Astronaut helps Royal Caribbean nail original show ‘Flight’ on world’s largest cruise ship

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Playmakers is the sports bar and arcade found on the Boardwalk on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
There is a single Ultimate Family Suite on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The cost of the suite runs from $15,000-$18,000 per person for a seven-night cruise. It sleeps up to six and looks out over the Boardwalk at the aft of the ship. Symphony is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Hooked is a seafood restaurant on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Central Park is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
El Loco Fresh is a new dining venue on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. It's a free, quick-service Mexican food option with burritos, tacso, quesadillas and salads.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Sugar Beach is a candy and ice cream venue on the Boardwalk of Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The ship is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Sugar Beach is a candy and ice cream venue on the Boardwalk of Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The ship is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
There is a single Ultimate Family Suite on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The cost of the suite runs from $15,000-$18,000 per person for a seven-night cruise. It sleeps up to six and looks out over the Boardwalk at the aft of the ship. Symphony is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
El Loco Fresh is a new dining venue on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. It's a free, quick-service Mexican food option with burritos, tacso, quesadillas and salads.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Hooked is a seafood restaurant on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
There is a single Ultimate Family Suite on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The cost of the suite runs from $15,000-$18,000 per person for a seven-night cruise. It sleeps up to six and looks out over the Boardwalk at the aft of the ship. Symphony is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Central Park is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Playmakers is the sports bar and arcade found on the Boardwalk on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Playmakers is the sports bar and arcade found on the Boardwalk on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Hooked is a seafood restaurant on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
There is a single Ultimate Family Suite on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The cost of the suite runs from $15,000-$18,000 per person for a seven-night cruise. It sleeps up to six and looks out over the Boardwalk at the aft of the ship. Symphony is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Central Park is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
The Boardwalk is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
The Boardwalk is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Sugar Beach is a candy and ice cream venue on the Boardwalk of Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The ship is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Central Park is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Playmakers is the sports bar and arcade found on the Boardwalk on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Central Park is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou / Orlando Sentinel
One scene in the original production "Flight: Dare to Dream" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas replicates life on the International Space Station.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
El Loco Fresh is a new dining venue on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. It's a free, quick-service Mexican food option with burritos, tacso, quesadillas and salads.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Central Park is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Central Park is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Sugar Beach is a candy and ice cream venue on the Boardwalk of Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The ship is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
El Loco Fresh is a new dining venue on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. It's a free, quick-service Mexican food option with burritos, tacso, quesadillas and salads.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
El Loco Fresh is a new dining venue on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. It's a free, quick-service Mexican food option with burritos, tacso, quesadillas and salads.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Hooked is a seafood restaurant on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
There is a single Ultimate Family Suite on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The cost of the suite runs from $15,000-$18,000 per person for a seven-night cruise. It sleeps up to six and looks out over the Boardwalk at the aft of the ship. Symphony is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Hooked is a seafood restaurant on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
The Boardwalk is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
The Boardwalk is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Hooked is a seafood restaurant on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
El Loco Fresh is a new dining venue on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. It's a free, quick-service Mexican food option with burritos, tacso, quesadillas and salads.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Sugar Beach is a candy and ice cream venue on the Boardwalk of Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. The ship is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Wonderland is the fusion cuisine restaurant themed to Alice in Wonderland aboard Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
The Boardwalk is one of seven "neighborhoods" on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and world's largest cruise ship.
FRED TANNEAU / AFP/Getty Images
Royal Caribbean's new Oasis-class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger ship ever to be constructed by gross tonnage and built by French shipyard STX, is pictured on February 13, 2018 in the port of St. Nazaire, France. STX, whose origins date to 1861, has several cruise ships on order between now and 2026 for its two main clients, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri announced on Februay 2, 2018 it had reached an agreement with France to buy 50 percent of the French shipyard STX. Symphony of the Seas is to be delivered to the Royal Caribbean by March, and will be able to accommodate 5,518 passengers at double occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers, as well as a 2,200-person crew.
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class ship for the cruise line, and inherited the title of world's largest cruise ship.

By Richard Tribou | rtribou@orlandosentinel.com | Orlando Sentinel

PUBLISHED: December 10, 2018 at 6:05 a.m. | UPDATED: May 12, 2019 at 3:10 p.m.

There’s a moment in the original stage production on board the world’s largest cruise ship that will make viewers question the reality of what they’re seeing.

It involves the International Space Station and the “Flight: Dare to Dream” show. Rolling out onto the stage is a prop with what looks to be an astronaut floating in zero-gravity. It looks like it might be a television projection or something pre-taped.

But it’s real, featuring an intricate performance by an actor using aerialist techniques to simulate floating in space.

It’s one of the show’s many moments that had the crowd gushing afterward.

To get the look and feel of the ISS and how astronauts move in space, Royal Caribbean turned to former astronaut Clayton Anderson.

Anderson spent five months on the space station as part of Expedition 15 and 16 in 2007, launching on STS-117 on board space shuttle Atlantis in June and landing as part of STS-120 on board Discovery in November. He also flew back to the ISS as part STS-131 on Discovery in 2010.

In retirement, he’s written several books including the children’s book “A is for Astronaut” and has a hearty social presence, including his Twitter feed @astro_clay.

“I saw this in November in Miami in the studio, with none of the video, none of the props, none of the sets, just the actors,” Anderson said after viewing the full show for the first time. “It’s a tribute to their performing capability that I cried then simply because when they did the song “Home,” and I knew about the space station. It was so emotional to me, because it is home for me.”

The show’s timeline actually starts in the future, on a space colony, and then progresses backward in time including the scenes featuring the space station and Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon. It also features a sobering presentation that pays homage to pioneers in space who have died including the Apollo 1 astronauts and crews of shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

Anderson was the family escort for the ill-fated STS-107, that saw the deaths of seven astronauts as Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry.

“That was tough,” Anderson said. “It’s not easy, doing what we’ve done.”

The show ends at the beginning, a retelling the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first flight on Dec. 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, N.C. with a climactic scene that had the audience cheering.

Nick Weir, senior vice president of entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, said he knew the show was hitting on the right marks with the help of people like Anderson.

“Sometimes, it’s a bit pompous. You try to make people feel something and often times you fall short, but you know the objective obviously with something as magnificent as our reaching for the stars,” Weir said.

One scene in the original production “Flight: Dare to Dream” on board Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas replicates life on the International Space Station.

“Flight” is one of several entertainment options on Symphony of the Seas, that began sailing from Port Miami in November on seven-night Caribbean voyages. It shares the stage with a version of Broadway’s “Hairspray,” while cruisers can also take in an original ice-skating show titled “1977” that features a cameo from synchronized drones as well as the diving-and-aerialist show “HiRo” on the ship’s AquaTheater.

The ship is nearly identical to its sister ship Harmony of the Seas, with features like the 10-story Ultimate Abyss dry slide, Perfect Storm water park and ship layout featuring seven distinct neighborhoods.

What sets Symphony of the Seas apart, though, is its original entertainment including “Flight.”

“I’m very proud to be a very, very small part of what I consider an incredible experience.” Anderson said.

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New issue of ‘Explore Florida & the Caribbean’ is going places

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Travel |
Disney pitches authenticity for new Bahamas cruise destination Lookout Cay

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Universal: Donkey Kong, Mario will populate Epic’s Super Nintendo World

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Discovery Cove introduces Flamingo Point for mixing, mingling

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