Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are both Oasis-class Royal Caribbean megaships with nearly identical onboard costs ($75–$95/person/day for drinks, $18/person/day gratuities, $25–$40/day for Wi-Fi), but Symphony edges ahead on amenities and itineraries while Oasis often wins on base fare price after its 2022 amplification.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Both ships are massive. Both ships are Royal Caribbean. And if you're trying to decide between them based on cost alone, you're going to go in circles — because the onboard pricing is virtually identical. The real decision comes down to base fare, itinerary, and which ship's amenities actually match how you cruise.
The Core Cost Comparison: Oasis vs. Symphony
Both Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are Oasis-class ships, which means they share the same pricing infrastructure for packages, gratuities, and extras. The differences in total trip cost come almost entirely from base fare and itinerary, not what happens once you board.
| Cost Category | Oasis of the Seas | Symphony of the Seas | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base fare (7-night, interior) | $699–$1,100/person | $849–$1,299/person | Symphony typically commands a small premium |
| Base fare (7-night, balcony) | $1,099–$1,699/person | $1,199–$1,899/person | Varies widely by sail date |
| Deluxe Beverage Package (pre-cruise) | $75–$95/person/day | $75–$95/person/day | Check your Cruise Planner — prices fluctuate |
| Gratuities | $18/person/day | $18/person/day | Suite guests pay ~$21/day |
| Wi-Fi (Surf + Stream) | $25–$40/person/day | $25–$40/person/day | Starlink upgraded; buy pre-cruise for best rate |
| Specialty dining cover charge | $40–$55/person | $40–$55/person | Chops, Hooked, Giovanni's |
| Kids Sail Free promos | Frequently available | Frequently available | Watch Royal Caribbean's site |
Bottom line on pricing: Symphony typically runs $150–$400 more per person on the base fare for comparable cabin categories and sail dates. That gap narrows significantly during sales.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What Actually Drives the Price Difference
1. Amplification status — Oasis got upgraded in 2022. Oasis of the Seas completed a major amplification that added The Perfect Storm waterslides, The Lime & Coconut bar, and other features that previously only existed on newer Oasis-class ships. It's no longer the "older, lesser" ship. That said, Symphony still has a slight edge in overall polish and the Mason Jar restaurant (Southern comfort food) that Oasis lacks.
2. Itinerary differences drive the real price gap. Oasis primarily sails from Port Canaveral (Orlando). Symphony sails from PortMiami. If you're flying in, Miami generally means cheaper flights from more hubs. If you're driving or close to Orlando, Oasis wins on total trip cost without question.
3. Symphony's newer-ship premium. Symphony launched in 2018, Oasis in 2009. Royal Caribbean prices newer hardware at a modest premium even within the same class. Post-amplification, that premium is harder to justify — but Royal Caribbean charges it anyway.
4. The drink package math is the same on both ships. At $75–$95/person/day pre-cruise for the Deluxe Beverage Package, you need to hit roughly 5–6 drinks per day (including specialty coffee and premium cocktails up to the $14 cap) to break even. Royal Caribbean's 18–20% service charge applies to all beverage purchases. This equation is identical on Oasis and Symphony — don't let that factor into your ship choice.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
How to Save Money on Either Ship
Buy packages before you board — always. The Cruise Planner pre-cruise rate for the Deluxe Beverage Package is typically 15–30% cheaper than the onboard rate. Same goes for Wi-Fi and specialty dining packages. Set a price alert and repurchase if the price drops (Royal Caribbean allows this).
Watch for Kids Sail Free and 30% Off promos. Royal Caribbean runs these constantly. On a family sailing, Kids Sail Free can save $700–$1,400 vs. booking at full price. Stack it with a free drink package promo when you can.
Book Oasis if you're price-sensitive. For the same itinerary length and cabin category, Oasis almost always comes in cheaper. Post-amplification, the experience gap between the two ships is marginal. If you're budget-conscious, take the savings.
Consider a Star Class suite only if you'll actually use it. Star Class on either ship includes gratuities, beverages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and a Royal Genie — pricing out at roughly $1,200–$2,000+/person/night. The all-in value math works only if you'd otherwise buy all those packages individually for a party of 3–4.
Port choice can swing your total cost by hundreds. Port Canaveral (Oasis) vs. PortMiami (Symphony) — price out flights and parking for your specific departure city before you decide. Parking at Port Canaveral runs $17–$22/day; Miami cruise terminal parking runs $20–$35/day.
Which Ship Is Right for Which Traveler
| Traveler Type | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-focused couples | Oasis | Lower base fare, same onboard experience post-amplification |
| Families near Orlando | Oasis | Port Canaveral is easier to drive to from Central Florida |
| First-time Royal Caribbean cruisers | Either | The Oasis-class experience is nearly identical on both |
| Foodies / dining-focused cruisers | Symphony | Mason Jar gives it a slight dining edge |
| Travelers flying in from hub cities | Symphony | Miami has better flight connectivity |
| Suite / luxury travelers | Either | Star Class experience is equivalent on both ships |
If you've never sailed Oasis-class before, you genuinely cannot go wrong with either ship. The amplified Oasis is no longer the consolation prize. Pick the one with the better fare on your preferred sail dates and put the savings toward a drink package or specialty dining.
Use CruiseMutiny to run a side-by-side total cost breakdown — base fare, packages, gratuities, and port costs — so you can see exactly which ship is actually cheaper for your specific sailing before you book.