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What it's like to sail on Royal Caribbean's NEWEST vs OLDEST cruise ships

Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean Blog
🏅Authority
👁️ 78K views📅 3 years ago⏱️ 11:02

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The video provides a comparative analysis of sailing on Royal Caribbean's oldest ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, versus one of its newest, Symphony of the Seas. The creator evaluates several key aspects of the cruise experience, including cabin accommodations, dining options, entertainment, and onboard activities. While the newer ship offers modern cabins, a vast array of complimentary dining venues, and high-budget entertainment like Broadway productions and aqua theater shows, the older ship provides a more relaxed atmosphere. The creator notes that the older ship features a more peaceful pool deck and a more adult-focused environment compared to the crowded, family-centric nature of the newer vessel. Additionally, the comparison highlights differences in itineraries, noting that smaller, older ships often visit more diverse and interesting ports while newer ships focus more on the onboard experience. Ultimately, the creator concludes that the best choice depends on individual travel styles and mindset, as both types of ships offer distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Symphony of the Seas
A Nibble
All-time creator consensus for Symphony of the Seas
A Nibble

This review is more critical than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator Had Mixed FeelingsShip Comparison🏅Authority Creator
Other · 7 nightsFrom Athens

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

Rhapsody of the Seas is over 25 years old and her cabin definitely showed its age

I was impressed with the buffet's food selection and I'd say it was one of the best buffet experiences I've had on Royal Caribbean so far

the entertainment on Symphony Of The Seas was several notches higher than that on Rhapsody of the Seas

I preferred the pool deck on Rhapsody with so many passengers on Symphony Of The Seas the pool deck was packed nearly every time I tried to use it

Creator's Tips & Advice

Consider your travel style when choosing between new and old ships
Set the right mindset for the ship you're boarding to avoid disappointment

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

whether to spend extra for a new ship or go on an old shipBoth have advantages and disadvantages; choose based on your travel style and set the right mindset

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat is it like to sail on Royal Caribbean's newest versus oldest cruise ships?
QWhich is the best choice for you: a new ship or an old ship?

Topics Covered

Itinerary Route1½ Happy BaconCabin Interior2 Sad BaconDining Buffet1½ Sad BaconDining Specialty3½ Happy BaconEntertainment Shows4 Happy BaconPool Deck2 Sad BaconEntertainment Activities3 Happy BaconKids Family1 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

zakintos2½ Happy Bacon
Athens
Crete
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube