Royal Caribbean’s mission is to give your family the ultimate cruise vacation. They emphasize the “wow” factor to give you innovative, high-tech adventures at sea.
This cruise line is very family oriented and wants to be at the top of your mind when you start planning a vacation that the whole family can enjoy together.
History & Overview:
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line started in 1968 and its first ship, Song of Norway, debuted in 1970. The cruise line has always been known for being an innovator in the industry and that hasn’t changed.
In the late 90’s a new class of ships launched, the Voyager class, that would change the look of cruising forever. This mega-ship design was the start of the resort at sea cruising style that is common today.
It included features like a rock-climbing wall, indoor promenade, and ice-skating rink. They weren’t done though, they kept innovating with each new class of ships that they launched.
In 2009 they launched the Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship the world had ever seen.
Royal Caribbean is continuing the trend and remaining true to their mission to not only be an innovator in the industry, but to remain focused on creating an unforgettable family vacation experience at sea.
Destinations & Itineraries:
Royal Caribbean currently has 27 ships in its fleet, with a few more on the way, and sail all around the world. You can cruise in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Asia, South America, and many other destinations.
You can also do transatlantic cruises and world cruises on some of the ships. No matter where you are thinking about cruising on the ocean, one of these ships will probably go there for you.
Cruise Ships in the Fleet:
The cruise line features twenty-seven ships and eight cruise ship classes. You will get a completely different cruise experience depending on which cruise class you sail on.
It is important that you choose the right one for you and your family. They are:
Empress Class:
The Empress Class consists of one ship, Empress of the Seas, and carries 1,800 passengers. This is the smallest ship in the entire Royal Caribbean fleet.
This ship offers a small, intimate atmosphere where you can enjoy personalized service and a relaxing cruise. However, it doesn’t have all of the new, exciting features that the larger ships do.
This is a good ship to choose if you care more about the destination and ports of call then the actual ship itself. It is a perfect option if you are looking for a more traditional cruise experience at a very affordable price point.
Sovereign Class:
The Sovereign Class also only includes one ship, Majesty of the Seas, which was built in 1992 and carries 2,300 passengers. This ship was refurbished a few years ago.
While she has been cleaned up and looks nice and new, she lacks many of the exciting new features that the bigger ships offer.
Like the Empress of the Seas, this ship is better suited for shorter itineraries and those who care more about the destination than the ship itself.
You will be able to enjoy a family-friendly cruise at an affordable price point.
Vision Class:
The Vision Class includes four ships Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas that were built in the mid and late 90’s.
These ships carry between 2,000 and 2,500 passengers. These are mid-sized ships that offer a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
Like the previous ship classes, you will easily be able to find your way around these ships. These ships lack many of the exciting features you will find on the new ships.
However, the panoramic windows around the ship give you amazing views of the destinations you are visiting.
If you are visiting a destination with breathtaking views, such as Alaska, and want a more low-key relaxing experience then these ships are a great choice.
Voyager Class:
The Voyager Class ships were built in the late 90’s and early 2,000’s.
There are five ships in this class (Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas) and they carry between 3,100 and 3,600 passengers.
With this class you are starting to get into the larger class of ships. These ships feature some of the exciting aspects of the newer ships such as the Royal Promenade.
This is a gorgeous indoor area where you will find lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. You can also find mini-golf, the Flowrider (surf simulator), rock-climbing wall, and an ice rink onboard.
This is a good option if you don’t want to cruise on the massive, new ships but still want plenty of fun activities for the family to enjoy.
These ships are being amplified to offer even more cool features for you to enjoy.
Radiance Class:
The Radiance Class includes four ships (Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Jewel of the Seas) built between 2001 and 2004 and carries between 2,100 and 2,500 passengers.
These ships are mid-size ships that feature elegant, beautiful designs. There are tons of windows throughout to give you plenty of light and views of the gorgeous scenery as you sail by the different ports of call.
They may not have all of the bells and whistles of the newer ships, but you will still have plenty of choices. If you are cruising to a colder destination then these are ones to consider.
They feature an inside pool with a retractable roof so you can enjoy it all year long no matter where you are sailing. These ships offer a good balance between a relaxing environment and plenty of activities to enjoy.
Freedom Class:
The Freedom Class features three ships (Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas) that were built in the late 2,000’s and carry a little under 4,500 passengers.
These ships are very similar to the Voyager Class ships, but larger in size. Some of the cool features are the Royal Promenade, ice-skating rink, Flowrider, and rock-climbing walls.
This class of ships, like the Voyager class, are being amplified with even more cool features including water slides, escape rooms, and more.
These ships are perfect for multi-generational families because it offers something for every age group to enjoy.
Oasis Class:
The Oasis Class currently features four ships (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas) that were built in 2009 and beyond.
A new ship, Wonder of the Seas, is set to join the fleet in 2021. The ships carry anywhere from 5,400 to over 6,000 passengers depending on which of the ships you sail on.
They are some of the largest cruise ships in the world. These ships are a destination all on their own. You will feel like you are on a floating resort.
These ships have different neighborhoods around the ship that give you a different type of atmosphere to enjoy such as the Boardwalk and Central Park areas.
Whether you just want to relax by a quiet pool or have a thrilling experience zip-lining across the ship, they have you covered.
