The Best Family Vacation Ideas Onboard Symphony Of The Seas

One Of The Boldest Cruise Ships In The Award-Winning Oasis Class, Symphony Of The Seas® Beckons With World-Class Experiences For Guests Of All Ages.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on May 30, 2023

Whether you’re vacationing with toddlers, tweens or the whole extended family, planning the best family cruises is easy when you sail with Royal Caribbean. The award-winning cruise line is known for raising the bar when it comes to epic onboard attractions, awe-inspiring entertainment and delicious dining. And every ship in its legendary fleet brims with experiences that cater to guests of all ages.

That said, Symphony of the Seas has been a favorite among adventure-seekers looking to plan the perfect family getaway since it launched. It’s not surprising why — one of the most-awarded ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet and a member of the acclaimed Oasis Class, Symphony of the Seas boasts more thrills than you can count. There’s the FlowRider surf simulator, the Ultimate Abyss^SM and The Perfect Storm^SMtrio of waterslides — all Royal Caribbean classics. There’s also an action-packed glow-in-the-dark laser tag course, deck-defying performances at the AquaTheater and a food scene that gives most culinary capitals a run for their money.

With so many ways to fill every moment of your escape, Symphony of the Seas is the perfect option for an unforgettable vacation. We’ve outlined some of the best ways to bond with your loved ones in our insider’s guide to family cruises onboard this top-rated cruise ship. Keep reading to learn more about all the exciting family vacation ideas and travel activities that are waiting for you onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise getaway.

1. Get In On A Little Family-Friendly Vacation Competition

If you or anyone in your crew has a competitive streak, they’ll find plenty of ways to satisfy it onboard Symphony of the Seas. One of the best vacation activities for families is Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z^SM. Join forces with your family on one team — robots or aliens — or split up and face off against each on this thrilling, glow-in-the-dark course as you fight for dominion over the last planet for light years around.

If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, head to the cruise ship’s mini golf green. It’s located on the top deck, so you and your loved ones can enjoy spectacular sea views as you put your way up ramps, around bends and into every hole. If you’re craving a rush — and want to claim some of the best views onboard the cruise ship — you can challenge someone in your group to a race up the rock-climbing wall. Harness up and put your skills to the test as you scale this 40-foot-high Royal Caribbean mainstay. All of these vacation activities are free for cruise guests, so you can enjoy them again and again during a fun vacation for the whole family.

2. Chase Thrills Onboard A Cruise Ship That Offers Plenty Of Family Activities

Every family has a daredevil — or several. The thrill-seekers in your squad will find all kinds of wow-worthy attractions and fun things to do onboard to bump up their adrenaline, making Symphony of the Seas a winner for best family cruises. One favorite is the Ultimate Abyss. Spanning a whopping 10 decks, it’s the tallest slide at sea — not to mention the quickest way to get from Deck 16 to the Boardwalk. It’s open to any guests who meet the 44-inch height requirement, so even little ones can ride.

Of course, no family vacation onboard Symphony of the Seas is complete without some fun in the sun, and The Perfect Storm is a great way to get your fix. One of the best cruise activities for kids, teens, and parents; this trio of thrilling waterslides encompasses two exhilarating racers — Typhoon^SM and Cyclone^SM — and the head-spinning SuperCell^SM, a champagne bowl that loops you around and around before funneling you out toward the pool down below.

There’s also the famous FlowRider, a surf simulator that funnels 30,000 gallons of rushing water to create the perfect swell. You can carve up the waves like a pro or hit the water on your belly, boogie-style, while spectators cheer you on from the stadium seating. One of the best things about the FlowRider is that you don’t need any skills to have a great time — even wipeouts are fun.

3. Level Up Every Family Vacation Moment On The Pool Deck

Symphony of the Seas has some of the best pool decks of any cruise ship. This open area offers plenty of room to explore while you unwind in the sunshine or the shade, not to mention there’s honestly always something going on — from belly-flop competitions, dance-offs, DJ-driven pool parties…the list goes on! Grab a few loungers for you and your family as you enjoy the sea breezes in between dips in the pool. Adults will appreciate that there are plenty of options to enjoy tasty libations only steps away. And when you start craving something to eat, you can grab some delicious Mexican fare at El Loco Fresh®, one of the best cruise dining options for families. You’ll find some truly tasty dishes here, like shareable nachos loaded with yummy toppings, burritos stuffed with tender pork, chicken or beef and fajitas that always hit the spot. Make sure you save room for something sweet — the fluffy tres leches cake is out of this world.

4. Give Kids And Teens Room To Chill With The Best Cruise Activities

One of the many reasons why Symphony of the Seas offers some of the best family cruises is that it’s home to the award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program by Royal Caribbean. Parents can drop kids aged 3-11 off at this fun-filled play space, where they’ll be broken into groups by age and kept entertained with engaging, supervised activities — like science experiments, scavenger hunts, themed parties and more. Teens, on the other hand, will love the ship’s lounge, designed just for them with room to unwind, mingle with other guests their age and enjoy pre-planned events throughout the day. Parents taking advantage of kids club can now find themselves with time to enjoy even more all-inclusive vacation amenities by unwinding at the Solarium, an adults-only hideaway with whirlpools, lined with dazzling sea views and plenty of space to relax in the sun or the shade.

5. Make Every Family Meal At Sea A Vacation Memory

The best family cruises involve the top vacation dining options — and Symphony of the Seas definitely delivers in that department. Even the pickiest eaters will find delicious dishes to satisfy their cravings onboard, from gourmet hot dogs at Dog House and New England-style eats at Hooked Seafood^SM, to complimentary global fare at Windjammer and the Main Dining Room. The latter is a must for elevated family dinners. It’s a beautiful, upscale venue where every meal is a multi-course showcase that takes you from Jamaica to Jaipur.

Windjammer, on the other hand, is more casual but just as crave-worthy. You’ll find a little bit of everything here during breakfast, lunch and dinner, including food stations that highlight different global delights each day and night. For an authentic taste of Tuscany served family-style, head over to Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. And for perfection served up by the slice — even late at night — it doesn’t get better than Sorrento’s Pizza. These are just some of the top family-friendly cruise dining options onboard Symphony of the Seas — there are plenty more foodie-approved culinary concepts waiting onboard with opportunities for specialty dining packages too.

6. Dive Into Dazzling Entertainment Every Night

Royal Caribbean always shines in the entertainment department, and Symphony of the Seas is home to some of the cruise line’s top-rated shows. In the Royal Theater, you can catch the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Hairspray, where the hairdos are as big as the ballads and the dance moves will keep you on the edge of your seat. There’s also Flight, an award-winning original production that chronicles aviation milestones from the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk to an aerospace cruise far in the distant future. The cruise ship’s ice-skating rink sets the stage for 1977, a stunt-filled spectacular that follows a time-traveling hero from Paris to London. And at the AquaTheater, world-class acrobats, divers and synchronized swimmers dazzle guests during HiRO, a thrilling showcase of high-flying feats and cutting-edge technology.

Now that you have the inside scoop on some of the best cruise activities for families onboard Symphony of the Seas, it’s time to start planning that escape you’ve been dreaming of. Browse itineraries for this family-favorite cruise ship today, or discover more of the wonders that await onboard.