefoot Beach Club Cabana can utilize this particular tram service.

Labadee Chair Photo Opportunity

If you decide to wander by foot you will find classic vacation photo ops for your friends and family like this giant Labadee chair. :)

Trails on Labadee, Haiti

There are some nice paths to walk around the lush greenery of the island that lead to some 'secret' look out points where you can take in some nice views and get some nice pictures of your crew.

You can get a view of the Aqua Park (paid activity) from this lookout as well.

Souvenir Shopping on Labadee

For the uninitiated, on Labadee you have the opportunity to venture into this Market section with local vendors. Many cruisers find the selling culture to be a bit aggressive and you should be prepared to haggle if you want to shop in this area.

Shopping from local Vendors on Labadee

Some love this type of shopping and interaction, but if it's not for you there are other options.

Cost of Souvenirs on Labadee

If you're curious about the prices for souvenirs on Labadee, here are a few from one of the main shopping options.

The environment in here is calmer and you are able to pay with Visa, so if you don't bring extra cash but want a souvenir this is a good option. They have all the usual things, some manufactured mugs and some more unique options. They have Rhum Punch (Rum Punch) and T shirts which started at $9.95.

Larimar Necklaces were listed at $35 and carved Limestone animals were plentiful. The elephant was $15.

Labadee Beach Bar Menu

Here is a menu with prices from Labadee Beach Bar.

Labadee Beach Bar Menu with Prices

Cocktail Prices

Beer prices

Mai Tai - $14
Bombay Smash - $14
Hurricane - $14
Bahama Mama - $14
Island Sunset - $14
Castaway - $14

Corona Extra - $7.99
Heineken - $7.99
Bud Light - $7.49
Budweiser - $7.49
Miller Light - $7.49
Coors Light - $7.49
Red Stripe - $8.25
Prestige - $7.49
Truly Hard Seltzer - $7.49
White Claw Hard Seltzer - $7.49

An additional service charge will be added to these prices unless you have a Royal Caribbean Beverage Package.

You can also order items not on the menu, of course. Like the Labadoozie - basically a frozen rum punch or even a whisky to sip on the beach.

Beach Time on LAbadee

There are plenty of beach areas on Labadee to lounge around or to swim in the ocean.

Please Leave Nothing But Your Footprints Sign

Even on an overcast day, the views are beautiful with calm waters nestled between lush mountains, it's exactly what you're hoping for on a Caribbean Cruise.

Private Cabanas on Labadee

If you have cash to splash you can rent one of these private cabanas for the day or do an excursion like kayaking in these tropical waters.

Free Food On Labadee

When you're hungry on Labadee you can enjoy a beach picnic including things like hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, rice, corn on the cob, fruit, salads, cookies, cakes and the like. The food is included in your cruise fare.

A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Menu

Enjoy this cruise food photo review!

A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu

See more cruise restaurant menus here.

Goat Cheese Tart

Seasoned eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes and goat cheese baked in flaky puff pastry.

Goat Cheese Tart Royal Caribbean Cruise Food

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Mozzarella cheese coated with crispy garlic-seasoned panko breading and fried until golden brown, paired with a zesty marinara dipping sauce.

Clearly that is not mozzarella cheese.

Due to a supply chain issue, the culinary crew had to make a cheese swap out. So it was surprising when you're expecting mozzarella, but hey - when you're talking about breaded and deep fried cheese it's hard to go wrong. :)

Traditional English Fish and CHips

Tempura-battered Atlantic cod fried until golden with thick-cut potatoes, mushy peas, creamy coleslaw and tartar sauce.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tender chicken in a spicy tomato-yogurt sauce, served with basmati rice, raita, roti and pappadum.

Indian Food on Royal Caribbean is almost always a home run if you're not sure what to order. I've said it before and I'll say it again. :)

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Warm steamed date pudding with caramel sauce and whipped cream.

Hairspray Broadway Production

Good Morning Baltimore!

After dinner we squeezed in a production show. On Symphony of the Seas you can watch the Broadway production Hairspray. It's one of the longer shows you will see on a cruise.

Hairspray on Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Review

I love Royal Caribbean's offerings of Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Some argue that these cruise line owned resorts or islands are not an authentic experience of the island, and sure I get that. But I view them as a high value "freebie" day where I don't have to plan or spend any extra cash if I don't want to or don't have it.

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas Docked at Labadee, Haiti

Labadee offers a low pressure day where everything is taken care of for you and close by. You have beach chairs and umbrellas included for free at the various beach locations. You have food included without having to go back to the ship or spend extra cash. You have tram service if you're unable or don't want to walk as much. And the scenery is absolutely beautiful.

While I do love exploring cruise ports and trying local food and having that "more authentic" experience, I am always happy to see either Labadee or Perfect Day on a Caribbean Itinerary.

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Lobster Night On A Cruise - SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS REVIEW

3/9/2025

Day 6 of our Southern Caribbean Cruise on Symphony of the Seas was a sea day and realizing the cruise was quickly winding down we had a few more spots on the ship to tick off our list before the highly anticipated lobster night on a cruise.

In This Post:

Breakfast at Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas

Johnny Rockets is a fun old fashioned American Diner styled specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, but not many people realize that on Oasis Class Ships you can eat breakfast for free at Johnny Rockets!

Check out the Johnny Rockets menu on Symphony of the Seas here

Coffee and Orange Juice

They really lean into the old school diner vibes with the plastic coffee mugs and the huge glasses of 'orange juice'. I recommend sharing a glass if you order it as it's just a LOT of juice. :)

Coffee and Orange Juice at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas

Eggs "My Way"

Served with potatoes, applewood smoked bacon or sausage and sourdough toast.

Eggs My Way at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas

buttermilk Pancakes

"Three classic buttermilk pancakes served with your choice of applewood smoked bacon or sausage and maple syrup"

Buttermilk Pancakes at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas

"The Works" Breakfast Scrambler

"Scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, grilled bell pepper and onions, mushrooms and chili topped with shredded Wisconsin cheddar, served with potatoes and toast"

"The Works" Scramble at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas

Condiments

With our breakfast at Johnny Rockets they served some ketchup for the potatoes, jelly for the toast, and "maple" syrup for the pancakes.

