In The Loop Travel
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • The Americas
    • Caribbean
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia/Pacific
    • Africa
  • Fitness
  • Cruising
  • Travel Tips
  • Videos
  • Work With Us
  • My Work
  • About
  • Colorado Craft Brewery Guide
  • Media Kit
  • TBIN Influencer Network

The 21 Best Things on the Biggest Cruise Ship in the World

11/27/2019

0 Comments

 
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas carries more than 6,000 passengers as the largest cruise ship in the world.
By John Roberts
Symphony of the Seas was launched in 2018 as Royal Caribbean's newest version of its series of "the biggest cruise ships the world."
Royal Caribbean has held the title for many years, since it launched Oasis of the Seas, the stunning mega-ship that forever changed the game for mass-market cruising. Symphony of the Seas is the cruise line's innovative evolution of its Oasis Class, which also includes Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.
I sailed on Symphony of the Seas for a one-week cruise out of Miami to the Caribbean, with stops at St. Maarten, San Juan and Royal Caribbean's private island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Here are 21 of the best things about Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
Symphony of the Seas AquaTheater
AquaTheater is a venue for shows day and night. We were thrilled by "Hiro."
The AquaTheater
This is the venue for the acrobatic water show and platform-diving spectacle set at the back of the ship on Deck 6 in the Boardwalk neighborhood. We watched a dazzling and energetic show called "Hiro" during our cruise. Other activities also take place here, including live music at nights. We enjoyed the rock show by popular cover band Phoenix.
Picture
The Boardwalk
The outdoor space includes restaurants, the aforementioned AquaTheater and even a carousel that will transport you back to the carnivals of your youth. The Ultimate Abyss ride that starts on Deck 16 slides all the way down 10 decks to empty out on the Boardwalk. You also have access to the ship's two rock-climbing walls from here.
Playmaker's Sports Bar and Arcade, Johnny Rocket's diner, Dog House hot dog stand, Sugar Beach candy store and a carousel ride are also located in this neighborhood.
Symphony of the Seas Central Park
Symphony of the Seas Central Park
Central Park is carved out of the middle of the ship creating a relaxing area with fresh air and live plants.
Central Park
This is a revolutionary outdoor space found midship on Deck 8. The neighborhood is filled with thousands of live plants as well as dining venues like Jamie’s Italian, Vintages wine bar, Chops Grille and Park Cafe.

Royal Promenade

The heart of the ship, most passengers will pass through this neighborhood frequently throughout the day, whether to enjoy live music, a parade or shopping at the boutiques. The lively Copper and Kettle British-style pub and Boleros lounge are great places for music, dancing and drinks. And you can find a quick bite at Sorrento's pizza shop or Cafe Promenade. Coffee drinkers flock to the big Starbucks located here.
Symphony of the Seas Ultimate Abyss
The Ultimate Abyss ride starts way up top on Deck 16 ...
Symphony of the Seas Ultimate Abyss
And sends riders out screaming on to the Boardwalk 10 decks below.
The Ultimate Abyss
This super-fast dry slide is over in about 20 seconds as you race from Deck 16 down to Deck 6 on the Boardwalk. It's a blast.

Symphony of the Seas Full Ship Tour (click video)


Jamie's Italian on Symphony of the Seas
Jamie's Italian
Large portions of a great variety of Italian favorites, this specialty restaurant (cover charge) located in the Central Park neighborhood is open for lunches and dinners. The bread, pastas, charcuterie and decadent brownie are our recommendations.
Wonderland restaurant on Symphony of the Seas
Wonderland is part meal, part performance that focuses on molecular gastronomy and the story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Symphony of the Seas wonderland
Wonderland
This specialty dining option stands out because it so interesting. The venue, vibe and sense of whimsy that surrounds your meal make it an event. It's worth a try for a romantic meal, even if you had never before considered molecular gastronomy your kind of thing.
Playmakers Sports Bar on Symphony of the Seas
The sports bar and arcade is a large venue serving comfort food, craft beers and cocktails and showing all the games.
Best Sports Bar at Sea
Playmaker's Sport Bar on the Boardwalk features dozens of TVs showing all the games. Plus, the menu offers craft beers and great pub grub (the burger is fantastic) and desserts. There are table games throughout the space and an arcade next door.
Zipline on Symphony of the Seas
The Zipline
The ship has a short zipline course that gives you a thrilling ride across the top of the open Boardwalk.
Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas
Royal Caribbean Perfect Day at CocoCay
Thrill seekers will love the variety of tall and fast waterslides.
Visit Perfect Day at CocoCay
This is easily the best cruise line private island for families and travelers looking for lots of activities to mix in with a beach day. Perfect Day at CocoCay features 13 waterslides, restaurants, bars, live music, beaches, zipline course, the Up Up and Away helium balloon ride, beach club, cabanas, overwater bungalows and sports activities and excursions.

