First-timers on Symphony of the Seas should budget $150–$250/person/day beyond their cabin fare, covering gratuities ($18.50/day), drinks, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining. The ship is enormous — 6,680 passengers — so planning ahead is the single biggest advantage you can give yourself.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Symphony of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships ever built, and that scale is simultaneously the best and most overwhelming thing about it. If you board without a plan, you'll spend the first two days lost — and the last two days wishing you'd booked that restaurant or show before you sailed.
What Symphony of the Seas Actually Costs Beyond the Cabin
Your cruise fare is just the entry ticket. Here's what first-timers consistently underestimate:
| Budget Category | Budget Cruiser | Mid-Range Cruiser | Splurge Cruiser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratuities | $18.50/day (standard) | $18.50/day | $21/day (suite) |
| Drinks | $0 (BYOB port + bars sparingly) | ~$80/day (Deluxe Package pre-cruise) | $100–$120/day (onboard rate) |
| Wi-Fi | $20/day (VOOM Surf) | $30/day (Surf + Stream) | $40/day (multi-device) |
| Specialty Dining | $0 (MDR + buffet only) | $45/cover (Chops Grille) | $95/cover (Chef's Table) |
| Excursions | $0–$50/port (independent) | $80–$150/person (ship tours) | $200+/person (private) |
| Estimated Daily Add-On Total | ~$40–$70/day | ~$170–$200/day | $300+/day |
The Deluxe Beverage Package is the biggest financial decision you'll make before boarding. It runs $56–$120/person/day depending on your sailing and when you buy — but the typical pre-cruise Cruise Planner rate is around $80/day. Buy onboard and you'll pay the top of that range. Watch for flash sales in your Cruise Planner — they happen.
One non-negotiable rule: all adults in the same cabin must purchase the same drink package. You can't buy it for one person.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive Your Total Cost
Ship size works against the unprepared. Symphony carries up to 6,680 passengers. Shows at Studio B, the AquaTheater, and the main theater fill up fast. Book entertainment through the Royal Caribbean app before you sail — it's free, and it disappears if you wait.
Dining packages save real money. Individual specialty restaurant covers run $30–$95 per person. A dining package (typically 3-night) locks in a lower per-cover rate before prices rise further — and they are rising every year. Chops Grille runs ~$45/cover; Izumi Hibachi/Teppanyaki ~$55; Chef's Table a steep $95. The no-show fee at premium venues is $50/person — don't ghost your reservation.
The 18% gratuity surcharge applies to every drink, spa service, and specialty dining purchase not covered by a package. A $13 cocktail becomes ~$15.35. Factor this in when deciding whether the Deluxe Beverage Package breaks even for you (it typically does at 5–6 drinks/day including specialty coffee).
Wi-Fi is Starlink fleet-wide — it's genuinely good now. The $20/day VOOM Surf handles email and social media. Pay $30/day for Surf + Stream if you need Netflix, video calls, or remote work capability.
Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean's private island — is often on Symphony itineraries. Your Deluxe Beverage Package works there. The waterpark (Thrill Waterpark) costs extra (~$109–$129/day), but the beach is free. Cabana rentals book out months in advance.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money and Not Lose Your Mind
Before you sail (Cruise Planner is your best friend):
- Buy the Deluxe Beverage Package pre-cruise — never onboard. Set a price alert or check back regularly for flash sales that can drop it significantly below the $80/day typical rate.
- Book specialty dining packages before departure — individual cover prices are higher onboard.
- Buy Wi-Fi pre-cruise for a slightly lower rate.
- Pre-pay gratuities at $18.50/day if you want to lock it in and simplify your SeaPass bill.
- Download the Royal Caribbean app and book all free entertainment now. The ice shows, AquaTheater, and comedy club fill up.
Onboard money discipline:
- The main dining room (MDR) and Windjammer buffet are included. Use them. The food quality is genuinely decent, and you paid for it.
- Johnny Rockets, Playmakers, and some other venues have cover charges — check before you sit down.
- Soda at the buffet is free. At a bar it's ~$3.50 + 18% gratuity. Small things add up over 7 days.
- Specialty coffee at Café Promenade and other venues typically runs ~$6 per drink — this is included in the Deluxe Beverage Package (excluding Starbucks specialty coffees, which are always extra).
- You can adjust gratuities at Guest Services before disembarkation if you have a legitimate service issue — but tipping your crew fairly matters.
Cabins:
- Interior cabins on Symphony are genuinely fine for first-timers — you'll spend almost no time in your room on a ship this big. Save the balcony money for your second cruise when you know you'll use it.
- Central Park-facing and Boardwalk-facing balconies are a Symphony-specific experience worth considering if your budget allows — you get the balcony without the ocean view price premium.
Ports and excursions:
- Research independent excursions in port. You can often do a better beach day for $30–$50/person than what the ship sells for $120.
- If your port is Labadee (Royal's private destination in Haiti), your beverage package works there too.
Ship-Specific Things First-Timers Miss on Symphony
The Neighborhood concept: Symphony is divided into seven neighborhoods — Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool & Sports Zone, Entertainment Place, the Youth Zone, and the Vitality Spa. Get oriented on day one or you'll spend 20 minutes finding dinner every night.
The FlowRider, rock climbing wall, zip line, and bumper cars are all included in your fare — no extra charge. These are genuinely impressive and most first-timers don't realize they're free.
Spa passes carry a 20% service surcharge on top of treatment costs. A couples massage that looks like $300 becomes $360. The Vitality Spa thermal suite (sauna, steam, heated loungers) often sells day passes — worth it if you're after low-key relaxation.
The casino is cash-heavy and will happily absorb whatever you let it. Set a hard daily limit before you board.
Planning a Symphony sailing and want to know exactly what your total trip will cost before you commit? Use CruiseMutiny to build an honest, itemized cost breakdown — gratuities, drinks, dining, and all the add-ons Royal Caribbean won't total up for you at checkout. If you're ready to book, Royal Caribbean sailings on Symphony are also available through our booking partner CruiseHub — compare fares before your Cruise Planner disappears.