Condiments at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas

Breakfast and a Show

We were delighted by the show the Johnny Rockets crew put on during our breakfast! Nothing like a surprise break out into song and dance!

Entertainment at Johnny Rockets on Symphony of the Seas

Afternoon Water Slides and Flow Rider

The final sea day on a cruise is a last call to cram in all the fun ship activities you haven't done yet, or haven't done enough because it was so fun. So for us we needed to do some serious waterslide time and some flow rider time.

Racing Water Slides

Here is a good view of all the slides (aside from Ultimate Abyss the dry slide) on Symphony of the Seas. You can see the Blue and Yellow slides which you can race your friends on if you want.

And on the right you can see the green/yellow "toilet bowl" water slide.

Symphony of the Seas Dueling Water Slides

The toilet bowl slide

The toilet bowl slide, as it's affectionally called, drops you into a bowl before you finish the slide and depending on your speed you may loop around the bowl multiple times quickly before finishing the ride.

And as you can see in these pictures, there is actually a "see-through" section on some of the slides so if you keep an eye out you can catch a glimpse of your loved ones as they shoot down the water slides!

Above you can see the splashes are pretty great whether you shoot down the yellow/blue slides or the toilet bowl slide.

Which would you try?!

Rainbow on a Cruise SHip

We were delighted to catch a rainbow at sea just over the pool deck before grabbing a quick bite for late lunch.

Rainbow on Symphony of the Seas Southern Caribbean Cruise

El Loco Fresh Mexican Lunch

El Loco Fresh is a popular Mexican casual dining restaurant on Symphony of the Seas. It's a free restaurant and great for grabbing a quick bite.

You can grab a quesadilla or premade burrito or you can DIY you own plate with an assortment of rice, meat, beans, taco shells, tortilla chips and so on.

There is also a bar with lovely fresh toppings including various salsas, pico de Gallo, delicious guacamole, and a huge display of hot sauces.

There is also a section with little desserts like this chocolate cake topped with caramel topped with chocolate mouse that I think would be a great dessert to make for a party in individual cups. A future recreated recipe for Inspired By Travel for sure.

And they always have plastic cups filled with cut up fruit - watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe. This is one of my favorite features of El Loco Fresh.

Pro Tip: I would often grab a cup of fruit and bring it to the fridge of my stateroom and when I wanted a healthy fresh snack I didn't have to go anywhere! :)

The Royal Night Dinner

The Royal Night Menu

Royal Caribbean's The Royal Night Menu Photo

Avocado and Melon Salad

Sweet cantaloupe, ripe avocados, orange segments and figs in a maple-lime dressing, topped with toasted pine nuts.

Avocado and Melon Salad - The Royal Night Menu

Vidalia Onion Tart

Sweet onion tart baked with smoked bacon and Parmesan cheese, served with sautéed bell peppers and creamed leeks.

Vidalia Onion Tart - The Royal Night Menu

Maine Lobster Tail

Broiled lobster tail with melted butter, saffron rice and sautéed vegetables

Maine Lobster Tail - The Royal Night Menu

Baked Alaska

Layered Neapolitan ice cream wrapped in sponge cake and torched meringue.

Baked Alaska - The Royal Night Menu

Red Velvet Cake

Fluffy layered cocoa-infused cake with sweet cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of chocolate.

Red Velvet Cake - The Royal Night Menu

After Dinner Drinks at Vintages

If ever there is a night to splash out for a drink on a cruise it's formal night!

We went to Vintages in Central Park where they have a great collection of scotches to try including Travelers Editions you can only buy or taste on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.

Macallan on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

And what better way is there to end an evening in a park, on a cruise ship, sipping Macallan and playing chess at this adorable mosaic table?

Chess Board in Central Park on Symphony of the Seas

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Cruise Travel UGC Blogger

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Sick on a Cruise - The One Where We Miss A Day In Curação

3/1/2025

Unfortunately I woke up in the middle of the night after our day in Aruba cruise port, and was pretty ill.
I'm looking at you, pork chop. -.-

I opted to sleep it off and we decided not to get off on Curacao during this cruise. Fortunately, we had been here before in the past, but it was still really disappointing, needless-to-say.

Eventually we made it up to the Windjammer buffet for lunch and I snapped this pic of Willemstad through the glass.

Willemstad, Curacao Cruise Port

Shockingly, the only food item we took a picture of was this tasty little mini pastry filled with chocolate!

Chocolate Filled Pastry on Royal Caribbean | Windjammer Food Pics

We then took the opportunity to enjoy some of the features of the ship we hadn't yet. We rode the carousel together in the Boardwalk Neighborhood.

And I screamed more than I needed to going down the Ultimate Abyss slide.

Ultimate Abyss Slide on Symphony of the Seas

I came out the other end laughing and I would do it again, for sure. Do it people!

Never in my life have I tried rock climbing and I'm not sure how I would do, but I really wanted to try climbing this rock wall on a cruise ship!

Rock Wall on a Cruise Ship | Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ship

That's still on my to-do list. I wasn't quite up for it yet. :)

But I was up for exploring the staircase art before dinner!

Check out some of the unique stairwell art on the newer ship Utopia of the Seas here!

A Taste of Mexico Menu | Royal Caribbean

The dinner theme was a Taste of Mexico and here's a little sample of the menu using the Royal Caribbean App.

Dinner Menu on Royal Caribbean App

Tbh, I spend way too much time every day on the app checking the menus and plotting out my orders. lol

Here's what we got!

Roasted Poblano Pepper Soup

"Rich and silky, topped with roasted corn, red peppers, fresh cilantro, and sautéed chorizo."

Roasted Poblano Soup | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Tortilla Soup

"Tomato broth with hearty black beans and sweet corn, topped with cilantro, crunchy corn tortillas, and fresh lime"

Tortilla Soup | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Grilled Sweet Corn Cakes

"Served golden brown with grilled vegetables, tomato-avocado salsa, and fresh cilantro."

