When Vika and I decided to take Josh and Emily on their very first cruise over the holidays, we had no idea what to expect from Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. After seven days sailing from Fort Lauderdale with stops in Haiti and the Caribbean, I can tell you exactly what this massive ship is like for families — the spectacular highlights and the one thing that surprised me most.
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This was our inaugural cruise experience, and honestly, I went in with some skepticism about whether a ship this size could feel personal or whether we’d spend the whole time fighting crowds. Spoiler alert: I was wrong on both counts.
First Impressions: Embarkation in Fort Lauderdale
The boarding process at Fort Lauderdale was smoother than I expected, though I have to say the waiting area itself was pretty basic. When our cab dropped us off right at the entrance, we immediately handed our bags to the porters — they took everything straight to our stateroom, which was a relief with two kids in tow.
The waiting area had comfortable seating and bathrooms, but don’t expect airport lounge-level amenities here. It’s functional, and that’s about it. The excitement really kicked in when we actually walked onto the ship. You could feel the energy immediately — everyone was wearing Santa hats (we sailed over winter break), holiday decorations were everywhere, and Josh and Emily were practically bouncing with anticipation.
Our Ocean View Balcony: Surprisingly Spacious for Four
I’ll be honest — I was nervous about fitting our family of four in what I assumed would be a tiny cruise ship cabin. But when we walked into our ocean view balcony room, I was pleasantly surprised by how well-designed the space was.
The king-size bed dominated the center of the room (we requested the beds be pushed together), and that couch transforms into a bed each night — the room attendant handles this automatically. The bathroom was actually more spacious than some of the European hotel bathrooms we’ve stayed in, with a shower that was comfortable enough for all of us to use without feeling cramped.
What I really appreciated was the storage. There’s plenty of closet space, drawers, and a safe where we kept our passports and valuables. Since we’re a family that likes to unpack and hang everything up, we made good use of the wardrobe space and slid our empty suitcases under the bed.
But the real star of our room? That balcony. When we pulled into Labadee, Haiti, we spent the morning just sitting out there with our coffee, watching the ship dock. Even if you don’t get off at every port, having that private outdoor space with spectacular views is next level.
The Sweet Suite Level
Deck 17 is exclusively for suite guests, so we only got a glimpse, but it’s worth knowing about if you’re considering an upgrade. They have the Coastal Kitchen restaurant (suite-only dining) and a dedicated suite lounge. We didn’t get to try the food since it’s restricted access, but from what we could see, the atmosphere looked much more intimate than the main dining areas.
Art Installations
This art caught me off guard with some really cool interactive installations. There are these digital screens in the hallways that respond to movement, and — Josh and Emily’s favorite — a stair piano where you can actually play music by stepping on the keys. They spent way too much time there, but honestly, it was fun to watch.
Windjammer Buffet
The main attraction on Deck 16 is the Windjammer Marketplace, the ship’s massive buffet. This became our go-to spot for breakfast and lunch, and I have to say, the variety impressed me. We’re talking fresh vegetables, an entire salad station with multiple dressing options, a huge bread station with everything from dinner rolls to specialty breads.
What I found really practical was the sandwich station — plenty of fresh cold cuts and toppings if you want to make your own. The burger and hot dog stations were grilling fresh items as people ordered, so you’re not getting something that’s been sitting under heat lamps.
The pasta section offered multiple options including gluten-free choices, plus fresh chicken and additional bread selections. They also had dedicated areas for Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. I tried dishes from every section throughout our sailing, and honestly, all the food I had was delicious.
But here’s what the kids absolutely loved — the fresh pasta station where you select your own toppings, cheese, and vegetables, and they cook it right in front of you in a pan. Josh said, “Dad, this is better than the pasta place at home,” and I couldn’t argue with him.
For desserts, they had fresh fruit, pastries, mini cakes, soufflés, and an impressive ice cream selection. Emily tried a different ice cream flavor every day — her personal mission, apparently.
