Symphony of the seas vs Icon of the seas
Both Symphony and Icon of the Seas are massive Royal Caribbean ships offering a world of activities across seven themed neighborhoods.
icon of the Seas, launched in 2024, takes the crown from Symphony of the Seas (2018) as the world’s biggest cruise ship. Both are Royal Caribbean giants with exciting neighborhoods, restaurants & activities. Icon offers a slightly more spacious layout and some new features, but Symphony boasts a wider variety of complimentary dining options.
Symphony of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas : A Comparison
Symphony of the Seas
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Class and Type | Oasis-class cruise ship |
Owner/Operator | Royal Caribbean Group/Royal Caribbean International |
Homeport | Port Miami |
Route | Caribbean |
Cost | US$1.35 billion |
In Service | 2018–present |
Icon of the Seas
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Class and Type | Icon-class cruise ship |
Owner/Operator | Royal Caribbean Group/Royal Caribbean International |
Homeport | Port Miami |
Route | Caribbean |
Cost | €1.86 billion |
In Service | 2024–present |
General Characteristics
Feature | Symphony of the Seas | Icon of the Seas |
---|---|---|
Tonnage | 228,081 GT | 248,663 GT |
Length | 361.8 m (1,187 ft) | 364.75 m (1,196.7 ft) |
Beam | 47.448 m (155 ft 8 in) | 48.47 m (159 ft) |
Draught | 9.322 m (30 ft 7 in) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
Decks | 18 | 20 |
Speed | 22 knots (41 km/h) | 22 knots (41 km/h) |
Passenger Capacity | 5,518 (double occupancy) | 5,610 (double occupancy) |
Max Capacity | 6,680 | 7,600 |
Crew | 2,200 | 2,350 |
Design and Facilities
Symphony of the Seas
- Number of Decks for Guests: 16
- Restaurants: 22
- Pools: 4
- Cabins: 2,759
Unique Facilities:
- Children’s water park
- Full-size basketball court
- Ice-skating rink
- Zip line (10 decks high)
- 1,400-seat theater
- Outdoor aquatic theater
- Two 43-foot rock-climbing walls
- Park with over 20,000 tropical plants
Icon of the Seas
- Number of Decks for Guests: 20
- Pools: 7
- Water Slides: 6
Unique Facilities:
- Aquadome (diving and performance venue)
- The Pearl (dynamic art installation)
- Absolute Zero (ice skating rink)
- Surfside (family neighborhood)
- The Hideaway (beach club with suspended infinity pool)
- Thrill Island (largest waterpark at sea)
- Swim & Tonic (largest swim-up bar at sea)
Power and Propulsion
Symphony of the Seas
- Installed Power:
- 3 × 14.4 MW Wärtsilä 12V46D
- 3 × 19.2 MW Wärtsilä 16V46D
- Propulsion:
- Diesel-electric; 3 × 20 MW ABB Azipod (all azimuthing)
- 4 × 5.5 MW Wärtsilä WTT-55 bow thrusters
- Energy Efficiency:
- Uses 25% less fuel due to design changes
- Energy-efficient lighting and waste heat recovery systems
Icon of the Seas
- Installed Power:
- 3 × Wärtsilä 14V46DF (16,030 kW each)
- 3 × Wärtsilä 12V46DF (13,740 kW each)
- Propulsion:
- Diesel-electric; 3 × 20 MW ABB Azipod (all azimuthing)
- 5 × 4.8 MW Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters
- Environmental Considerations:
- Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- Incorporates biofuels, methanol, and shore power
Historical Notes
Symphony of the Seas
- Keel Laid: 29 October 2015
- Launched: 9 June 2017
- Maiden Voyage: 7 April 2018
Significant Events:
- Largest cruise ship by gross tonnage when built.
- Suffered guest overboard incidents and a COVID-19 related death among crew
Icon of the Seas
- Keel Laid: 4 April 2022
- Launched: 9 December 2022
- Maiden Voyage: 27 January 2024
Significant Events:
- Largest cruise ship by gross tonnage as of 2024
- Fire incident in Costa Maya in 2024, quickly extinguished
Symphony of the Seas Key Features
Two-Story Suite:
- Over 1,100 square feet
- Slide from upper loft to main living area
- 3D theater area
- Air hockey table
- Large balcony with hot tub
- Bumper pool table
- Netted climbing wall
- Cost: Over $20,000 on most sailings
Sports Bar and Arcade:
- Located on the entire port side of the Boardwalk
- Dozens of screens broadcasting games
- Menu of sports bar favorites
Glow-in-the-Dark Laser Tag:
- Studio B transformed into a laser tag arena
- Join your team and battle for Planet Z
New England Seafood Specialty Dining:
- Located in the solarium on Deck 16
- Classic menu items: crab cakes, New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, etc.