Grilled Sweet Corn Cakes | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Carne Asada

"Marinated grilled flank steak served with rice, pinto beans, sautéed vegetables and a bright salsa verde"

Carne Asada | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Chili-Lime Crusted Salmon

"Baked and served over a sweet potato, mushroom, and kale hash topped with tangy mango and bell pepper salsa"

Chili LimeCrusted Salmon | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Caramel Flan

"rich, sweet dulce de leche custard soaked in caramel with fresh strawberries"

Caramel Flan | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Sorrentos Pizza Menu

Despite a hearty dinner, an evening show tends to work up an appetite. It's almost as if YOU were the one pulling those dance moves or walking the tightrope. Naturally you want a late night slice of pizza.

So we headed over to Sorrento's Pizza in the Royal Promenade.

Sorrento's Pizza Menu

The menu can vary from day to day and I do believe you can always request a gluten free pizza at Sorrento's on Royal Caribbean. 8)

Primavera Pizza froM Sorrento's

"Extra virgin olive oil, garlic, mozzarella, spinach, tomatoes, grilled banana peppers, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese"

Sorrento's Pizza Primavera | Royal Caribbean Cruise Food Pics

Not bad, Royal Caribbean, not bad.

With that it was time for a little in-room laundry session and to bed to rest up for a fun filled sea day onboard Symphony of the Seas!

More From This Southern Caribbean Cruise:

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A Taste of the Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Dinner Menu

2/28/2025

After spending a cheap DIY day on Aruba, it was time for a Caribbean themed dinner in the main dining room of Symphony of the Seas.

A Taste of the Caribbean Dinner Menu

Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu Photo:

Although it's the Caribbean menu, as you can see there is still a mix of offerings that are not Caribbean-inspired at all and our choices reflect that.

Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp

"Breaded coconut shrimp paired with a tangy pineapple-celeriac slaw and a sweet chili dipping sauce"

Coconut shrimp is always a win, and I will always order it on a cruise!

Asian-Style Pork Bao Tacos

"Roasted pork belly in a sweet-chili sauce topped with sautéed vegetables and pork crackling in a soft, steamed bun"

I'm always enticed by Bao, but at the end of the day I think I'm just not crazy about the texture of the steamed buns - on or off a cruise ship.

Garlic-Herb Buttered Tiger Shrimp

"Broiled until golden brown, served with jasmine rice, sautéed seasonal vegetables, and a garlicky herb butter"

Shrimp appetizer, Shrimp main ... as long as you're not allergic this is a win!

Jerk-Seasoned Pork Chop

"Tender marinated pork chop with rice and beans, sweet plantains and Jamaican fried dumplings"

Can we all just look back to the shrimp meal and then this one and agree that this is a massive amount of food!

Being Cuban-American, my eyes light up when I see plantains on a menu and of course I love rice and beans. We honeymooned in Jamaica where I had my first bites of jerk seasoned foods so how could I not order this dish?

Despite all that connection, in retrospect I liked the garlic herb buttered tiger shrimp better - who knew?!

Pineapple Sunshine Cake

"Light and fluffy pineapple cake with a sweet whipped cream frosting"

More Symphony of the Seas Cruise Food Pics and Reviews:

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One Day In Aruba on a Cruise - Royal Caribbean Cruise Blog

2/28/2025

Day 4 of our Southern Caribbean Cruise was a port day in lovely Aruba.

We did not plan an excursion in advance and decided to DIY a low key day on the island and revisited a yummy foodie spot.

Free Shuttle from Aruba Cruise Port

After waking up to this gorgeous water view from our Oceanview cabin (room tour with photos and review here), we were eager to start our day on Aruba.

Conveniently, after exiting the ship's gangway there were shuttle buses waiting to take cruise ship passengers to the main gate.

The shuttle buses were free (hooray!) and had comical names like "Honey Boy" and "Lady Blue".

They were clearly marked with the name of our ship, Symphony of the Seas.

Aruba Cruise Port

For those with limited mobility, there is plenty of shopping to do in the main port area.

If you're able to walk a bit more you can check out the "local market".

At the main intersection walk left, and you'll see the sign for the local market right across from the I ❤︎‬ Aruba sign.

Souvenirs in Aruba Cruise Port

There are plenty of classic t shirts, ball caps, and magnets available to purchase in port (pics to come), but there are also some more unique items from local artisans to consider!

The colorful boho sandals were calling my name, but I restrained because I was afraid they were too flat for my feet. :(

Knock Off Ray Ban Sunglasses in Aruba Cruise Port

I got a kick out of this sunglasses display which announces that all of the $25 sunglasses are fake items. lol.
But hey if you want some D&G, Chanel, or Ray Bans ....

Cute paintings and decorative signs for your home.

Cost of Souvenir Hats in Aruba

Loads of souvenir hats and visors were available. As seen below the prices at this shop ranged from $5-8.

The Paddock

The Paddock is located in walking distance from the port in Oranjestad, Aruba.

A popular spot due to it's convenient location and vibe, a bucket of 5 local beers would set you back just $20 and a meal consisting of French bread, chicken salad, and fries ran $10.

If you want to leave your mark you can leave a $1 bill on the wall and sign your name and where you're from.
I do believe this was also a spot where you could catch wifi in Aruba cruise port.

Walking Around Oranjestad

Beyond the ornate, colorful buildings when you first enter the town, we strolled beyond the main strip of stores and toward the far end of the marina.

A pair of giant flamingos nuzzling stood between the yachts and the cruise ships in the distance. It looks like Carnival was also in port with us on this day.

This was just at the edge of the Renaissance Marketplace in the Aruba cruise port where we found a really cool store.

Mopa Mopa Aruba

This store was filled with unique and intricately decorated home decor.

Have you heard of the Mopa Mopa Tree?

Much to my surprise, these items are not painted. Rather they are decorated using a centuries old technique of extracting resin from the Mopa Mopa Tree.

Inside the store you could ask an associate and read other information to learn about this unique art form. They do accept all major credit cards, so if you don't have enough cash on you for one of these treasures, don't worry.

I think this is a very cool store to walk around and learn about this unique craft even if you're not in the market for a piece.

