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Royal Caribbean Cruise Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

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Basic Information

Departure ports, private ports/islands, formal nights, complimentary dining, specialty dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, crown & anchor society, final thoughts.

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Royal Caribbean is a large cruise line offering mega-ship cruises across the globe. The company has been on the cutting edge of the cruise industry since it launched in 1969. Since then, it has continued to push the boundaries of cruise ship size and amenities, offering lots of “firsts” including the first rock climbing, ice skating, and surfing at sea.

Today, Royal Caribbean has 26 ships sailing to hundreds of destinations every day . If you’ve never cruised before, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll find on a Royal Caribbean ship. If you are a cruising veteran, you probably look to Royal Caribbean for some of the biggest and most innovative ships at sea.

Name: Royal Caribbean International

Parent Company: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (also owns Celebrity Cruises , Azamara, and Silversea Cruises)

Number of Ships: 26 (2 more will be added in 2024)

Destinations: 300+

Loyalty Program: Crown & Anchor Society

Credit Card : Royal Caribbean Visa Signature ® Card

Royal Caribbean boasts a fleet of 26 cruise ships :

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

Two additional ships will be added in the coming years: Icon of the Seas will debut in January 2024 and Utopia of the Seas is coming in spring 2024.

Royal Caribbean sails to more than 300 destinations around the world from 50 departure ports.

Owning a private island or beach resort is a common thing among large cruise lines and is something many passengers have come to expect.

The Royal Caribbean “Perfect Day Island Collection” consists of 1 current location and 1 in the works:

• CocoCay: Located in the Bahamas, this destination features the largest freshwater pool in the Bahamas and the tallest waterslide in North America. You’ll also find a swim-up bar, wave pool, zip line, beaches, a kid’s area, and more.
• Lelepa: Located on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, this destination was originally scheduled to open in 2022. However, the pandemic has put those plans on hold and there’s not currently an updated opening date.

Hot Tip: You can earn points and miles each time you set sail if you book your cruise with one of these credit cards .

Onboard Activities

There is so much to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including pools, a casino, themed parties, Broadway-style shows, youth programs, and art auctions, to name a few.

Royal Caribbean is also an industry leader in offering some of the most unique and interesting experiences at sea. Next time you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise, keep your eye out for some of these activities (not all activities are offered on every ship):

• Bumper cars
• Central Park
• Cooking classes
• Dance classes
• Escape Rooms
• H20 Zone Water Park
• Ice Skating
• Mystery dinner theater
• Outdoor movies
• Ripcord By iFly
• Rock climbing wall
• Scuba certification
• Sky Pad bungee trampoline
• Spanish classes
• Table tennis
• Tidal Wave boomerang slide
• Trapeze school
• Waterslides: Typhoon, Cyclone, The Blaster, Riptide, Supercell

Royal Caribbean still offers formal nights on its cruises. Most itineraries will have 1 to 4 formal nights :

• 3- to 5-night cruises: 1 formal night
• 6- to 10-night cruises: 2 formal nights
• 11- to 14-night cruises: 3 formal nights
• 15+ night cruises: 3-4 formal nights

Dress on formal nights can include suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or evening gowns. On formal nights, many of the restaurants require formal dress and The Chef’s Table dining experience requires formal attire.

If you don’t want to dress up, that’s fine, too. Just stick to the buffet or some of the more casual spots for dinner.

Hot Tip: Royal Caribbean is considered one of the best cruise lines for families , so bring your whole crew onboard.

Dining and Beverages

Like most cruise lines, Royal Caribbean offers both complimentary dining that’s included in your cruise fare and specialty dining that has either a flat fee or à la carte pricing.

There are lots of dining options that are included in the price of your cruise , so you can eat every meal on your ship without paying an extra dime. The following locations are always complimentary, however, not all of these options are offered on every ship:

• Cafe Promenade
• Coastal Kitchen
• El Loco Fresh
• Main dining room
• Solarium Bistro Restaurant
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Splashaway Cafe
• The Cafe @ Two70
• Vitality Cafe
• Windjammer Buffet

Hot Tip: Beverages like wine, beer, cocktails, and even soda will usually cost extra even at the complimentary restaurants. You can purchase a beverage package when you book your cruise or once you get on board. There are different drink package options available including ones that include alcoholic beverages, soda-only packages, and water bottle packages.

You’ll also find restaurants on every Royal Caribbean ship that come with additional charges — either a per-person fee or à la carte menu pricing.

The following dining options will cost extra over what you pay for your cruise:

• 150 Central Park
• Cafe Latte-Tudes
• Chef’s Table
• Chops Grille
• Coffee and Tea Shop
• Cupcake Cupboard
• Fish & Ships
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
• Giovanni’s Table
• Hooked Seafood
• Izumi Hibachi and Sushi
• Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver
• Johnny Rockets
• Johnny Rockets Express
• La Patisserie
• Portside BBQ
• Room Service
• Samba Grill
• Sichuan Red
• Sugar Beach

If you would like to try out some of the specialty restaurants, you can purchase a dining package ahead of time or once you are on board the ship. You’ll be able to choose between a 3-restaurant package or an unlimited package. Kids ages 6 to 10 can dine at specialty restaurants for only $10. Kids ages 5 and under are free.

Hot Tip: How about specialty dining for free? Look out for deals when you book your cruise. Lots of websites offer perks like free specialty dining when you book with them. Be sure to check out our guide to the best websites to book a cruise to get you started.

There are plenty of places on Royal Caribbean ships to kick back and relax with your favorite beverage. Bars and lounges offer à la carte pricing or you can use your beverage package.

Here are the bars and lounges you may find on your Royal Caribbean ship (not all locations are offered on every ship):

• The Bamboo Room
• Champagne Bar
• Diamond Club
• English Pub
• The Lime and Coconut
• North Star Bar
• Playmakers Bar & Arcade
• Rising Tide Bar
• Schooner Bar
• Solarium Bar
• Suite Lounge
• Trellis Bar
• Wipe Out Bar

If you would prefer to pay for your drinks upfront, you can choose one of Royal Caribbean’s beverage packages:

Deluxe Beverage Package

• Bottled water
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Cocktails, spirits, and liquor
• Coffee and tea
• Freshly squeezed juice
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Unlimited soda and Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Wine by the glass

Refreshment Package

Classic Soda Package

Water Package

• 6-, 12-, or 24-packs of water delivered to your stateroom

Hot Tip: The drinking age onboard any Royal Caribbean ship is 21+ on sailings from North America and 18+ on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

There are so many different types of rooms you can book on your Royal Caribbean cruise. The 4 basic types of rooms include interior, oceanview, balcony, or suite, but there are many different types of rooms among those categories.

No matter what room category you choose, you’ll enjoy the following amenities:

• Drawer and closet space
• Flat-screen TV

Royal Caribbean offers a few unique room categories as well:

Virtual Balcony Staterooms — These rooms are available on select ships (including every interior room on Quantum of the Seas). They feature an 80-inch screen that gives you a virtual ocean view via a live camera outside of the ship.

Unique Interior View Rooms or Balconies — These rooms have a window or a balcony, but the view isn’t of the ocean! These rooms look out on the action inside the ship like The Royal Promenade or Central Park.

Royal Suite Class — This is a category of rooms that offer the highest level of luxury . You’ll not only enjoy fantastic accommodations but amazing experiences as well. These rooms offer 3 tiers of luxury — Sea Class, Sky Class, and the most luxurious, Star Class.

The Ultimate Family Suite — This one-of-a-kind room at sea is only available on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. It features 2 stories of the ultimate in family luxury including a balcony with a Jacuzzi, private game room, in-suite slide, and tons of other VIP perks!

Hot Tip: Tight budget? Why not pay for part or all of your cruise with points and miles ? 

Royal Caribbean offers a loyalty program called the Crown & Anchor Society .

After you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean once, you’ll be automatically enrolled as a member of the Crown & Anchor Society. As a member you’ll earn 1 Cruise Point for every night you sail . Your points are doubled if you book a suite.

There are 6 tiers of membership in the Crown & Anchor Society:

• Gold: 3+ Cruise Points
• Platinum: 30+ Cruise Points
• Emerald: 55+ Cruise Points
• Diamond: 80+ Cruise Points
• Diamond Plus: 175+ Cruise Points
• Pinnacle Club: 700+ Cruise Points

Benefits vary by membership tier and can include things like onboard discounts, priority check-in, onboard lounges, private departure area, and free or discounted cruises .

Hot Tip: Make sure you’re prepared — check out our printable cruise packing list before you set sail.

Cruising is a great way to spend your vacation and Royal Caribbean offers some of the biggest and best ships around.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ll enjoy onboard activities like waterslides, zip-lining, bumper cars, and rock climbing. You’ll be able to dine at one of the many included restaurants, or you can choose a specialty restaurant like Giovanni’s Table, Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, or Johnny Rockets.

After a long day at sea, you’ll rest comfortably in your stateroom, whether you choose a Virtual Balcony room or opt for luxury in a Royal Class Suite. Plus you’ll earn perks and bonuses each time you cruise as a member of the Crown & Anchor Society.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to over 300 destinations, so no matter what part of the world you want to visit, chances are you can get there on a cruise.

The information regarding the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ship on royal caribbean.

Royal Caribbean’s biggest and best ships are the Oasis Class ships — Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. However, the new Icon of the Seas which will debut in 2024, is set to be the biggest cruise ship in the world.

How much are drink packages on Royal Caribbean?

Beverage package prices on Royal Caribbean vary based on length of cruise and your itinerary. Here’s a look at what kind of pricing you can expect:

• Deluxe Beverage Package (includes alcohol): $63 to $89 per day
• Refreshment Package (includes soda, coffee, mocktails, juices, and water): $29 to $38 per day
• Soda-only package: $12.99 to $15 per day

What is Royal Caribbean's newest ship?

The newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet is currently Wonder of the Seas. However, there are 2 new ships debuting in 2024: Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

Is food free on Royal Caribbean?

