Royal Caribbean Ship Classes: A Guide to the Ultimate 7 Classes

Table Of Content

• Freedom Class
• Planning a cruise is an exciting experience that offers endless possibilities for adventure and relaxation.
• Complete Guide to Royal Caribbean Fleet & Ship Classes
• Who Should Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom-Class Ships?
• Royal Caribbean Oasis Class: Some of the Biggest Ships in the World
• I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each
• Freedom Class ships

The size, facilities, and capacity of the line’s five Oasis Class ships and one Icon Class ship are unmatched by anything else available at sea. With every berth filled, they can accommodate almost 6,600 passengers apiece. The glass-lined exteriors are built to soak in views, which is important as these ships spend most of their time in the Mediterranean, Alaska, New England and Canada. Grandeur of the Seas, however, spends most of the year in the Caribbean, and itineraries on it can be lower than other ships in the fleet.

Freedom Class

There is also a climbing wall and plenty of athletic areas for people to stay active. These ships are still kid-friendly with play areas and entertainment shows. The experience is less like an amusement park and more like a form of transportation to holiday locations.

Planning a cruise is an exciting experience that offers endless possibilities for adventure and relaxation.

The newest and largest ship in the series, Wonder of the Seas, has the most differences from the other Oasis-class vessels. At 236,857 tons, it’s about 4% bigger than the next biggest ship in the series, and the extra space is devoted to such additions as a dedicated suite area with a private lounge, restaurant, and sun deck. A innovation in cruise ship design, the Royal Promenade gave rise to the Central Park and Boardwalk on Oasis-class ships.

Complete Guide to Royal Caribbean Fleet & Ship Classes

No matter which ship you choose to sail on, this is a fleet filled with incredible feats. Many of Royal Caribbean's most iconic features made their first appearances on Voyager-class ships. Built between 1999 and 2003, these five ships were the first to have indoor shopping and dining along the Royal Promenade, plus rock-climbing walls and ice-skating rinks. The ships were also the line's first foray into carrying more than 3,000 passengers. Quantum-class ships overflow with things to do, eat and see and feature some high-tech activities on board. Royal Caribbean upped their dining game on the massive Oasis-class ships, with eight to 10 free restaurants and as many as 15 fee or a la carte options if you count bars with food menus.

Oasis Class cruise ships are undoubtedly an impressive feat of engineering and design. Walking onboard an Oasis Class ship for the first time is mind-blowing. The scale, layout, and amount of activities available on Oasis Class ships are unparalleled in the cruise industry. I love using cruising (and traveling in general) as a way to discover as many cultures, countries, cuisines, and ports as possible.

Radiance Class

The mid-decks are where the casino, restaurants, and shopping are, so people can pour in from above and below. Royal Caribbean’s oldest and smallest fleet of ships at 73,817 to 82,910 tons, these ships are still big enough to pack in lots of fun activities and travel fast. The Voyager class is another example of a fleet with excursions that are right up my alley.

I went on Royal Caribbean's upgraded and regular Voyager Class cruise ships. Here's what I liked about each. - Royal Caribbean Blog

I went on Royal Caribbean's upgraded and regular Voyager Class cruise ships. Here's what I liked about each..

Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas were all released in the mid-2000s, and were the largest cruise ships of their time. They have since been dethroned, but are impressive in their size nonetheless, with a capacity of nearly 4,000 passengers. Additionally, Freedom and Liberty have since gone through renovations and have many of the same amenities of the newer Oasis class ships.

I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each

Independence of the Seas, on the other hand, boasts the Sky Pad virtual reality trampoline experience and a diverse range of eateries. While the three ships were once mirror images of one another, upgrades and enhancements over the years have given each its unique flair. For those looking to indulge in theater, Broadway shows like “Grease” and “Saturday Night Fever” are available on some ships. Furthermore, the culinary journey onboard is vast, with each ship housing restaurants like Chops Grille, Johnny Rockets, and Giovanni’s Table. Features like The Perfect Storm Waterslides, escape rooms, and laser tag have been added, elevating the onboard experience. They are also suitable for travelers who want to experience a mega-resort on water, filled with action-packed days and electrifying nights.

