It has been about a month since we last published a blog, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been traveling. We just wrapped up another fantastic cruise this time aboard Symphony of the Seas, sailing the Eastern Caribbean and once again, it reminded us why cruising continues to be our favorite way to travel.
This sailing was just the three of us: myself, my wife Ashley, and our 11-year-old daughter. We stayed in one of our favorite accommodations at sea, the Crown Loft Suite, and joined another incredible group of cruisers that turned what could have been a standard vacation into something far more memorable.
From the ship itself, to the people onboard, to the added magic of cruising during the holidays, this trip delivered on every level.
Community Before the Cruise Even Began
As with many of our recent sailings, the experience started long before embarkation day. After booking, we joined the Facebook roll call group for our sailing. It was active and welcoming, full of introductions, questions, and excitement as the cruise date approached.
From there, we helped create a WhatsApp community for the sailing, which quickly became the heartbeat of the trip. The group naturally organized itself into different rooms based on interests and personalities general chat, families, games, nightlife, first timers, and more. These smaller rooms made conversations easier and helped people find their people early on.
What stood out most was how genuine the connections felt. Plans started forming before anyone had even stepped onboard. Meetups were scheduled. Conversations moved beyond surface-level cruise talk. By the time embarkation day arrived, it didn’t feel like we were boarding a ship full of strangers it felt like meeting up with friends.
That sense of familiarity changed the entire tone of the cruise.
First Impressions of Symphony of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas continues to impress. As one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, she’s massive, but incredibly well designed. The neighborhood concept Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, and the Pool & Sports Zone helps break the ship into manageable, distinct spaces.
Despite carrying thousands of guests, Symphony never felt chaotic. Movement onboard was smooth, venues were well staffed, and everything from dining to entertainment ran efficiently. It’s a ship that feels confident in what it offers, and it shows.
The Crown Loft Suite: A Standout for Families
We’ve stayed in a wide range of staterooms over the years, but the Crown Loft Suite remains one of our favorites, especially when cruising as a family.
The two-level layout gives everyone space to breathe. The upstairs loft creates separation and privacy, while the downstairs living area and balcony become natural gathering spaces. Storage is plentiful, the layout is practical, and the overall feel is elevated without being over-the-top.
Location-wise, it’s hard to beat. Being close to the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen made day-to-day life onboard incredibly convenient, especially with a child.
Suite Perks That Actually Matter
One of the most underrated benefits of staying in a suite on Royal Caribbean is how much it can reduce onboard spending—if you know how to use the perks correctly.
The Suite Lounge became part of our daily routine. Snacks throughout the day, plus complimentary drinks in the evening, added up quickly. When you combine that with our Diamond Plus drink benefits, it made skipping a drink package an easy decision.
Instead of constantly thinking about what something cost, we simply enjoyed the experience. Grab a drink when you want one. Pop into the lounge between activities. Meet friends there before dinner. These small conveniences quietly elevate the entire cruise.
Dining: Reliable, Enjoyable, and Easy
Dining on Symphony of the Seas was exactly what we’ve come to expect from Royal Caribbean—consistently good, with plenty of variety.
We enjoyed a mix of specialty dining and included venues, and everything we had met expectations. Service was friendly, food was well prepared, and there was never a sense of stress around where or when to eat.
Late nights often ended at Sorrento’s, usually around 2:30 a.m. after time at the nightclub. One thing we do wish Royal Caribbean would adopt is true 24-hour food availability, similar to Virgin Voyages. That said, Sorrento’s being open until 3:00 a.m. kept us well fed most nights.
Nightlife: Later Starts, Big Energy
This cruise, we made it a point to lean into the nightlife—and it paid off.
The nightclub on Symphony doesn’t really come alive until around 11:30 p.m., but once it does, the energy is there. Meeting up with friends we had already connected with through the WhatsApp group made going out feel effortless.
Most nights followed a familiar rhythm: dancing, laughing, then pizza before heading back to the room. It wasn’t planned—it just became part of the flow of the cruise.
