Share this Article on:
Oasis of the Seas vs Symphony of the Seas — My Experience (2024)
Introduction
Welcome, cruise fans! Having been lucky enough to sail with a line-up that currently includes Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, I’m delighted to have experienced both ship first-hand so as to help you decide which one of these super-sized vessels is most definitely for you.
Allow me to walk you through the world of these dynamo drifter, comparing everything from their girths and their coolest features.
Honestly, trying to pick between of these two is a lot like selecting which dessert you feel MOST sexy eating at the buffet- they’re both delicious, but one probably fulfills your craving better!
Independence of the Seas Vs Freedom of the Seas
Size Matters: Comparing These Floating Giants
The moment I saw these giants, I was just flabbergasted. The scale of these ships is simply mind-blowing. Let me break it down for you:
| Feature | Oasis of the Seas | Symphony of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 226,838 GT | 228,081 GT |
| Length | 1,187 ft (361.8 m) | 1,188 ft (362.1 m) |
| Beam/ Wide | 215 ft (65.5 m) | 215.5 ft (65.7 m) |
| Decks | 16 passenger decks | 16 passenger decks |
| Capacity | 5,602 passengers (double occupancy) | 5,518 passengers (double occupancy) |
| Crew | 2,109 crew members | 2,200 crew members |
| Staterooms | 2,801 | 2,759 |
| Maiden Voyage | 2009 | 2018 |
You can tell Symphony is a bit larger, but frankly it’s hard to compare the two once you’re actually aboard. I was, however, struck by how effectively both ships spread their passengers around the ship — into a variety of neighborhoods. Even with their sheer size, I never once felt overwhelmed by crowds on either ship.
Stateroom Showdown: Where Dreams Set Sail
Now, let’s talk about where do you sleep soundly after a long day full of adventures. Both ships have a solid mix of accommodations, but there are some variations.
| Stateroom Type | Oasis of the Seas | Symphony of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | 496 sq ft | 499 sq ft |
| Ocean View | 179 sq ft | 179 sq ft |
| Balcony | 182 sq ft | 182 sq ft |
| Suites | Various sizes up to Royal Loft Suite (1,524 sq ft) | Various sizes up to Ultimate Family Suite (1,346 sq ft) |
I went all out and booked a Central Park Balcony room for my Oasis trip, but seriously, it was amazing to start every day sipping coffee while looking at the greenery.
But in my sailing on Symphony, I finally saw the Ultimate Family Suite and OMG you guys, it was a kid’s dream come true (big kids are impressed too!)
For solo cruisers, Symphony offers studio cabins for one person in several categories. Both ships offer a slew of great options for families, like connecting rooms and expansive suites.
If you are a queasy sailor who is prone to seasickness like me, choose a mid-ship cabin on deck 2. Your stomach will thank you!
Culinary Adventures (Oasis Vs Symphony): A Feast for the Senses
Alright, foodies, listen up! Now here is the fun part! Yes, both ships are a foodie wonderland, yet there are some key differences that might sway your decision:
| Dining Options | Oasis of the Seas | Symphony of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 23 | 25 |
| Complimentary | 13 | 14 |
| Specialty | 10 | 11 |
Common Dining Options
I was like a kid in a candy store on both ships, trying to get as many restaurants under my crushingly high trousers belt!
I loved 150 Central Park, and it will always be one of my absolute favorites on both of the ships. We enjoyed the farm-to-table experience, intimate atmosphere made for an unforgettable date night with my better half.
You’ll find the same classics — Johnny Rockets, Chops Grille and Sorrento’s Pizza — on both the ships. Symphony also debuts El Loco Fresh for a simple Mexican lunch that ended up being my fast-favorite between the pair.