Freedom Class ships

The always popular surf simulator, a Royal Caribbean classic found on many ships, will not disappoint. If a slower pace is what you need, don’t overlook the rejuvenated Vitality℠ Spa and Fitness Center, a favorite with busy moms who need to unwind. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I like the idea that a ship is a super-exaggerated, over-the-top taxi to a beautiful holiday location where I get to do some exploring and experience how other people live in faraway lands. Every night there is live entertainment with music, theater, and music. Of course, if watching entertainment isn’t your idea of entertainment, you might like to hit the multitude of bars and nightlife available on board.

Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is the cleanest cruise ship fuel available. When coupled with Royal’s existing eco-friendly tech, it’s the most sustainable ship in the whole fleet. Icon of the Seas can host 7,600 guests in total and has 28 different stateroom options to choose from, including new takes on family suites and inside staterooms.

These ships still offer amenities such as specialty dining, bars and live entertainment, adult-only solarium, pools, and hot tubs. The Quantum Class, while a bit smaller than Oasis Class ships, are some of the largest cruise ships in the world. While all the ships in a class look mostly the same, there are differences in size and features. If you’re sailing with the line for the first time, it’s important to understand that not all of Royal Caribbean’s signature attractions and venues are present on all its ships. For instance, while every Royal Caribbean vessel now has one of the line’s iconic climbing walls (some have two), only the 18 ships of the line’s big-ship classes have a FlowRider surfing simulator.

These ships’ unique offerings blend the best of beach retreats, upscale resorts, and theme park adventures, ensuring a vacation escape like no other. Vision class are the oldies of Royal Caribbean but they should never be overlooked. If you are looking for a cheaper, quiet cruise these ships may be for you. They still offer lounges, restaurants, arcades, first class shows, kids club etc.

That's more than any other major cruise line, and it means that you have a lot of choices when it comes to picking the perfect Royal Caribbean ship for you. While the line is perhaps best known for giant vessels — it operates six of the 10 biggest cruise ships in the world — it also markets some relatively smaller, more intimate ships. The Voyager class ships travel far and wide, which may appeal to cruisers wanting to try new itineraries to destinations such as California, the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Europe, and the Middle East, to name a few. Passengers can enjoy a wide range of dining and beverage options along with live entertainment, which Royal Caribbean is known for.

Looking for the extras offered on Oasis-class ships in a smaller package? Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships feature a massive array of activities, entertainment and technology but hold just over 4,000 passengers. If you’re wondering what the difference is between Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class, the answer is not much. Quantum Ultra-class ships each have Sky Pad virtual reality trampolines on the back and the indoor pool has a retractable roof for sunnier days.

Freedom class introduced the lines first cantilevered whirlpools, FlowRider Surf Simulator and dedicated kids splash park, plus expanded dining and entertainment venues in the larger Royal Promenade and around the ship. Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas make up the Voyager Class. These ships are perfect for the budget conscious traveler, as they often sail shorter itineraries that help keep nightly rates low. Other favorites include the Schooner Bar, a piano bar with immaculate vibes and live entertainment, and the Viking Crown Lounge, and cocktail lounge with panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows. This class of ships really pushes the envelope in terms of design and size. There are tons of activities and entertainment, including towering slides like the Ultimate Abyss, ice skating, zip lining, a rock climbing wall, and a surfing simulator.

You'll also find three pools on each ship, whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports court and an adults-only solarium. Each ship has a theater, a spa, a casino, and multiple bars and lounges. Until this year's debut of Icon of the Seas, these were the world's biggest and most venue-packed cruise ships. Although they're not quite as big as the new vessel, they remain among the very best options for vacationers who love nothing more than a big, bustling resort with every sort of amusement known to humans. Royal Caribbean's designers are masters at creating vessels that can carry thousands and thousands of people but still feel relatively uncrowded — at least in some areas. Sailing to the Caribbean, the ship has several new features, including a new family neighborhood called Surfside, with tons of amenities and new cabin options, and an epic, three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse.