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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

The newest Royal Caribbean International ship, the Symphony of the Seas, is set to debut in Barcelona. Cruise editor Tom Stieghorst stepped onboard to chronicle the ship's look and feel. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

One feature that makes the Symphony larger than other Oasis-class ships is the Solarium, which has more enclosed space. In addition, it is roofed with glass panels, rather than plasticized canvas.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

One feature that makes the Symphony larger than other Oasis-class ships is the Solarium, which has more enclosed space. In addition, it is roofed with glass panels, rather than plasticized canvas. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

A signature feature will be ''The Big Wonder,'' which is still being assembled as the ship makes preview cruises. Workers on a lift are placing triangular iridescent glass panels on the 7-ton sculpture, which acts like a canopy over one of the bars in the Solarium.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

A signature feature will be ''The Big Wonder,'' which is still being assembled as the ship makes preview cruises. Workers on a lift are placing triangular iridescent glass panels on the 7-ton sculpture, which acts like a canopy over one of the bars in the Solarium. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

There are 3,800 glass panels to be placed in a metal framework that forms ''The Big Wonder.'' Each panel is individually numbered and workers follow a map to place them properly.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

There are 3,800 glass panels to be placed in a metal framework that forms ''The Big Wonder.'' Each panel is individually numbered and workers follow a map to place them properly. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

This large sculpture on the Royal Promenade on the Symphony is called ''Paradox Void.''

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

This large sculpture on the Royal Promenade on the Symphony is called ''Paradox Void.'' Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The art installation ''Sound Shell'' curves outward, enveloping the viewer in a show of moving abstract art created by LED diodes and a computer program, which also controls the speakers and audio program that accompanies the images.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

The art installation ''Sound Shell'' curves outward, enveloping the viewer in a show of moving abstract art created by LED diodes and a computer program, which also controls the speakers and audio program that accompanies the images. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

This Picasso-like sculpture of a girl decorates one of the whirlpools that hangs over the edge of the Symphony.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

This Picasso-like sculpture of a girl decorates one of the whirlpools that hangs over the edge of the Symphony. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Unique to the Symphony is the 1,350-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, which will probably get the most attention for the slide that connects an upper level kid's sleeping area to the main floor. The room goes for $50,000 a week in the Med for a family of four and is reportedly sold out through 2018.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

Unique to the Symphony is the 1,350-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, which will probably get the most attention for the slide that connects an upper level kid's sleeping area to the main floor. The room goes for $50,000 a week in the Med for a family of four and is reportedly sold out through 2018. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Related Article: READ THE DISPATCH.

The Broadway show, ''Hairspray,'' first presented by Royal Caribbean International on the Oasis of the Seas, has been revived for the Symphony.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

The Broadway show, ''Hairspray,'' first presented by Royal Caribbean International on the Oasis of the Seas, has been revived for the Symphony. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean last year added lifeguards to the pools on its ships, the only company besides Disney Cruise Line to do so.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean last year added lifeguards to the pools on its ships, the only company besides Disney Cruise Line to do so. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The Ultimate Abyss, a dry 10-story slide first installed on the Harmony of the Seas, is also a feature on the Symphony.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

The Ultimate Abyss, a dry 10-story slide first installed on the Harmony of the Seas, is also a feature on the Symphony. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean's first dedicated seafood restaurant called Hooked makes its debut on the Symphony.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's first dedicated seafood restaurant called Hooked makes its debut on the Symphony. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Playmakers is a new sports bar and games arcade complex in the Boardwalk area of the Symphony.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

Playmakers is a new sports bar and games arcade complex in the Boardwalk area of the Symphony. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

These shuffleboard games are part of the entertainment at Playmakers.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

These shuffleboard games are part of the entertainment at Playmakers. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The Boardwalk also for the first time features Sugar Beach, a candy store.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

The Boardwalk also for the first time features Sugar Beach, a candy store. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

Make sure to keep the kids away from the store close to bedtime!

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

Make sure to keep the kids away from the store close to bedtime! Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

The Starbucks on the Symphony has been moved off the Boardwalk and into the Royal Promenade as a stand-alone kiosk.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

The Starbucks on the Symphony has been moved off the Boardwalk and into the Royal Promenade as a stand-alone kiosk. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

On this preview cruise, a tower of orchids and other live flowers stands next to the sculpture ''VW Beetle 1953'' on the Royal Promenade.

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First Call: Symphony of the Seas

On this preview cruise, a tower of orchids and other live flowers stands next to the sculpture ''VW Beetle 1953'' on the Royal Promenade. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst

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