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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. The important thing to remember is to figure out if the ship you are looking at has a FlowRider, particular specialty restaurant or something else important to you onboard the ship. Explorer of the Seas also splits time between North America and Europe, with cruises from Rome in the summer, and Galveston or Miami in the winter.
Royal Caribbean Ship Reviews
It is the first of the new Icon-class of ships for Royal Caribbean and is around 20% larger than the previous largest, which was Wonder of the Seas. The Wonder of the Seas is the most fun Royal Caribbean ship in the fleet currently, but Icon of the Seas will likely take her place once customers have had enough time to experience everything onboard. Even with the review rankings above, there isn’t really a single ship that’s best for everyone. It depends on what you’re looking for from your cruise because different ships appeal to slightly different tastes. There is of course a Royal Caribbean experience which means that all ships are similar, but not exactly the same by any means.
thought on “Royal Caribbean Ships Ranked From Best To Worst”
In designing the vessels, Royal Caribbean took a page from solo-targeting Norwegian Cruise Line's playbook and added several cabins specifically for solos. Quantum of the Seas offers 28 of these dedicated studio cabins, each measuring from 101 to 119 square feet. Icon of the Seas is just the first of three family-focused sister ships Royal Caribbean has on order for delivery by 2026 that will make up its new Icon class. The second ship in the series, Star of the Seas, will debut in 2025 and already is open for bookings.
DISCOVER THE BEST CRUISE SHIPS
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. The lounges on these ships are equally impressive, and many repeat cruisers love the warm and thoughtful staff onboard these ships. All three ships offer great shows onboard, including ice skating performances in Studio B. Independence of the Seas has its own Broadway show with Grease, while Liberty of the Seas has Saturday Night Fever Broadway show.
By day, enjoy a drink or snack and take in the 270-degree views in the Two70 lounge. Return at night when the space transforms into an immersive theater using high-tech elements to put on musical performances. One of the more unique things about Anthem of the Seas is its four smaller main dining rooms rather than one enormous main restaurant. Of the four venues, The Grande is the most elegant and tends to draw in more adults.
This is Royal Caribbean’s oldest and smallest ship, so it’s no surprise that it’s at the bottom of the list. For example, many passengers loved the professional and kind crew that often made voyages pleasant, despite occasional challenges posed by weather affecting the stability of the ship. Passengers have shared various experiences, highlighting both positive aspects and areas that could be improved. In position number 19 we find a big ship again, it’s Anthem of the Seas part of the Quantum class. Despite these points, it’s considered a good choice for a cruise, especially for couples.
Quantum of the Seas: Best ship for solo travelers
Others have expressed disappointment, particularly when comparing it to newer or larger ships, indicating a need for improvements in menu options and entertainment. For example, the ship has been critiqued for limited late-night dining options and the quality of its buffet. There have also been comments about the ship catering more to an older crowd compared to newer, larger ships. It was launched in 2002 but has all the family-friendly activities you’d expect on a cruise ship. For example the glow-in-the-dark laser tag, the escape room, the rock-climbing wall, the surf simulator, and also the Blaster which is considered one of the biggest waterslides on a cruise ship. Any of the Oasis-class cruise ships for Royal Caribbean is the most kid-friendly as they have the widest selection of activities on board.
Those looking for a more laid-back vacation can book treatment at the Vitality Spa, sample different varietals at a wine tasting or learn how to make sushi. Rhapsody of the Seas calls Tampa and Venice/Ravenna, Italy home, with cruises to the Western Caribbean and Greek Isles. Serenade of the Seas also splits her time between Australia and Alaska itineraries.
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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. Independence of the Seas is the only Freedom Class ship to offer the Sky Pad virtual reality bungee jump trampoline experience. Odyssey of the Seas splits her time between winter cruises from Florida to the Caribbean, and summer cruises in Europe around the Mediterranean. There is no shortage of things to do on an Oasis Class ship, including waterslides, Ultimate Abyss slide, two FlowRiders, mini-golf, zip line and more. While this ship hasn't entered service yet, it's hard to overlook Icon of the Seas if you are cruising with a family. Choose it only if you are aware of these aspects and are looking for a smaller, more intimate cruise ship.
If you are looking for the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship, you have plenty of great choices to consider. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Royal Caribbean is the world's largest cruise line, with a large fleet of ships that cater to a wide range of traveler types. The vessel is one of four in the line's Vision class, featuring ships much smaller than the typical Royal Caribbean vessel. With this class, the experience has more to do with the ports the ships visit than the onboard experience.
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The same minor complaints that other Oasis-class ships have received are repeated for Harmony, and if anything they are a little more common – minor issues with service and staffing, with longer waits than expected. It’s worth noting that the newest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Icon of the Seas, doesn’t have the customer reviews needed to include it on this list. As soon as the ship has enough sailings – and enough passengers – to build up a score then I’ll update this article and place it in the list. Adults who relish scenic cruising should look no further than the 2,702-passenger Jewel of the Seas. Mariner of the Seas sails from Galveston, Texas, and Port Canaveral, Florida, to destinations across the Bahamas and Caribbean.
If you just want to know which ships I think might be best for certain people, here are my top picks for best Royal Caribbean ships. 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. Enchantment of the Seas (the last Royal Caribbean ship to be stretched) sails year-round from Baltimore. You can cruise on Jewel of the Seas from Amsterdam to Northern Europe in the summer, while choosing between cruises from Galveston or Miami to the Caribbean. The Royal Esplanade is located in the center of the ship and features dining and shopping opportunities. Music Hall is the perfect venue for anyone that loves live music performances, where cover bands perform and you can dance the night away.
The main criticisms are that the evening entertainment isn’t quite as good as that one newer ships, and the food in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer are a little uninspiring, but again she remains popular despite her age. Before I stepped on board Allure of the Seas for my honeymoon back in 2013 I had never even seen a cruise ship and I had no idea what to expect. By that, I mean they won’t be skewed by one or two really bad experiences, or one or two higher-than-usual scores either. Because there are lots of reviews, the averages will be exactly that – a true average.
It’s taken until the 18th position on the list but we’ve reached the first of the Vision-class ships for Royal, the oldest class still sailing for the fleet. Rhapsody of the Seas launched in 1997 and while she is one of the smallest ships in the fleet, she still gets good reviews for her service, entertainment and dining choices. Harmony of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world, carrying 5,497 passengers at double occupancy. It's got activities for all ages and interests, with themed areas of the ships – called neighborhoods – dedicated to different pursuits, such as entertainment or swimming and sports. Adults can have thrilling experiences during the day, find their zen before heading off to dinner and enjoy entertainment late into the night, all by moving between a few decks. Royal Caribbean is known for some of the world's largest cruise ships, over-the-top onboard amenities and some of the best entertainment at sea — perfect for young families.
It's the class of ships where Royal Caribbean made the most effort to appeal to solo travelers. The vessel also has multiple pool areas, a water park, a miniature golf course and a rock climbing wall on its top deck. It also has one of Royal Caribbean's signature Royal Promenades in its interior — a mall-like space filled with eateries, bars and shops. That said, Freedom of the Seas still has a huge amount to offer for all sorts of travelers, from couples to families with kids.
The ship was, notably, the first in the Royal Caribbean fleet to feature a FlowRider surfing simulator on its top deck — now a signature attraction for the line. Based in Miami, the 16-year-old vessel operates short three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas that are often on sale for just $250 per person or less. It's a lot more affordable per day than the two ships mentioned above, which are the belles of the ball in the Royal Caribbean fleet and command significantly higher rates.
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