Five things to know before boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise

Royal Caribbean ships call at over 300 ports worldwide

Royal Caribbean is one of the largest cruise lines in the world. Its fleet of 28 ships – with more on the way – sails to every corner of the globe. The line has also become one of the most headlining-grabbing cruise lines around. In January 2024, the brand’s 1,198-foot (365m) long Icon of the Seas sailed into the record books as the world’s largest cruise ship dethroning the previous title holder, Royal’s own Wonder of the Seas.

The second Icon-class ship Star of the Seas is slated to debut in August 2025 and will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral in Florida from August 31, 2025. The ship will share many of the same spaces as its big sister, Icon, while introducing new venues such as a 1930s Chicago-inspired Lincoln Park Supper Club in place of the Empire Supper Club.

But it’s not just the Icon-class vessels that are causing a buzz. Earlier this year Royal’s Ultimate World Cruise, a nine-month round-the-globe odyssey with a price tag of £88,000 per passenger, unexpectedly became the centre of a social media storm when passengers began posting on TikTok.

Regardless of the ship or sailing, you can look forward to fun themed nights such as Black and White evenings, decade-themed, country and western, a masquerade ball, and toga parties when on board.

Check the schedule in advance so you can pack something appropriate should you wish to partake.

1. Where does Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean’s ships call at more than 300 different ports worldwide.

That being said, the emphasis is firmly on the Caribbean, where it all began, and Europe, two of the most popular destinations for Royal Caribbean’s loyal customers.

Europe itineraries include the Mediterraneanand Northern Europe featuring the Norwegian fjords, and range in length from 3 to16 nights.

Royal Caribbean deploys approximately half of its fleet to the Caribbean during the summer while the lion’s share of its ships, including the much-hyped Icon of the Sea and the recently launched Utopia of the Seas, sail in the region during the winter.

The £1 billion Utopia of the Seas specialises in short three and four-night cruises to the Caribbean – making them ideal for those new to the brand and to cruising, as well as anyone after a fun, long weekend without having to sacrifice a large chunk of their annual leave.

The majority of Caribbean cruises feature a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay,the line’s private island in the Bahamas which has the region’s largest wave pool and no fewer than 14 waterslides.

Royal Caribbean also has a private island in Labadee, Haiti, replete with a half-mile-long zip wire over the ocean, a mountain coaster, and a 92m saltwater slide.

The line suspended visits to Labadee in March 2024 amid the country’s political turmoil but the popular private island has been back on itineraries since the start of October 2024.

Two new private beach clubs in the Bahamas and Cozumel are due to open by 2026.

The Caribbean aside, Royal has ships in Asia and Australia during the winter months and, from May to September, in Alaska.

2. Who does Royal Caribbean appeal to?

A more apt question might be: Who doesn’t Royal Caribbean appeal to?

The mainstream cruise line attracts everyone from groups of friends to familiesand multigenerational groups – who appreciate the plethora of children’s clubs and onboard activities such as ice skating, waterslides, rock climbing, and zip lining – couples and solo travellers.

Due to an increased appetite for solo travel, the Miami-based cruise line has added staterooms for solos of up to 199 sq ft to both its new and older class ships, and these are sometimes offered without single supplement fees, too.

What Royal Caribbean passengers – regardless of their age or income – have in common is that they love the vibe of a mega-resort.

The brand’s ships are famously massive (Royal’s latest baby, Icon of the Seas, is five times the size of the Titanic) and offer more restaurants, bars, attractions, and spectacular entertainment venues than you can shake a stick at.

That being said, Royal’s fleet features ship-within-a-ship retreats, a sanctuary of suites and private precincts reserved for a select few, that are ideal for those who want the option to escape the hustle and bustle of big ship life.

3. Royal Caribbean’s fleet

The brand’s fleet includes seven of the world’s biggest cruise vessels – Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas – six of whom are part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class. The remaining six classes are Icon, Quantum, Radiance, Freedom, Voyager and Vision.

Icon

Icon of the Seas (7,600 passengers); Star of the Seas (5,610 passengers; launching 2025); unnamed vessel (launching 2026)

The only Icon – Royal Caribbean’s first new category since 2014 – ship currently in operation, the 250,800-ton Icon of the Seas is the line’s latest and biggest vessel.

It took seven years to build, costing £1.6 billion, and has footballing icon Lionel Messi as its godfather. Divided into eight “neighbourhoods”, its 20 decks are home to over 40 bars and restaurants, six waterslides and more than 15 pools and whirlpools.

More floating resort than a cruise ship, Icon of the Seas will be joined by two equally colossal siblings in 2025 and 2026.

Sails to

The Caribbean

Quantum

Quantum of the Seas (4,905 passengers), Anthem of the Seas (4,905 passengers), Ovation of the Seas (4,905 passengers), Spectrum of the Seas (4,246 passengers) and Odyssey of the Seas (4,198 passengers)

Introduced in 2014, Quantum is Royal Caribbean’s most innovative class.