Yes, Royal Caribbean has multiple dining venues on each ship that are included in the price of the cruise so you don’t have to pay anything extra onboard. There are also specialty restaurants that charge extra.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas Deck Plans & Reviews

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

Activities & entertainment

• AquaTheater
• CruiseCritic Meet and Mingle
• Dance Classes
• Dance Parties
• Fitness Classes *
• FlowRider (2)
• Harmony Dunes
• Hot Tubs (9)
• Luckey Climber
• Ping-Pong Tables
• Rock Climbing Wall (2)
• Running Track
• Scavenger Hunts
• Sports Court
• Sports Tournament
• The Living Room
• Video Arcade *
• Vitality At Sea Fitness Center
• Vitality At Sea Spa *
• Wine Tasting *
• Waterslides (4)
• Adventure Art
• Adventure Science
• Fuel Teen Disco
• Kids' Avenue
• King of the World
• Splashaway Bay
• The Puzzle Break
• Casino Royale *
• Central Park
• Deck Parties
• Demonstrations
• Entertainment Place
• Game Broadcasts
• On Air Club
• Poolside Movies
• Royal Promenade
• Royal Theater
• Wellness Lectures
• Rising Tide Bar
• Main Dining Room - American
• Izumi - Asian *
• Wonderland - Avant Garde *
• Mini Bites - Casual
• Windjammer Marketplace - Casual
• Starbucks - Coffee Bar *
• 150 Central Park - Farm to Table *
• Boardwalk Dog House - Fast Food
• Johnny Rockets - Fast Food
• Trellis Bar - Garden Bar *
• Boot & Bonnet Pub - Gastropub *
• Vitality Café - Healthy Fare
• Coastal Kitchen - italian
• Jamie's Italian - italian *
• Boleros - Latin bar *
• Café Promenade - Light Fare
• Park Café - Light Fare
• Solarium Bistro - Light Fare
• Sabor - Mexican *
• Schooner Bar - Nautical bar *
• Rising Tide Bar - Niche Bar *
• Sorrentos - Pizza
• Mast Bar - Pool Bar *
• Sand Bar - Pool Bar *
• Solarium Bar - Pool Bar *
• Wipe Out Bar - Pool Bar *
• Bionic Bar - Robot Bar *
• Chops Grille - Steakhouse *
• Sabor Bar - Tequila Bar *
• Vintages - Wine Bar *
• Excellent 113
• Very Good 43
• Terrible 49
• All languages ( 250 )
• English ( 243 )
• Spanish ( 4 )
• Danish ( 1 )

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After we disembarked and got back to the airport following our cruise, my wife realized she left her wallet and wedding rings inside the locked safe in our stateroom. We immediately called RC and were told we would not be allowed back on the ship and needed to fill out a lost and found report online. I'll spare you the details, but within 5 days, and after a brief communication mix-up, I was contacted by the Executive Office of RC and our valuables were on their way back to us. I would like to thank Executive Mr. Geno Bell-Floyd and Royal Caribbean for their professionalism, integrity, and trustworthiness and for how this situation was handled.

Date of experience : April 26, 2024

Rcl beverage rip off

I've a Rcl cruise next year. Have been keeping an eye on beverage packages. Top price for US based customers for the deluxe is $90. In the UK top price is £85. A difference of over £12 per customer per day. 10 day cruise =£240 more expensive for UK customers. Recent promotion was buy one second one 50%.US customers got for $67/£53. UK customers £63.A difference of £100/ per person for 10 days.So £200 per couple. Contacted Rcl who stated "market forces" for differences but refused to match US customers prices.I'm crown and anchor member but makes no difference. Seriously thinking about cancelling, nevertheless last time I'll use Rcl. Seems like discrimination and they are giving preferential treatment for US customers.

Date of experience : April 23, 2024

2days after getting off the allure of…

2days after getting off the allure of the seas with a zero balance ,royal deducted a hold off almost three hundred dollars on my debit card leaving me in a negative balance. This set off a chain of events that left me broke,temporarily homeless and caused me to miss a costly chemotherapy session(liver and correctal cancer)which puts me in a a very precarious health and mental condition. Post cruise cust mer services were cold and oblivious to situation. No help what so ever was given!!

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

Once you have paid expect ZERO customer service

Paid over £7000 for our cruise, once paid it is IMPOSSIBLE to get ANY information out of ANYONE at Royal Caribbean. Sent over 2 dozen requests by e-mail and on their website not had a single response. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY.

Date of experience : September 01, 2023

Spring Break

My family spent a week on Jewel of the Seas. Our room was outdated, with literally no sound-proofing. The balcony cabin was under the fitness center. It was awful. Staff is very friendly. Entertainment is okay at best. Food is decent but the main dining room takes forever. We dined in all of the “extra” restaurants which I find frustrating to have to pay for variety. I would not travel on this ship again.

Date of experience : March 22, 2024

Probably the worst service I’ve…

Probably the worst service I’ve received. Rude management, hidden costs, misleading tours and terrible, noisy rooms they don’t fix.

Date of experience : April 13, 2024

This was my first cruise with Royal…

This was my first cruise with Royal Caribbean after cruising a few times with Disney Cruise Lines. The actual cruise experience was good, the surrounding amenities were not so much. I won't go into many of the details but just know that the "Key" is a waste of money, and don't prepay for arcade. Overall - not worth it. Contacted them numerous times via phone and keep getting transferred and/or call dropped. Guest Experience Management seems to be a joke.

Date of experience : March 25, 2024

Refused to refund or give future credits

Multiple flights canceled due to bad weather. Company refused to refund multiple tickets, and even refused to give a credit for future cruises because the flight was not booked through them. Lost multiple future clients, we were all looking foward to it.

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Would just like my money back!!!

When planning a trip and purchasing insurance for this trip with the cruise line; we was told that if we could not go for any reason due to illness our money would be refunded to us. Well a few weeks prior to the cruise my husband's Parkinson's began to cause some problems with his legs really bad and he felt that it would be wise not to take the trip at this time. We contacted the trip planner, who in turn gave us the numbers to call and cancel our trip. Not once has anyone from the Cruise line called to ask if there was something they could do to help. Never asking if we would like to reschedule the trip. We are still trying to get our money back as it seems unlikely a cruise is in our future, because of my husbands' health.

Date of experience : June 07, 2023

I went through a horrible divorce after…

I went through a horrible divorce after 33 year marriage. I had two trips planned with my husband I had to cancel. I asked to move the trips to another time. They said they were keeping my deposit and will not work with me. The one trip was 4 months before setting sail. I gave them plenty of notice. As a business owner myself I would have never treated a customer like this. I am a major gambler too and always spend a lot in their casinos. I will not be going back to Royal Caribbean. Shame on them.

Date of experience : April 01, 2024

If you struggle with mental illness, please reach out to me before you go or save yourself the trauma and DONT GO!

If I could give my experience with Royal Caribbean 0 stars I would. I would like to share what I experienced and went through in hopes that I can save someone from trauma and raise awareness for the horrible actions that went on. I also would like to raise awareness for mental health disorders. Because of a mental disorder, I was confined into a room with everything I had, including my prescription medication taken away from me. I had 0 rights. Ship doctor was one of the most heartless and disrespectful human beings. Prisoners get more hours of sunlight that I was allowed. All employees gave different responses and it was clear there was lack of communication. Every action done by staffing was traumatic and contradictory of what should have been done. I will be writing my story to raise awareness of this issue. Please if you have a mental disorder DO NOT GO! If you would like more information or to discuss please reach out or comment.

Don’t give what you paid for.

Booked a cruise to go to three islands, two of which were coco cay and labadee so we did not have to book excursions and could have a nice day without having to spend extra to get off the island. At the last minute Royal Caribbean cancelled our Labadee stop (which given the circumstance is understandable) however, they routed other cruises to nice equal or better islands, but chose to send us to the trash can of the Caribbean - Nassau. Given they replaced our stop with one that is less valuable (cruises that go there are cheaper than other destinations) they absolutely refused to cancel our cruise or give us any sort of discount or compensation for not giving us our moneys worth of our cruise and changing it to no fault of our own. Their attitude is basically they don’t care if you like it or not they have too many other customers to care if you are happy or get what you paid for. Will stick with Carnival from now on.

Date of experience : March 28, 2024

Air2Sea Program is HORRIBLE

Booked my cruise and needed to fly to our port. I made the mistake of booking our flights through their Air2Sea Program. I am a very inexperienced traveler. We had a connecting flight in Atlanta, unfortunately, their program chose a flight that was 35 minutes between flights. We didn't realize that boarding closed 15 minutes before the flight time. We landed in Atlanta and discovered that we had 14 minutes to get to the terminal that was 19 minutes away from our terminal. Needless to say, we missed our connecting flight - all outbound flights were fully booked, we were on standby for 3 more flights but did not make it and missed our cruise. We did get a refund for the cruise, however, Air2Sea said we were marked as a NO SHOW and REFUSE to refund our flights. IF you cruise with Royal Caribean, DO NOT book your flights with their Air2Sea Program.

Date of experience : November 17, 2023

This was by far the worst cruise we…

This was by far the worst cruise we have ever experienced with RCCL. We have been on numerous cruises. There were some positives (i.e., room attendant, dinner service, a few of the bartenders (pool area) We had an incident with a member of our party of 9 that involved security. Security extremely rude, very unprofessional and harassed the entire party throughout the remainder of our cruise. So, the last 3 days of a 5-day cruise was miserable. We could not wait to disembark. NEVER AGAIN WE WILL SAIL WITH RCCL. I realize that our measly amount of money will not bother them as they could care less.

Date of experience : March 03, 2024

I have traveled with Royal many times…4

I have traveled with Royal many times and this will be my last cruise with them. If there is one thing I dislike is being nickel & dimed by companies forcing cruisers to get packages they do not want. Drinking packages are a great way to save money however when you force a extra package on other room occupants that is wrong. You will no longer have me as a cruiser anymore Royal Carribean!!!

Date of experience : February 22, 2024

Royal Caribbean Customer Service

I am going on a cruise ship with my parents on the Symphony of the Seas. Despite i sent 5 messages to customer service with my questions, nobody has replied me. I also tried to call the US line from Europe as the German customer service can‘t help with bookings done on the US website ( i find it extremely weird) but the number „was not reachable“ at that time. We haven‘t done any cruise ship so far, but i hope the journey will be better than the first experience with the cruise ship.

Date of experience : February 15, 2024

Disappointment prior to sailing.