The Top Sun Deck: Pool Area and Cabanas
Once you leave the Windjammer, you’re on the main sun deck, and this is where you really see the scale of this ship. Plenty of loungers, people soaking up the sun, and cabanas available for rental.
We didn’t rent a cabana on this cruise — honestly, we found plenty of space on the lower deck near the main pool area. Keep in mind, we sailed during peak winter break, and we still never felt like we couldn’t find loungers or space to relax. The same thing happened when we sailed during spring break on a different ship.
I can only imagine how much more room there is during off-peak times. We’ve been to all-inclusive resorts that felt much more crowded than this cruise during peak season. Whether it was getting on the water slides, finding spots in the hot tub, or getting the kids into activities at the kids club, we never had issues with availability.
Bars Everywhere: A Pleasant Surprise
One thing I really appreciated — and didn’t expect — was how many bars are scattered throughout the ship. Almost every deck with activities has at least one bar nearby, so if you’re in the mood for a drink, you never have to go far. It sounds like a small thing, but when you’re moving around a ship this size with kids, convenience matters.
Ultimate Abyss and Adventure Activities
This is where things get exciting for thrill-seekers. The Ultimate Abyss is this dark slide that goes from the top of the ship all the way down to the boardwalk on Deck 6. It’s pretty impressive engineering, and the kids loved it.
There’s also a zipline on this deck. I’ll be honest — I haven’t done the zipline so far. It’s on my list for next time, but I was too busy keeping track of Josh and Emily and making sure they were having a good time. Vika keeps telling me I need to just go do it.
The One Thing That Surprised Me Most
Here’s what I didn’t expect: despite this being one of the largest cruise ships in the world, it never felt impersonal or like we were just lost in a crowd of thousands. The layout makes sense, the crew remembers you after a day or two, and there’s enough variety that you can always find a quieter spot if you want it.
The only thing I’d say is that if you’re someone who prefers smaller, more intimate travel experiences, a ship this size might feel overwhelming at first. But even my mother-in-law, who was skeptical about the “floating city” concept, admitted by day three that she was having a great time.
Family Activities: Kids Club and Entertainment
Josh and Emily spent hours at the Adventure Ocean kids club, and honestly, it was a lifesaver for Vika and me. The staff was fantastic, the activities were engaging, and both kids made friends with other children on board.
The evening entertainment was solid — we caught a few shows in the main theater, and while they’re not Broadway-level productions, they’re definitely entertaining. The ice skating shows were particularly impressive, and Emily still talks about the skating routines.
Practical Considerations
A few things to keep in mind if you’re considering Symphony of the Seas for your family:
- Packing: Bring more casual clothes than you think you’ll need. You’ll want options for pool time, dining, and evening activities.
- Gratuities: Budget for daily gratuities — they add up over a week-long cruise.
- Shore excursions: Book these in advance if you have your heart set on specific activities. Popular excursions fill up fast.
- Seasickness: Even on a ship this large, you can still feel motion. Pack remedies if anyone in your family is prone to motion sickness.
Dining Beyond the Buffet
While we loved the Windjammer, we also tried several of the specialty restaurants. The main dining room had solid options every night, and the service was consistently good. For families, I’d recommend making reservations for at least one specialty dining experience — it’s a nice change of pace from the buffet atmosphere.
The Verdict
Symphony of the Seas delivered an experience that exceeded my expectations for a first family cruise. The ship offers incredible variety, excellent food, and enough activities to keep both adults and kids engaged for a full week. While it’s massive, it never felt impersonal or overwhelming. The staff was fantastic, the facilities were well-maintained, and we never felt crowded despite sailing during peak season. If you’re considering a family cruise, this ship should definitely be on your list.
Would I sail on Symphony of the Seas again? Absolutely. In fact, we’re already planning our next Royal Caribbean cruise for next year. The combination of convenience, variety, and family-friendly amenities makes it hard to beat for a week-long vacation.
Have you sailed on Symphony of the Seas or any of the Oasis-class ships? What was your experience like with your family? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — I read every single one and love hearing about other families’ cruise experiences.