Royal Caribbean cruise ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest the complete list
Table Of Content
Each cruise ship is made up of a different combination of onboard offerings and over the last decade, Royal Caribbean has varied these amenities considerably from ship to ship. So it behooves you to figure out which are the most important and pick the right ship for you. At the heart of any cruise ship is what the ship offers onboard, and where you will call home during your vacation.
BARS & CLUBS
As TPG saw during an early sneak peek at Icon of the Seas in January, Royal Caribbean has designed the vessel — the first of a new class of ships — specifically to cater to families in a bigger way. Here, we list our top picks for the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for five different types of travelers. Other travelers found the service, crew, and beautiful port destinations enjoyable enough to overlook the negative things of the ship. Others have expressed disappointment, particularly when comparing it to newer or larger ships, indicating a need for improvements in menu options and entertainment. Cabin sizes and amenities like comfortable bedding and good water pressure in showers receive positive feedback, with some noting the ship might not be the best choice for solo travelers due to the lack of fellow solo guests.
Adventure of the Seas
It offers a variety of activities and experiences suited for every generation, therefore I think it could be a good choice for people looking for fun and relaxation at the same time. Like the other four vessels in the series, it has many of Royal Caribbean's signature attractions despite being smaller than the Royal Caribbean ships that have debuted over the past 15 years. These include a rock climbing wall and ice skating rink as well as a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and shops. Like other Freedom Class vessels, it's notably smaller than Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class ships, but it still is big enough to offer a lot when it comes to deck-top attractions, eateries, lounges and bars. The back of its top deck features a FlowRider surfing pool, a water park area with swirling waterslides and a rock-climbing wall. Anthem of the Seas - The Quantum Class ships offer a sleek, yet compelling cruise experience that offers guests onboard a lot to see and do.
Freedom of the Seas (
Spectrum of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class series and has traditionally sailed in Asia, often on cruises aimed at the Asian market. Icon of the Seas is the belle of the ball at Royal Caribbean — the line's newest and most state-of-the-art ship. It's also the biggest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and, indeed, the biggest ship ever built by any line.
Vision of the Seas
This is your getaway, and there’s no idea or request too big or small for our dedicated staff. So go ahead and dream a little, because anything is possible when you sail with the best cruise line in the world Royal Caribbean®. Ultimately, the decision for which room you want is a question of what you can afford, but the larger and newer ships tend to offer the most expansive and luxurious accommodations. Since no one likes to hear that the answer is "it depends", here is as objective a breakdown as possible of what to look for in the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship. If your idea of a good time is lounging by the pool and exploring the ports of call you visit, then any size ship will be fine. The Voyager Class is perhaps the most varied ships in the fleet, as the Royal Amplification process has added so many new and different options to these ships.
It might seem like a strange question to ask, but it's something that matters if you're in the market for a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you're looking for great views from the pool or hot tub, head to the indoor, adults-only Solarium, where you never have to worry about the cold Alaska weather or the hot Hawaiian sun making you uncomfortable. The forward-facing venue offers unobstructed views from the plentiful lounge chairs around the windows. Adults looking for unique onboard activities, mixed with a manageable size and more grownup vibe, will enjoy the 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas. Additionally, because of their size, the smallest Royal Caribbean ships can operate itineraries to places that aren’t as easy for big ships to visit. At the heart of every great vacation is incredible service, and that’s exactly what you’ll enjoy on our award winning cruises.
10 Luxury Cruise Lines, Ranked By Passenger Review - TheTravel
10 Luxury Cruise Lines, Ranked By Passenger Review.
Posted: Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Whether you’re traveling with family, seeking a romantic getaway, or simply wanting to explore the seas in style, there’s a ship tailored for your needs. By considering factors like onboard amenities, entertainment options, and other factors, you can ensure a memorable journey. We hope this guide has provided valuable insights to help you make an informed decision for your next cruise adventure. For those who appreciate a mix of relaxation and entertainment, Mariner of the Seas offers the Bamboo Room lounge and the Sky Pad bungee trampoline experience. If you’re leaning towards a classic cruising experience with a touch of modern amenities, Rhapsody of the Seas is a great choice, known for its tranquil Solarium and diverse dining options. Meanwhile, Odyssey of the Seas stands out for its high-tech attractions like the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and the SeaPlex, an indoor activity space.
