Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Tropicale
- Cruises
- 5
- From
- $519
Ship comparison
Carnival Tropicale vs Symphony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas
- Cruises
- 32
- From
- $588
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Tropicale is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,200 passengers, due to enter service in 2028. Symphony of the Seas is a mega Royal Caribbean ship carrying 5,518 passengers, in service since 2018.
Choose Carnival Tropicale if you want a newer ship or better-rated dining: it outscores Symphony of the Seas for dining (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2028 (vs 2018).
Choose Symphony of the Seas if you want a more active cruise, better-rated entertainment or more of a party: it outscores Carnival Tropicale for active (10.0 vs 8.0), entertainment (10.0 vs 8.0) and party (10.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Tropicale | Symphony of the Seas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2028 (better) | 2018 |
| Gross tonnage | 180,000 | 228,000 |
| Passengers | 5,200 | 5,518 |
| Crew | 1,735 | 2,200 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.0 | 2.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 34.6 | 41.3 (better) |
| Decks | 18 | 18 |
| Length | 1,128 ft | 1,184 ft |
| Beam | 138 ft | 215 ft |
| Speed | 26 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 5 | 32 |
| Upcoming sailings | 56 | 71 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 8 nights | 4 to 10 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $519 (better) | $588 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Tropicale leads on 2 of the ten, Symphony of the Seas on 7, with 1 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Tropicale
Sailing now
5 cruises on sale, from $519.
About Carnival Tropicale Plan my cruise on Carnival Tropicale
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 Tropicale or Symphony of the Seas?
Which is bigger, Carnival Tropicale or Symphony of the Seas?
Symphony of the Seas is bigger at 228,000 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Carnival Tropicale. Carnival Tropicale carries 5,200 passengers and Symphony of the Seas carries 5,518.
Which has more space per passenger?
Symphony of the Seas, with 41.3 gross tons per passenger against 34.6 on Carnival Tropicale. 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 3.0 on Carnival Tropicale.
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 9.0 for Carnival Tropicale.
Still deciding?
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