Good cruise overall

Item: Symphony of the Seas
Rating: 4.5
Author: RoLoHa

Symphony of the Seas Cruise Review

RoLoHa

Contributor Level: Second Mate

33 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 8

Helpful Votes: 71

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 02, 2019

Ship: Symphony of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6232

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

This was our first cruise with a wheelchair and it was eye-opening as far as lack of simple accommodations that could improve the experience of the disabled. My husband can walk and stand for short periods using a cane. No benches on piers when waiting for trams? No separate queues for boarding, dinner, shows that would allow handicapped to be out of the way and not be trampled. Elevators ...need a better way to ensure those who need them are getting timely service. The dining room staff don’t always understand easy access seating. Once everyone is seated tables off the front row are impossible to navigate in a chair. In the MDR our servers although super pleasant did not “learn” to remove the chair where the wheelchair would be placed. Each night I had to first move the chair to move the wheelchair in place and they would then come remove it since it was in their way.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

There were no separate lines for handicapped cruisers to get through security or when boarding and this makes it hard for those with disabilities to get through lines. Turning lots of corners in a queue, bring jostled and pushed by the able bodied.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Many activities on this cruise were crowded and impossible to navigate in a wheelchair or pushing one.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Again. Very crowded. No designated lines for admitting those in wheelchairs. It was very hard to be in queues under these conditions.

Royal Theatre

1 out of 5

Most disappointing was the decision to open only deck 4 for all reservations. We found navigating deck 4 near impossible with the crowds but were not allowed to enter on Deck 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

I found all staff pleasant but felt most could benefit from sensitivity training when it comes to accommodation of disabled cruisers.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

This accessible cabin is very nice. Roll-in shower and lots of space for chair. Lacking is any type grab rail near the bed and nothing close to hold on to. And, if you are confined to a wheelchair you cannot easily open the cabin door from inside the cabin without assistance.

Ship tip

There’s plenty to see and do but it’s very crowded in public areas when cruise is fully booked making it harder to get around since there are no paths left open.

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