Royal caribbean: Symphony of the seas ~ February 2023
SHIP/PORTS: Royal Caribbean – Symphony of the Seas – February 2023
Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Coco Cay, Bahamas
STATEROOM CABIN TYPE: We stayed in the 4 Bedroom Villa Suite which is a STAR CLASS SUITE. This room is amazing and the perfect fit for multi-generational families that like to travel well, and together. It is also a great room for 4 couples or two families. There are multiple options since it accommodates up to 14 guests and can offer great value, but only two exist (Harmony and Symphony both have one each). The suite has two master bedrooms with king size beds and an en suite bathroom. The two interior rooms within the suite only differ in that one has an en suite bath and the other does not (bathroom in foyer/hall). They both have 4 twin beds, 2 of which are pullman beds and the other two can be converted to a king or keep as two twins. The 13 and 14 guests would sleep on the sofa bed in the main living area with access to a full bathroom in the foyer and full size closest and drawers accessible. One of the best things about this room is the large, long balcony that has a 14 -person dining table, a bar, two seating areas and a jacuzzi tub.
EMBARKATION/DISEMBARKATION PROCESS: Since we were in a STAR CLASS SUITE, we had no issues getting our bags tagged by a STAR CLASS Porter, going through security with our bags (porter took the large suitcases this time instead of walking them alongside us; logistical issue), enjoying the suite lounge until our Genie arrived to escort us onboard. We did wait about 30 minutes or so until the porter arrived, but only because we arrived a little early. The suite lounge in the Miami Cruise Port Terminal is upstairs, very comfortable and has separate restrooms and seating area, as well as some complimentary snacks and beverages. This time our check in process was so fast and easy since we checked in via the app prior to arrival. They scanned our passports and that was it. Easy, breezy and before we knew it our Genie walked us onboard as the very first guests for the cruise. Still get teary-eyed with excitement and gratitude every time. We are blessed to be able to travel and share these experiences with our kids and extended families and friends.
DINING/FOOD OPTIONS: OUTSTANDING!! Specialty Dining is an included perk for guests in STAR CLASS SUITES and so you are able to try so many great options for dining and even trying new foods you’ve wanted to try. We thought all of them were outstanding and all had an ambiance or food item that we craved and wanted again like previous cruises. A new venue that we had not tried was “Hooked” which is mainly a seafood restaurant. The kids all had lobster and they still talk about it. Our server was so sweet and went to each kid individually to assist them and teach them how to crack them open and take the meat out. The seafood tower of shrimp and mussels were high quality, fresh and delicious. We also enjoyed the bread and sides that accompanied our entrees. “Jamie’s Italian” was another favorite for its mouthwatering Italian cuisine and its upscale but casual atmosphere. The appetizers and desserts were fantastic again and the fresh made pasta was so yummy. “150 Central Park” is the place for that “formal night” vibe. The impeccable service and divine food to the peacefulness of the dining room made this a memorable, upscale night for the family. A must for any special occasion! “Chops Grille” is always a favorite amongst us Loyal to Royal, but we felt it was hit or miss when it came to the service and food. We had Chops twice, once in the restaurant and once for in suite dining and both had wrong orders/items. We were a party of 13 but another hit or miss for us on this cruise. “Izumi” had great sushi and hibachi. The whole family had a memorable time and left more than satisfied and full. The flavors were great and what it lacked in “fire” for the show, the Hibachi Chefs made up for it with other fun guest interactions, a little comedy and food fun or should I say, throwing. “Wonderland” we only tried for dessert as many of its options were not kid-friendly (for our kids) and all though we thought the notion of Wonderland was so fun and whimsical, we didn’t care for the food options. The food presentations are out of this world, but it takes a real foody or a curious palette to fully enjoy all that Wonderland has to offer. “Costal Kitchen” is a Suites-only dining option and our favorite for breakfast. The food and service were always top-notch. We would’ve loved to have dined more in the evening or at lunch but there are never enough days.
“El Loco Fresh” is a complimentary dining option on the pool deck and was so yummy, especially after a long morning walking around in the port or on an excursion or just out in the sun and pools. Something about authentic Mexican food, a great salsa bar, a Coca-Cola or Margarita and the ocean, it just feels like vacation. Don’t forget to get the complimentary soft serve ice cream nearby. “Park Café” we didn’t have a chance to dine there this cruise but they are very well known for the “Kummelweck Sandwich” which is a sandwich with slices of slow-roasted beef flavored with secret seasoning. It’s legit! They also have great paninis, sandwiches and other sides to easily grab and go.
We didn’t get a chance to try Café Promenade, Solarium Bistro or the Dog House this time either but did get some Sorrento’s pizza and a smoothie at the Vitality Spa Café. The pizza is average. Not the best I’ve ever had, but definitely not the worst. The smoothie was underwhelming too but sufficed. We did have a couple quick bites in the buffet at the Windjammer. Everyone seemed to find something they liked. It’s a typical buffet with many different options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as international cuisine offerings. Don’t miss the dessert bar and ice cream sundaes either! Overall, the food was excellent on the ship. The complimentary options, as well as the main dining room food, is more than adequate. In the main dining room, the choices are generally sufficient each night (unless someone is a very picky eater; servers are wonderful and very accommodating, so always ask if something is not on the menu that you need/want), and their service is great. The specialty dining is definitely a step above and if you have a chance to try at least one, I would recommend it!