- Pricing: $40-$44 per person
Complimentary Open-Air Dining:
- Located on Deck 15
- Features made-to-order tacos, fajitas, burritos, and a selection of salsas
Sugar Beach:
- Located in the Boardwalk
- Dozens of candy varieties
- Ten different ice cream flavors and toppings
Entertainment:
- Broadway hit “Hairspray”
- New production show “Flight” (satirical journey of the history and future of flying)
- High dive show “Hero” in the Aqua Theater
- Ice skating show “1977” in Studio B
Ultimate Abyss Slide:
- Winding down 10 stories
- Returns with new elements
The Perfect Storm Water Slides:
- Cyclone and Typhoon: super-fast racing slides
- Supercell: champagne bowl slide
Splashaway Bay:
- Features two slides, water dump bucket, fountains, and spray nozzles
- Great spot for younger cruisers
Submarine-Themed Escape Room:
- Deep diving adventure to solve the mystery
Returning Favorites:
- Zipline
- Dual FlowRiders
- Rock climbing walls
Symphony of the Seas Deck Details
Lower Decks (Decks 1-4):
Primarily house technical spaces, crew areas, and storage facilities.
May also include guest laundry facilities and some specialty restaurants on Deck 4.
Main Decks (Decks 5-8):
- Deck 5: Often houses tender boarding areas, guest services, and some shops.
- Deck 6: Typically has cabins, some specialty restaurants, and the main theater.
- Deck 7 & 8: Mostly dedicated to guest cabins in various categories.
Public Decks (Decks 9-16):
- Where most guest amenities are located.
- Deck 9: Promenade with shops, cafes, and possibly some specialty restaurants.
- Deck 10: Pool decks with swimming pools, whirlpools, bars, and poolside dining options.
- Deck 11 & 12: Likely to have a mix of cabins, public areas like the Solarium (adults-only retreat), and outdoor activities like a rock climbing wall or a mini golf course.
- Deck 14 & 15: Contain the majority of restaurants offering diverse cuisines, bars, lounges, and entertainment venues like discos or karaoke bars.
- Deck 16: Sundeck with additional pools, whirlpools, and potentially a splash pad for children.
Upper Decks (Decks 17 and above):
Primarily consist of luxury suites and specialty venues like private sun terraces or observation areas.
Symphony of the Seas Deck Details in PDF
icon of the seas Deck Details
Deck 3:
- Forward: Medical Center, Music Hall
Deck 4:
- Forward: Royal Theater (goes up to Deck 5)
- Midship: Casino Royale (one of the largest casinos at sea)
- Aft: Dining Room (triple story from Deck 3 to Deck 5)
Deck 5:
- Aft: Absolute Zero (ice skating shows and laser tag)
- Outside: Jogging track and ocean view seating
- Royal Promenade: Retail, Guest Services, Internet Desk, 1400 Lobby Bar, Pearl (three-story window with views), Pearl Cafe, Starbucks, Retail Shops, Spotlight Karaoke, Sorrento’s Pizza, Upper Level of Royal Theater, Fitness Center (multi-story to Deck 6)
Deck 6:
- Forward: Fitness Center
- Midship: Royal Promenade upper level, Dueling Pianos, The Attic
- Aft: Escape Room, Crown Lounge, Giovannis Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, Schooner Bar, Boleros, Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, Adventure Ocean (kids area), Social 20 (Teens Club)
Deck 7:
- Surfside: Carousel, Arcade, Sugar Beach (sweets and activities), Surfside Eatery (buffet), Playscape, Surfside Bites, Pier 7, Lemon Post, Splashaway Bay (kids pool)
Deck 8:
- Central Park: Empire Supper Club ($200 per person), Chops Grill, Trellis Bar, Izumi (Japanese dining), Park Cafe, Bubbles (Champagne Bar), Live Jazz and Blues
Decks 9-14:
- Mostly staterooms
Deck 14:
- Forward: The Overlook (270° views, lounges, bar), Vitality Spa, Vitality Cafe
Deck 15:
- Forward: Aqua Theater (water shows)
- Midship: Lime and Coconut Bar, Sprinkles (complimentary ice cream), Royal Bay Pool, El Loco Fresh (Mexican food), Cantina Fresca (drinks), Windjammer Marketplace (buffet), Hideaway (infinity pool)
Deck 16:
- Aft: FlowRider, slides, bar, mini golf, Base Camp (snacks), Adrenaline Peak, Deserted Milkshake Bar, Crown’s Edge (Skywalk), Lime and Coconut Bar, Swim and Tonic
Deck 17:
- Forward: Coastal Kitchen (dining for suite guests and Pinnacle Club members), Cloud 17 (adults only area, pool, bar, hot tubs), Aft: Sports Court
Decks 18-19:
- Grove Suite Sundeck (pool, bar, dining)
Here is a Complete icon of the seas Deck Details
FAQ
What rank is Symphony of the Seas?
While Symphony of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world by gross tonnage when it was built in 2018, it’s currently ranked second
Who owns Icon of the Seas?
The owner of the Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean Group
Symphony of the seas ticket price
you can expect to pay anywhere from $185 per day to over $1200 per day.
How much did it cost to build the symphony of the seas
The Symphony of the Seas cost around $1.35 billion to build in 2016 (prior to its launch in 2018).
Icon of the seas ticket price
you can expect to pay anywhere from $393 per day to over $1200 per day for a ticket
How long did it take to build the Symphony of the Seas?
It took about 2.5 years (912.5 days) to build the Symphony of the Seas.
How much did it cost to build the Icon of the seas
The Icon of the Seas cost around €1.86 billion to build.
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