I’ve never been on a royal caribbean cruise and this will be the last time I book with them. I haven’t even set sail and I truly regret even booking with them. The cruise selected was to Labadee, Haiti however, with the current issues happening in Haiti, I appreciate Royal Caribbean making the decision to not go there for safety concerns. The cruise is now going to stop in Nassau, Bahamas. I do not feel that Nassau, Bahamas is of equal or greater port value as Labadee, Haiti. I understand the cruise has the right to change ports per the contract, but I’ve been to the Bahamas many times and contacted Royal Caribbean to change to a different cruise that would sail the same dates. I was told no changes could be made after final payment. I paid for my cruise in one payment and the port was changed close to the departure date. I understand Royal Caribbean has rules that I agree to at sign up, but I feel they could offer their passengers something for this change to make it a little better for the disappointment. They have their money and they seem to not care if you are happy with their change. Especially, because they are making money by going to one of the cheapest cruise destinations available (Nassau, Bahamas).

Date of experience : March 27, 2024

Travel Agent that will never book group on RCCL

I am a travel agent and I will would never book a group on RCCL again. I have a client that tested positive one day prior to sale. RCCL refused to give a future cruise credit. It seems they would rather everyone get on the cruise ship and infect everyone.

Dishonest and BS company that I will…

Dishonest and BS company that I will never ever again consider using. They tell you they can refund your deposit if it's >3 months then they make you hold for 1/2 hour before transferring your to wait another hour then they tell you they won't refund your deposit because "you bought a non-refundable ticket." That is not what they told me when I bought it!!!! Total BS. DO NOT GIVES THIS CRAP COMPANY YOUR MONEY unless you're 100% sure nothing will happen that may cause you to miss your trip. They rep wouldn't even give his last name "DIEGO" is all he would say. THIS IS A RIP-OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date of experience : February 03, 2024

Save yourself

Save yourself, this is the worst holiday our family ever experienced. Brilliance of The Seas is bogan of the seas, horrific food, boring, heavy drinking, dull and total waste of money. We got off at first stop at a huge extra cost of hotel and flight home, total disaster.

Date of experience : December 30, 2023

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The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

For megaresort lovers, Royal Caribbean may be the ultimate cruise line.

The line's biggest ships are bigger than any other cruise vessels afloat, and they're chock-full of more restaurants, bars, entertainment zones and attractions than you'll find anywhere else at sea — or even at many of the biggest land resorts.

On Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class and Icon Class ships, there are multiple pool areas, watery play zones, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, miniature golf courses, basketball courts and even zip lines. And that's just on the top deck. Interior areas bring everything from full-size spas and large casinos to Broadway-quality theaters with top-name shows.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Some Royal Caribbean ships even feature ice skating rinks. Really.

If all that seems like too much to fit on a cruise vessel, consider this: The biggest Royal Caribbean ships are 20 decks high, nearly 1,200 feet long and capable of carrying more than 7,000 passengers.

In short, they're like the megaresorts you see in Las Vegas or Orlando. Except they float.

3 things TPG loves about Royal Caribbean

• The incredible array of onboard activities
• The over-the-top super suites on some ships
• The top-notch entertainment, including Broadway shows

What we could do without

• Sold-out shows, particularly in onboard comedy clubs

The Royal Caribbean fleet

Royal Caribbean is the world's largest cruise line by passenger capacity, with 27 ships that together offer nearly 100,000 berths.

These 27 ships include the world's six biggest cruise vessels — Icon of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas , Harmony of the Seas , Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas — each of which can hold more than 6,600 passengers.

Five of the these six giant ships, all similar in design, are part of what's known as the Oasis Class — a hugely popular series of massive megaships that began debuting in 2009 and have changed the face of cruising. A sixth Oasis Class ship — Utopia of the Seas — is scheduled to join the fleet later this year, and the line recently ordered a seventh vessel in the series that'll be ready in 2028.

The outlier among the six ships mentioned above is Icon of the Seas, which isn't an Oasis Class ship but the first of an all-new series of even bigger vessels called the Icon Class. At, 250,800 tons, It's currently the world's biggest cruise ship . Royal Caribbean has ordered two more Icon Class ships that will begin sailing in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

The Oasis Class and Icon Class ships are not the only biggies in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Five big Quantum Class ships and three big Freedom Class ships each have total capacities ranging from around 4,500 to 5,600 passengers.

Add those in, and Royal Caribbean operates 14 of the world's 35 biggest cruise ships.

Related: 4 things you'll love about Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas

The line also operates five somewhat smaller Voyager Class vessels that can each hold around 3,800 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Together, the 19 Icon, Oasis, Quantum, Freedom and Voyager class vessels make up Royal Caribbean's big-ship fleet.

The line's remaining eight vessels, split among two classes, are relatively smaller, with maximum occupancy topping out at around 2,500 passengers.

While not necessarily the focus at Royal Caribbean, these smaller ships, which in general are the line's older ships, allow it to offer itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Wonder of the Seas.

The smaller ships also appeal to a subset of Royal Caribbean fans who like a little more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. These ships are also often less expensive for travelers on a per-day basis.

With each step-down in size, you'll find fewer restaurants, bars, entertainment offerings and attractions. However, even the smallest of Royal Caribbean ships still have quite a bit to offer.

Related: The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2024

Destinations and itineraries

Royal Caribbean sails almost everywhere in the world, but its heaviest presence is in the Caribbean and Europe. In a typical summer, the line will deploy about half its ships on sailings to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda while sending another seven or eight ships to Europe. The line typically sends four ships every summer to Alaska.

During the winter, the line will move even more of its ships to the Caribbean and send a few to Asia and Australia.

In recent years, Royal Caribbean has deployed one or more ships to China for sailings aimed at the Chinese market. One of the line's newest ships, Spectrum of the Seas , has offered trips for Chinese travelers out of Shanghai and Tianjin, China (the port for Beijing).

In North America, Royal Caribbean ships generally sail out of PortMiami , Port Canaveral , Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades and Tampa in Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Galveston, Texas; New Orleans; Bayonne, New Jersey (one of the ports for New York City); Baltimore; Boston; Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward, Alaska.

In Europe, Royal Caribbean ships mostly sail out of Southampton, England; Amsterdam; Copenhagen; Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens); Istanbul; Barcelona; Civitavecchia, Italy (the port for Rome) and — since 2021 — Ravenna, Italy (which replaced Venice as a home port).

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship

Who sails Royal Caribbean?

For the most part, Royal Caribbean operates big, bustling megaships that will appeal to people who like a megaresort experience. In other words, if you're the kind of person who loves staying on property at Disney World or at a giant Las Vegas resort, this is the line for you. Royal Caribbean ships offer vacationers a ton of options, whether it be for dining (some vessels have more than 20 distinct places to grab a bite) or entertainment. They are lively and fun.

That said, they also offer serene spots. You can enjoy a quiet afternoon reading a book on a bench in the tree-lined Central Park area of Wonder of the Seas while, just a few decks above, thousands of vacationers frolic away at the ship's three distinct pool areas. Royal Caribbean's designers are masters at designing vessels that can carry thousands and thousands of people but still feel relatively uncrowded — at least in some areas.

Insider tip: To escape the bustle on a Royal Caribbean ship, seek out the relatively quiet Solarium. It's an adult-only, deck-top retreat found on every Royal Caribbean vessel.

Royal Caribbean ships offer an inordinate amount of teen- and tween-friendly attractions — everything from some of the largest waterslides at sea to bumper car pavilions. That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. Families are a big part of Royal Caribbean's business.

Related: Is Icon of the Seas the ultimate family vacation?

It's not just families that flock to Royal Caribbean, though. The line's ships are designed to provide a little something for everyone, and they appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has added solo cabins to more ships in recent years).

The ships also draw customers from a wide range of incomes. Plentiful smaller and affordable cabins, included casual dining options, and a plethora of bars and onboard attractions give Royal Caribbean ships a for-the-masses feel and make them accessible to travelers on a budget.

Also, overlaid across most ships are high-end suites, eateries and services that are at a luxury level, and the line draws a good number of luxury-seeking travelers. Royal Caribbean executives like to say that if they carved out all the suites on their ships as a separate business, it would be the largest luxury cruise line in the world.

What Royal Caribbean cruisers all have in common is that they love a big, bustling resort experience.

Cabins and suites

Royal Caribbean is known for offering a wide range of accommodations on its ships. Some ships have as many as 34 categories of cabins. You'll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless inside cabins measuring just 149 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to massive, multiroom suites that are more than 10 times that size.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cabins and suites

At the high end, the accommodations are aimed at well-heeled travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the megaship experience to being on a luxury ship, and these truly are among the most spectacular accommodations at sea. Some, such as the Royal Loft Suites found on Oasis Class ships, are two decks high with sweeping views across the top of the vessel. Icon of the Seas has a suite that is three decks high — the tallest suite in all of cruising.

Depending on the ship, top suites can come with such perks as private butlers (called Royal Genies) who attend to your every need, access to a private restaurant, access to a private suite lounge and sun deck, reserved seating in entertainment venues, and priority boarding and disembarkation.

Related: What it takes to get concierge lounge access on a cruise ship

Restaurants and dining

While a few of Royal Caribbean's smallest ships have relatively limited dining options, most of the line's vessels offer so many choices that it can almost be overwhelming.

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships there are more than 20 places to grab a bite, ranging from Johnny Rockets diners to high-end restaurants serving six-course tasting menus.

Every vessel has a main dining room and a casual buffet eatery where meals are included in the fare — the latter called either Windjammer Café or Windjammer Marketplace. For dinner in the main dining room, you must sign up for either My Time Dining, which is where you go whenever you want, or Traditional Dining, where you have a fixed table and time for dinner.

Other included-in-the-fare offerings found on some ships include Sorrento's pizza parlors, the Mediterranean cuisine-themed Solarium Bistro and the coffee bar Cafe Promenade.

In addition, every ship has a least one — and sometimes many — extra-charge eateries. The most common one found across the fleet is Chops Grille, the line's signature steakhouse. Many ships also have an Italian eatery, called either Giovanni's Table or Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. There's also Hooked Seafood, a relatively new concept now on four vessels (Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas) that serves lobster rolls, fish sandwiches and the like.

On some ships, you'll also find Izumi, a sushi-serving Asian eatery; Vintages, a small bite-serving wine bar; imaginative cuisine-serving Wonderland; and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, which offers cold brews, burgers and wings along with games like foosball.

There are full-blown Starbucks cafes on some ships or at least a Starbucks stand.

In addition, some ships feature private restaurants just for passengers staying in suites along with top-tier members of the line's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program .