ACTIVITIES ON BOARD: Even on a 7 night cruise, there was still so many things we didn’t have a chance to try or do. My kids’ favorites were Laser Tag, Ice Skating, and the waterslides. They tried the Flow Rider and loved it too, but it does take some skill to master it. Still fun, nonetheless. We also had the privilege to do a Bridge Tour which is always fascinating to see and interact with the Captain and crew. The kids took a ride on the Carousal every time we passed by it, as well as the Arcade. The kids also enjoyed going down The Abyss to meet us on The Boardwalk where we spent a significant amount of time. Mini golf was not as exciting for the kids this cruise. I have a hunch it was because they were all a little older and could do more things like the Flow Rider (see below) or Zip Line, otherwise my kids are suckers for mini golf. As I said earlier, even with a week-long cruise, there is so much to do and never enough time.
ENTERTAINMENT: We tried to see as many shows as possible. We all loved Hairspray and my kids sang the songs for months after we returned. It’s the best opportunity to see Broadway off Broadway and way more cost effective, especially for/with kids. The Ice-Skating show and the Aqua Theater shows are always very entertaining, especially for the kids. There is something magical about watching an incredible production performed with the ocean as a backdrop or having the chance to ice skate where the skaters performed in front of our eyes the night before. The little things that made the trip memorable for all of us. We also had fun (losing) in the Casino. Going to the Adult Comedy Show is a must, but as usual don’t sit in the front rows unless you want to be apart of the show.
KIDS CLUBS/CHILD CARE: I will say it again and again. In my opinion, Adventure Ocean and Royal Babies & Tots (not on every ship) is one of the best parts of cruising Royal Caribbean!!!! It is always nice to have break for mom and dad (or even the grandparents) and even for just a few minutes or hours. Our younger kids loved going and would sometimes skip dinners and shows to go. Fine with us! We got special time with our oldest and made special moments that way too. The staff was always kind and attentive. The activities were good enough to have them wanting to go back especially my youngest who generally doesn’t want to leave mommy. I know that each kid and situation is different. I love that there is a parent/child play area near the nursery for those that don’t want to leave mommy and daddy. There are also toys you can check out for free and take back to your stateroom to help keep them occupied and give you a little break. Additionally, the splash pad for those still in diapers (Note: not on every ship and not that big of an area) is brilliant and makes this cruise ship more compatible for all ages and stages in life. We could all use more breaks and vacations!!!
SHORE EXCURSIONS: Our first stop was in Honduras and we did a Sloth/Monkey Tour, not through Royal Caribbean as they were already sold out. So, we made sure everyone in our group joined, including the youngest, in case of any issues getting back to port on time. I would recommend this (with your passports) and doing the earliest times slots to ensure a safe and timely return back to the ship. We opted out of doing an excursion in Costa Maya because we felt that the port had plenty to do and see and also gave us an opportunity to enjoy the afternoon on a way less crowded ship. It was a good choice and a great day to chill in port. We did get off the ship for a few hours in the morning to check out the shops in port and the kids swam, for free, in the pool at the port. There are swim up bars and restaurants situated nearby that make enjoying the day in port easy, yet entertaining and relaxing. There are also Dolphin excursions to purchase that are right there at the port which also provides great sight-seeing, especially for kids. Cozumel is such a beautiful island and there is lots to do there. As much as we wanted to go see the Ancient Ruins, we knew the long drive back and forth would have been a brutally long day for everyone involved. Instead, we took taxis to a beach place called Playa Mia. The cost of the ticket (purchased ahead of time) included so many free activities for the kids on and off the beach, in and out of the water. With lockers, showers, clean bathrooms and options to purchase food and drinks made this place a no-brainer for families with all ages (or heights) of children or even for adults. Coco Cay was our final stop on our cruise before heading back to Miami. This time we got a great deal on the Thrill Water Park passes and the kids were all a little older and taller, so we tried it out. It did not disappoint, but having done with and without the pass, I don’t think it is a must. I think it should be thoughtful and age appropriate. Meaning, will your kids enjoy it and do they have enough to do with height/weight restrictions being considered and is it too much money to spend per person for a few hours or is there other things you want to do on the island too. You’ll have to decide as everyone’s situation and stage in life is different. I think we can have fun either way and changing it up from time to time, creates different and sometimes, even better memories.
OVERALL GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Overall, this trip was a success! Every single person enjoyed themselves and felt the money was very well spent for STAR CLASS suite(s). The pictures will always remind us of the good times and the memories made together will last for eternity. We truly had a blast every day and only wished we had more days to do more things! So, we ended up booking another one while on board and were so happy to find out it was an 8-night itinerary on Oasis of the Seas in the Southern Caribbean in February of 2025. So, stay tuned!