Puzzle Break Escape Room

Symphony of the Seas offered the Escape the Rubicon game on our sailing. For this game, you collaborate with other players to solve puzzles during the 60-minute time frame in order to escape a submarine in distress.
Symphony of the Seas pool deck and waterslides
The pool deck on Symphony of the Seas is filled with ways to enjoy the sunshine in the Caribbean.
Cool Waterslides Right Onboard
The Perfect Storm attraction on the ship is a set of waterslides. There is a pair of side-by-side racer slides and a large Champagne bowl-style slide that swirls you more gently through the course. Both offering a thrilling way to cool off in the Caribbean.
FlowRiders on Symphony of the Seas
The FlowRider rides are also included in your fare, and you can boogie board or surf while fellow cruisers cheer you on.
FlowRiders
A Royal Caribbean favorite, Symphony of the Seas features a pair of FlowRider surfing simulators at the back of the ship on Deck 16. You can boogie board or surf on these wave generators.
Hairspray main show on Symphony of the Seas
The musical takes place in the main Royal Theater.
Hairspray
This fun musical is a centerpiece of the entertainment program on the ship. The show, which was a Tony-award winning musical on Broadway, takes place in the Royale Theater and requires reservations.

Ice Skating Rink

Studio B is the venue for several live shows and other events, including the skating show "1977." The venue is hosts open skating times for passengers to strap on the skates for a few turns around the ice.
Picture
Solarium Pool Area
This adults-only covered pool and lounge area is a great option for those looking to avoid the intense sun or ample crowds at the main lido deck pool areas.
Hot tub on Symphony of the Seas
Big Hot Tubs with a View
The huge cantilevered tubs on each side of the ship on Deck 15 offer nice spots for a soak, usually with plenty of space in these out-of-the-way locations. The hot tubs also feature large flat-screen TVs showing sports programming.

Climbing Walls
Symphony of the Seas offers two climbing walls at the back of the Boardwalk on Deck 6. Climb to the top and you get impressive views out to sea.
Sports court on Symphony of the Seas
Sports Court
We saw teens and others flock to the large sport court each day to join in pickup basketball games or scheduled times for events like soccer or pickleball.
El Loco Fresh Mexican restaurant on Symphony of the Seas
El Loco Fresh was our go-to breakfast place. You can get omelets, fresh fruit, parfaits and burritos.
El Loco Fresh
This was a favorite spot for a fast-casual breakfast or lunch or quick healthy snack anytime. The eatery offers Mexican fare, and it is the lone spot on the ship near the buffet to get a made-to-order omelet. Breakfasts also feature fresh fruit like berries, kiwi and pineapple, as well as breakfast burritos and delicious muffins.
Gym on Symphony of the Seas
Fitness Center
The gym on Symphony of the Seas is favorite of mine because it offers nearly everything you can find in the standard commercial land-based gym. I got in a daily workout here and had regular runs on the nearly half-mile long dedicated walking/jogging track on Deck 5 that encircles the ship.

Symphony of the Seas is quite a bit larger that the ships that I typically find most enjoyable. It carries in excess of 6,000 passengers. But there also are a number of places to easily escape the crowds, and this ship is ideal for group travel with friends and family, perhaps if you are all together to celebrate a birthday or other special event. Families traveling with kids also will be happy for all the activities that can keep the group happy.

Thanks for reading,
JR

Symphony of the Seas Balcony Cabin Tour (click video)

We are an affiliate of Cruise Critic Smart Deals, where you can find the best prices for your upcoming cruises. Check out the deals here. We get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and visit the website. Happy sailing!
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