Murals by Armando Goedgedrag

Absolutely incredible art murals can be seen on the sides of buildings in the Renaissance Marketplace which have been painted by the very talented Armando Goedgedrag.

It's very cool to see support for local artists like this and it really adds to the vibrance of Oranjestad, don't you agree?!

Wilhelmina Park, Oranjestad

Wilhelmina Park in Oranjestad is a well-manicured park with a nice walkway stroll through.

Here in this park you will see a statue of Anne Frank.

As well as Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands whom the park is named after. She reigned from 1890 until her abdication in 1948.

Queen Wilhelmina was the longest raining monarch in Dutch history. Apparently she was also the world's first female billionaire.

Her park is also full of iguanas!! It's hard to tell from the photo, but they are quite large!

Mangroves and Beaches

There is a wooden boardwalk from Governors Bay Beach in Oranjestad which allows you to enjoy views of Banyan Trees.

These cool trees have aerial roots that grow into accessory trunks. Over time a Banyan tree can cover several acres - isn't that insane?!

It was hard to pass up an opportunity to walk down through this banyan tree and onto a beach via this sort of secret path.

The beach area here was quite narrow, but felt private. There was no one in sight although it was not that far from the main Governor's Beach area.

When traveling, very often you are rewarded when you're willing to take just a few extra steps.

Continuing on toward Surfside Beach, we passed some more incredible trees like this Acacia tree.

And I found it fascinating how this tree looked like it was currently caught in a violent windstorm although the weather was calm. :)

We finally made it to Surfside Beach!

There were just a few families there. With plenty of trees to catch some shade from or sit on, I really enjoyed this beach!

By the way, all beaches in Aruba are free. :)

The Pastechi House

There was one last stop we wanted to make before heading back to our cruise ship after this day in Oranjestad.

That stop was The Pastechi House.

We visited The Pastechi House on an ABC islands cruise back in 2017 or around there and were thrilled to see it survived through the pandemic, though it was a struggle the owner shared.

Pastechi House Menu with Prices

Pastechi is an ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) version of an empanada and they are tasty!!

We also nabbed ourselves a fresh orange juice which was a tad bit more expensive than in Portugal.

Just outside The Pastechi House was this spectacular rooster ...

Even more exciting was the exotic black, white, and orange bird in this palm tree! It appears to be a Venezuelan Troupial!

Downtown Oranjestad

It was time to make our way back through downtown Oranjestad and to the cruise ship terminal, past the blue horse ...

Beyond all the cute buildings ...

Took one last look at the cutest souvenirs for anyone who loves a cultural touch!

Probably should have gotten a Where's my Pastechi at!? mug.

It was a cool honor system sort of set up where when the artist wasn't there in person (like the day we were there), you could snap a picture of what you wanted to by, message her on whatsapp and then send the payment to her!

I Heart Aruba Sign

Don't forget, you can't leave the island without snapping a pic of the I ‪‪❤︎‬ Aruba sign, can you?

We got back on board Symphony of the Seas and headed to our room to get ready for dinner - Caribbean Night!

We returned to a cute little towel animal welcoming us back and I put on the closest thing to a "Caribbean" themed outfit as I had for dinner in the main dining room.

Outfit: Quince European Linen Long Sleeve Shirt, Etsy Skirt, Nisolo Bag, Melrie Jewelry

A Taste of the Caribbean Menu

After a lovely day exploring Aruba, we were ready for dinner in the main dining room onboard Symphony of the Seas. Tap the menu to see what we ordered!

A Taste of the Caribbean Menu

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Utopia of the Seas Photo Review

2/27/2025

Book a Utopia of the Seas Cruise Today!

Utopia of the Seas "The World's Biggest Weekend" Review in Photos

Utopia of the Seas began sailing in July 2024 as the sixth Oasis Class Ship in the Royal Caribbean Fleet and my lovely friend Evelyn enjoyed sailing during Utopia's inaugural season along with her husband and daughter in a 1D Ocean View Balcony 11658.

Please enjoy the photos she has graciously shared!

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas

From elaborate displays as seen above and monkey scavenger hunts to unique art displays throughout the ship, Utopia of the Seas is a fun-filled short cruise vacation for anyone who wants to get away but doesn't have loads of time off.

Boardwalk Neighborhood on Utopia of the Seas

An iconic feature of all Oasis Class ships is the carousel on the boardwalk. The carousel is free to ride as many times as you'd like and makes for a great photo with the ship name in the background and the mirrored purple Ultimate Abyss slides.

Carousel onboard Utopia of the Seas cruise ship

If you spend some time in the Boardwalk neighborhood, you may find one of the jewel eyed monkeys!

Jewel Eyed Monkey Scavenger Hunt on Utopia of the Seas

-> Boardwalk Balcony Stateroom Review <-

Central Park NEIGHBORHOOD ON UTOPIA OF THE SEAS

Central Park is a relaxing area of Oasis Class ships that allows you to feel as if you're strolling through New York City's famous public park in Manhattan.

You are welcomed to the neighborhood with a map to orient yourself.

Central Park on Utopia of the Seas

Nestled between over 20,000 tropical plants (on a cruise ship!!) you will find unique art pieces like this elephant ...

Elephant Statue and Tropical Snake Plants in Central Park Utopia of the Seas

or this glorious metallic bonsai tree statue!

Bonsai Tree Statue in Central Park on Utopia of the Seas

All the plants you see, including this multi-story green wall, are live plants which is pretty neat when you think about the fact that you're in the middle of the ocean surrounded by a mini botanical garden!

Living Wall on Utopia of the Seas

In Central Park you can visit some specialty dining restaurants, do some shopping, enjoy live music with a cocktail, or take a romantic stroll through the park!

Central Park at Night on Utopia of the Seas

Royal Promenade ON UTOPIA OF THE SEAS

The Royal Promenade is a lively hub on Utopia of the Seas. Live music, parades, balloon drops, and late night pizza slices await you!

Royal Promenade on Utopia of the Seas

Large and unique art installations like these giant seashells are placed all around the ship for you to discover, admire, or shrug at.

