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Ship comparison

Oasis of the Seas vs Symphony of the Seas

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Oasis of the Seas is a mega Royal Caribbean ship carrying 5,400 passengers, in service since 2009. Symphony of the Seas is a mega Royal Caribbean ship carrying 5,518 passengers, in service since 2018.

Choose Oasis of the Seas if you want a lower starting fare or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Symphony of the Seas for staterooms (8.5 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $288 (vs $588).

Choose Symphony of the Seas if you want more culture, more adventure and nature or a newer ship: it outscores Oasis of the Seas for cultural (5.0 vs 2.0) and adventure & nature (5.0 vs 3.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2018 (vs 2009).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Oasis of the SeasSymphony of the Seas
Cruise line Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean
Ship size Mega Mega
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2009 2018 (better)
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2019 —
Gross tonnage 225,282 228,000
Passengers 5,400 5,518
Crew 2,394 2,200
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.3 (better) 2.5
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 41.7 (better) 41.3
Decks 16 18
Length 1,187 ft 1,184 ft
Beam 198 ft 215 ft
Speed 26 mph 25 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 9 / 10
Cruises on sale 18 32
Upcoming sailings 115 71
Cruise lengths 3 to 9 nights 4 to 10 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $288 (better) $588

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Oasis of the Seas leads on 1 of the ten, Symphony of the Seas on 3, with 6 level.

  • Active Oasis of the Seas: 10.0 Symphony of the Seas: 10.0
  • Adventure & nature Oasis of the Seas: 3.0 Symphony of the Seas: 5.0
  • Cultural Oasis of the Seas: 2.0 Symphony of the Seas: 5.0
  • Dining Oasis of the Seas: 7.0 Symphony of the Seas: 7.0
  • Entertainment Oasis of the Seas: 10.0 Symphony of the Seas: 10.0
  • Family friendly Oasis of the Seas: 10.0 Symphony of the Seas: 10.0
  • Party Oasis of the Seas: 10.0 Symphony of the Seas: 10.0
  • Romantic Oasis of the Seas: 6.0 Symphony of the Seas: 6.0
  • Spa & fitness Oasis of the Seas: 7.0 Symphony of the Seas: 8.0
  • Staterooms Oasis of the Seas: 8.5 Symphony of the Seas: 7.0

Royal Caribbean

Oasis of the Seas

Up until 2016 when Harmony of the Seas took the title, Oasis of the Seas and her sister Allure of the Seas shared the title of World's Largest Cruise Ship. When it entered service, Oasis caused a lot of buzz, with her thoughtful design and massive size.

Highlights

  • Chose to stay and play in seven distinct neighborhoods built for ultimate enjoyment.
  • Central Park neighborhood is the first-ever park at sea, with 12,175 plants, 62 vine plants, 56 trees and bamboo.
  • The only original, handcrafted carousel at sea is the centerpiece of the unique Boardwalk neighborhood.
  • Try the first zip line on a cruise ship, a thrilling 82 feet ride (25 meters), in the Sports Zone, suspended nine decks above the Boardwalk.

Sailing now

18 cruises on sale, from $288.

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.

Questions

Oasis of the Seas or Symphony of the Seas?

Which is bigger, Oasis of the Seas or Symphony of the Seas?

Symphony of the Seas is bigger at 228,000 gross tons, against 225,282 gross tons for Oasis of the Seas. Oasis of the Seas carries 5,400 passengers and Symphony of the Seas carries 5,518.

Which ship is newer, Oasis of the Seas or Symphony of the Seas?

Symphony of the Seas is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2009 for Oasis of the Seas.

Which has more space per passenger?

Oasis of the Seas, with 41.7 gross tons per passenger against 41.3 on Symphony of the Seas. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Oasis of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.3 passengers against one for every 2.5 on Symphony of the Seas.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 10.0 out of 10.

Still deciding?

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