Iglu’s Simone Clark, Miles Morgan, owner of Miles Morgan Travel, and TTG were invited onboard for a sneak preview of 6,680-passenger Symphony – the world’s largest cruise ship – as it sailed from Malaga to Barcelona.
They joined Ben Bouldin, Royal Caribbean’s UK and Ireland managing director, for a TTG Facebook Live discussion about the Oasis-class ship, moderated by group editor Pippa Jacks.
“Families are going to be very, very busy as there is no end to the amount of things you can do onboard,” said Morgan, who had never been aboard an Oasis-class ship previously.
“This really is like a floating resort. You could spend a week on here, not call into a port and still have a great time. I think that’s what people need to understand and what will get the land-based customers to try cruise.”
Bouldin said he believes Symphony’s entertainment offering “speaks for itself”.
“I have three children so I constantly have an eye on what I think they might enjoy,” he said. “From Hairspray to the Aqua Theatre, the ice rink and there’s also things like the Battle for Planet Z laser tag.
“I watched the first four-year-old go in [to new ice cream and sweet shop Sugar Beach] and it was great because it was like taking a child to a toy shop – they just don’t know where to look.
"If you’ve got kids between three and 17, you’re going to have a fab time.”
Clark agreed, adding her hope that more Ultimate Family Suites would become available as it is sold out for the rest of 2018.
The two-floor, eight-person cabin, which debuts onboard Symphony, includes a slide, 3D-cinema system and Lego wall and is the only one of its kind in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
“I think that’s the thing that has really captured the imagination across our sales team and customers,” she said.
“We were the first UK agent to make a booking. It has sold out very quickly, so we are just hoping there are going to be more available.”
Discussing Symphony’s dining offering, Clark and Morgan agreed speciality restaurant Hooked – the line’s first dedicated New England-style seafood venue – would prove popular with guests.
“It’s based on New England and feels like New England – it’s really well done,” said Morgan.