Sea shell art installation on Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas Art

If you're trying not to bring back a kilo or two as a cruise souvenir, one of the best things you can do is take the stairs. You'll be rewarded with unique wall art on every floor!

Tropical Fruit Wall Art on Utopia of the Seas

For any who enjoy going to art museums, you basically have a mini art museum onboard the ship! Besides that actual art gallery you can combine exercise and art appreciation as you go up (or more likely down) stairs all around the ship.

Floral Wall Art on Utopia of the Seas

There is no one singular style, but something different for every taste - surprise waiting around every corner!

Tropical Island Vibes Wall Art on Utopia of the Seas

Have you ever made it a point to check out the artwork at the landing of each staircase on a cruise ship?

Utopia of the Seas Pool Deck

After doing a few flights of stairs you're probably ready for a dip in the pool or maybe a nice cold beverage from Lime and Coconut pool bar.

View of Utopia of the Seas Pool Deck + Lime and Coconut Bar

If you want a quieter pool experience, try the adults-only solarium.

Solarium on Utopia of the Seas

Ultimate Abyss Dry Slide

When you're done relaxing and want a quick thrill, grab a mat and slide from the deck 16 down to the Boardwalk on deck 6 with the Ultimate Abyss dry slide.

Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas

The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas is 259 feet long, 43 feet longer than previous versions, making this the biggest thrill yet!

Manta Rays on Utopia of the Seas

Even the elevators on Utopia of the Seas are entertaining as you catch glimpses of five colorful suspended manta ray sculptures in the elevator shafts.

Artlink's Manta Ray Installation on Utopia of the Seas

Learn about how Artlink created this 14 story art installation in this behind the scenes article.

Crown & Anchor Society

Crown and Anchor Society is Royal Caribbean's loyalty program, but even if it's your first RC cruise you can relax on this super cute boat couch! :)

Crown and Anchor Society on Utopia of the Seas

Can you find the wine window?

Next time you're on Utopia of the Seas see if you can find this wine window. :)

Wine Window on Utopia of the Seas

Pesky Parrot Bar Utopia of the Seas

Pesky Parrot is a Polynesian themed Bar on Utopia of the Seas with edible candy straws!

Pesky Parrot Tiki Bar on Utopia of the Seas

The Pesky Parrot actually replaced the Bionic Bar found on other Oasis Class ships.

Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Bahamas

Utopia of the Seas sailings are visiting the awesome Perfect Day at Coco Cay private island on Bahamas.

Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

There's a lot to discover on this private island for Royal Caribbean (and Celebrity) guests, so plan to come back on a future cruise.

Sand Sculpture on Perfect Day Coco Cay Private Island

Liberty of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas side by side at Perfect Day at Coco Cay cruise port in Bahamas.

Utopia of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas dock side-by-side at Perfect Day, Bahamas

Utopia of the Seas Review

I asked Evelyn what she thought of her Utopia of the Seas family cruise and here's what she said:

Client Review of Utopia of the Seas

Enough said.. :) The AquaTheater is pretty cool!

Until Next Time, Utopia!

Utopia of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's newest ships and is geared toward awesome short getaways out of Port Canaveral, Florida aka Orlando cruise port.

Nothing beats a sunrise or a sunset from a cruise ship

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Symphony of the Seas Cruise Blog

9/17/2024

Day 3 of our Southern Caribbean Cruise was another relaxing sea day. We took the opportunity to meet up with family for breakfast in the main dining room.

Sea Day View From Oceanview Cabin on Symphony of the Seas

In this post:

Breakfast in the main dining room

These photos of breakfast in the main dining room on Symphony of the Seas show just a sample of what you can order off the menu for breakfast on your cruise.

All the classics are available: bacon, sausage, hash browns, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict, pancakes, and French toast.

Because you're on a cruise... you can also order dessert like this layered carrot cake with walnut topping after breakfast if you want. :p

Cruise Food Blog:

PArk Cafe

Park Cafe is a free dining option in the Central Park neighborhood aboard Symphony of the Seas. It's meant to be a casual deli where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or grab an afternoon snack.

There is a case where you can just grab a ready-made sandwich and a piece of fruit which is very convenient.

The Park Cafe Menu serves up soups and sandwiches, including the "legendary" Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich and the occasional Cuban Sandwich.

You'll also find sweet treats like this Matcha Cream Puff, Raspberry Pound Cake, and Mudslide Cookies.

You can dine in or do what we did - take your treats and Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich outside to enjoy in Central Park.

Greece Travel Blog.

Chops Grille Menu

Chops Grille is a Classic American Steakhouse specialty dining restaurant on Symphony of the Seas.
Check out the menu as seen in Central Park:

Chops Grille Menu

The Bionic Bar

The Bionic Bar on Symphony of the Seas is located on deck 5.

Here you can have your cocktails made by robots. Drinks are not free at the bionic bar. You pay, as you would in any bar, using your Sea Pass Card. If you have a beverage package, drinks are included up to the specified value.

Bionic Bar on Symphony of the Seas

The rising tide Bar

The Rising Tide Bar is a moving bar at sea which slowly ascends and descends over 3 decks on Symphony of the Seas. In the photo below we are looking up at the bottom of the floating bar.

The departure times are listed at the entrances on Deck 8 and Deck 5. Like the Bionic Bar, this is a novel bar concept that you should try at least once just for the fun of it.

Rising Tide Bar on Symphony of the Seas

Portugal Travel Blog.

REgalia Watches

If you're looking for a luxury timepiece onboard Symphony, or maybe just window shopping, Regalia Watches is onboard. They also hosted a Watch and Scotch event on our cruise.

Regalia Watches

Watch & Scotch Event

The Watch and Scotch event featured Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky: Island Green, Gold Label Reserve, Black Label, and Red Label.

Johnnie Walker Scotch Tasting

At the event you can enjoy a complimentary tasting and this is one of the opportunities for those with a tighter budget to get free drinks on a cruise!

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve.

Johnnie Walker Island Green

I really enjoyed the complexity that the smokiness brought to Johnnie Walker's Island Green Blended Malt Whisky.

