Embarkment

[tedwords]

Leaving the Fontainebleau was tough, but at least it was mitigated by the fact that we were headed to the cruise ship. This year we had elected to travel on what is right now the largest ship in the word: the Symphony of the Seas. 

We started traveling on Royal Caribbean back in 2016. That was a short five day trip on the Brilliance of the Seas to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We fell in love and immediately booked our next cruise for the same time next year.

In 2017, we traveled the Harmony of the Seas, at that point the largest ship in the world, to Haiti and Jamaica and then back to Cozumel. We liked it, we liked the newness and the largeness, but felt like it wasn't as personal as the smaller ship we had been on the year before, so the next year...

In 2018, we traveled on the Jewel of the Seas. We started at San Juan, then went to St. Croix, St. Maarten, Domica, Barbados and then Grenada. I think this was my favorite trip that we've been on. The ship size was perfect and I loved having a ton of stops. 

In July, we then went on our wedding cruise: Majesty of the Seas, starting at Tampa, and then traveling to Key West and Cozumel. It was perfect, of course, and we loved spending the time with 30 of our friends, but it was definitely the smallest ship we have been on. 

So, time for a change of pace, which brings us to this year: the Symphony of the Seas. Three stops: Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Kitts. 

Initial impression? It's a big huge ship and brand new and beautiful and we love all the shiny new cool things they have on it. So, that's a definite plus. This ship has an ice rink, a full size Broadway theater, an amazing water show, a boardwalk like Coney Island and a park area that is intended to resemble Central Park. It's amazing.

The down side? Tons of parents with kids and less than personalized service: the dinner was delicious but featured tater tots (they had another name, but they were tater tots) and the waiter failed to make any recommendations (when I asked for one about the fish, he simply said, "fried.") It just wasn't what I expect from Royal Caribbean. I know, I know, they have 6,000 people on the boat, it's busy, and I am sounding awfully snobby and I have been spoiled. But still...

 Still, it is so wonderful to be back and we love our cabin and I have been dreaming about the next week for months. So happy to be back! I am so excited for the fun to begin.