| Dining Options | Oasis of the Seas | Symphony of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Chef's Table | Yes | No |
| Windjammer | Yes | Yes |
| Johnny Rockets | Yes | Yes |
| Dog House | Yes | Yes |
| Chops Grille℠ | Yes | Yes |
| Solarium Bistro Restaurant | Yes | Yes |
| Room Service | Yes | Yes |
| Café Promenade | Yes | Yes |
| Starbucks® | Yes | Yes |
| Giovanni's Table | Yes | No |
| Sorrento's Pizza | Yes | Yes |
| Coastal Kitchen | Yes | Yes |
| Park Café | Yes | Yes |
| Vitality Café | Yes | Yes |
| 150 Central Park | Yes | Yes |
| Main Dining Room | Yes | Yes |
| Izumi Hibachi & Sushi | Yes | Yes |
| Sugar Beach℠ | No | Yes |
| La Patisserie | Yes | No |
| Wonderland | No | Yes |
| Jamie's Italian By Jamie Oliver | No | Yes |
| El Loco Fresh | Yes | Yes |
| Portside BBQ | Yes | No |
| Hooked Seafood | No | Yes |
Every night in Main Dining Room on both ships was an adventure. I adored the rotating menu, and the excuse to get a little bit dressed. But it was the specialty restaurants that really blew me away.
Both ships have an unbelievable food experience in Chops Grille℠, which to this day has served me some of the best steaks I’ve tried. And Izumi Hibachi & Sushi? I did not even know I could consume that much sushi in one sitting!
Symphony of the Seas: Exclusive Dining Options
Symphony has some unique offerings of its own. Hooked Seafood served up some of the best lobster I’ve ever tasted. And Wonderland? Well, let’s just say it lives up to its name. It’s like Alice in Wonderland meets molecular gastronomy – a feast for all the senses!
And let’s not forget about Sugar Beach. I probably gained five pounds just from consuming candies alone, kidding. But hey, calories don’t count on vacation, right?
Word to the wise: if you’re a foodie like me, consider getting a dining package. It’ll save you some cash and give you the freedom to try those tempting specialty restaurants without breaking the bank.
Oasis of the Seas: Exclusive Dining Options
- Chef’s Table: For a first-class dining experience for the true foodie
- I found myself salivating at all the pasta dishes on O … Giovanni’s Table just did not disappoint
- La Patisserie
- Portside BBQ
Entertainment Extravaganza: Showstoppers at Sea
The entertainment on Oasis and Symphony of the Seas will literally blew your mind away. From sunrise to long past sunset, there were just too many options on both Oasis and Symphony that kept me busy all the time.
The FlowRider surf simulator was one of my favourite spots on both ships. I probably fell a hundred times but it was still good fun! The exhilaration of flying down the Zip Line, three decks up from sea level on the Boardwalk® will get your heart beating.
| Entertainment And Activities | Oasis Of The Seas | Symphony Of The Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Spa & Fitness Center | Yes | Yes |
| Shopping | Yes | Yes |
| Guest Entertainers | Yes | Yes |
| Live Orchestra) | Yes | Yes |
| Original Productions | No | Yes |
| Pub Performances | Yes | Yes |
| Fitness Classes | Yes | Yes |
| Flowrider® | Yes | Yes |
| Whirlpools | Yes | Yes |
| Game Shows | Yes | Yes |
| Pool Parties | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor Movie Nights | Yes | Yes |
| Sports Court | Yes | Yes |
| Arcade | Yes | Yes |
| Theme Nights | Yes | Yes |
| The Perfect Storm℠ | Yes | Yes |
| Solarium | Yes | Yes |
| Pools | Yes | Yes |
| Mini Golf | Yes | Yes |
| Art Collection | Yes | Yes |
| Wine Tasting | Yes | Yes |
| Rock Climbing Wall | Yes | Yes |
| Splashaway Bay℠ | Yes | Yes |
| Parades | Yes | Yes |
| Ice Skating | Yes | Yes |
| Night Life | Yes | No |
| Salsa Dancing | Yes | Yes |
| Shush! Silent Party | Yes | Yes |
| Dance Classes | Yes | Yes |
| All Access Tour | Yes | Yes |
| Scrapbooking | Yes | Yes |
| Table Tennis | Yes | Yes |
| Guest Lectures | Yes | Yes |
| Babies And Tots Programs | Yes | Yes |
| Adventure Ocean® | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Artistry | Yes | Yes |
| Club Djs | No | Yes |
| Voyagers | No | Yes |
