These big, bold, loud ships are packed with activities you wouldn't expect to find at sea — from ice skating rinks and rock climbing walls to skydiving simulators, bionic bartenders, bumper cars, and even surfing simulators. Just how big are these vessels? The fleet includes the largest cruise ships in the world, among them 2024’s Icon of the Seas, which accommodates as many as 7,600 guests, and 2022’s Wonder of the Seas, which sails with 7,084 passengers when it is at full capacity.
Nightlife: Night owls will find plenty of action. Spend the evening in the Vegas-style Casino Royale, toast with cocktails and a view in the Viking Crown Lounge, check out the two-level disco, or try salsa dancing at Boleros.
Cabin Choices: Royal Caribbean’s ships have as many as three dozen or more cabin categories, and there’s a price level for everyone. Look for innovative designs, including two-story loft suites, cabins with views of the ship’s mall-like promenade, and inside cabins with “virtual balconies,” designed around a full-length LCD screen that displays a real-time video feed of the sea.
Staying Connected: This is the line for you if you want to Instagram, Snapchat, FaceTime, Skype, and even stream movies while on board. Royal Caribbean’s high-speed Wi-Fi is among the fastest at sea, and it’s available fleet-wide — perfect for passengers who hate the idea of unplugging. To enjoy the cruise line’s Voom internet service, however, you’ll need to pay a daily fee that’s considerably more than you pay at home.
Johnny Rockets: On a dozen of the ships, for a $6.95 cover charge you can sit in a poolside diner with a retro 1950s theme and order those familiar burgers, chili fries, and onion rings for lunch or dinner — although shakes, sodas, and alcoholic beverages cost extra.
Nightlife: Night owls will find plenty of action. Spend the evening in the Vegas-style Casino Royale, toast with cocktails and a view in the Viking Crown Lounge, check out the two-level disco, or try salsa dancing at Boleros.
Cabin Choices: Royal Caribbean’s ships have as many as three dozen or more cabin categories, and there’s a price level for everyone. Look for innovative designs, including two-story loft suites, cabins with views of the ship’s mall-like promenade, and inside cabins with “virtual balconies,” designed around a full-length LCD screen that displays a real-time video feed of the sea.
Johnny Rockets: On a dozen of the ships, for a $4.95 cover charge you can sit in a poolside diner and order those familiar burgers, chili fries, and shakes.
The Young (and Young at Heart): This mainstream line appeals to cruisers of all ages, with plenty of activity and entertainment options as well as extensive kids clubs. Families flock to the larger, newer ships while the more seasoned crowd is more often found on the line’s smaller, older ships.
You Can Get Lost: On the first day, you’ll need to consult the deck plan often, or download an app, to be able to figure out how to get around.
Crowds Are Unavoidable: These are big ships, and you’ll be one of many searching for an available lounge chair on the sun deck on a sunny day, or hoping to catch the last seat in a show lounge, or waiting for your omelet at the buffet.
Food Isn’t the Main Draw Here: Our opinion of most food on board? It’s okay, not great. The few exceptions include 150 Central Park and several other top specialty restaurants on the line's newer ships, including the molecular gastronomy-inspired Wonderland and Jamie’s Italian, which was designed in partnership with British TV personality, Jamie Oliver.