Some of the extra-charge eateries come with a flat fee, usually around $35 to $50 per person, not including the cost of drinks. Others are a la carte.

If you know you want to eat at a few extra-charge restaurants during your voyage, you can buy one of several dining packages that offer meals at a discount.

Related: The 9 best meals you can have at sea

Entertainment and activities

No other cruise line has as broad a range of entertainment and activities on its ships as Royal Caribbean. As noted above, the line's biggest vessels offer multiple entertainment venues, from theaters to comedy clubs; all manner of deck-top attractions; large casinos; full-service spas; and even ice skating rinks. Plus, you'll find more bars, lounges and nightspots than you could think possible.

Theaters and shows

One of Royal Caribbean's great strengths is its theater entertainment, which can be mind-blowing at times — i.e., you won't believe you're seeing what you're seeing on a cruise ship.

Many of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships have state-of-the-art theaters as big as you'll find on Broadway, with top-name Broadway shows. Symphony of the Seas has "Hairspray," for instance, and Oasis of the Seas has Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats."

In some cases, the shows are cut down slightly (though some still run nearly two hours), and the casts aren't the A-team you'll find on Broadway. However, these are quality productions. The best part is — they are entirely free. Compare that with the hundreds of dollars you'll spend to take your family to a show in New York City.

Even more "wow," as Royal Caribbean executives like to say, are the ice skating shows put on at the ice skating rinks found on 14 of the line's ships. The rinks are in the interiors of the ships, surrounded by stadium seating for up to 775 people, and the shows are out of this world.

The line has hired Olympic-level skaters to star in the productions. In fact, the line likes to boast that it employs more world-class professional skaters than any other company in the world.

On Oasis Class ships, there also are 735-seat outdoor "aqua theaters" that are home to dazzling aerial and water shows (Icon of the Seas has its own version of this under a glass dome called the AquaDome). Quantum Class ships have Two70, an extraordinary, high-tech theater space that offers multisensory shows combining singing, dancing and acrobatics.

Some ships also have comedy clubs, and there's always live music in multiple venues nightly. We're particularly fond of the two-deck-high Music Halls on Quantum Class vessels.

Insider tip: Be sure to book the (free) tickets for onboard comedy clubs early. They sometimes sell out in advance due to heavy demand and limited capacity.

Other interior attractions and activities

In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of Royal Caribbean ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night, including a seemingly endless array of bars, lounges and nightspots.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a casino, and on the line's bigger vessels, these are big operations. The Casino Royale on Oasis of the Seas sprawls with 450 slot machines, 27 table games (including blackjack, roulette and craps) and a poker room, plus its very own bar. The casinos on the four other Oasis Class ships are similarly giant.

The 14 vessels that are part of the Voyager, Freedom, Oasis and Icon classes also have Royal Promenades — indoor, mall-like spaces that are home to some of the coolest bars at sea, as well as food outlets and retail shops.

The version of the Royal Promenade on Oasis of the Seas, for instance, offers the Bionic Bar, where a robot makes the drinks, along with the equally innovative Rising Tide Bar, which rises between the Royal Promenade and the outdoor Central Park area three decks above while you drink. There's also a British pub, a karaoke lounge, a Latin-themed nightspot and — located one deck up in a balcony area — the line's signature Schooner Bar.

The line's five Quantum Class vessels have a much smaller version of the Royal Promenade called the Royal Esplanade that transitions into another indoor area called The Via.

The Quantum Class ships also have an indoor fun zone known as The SeaPlex that includes a bumper car pavilion. When the bumper cars aren't in use, the space transforms into a roller rink, which is also used as a "circus school" with lessons on a flying trapeze. Other SeaPlex activities include air hockey and table tennis.

For something quieter and more pampering, Royal Caribbean ships also all have spas. Some are enormous, with more than two dozen treatment rooms and thermal areas with hot stone chairs, rainforest shower areas, saunas and steam rooms.

Deck-top attractions

The top decks of Royal Caribbean ships are where things get wild. There is stuff you just won't see on any other vessel at sea.

There are pools, of course — on the bigger ships, oodles of them. The Oasis Class ships have three distinct pool areas, as well as a watery play zone for kids. A growing number of Royal Caribbean ships also have water parks with significant waterslides.

You'll also find all sorts of other fun-focused attractions — giant rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, zip lines, miniature golf courses and basketball courts, to name a few. Some recently built ships even have skydiving simulators — giant acrylic tubes where you get to experience the sensation of skydiving.

On Oasis Class ships, there's also an outdoor Boardwalk area with a hand-carved carousel. On the new Icon Class ships, the Boardwalk area is replaced with a watery play zone for younger kids called Surfside.

The most out-there deck-top attractions on Royal Caribbean ships are surely the North Star rides found on Quantum Class ships. Perhaps the most bizarre attractions ever conceived for a cruise ship, they are giant mechanical arms topped with glass-enclosed capsules that will take you soaring above the ships for the view.

The North Star is generally free to ride. It also can be booked for special events, such as weddings, for a charge.

Related: The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up

Children's programs

Royal Caribbean has one of the most extensive children's programs at sea, with programs and activities for children as young as 6 months old through the age of 17.

The heart of the program, called Adventure Ocean, has free, supervised activities daily for children ages 3 to 12.

The line splits children here up into three age groups: Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5 years), Explorers (ages 6 to 8 years) and Voyagers (ages 9 to 12 years), each with its own age-appropriate activities ranging from scavenger hunts to arts and crafts. On many ships, there are extensive dedicated spaces for the different groups.

While the free programming ends at 10 p.m., you can pay extra to leave your kids at Adventure Ocean until 2 a.m., when it transforms into a supervised Late Night Party Zone.

Royal Caribbean also operates a Royal Babies nursery program for children ages 6 to 18 months old that includes interactive child and parent classes with activities developed by early childhood experts. The Royal Tots program (for ages 18 months to 3 years) offers 45-minute interactive playground sessions with age-appropriate activities and toys. Both programs are hosted by trained youth staff. On many ships, parents can drop off their babies at the nursery for short-term babysitting (this service comes with an extra charge).

Royal Caribbean also offers dedicated teen and tween programs on ships for children ages 12 to 17. On some vessels, such as the Quantum Class ships, you'll find a dedicated space with games and a widescreen TV called The Living Room where teens can hang out, plus a teens-only disco called Fuel.

Related: A peek at Perfect Day by CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need either a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. Passports must be valid for at least six months. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. The name on your reservation must be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Royal Caribbean adds an automatic service gratuity of $18 to $20.50 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking. An 18% gratuity is added to bills for bars, minibars, salons and spas.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has one of the fastest Wi-Fi systems at sea — so fast that you're able to watch Netflix from your room on your mobile device. Pricing changes over time, but recently has been priced at $17.99 per day per device for a package that includes streaming. There also are multi-device packages that are less expensive on a per-device basis.

Related: How fast is the internet on Royal Caribbean ships? We put it to the test

Carry-on drinks policy

Royal Caribbean allows you to bring two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin onto ships at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas. The line charges a $15 corkage fee if you bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or other public areas to drink.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is allowed only in designated outdoor areas, casinos and the cigar clubs found on Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 cleaning fee. In the casino, only cigarette smoking is allowed, and only in designated areas on most ships (smoking in casinos is forbidden on sailings out of Australia and U.K. ports).

Unlike some lines, Royal Caribbean does not build self-service launderettes onto its ships. Vessels offer extra-charge laundry and dry cleaning services.

Electrical outlets

All vessels have North American-style 110-volt outlets in rooms, as well as European-style 220-volt outlets. A growing number of vessels also have USB ports in cabins.

The currency used on all Royal Caribbean ships is U.S. dollars, no matter where they are in the world. All vessels operate on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a SeaPass card that you can use to make charges.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on sailings originating in North America or the United Arab Emirates. The drinking age on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, there is an official dress code, but it only applies to passengers entering the main dining room. On any given night, one of three dress codes will apply — casual, smart casual or formal.

Casual means just that — jeans, polo shirts and sundresses. Smart casual is a step up to collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits, with a jacket for men optional. Formal officially means suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. Don't worry if you don't want to go that fancy, though. Not everybody plays into it. You'll see most men wearing suits or sports coats and women in cocktail dresses.

Related: What to pack for your first cruise

Royal Caribbean loyalty program

Royal Caribbean has a point-based frequent cruiser program , the Crown & Anchor Society, that has six tiers ranging from Gold (requiring 3 points) to Pinnacle Club (700 points).

Members earn points for every night they sail on one of the line's ships, with double points awarded to passengers staying in suites. It takes one cruise to hit the first tier, Gold. It would take five cruises if you're doing seven-night trips (fewer if you're in a suite) to reach the second tier, Platinum (30 points).

Lower tiers don't bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits. You'll receive things like priority check-in and a private departure lounge with continental breakfast at the end of a trip. However, higher levels of the program start to be very enticing.

The second-to-highest tier, Diamond Plus (175 points), brings Concierge Club access, priority seating at onboard shows, an exclusive number to call for bookings and reduced rates for solo travelers, plus other things. The top Pinnacle Club level brings free cruises after hitting key milestones.

Note that, unlike airline frequent flyer programs, cruise line loyalty programs do not require you to requalify for status every year. So, yes, the perks with lower tiers aren't great, but it's not as difficult as it might at first seem to hit the more rewarding higher-level tiers in just a few years if you're cruising a lot.

A passenger staying in suites can get to the Diamond Plus level with just 13 seven-night cruises. Take a few longer voyages, like a transatlantic sailing, and you can reach it even sooner.

Related: The TPG guide to cruise line loyalty programs

How much does a Royal Caribbean cruise cost?

Royal Caribbean designs its ships to appeal to a broad mix of people, in part by offering a wide range of cabin types at varying price points. On a typical sailing, you might find an entry-level cabin for around $100 per person per night, while a high-end suite is five or 10 times that amount.

As of the time of this guide's posting, for instance, a two-bedroom Star Loft Suite on Harmony of the Seas for a seven-night Caribbean cruise in January 2026 was going for $7,559 per person, based on double occupancy. That's more than 11 times the cost of the least-expensive inside cabin (which was starting at $646 per person, based on double occupancy). Balcony cabins on the same sailing started at around $836 per person, based on double occupancy.