Port Everglades Cruise Port

Free Mini Golf on Symphony of the seas Cruise Ship

The mini golf course is located on deck 15 and it is quite cute with its very vacation-y theme.

It is a lot of fun and can be a tad challenging depending on the winds at sea, but it is possible to get a hole-in-one! ;)

Few things will work up your appetite like cruise ship mini golf.. :)

A taste of italy menu - Main dining room

A Taste of Italy - Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu

Crispy Parmesan Arancini.

Arborio rice, portobello mushroom and provolone cheese rolled in panko and fried until golden, served with romesco sauce.

Golden Polenta Fries.

Crispy baked corn polenta served with a chilled creamy hazelnut-red pepper spread.

Lasagne al forno.

Layers of pasta, mozzarella, béchamel and hearty beef ragout drizzled with fragrant herb oil.

Tiramisu.

Layers of whipped mascarpone cheese, delicate ladyfingers, espresso and a hint of coffee liqueur.

Making our way from the Main Dining Room to the Aqua Theater for the evening showing of Hiro, we passed Johnny Rockets on the Boardwalk.

Italy Travel Blog.

Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is a retro American dinner where you can grab diner classics like burgers, fries, and milkshakes not to mention a special performance if you time it just right. ;)

Johnny Rockets Menu on Symphony of the seas.

Johnny Rockets is a casual dining option on Royal Caribbean Cruises. You do have to pay a surcharge to eat at Johnny Rockets, but on Symphony of the Seas breakfast is free!

Tap a Johnny Rockets cruise ship menu below to enlarge it!

If you are "Loyal to Royal" and have sailed with Royal Caribbean before you will also have a discount on Johny Rocket's Milkshakes loaded onto your account.

Just let the waiter know when you order one that you want to use your 50% off milkshake coupon.

Hiro aquatheater show

Hiro was the AquaTheater show on Symphony of the Seas and this fuzzy night time pic is all I got to prove I was there. :p

It's amazing to see the use of the dive pool and acrobatics in a choreographed show like this.

Royal likes to brag on their entertainment, but I can see why after our most recent cruise.

Hiro AquaTheater Show

Royal Caribbean Cruise deals:

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Sea day on Symphony of the seas | Royal Caribbean Cruise Blog

9/16/2024

A day at sea on a cruise ship is a welcome reprieve from the bustle of daily life and the potentially hectic nature of embarkation day.

Here's how we spent our first sea day on Symphony of the Seas.

View from Oceanview Stateroom 3198

In this post:

Late breakfast in the main dining room

Like sleeping in? No problem! On a sea day you can enjoy a leisurely late breakfast in the main dining room if you'd like. Rather than the busy buffet, you can order off a menu and have the full traditional dining experience in main dining room.

Fresh fruit.

You can pretty much always order a fresh fruit plate at any meal, even if you don't see it on the menu. ;) The fruit varieties will vary based on what is available, but we started off colorfully here with a lovely mix of pineapple, cantaloupe, red grapes, strawberries and kiwi!

Cinnamon Swirl Danish.

Much like the bread basket served at dinner in the main dining room, at breakfast time there are offerings of a variety of danishes and breakfast pastries. Our personal favorite was this cinnamon swirl danish. It's almost a puff pastry cinnamon roll. Ask for it specifically if you don't see it! ;)

Portugal Travel tip: There is a similar pastry in Portugal that we sometimes see in the bakery section of the grocery store called Continente. If you see it, give it a try!

Symphony of the Seas ReviewS:

French toast.

Two slices of thick-cut brioche dipped in Royal Caribbean's signature batter and cooked until golden brown. Served with berries, whipped cream, and maple syrup. You can also add sides like bacon, sausage, sautéed mushrooms, cheddar cheese grits, hash brown potatoes, corned beef hash, or a fruit cup to your breakfast order!

Brunch on symphony

We were able to order more breakfast-y foods (as mentioned above) and more lunch-y foods, so Royal Caribbean really offers a nice, free brunch in their main dining room. This is great if some in your party like to eat "real food" (like a steak, lol) while others want pancakes and French toast.

Iceberg wedge salad.

Chilled iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, crispy bacon and chives drizzled with blue cheese dressing.

Steak frites.

Grilled sirloin topped with creamy béarnaise sauce and served with crispy truffle fries.
Alert! This was one of the best things I ate on Symphony of the Seas!

We'll always laugh about the moment when the waiter brought a second steak to our table because someone ordered the dish thinking they were ordering "steak FRIES". Whoops! :)

coconut cake with raspberry sauce.

Despite being recommended by waiters on Royal Caribbean and Princess, I have yet to have a coconut cake with raspberry sauce on a cruise that was noteworthy.

Cruise Ports:

Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port:

Boardwalk Neighborhood on Symphony of the Seas

Day two on a cruise is a continuation of the exploration that began on embarkation day. Let's check out the Boardwalk Neighborhood - an iconic feature of Oasis Class Ships.

Boardwalk Dog House

The Boardwalk Dog House is a free dining option on Symphony of the Seas which specializes in, you guessed it, crafted hot dogs!

Boardwalk Dog House, Deck 6 on Symphony of the Seas

Boardwalk Dog House sample Menu.

At the Dog House you can order things like:

Coney Island Dog (all-beef)
The Big Apple (chicken and apple)
German (Thuringer old world style Pork dog)
The Smoke House (smoked bratwurst)

You can add toppings like sautéed mixed peppers, sautéed onions, and sauerkraut along with classic condiments - ketchup, mustard, and relish.

Consider adding a side of Potato Salad or Cole slaw to round it out.

Which ships have Dog House?

Find Dog House on the following ships:

Boardwalk Dog House Menu Sample

Cruise Food Blog:

Cruise Food Blog:

Arcade & Sugar beach sweet shop

As you stroll down the Boardwalk on deck 6 of Symphony, you'll find arcade games and Sugar Beach.
What is Sugar Beach?

Sugar Beach is the name of the sweet shop on Symphony of the Seas. You have to pay extra to play the arcade games or indulge in the rainbow walls of candy at Sugar Beach. These activities are not included in your cruise fare.