| Piano Sing-Alongs | No | Yes |
| Sip, Tour, Brunch | Yes | Yes |
| Typhoon℠ And Cyclone℠ | Yes | Yes |
| Captain’s Welcome Aboard Reception | Yes | Yes |
| Art Auctions | Yes | Yes |
| Laser Tag: Battle For Planet Z℠ | No | Yes |
| 70s Disco Party | Yes | Yes |
| Pickleball | Yes | Yes |
| Cupcake Class | Yes | Yes |
| Sushi Making Class | Yes | Yes |
| Zip Line | Yes | Yes |
| On Air Club | Yes | Yes |
| Jewelry Making | Yes | Yes |
| Teen Lounge | No | Yes |
| Adventure Science Lab | No | Yes |
| Imagination Studio | No | Yes |
| Adventure Ocean Theater | No | Yes |
| Explorers | No | Yes |
| Scuba Certification | Yes | Yes |
| Cats | Yes | No |
| Aquo80 | Yes | No |
| Splash | Yes | No |
| Frozen In Time | Yes | No |
| Frozen In Time | Yes | No |
| One Sky | Yes | No |
| Ultimate Abyss | Yes | Yes |
| Royal Escape Room℠: Mission Control Apollo 18 | Yes | No |
| Teen Spaces | Yes | No |
| Laser Tag: Clash For The Crystal City | Yes | No |
| Up And Way | Yes | Yes |
| Supercell | Yes | Yes |
| Library & Card Room | Yes | Yes |
| Hairspray | No | Yes |
| Aquatheater Shows | No | Yes |
| Hiro | No | Yes |
| Aqua Nation | No | Yes |
| Ice Skating Shows | No | Yes |
| 1977 | No | Yes |
| Flight | No | Yes |
| Escape The Rubicon | No | Yes |
| Adventure Art | No | Yes |
You must not forget about giving The Ultimate Abyss a chance. It is available on both of the ships and a 10-story plunge from the tallest slide on sea is not a joke!
I took on The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides like we were twelve years old again, racing up the stairs, racing each other down. Every time I slid down on the Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠ I was laughing (and screaming) from top to bottom.
But as I mentioned, with the shows, both ships delivered in a big way. On Oasis, I saw the Broadway smash “Cats” which was purr-fect (sorry, just couldn’t help it). The ice skating show “Frozen in Time” had me on the edge of my seat – I mean, ice skating on a cruise ship? Mind blown!
Symphony has the next offering with “Hairspray,” and yes, I was moving in my chair. Oh, and the AquaTheater shows – “HiRo” and “AquaNation” — I was speechless.
One unique feature on Symphony was the Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z℠. I had to much fun being a space-faring warrior and shooting other cruisers in a glowing neon lazer tag arena.
Both ships offered tons of options for staying fit (to balance out all that amazing food, of course). I tried out fitness classes, hit the rock climbing wall, and even attempted a bit of ice skating. Let’s just say I’m better at eating than exercising, but the ocean views from the gym almost made up for the pain!
For a more relaxed vibe, I loved strolling through Central Park on both ships. Real plants and trees in the middle of the ocean? It’s like a little oasis of calm in the midst of all the excitement. And don’t even get me started on the Vitality℠ Spa – that hot stone massage on Oasis had me floating on cloud nine for days.
Thrills and Spills: Onboard Activities Face-Off
| Activity | Oasis of the Seas | Symphony of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Abyss | ✓ | ✓ |
| FlowRider | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zip Line | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rock Climbing Wall | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ice Skating Rink | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mini Golf | ✓ | ✓ |
| LASER TAG: BATTLE FOR PLANET Z℠ | × | ✓ |
| LASER TAG: CLASH FOR THE CRYSTAL CITY | ✓ | × |
| ROYAL ESCAPE ROOM℠: | ||
| MISSION CONTROL APOLLO 18 | ✓ | × |
| Perfect Storm Waterslides | ✓ | ✓ |
Adrenaline junkies, rejoice! Whichever ship you choose, both ship are packed with heart-pumping activities that’ll have you forgetting you’re even on a ship. Some of the best features (in my opinion):
You have to try the Ultimate Abyss on both ships. This one happens to be the tallest slide at sea, that 10-story plunge is after all no joke!