Note the "based on double occupancy" caveat. As is typical for cruise lines, Royal Caribbean charges on a per-person basis, not per room, and it prices most cabins based on two people occupying a room. It does offer a small number of cabins on some ships that are priced based on single occupancy for solo travelers.

In general, Royal Caribbean's big, resort-like Icon Class, Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships will be more expensive than the line's older, smaller vessels (Icon Class ships are particularly pricey ). However, there are a lot of factors that go into pricing for any given cruise, including the popularity of the specific itinerary, the time of year when the cruise is taking place and changing demand trends.

As you might expect, pricing for all ships will generally be less during offseason periods such as September and October.

The timing of when you book can also matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels. Many cruisers will tell you that the best pricing for any given sailing often is available when cruises first go on sale (which can be a good two years before a departure). Booking far in advance also gives you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.

Once on board a Royal Caribbean vessel, you'll pay extra for most drinks (most beers will set you back $7.99, for instance; wine by the glass ranges from $8 to $14), extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet service and a few other things — unless you've bought a package for some of these items in advance.

Most onboard activities, such as rock climbing and zip lining, are included in the fare, as are your lodging, meals (in non-extra-charge restaurants) and entertainment.

Related: 15 ways that first-time cruisers waste money on a cruise

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to RoyalCaribbean.com and book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. An agent also can help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure that Royal Caribbean is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all 34 of those cabin categories that we mentioned above and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see them firsthand.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spend when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which offers 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel (and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining).

Bottom line

Royal Caribbean has grown into the world's biggest cruise line by passenger capacity for a reason. It has long dazzled customers with stunning, resort-like vessels full of every sort of amusement and activity you could imagine.

If you're a megaresort lover, you'll surely love the line's biggest ships, particularly the giant Oasis Class vessels. If you're more of a small boutique hotel sort of person or someone who just isn't happy around crowds, well … this might not be the line for you.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Business Insider

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. These were my 8 favorite amenities on the world's largest cruise ship.

Posted: April 20, 2024 | Last updated: April 23, 2024

• Royal Caribbean invited me to spend three complimentary nights on its new Icon of the Seas  in January.
• My eight favorite amenities included the waterpark and jazz bar.
• I've yet to see most of the amenities on my list on other cruise ships.

There's a reason Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship is only operating seven-night sailings .

The 1,196-foot-long, 20-deck Icon of the Seas is packed with bars, restaurants, and things to do. Any shorter of an itinerary, and you might not have time to experience all it has to offer.

If you're a frequent cruiser — especially with Royal Caribbean — amenities like the mini-golf course and water playground may not seem exciting.

But of all the activities the new world's largest cruise ship has to offer, my eight favorites are, for the most part, ones I've yet to see on another vessel.

Take a look at what made the cut.

1. The six-slide waterpark

It wouldn't be a roundup of Icon of the Seas' best amenities without a mention of its waterpark.

Plenty of family-friendly cruise ships have waterslides, but few have six — or even one that requires a multi-person raft.

However, if you don't like the feeling of your stomach dropping, I'd advise skipping the 46-foot-tall drop slide.

2. The adult-only suspended infinity pool

The 7,600-guest Icon of the Seas has seven pools and nine hot tubs. As a kid-fearing adult, I loved the grown-ups-only suspended infinity pool.

I spent my time there perched at one of its in-water loungers, contently splashing my legs around the water, wondering if I actually hated cruises.

While I would've preferred a quieter atmosphere (the DJ did not, in fact, play smooth jazz), the pool's views, day beds, and lack of screaming children were hard to beat.

3. The Crown’s Edge thrill 'ride'

There's no need to grab coffee before harnessing up for the part-zipling, part-agility Crown's Edge course. You'll be jolted awake when the floor drops from beneath your feet, leaving you dangling 154 feet above the ocean before the zipline kicks in.

Unfortunately, it comes with two costs: $49 and a spike of anxiety.

4. The 'Wizard of Oz' and 'Aqua Action!' shows

If you hate cruise shows, Icon of the Seas could make you change your mind.

The ship's riff on Broadway-approved "Wizard of Oz" — 16-piece live orchestra and flying bed included — delighted me, a hater of most musicals.

For something less traditional, the semi-circle AquaDome theater hosts a compelling multi-disciplinary swim, dive, and aerial show reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil.

It's the first show-at-sea I've seen with a waterfall and nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and so far, it's one of my favorites.

5. The live jazz bar

Ya like jazz? So do I.

Icon of the Seas has plenty of live music venues — including rowdy karaoke and dueling pianos bars, if that counts. But if you're a jazz fan or looking for a peaceful nightcap, none of these options will top the live music at Lou's Jazz 'n Blues.

6. The customizable Mediterranean-style wrap at the five-stall food hall

The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima .

But compared to the rest of my mediocre meals on Icon of the Seas — including dinner at a specialty restaurant — my complimentary pork pita wrap from the food hall's Mediterranean-inspired stall was admittedly pretty decent.

The Cava -like meal was balanced, succulent, and filling. Ending it with a strawberry nutella crepe from one of the vendors didn't hurt either.

7. The Pearl Café with sweeping ocean views

Everyone takes a picture inside the Pearl . But few people know that the best part about the glittering structure isn't what's inside it — it's what's behind it: the Pearl Café.

Admittedly, the food wasn't standout.

But it's 2024. In this era, we don't dine for food. We dine for vibes . And the Pearl Café was definitely "serving" (even with its mediocre sandwiches).

At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop. But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected. It turns out it's a great place to get some work done.

8. The lounging pods that tower above passerbys

Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome.

If you want to feel like you're drinking in a nest atop a tree, bring your coffee-infused cocktail from nearby Rye and Bean to one of the elevated pods. .

Just don't drink too much. What goes up must come down. And to get down from the pods, you'll have to take the stairs.

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What's So Special About Icon of the Seas? We Sailed to Find Out

From pricing to activities, here's everything you need to know about the world’s largest cruise ship from Royal Caribbean.

In advance of its highly anticipated inaugural cruise, we were able to explore the ship during its pre-inaugural preview sailings, and we’re sharing everything you need to know (along with plenty of insider photos!) to help you plan.

What’s so special about the Icon of the Seas?

Neighborhoods and activities, entertainment and nightlife, cruise itinerary, bottom line: is sailing on icon of the seas worth it.

Picture this: Twenty stories, more than 50 dining experiences, seven pools, over 2,800 staterooms and a capacity of 5,610 guests (plus staff!). Add to this an expansive two-level shopping promenade and a reimagined Central Park (complete with 30,000 living plants and trees), and you'll very quickly forget you’re on a boat once you board the Icon of the Seas. The ship itself is 1,198 feet long and 250,800 GT (gross tonnage; or the internal volume), making it over five times as large as the Titanic (which was 46,328 GT).

In fact, Icon of the Seas is so big that it’s broken up into eight different "neighborhoods." It has just started sailing and will depart from Port Miami in Miami with seven-day cruises through the Eastern Caribbean or the Western Caribbean. Regardless of which trip you take, you’ll stop at Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island, “Perfect Day at CocoCay.”

It turns out that bigger really is better. Not only is it the biggest cruise ship in the world, but it’s also home to many “biggests” and “firsts” at sea. It has the largest water park at sea (including the first family raft slide), the first (and only) suspended infinity pool at sea and the biggest swim-up bar at sea — plus, there are six thrilling water slides and a 50-foot-tall waterfall. It even has the first dog at sea — a golden retriever named Rover who lives on board to bring joy to guests and the crew.

And while family fun is front and center on Icon of the Seas, it is thoughtfully designed to cater to every type of traveler. There’s something for every age group and trip preference, and it does a great job of separating these offerings into distinct neighborhoods (e.g., adult-only travelers and families with young kids can have little to no interaction with one another if they choose). From a variety of new room choices to seemingly endless dining and entertainment options, the offerings of the Icon of the Seas have raised the bar for cruise vacations.

A significant aspect in which Icon stands out from other cruise ships is in its having a whopping 28 different room types. Many staterooms are similar to those on other large ships and sleep from two to four people, but there are a variety of more spacious rooms available to make your stay more comfortable, especially if you’re traveling as a family .

Rooms are outfitted with tons of USB-A ports and electrical outlets in all the right places (and some even with USB-C ports by the vanity). Our team was impressed with the amount of storage in every room, including drawers and multiple closets (complete with a good number of hangers) and nooks to stash your things. Royal Caribbean has even made sure the space under the beds is perfectly sized for tucking away carry-on luggage . Rooms come in two categories, Staterooms and Suites, and below are the most common types for each class:

Staterooms are the more affordable way to experience the ship. They come in various sizes and each is outfitted with a mini beverage fridge, but no other food or beverage amenities. All come with basic bathroom amenities, meaning standard bar soap and a shower with a single wall-mounted dispenser with hair and body wash but no conditioner lotion. “I’m not a regular cruiser, so I was very surprised to discover there wasn’t any conditioner in the room — and I regretted not bringing my own,” said one guest. (Of course, there’s an easy solution: If you stay in a stateroom, consider yourself warned and bring some!) Here’s what else you should know before choosing your stateroom.

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It’s the smallest class and has no windows, but it’s also the cheapest way to experience the ship’s grandeur. This type of room is not recommended for anyone who is prone to feeling claustrophobic.

You get a window, but not fresh air from a balcony.

Neighborhood Balcony

These rooms have an outdoor balcony that faces an interior neighborhood (such as Central Park or Surfside).

Ocean View Balcony

As the name implies, this room’s exterior balcony gives you views of the ocean while the ship is sailing.

Ocean View Infinite Balcony

Unlike a regular balcony room with a separate outdoor space, this type of room has a large window that opens wide enough to feel like a balcony. When the window is open, you feel exactly as if you’re on a balcony, but you gain valuable interior living space when the window is closed.

Family Ocean View Infinite Balcony

Giving families more space to spread out, these have a bed and a pullout sofa in the main area, along with a separate nook with bunk beds. They are designed for groups of four to six people. The main living and sleeping area feels very comfortable and spacious (like a regular hotel room), but the kids’ nook is smaller in person than it appears in photos. One standout plus: the split bathroom, one part with a toilet and a sink, the other with a sink and a shower. It’s a huge bonus and almost feels like two full bathrooms instead of one divided into two. The kids’ nook can also come in handy as a changing room for everyone, thanks to its curtain “door.”