0 Comments

Company Offers Epic Antarctica Voyage to See Total Solar Eclipse

11/25/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Abercrombie & Kent has been a leader in expeditions to Antarctica for many years. The company's "Antarctica and the Total Solar Eclipse Cruise" combines two incredible natural wonders to create what's certain to be one memorable voyage. // photos courtesy Abercrombie & Kent
By John Roberts 
Abercrombie & Kent, the leading operator of premium tours, has announced a journey that is sure to represent the trip of a lifetime for even the most well-traveled adventurers.
The company has crafted the "Antarctica & the Total Solar Eclipse Cruise," a 15-day epic voyage beginning November 28, 2021. Yes, it's a couple years away, but space is limited on the 199-passenger Le Lyrial expedition ship, and I'm sure the spots will get snapped up quickly.
This ultimate adventure to Antarctica offers the backdrop of towering icebergs and massive glaciers during a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon: a total solar eclipse. Abercrombie & Kent is enhancing the astronomical spectacle by bringing onboard experts such as former astronaut Kathy Sullivan, award-winning astronomer Massimo Tarenghi and rocket scientist David J. Crain.
Picture
Your eyes are trained on the sky throughout this voyage to the center of the eclipse's path of totality, a band that stretches through the rarely visited South Orkney Islands. A&K's expedition team has selected the ideal location for the ship: within a very narrow track on the surface of the earth where the radiating "circle of light" is best seen -- weather, sea and ice conditions permitting -- which allows for the optimum viewing time of approximately 100 seconds.
During a welcome event at Observatorio Astronmico Andino, in Santiago, Chile, Dr. David Crain will set the stage for the adventure. Additionally, Kathy Sullivan will conduct onboard lectures and be available for informal conversations throughout the cruise, sharing what it's like to live in space, including the view from the Space Shuttle -- 140 miles above the earth. Dr. Massimo Terenghi, who spent his career working with state-of-the-art telescopes in Chile's Atacama Desert, will provide tips on photographing the eclipse.
Picture
Here is a look at the special guests who will travel on this unique cruise event:
Dr. Kathy Sullivan, Astronaut, Geologist and Scientist
One of the first women to join NASA in 1978, Dr. Sullivan's tenure also includes the distinction of being the first American woman to walk in space. She is the former Administrator of NOAA and currently serves as an Ambassador at Large for the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. She travels the globe as a scientific expert and holds a Ph.D. in geology from Dalhousie University.
Dr. Massimo Terenghi, Scientist and Photographer
A former professor of astrophysics at the University of Milan, Dr. Terenghi has worked in leadership roles with the European Southern Observatory in Chile's Atacama Desert. In addition to serving as the director of the ALMA telescope, he spent 17 years building the Paranal Observatory in Atacama. He's won multiple awards, including the Bernado O'Higgins Grand Cross by the Chilean government and the Tycho Brahe Award by the Institute of Navigation, and now spends his time on astronomical photography.
Dr. David Crain, Scientist and NewSpace Entrepreneur
With a Ph.D. in atmospheric and space physics, Dr. Crain has founded and co-founded several commercial space startups with an emphasis on weather observations. He has also been on several observational expeditions for past Solar Eclipses and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Utah State University and Sam Houston State University.
These experts join members of the award-winning A&K Expedition Team, many who have been traveling to Antarctica for decades. These accomplished explorers range from pioneering scientists and recipients of the prestigious Polar Medal, to seasoned academics, photographers and field naturalists. Count on in-depth insight and hands-on guidance from at least 18 A&K Expedition Team members, with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.2.
These expert and friendly guides quickly help create a fun and immersive experience as if you are traveling as one large and curious family. They offer fascinating lectures and kid-friendly activities at sea, lead shore excursions and share captivating stories about their adventures over meals.
"We're bringing together some of the foremost experts in astronomy and polar expeditions for the ultimate polar adventure cruise," says Bob Simpson, A&K vice president of Expedition Cruising. "The next total solar eclipse in this part of the world isn't until 2061, which makes this a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
For even more astral adventures, A&K is offering a six-day pre-cruise extension to explore the Atacama Desert and the lunar landscapes of the Moon Valley. Visit the Paranal Observatory -- alongside its founder, Dr. Tarenghi -- for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, including a look at the world's most advanced optical instrument, the VLT, or Very Large Telescope.
Picture
The All-Inclusive Abercrombie & Kent Cruising Experience
By chartering the luxurious mega-yacht Le Lyrial in Antarctica, A&K limits capacity to 199 passengers, which not only allows unrestricted access to landing sites prohibited to larger vessels but also affords personalized attention onboard the ship, as well as a private balcony in every stateroom. Pricing is all-inclusive, featuring arrival and departure transfers, gratuities and bar drinks, in addition to complimentary Wi-Fi and laundry service -- exclusive A&K amenities. You also have a choice of included excursions in Santiago, such as a bicycle tour of the city, a visit to an artist studio, a stroll through the city's famed graffiti street art district or a wine tasting in the Maipo Valley.
Onboard a fresh menu inspired by French culinary heritage encompasses everything from lavish multi-course dinners and international buffets to carefully selected cheeses and freshly baked pastries that rival those found in Paris. With a choice of two restaurants, no formal evenings and 24-hour room service, guests have the flexibility to dine when and where they wish.
To ensure travelers have all the gear they need for their polar voyage (and not use up valuable luggage space), A&K provides an expedition parka, backpack and water bottle. You also get complimentary use of boots, waterproof pants and trekking poles. These are placed in your stateroom for use throughout the trip.

