‘Symphony of the Seas’, the world’s largest cruise ship: 30,000 meals a day, 1,000 workers and military precision

At first glance, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas looks like a resort on water. But step inside, and it becomes clear you’re entering something closer to a self-contained city—one capable of hosting almost 7,000 guests and supported by a crew that can reach 2,200 people.

Altogether, close to 10,000 people can be on board at once, all relying on a system designed to run with near-military coordination.

How do you feed thousands at sea?

One of the ship’s most staggering feats is its daily food service. The kitchens collectively prepare up to 30,000 meals every day, supplying a network of more than 20 restaurants, cafés, and specialty dining venues.

To make that possible, the ship carries an onboard workforce of roughly 1,000 food and beverage staff, from chefs and bakers to logistics planners who manage storage rooms that resemble supermarket warehouses.

A look inside the ship’s massive scale

The Symphony of the Seas currently holds the title of largest cruise ship in the world. Its numbers are astonishing even by modern cruising standards:

• Length: more than 1,184 feet (longer than most skyscrapers are tall)
• Width: 215.5 feet
• Gross tonnage: 228,081 GT
• Cabins: 2,759 rooms, including suites, ocean-view staterooms, balcony cabins, and more than 500 interior rooms

Its sheer size allows for features that would be impossible on conventional vessels.

Entertainment and amenities you’d expect from a major resort

To keep thousands of passengers entertained during week-long voyages, the ship includes:

• A full-size basketball court
• Several swimming pools
• An ice-skating rink
• Bars and lounges
• A casino
• A large-scale theater
• A luxury spa
• And even a living botanical garden in the center of the vessel

The ship is powered by six MAN-B&W diesel engines capable of delivering 76,000 horsepower, pushing the massive structure across the ocean with surprising smoothness.

A record-setting launch

The Symphony of the Seas was launched on March 23, 2018, though its first official voyage took place a few weeks later on April 7. It was built by the same company that later developed the innovative Icon of the Seas, known for being the first cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to use fuel-cell technology and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The Symphony itself required an investment of over $2 billion, making it one of the most expensive cruise ships ever constructed.

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