For more space, added in-room amenities in Icon’s suites such as a Lavazza espresso coffee machine and soft drinks, luxury bathroom amenities from Malin+Goetz (including conditioner and lotion), plush bathrobes and access to other exclusive offerings deliver a more elevated ship experience. These rooms are available in three classes:

Rooms in this category include  Junior Suites , which give you a bit more space than regular staterooms and can sleep up to four on a pullout sofa. You get access to the suite-exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant (for dinner only).

  Sky Class

You get everything in Sea Class as well as concierge service, full access to the suite-exclusive neighborhood and priority boarding and departure. A variety of suites are available that sleep up to four or five, many of which are newly available on Icon. The most common suite in this class is the Surfside Family Suite, which we got to experience with two adults and two children during our preview. Although the shared pullout sofa bed was on the smaller side, it was great to have the separate space for kids and all the perks that came with the suite class.

This top tier includes everything in Sky Class along with premium seats for entertainment, complimentary dining packages and more. You even get a “genie” – i.e., a personal concierge. Only nine suites in this class are available, including seven Icon Lofts, one Royal Loft and one Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-level paradise that even has an in-suite slide, gaming area, movie room, patio and more. It can cost over $80,000 for a week — and it is already sold out for all of 2024.

The Icon is so big that it’s broken up into eight distinct neighborhoods:

Thrill Island

Located at the back of the ship, this is the home of all of the action and adventure on board. Its Category 6 waterpark has six large water slides, including ones with big drops, zero-gravity suspensions and even the first family raft slide at sea. There’s also the Crown’s Edge , a daring adventure course that leaves you dangling 154 feet above the ocean. (Just note that there's an added fee for Crown’s Edge.)

Other highlights include the Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall, the Flowrider surf simulator, the Lost Dunes mini golf course and a sports court.

Chill Island

This is where you can find four of the seven pools, which are spread out over three separate decks. It is home to Swim &Tonic, the biggest swim-up bar at sea (and the first for Royal Caribbean) as well as Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea.

Designed as a family-friendly area (especially for younger kids), this neighborhood is intended to be used as a spot where families can spend their entire day. There’s a carousel (with whimsical motifs instead of horses), a dry climbing area, a splash park (including smaller water slides) and an arcade.

There’s also a lounge area for grown-ups to hang out near their kids. The kids’ club and kid-friendly dining options are also located in this area.

This is a breathtaking indoor space at the front of the ship. During the day it’s meant to be a “tranquil oasis” with ocean views and a picturesque waterfall. At night, it’s a buzzing hot spot with restaurants, bars and entertainment in the AquaTheater.

The Hideaway

An adults-only area at the back of the ship, it has the first suspended infinity pool at sea, offering stunning views of the water and beach club vibes.

Royal Promenade

Located in the middle of the ship, this is the indoor entry point when passengers embark, and it serves as a central hub. You’ll find many of the restaurants in this area as well as shops, guest services, a shore excursions desk and more. There’s a Royal Promenade on many Royal Caribbean ships, but it’s elevated on the Icon thanks to The Pearl, a massive orb structure that’s just as functional in the ship’s architecture as it is a piece of art.

Central Park

An open-air area in the middle of the ship, this neighborhood features trees and living plant walls that make you feel as if you’re in an actual park while at sea. There are Central Parks on other Royal Caribbean ships too, and like the others, this one has several restaurants and bars.

Suite Neighborhood

For guests staying in the Sky and Star Class suites, this area is toward the front of the ship (near the AquaDome) and offers amenities like a private pool, a sun deck, a lounge, a restaurant and more.

As on other Royal Caribbean ships, there’s also an ice-skating rink (which converts into a laser tag arena), a spa, a fitness center and more activities available, including an escape room.

The Icon has over 20 places to eat and boasts more than 50 dining experiences, some of which are included in the main charge and others of which cost extra. There’s a three-floor main dining room and a buffet (the Windjammer) available at no charge.

Other complimentary options include the Aquadome Market (the first ever food hall on a Royal Caribbean ship), Sorrento’s (a pizza place), El Loco Fresh (Mexican fare), Park Café (a deli), Surfside Eatery (a kid-friendly buffet) and more. “We loved the grab-and-go and serve-yourself options at El Loco Fresh,” said one guest. “I could eat those quesadillas all day long.” In the main buffet, the Indian counter was also exceptionally delicious.

Then there are specialty restaurants you have to pay for such as Chops Grille (a steakhouse with out-of-this world crab cakes), Giovanni’s (Italian), Izumi (hibachi and sushi) and Hooked (seafood). For fancier options, there’s the Empire Supper Club (with an extravagant eight-course menu with a ritzy New York theme) and Celebration Table (a VIP experience for 12 people).

There are plenty of other places to grab snacks (including ice cream!) throughout the day as well as quick-service spots (Izumi in the Park has out-of-this-world bubble waffle creations) and even a Starbucks on board the ship. For a great place to start your morning, the Pearl Cafe is a comfortable and centrally located cafe on Deck 6. Head over to the Vitality Spa on Deck 14 for juices and smoothies.

Royal Caribbean stands out from other cruise lines for its shows, and the Icon takes it to another level. It has The Wizard of Oz as a Broadway-style show and Aqua Action, which features water-based stunts in its signature AquaTheater. There’s also an ice skating show called Starburst: Elemental Beauty and live music (including rock, blues and a DJ), dueling pianos, karaoke and comedy shows. All shows are included as part of the cruise.

Beyond the shows, there are a casino (called Casino Royale) and plenty of bars, from sports bars to more swanky venues.

The Icon of the Seas is sailing from and to Miami and currently offers two itineraries:

• 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
• 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Both itineraries include stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay (which previously won a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award ). It offers water parks, beaches, pools and more – and the best part is that it's all just steps from the ship. For the other stops, you can book shore excursions directly through Royal Caribbean.

A 7-day sailing on the Icon of the Seas typically costs around $2,000 per person.

However, you can often find promotions from Royal Caribbean, and we even discovered some options in 2025 that let you book for around $1,000 per person. The pricing varies based on room type, dates and availability, but Icon is considered more of a luxury cruise than a budget option. That said, the price covers much of the food, amenities and experiences throughout your week-long vacation.

Yes. While it's certainly not for everyone because of its size and price, we were impressed by the innovation this cruise delivers. The highlights compared with other cruises were the family-friendly room layouts, the next-level activities and the design of the neighborhoods.

For instance, on other Royal Caribbean ships you'll find the carousel for kids located next to the sports bar and in the same neighborhood as the AquaTheater, which gets congested around showtimes. With this new layout, there’s less overlap and it’s easier to navigate the experiences.

Meet Your Icon of the Seas Guides

• Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she oversees travel content ranging from the best luggage to Good Housekeeping’s Family Travel Awards . Lexie has been on eight cruise ships from a range of cruise lines (including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival) and has sailed through Alaska, the U.S. East coast, the Caribbean, Bermuda, South America and Europe. She attended a preview sailing on the Icon of the Seas with her husband and two daughters.
• Laurie Jennings is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s general manager and lead consumer tester across categories like travel, home, automotive and more. This was Laurie’s first overnight cruise experience. Her multigenerational group included her mother, a seasoned cruiser (who raved, “Everything about this ship is perfect! It will blow you away,”) as well as her daughter, 9, and her nephew, 11. During her sailing, Laurie visited all 28 room classes as well as every neighborhood and restaurant available for viewing.

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I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.

• I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.
• For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.
• I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

In April 2022, I cruised on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas . At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world , but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas .

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas .

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms , which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony , and two steps below a suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

I thought it was the most relaxing area on the ship, so I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

To operate most of the electricity in the room, I had to insert my room key into a slot on the wall.

I appreciated the energy-saving system.

On one side of the room, I had a mirror and a desk with several outlets to charge electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

I thought the desk was useful for eating, as well as storing daily flyers about the day's events.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

The desk drawers were mostly empty aside from a hair dryer, which I didn't end up using.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

Inside each closet, I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks, like placing the trash can and toilet paper under the counter.

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration, according to its website , so they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I was able to look out over the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

The window was equipped with an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been a tight space for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

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Royal caribbean vs. carnival: quick comparison chart.

Decide which line is best based on costs, food, onboard entertainment and other key factors.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line have quite a bit in common.

Trying to choose between Royal Caribbean and Carnival for your next cruise? Check out the comparison chart below, then read on for more details.

Winner: Royal Caribbean

When it comes to fleet size as well as the features available on cruise ships, Royal Caribbean has an edge over Carnival Cruise Line. That's because Royal Caribbean already has 28 ships in operation, including its incredible Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class ships. Oasis Class vessels like Allure of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are some of the largest in the world – and Royal Caribbean Group is constantly rolling out new, even bigger cruise ships with better amenities and new features. For example, the new Icon of the Seas (scheduled to debut in 2024) plans to have the largest water park at sea, the largest swimming pool at sea, and a range of over-the-top cabins and suites for families of all sizes.

Meanwhile, Carnival currently operates 25 different vessels with a few more on the way. Newer ships like Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia aren't as large and grand as Royal Caribbean ships, nor are the brand-new vessels the company is planning for late 2023 and 2024. For example, the new Carnival Jubilee that is set to begin sailing later in 2023 will have 15 passenger decks and capacity for up to 6,631 guests, compared to 18 guest decks and 7,600 passengers on Icon of the Seas.

Read: The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

SBW-Photo | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Comparing cabins across cruise lines as a whole isn't an easy feat, mostly because companies tend to offer larger suites and cabins with a better layout on their newer ships . You'll therefore likely have a nicer cabin on one of Carnival's newest vessels compared to an older ship from Royal Caribbean, and of course the opposite is also true. Cabin sizes and layouts also vary widely across the vessels of both brands, and that's true even for basic interior, ocean view and balcony cabins.

That said, Royal Caribbean still comes out ahead in this category, since the line boasts more square footage in some of the most basic cabins as well as more over-the-top luxury accommodations, especially for families.

As an example, most inside cabins on Allure of the Seas feature 172 square feet of space, whereas Carnival Celebration's inside cabins are slightly smaller at 158 square feet. Meanwhile, the largest suites on Celebration are the Carnival Excel Presidential Suite, with 1,120 square feet of space including the balcony, and the Carnival Excel Aft Suite, which has 861 square feet of interior and balcony space. Compare those options to the Sky Loft Suites on Allure of the Seas, which feature 1,132 square feet across the room and balcony, and the spacious two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites with 1,595 square feet including the balcony.

