AAA The Extra Mile. July 2024.
With 27 oceangoing vessels, Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest cruise line by passenger capacity. The cruise line operates six of the 10 biggest cruise ships in the world, each holding up to 10,000 guests and crew members. Royal Caribbean caters to cruisers of all ages with its lively atmosphere and wide variety of options for dining and entertainment. Here’s what to expect aboard some of Royal Caribbean’s biggest and best ships.
View of Perfect Day at CocoCay from Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean
ATTRACTIONS AT SEA—AND ON LAND
Royal Caribbean ships set the standard for nonstop onboard entertainment in a festive atmosphere. Think multiple swimming pools (there are seven on Icon Class ships), a water park with multiple waterslides, a kiddie splash zone, a surfing simulator, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and zip lines as well as casinos, spas, shopping and Broadway-caliber shows. Every ship has climbing walls,19 ships have a FlowRider surfing simulator, and 14 ships have ice skating rinks on board.
Royal Caribbean cruises are truly designed with every age group in mind. You will find a range of accommodations, from affordable interior cabins to luxurious four-bedroom family suites. Families typically favor the larger ships that have a broader choice of adventures such as those on Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas. You will also find children’s clubs, water parks, and family-friendly eateries on these ships. Icon of the Seas also features the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six top-deck waterslides and a cool new ropes course.
If you are looking for something more romantic or exclusive, Royal Caribbean’s Suite Neighborhood, a gated complex with sprawling suites, concierge services, and private pools, might be right for you.
For travelers looking for a Royal Caribbean ship without kid-centric high-octane attractions, opt for the smaller Rhapsody of the Seas. A few pools, whirlpools and sun decks are among the ship’s amenities.
If your cruise itinerary includes a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, you can enjoy a slew of waterslides, pools, beach access and buffet restaurants on land, too. Perfect Day also boasts the longest waterslide in North America at Thrill Waterpark, the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas, and the exclusive Adults-only Hideaway Beach.
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean
MEET THE FLEET
Royal Caribbean’s wide range of ship styles and designs are classified into seven classes, each of which have a common look and feel. The newest Icon Class is the most over the top in terms of its size and number of venues. These new ships include Icon of the Seas (launched January 2024), Star of the Seas (coming in 2025); and soon-to-be-named vessel (coming in 2026).
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean
QUANTUM CLASS
The five Quantum Class ships hold 4,180 to 5,622 passengers and are widely considered the most innovative vessels. They offer unique experiences such as a bumper car pavilion, indoor skydiving simulators, North Star observation capsule rides, and multilevel event spaces Two70, where performers emerge from an opening in the floor or ceiling. Many of the attractions are indoor, offering protection from the elements when sailing in cooler regions such as Alaska and Northern Europe.
QUANTUM CLASS SHIPS:
Central Park on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean
OASIS CLASS
The Oasis Class ships are also quite large, with a capacity of 6,988 passengers. The world’s second-largest ship, Utopia of the Seas entered service in July 2024 with 21 unique dining venues, 23 bars, two casinos, five pools and three waterslides. Mac Steer, who has sailed on nearly every Royal Caribbean ship, is a big fan of Oasis of the Seas. “The seven distinct neighborhoods each have their own vibe and attractions. My favorite is Central Park, an open-air garden area with real trees and greenery. I also love the Boardwalk neighborhood, designed like an old-timey seaside pier.”
OASIS CLASS SHIPS:
- Oasis of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Allure of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean
SMALLER CLASS SHIPS
The Radiance, Freedom, Voyager, and Vision Class cruise ships are relatively smaller and older yet still rife with amenities and attractions.
RADIANCE CLASS SHIPS:
FREEDOM CLASS SHIPS:
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VOYAGER CLASS SHIPS:
- Voyager of the Seas
- Adventure of the Seas
- Mariner of the Seas
- Explorer of the Seas
- Navigator of the Seas
VISION CLASS SHIPS:
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean
EXPLORE THE WORLD
Once you’ve chosen the best ship for you, it’s time to choose your itinerary. Royal Caribbean sails to over 300 destinations around the world, with the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and Europe being the most popular routes. Guided shore excursions offer a chance to do everything from explore ancient monasteries in Asia, to visit castles in Europe, to soak in views of majestic glaciers in Alaska. Cruise itineraries vary from short weekend sampler cruises, mainly from Florida, Texas and California, to the 274-nights-long ultimate world voyage taking in more than 60 countries.
Your next Royal Caribbean cruise is calling.