Independence vs Symphony

[wpas1]

I’m planning a family cruise and comparing these 2 ships.  Not exactly sure how many will be going in our group but know we’ll have 2 adults in 60’s, 3 in 30’s, a 5 year old and a 2 year old.   What are pros and cons?  The largest ship I have sailed on is Adventure.   How do these ships compare?  Are they more crowded, wait times for my time dining, etc.   Not really too concerned with ports, more about ships.  I also know this is all subjective but would like others opinions.   Thanks 

[soremekun]

If I'm spending your money, I'd take Symphony.  Newer and larger.  More things to do that are applicable across your multi-generational sailing group.

 

Have you watched any tour videos yet?

Edited April 5 by soremekun

[Biker19]

5 hours ago, wpas1 said:

 The largest ship I have sailed on is Adventure.   How do these ships compare?  

Indy is very similar to Adventure. Read some Symphony reviews for info. 

[KiddieKruzer]

Symphony without a second thought. Even through the ship is bigger with more passengers, it doesn't feel crowded.  Also more options for entertainment, food, swimming pools, and just an all around nicer (and newer) ship.  Only thing I didn't like was the wait time for the elevators (prepare to take more stairs).

[Tlbecker1]

The shows are outstanding on the Symphony.  I vote for Symphony, there are tons of different things for everyone to do. The Independence is fine, but the Symphony is another level.

[Cruise a holic]

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Indy is very similar to Adventure. Read some Symphony reviews for info. 

Different class then Adventure.  Freedom Class is the Independence of the Seas along with Liberty of the Seas and Independence.  Adventure older less features- we didn't like it  If I were deciding upon the Symphony vs. the Independence  I would choose the Symphony of the Seas- more to do on the ship- especially for multigenerational families. Room to spread around- crowds similar on all ships- but people on the Oasis Class spread out more for various activities.  Great children's activities.    Enjoy your cruise.

[TeeRick]

10 hours ago, wpas1 said:

I’m planning a family cruise and comparing these 2 ships.  Not exactly sure how many will be going in our group but know we’ll have 2 adults in 60’s, 3 in 30’s, a 5 year old and a 2 year old.   What are pros and cons?  The largest ship I have sailed on is Adventure.   How do these ships compare?  Are they more crowded, wait times for my time dining, etc.   Not really too concerned with ports, more about ships.  I also know this is all subjective but would like others opinions.   Thanks 

Symphony.  We just sailed on her and loved it.  Are any of you in a suite per chance?  Symphony is the much better choice there too.

[Biker19]

22 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Different class then Adventure.

I said similar and is a reference for the OP.

[Cruise a holic]

17 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I said similar and is a reference for the OP.

My experience is that they are very different- we really love the Oasis class ship, Freedom class ships were very good- but IMO Adventure of the Seas a big disappointment- so Ithe only similarity was they are royal.  Any choice the OP makes will be a big upgrade from the Adventure.

[Biker19]

3 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

My experience is that they are very different-

That could be as subjective as the MDR food. Freedom class ships are very much a slight edit of the Voyager class design. It all depends on the customer how much diff a few venue differences makes for the overall feel of the ship.

[PhillyFan33579]

9 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

My experience is that they are very different- we really love the Oasis class ship, Freedom class ships were very good- but IMO Adventure of the Seas a big disappointment- so Ithe only similarity was they are royal.  Any choice the OP makes will be a big upgrade from the Adventure.

I don’t really understand your comment. Freedom class ships are just bigger Voyager class ships (Adventure). The only real differences between Freedom and Adventure is Freedom has a larger promenade area and Adventure doesn’t have Playmaker’s. I would argue Voyager class ships that have been amped (Mariner and Navigator) are just as nice, if not nicer, than any Freedom class ship. 

[wpas1]

30 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

My experience is that they are very different- we really love the Oasis class ship, Freedom class ships were very good- but IMO Adventure of the Seas a big disappointment- so Ithe only similarity was they are royal.  Any choice the OP makes will be a big upgrade from the Adventure.

We enjoyed our Adventure cruises.  Loved the promenade.  I guess my concern with Symphony is the ship feeling over crowded, wait times for dinner, finding seating at pools and bars.  Concerns with independence is having fewer activities for our diverse age group.  

[RobInMN]

Symphony.

As noted, the Freedom class is essentially just a slightly longer Voyager class.

Yes, and Oasis class is much larger, and more passengers, but there's a lot more places (not counting cabins) for those crowds to spread out in. More bars, more food places, more pools, bigger MDR, bigger theater, etc. It will feel no more crowded than a Voyager class ship, possibly even less crowded at times.

[coachmike1959]

First thing i would look at are the ports. There isn’t much difference in itineraries but depending on when you sail could make a huge difference.

[loman]

We have sailed the various classes of RC ships and settled on Oasis class for the same reasons posted by other cruisers.

We dont even look at other class of ships anymore. ( will try Icon class in the future )

Symphony would be our choice.

[als1428]

Having sailed both my wife and I clearly enjoyed Symphony, their Oasis class, over Independence.

Most enjoyable to us were the Central Park area, the Boardwalk area, and the Aquatheatre entertainment. Not found on the Freedom class ships.

We always elected the fixed time dining. While we chose a 5:30 time slot they revised that to 5:15. The earliest my time dining started was 6:15 so when we would leave the restaurant, say 6:45 there were large MTD individuals waiting. 
We enjoy eating a bit earlier as to be able to walk around prior to the evening shows then the casino.

Enjoy which ever you decide!

[LuCruise]

Have been on both, and first comment are both are great and you can't go wrong with either!

 

But I agree with others, that if given a choice and both are in your price range, then I'd choose Symphony.  As others commented, Independence is similar to Adventure....similar layout but it's more stretched and there's an extra pool .  It has Grease, an ice show and other headliners (I forget their other in house show offhand).    

 

Symphony is Oasis class with more restaurants, and additional things like zipline, dry slide, Aqua theatre and Boardwalk, Central Park (which is lovely and not on any other ship).  Solarium is beautiful (esp at night).  Also I found the decor and decorations a "wow".  And last, it has Hairspray and Flight, which are great, plus Aqua show (so unique) and Ice show. The ship is spread out so I don't remember crowds being an issue, but I can't comment on My Time Dining.  (Personally we prefer traditional as there is no wait but that's us).  Symphony is bigger though so you have to be ok with walking a bit more to get around.  Rooms are also more modern.  One other difference is for Symphony, you pre-book your shows (which spreads out crowds) so you have to be ok with doing some pre-planning.  (They do have stand by but no guarantee you'll get in).

 

Let us know what you decide.

Edited April 13 by LuCruise

[baileybrad]

Oasis class vs. Freedom class. I personally have never felt that the Oasis class ships felt overly crowded so that should not way into your selection. Adventure is obviously a Voyager class ship which would have been older that either of the two ships that you are considering. 

 

If money was not a huge show stopper, I would look at the departure port and stops letting that be my deciding factor if you could not make up your mind just based on the amenities of the 2 ships.

 

I would generally go with any Oasis ship (other than Harmony - hate the Solarium on that ship) unless the price for the Freedom class ship was amazingly better.