Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Smashes Transatlantic Crossing Record

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Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas has set a new world record during its most recent transatlantic crossing. The ship has become the vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean with the most guests and crew onboard.

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas

The massive ship started its record-breaking repositioning voyage on March 9, sailing at almost 100% occupancy. A total of 7,604 individuals, including 5,350 guests and 2,224 crew members, were onboard the Symphony as it crossed the ocean, connecting the United States to Spain.

After departing from the Port of Miami, the Symphony of the Seas continued to sail for nine full days before reaching the Spanish port of Málaga on March 19. The one-way itinerary also featured a visit to another port in Spain: Valencia.

What’s next for Symphony of the Seas?

Following the crossing, the Oasis-class ship is set to be drydocked at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain, where it will undergo a program of works that includes technical overhaul and class work, as well as hotel upkeep, and other minor upgrades and refreshments.

On April 16, the Symphony of the Seas kicks off a program of seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean. The vessel is set to offer a regular itinerary that includes ports of call in Italy, Spain, and France, such as Naples, Palma de Mallorca, and Marseille.

After concluding its summer program, the Symphony is set to cross the Atlantic Ocean again in late October. The 14-night repositioning voyage sails from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale and also features visits to Valencia, Cádiz, and Nassau.

Records smashed

The 228,081 gross tons Symphony of the Seas, built in 2018, was the world’s largest cruise ship between 2018 and 2022. That record was stolen by Wonder of the Seas, which is a touch bigger.

It is pretty remarkable that Symphony of the Seas just arrived in Europe carrying more than 7,000 people onboard. The cruise ship broke records to become the ship carrying the most people onboard during a completed transatlantic voyage in peacetime.

While impressive, it’s important to note that the transatlantic record set by Symphony of the Seas is not the all-time record for a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

In July 1943, the Cunard Line ocean liner Queen Mary set the record for a crossing of the Atlantic carrying 16,683 crew members and troops on a single passage.

Queen Mary
Altair78, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

During the Second World War, Queen Mary sailed a massive 765,429 military personnel between the United States and the United Kingdom. Due to her tremendous efforts, it was later noted by Sir Winston Churchill that Queen Mary and her sister Queen Elizabeth had shortened the war efforts considerably.

In conclusion

Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas has made history by breaking the transatlantic crossing record with the most paying guests combined with crew onboard. The vessel’s impressive feat is a testament to the advancements in technology and the growing demand for cruise travel.

As the Symphony of the Seas continues its summer program in Europe, it is sure to provide guests with an unforgettable experience, visiting some of the most beautiful destinations in the Western Mediterranean.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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