Boardwalk Carousel

On the other hand, the carousel (aka merry-go-round) on Symphony of the Seas is totally free and fun for all ages!

It's pretty cool there is a merry-go-round on a cruise ship.

The horses are hand carved and as you enter the Boardwalk Neighborhood you will see a series of carousel horses in varying stages of completion leading up to the merry-go-round.

Love seeing a bit of the creative process behind this classic amusement park ride.

Symphony of the Seas Boardwalk Carousel

what is a boardwalk balcony?

There is a unique and controversial balcony type on some of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships called a "Boardwalk Balcony". These balcony cabins are not on the exterior of the ship, facing the ocean. Instead, they actually face inside the ship and overlook the Boardwalk Neighborhood.

The balconies you see in the picture above are the boardwalk balconies. A Boardwalk Balcony Stateroom Cabin Review is on the horizon, so stay tuned. ;)

Can you see the ocean from a boardwalk balcony?

Some Boardwalk Balcony rooms do have a view of the ocean from their balcony. Real Pictures of the views from cabins 10272 and 12329 are coming soon to help you pick the best boardwalk balcony room for your cruise!

Royal Caribbean Cruise Blogs:

Aqua Theater on symphony

The aqua theater is found at the aft of the ship (back) and is a unique feature of Royal Caribbean's Entertainment. Shows in the aqua theater are full of impressive feats including high dives and acrobatics.

Symphony of the Seas Tip: If you sit in the front rows of the aqua theater, beware as you will likely get splashed. :)

View of AquaTheater and Ultimate Abyss on Symphony of the Seas

If you have stacks of cash, consider booking an AquaTheater Suite. In your spacious suite with wrap around balcony, you can enjoy rear ocean views and never fight for a seat at the aqua shows!

• Request an Aqua Theater Quote Royal Caribbean Booking Agent •

In this panoramic picture you can see the rear ocean views, the Aqua Theater & Suites, the large screens (which, by the way, sometimes play sporting events) as well as the two rock climbing walls and the Ultimate Abyss Slide.

Ocean Views behind Aqua Theater on Symphony Cruise Ship

The Ultimate AByss

The Ultimate Abyss is a giant dry slide (as in a normal slide, not a water slide) which drops 10 stories! It's faster than the elevators ;)

You get in a special mat to go down the slide which helps ensure a smooth sliding experience. It's really fun and I recommend doing it at least once for street-cred, if you know what I mean. :p

10-story Slide at Sea and Rock Climbing Wall on Symphony of the Seas

The Ultimate Abyss slide is free. The rock climbing walls are also a free activity on Symphony of the Seas!

Packing Tip: Pack lace up tennis shoes/trainers if you want to participate in the rock wall or zip line. Shoes must have laces in order to participate. If you have slide on sneakers you won't be permitted. It's for the safety of those below - no one wants to get hit by your shoe if it somehow slipped off.

secret loungers on symphony

If you climb the stairs near the rock climbing walls in the Boardwalk Neighborhood, you have a chance of finding a secluded little area with just a few chairs to relax in and watch the clouds roll by.

A nook to relax in peace :)

All this exploring of the Boardwalk on deck 6 worked up an appetite and we hadn't yet visited the pizzeria onboard so we popped down to deck 5 to remedy that!

For Pizza Lovers:

Pizza Blog:

Sorrento's Pizzeria

You will not need a dining package to eat at Sorrento's as it is not a specialty dining restaurant. Sorrento's Pizzeria is a free restaurant on Symphony of the Seas!

Sorrento's Pizza on Symphony of the Seas

Sorrento's Pizzeria is casual, free cruise ship pizza. Is it the best pizza at sea? We can't say because we haven't tried them all.. yet ;) But is it a solid pizza? For sure. When you want a quick slice, Sorrento's is the spot. They are also the free food venue that is pretty much always open, so if you wake up at 2am and somehow you are hungry, you can count on Sorrento's.

Once the buffet (The Wind Jammer) is closed, Sorrento's is a reliable place to hydrate as they have a water station set up. Of course you can also ask for water at any bar as well.

Sorrento's pizza royal caribbean photo review

Sorrento's pizza offers a solid, thin crust pizza on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships. The menu for Sorrento's changes daily but you can pretty much always get a classic cheese or pepperoni pizza, as well as a vegetarian option and gluten free pizzas on request!

If you so desire you can add a sprinkle of oregano and red pepper. You can dine in at Sorrento's and be part of the Royal Promenade atmosphere, or take your slices somewhere with a view, like we did. :)

Free zipline on symphony of the seas

Can you see yourself in this picture? On the right side, just about to land after finishing this zipline on a cruise ship!? You can do it and it's totally free! Just remember to pack your lace-up shoes.

I love this vantage point from the pool deck (deck 15) looking toward the back of the ship and down on part of the Boardwalk Neighborhood.

A Zip-Liner flies across deck 15 of Symphony of the Seas

Above you see the 8 or so decks worth of Boardwalk Balcony Rooms. Notice the view of the ocean at the back of the ship and the way these balcony rooms get some fresh air and natural light even though they are facing the inside of the ship.

The Ultimate Abyss' purple slides end on the Boardwalk (deck 6) and right at the Johnny Rockets restaurant in case you want a milkshake. :)

Mini Golf on Symphony of the seas

On the other end of deck 15 is a Mini Golf course which is also free, of course! We came back another day to play a round, but as you can see it's very cute with lots of little themed elements for taking classic family vacation mini golf pics.

Symphony of the Seas Mini Golf Course is Free!

Flow Rider & Ultimate Abyss

It was about time to get ready for dinner, but we decided to just run up to deck 16 real quick to see where the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss slide was and get the low-down on the flow rider.

Enter the Ultimate Abyss and drop 10 stories in the middle of the ocean, if you dare!

Would you climb in the mouth of this giant angler fish and slide down 10 stories?!

FlowRider Instructions and Warnings

The flow rider is a surf simulator that you can enjoy for free on Symphony of the Seas. Unlike some other Royal Caribbeans which have just one flowrider, Symphony actually has two. This is great because those who are ready to truly surf can enjoy dedicated time while others who are new or just want to bodyboard can have a blast on the other.

