By Amanda Mesa | Published on January 30, 2026
The Oasis Class by Royal Caribbean is a favorite among adventure-seeking couples, groups and families. This award-winning cruise class is known for boldness on everything from dining to water slides, and Symphony of the Seas is the perfect example. It’s loaded from bow to stern with thrilling attractions, kid-friendly activities, crave-worthy culinary concepts and unforgettable ways to level up every day at sea.
It’s also one of the best cruise ships to sail on if you’re vacationing on a budget; it offers so many free things to do. Epic laser tag face-offs in a glow-in-the-dark arena? Check. Endless tide-taming sessions on a surf simulator that creates the perfect swell every day? You bet. Broadway-style productions, stunt-filled AquaTheater spectaculars and epic performances on ice? Always on the itinerary.
You could be chasing the ultimate adrenaline rush, looking to light up every night with jaw-dropping entertainment or just wanting to kick back, relax and soak up the sunshine poolside. Symphony of the Seas delivers incredible and value-rich vacations for every kind of traveler thanks to its seemingly endless list of included onboard activities. Not to mention great free places to eat and a rotating lineup of complimentary activities that enhance every day on board.
Here are just some of the top unforgettable experiences you can enjoy when you choose to sail on this fan-favorite cruise ship.
Symphony of the Seas is home to a Royal Caribbean classic: a trio of waterslides known as The Perfect Storm℠. For those with a need for speed, there’s Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠ — twin racers that send riders hurtling along white-knuckle twists, turns and long, translucent stretches that yield awe-inspiring sea views.
There’s also Supercell℠, a one-of-a-kind experience that starts off like an ordinary waterslide, then shoots riders into a champagne bowl for a series of head-spinning loops before funneling them back out into the pool down below. If you think you can spend hours riding this exhilarating triad, you’ll be pleased to know that access is totally complimentary to cruise guests.
Another Royal Caribbean mainstay that you’ll find on board Symphony of the Seas is the FlowRider®, an impressive surf simulator that funnels 30,000 gallons of rushing water to generate legendary swells all day long (no matter where in the world you’re sailing).
One of the top free things to do on board this cruise ship, it invites thrill-seekers to test their balance while attempting to hang ten. If you’d rather not risk a wipeout (or several), you can take on the waves boogie-style by riding on your belly. Practice as often as you like as there’s no cap on how many times you can ride.
Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to introduce glow-in-the-dark laser tag at sea, and Symphony of the Seas is home to the concept that started it all: Battle for Planet Z℠. In this family-favorite onboard activity, you’ll get to pick a team: the remnants of a robot civilization or an alien scouting party seeking refuge from a meganova. Then, go head-to-head with your rivals in order to claim dominion over the last planet for light-years around.
Battle for Planet Z is free and open to cruise guests aged five and older. You can reserve your time slot via the Cruise Planner app or on board at the Box Office.
No cruise getaway is complete without spending some time poolside. Fortunately, Symphony of the Seas boasts one of the best pool decks in the entire Royal Caribbean fleet. Grab a lounger and soak up the sunshine in between refreshing dips in the pool.
If you get hungry or thirsty, you’ll find there’s always something tasty to sip or snack on nearby. When you’re craving a little grown-up time, head to the adults-only pool and spa retreat known as the Solarium — a tranquil hideaway with spectacular views, whirlpools, a full bar and plenty of room to unwind in the shade or the sun.
One of the best free places to eat on board Symphony of the Seas is El Loco Fresh®, a casual, crave-worthy concept that’s totally complimentary and just steps away from the pool. The menu here goes bold on south-of-the-border flavors, like delicious tacos loaded with all your favorite toppings. Bite into hearty burritos you can dip into tangy salsa verde or classic mole sauce, loaded nachos that are great for sharing and more.
Make sure you save room for some chocolate dulce de leche, Mexican flan or tres leches cake once you’re finished with the savory stuff.
If you’re in the mood to practice your putting skills (either solo, with your significant other or with the whole family in tow), head to the cruise ship’s fun-filled mini golf course. It’s located on the top deck under the open sky.
You can soak up spectacular sea views and plenty of sunshine as you play up and down ramps, around curves and past obstacles into each hole. Playing time on the mini golf green is included in your cruise fare, so you can tee off as many times as you like, whenever you like. There’s no need to make a reservation.
Daredevils can add two more thrilling activities to their list of free things to do on board Symphony of the Seas. The first is a plunge down the notorious Ultimate Abyss℠. Standing a whopping 10 stories high, it’s a favorite among cruise guests of all ages. Rides are included in your cruise fare, and there’s no limit on admission.
Then there’s the ship’s iconic zip line, which hangs suspended across ten decks to deliver spine-tingling flights from one side of the ship’s top deck to the other. It’s also complimentary for cruise guests, so you can brave the crossing again and again.
Here’s a pro tip: Have a friend stand at the opposite end with a camera ready to capture you as you fly across the ship in your harness.
Fixtures across the Royal Caribbean fleet, both Windjammer and the Main Dining Room are winners when it comes to enjoying mouthwateringly good meals during your Symphony of the Seas cruise getaway.
The more casual of the two, Windjammer lets you taste your way around the world one station at a time. During breakfast, it serves up fluffy made-to-order omelets, flaky pastries, fresh-pressed juices, creamy smoothies and more. During lunch and dinner, it’s all about the carving stations and rotating global delicacies, from crispy buttermilk fried chicken to Vietnamese braised Ho Chi Minh pork.
The Main Dining Room, on the other hand, elevates dinner in a sprawling, upscale setting complete with white tablecloth service. Meals here are multi-course affairs encompassing a rich array of ever-changing international fare, like tender duck a l’Orange, savory prime rib, Moroccan-spiced ahi tuna, Caribbean-style mojo pork loin and more. Every bite at both dining options is complimentary.
When you sail on board Symphony of the Seas, every night beckons with opportunities to keep making memories. Evening is when the cruise ship’s entertainment comes to life, with all kinds of fabulous performances on offer.
Like the Tony Award-winning Broadway spectacular Hairspray, performed on board at the Royal Theater by the cruise line’s incredible entertainment team. An awe-inspiring AquaTheater spectacular called “HiRO,” which wows viewers with deck-defying stunts, extraordinary acrobatics and perfectly synchronized choreography.
Dazzling double-axels, swizzles and shotgun spins on ice in “iSkate 2.0.” And many more besides. One of the best things about sailing with Royal Caribbean is that all the shows on board are free for cruise guests. All you have to do is reserve your seats via the Cruise Planner app or at the Box Office.
Now that you’re better acquainted with some of the top free things to do on board Symphony of the Seas, you’re ready to start planning an epic getaway on this top-rated cruise ship. No matter what you’re most looking forward to, you’ll find that this cruise ship brims with unforgettable experiences for everyone on board.
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