Have you traveled to see an eclipse? Where did you go? Any tips to share? Comment below, please.

Thanks so much for reading, and always travel happy!
JR
We are an affiliate of Cruise Critic Smart Deals, where you can find the best prices for your upcoming cruises. Check out the deals here. We get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and visit the website. Happy sailing!
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

0 Comments

Backroads Lists Top 7 Travel Trends for 2020

11/13/2019

0 Comments

 
backroads in New zealand
Just one of the stunning views I discovered on my multi-sport adventure cruise in New Zealand with Backroads.
By John Roberts
Backroads has revealed its top adventure travel trends for 2020. Our favorite active-travel trip organizer puts out an annual list based on its bookings and feedback from avid travelers who tell the company just what they are seeking to check off next on the travel wish lists.
We have taken a number of thrilling trips with Backroads, including a multi-sport adventure sailing around New Zealand and two Danube River cruises that it designs in collaboration with AmaWaterways.

Read about some of our awesome Backroads experiences here:

Backroads Multi-Sport Adventure Cruise in New Zealand
7 Things About a Biking Trip with Backroads and AmaWaterways

So, let's get right into it. These are Backroads' top trends in adventure travel for 2020:

Family Travel with Adult Kids 20 to 30
Backroads is the only outfitter that offers four distinct age and life-stage categories. The company designs trips that fit the travel goals and interests of each age group. Backroads builds its itineraries, meals and even hotel selection to suit each stage, creating a great dynamic for kids and parents alike. Rolling out in 2020, Backroads "Family Trips for 20s & Beyond" have been instant winners with travelers. In the launch year, there are nearly 100 "Biking, Walking & Hiking and Multi-Adventure" itineraries to choose from in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

Electric-Assist Bikes (eBikes)
Fondly referred to as "the great equalizer," cyclists looking for a little extra boost and to keep pace with other riders have helped spur enormous growth in the electric-assist bicycle category. eBikes are included on Backroads biking trips in North America, Europe and New Zealand and are a great way to make longer distances or bigger hills more accessible. These are ideal if you are traveling with a more avid cyclist, so you can enjoy the full scope of the day's riding adventures every time. In 2020, Backroads expects to host 8,500 travelers on eBikes, making the company the largest eBike cycling travel company in the world. In response to inquiries and feedback, Backroads has developed a custom-designed titanium eBike with the same comfort and stability as its top-rated Touring Bike.

Northern Lights Trips
There has been a spike in interest from people wanting to travel to Iceland and Lapland for a chance to see the famed aurora borealis (Northern Lights), a perennial bucket-list experience. Backroads has added capacity to their active adventures in these regions between November and March, when there is an increased likelihood of opportunities to see this natural light phenomenon.

Unique Hiking Experiences
The Backroads "Walking & Hiking" portfolio of offerings has been growing steadily for the past five years, and the company has more recently seen a surge in bookings for hiking-focused trips with unique experiences like heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies, hut-to-hut hiking in Europe and lodge-to-lodge trekking in Peru.

Active Ocean & River Cruises
Backroads will take more than 2,000 adventure-inclined cruisers on active ocean and river voyages in 2020, as these departures gain in popularity. The industry is also seeing strong growth in active cruising for families and Backroads "Full-Ship Celebration" charter trips, where everyone on board is a Backroads traveler, creating a one-of-a-kind journey among likeminded active travelers. The combination of living aboard a ship with unique access to off-the-beaten-path bike routes and only unpacking once is enticing to adventure-seekers of all ages.