There are so many experiences to enjoy that you won’t have time to do them all. Due to the massive size and wide variety of options these ships can be really busy and attracts a lot of families.
If you want a cruise where there are a large number of kids onboard, then this is for you. However, if you want the more low-key traditional cruise experience, you will not like these ships.
These ships are really meant for families and people who want a more active and thrilling vacation, even when on the cruise ship.
Quantum Class:
The Quantum Class is the newest class of ship of the Royal Caribbean fleet.
This class features five ships (Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas) built in 2014 and later that carry between 4,000 and 5,000 passengers depending on which ship you are on.
These are a little smaller than the Oasis Class ships, but still feature many of the exciting, thrilling activities that you can find on those ships.
The focus of these ships are not only exciting activities, but also cutting-edge technology. This is the class of ships that introduced the world to the Bionic bar experience, where your drinks are created and served to you by robot arms.
You can also enjoy the indoor skydiving experience, bumper cars, and the North Star (a moving arm platform that lifts you up to give you spectacular views above the ship).
These ships are perfect for multi-generational families to cruise together. There is plenty for each family member to do and enjoy while on the ship.
Dining Options on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line:
Complimentary Options:
The main dining rooms on the ships are open for breakfast, lunch (on sea days), and dinner. In the main dining rooms, you will either choose to do the Traditional, set time, Dining where you are either in the early seating or late seating for dinner.
This option allows you to be at the same table every night. The other option is My Time Dining which is a more flexible option where you can eat anytime between 6:00pm and 9:30pm.
You are usually at a different table each night and you may have a wait if you arrive at a really busy time for the dining room.
You also have quite a few quick dining options that are included in the price of your cruise. Some of these are the buffet, Sorrento’s Pizzeria, Café Promenade, as well as the various options up by the pools.
Please note: room service does have a delivery charge (currently $7.95) that you will pay on every order that you place.
Specialty Dining Options:
There are many specialty dining options that you can enjoy while onboard the ships. Some of these are Wonderland, 150 Central Park, Jamie’s Italian by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, and Izumi which features Japanese cuisine.
There really is something for everyone on these ships, and you will not be able to taste them all while on your cruise.
Entertainment Options:
These are large ships so you will have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to entertainment. You can enjoy Broadway-style shows in the main theater such as Hairspray and We Will Rock You.
You will also find comedians and live music performances in this theater throughout the cruise. In the various lounges around the ship you will find trivia, game shows, and live music to enjoy.
Activities Onboard:
Royal Caribbean has a really good kid’s club on their ships for your kids to enjoy. You also have the sports deck area, pools, water slides, ice-skating rinks, escape rooms, dance classes, fitness center, spa services, the casino, themed bars, and tons more.
You really will not be bored, especially on the massive, newer ships. There are more choices than you can possibly accomplish during your vacation.
Pro Tip: Some of the activities require a reservation and can fill up fast. We suggest booking them either before you leave home or the first day you get on the ship to make sure you get a spot.
What’s included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Cruise?
- Cruise ship room accommodations
- Complimentary dining options (main dining rooms, buffet, quick service, etc)
- Room service (delivery fee of $7.95)
- Entertainment Options
- Pools & Spas
- Sports Deck area
- Fitness Center
- Most activities throughout the day and evening
- Live music and performances around the ship
- Kid’s Club Program (late-night babysitting service is an extra charge)
What’s not included in your cruise cost?
- Specialty Dining Restaurants and Experiences
- Gourmet Coffees and Teas
- The Sanctuary (private adults-only sun deck area)
- Spirits, Beer, or Wine Tastings
- Alcoholic beverages
- Sodas
- Internet access (currently about $10 per day)
- Spa Treatments
- Shore Excursions
- Gratuities (Currently $14.50-$17.50/person per night depending on stateroom category)
- Tips (A 15% tips is added onto any spa services and alcoholic drinks you order, so check your receipts)
Pro Tip: The cruise line does offer drinks packages and dining packages that you can buy to save you time and make your cruise vacation a more stress-free experience. Throughout the year they will feature deals on these packages so keep an eye out for those so you can save even more money.
What is Royal Caribbean’s dress code?
There are formal nights, or elegant nights, on the cruise where you will need to dress up to eat in the main dining rooms. You don’t need to wear a tuxedo or formal gown.
However, you will need to wear a nice shirt and pants, or a dress, for these nights. If you don’t feel like dressing up then you can always eat somewhere else on these nights.
Should you choose to sail on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line?
This cruise line offers you a fun, vibrant cruise experience. If you want a low-key, relaxing cruise they have the smaller ships for you to enjoy.
However, if you want a thrilling and exciting cruise where the ship itself is a destination then you will love the larger, newer ships. There really is something for everyone to do on this cruise line.
These are perfect for multi-generational family trips. The atmosphere is very casual and gives you the flexibility to do what you want when you want. While the cruise line has things to cater to adults, their focus really is families.
If you are looking to cruise without a lot of kids onboard the ship, then we suggest you choose a different cruise line, such as Princess Cruises or Holland America, for your trip. Those cruise lines tend to offer a quieter, more relaxing cruise experience for you to enjoy.
If you want a cruise that your whole family can enjoy together, then Royal Caribbean is one of the best choices you can make.
Have you been on Royal Caribbean? What are your thoughts on this cruise line? We would love to hear from you in the comments below.