Firsts for the brand include Ripcord by iFly, the only skydiving simulators at sea; North Star aka glass-enclosed capsules that lift passengers into the air for bird’s-eye views; the Bionic bar where robotic bartenders mix cocktails. Passengers can choose from a menu of classics or design their own in 60 seconds, and enjoy the ‘Two70’ entertainment space with floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Quantum ships are smaller than Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class and Oasis-class vessels but are still chock full of places to eat, drink, and play.

Sails to

Alaska, Australia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean

Oasis

Oasis of the Seas (6,771 passengers), Allure of the Seas (5,496 passengers), Harmony of the Seas (6,687 passengers), Symphony of the Seas (6,680 passengers), Wonder of the Seas (7,084 passengers) and Utopia of the Seas (5,668 passengers)

Up until the arrival of Icon of the Seas in January 2024, Royal’s six Oasis-class ships (a seventh, as-yet-unnamed Oasis-class vessel is under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire) were among the largest in the world.

They may be huge but themed neighbourhoods, including Central Park, a real park with lush tropical plants, make navigating them easier.

Factor in FlowRider simulated surfing, a zipline, climbing wall, an ice rink, an AquaTheater staging straight-from-Broadway shows, and more than 35 places to dine – and boredom is not an option onboard an Oasis-class ship.

Sails to

The Caribbean, the Mediterranean

Radiance

Radiance of the Seas (2,466 passengers), Brilliance of the Seas (2,543 passengers), Serenade of the Seas (2,143 passengers) and Jewel of the Seas (2,702 passengers)

Not sure if a mega ship is for you? Royal’s Radiance-class ships, which are known for their wide-open spaces and glass walls offering non-stop ocean views, could be the answer.

The four vessels are less than half the size of the line’s Icon and Oasis-classes, meaning they can access smaller ports that their larger siblings simply can’t.

Despite their smaller size, there’s still plenty to keep you entertained onboard a Radiance-class ship, from multiple pool areas to a sports court, mini golf course, movie theatre, and more.

Drinking and dining options include specialty restaurants such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi, plus a rotating bar at the top of each Radiance-class ship.

What you won’t find onboard are the bells and whistles – read the bumper car pavilions, ice skating rinks, and surfing simulators – that the newer ships have. Subsequently, cruises on Radiance-class ships can be less expensive than on other classes.

Sails to

Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, South Pacific, Europe, Caribbean, Transatlantic, Repositioning

Freedom

Freedom of the Seas (4,635 passengers), Liberty of the Seas (4,960 passengers), and Independence of the Seas (4,515passengers)

Royal Caribbean’s three Freedom-class ships were the largest in the world until the Oasis-class was introduced in 2009.

The first ships to introduce the FlowRider surf simulator to the cruise industry, Freedom-class vessels come replete with rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, multiple pools, an aqua park, and the Royal Promenade – a hub of shops, bars, and lounges.

Dining options are plentiful too: expect a mix of included (the main dining room, Windjammer Marketplace buffet, Sorrento’s Pizza, and Café Promenade) and specialty restaurants.

All told, mid-sized Radiance-class ships strike a balance between big ship amenities and small ship service.

Sails to

The Caribbean

Voyager

Voyager of the Seas (4,000 passengers), Explorer of the Seas (4,290 passengers), Adventure of the Seas (3,807 passengers), Navigator of the Seas (3,968 passengers), Mariner of the Seas (4,252 passengers)

Many of Royal Caribbean’s signature features – the Royal Promenade with its indoor shopping and dining, rock-climbing walls, and ice-skating rinks – were first introduced on Voyager-class vessels which share plenty of similarities with the brand’s Freedom-class ships.

The key difference between the two is that Voyager-class ships are shorter in length. Translation? You’ll find fewer cabins and therefore passengers onboard.

Sails to

New England, Canada, Baja California, the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, and Europe

Vision

Grandeur of the Seas (2,446 passengers), Rhapsody of the Seas (2,416 passengers), Enchantment of the Seas (2,730 passengers) and Vision of the Seas (2,514 passengers)

Launched during the 90s, Royal Caribbean’s four Vision-class ships are the oldest and smallest in its fleet. Consequently, they appeal to passengers after a more intimate, port-intensive sailing.

As with all Royal Caribbean ships, there’s a rock climbing wall and adults-only Solarium pool on each Vision-class cruise ship. However, they lack the line’s other signature deck-top attractions: think surfing and skydiving simulators.

Like Royal’s Radiance-class ships, Vision-class vessels are celebrated for their stunning glass exterior and traditional charm.

Sails to

The Caribbean, Canada, New England, Alaska, Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean

4. Loyalty scheme

The line’s six-tier Crown & Anchor Society rewards passengers with points – you’ll receive one point for every night you spend on a ship and an additional point for every night you spend in a suite – that can be converted into perks. These include ​​priority boarding, discounts, events, and even – when you reach the pinnacle club aka the highest tier – a complimentary cruise.

5. Accessibility onboard

Royal Caribbean says: “Our goal is to make all our guests as comfortable as possible, both on and off the ship. Most decks are accessible through automatic doors, and all public rooms feature entrances with gradual inclines.” Contact them to customise your accommodation.

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