There was also the glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena (Clash for The Crystal City) and an escape room at Oasis of the seas. I loved playing there being an international secret agent in the laser tag arena. The escape room was also a good fun to complete with new shipmates.
Relaxation and Wellness for Recharging Your Batteries
After this much of adrenaline rush, you deserve time for some well-deserved R&R. Fear not, both ships have lots of it!
Vitality Spa on both Oasis and Symphony is a little slice of heaven. One hot stone massage aboard Oasis, and I was literally floating away from the mess. In addition, Symphony has some extra treatment rooms at its spa and a specific space dedicated to couples, making this is the perfect itinerary for two.
The two ships also share numerous pools — including the adults-only Solarium. In this regard, Symphony’s Solarium actually gets a little plus up from its tiered water features and daybeds. This was my afternoon nap spot (yes I took naps, it is vacation!)
The cutting-edge gyms on both ships are perfect for fitness fanatics. I experienced a spin class on Oasis and yoga class on Symphony. I will say my lazy stomach is more suited to eating than exercising but then again the view of the ocean, from the gym made up for the pain!
Family-Friendly Features: Ideal for Playful Guests of All Ages
Traveling with little ones? Oasis and Symphony of the seas, both are a kiddo’s paradise! The Adventure Ocean youth program is pacesetting on both Oasis and Symphony.
Teens have their own special and cool spots to hang out into. The lounge and Fuel Teen Disco on Oasis appears to cater to that younger audience. Symphony jacks it up a few by throwing in that glow-in-the-dark laser tag and the Ultimate Abyss slide, which teens love.
Both ships have great opportunities for family bonding. Impressions — I witnessed family members going head-to-head on the Mini Golf Course and chuckling over comedy shows. Seeing so many people creating memories together warmed my soul.
Raise a Glass: Bar Hopping at Sea
A girl has to stay hydrated after all that eating and adventuring. And let me tell you, both Oasis and Symphony have got you covered in the libations department!
The Schooner Bar on both ships was my go to place for a nightcap. Drinking a cocktail and listening to piano in person just has an air of magic about it. The sing-alongs, oh the sing-alongs — by the end of the cruise! we were one big, drunk happy family!
For those looking to dance the night away, Boleros was the place to be. I tried to learn how to salsa (tried) and found out that mojitos make me be a good dancer!
But the real goodie is the Rising Tide Bar—something that’s completely new to this industry. Imagine it: you’re enjoying a drink, and then the whole bar begins to shake on its own momentum! Ascending from Royal Promenade to Central Park, It’s a cocktail and an attraction, all rolled into one!
The Bionic Bar on the ships was an experience – robot bartenders making cocktails with military precision. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie! Plus the wine bar, Vintages, had an impressive selection and a nice laid back vibe for wine lovers.
Unique Offerings for Bar and Lounges
Some of the special signature amenities of Symphony include, Vintage, Dazzles and Pool & Sand Bar.
A favorite spot on Oasis was The Lime and Coconut. Although nothing beats fruit cocktail by the pool side, watching the world go by. Its Vacation Living at its Finest!
The Verdict: Oasis of the Seas vs Symphony of the Seas, Which Ship is the Best?
Having sailed on both of these fabulous ships… I can honestly say you won’t go wrong with either one. They’re both floating marvels that offer an incredible array of experiences.
If you’re looking for the absolute latest and greatest, Symphony of the Seas might have a slight edge as It’s newer than the Oasis.
That said, it’s not like Oasis of the Seas — which only emerged from its 2019 amplification— is any slouch. It comes in at a nearly identical price and has largely comparable features to Symphony. Plus, I found the service on Oasis to be exceptionally warm and personalized.
In the end, it comes down to what is most important to you regarding price, on board experience and and desired itinerary. The truth is, both ships will provide a fantastic cruise vacation that you’ll be bragging about for years to come.
Bon voyage, fellow cruisers! May your drinks be strong, your sea days be sunny, and your memories be unforgettable. See you on the high seas!