Symphony of the Seas Sets Atlantic Crossing Guest Record

The Symphony of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International, is one of the world’s largest cruise ships. It reportedly broke a passenger ship record by carrying the most people on a transatlantic crossing. The cruise liner moved from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, a 12-day journey during which it made only a handful of port calls, making the route eastward early in the season.

The 228,081-tons Symphony of the Seas debuted in 2018 as Royal Caribbean’s fourth Oasis-class cruise ship. Thus far, each vessel has been the largest cruise ship in the world since it was first unveiled.

Sister ship Miracle of the Seas is better than Symphony of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas, the class’s sixth and most advanced member to date, is now under construction in France, but in 2024, she will be dwarfed by the Icon of the Seas.

The Symphony of the Seas broke the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing when she sailed from Miami on 9 March and docked in Malaga, Spain, on 19 March, and the ship captain informed passengers of the record.

During his announcement, he stated that there were 7,604 people on board the cruise liner. This included 5,350 passengers as well as 2,224 crew members. The cruise ship, however, was at partial capacity. When all third and fourth berths are used, she has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,680. The cruise ship has 2,759 cabins, giving her a double occupancy of 5,518 assuming each cabin has two guests.

The Symphony of the Seas’ record-breaking journey ended on 21 March in Barcelona, where passengers disembarked. Since she’s too big to fit in any North American drydock, the cruise liner must first sail to Navantia in Cadiz to renew her five-year certifications and receive routine maintenance.

After that, she’s planning to cruise in the Mediterranean. On 29 October 2023, she departs Barcelona for another attempt at breaking the Atlantic crossing record, heading west towards the Caribbean.