Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Celebration
- Cruises
- 19
- From
- $310
Ship comparison
Carnival Celebration vs Symphony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas
- Cruises
- 32
- From
- $588
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Celebration is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,374 passengers, in service since 2022. Symphony of the Seas is a mega Royal Caribbean ship carrying 5,518 passengers, in service since 2018.
Choose Carnival Celebration if you want a lower starting fare: its cruises start from $310 (vs $588).
Choose Symphony of the Seas if you want a more active cruise, better-rated entertainment or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Carnival Celebration for active (10.0 vs 7.0), entertainment (10.0 vs 7.0) and spa & fitness (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Celebration | Symphony of the Seas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 (better) | 2018 |
| Gross tonnage | 180,000 | 228,000 |
| Passengers | 5,374 | 5,518 |
| Crew | 1,735 | 2,200 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.1 | 2.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 33.5 | 41.3 (better) |
| Decks | 19 | 18 |
| Length | 1,130 ft | 1,184 ft |
| Beam | 137 ft | 215 ft |
| Speed | 20 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 19 | 32 |
| Upcoming sailings | 70 | 71 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 8 nights | 4 to 10 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $310 (better) | $588 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Celebration leads on 0 of the ten, Symphony of the Seas on 7, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration, the first megaship from Carnival Cruise Line with 5,374 passengers (double occupancy), debuted in November 2022 with short splash-and-dash sailings to the Caribbean out of Miami.
Sailing now
19 cruises on sale, from $310.
About Carnival Celebration Plan my cruise on Carnival Celebration
Royal Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas
If you like to go big, you can’t get much bigger than Symphony of the Seas from Royal Caribbean. The ship set sail in April 2018 as the world's largest — Wonder of the Seas has since surpassed it — and now home-ports in Miami.
Highlights
- Spectacular original productions of "Flight" and the Broadway hit "Hairspray," coupled with shows in the Aqua Theater and the Studio B ice rink
- If you have the funds, the Suite Collection includes several private venues, including a restaurant, private sun deck, lounge and priority seating at all shows and events
- The Ultimate Family Suite comes complete with a personal cinema, a wrap-around balcony, an in-cabin slide and even a personal whirlpool
Sailing now
32 cruises on sale, from $588.
About Symphony of the Seas Plan my cruise on Symphony of the Seas
Questions
Carnival Celebration or Symphony of the Seas?
Which is bigger, Carnival Celebration or Symphony of the Seas?
Symphony of the Seas is bigger at 228,000 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Carnival Celebration. Carnival Celebration carries 5,374 passengers and Symphony of the Seas carries 5,518.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Celebration or Symphony of the Seas?
Carnival Celebration is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2022 against 2018 for Symphony of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Symphony of the Seas, with 41.3 gross tons per passenger against 33.5 on Carnival Celebration. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Symphony of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers against one for every 3.1 on Carnival Celebration.
Which is better for families?
Symphony of the Seas scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 10.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Carnival Celebration.
Still deciding?
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