Photo: Darthvadrouw, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Symphony of the Seas is the fourth ship of Royal Caribbean's Oasis class, built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire in France and delivered in 2018 at a cost of roughly US$1.35 billion. On entering service she claimed the title of the world's largest cruise ship, a distinction she held from 2018 until Wonder of the Seas surpassed her in 2022. At about 228,081 gross tons and 361 metres long across eighteen decks, she carries more than 5,500 guests at double occupancy and over 6,600 at maximum, served by roughly 2,200 crew.
Built on the mature Oasis template, she features the signature seven neighborhoods, including the live-planted Central Park and the carnival-themed Boardwalk with its hand-carved carousel. Her attractions include a full ice-skating rink, the ten-story Ultimate Abyss dry slide, the three-slide Perfect Storm waterpark, dual FlowRider surf simulators, twin rock-climbing walls, a zip-line, and a 1,400-seat main theater. She also debuted the Ultimate Family Suite, a two-story accommodation with an in-cabin slide and its own cinema, aimed at the top of the family market.
Symphony of the Seas marked a milestone in Royal Caribbean's christening traditions: at her 2018 naming she was blessed not by a single godmother but by the PenaVega family, actors Alexa and Carlos PenaVega and their son, whom the line designated its first-ever 'Godfamily.' Her maiden voyage sailed from Barcelona in the spring of 2018 before she crossed to her Florida base.
Registered in Nassau, Bahamas, and homeported in Miami, Symphony of the Seas sails Caribbean itineraries and remains in active service, a flagship-caliber vessel that for four years reigned as the largest passenger ship afloat.
Getting around - smart elevators: Royal Caribbean has been rolling out destination-dispatch "smart elevators" across its largest ships, including the Oasis class. Where fitted, guests select their deck at a console outside the elevators and are directed to a specific lettered car (A, B, C, and so on) rather than pressing a button inside the car; the system groups riders by destination to reduce waiting time.
Onboard Highlights
Signature attractions, dining, bars and entertainment aboard Symphony of the Seas.
Top attractions
- Battle for Planet Z℠
Glow-in-the-dark laser tag faceoff for control of the last planet. - FlowRider®
40-foot-long surf simulator with 30,000 gallons of rushing water. - The Perfect Storm℠
Triple threat waterslides featuring Typhoon℠, Cyclone℠ and Supercell℠. - Ultimate Abyss℠
The tallest slide at sea. - Zip Line
See the ship over nine decks above the Boardwalk®.
Specialty dining
- Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine
Master chefs serve creative cocktails and dishes designed to whisk you away down a rabbit hole of wonder. - Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
Sushi and Asian dishes prepared tableside.
Bars and lounges
- Bionic Bar®
Two robotic bartenders take orders in binary and sling drinks to perfection. - Schooner Bar
Lively late-night spot serving cocktails with live musical performances and piano sing-alongs.
Entertainment
- Hairspray
Broadway production featuring Tracy Turnblad with a live orchestra accompanying every performance.
Where She Sails
Ports of call on Symphony of the Seas itineraries, with a signature highlight at each.
Specifications
| Status | In service |
|---|---|
| Entered service | 2018 |
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean International |
| Class | Oasis class |
| Gross tonnage | 228,081 GT |
| Guests (double occupancy) | 5,518 |
| Guests (maximum) | 6,780 |
| Crew | 2,394 |
| Est. annual guests | ≈ 290,000 / year (estimated) |
| Length | 362 m (1,188 ft) |
| Beam | 47 m (154 ft) moulded · 64 m (210 ft) extreme |
| Draught | 9.3 m (31 ft) |
| Decks | 18 |
| Staterooms | 2,759 |
| Shipyard | Chantiers de l'Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, France) |
| Build cost | ≈ US$1.35 billion |
| Christened by | The PenaVega family, Royal Caribbean's first Godfamily |
| Flag | Bahamas |
| Port of registry | Nassau, Bahamas |
| IMO number | 9744001 |
| Call sign | C6DF6 |
| Home port | Miami, Florida |
| Region | Caribbean |
About the Oasis class
The "neighborhood" megaships - among the largest passenger vessels ever built - featuring Central Park and the Boardwalk.
Ownership & loyalty
Part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL).
Sister brands: Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Loyalty status match - members keep an equivalent tier across the group's brands:
- Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International) ↔ Captain's Club (Celebrity Cruises)
One-for-one tier status match across Royal Caribbean Group brands: Gold <-> Classic, Platinum/Emerald <-> Select, Diamond <-> Elite, Diamond Plus <-> Elite Plus, Pinnacle Club <-> Zenith. - Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International) ↔ Venetian Society (Silversea Cruises)
One-for-one status match with Silversea Venetian Society: Gold <-> 1 day, Platinum/Emerald <-> 100 days, Diamond <-> 250 days, Diamond Plus <-> 350 days, Pinnacle Club <-> 500 days.
References
Descriptions on Cruise Ship Wiki are original write-ups paraphrased from public sources; facts are compiled from the references below and cross-checked. How we source our information.
- Photograph by Darthvadrouw (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons - Primary ship photograph