M/S Symphony vs M/S Aretha: Which Yacht Is Right for Your Group?
Two cruiser yachts. Same coastline. Same crew size. Same maximum capacity. But a different personality on the water. If you are trying to decide between them, this guide makes it straightforward.
Via Croatia·Both the Symphony and the Aretha accommodate up to 30 guests across 15 cabins, come with a crew of 12, and operate 7-night charters along the Dalmatian coast. On paper they look almost identical. In practice, the difference comes down to what your group wants to do on board and between the destinations.
Before you dig deeper into this topic, it is important to say that both Symphony and Aretha are built in Croatia for Croatian waters with one unique selling point - holding more than 12 guests on board like majority of the yachts are built.
160 feet of cruiser yacht on the Adriatic. SYMPHONY is one of the Adriatic’s most iconic luxury cruisers — a yacht designed for travelers who want the feeling of a private floating boutique hotel. Elegant yet relaxed, Symphony combines spacious decks, refined interiors, and a smooth cruising experience that perfectly suits island-hopping along the Croatian coast
Aretha brings a fresh, modern energy to luxury cruising in the Adriatic. Refited in 2025 and 2026, she is sleek, stylish, and designed with contemporary comfort in mind, Aretha blends boutique yacht aesthetics with warm hospitality and inviting social spaces. A wellness centre, a cinema room, gym, a pickleball court, and the Adriatic outside every window.
Symphony is one of the newest-built cruiser yachts in her category, and also one of the largest. Her standout advantage is space: with multiple decks and expansive shared areas, she offers more common space than most comparable vessels of this size. Symphony is best for travelers who prioritize space, classic luxury, and a more expansive onboard atmosphere.
Aretha is designed around the onboard experience itself. Originally built in 2018 and fully refitted in 2025 and 2026, she feels fresh, modern, and highly comfortable. Compared to Symphony, Aretha is wider but shorter, giving her a key advantage in overall cabin spaciousness. Aretha is ideal for travelers looking for a boutique-style yacht experience focused on comfort and relaxed athmosphere.
Both yachts work for the same size group, the same coastline, and the same duration. The decision is almost always about what the group wants to do when they are not at anchor. That single question usually settles it quickly.
Both yachts cruise the Dalmatian coast, giving guests access to the same islands, anchorages, and shore experiences. Hvar, Vis, Brač, Korčula, Mljet, Kornati, and the Blue Cave are just some of the highlights that can be included.
The final route is planned together with the team before arrival, then adjusted during the trip based on the group’s pace, preferences, and weather conditions. Once onboard, the concierge helps bring everything together, from daily logistics to shore arrangements and special experiences.
During the planning process, guests can choose from more than 100 local experiences, including private wine tastings, Michelin-level chef experiences, VIP club entrances, adventure activities, cultural explorations, curated island moments, and more.
Your group is most excited about the Adriatic itself. Swimming, water sports, island hopping, and shore excursions are the priority. You want a pool on board and a full curated excursion programme built into the charter.
Your group has varied interests and needs the vessel to cover all of them. Wellness, fitness, cinema, pickleball, and water sports alongside the Adriatic. The 2025 refit makes it the more complete onboard package.
Both are excellent vessels with the same crew size, the same capacity, and the same coastline. Neither is the wrong choice. The right one depends entirely on the preferences and style you like.
Describe your group and what you want from the week. That conversation usually makes the decision straightforward. Availability for both vessels is on request.
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