September 6, 2026
6-Night Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Galveston
From
$707
Price / day
$118
Symphony of the Seas|Icon of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
Icon of the Seas
Built in 2024
6 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Symphony of the Seas
$111 / day
$56 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Icon of the Seas
105.8 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Symphony of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Quick Comparison
Icon of the Seas is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2024, it is 6 years newer than Symphony of the Seas, which entered service in 2018. Icon of the Seas is approximately 9% larger by gross tonnage at 248,663 GT. Icon of the Seas also carries 150 more passengers. Symphony of the Seas has upcoming sailings in Caribbean, while Icon of the Seas has sailings in Caribbean. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Symphony of the Seas has the lower average starting price per day. The sailings shown cover a similar region and trip length, so the price per day figures are reasonably close to like-for-like. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | Symphony of the Seas | Icon of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2018 | 2024Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 228,081 GT | 248,663 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 2,200 | 2,350 |
| Space per Passenger | 103.7 GT | 105.8 GT |
| Length | 361.011 m | 351.306 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Symphony of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
Age
Icon of the Seas was built in 2024, making it 6 years newer than Symphony of the Seas, which was built in 2018.
Size
At 248,663 GT, Icon of the Seas is approximately 9% larger by gross tonnage than Symphony of the Seas at 228,081 GT.
Passenger capacity
Icon of the Seas carries up to 2,350 passengers compared with 2,200 aboard Symphony of the Seas, a difference of 150 passengers.
Passenger space
Icon of the Seas offers more space per passenger: 105.8 GT per guest, compared with 103.7 aboard Symphony of the Seas. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Symphony of the Seas and Icon of the Seas cover a similar region and trip length.
Price
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Symphony of the Seas has the lower average starting price per day at $111 per day.
Compare Ports of Call
Symphony of the Seas
Western Caribbean Cruise
- Departure Port
- Galveston
- Region
- Caribbean
- Nights
- 6
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 6, 2026Galveston
- Day 2 · Sep 7, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 8, 2026Puerto Costa Maya
- Day 4 · Sep 9, 2026Roatan
- Day 5 · Sep 10, 2026Cozumel
- Day 6 · Sep 11, 2026At Sea
- Day 7 · Sep 12, 2026Galveston
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Icon of the Seas
Western Caribbean & Perfect Day
- Departure Port
- Miami
- Region
- Caribbean
- Nights
- 7
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Miami
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Puerto Costa Maya
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026Roatan
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026Cozumel
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026At Sea
- Day 7 · Sep 11, 2026Perfect Day CocoCay
- Day 8 · Sep 12, 2026Miami
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Symphony of the Seas
September 12, 2026
8-Night Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Galveston
From
$827
Price / day
$103
Icon of the Seas
September 5, 2026
7-Night Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$1,449
Price / day
$207
September 12, 2026
7-Night Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Miami
From
$885
Price / day
$126
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Symphony of the Seas
Average
$111 / day
VS
Icon of the Seas
Average
$167 / day
Symphony of the Seas is currently 34% cheaper per day for comparable sailings
$111/day vs $167/day
About $56 less per day
This comparison is based on the upcoming sailings currently shown.
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Symphony of the Seas if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Caribbean.
- Departing from Galveston works for your plans.
- The lower price per day among the sailings currently shown matters to you.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Icon of the Seas.
Choose Icon of the Seas if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You want to sail in Caribbean.
- Departing from Miami works for your plans.
Symphony of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Icon of the Seas
Built in 2024
6 years newer
Bigger
Icon of the Seas
248,663 GT
9% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Symphony of the Seas
$111 / day
About $56 less per day
- Icon of the Seas is 6 years newer.
- Icon of the Seas is 9% larger by gross tonnage.
- Icon of the Seas carries 150 more passengers.
- Icon of the Seas offers more space per passenger (105.8 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Symphony of the Seas or Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas is newer. It was built in 2024, while Symphony of the Seas was built in 2018, making Icon of the Seas 6 years newer.
Which is bigger, Symphony of the Seas or Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 248,663 GT compared with Symphony of the Seas at 228,081 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Icon of the Seas has a passenger capacity of approximately 2,350, compared with 2,200 for Symphony of the Seas.
Which ship is more spacious, Symphony of the Seas or Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas has the higher passenger space ratio at 105.8 GT per passenger, versus 103.7 for Symphony of the Seas. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Which ship is cheaper, Symphony of the Seas or Icon of the Seas?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Symphony of the Seas has the lower average starting price per day at $111 per day versus $167 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.
Where does Symphony of the Seas sail?
The upcoming Symphony of the Seas sailings currently listed cover Caribbean, departing from Galveston.
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