Book a cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Winner: Tie

Food options vary widely across vessels within any cruise brand, and this is especially true with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. For example, older ships from both cruise lines offer fewer specialty dining options overall along with the main dining rooms and buffet options cruisers come to expect, whereas newer ships from both lines feature a lot more unique and innovative options.

When you view the cruise dining options from both lines, you'll quickly find that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean pull out all the stops when it comes to food. For example, Carnival ships include a range of eateries from large and expansive buffets to main dining rooms to unique offerings like Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Meanwhile, specialty dining on Carnival vessels features options like teppanyaki, Emeril's Bistros at Sea and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

Royal Caribbean ships feature convenient buffets and main dining room experiences, as well as included options like pizza kitchens, noodle bars and casual fast food. Specialty dining on Royal Caribbean ranges from the brand's Chef's Table experience to Johnny Rockets' burgers and shakes to innovative fine dining at Wonderland.

Drink packages

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer drink packages that cruisers can purchase as part of their vacation to get a more all-inclusive feel . Then again, the value of these packages depends on how much you drink over the course of your trip. Also note that the cost of drink packages across all cruise lines can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, travel dates, length of trip and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out slightly ahead in this category because the line offers three tiers of drink packages for guests with different needs. Choose from the Classic Soda Package; the Refreshment Package, which includes soda along with coffees, juices and even milkshakes at Johnny Rockets; and the Deluxe Beverage Package, which adds in beer, cocktails and wine by the glass. Meanwhile, Carnival offers just two different drink packages: the Bottomless Bubbles package, which covers soft drinks and juice, and the Cheers! drink package, which adds in spirits and cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffee, energy drinks and more.

Read: Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Onboard activities

Analyzing onboard activities across cruise lines isn't always easy – you really have to break down this category by ship for a true comparison. When you do that with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, you'll find that both lines offer fun activities for all ages, from onboard water parks to hosted games, casinos and more.

That said, Royal Caribbean does take things up a notch in this category, especially on the line's newer ships. Some Royal Caribbean vessels offer escape rooms, surf simulators, zip lines, game shows and over-the-top water parks with incredible slides for thrill-seekers. For example, Freedom of the Seas boasts huge onboard waterslides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, mini-golf and more. Don't forget about Icon of the Seas with its massive water park and pool offerings in the works. Meanwhile, standout activities on Carnival ships include Family Feud Live, onboard water parks and the thrilling SkyRide.

Compare Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

Live entertainment

The quality of cruise ship entertainment varies widely based on the quality of the talent booked for individual ships. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer their share of live music and entertainment, including performances by bands and singers, karaoke, and piano bars. Meanwhile, both lines also boast their own theaters on every vessel, which often feature Broadway-style shows, singing and dancing, comedy acts, and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out ahead in this category since its vessels feature award-winning musicals like "Hairspray," "Mamma Mia!" and "Cats." The open-air AquaTheater on Oasis Class ships also wows guests with incredible diving feats, stunts and aerial acrobatics. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have onboard ice skating performances and ice games.

Explore cruise deals on  GoToSea .

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Kids programming

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Winner: Carnival

Both cruise lines have kids clubs that cater to younger guests of all ages, with each one offering supervised care so parents can drop the kids off for some alone time or a quiet dinner on the ship. However, Carnival stands out slightly in this category due to the six different clubs offered across the fleet for children and teens between 6 months and 17 years old. Carnival also offers supervised Night Owls services for kids 11 and younger, which lets parents get out and have some late-night fun for an extra charge.

Royal Caribbean offers four kids clubs for children ages six months to 12, along with a separate club for tweens and teens . Supervised child care is available for free during the day, and you can opt for paid care after hours as well.

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Adults-only offerings

Both cruise lines offer their share of adults-only spaces and things to do, from onboard casinos to luxurious spas to bars that offer cocktails and live entertainment at all hours of the day and night. Carnival and Royal Caribbean also offer adults-only areas on some of their ships.

On Carnival, for example, cruisers will find the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat for sailors 21 and older with extra space and comfortable chairs for relaxation, along with its own bar nearby. On many Royal Caribbean vessels, on the other hand, the onboard Solarium for ages 16-plus has its own pool and extra space to find peace and quiet.

Carnival's Serenity relaxation area is included for guests. While Royal Caribbean's Solarium is typically also included, on certain sailings there is restricted access by fare class.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Shore excursions

Getty Images

Shore excursions offered by cruise lines are largely operated by third-party companies and are often the same across brands. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a broad selection of excursions in destinations around the world, from snorkeling and scuba tours in the Caribbean to city tours, horseback riding, cooking classes and more.

Both cruise lines offer private and custom tours you can book through your ship as well.

Compare cruises on GoToSea .

Private island experiences

Royal Caribbean and Carnival each have their own private island in the Bahamas , which is included in most itineraries to this part of the world. These private islands provide a fun beach escape for families to enjoy, whether you want to relax in the sun or take part in some of the available activities.

Royal Caribbean's private island, called Perfect Day at CocoCay, is the more impressive option due to everything it includes: a heart-thumping water park, its own wave pool, a zip line, a hot air balloon experience and overwater bungalows you can book for the day, among other offerings. Meanwhile, Carnival's Half Moon Cay has a unique beached pirate ship to explore – but fewer amenities overall.

Note that both private islands have plenty of beach space for guests to spread out and relax, as well as restaurants and bars. You can also book excursions on both private islands, which include activities like snorkeling and water sports.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands

Comparing costs across cruise lines can be tricky since fares and available sales vary throughout the year, as well as based on the vessel booked, the cruise itinerary, the number and age of travelers, and more. To get an idea of who wins on price, we looked for two similar cruises on comparable ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean, then priced out an option for a family of four with two children ages 8 and 10. For the purpose of this comparison, we used seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises on Carnival Celebration and Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, both of which began sailing in 2022.

The Carnival Celebration itinerary from Miami stops in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands . By comparison, the Wonder of the Seas sailing leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten ; San Juan; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

The chart below shows the total cost (including taxes and fees) for a family of four in January 2024 in both an ocean view and a typical balcony cabin across both cruise lines. Note that, for the purpose of this comparison, we selected the least expensive room option in each category.

Read: How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 30 times across most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries around the world. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate this cruise line comparison.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Cruise
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• The Top Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
• How to Find Last-Minute Cruise Deals
• The Top Kids Sail Free Cruises

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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806 Oasis of the Seas Sky Suite Review 2024 | Royal Caribbean Cruise Radio

• Places & Travel

A review of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas in a Sky Suite. 

• Episode Website
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• © 2023 Doug Parker

Royal Caribbean Lifts Profit View Again on Cruise Boom, Higher Prices

FILE PHOTO: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, is docked at Costa Maya Cruise Port, in the village town of Mahahual, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, February 6, 2024. REUTERS/Paola Chiomante/File Photo

By Juveria Tabassum and Doyinsola Oladipo

(Reuters) -Royal Caribbean Group on Thursday raised its annual profit forecast for a second time, after record bookings during the first quarter and higher ticket pricing boosted its results, sending its shares 4% higher premarket.

Soaring demand for vacations at sea has given cruise operators ample room to raise ticket prices as the industry looks to close the pricing gap between more expensive land-based holidays and give their profits a lift.

Royal Caribbean also beat expectations for quarterly profit and revenue, with half of its yield growth coming from higher ticket pricing.

"Our existing fleet along with our new ships continue to perform exceptionally well, highlighted by the market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas," said CEO Jason Liberty.

The company now expects annual adjusted profit between $10.70 and $10.90 per share, compared with its earlier forecast of $9.90 to $10.10.

The Celebrity Cruises operator carried 2.05 million passengers in the quarter, nearly 14% higher year-over-year. It also reported record demand during the "wave season" - a period marked by special cruise deals and discounts for the year.

That helped its quarterly revenue of $3.73 billion surpass expectations of $3.69 billion, according to LSEG data.

Higher ticket prices have helped shield the company from slightly steeper net cruise costs expected this year due to increased dry dock days, as well as an impact from canceled voyages to the Red Sea amid tensions in the region.

The company expects net cruise costs excluding fuel to increase about 5.5% for the year, up from its earlier forecast for a rise between 3.75% to 4.25%.

Royal Caribbean's adjusted earnings per share of $1.77 beat market expectations of $1.33.

"I remember owning the stock in 2022 and every client was giving me grief about it," said Peter Ahluwalia, manager at Belinvest Global Equity Fund that holds Royal Caribbean stocks and chief investment officer at Swiss Partners Group. "We're turning almost 45% return on equity at the moment, which is quite incredible."

Shares of the company have risen 126% to about $137 in the past year.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Devika Syamnath)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Royal Caribbean Cruises   Reviews

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After we disembarked and got back to the airport following our cruise, my wife realized she left her wallet and wedding rings inside the locked safe in our stateroom. We immediately called RC and were told we would not be allowed back on the ship and needed to fill out a lost and found report online. I'll spare you the details, but within 5 days, and after a brief communication mix-up, I was contacted by the Executive Office of RC and our valuables were on their way back to us. I would like to thank Executive Mr. Geno Bell-Floyd and Royal Caribbean for their professionalism, integrity, and trustworthiness and for how this situation was handled.

Date of experience : 26 April 2024

Rcl beverage rip off

I've a Rcl cruise next year. Have been keeping an eye on beverage packages. Top price for US based customers for the deluxe is $90. In the UK top price is £85. A difference of over £12 per customer per day. 10 day cruise =£240 more expensive for UK customers. Recent promotion was buy one second one 50%.US customers got for $67/£53. UK customers £63.A difference of £100/ per person for 10 days.So £200 per couple. Contacted Rcl who stated "market forces" for differences but refused to match US customers prices.I'm crown and anchor member but makes no difference. Seriously thinking about cancelling, nevertheless last time I'll use Rcl. Seems like discrimination and they are giving preferential treatment for US customers.

Date of experience : 23 April 2024

2days after getting off the allure of…

2days after getting off the allure of the seas with a zero balance ,royal deducted a hold off almost three hundred dollars on my debit card leaving me in a negative balance. This set off a chain of events that left me broke,temporarily homeless and caused me to miss a costly chemotherapy session(liver and correctal cancer)which puts me in a a very precarious health and mental condition. Post cruise cust mer services were cold and oblivious to situation. No help what so ever was given!!

