The Best Royal Caribbean Ships
Royal Caribbean has an extensive fleet of ships that travel around the world. Departing from various ports in North America, their itineraries cover areas like the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
Wonder of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean International’s newest ships and offers plenty of onboard excitement, boasting some of the most oversized suites at sea and providing delicious dining venues.
1. Oasis of the Seas
Royal Caribbean calls Oasis of the Seas “the Original Game-Chainer,” one of the world’s largest cruise ships. Since 2009, she set new standards regarding what you could experience on board and heralded mega-ships that could rival land resorts for experience and amenities.
The ship’s size means it can accommodate thousands of guests simultaneously while offering plenty of space and privacy for individual travelers. There are multiple bars – such as the pool bar with its signature Lime & Coconut drinks or 150 Central Park.
2. Odyssey of the Seas
Cruise vacations often offer pools and plenty of recreational facilities, but that may not be enough to make your cruise vacation unforgettable. That is where Odyssey of the Seas from Miami comes into play – a ship designed specifically to offer family-friendly thrills with plenty of bars on board.
Odyssey, Royal Caribbean’s fifth Quantum Ultra Class mega-ship, offers a bumper car pavilion that doubles as a sports court, a RipCord skydiving simulator, and even a rock-climbing wall – among many other features. However, unlike its other massive counterparts in this fleet, Odyssey feels more boutique and modern, perhaps due to being less sprawling or featuring original shows rather than Broadway adaptations, which have become an industry standard on other Quantum ships.
3. Freedom of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas may not be as large or luxurious as Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, but this ship still provides many exciting activities for families. Notable features include its 3-D theater featuring first-run movies, cantilevered whirlpools that extend 12 feet over the water, and the FlowRider surf simulator.
Royal Caribbean has received rave reviews for many of its newer ships, yet older options also continue to excel. Mariner of the Seas currently ranks 7th despite being one of their oldest vessels.
Travelers agree that the Mariner strikes an ideal balance between activities and atmosphere, particularly its array of children’s amenities such as craft stations, dodgeball, books, and science experiments for them to enjoy. There’s even an exclusive hangout spot just for teens! One possible downside would be better soundproofing between engines and cabins.
4. Liberty of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas was introduced by Royal Caribbean as part of their Freedom Class fleet in 2007. A significant upgrade in 2016 transformed its experience, adding a splashy waterpark, boomerang-style slide and revolutionary thrills like Perfect Storm racing waterslides – revolutionizing onboard life dramatically!
The 3,634-passenger ship is an exciting playground for children, who can ride the Tidal Wave and splash around at Splashaway Bay – a splash park tailored for tots to tweens. Meanwhile, adults can relax by the pool, enjoy specialty dining options, or attend one of many shows aboard this floating resort.
The gigantic Platinum Theatre showcases two performances by top acts each evening and ice skating shows when there is no main act performing. Additional attractions include a rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, and multiple pools – providing plenty of entertainment!
5. Grandeur of the Seas
Cruisers love Grandeur of the Seas for its nostalgic charm. She remains popular, one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships, initially constructed in 1996 and renovated in 2012.
Grandeur’s diminutive size allows her to reach ports that larger ships cannot due to capacity or docking size restrictions, and boasts more intimate suites that offer stunning views.
Grandeur provides guests with an enjoyable dining experience through complementary and extra-fee restaurants. Great Gatsby serves upscale American classics; Windjammer Cafe provides buffet-style service; Park Cafe provides quick casual meals. R Bar offers live entertainment while Park Cafe provides quick simple options; various bars and lounges can also be found aboard, such as with live entertainment and cocktail options; indulging in spa services is available, as well as testing your luck at the casino!
6. Independence of the Seas
Independence of the Seas, built as part of Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom-class ship series and launched in 2008, offers middle-sized accommodations with 3,858 guests on double occupancy (based on double occupancy rates) and has a gross tonnage of 154,407 tons.
The cruise ship features family-oriented and adult-only spaces, making it suitable for couples, families, friends, or solo travelers. Children three to five will love exploring the H2O Zone, an underwater-themed area offering toys featuring ocean animals and science experiments to keep them occupied for an entire day!
This ship boasts a Flowrider surfing simulator, three-story theatre, Studio B Ice Show (where visitors can skate on an expertly designed rink), nine restaurants and its social Royal Promenade lined with shops and bars – ideal for meeting new people!
7. Vision of the Seas
Cruises on Vision of the Seas take guests to some of the world’s most stunning coasts and ports. This luxurious ship offers various dining options such as sushi, Italian cuisine, and an exclusive five-course Chef’s Table dining experience.
Royal Caribbean’s Vision-class ships, the oldest vessels in its fleet, offer adults seeking a relaxing cruising vacation an idyllic sailing experience. Due to their smaller size, Vision-class vessels can access ports that cannot accommodate larger ships.
This ship boasts nine dining options, including three in your cruise fare. Guests can watch musical stage productions at its main theater in the evenings. Foodies adore this vessel due to its wide selection of choices and outstanding service. ShipShape Day Spa also provides luxurious pampering treatments, and two pools and six whirlpools provide soothing relaxation; thousands of windows showcase magnificent ocean views from every vantage point, while Royal Babies & Royal Tots nursery services and Adventure Ocean youth programs provide extra enjoyment.
8. Rhapsody of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas is a mid-sized ship offering fun activities to passengers of all ages. This cruise features rock climbing walls, jogging tracks, various bars and restaurants, and six whirlpools to help passengers relax.
In 2012, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s ship underwent a significant refurbishment that introduced features like digital “Wayfinder” touch-screens seen on Oasis-class ships and introduced specialty restaurants and nurseries along with new Concierge and Diamond lounges for their Crown & Anchor members.
The 2,040-passenger ship offers an extensive array of itineraries. Travel to emerald island jungles or Caribbean beaches; take in Old World wonders; or travel across Mediterranean ports for sun-kissed pleasures.
9. Voyager of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas is an unparalleled feat of naval engineering. As the first ship with four-deck horizontal promenades and unique amenities such as an onboard ice skating rink and three-story theatre that hosts Broadway standard production shows each evening, she represents an unprecedented innovation for naval architecture.
This ship is ideal for families with young children, tweens, and teens. Featuring many of Royal’s latest family-focused features like Abyss Slide, Perfect Storm water slides, and two FlowRider surf simulators – this ship provides ample entertainment opportunities onboard!
This ship often sails itineraries that visit less-visited ports, making it an excellent way to see more exotic locales in the South Pacific and Asia. Plus, with eight restaurants to choose from and three that offer complimentary meals – it is an ideal way to experience unique destinations!
10. Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s oldest ship sails across the globe on cruise itineraries to all sorts of exciting locations. Although this Radiance-class vessel may not offer all of the cutting-edge amenities found aboard more modern Royal ships, you can still rock out to live bands at Dazzles, dance to Latin music at Boleros, or enjoy sipping vino in its solarium.
Guests can use 150 Central Park, a James Beard-inspired restaurant; Chops Grille Steakhouse; and various bars and lounges to satisfy their dining and socializing needs. For an immersive tiki-bar experience, Bamboo Room serves fruity cocktails to start their cruise right! Plus, the pool-deck Sail Away Party guarantees a fun night of dancing on board.