Familiar spaces take shape on Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas – Orlando Sentinel

Some familiar spaces are coming into focus on board what will become the worlds largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.

New construction photos show progress on the 230,000-ton, 1,188-foot-long ship being built at the STX France shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Those photos show the signature Boardwalk area at the aft of the ship as well the Royal Promenade on Deck 5 in the ships interior.

Particularly recognizable is the development of the AquaTheater, which is home to the lines productions that combine music, high diving and acrobatics.

Also shown are the two 40-foot-tall rock climbing walls as well as the stateroom balconies that rise up from Deck 6 of where the open-air Boardwalk neighborhood will be.

Whats not show yet is the ships version of the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, the 10-deck twin twisting slide that debuted on sister ship Harmony of the Seas. While the line has promised it will be on this ship as well, it also has promised it will have a new twist, but details on what that twist will be have yet to be revealed. Also not in place are any of the signature features that make up the Boardwalk, such as the carousel.

On the ships interior, the shells that will become restaurants, bars and shops of the Royal Promenade are continuing to get attention.

On Harmony of the Seas, the Royal Promenade is where you find the ships signature centerpiece sculpture, the twisting giant metallic human head. Its also where the line parks the vintage cars that can be found on Voyager, Freedom and Oasis-class ships.

As far as venues go, Harmonys Royal Promenade is home to the Bionic Bar, which is promised for Symphony as well. Its also a stop for the Rising Tide bar, which moves up and down multiple decks. Also on Harmony in the Royal Promenade are Sorrento's, Bolero's, the English pub Boot and Bonnet, On Air karaoke club, guest services, shore excursions and more.

Symphony of the Seas' gross registered tons will be more than Harmony of the Seas, which comes in at 226,963 tons, but they will be the same length. Harmony of the Seas currently holds the title for world's largest cruise ship, slightly larger than the original ships, 2009's Oasis of the Seas and 2010's Allure of the Seas.

Symphony will feature 28 more staterooms than Harmony of the Seas with a Royal Suite class, neighborhood balconies overlooking Central Park, virtual balconies on inside staterooms, and the highest number of ocean-view cabins at sea.

Other notable previously announced features include the Perfect Storm water park, FlowRider surf simulator, ice skating rink, Vitality at Sea spa, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's Italian dining venue, Mexican offering Sabor, Japanese cuisine at Izumi, the Chops Grill steakhouse, Vintages wine bar and Solarium bistro. More than 20 dining options are promised, but details on any new venues have not been released yet. Also not revealed yet is one other adventure offering with no details other than "A new scale of daring. Adventure hits a high note with a whole new challenge.

The ship is set to debut April 21, 2018 with an inaugural sailing from Barcelona as it spends its first season of cruising in the Mediterranean. It then repositions to PortMiami on a 12-night transatlantic voyage that departs Oct. 28 and begins Caribbean sailings on Nov. 9.

More details can be found on http://www.royalcaribbean.com/symphony-of-the-seas or by calling 1-800-769-2522.

rtribou@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5134

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Familiar spaces take shape on Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas - Orlando Sentinel