Royal Caribbean's Newest Cruise Liner Will Be The Largest Of All Time

Cruise operator Royal Caribbean is building a behemoth. When it sets sail from its construction yard in St. Nazaire, France in April 2018, Symphony of the Seas will officially become the world’s largest cruise liner.

Over 1,180 feet (359 m) long, 215 feet (65 m) wide and weighing in at 230,000 gross tonnes, this floating resort is surely one of the most ambitious constructions ever. Symphony will accommodate 6,780 guests across a total of 2,775 rooms, 28 more than its sister ship and previous record holder, Harmony of the Seas.

The ship’s interior has been designed to reflect seven distinct neighbourhoods, from the tree-lined Central Park to the Luxury Shop-filled Royal Promenade. Four water slides (including 10-story Ultimate Abyss) an Aqua Theatre and robot bartenders will keep guests entertained as they travel from port to port, powered by four bow thrusters, each with 7,500 horsepower.

Due for delivery in April 2018, Symphony will spend her inaugural summer exploring the Mediterranean calling on ports in Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Provence, Florence, Pisa, Rome and Naples before heading to the port of Miami and a new state-of-the-art cruise terminal named ‘The Crown of Miami’, built to accommodate the largest Oasis-class ships.

2018 will also see the launch of Titanic II, 106 years after the original sank on its maiden voyage – the wreck of which, experts say, will disappear within 20 years after metal-hungry microbes were discovered living on its hull.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.