FlowRider Instructions and Warnings

In addition to these boards, you do have to do a short training and sign a waiver to use the flow rider. You will be given a wristband which indicates you have completed these steps and if you are qualified for bodyboarding only or for flow-boarding (stand up like surfing)

Dinner in the main dining room

Crispy Buttermilk Calamari.

Golden fried squid rings served with a fresh fennel salad and chipotle-lime aioli.

Also shown is another shot of the cheesy dinner roll, but mainly because this Echte Boter (butter) was so delicious! Since cruise ships are sailing all over the world and sourcing food in each port, you do get to try some unique varieties of ordinary things - butter included!

Seafood Linguine.

Al dente ribbon pasta tossed with a Chardonnay cream sauce, sautéed bay scallops, shrimp, and mussels.

Seafood Linguine in the Main Dining Room

Roasted Beef Tenderloin.

Roasted and carved with creamy mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a rich peppercorn sauce.

Roast Beef Tenderloin in the Main Dining Room

Creme Brulee.

Smooth, rich vanilla custard topped with a crackly caramelized sugar topping. A Royal classic.

Creme Brûlée Dessert

Capuccino Chocolate Cake.

Rich chocolate sponge cake layered with chocolate ganache, topped with a whipped coffee and sweet cream foam dusted with Dutch cocoa. No sugar added dessert.

Cappuccino Chocolate Cake

Individual Mini Salad Cups

Just loved the presentation of these little salad cups in the Wind Jammer Buffet. Great idea for dinner party salad appetizers inspired by travel.

Mini Salad Cups

This brings us to the end of our Sea Day on Symphony. We actually have another sea day ahead before stopping in beautiful Aruba.

Inspired BY Travel:

Inspired by Travel: Making Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts

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Embarkation Day on Symphony of the seas | Royal Caribbean Cruise Blog

9/10/2024

It's embarkation day for a Southern Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas!

All Aboard Symphony of the Seas!

In this post

Embarkation at Port Everglades

Our 8 night Southern Caribbean Cruise departed from Port Everglades, the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We arrived 2 nights in advance (free flights - thanks to Chase Ultimate Rewards Points!) and stayed at a nearby cruise port hotel. Uber (actually Lyft) from our hotel to the port only cost $4.17 thanks to a Lyft discount I had.

How long did embarkation take? Not long at all! We were in the terminal at 11:43 and by 12:04 we were onboard!

That Embarkation Day Buzz

Fort Lauderdale blogs:

Exploring Symphony of the seas

Your first time onboard a new cruise ship is so much fun - there is so much to explore! You probably spent months researching and learning about every nook and cranny of the ship (okay, a certain bunch of people do this... I'm assuming you're part of the club since you're here? ☺)

Today is the day to see if you can remember literally anything from all your research. haha!

Symphony of the Seas Pool

Embarkation Day Tip: Lifeguards are posted so have your swimwear handy and you can enjoy the pool during one of the few times that it will totally empty! ;)

Central Park Neighborhood

Above you can see a view of the Central Park Neighborhood - yes, those are real trees! Symphony of the Seas also has 3 water slides and multiple pools including a saltwater pool.

El Loco Fresh Mexican Restaurant on Symphony of the Seas

El Loco Fresh is the popular Mexican casual dining restaurant on Symphony of the Seas where you can get things like grab and go tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Be sure to load them up with fresh pico de Gallo, salsa, and guacamole! You can also find fresh fruit cups here.

View of Celebrity Apex in Port Everglades from onboard Symphony of the Seas

Celebrity Apex was also in port in Fort Lauderdale!

Embarkation day lunch

We traveled in a group of 8 relatives for this cruise and only 2 people in the group knew we were coming. It was a really fun surprise seeing the reactions of aunts and uncles. We met up in the Solarium Bistro and snagged a large round table for lunch. This smaller buffet area was a nice spot to meet and I was soaking in the novelty that I only managed to get 2 pics of my lunch.

I have to say the Indian food was excellent and I also thoroughly enjoyed this little carrot cake dessert cup! It would make a perfect individual dessert idea for a dinner party and someday I hope to replicate it for Home Cooking Inspired By Travel.

Oceanview Cabin Photos

Around 2pm we had finished eating and were ready to check out our cabin. It was our first time in an ocean view stateroom. You can see all our cabin 3198 photos here:

Dinner in the main dining room

We had traditional dining on Royal Caribbean which means we had a table reserved for our group every night at the same time. Our early dining time was 5:30 PM. Of course we could also dine at another time by walking in and waiting for a table, eating at the buffet or other casual dining venue, or eating at a specialty restaurant.

Embarkation day Welcome Aboard menu

Welcome Aboard Dinner Menu on Symphony of the Seas

Different than our experience on Sun Princess, on Symphony you ordered your meal and dessert at the same time.

What we ordered.

Caesar Salad.

A classic caesar salad is a cruise dinner must.. if you're into that sort of thing. :) Every night your table will be presented with a basket of bread/rolls. The one shown below seemed like an asiago cheese roll and was delicious. You may need to ask for more of these if you like them because each basket will probably only have one of them.

crab cake.

Crispy crab cake fried until golden brown with creamy Old Bay sauce and a tomato-cucumber salad.

Pan Roasted Fish Fillet.

Flaky white fish over sweet peppers, snow peas, corn, creamy potato leek gratin and a saffron butter sauce.

Southern Fried Chicken.

Seasoned, crispy chicken with Tabasco hot honey, buttery mashed potatoes, sweet corn on the cob.

Dessert

Dark Chocolate Custard.

Silky custard infused with rich cocoa, finished with a fresh tart raspberry.

Key Lime Pie.

Silky key lime custard baked in a brown butter graham cracker crust topped with whipped cream.

Cruise Food Blog:

royal theater: Dare to Dream

After dinner we went straight to The Royal Theater to watch our first production of the cruise - Flight Dare to Dream.

Flight! Dare to Dream

Royal Caribbean Cruise Tip: Reserve your entertainment on the Royal Caribbean App so you can get the best seats.