Symphony of the Seas vs Anthem of the Seas

Which ship is larger: Symphony of the Seas or Anthem of the Seas?

Symphony of the Seas absolutely dwarfs Anthem of the Seas in size. We're talking about a massive difference here – Symphony stretches 1,188 feet long and weighs in at 228,081 gross tons, making it about 35% larger than Anthem. That's like comparing a small city to a large town.

Anthem of the Seas, while still impressive, measures 1,141 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 168,666 tons. The width difference is particularly striking – Symphony spans 216 feet wide compared to Anthem's 162 feet. When you're walking around these ships, you'll definitely feel the size difference.

Guest Capacity Comparison

The passenger numbers tell the whole story. Symphony can pack in 5,518 guests at double occupancy, with maximum capacity reaching 6,680 people. That's a lot of vacation energy in one place! Anthem handles 4,180 passengers at double occupancy, maxing out at 4,905 guests.

Crew sizes follow the same pattern. Symphony requires about 2,200 crew members to keep everything running smoothly, while Anthem operates with around 1,300 crew members.

What class of ships are Symphony and Anthem?

Here's where things get interesting from a design perspective. Symphony of the Seas belongs to Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class fleet – these are the giants of the cruise world. Launched in 2018, Symphony represents the newest generation of mega-ships.

Anthem of the Seas comes from the Quantum-class family, which launched in 2015. While Quantum-class ships focus heavily on technological innovation and entertainment, they're built on a smaller scale than their Oasis-class cousins. Anthem did get a nice refresh in 2025, so it's not showing its age.

How does the space feel on each ship?

This might surprise you – despite Symphony carrying more passengers, it often feels less crowded than Anthem. The secret lies in Symphony's neighborhood-style layout. The ship breaks up into distinct areas like Central Park, the Boardwalk, and the Promenade, which naturally spreads people out.

Symphony offers better space ratios per passenger thanks to its sheer size. With 16 guest decks and around 2,759 cabins, there's simply more room to breathe. The neighborhoods create natural gathering spots that prevent that overwhelming "sea of people" feeling.

Anthem's smaller footprint means less space per guest overall. Without the neighborhood concept, crowd flow works differently – you'll notice it especially during peak times like embarkation or popular show times.

What dining and entertainment options do they offer?

Symphony of the Seas goes big on variety. With 22 restaurants and 4 pools, you've got options for days. The sheer number of venues means you could probably cruise multiple times and still discover new spots. The entertainment follows the Oasis-class formula of spectacular productions and diverse activities.

Anthem takes a different approach, focusing on quality over quantity. Many cruisers rave about Anthem's music venues and the sound quality throughout the ship. The entertainment leans heavily into high-tech experiences that you won't find on older ships.

One thing to note – Anthem doesn't feature the DreamWorks characters that pop up on some other Royal Caribbean ships, which might matter if you're traveling with young kids who love Shrek and friends.

Which ship offers better value?

This really depends on what you're after. Symphony delivers more bang for your buck in terms of pure amenities and space. You get more restaurants, more activities, and more room to spread out. Families especially appreciate the variety – there's something for everyone, from thrill-seekers to those wanting quiet relaxation.

Anthem shines for cruisers who want cutting-edge technology and don't need endless dining options. The smaller size appeals to people who find mega-ships overwhelming. You'll spend less time walking between venues, and the ship feels more manageable.

Which should you choose?

Pick Symphony of the Seas if you want the full Royal Caribbean experience turned up to eleven. The size works in your favor – more space, more options, more of everything. Families with diverse interests tend to love Symphony because everyone finds their happy place.

Choose Anthem of the Seas if you prefer innovation over size. The tech-forward approach creates unique experiences you won't get elsewhere. Solo travelers and couples often gravitate toward Anthem's more intimate scale, even though "intimate" is relative when talking about ships carrying thousands of people.

Both ships deliver excellent cruise experiences – it comes down to whether you want to go big or go smart with technology.