Royal Caribbean Ship FAQs
Unveiled in 2000, Explorer of the Seas was the second vessel in Royal Caribbean's five-vessel Voyager Class series. Radiance of the Seas was the prototype vessel for Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class series, which debuted between 2001 and 2004. Adventure of the Seas is the third newest vessel in Royal Caribbean's five-vessel Voyager Class series. Unveiled in 2002, Adventure of the Seas is the second newest vessel in Royal Caribbean's five-vessel Voyager Class series. Serenade was the third ship to debut in Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class series, which rolled out in quick succession in the early 2000s. Still, Radiance of the Seas has more than a half-dozen places to eat, including the main restaurant, casual buffet, steakhouse, Italian restaurant and Asian venue.
(tied). Serenade of the Seas
There's also quite a bar scene on Quantum-class ships, with a lot of counter-style seating in bars that are a great place to find other solo travelers. We recommend one of the two large bars at the Music Hall, where you can make new friends while sipping musically inspired cocktails and listening to live bands. If the Music Hall is too noisy for chatting up other solos, head to the sometimes quieter Schooner Bar. Explorer of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship launched by Royal Caribbean in 2000.
Position number 7 for Odyssey of the Seas, one of the newest ships in the Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Many passengers also appreciated the presence of specific areas for adults and children like the adults-only Solarium and the kid-friendly Splashaway Bay. The ship also has numerous bars, lounges, and areas that provide plenty of options for relaxing and socializing. Guests love the ship’s spacious and comfortable rooms, ranging from budget-friendly interior cabins to luxurious suites.
While all Royal Caribbean ships are well-maintained and offer a great cruising experience, some ships may lack exciting amenities or need improvements to meet customer expectations. At 27 years old, it's the oldest vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet and probably will be phased out sometime in the next few years. Some Royal Caribbean ships — such as the line's Oasis-class vessels and recently launched Icon of the Seas — are built with far more family-focused activities than others. Some, such as the two-year-old Wonder of the Seas, have added features that appeal to luxury-loving travelers. Other Royal Caribbean ships operate on particularly low-cost itineraries that are best for budget travelers. Royal Caribbean is the world's biggest cruise line, and it has more ships than any other major line, including vessels in a wide range of sizes and with a wide range of amenities.
They are still "big ships" and offer plenty to do onboard, but at a fraction of the price of their mega ship sister vessels. Royal Caribbean also dedicated an entire neighborhood of the ship to families, known as Surfside. Surfside is the ultimate stay-all-day neighborhood that has pools for kids and parents, family-friendly restaurants, and bars that have mocktails for the kids and cocktails for the adults.
Like its newer sister Independence of the Seas, it's smaller than Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class ships but still is big enough to pack in a lot of options for cruisers. You'll find many deck-top attractions, eateries, lounges and bars across this vessel. The bigger passenger capacity is partly due to the ship’s greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas was built with a lot more cabins that have plenty of extra bunks to accommodate families with many children. This includes a new-for-the-line outdoor “neighborhood” called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.
The most modern, and therefore the ship in the best condition, is currently Icon of the Seas. Mariner of the Seas could also be the nicest – it combines the fun Royal Caribbean experience with a calmer atmosphere. Again, her review scores are still mostly positive, but there are a few comments that she just feels too crowded and that the crew aren’t great at managing queues to make sure things run smoothly onboard.
No matter which ship you choose, cruising with Royal Caribbean offers the ability to visit some of the world's most sought-after destinations on a ship that teems with varied activities. While you won't find adults-only Royal Caribbean cruises, you can tailor your cruise experience on these six ships to focus on more grown-up pursuits. Mariner of the Seas - By offering short 3- and 4-night cruises, Mariner of the Seas is set up to offer a big ship experience for a small ship price. Those that want to save money, but not compromise on the onboard experience may find the perfect fit with Mariner of the Seas.
Symphony of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship and scores highly thanks to the amazing range of activities on offer, including some that are more musically themed in the spirit of the ship’s name. I first made this list in 2023 but this has now been updated with customer reviews from 2024 – and I’ve let you know which ships have improved and which have dropped in the rankings, too! So you can see which Royal Caribbean ship is the best in 2024 and how it compares to last year.
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