Private and Custom Trips
No matter the size of your group, people crave personalized trips and the flexibility of planning their own itinerary. Backroads has streamlined its private and custom trip booking process, making arranging these trips easier and more economical, offering families and friends a great chance to travel together on existing itineraries or on trips designed just for their group. The practice of taking over a scheduled departure or working with a travel professional to plan a custom active adventure has steadily grown over the past five years.

Solar Eclipse
The full solar eclipse in 2018 was a social media sensation, and there is expectation that catching a glimpse of the next one, taking place in December 2020, will be just as much of a sought-after experience. Backroads trips to Latin America for the best eclipse watching next winter have been selling fast. The company has added a number of departures to keep up with the demand including the "Argentina Patagonia Lake District Multi-Adventure" and the "Chile Bike and Multi-Adventure."
Picture
I had a blast traveling with my best friend Matt during our biking adventure on the Danube River with Backroads.
"2020 is shaping up to be another exciting year for active adventure travel," said Tom Hale, Backroads founder and president. "We have seen record growth in new segments like families traveling with kids in their 20s and early 30s as they seek quality time together after the school years.
"And there is increased interest in bucket-list experiences like seeing the Northern Lights while traveling actively. Along with expanded active ocean and river cruise offerings, we are rolling out an incredible lineup of new trips."

Thanks for reading,
JR
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    Africa
    AIDA Cruises
    Alaska
    Albatros Expeditions
    Alicante
    AmaWaterways
    Amber Cove
    American Queen Steamboat Company
    American Queen Voyages
    Amsterdam
    Antarctica
    Antigua
    Arctic
    Arizona
    Aruba
    Asia
    Atlas Ocean Voyages
    Australia
    Austria
    Avalon Waterways
    Backroads
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Barcelona
    Belize
    Blue World Voyages
    Bonaire
    Bora Bora
    Brooklyn
    Budapest
    Burma
    Cabo San Lucas
    Cadiz
    California
    Cambodia
    Cancun
    Caribbean
    Carnival Cruise
    Celebrity Cruises
    Celestyal Cruises
    Christmas Markets
    Cologne
    Colombia
    Colorado
    Corfu
    Costa Rica
    Cozumel
    Craft Beer
    Croatia
    Crystal Cruises
    Cuba
    Curacao
    Dominican Republic
    Dubrovnik
    Egypt
    Emerald Cruises
    Emerald Waterways
    Europe
    Expat Life
    Explora Journeys
    Fathom Travel
    Fitness
    Florida
    Fort Lauderdale
    France
    French Polynesia
    Galapagos
    Galveston
    Germany
    Grand Cayman
    Greece
    Grenada
    Guatemala
    Halifax
    Harmony Of The Seas
    Hawaii
    High Line Park
    Hiking
    Holland America
    Hong Kong
    Houston
    Hungary
    Ibiza
    Iceland
    Isla Mujeres
    Italy
    Jim Thorpe
    Key West
    Kotor
    Labadee
    Lake Minnewaska
    Las Vegas
    Lisbon
    Lithuania
    London
    London Eye
    Maine
    Malaga
    Mexico
    Miami
    Minnesota
    Mississippi River
    Monte Carlo
    Montenegro
    Monterey
    Montreal
    Moorea
    MSC Cruises
    MSC Divina
    Netherlands
    Newfoundland
    New Jersey
    New Orleans
    New York
    New York City
    New Zealand
    North Carolina
    Norway
    Norwegian Cruise Line
    Nuremberg
    Oceania Cruises
    Oregon
    Orlando
    Panama
    Panama Canal
    Passau
    Paul Gauguin
    Paul Gauguin Cruises
    Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia
    Pickleball
    Ponant
    Portugal
    Prague
    Princess Cruises
    Puerto-rico
    Queens
    Regensburg
    Regent Seven Seas
    Rome
    Royal Caribbean
    Saint-Tropez
    San Francisco
    Santorini
    Scenic Cruises
    Scottsdale
    Seabourn
    SeaDream Yacht Club
    Sicily
    Silversea
    Sintra
    Sorrento
    Spain
    Star Clippers
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    Symphony Of The Seas
    Tahiti
    Travel Gear
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks And Caicos
    UnCruise
    Un-Cruise Adventures
    UnCruise Adventures
    Universal's Islands Of Adventure
    Uniworld
    Utah
    Utica
    Utica Boilermaker 15K
    Vienna
    Vietnam
    Viking Cruises
    Washington
    Windstar Cruises
    Wisconsin

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2013 | All rights reserved | Ewing, New Jersey.
Contact | About | Media Kit