PEOPLE AND PLACES

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Saturday, March 3, 2018






A sneak peek inside the world's biggest cruise ship as workers get the £959million behemoth ready for her March launch


  • Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Symphony of the Seas, boasts 18 decks and room for more than 8,000 people
  • The main body of the monster liner was completed last June and now its interiors are being furnished
  • The hefty vessel has been deemed as 'the ultimate playground for guests of all ages'




Boasting 18 decks, enough room for more than 8,000 people and a 1,188-foot-long body, the world's biggest cruise ship is due to set sail next month.
Behind-the-scenes photos show how the finishing touches are now being applied to Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Symphony of the Seas, with dozens of construction workers fervently working away.
The main body of the 228,081-ton monster liner was completed last June and now its interiors are being furnished with dazzling spotlights, swathes of carpet, and licks of paint.
Boasting 18 decks, enough room for 8,880 passengers and a 1,188-foot-long body, the world's biggest cruise ship is due to set sail next month
Boasting 18 decks, enough room for 8,880 passengers and a 1,188-foot-long body, the world's biggest cruise ship is due to set sail next month
Behind-the-scenes photos show how the finishing touches are now being applied to Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Symphony of the Seas, with dozens of construction workers fervently working away. Above, the ship's ice rink
Behind-the-scenes photos show how the finishing touches are now being applied to Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Symphony of the Seas, with dozens of construction workers fervently working away. Above, the ship's ice rink
The boat has 20 restaurants with Cafe Promenade being one of the more casual eateries 
The boat has 20 restaurants with Cafe Promenade being one of the more casual eateries 
Along with having 20 restaurants, there will be more than six bars including one where robots rustle up the cocktails.
Other attractions include a zip wire, ice rink, mini golf course, climbing walls, surf simulator and a full-size basketball court. 
The main body of the monster liner was completed last June and now its interiors are being furnished with dazzling spotlights, swathes of carpet, and licks of paint. Symphony of the Seas is currently docked at the Saint Nazaire shipyard in France
The main body of the monster liner was completed last June and now its interiors are being furnished with dazzling spotlights, swathes of carpet, and licks of paint. Symphony of the Seas is currently docked at the Saint Nazaire shipyard in France
A view inside one of the indoor atriums, which will feature designer stores, bars and restaurant 
A view inside one of the indoor atriums, which will feature designer stores, bars and restaurant 
Construction workers sit in the ship's theatre which is set to host nightly shows 
Construction workers sit in the ship's theatre which is set to host nightly shows 
So guests can cool off after a day of non-stop activity, there are 23 pools and waterslides. One slide will earn the title for being 'the tallest slide at sea', with an 100-foot drop.
Moving to the evening, there is a state-of-the-art theatre where Broadway-style shows will entertain guests on a nightly basis.  
And for guests wanting to channel their inner-James Bond, they can take a spin on the roulette wheel at the on-board casino.
Symphony of the Seas - which is the 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet - will launch in March and take its first paying passengers in April, kicking off a summer season in the Mediterranean with calls to ports in Spain, France and Italy.
Beginning on November 24, the adventure-packed ship will make Miami, Florida, her year-round home, taking holidaymakers on seven-night Caribbean voyages. 
A construction worker applies the finishing touches to a glass and steel staircase 
A construction worker applies the finishing touches to a glass and steel staircase 
For guests wanting to channel their inner-James Bond, there is a swanky casino on board the boat
For guests wanting to channel their inner-James Bond, there is a swanky casino on board the boat
Symphony of the Seas will claim the title of the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in April 2018 for her inaugural season in Europe
Symphony of the Seas will claim the title of the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in April 2018 for her inaugural season in Europe
Commenting on the much-anticipated launch, Royal Caribbean's CEO Michael Bayley said: 'We’re excited to introduce Symphony of the Seas, our boldest composition yet, offering the best of Royal Caribbean with some new surprises for our guests to create a holiday that adventurers of all ages can enjoy together.
'We set out to create a new level of holiday adventure and deliver the ultimate escape for families of all shapes and sizes. 
'Symphony will introduce the most cutting-edge, customisable, and digitally-enhanced experiences in the Royal Caribbean fleet.'
Sea trials commenced on Thursday and will run through to Sunday, in a bid to test the ship's performance.  
The boat offers fantastic views given its height. Standing upright at 1,188 feet it is twice as high as the Washington Monument
The boat offers fantastic views given its height. Standing upright at 1,188 feet it is twice as high as the Washington Monument
Construction materials have to be carefully winched into place 
Construction materials have to be carefully winched into place 
One room appears to need quite a bit of work but construction staff appear to be on the case
One room appears to need quite a bit of work but construction staff appear to be on the case
The ship will feature 'seven distinctive neighbourhoods for families to explore together or individually'
The ship will feature 'seven distinctive neighbourhoods for families to explore together or individually'

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