Our Very First Cruise: A Life-Changing Journey on Symphony of the Seas

After years of watching others cruise and wondering what it would be like, we finally did it—we took our very first cruise, and it was everything we hoped for and more. Sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas was more than a vacation—it was a full-on experience that left us with lasting memories, deeper family connections, and a new love for life at sea.

A Perfect Start: Family, New York, and a Little Bit of Adventure

Before we even stepped onto the ship, our journey began in New York, where we met up with family who had cruised before. Traveling with experienced cruisers made everything smoother and a lot less overwhelming. Their tips and guidance helped ease our first-time jitters, and we felt like we were in good hands from the start.

We spent some time exploring the city—riding the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, walking one of the large bridges, and just soaking up the fast-paced energy of downtown. I even caught a photo of a guy sitting on the edge of the bridge (definitely not safe, but made for a wild picture). New York was vibrant, full of street food, sights, and people—something I had only seen on TV before. Experiencing it in person made it all the more real.

From there, we made our way to Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey, and that’s when the real excitement kicked in.

Boarding the Ship: Welcome to Symphony of the Seas

Embarkation was surprisingly smooth. Before we knew it, we were on board, standing in awe of the massive beauty that is Symphony of the Seas. Naturally, our first stop was Sorrento’s Pizza—the beginning of what would be many, many visits. (No lie, I think we ate there at least six times!)

Our stateroom was cozy—definitely smaller than a typical hotel room—but smartly designed. We had plenty of space to unpack and settle in comfortably. After a long day of travel and excitement, we crashed early and ordered room service the next morning. Waking up to the sound of the ocean and pulling back the blinds to see nothing but endless blue water—it’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Exploring the Ship: Food, Fun, and Family Time

With our son Elijah in tow, we took to exploring the ship. Every corner had something new—from the Vitality Caféwhere I grabbed fresh juices and coffee every morning, to the towering Ultimate Abyss dry slide that I just had to ride five times (no regrets). We loved checking out Johnny Rockets, wandering along the boardwalk, and simply people-watching as we walked around the open-air decks.

We mostly ate at the Windjammer Café, which was our go-to for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The variety of food, the ever-changing menus, and the no-cook, no-clean-up convenience were pure luxury for a family like ours.

Port Stops: Nassau and Coco Cay

Our first stop was Nassau, Bahamas. While most of our family went on a tour, Elijah and I kept it low-key because of the heat. We explored a bit, then came back on board to enjoy the ship while it was less crowded—ice cream included, of course. There’s something special about walking the nearly empty decks, soaking in the quiet, and having space to just breathe.

Next up was the stunning Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. The views were picture-perfect. While I didn’t get a chance to tackle the massive waterslides this time, I was already mentally planning our return.

What made CocoCay even more special was that my wife reserved a cabana for our group. It came with cozy seating, power outlets, cold drinks, shade from the sun, and our own personal waitress. The Cabana Burgers, hot dogs, fries, and mocktails hit the spot. And since we had the drink package, all our beverages were covered—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

While the kids played in the pool and sand, I took time to admire the tropical plants scattered throughout the island. Lately, I’ve developed a real love for plants, and CocoCay felt like a living postcard.

Before leaving, we saw Freedom of the Seas pull into port, and it really put the massive size of Symphony into perspective. We were sailing on a true floating city.

Favorite Moments: Central Park and Quiet Mornings

Out of all the amazing spaces onboard, my personal favorite was Central Park—a lush, open-air garden space nestled in the heart of the ship. It’s filled with real plants, winding paths, benches, and hidden corners that make you forget you’re on a cruise ship at all. I loved getting up early, when the ship was still quiet, just to walk around and take photos.

Final Thoughts: A First of Many

This cruise was a life-changing experience. I’m honestly mad at myself for waiting this long to do it. But now that we’ve had our first taste of cruising, we know we’ll be back—especially with Royal Caribbean. From the stunning design, to the top-tier service, to the way the ship brings family, food, and fun together in one place—it’s an experience I’d recommend to anyone.