Entertainment and Shows
Royal Caribbean continues to deliver solid entertainment across the board. Symphony offers multiple venues with different styles, from large-scale productions to live music scattered throughout the ship.
While we didn’t walk away talking about one standout show this time, the overall quality was consistent and dependable. There was always something happening, and plenty of options depending on your mood.
Kids Club: A Big Win for Our Daughter
For our 11-year-old, the kids club was a highlight of the sailing. She loved having a space that felt like hers, where she could meet other kids her age and enjoy activities independently.
It gave her freedom and fun, while giving us peace of mind and flexibility. That balance is one of the reasons Royal Caribbean continues to work so well for families.
Why We Love Cruising During the Holidays
One thing that made this Symphony of the Seas sailing feel especially memorable was traveling during the holiday season. Royal Caribbean does an outstanding job transforming their ships, and Symphony truly shines during this time of year.
The Royal Promenade was anchored by a massive Christmas tree that became a natural gathering spot throughout the cruise. Around it were gingerbread house displays, festive décor, and holiday-themed photo backdrops that brought the space to life.
Central Park was particularly magical. The trees were wrapped in lights, decorations were woven naturally into the greenery, and at night the entire neighborhood glowed. Walking through Central Park after dinner felt peaceful, cozy, and incredibly festive.
Royal also leaned into Christmas-themed photo opportunities, making it easy to capture family memories without anything feeling forced or overdone.
What we love most about holiday cruising is the balance. You still get warm weather, Caribbean ports, and a relaxed pace—but with an added layer of festive energy that makes the trip feel special. For families, it’s an incredible way to celebrate the season together while escaping the cold.
Royal Caribbean clearly understands how to do holiday cruising right, and Symphony delivered it perfectly.
Ports: Familiar, Relaxed, and Low Stress
This itinerary included St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Nassau—ports we’ve visited many times before. Because of that, we intentionally kept things simple.
St. Maarten
In St. Maarten, we returned to the same beach club we had visited just a month earlier during our Virgin Voyages cruise. We took the water taxi, which cost $7 round trip per person, then walked along the beach to the club.
The walk was easy, scenic, and a nice way to ease into the day. We relaxed, enjoyed lunch, and went jet skiing again. Sometimes repeating what you already know you love is the best choice.
St. Thomas and Nassau
In both St. Thomas and Nassau, we stayed close to the port. We walked around, did some sightseeing, and soaked in the atmosphere without committing to full excursions.
There’s something freeing about not feeling like you have to maximize every port day—especially when you’ve been there before.
A Glimpse of What’s Coming
One unexpected highlight was seeing the Royal Beach Club while they were hosting opening ceremonies for staff and company executives. Watching the activity and energy around it made us even more excited for what Royal Caribbean has planned for future sailings.
It Always Comes Back to the People
As great as the ship, suite, dining, and itinerary were, the real story of this cruise once again was the people.
The WhatsApp group that started before the cruise became a daily part of life onboard. Plans were fluid. Meetups happened naturally. Some nights were big group gatherings, others were smaller circles.
By the end of the sailing, it truly felt like we had gone on vacation with friends—and walked off with even more than we started with.
So much so that we’re already planning our next cruise for December 2026, and several of the same people from this sailing will be joining us.
Final Thoughts
Symphony of the Seas delivered exactly what we’ve come to expect from Royal Caribbean: a polished, well-run ship with something for everyone. The Crown Loft Suite continues to be one of our favorite accommodations at sea. Dining, entertainment, and family amenities were consistently strong. And cruising during the holidays added a layer of warmth and magic that made the experience even better.
But more than anything, this cruise reinforced something we’ve seen time and time again when you engage early, connect openly, and show up ready to meet people, cruising becomes so much more than a vacation.
You don’t just visit ports.
You don’t just sail a ship.
You build memories and sometimes, lifelong friendships.
If you’re thinking about a holiday cruise, a suite-level experience, or simply want a sailing that feels more connected and less chaotic, we’re happy to help you plan it. From choosing the right ship to helping you plug into the onboard community early, we make sure your cruise feels like more than just a vacation.