Date of experience : 15 April 2024

Once you have paid expect ZERO customer service

Paid over £7000 for our cruise, once paid it is IMPOSSIBLE to get ANY information out of ANYONE at Royal Caribbean. Sent over 2 dozen requests by e-mail and on their website not had a single response. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY.

Date of experience : 01 September 2023

Spring Break

My family spent a week on Jewel of the Seas. Our room was outdated, with literally no sound-proofing. The balcony cabin was under the fitness center. It was awful. Staff is very friendly. Entertainment is okay at best. Food is decent but the main dining room takes forever. We dined in all of the “extra” restaurants which I find frustrating to have to pay for variety. I would not travel on this ship again.

Date of experience : 22 March 2024

Probably the worst service I’ve…

Probably the worst service I’ve received. Rude management, hidden costs, misleading tours and terrible, noisy rooms they don’t fix.

Date of experience : 13 April 2024

This was my first cruise with Royal…

This was my first cruise with Royal Caribbean after cruising a few times with Disney Cruise Lines. The actual cruise experience was good, the surrounding amenities were not so much. I won't go into many of the details but just know that the "Key" is a waste of money, and don't prepay for arcade. Overall - not worth it. Contacted them numerous times via phone and keep getting transferred and/or call dropped. Guest Experience Management seems to be a joke.

Date of experience : 25 March 2024

Refused to refund or give future credits

Multiple flights canceled due to bad weather. Company refused to refund multiple tickets, and even refused to give a credit for future cruises because the flight was not booked through them. Lost multiple future clients, we were all looking foward to it.

Date of experience : 04 April 2024

Would just like my money back!!!

When planning a trip and purchasing insurance for this trip with the cruise line; we was told that if we could not go for any reason due to illness our money would be refunded to us. Well a few weeks prior to the cruise my husband's Parkinson's began to cause some problems with his legs really bad and he felt that it would be wise not to take the trip at this time. We contacted the trip planner, who in turn gave us the numbers to call and cancel our trip. Not once has anyone from the Cruise line called to ask if there was something they could do to help. Never asking if we would like to reschedule the trip. We are still trying to get our money back as it seems unlikely a cruise is in our future, because of my husbands' health.

Date of experience : 07 June 2023

I went through a horrible divorce after…

I went through a horrible divorce after 33 year marriage. I had two trips planned with my husband I had to cancel. I asked to move the trips to another time. They said they were keeping my deposit and will not work with me. The one trip was 4 months before setting sail. I gave them plenty of notice. As a business owner myself I would have never treated a customer like this. I am a major gambler too and always spend a lot in their casinos. I will not be going back to Royal Caribbean. Shame on them.

Date of experience : 01 April 2024

If you struggle with mental illness, please reach out to me before you go or save yourself the trauma and DONT GO!

If I could give my experience with Royal Caribbean 0 stars I would. I would like to share what I experienced and went through in hopes that I can save someone from trauma and raise awareness for the horrible actions that went on. I also would like to raise awareness for mental health disorders. Because of a mental disorder, I was confined into a room with everything I had, including my prescription medication taken away from me. I had 0 rights. Ship doctor was one of the most heartless and disrespectful human beings. Prisoners get more hours of sunlight that I was allowed. All employees gave different responses and it was clear there was lack of communication. Every action done by staffing was traumatic and contradictory of what should have been done. I will be writing my story to raise awareness of this issue. Please if you have a mental disorder DO NOT GO! If you would like more information or to discuss please reach out or comment.

Don’t give what you paid for.

Booked a cruise to go to three islands, two of which were coco cay and labadee so we did not have to book excursions and could have a nice day without having to spend extra to get off the island. At the last minute Royal Caribbean cancelled our Labadee stop (which given the circumstance is understandable) however, they routed other cruises to nice equal or better islands, but chose to send us to the trash can of the Caribbean - Nassau. Given they replaced our stop with one that is less valuable (cruises that go there are cheaper than other destinations) they absolutely refused to cancel our cruise or give us any sort of discount or compensation for not giving us our moneys worth of our cruise and changing it to no fault of our own. Their attitude is basically they don’t care if you like it or not they have too many other customers to care if you are happy or get what you paid for. Will stick with Carnival from now on.

Date of experience : 28 March 2024

Air2Sea Program is HORRIBLE

Booked my cruise and needed to fly to our port. I made the mistake of booking our flights through their Air2Sea Program. I am a very inexperienced traveler. We had a connecting flight in Atlanta, unfortunately, their program chose a flight that was 35 minutes between flights. We didn't realize that boarding closed 15 minutes before the flight time. We landed in Atlanta and discovered that we had 14 minutes to get to the terminal that was 19 minutes away from our terminal. Needless to say, we missed our connecting flight - all outbound flights were fully booked, we were on standby for 3 more flights but did not make it and missed our cruise. We did get a refund for the cruise, however, Air2Sea said we were marked as a NO SHOW and REFUSE to refund our flights. IF you cruise with Royal Caribean, DO NOT book your flights with their Air2Sea Program.

Date of experience : 17 November 2023

This was by far the worst cruise we…

This was by far the worst cruise we have ever experienced with RCCL. We have been on numerous cruises. There were some positives (i.e., room attendant, dinner service, a few of the bartenders (pool area) We had an incident with a member of our party of 9 that involved security. Security extremely rude, very unprofessional and harassed the entire party throughout the remainder of our cruise. So, the last 3 days of a 5-day cruise was miserable. We could not wait to disembark. NEVER AGAIN WE WILL SAIL WITH RCCL. I realize that our measly amount of money will not bother them as they could care less.

Date of experience : 03 March 2024

I have traveled with Royal many times…4

I have traveled with Royal many times and this will be my last cruise with them. If there is one thing I dislike is being nickel & dimed by companies forcing cruisers to get packages they do not want. Drinking packages are a great way to save money however when you force a extra package on other room occupants that is wrong. You will no longer have me as a cruiser anymore Royal Carribean!!!

Date of experience : 22 February 2024

Royal Caribbean Customer Service

I am going on a cruise ship with my parents on the Symphony of the Seas. Despite i sent 5 messages to customer service with my questions, nobody has replied me. I also tried to call the US line from Europe as the German customer service can‘t help with bookings done on the US website ( i find it extremely weird) but the number „was not reachable“ at that time. We haven‘t done any cruise ship so far, but i hope the journey will be better than the first experience with the cruise ship.

Date of experience : 15 February 2024

Disappointment prior to sailing.

I’ve never been on a royal caribbean cruise and this will be the last time I book with them. I haven’t even set sail and I truly regret even booking with them. The cruise selected was to Labadee, Haiti however, with the current issues happening in Haiti, I appreciate Royal Caribbean making the decision to not go there for safety concerns. The cruise is now going to stop in Nassau, Bahamas. I do not feel that Nassau, Bahamas is of equal or greater port value as Labadee, Haiti. I understand the cruise has the right to change ports per the contract, but I’ve been to the Bahamas many times and contacted Royal Caribbean to change to a different cruise that would sail the same dates. I was told no changes could be made after final payment. I paid for my cruise in one payment and the port was changed close to the departure date. I understand Royal Caribbean has rules that I agree to at sign up, but I feel they could offer their passengers something for this change to make it a little better for the disappointment. They have their money and they seem to not care if you are happy with their change. Especially, because they are making money by going to one of the cheapest cruise destinations available (Nassau, Bahamas).

Date of experience : 27 March 2024

Travel Agent that will never book group on RCCL

I am a travel agent and I will would never book a group on RCCL again. I have a client that tested positive one day prior to sale. RCCL refused to give a future cruise credit. It seems they would rather everyone get on the cruise ship and infect everyone.

Dishonest and BS company that I will…

Dishonest and BS company that I will never ever again consider using. They tell you they can refund your deposit if it's >3 months then they make you hold for 1/2 hour before transferring your to wait another hour then they tell you they won't refund your deposit because "you bought a non-refundable ticket." That is not what they told me when I bought it!!!! Total BS. DO NOT GIVES THIS CRAP COMPANY YOUR MONEY unless you're 100% sure nothing will happen that may cause you to miss your trip. They rep wouldn't even give his last name "DIEGO" is all he would say. THIS IS A RIP-OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date of experience : 03 February 2024

Save yourself

Save yourself, this is the worst holiday our family ever experienced. Brilliance of The Seas is bogan of the seas, horrific food, boring, heavy drinking, dull and total waste of money. We got off at first stop at a huge extra cost of hotel and flight home, total disaster.

Date of experience : 30 December 2023

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Caribbean cruise line reroutes ships, cancels stop at island port due to violence, turmoil

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Royal Caribbean International has canceled stops at its private beach in Haiti through September as a result of the violence plaguing the island nation, a private fan blog, citing messages to travelers, reports. AP

• Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops at its private port of Labadee through the summer because of simmering violence in Haiti.

In March, the cruise line canceled stops at the private beach area through May, but this week Royal Caribbean reworked cruise schedules through the summer and into September, a post on the Royal Caribbean Blog said.

“Guests booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled,” the blog said. “On Tuesday (April 23), cruisers began to share updates they received from Royal Caribbean that their itineraries have been updated to drop Labadee and replace it with another port or a sea day.”

Labadee is a beach area on a peninsula in northern Haiti near Cap-Haitien used exclusively by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has its own security force at the site, which is walled off from the rest of the country.

The 260-acre site has been leased by Royal Caribbean since the 1980s. It is about a six-hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and thus far has not seen any incidents of violence, the blog said.

More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January to March across Haiti, a more than 50% increase from the same period last year, according to a report Friday by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The vast majority of violence is in Port-au-Prince .

Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s former capital, has been spared much of the violence and is going through a bit of a resurgence, The Associated Press said . Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating there, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February.

Royal Caribbean International had no formal announcements of the changes posted to its website. Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial site for fans of the cruise line and is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International.

But it cited chatter and messages from cruise ticket holders about changes to their itinerary that showed stops at Labadee were being canceled and replaced with either an extra day of cruising at sea or stops in alternate ports.

A notice from the cruise line, reposted on the blog, informed guests about the change in travel plans, without explicitly mentioning the violence.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the notice reads. “We’re sorry for the change – your safety is our top priority. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit a new port with you!”

Grand Turk is the capital island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago north of Haiti.

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