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Review of the Royal Caribbean Cruise: 7 Night Greece & Croatia Cruise

Rick and I are no strangers to cruising, but most of our cruising has taken place in the Caribbean as we head to the Bahamas or Mexico. We’ve been discussing cruising in different places and an opportunity presented itself this summer.

Unfortunately, Go Ahead Tours canceled a trip we were planning with our friends to Croatia two months before the trip was scheduled to go, so we had the time off work but nowhere to spend it. I still had Croatia on my mind so I started looking up if we could do it on our own or still visit it.

We were getting our money back from Go Ahead and then we thought about cruising as it’s relatively affordable and I happened to find this 7 Night Greece & Croatia Cruise through Royal Caribbean – who we normally cruise with – and over the dates we had off already. The cruise was set to depart from Venice, Italy (really Ravenna which is two hours away) on Sunday, July 2 and return to Italy on Sunday, July 9. We already had June 29 – July 10 off. Perfect!

We decided to spend a day and a half in Venice before the cruise as we’ve learned it’s always better to get there early than have something happen to your flights and freak out about missing the boat!

So, here’s what we thought of our first European cruising adventure with Royal Caribbean.

Cruise itinerary

• Day 1: Venice, Italy (Ravenna port)
• Day 2: Split, Croatia
• Day 3: Cruising
• Day 4: Athens, Greece
• Day 5: Santorini, Greece
• Day 6: Kefalonia, Greece (Originally it was Olympia)
• Day 7: Cruising
• Day 8: Venice, Italy (Ravenna)

The itinerary was perfect for what we were looking for as it included a stop in Croatia! I’ve wanted to visit Greece over the years but I wasn’t sure about my comfort level with planning a full trip in Greece on our own. This was a great way to visit iconic travel destinations in Greece without worrying about transportation or accommodations.

We booked several shore excursions during our cruise but did leave our last stop open just for wandering and enjoying the port city. We booked our excursions through Royal Caribbean, but many were operated by third-party vendors.

Our tickets for our excursions were in our stateroom when we arrived on the ship and most of the check-ins take place in the theater. The only one we didn’t meet on-board was our first excursion in Split.

Split by Open Air Sightseeing Bus with Walking Tour

This tour was fantastic and the most affordable! I will say the pictures of the tour were a bit misleading as it said we’d get views above the city, which we did not, but whatever.

It started with a bus tour of the more modern parts of Split before dropping us off at the Riva, waterfront walkway, for a walking tour of the city and Diocletian’s Palace. Our guide was great and is a Split local and talked about the changes the city’s gone through as well as regular life, such as pointing out the square where his parents met.

The only thing I wish we had known was that the bus pulled up right in front of the ship. We got off the ship and wandered to the parking lot where we saw buses but that’s not what we needed to do. We literally could have just walked off the ship at the meeting time and gotten right on board.

• Tour time: 10:15 a.m.
• Tour duration: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Price: $158 (for two people)

Explore Athens and Ancient Acropolis

I had no interest in waiting in long lines to get tickets for the Acropolis or figuring out how to get there on our own, which was a good decision as we actually dock in Pireaus and have to drive to get to Athens.

This was a pretty good tour as we were picked up right from the ship and then took a bus tour of Athens before heading to the Acropolis. Our tour guide was great and shared the history of the sites we were visiting and guided us to the top of the Acropolis.

We did have like 30 minutes to explore on our own and I really wish we had had more time to really appreciate the historic landmarks, read all the signs, and just enjoy our time there. I felt rushed and would have liked a bit more time, but it is what it is.

After our exploration it was back on the bus to head back to the ship. We had debated staying in Athens on our own just to see more but we were also hot and tired and decided to take the bus back to the ship. I think if we do this itinerary again we’ll look up how to get a cab back to the ports so we can spend more time in Athens.

• Tour time: 8:30 a.m.
• Tour duration: 4 hours and 15 min
• Price: $238 (for two people)

Selfie Tour of the Best of Santorini

The name of the tour was kind of cringe, but we forged ahead as I thought we’d get a neat photography tour of Santorini and this was the most disappointing excursion we booked as it was not really a photography or even selfie tour.

We took a tender boat to Santorini and then boarded a bus and drove to Oia and on the way one of the guides handed out selfie sticks… Okay… And then our guide led us to the drop-off point and Oia and told us where to go.

For what we paid, we might as well have booked the simple Oia tour and saved money. I expected a guided tour of the city and “hidden” spots to snag the best photos. I’m still glad we got to visit Oia as it’s cute, but honestly, Rick and I snapped a few pictures and then went to a wine bar to escape the crowds.

Oia is small with narrow alleys and the crowds were ridiculous. We had like an hour at this stop to take pictures and you’re waiting at least 5-10 minutes to get a good spot to get some photos.

I’d love to return to Oia but stay at a hotel there to fully enjoy the city and wait for the cruise crowds to head back to the ships, and then enjoy a gorgeous sunset!

This tour included stops in Oia and Fira and we really loved our time in Fira! The tour does state that you have to get back to the ship on your own, but many people apparently didn’t read the tour description. You can either pay six euros and take a cable car down to the port and board a tender boat there, or there is the Donkey Trail which you can walk that also leads you back to the port and tender boats.

Rick and I opted to walk the Donkey Trail and it is steep and the trail is rocky, so if you want to walk it, wear good shoes with good traction or tread!

• Tour time: 8:15 am
• Duration: 4 hours 15 min
• Price: $278 (for two people)

Check-in & check-out & transportation

Rick and I were both surprised at how much more streamlined the boarding process was in Italy compared to our times getting on cruises in Florida. Once we got off the bus, we got in a line for security. They scanned our boarding passes, checked our carry-on bags, asked us a few health-related questions, and then we were good to get on the ship and get to our room.

Check-out was also easy, at least for us, as we opt to carry our own bags off the ship. So, we bypass the whole bag collection and waiting for your group to be called to disembark. We did have to visit guest services to let them know how we wanted to get off the ship and how we were getting back to the airport, but otherwise we docked at 6:30 a.m. and walked off the ship at 6:45 with our own bags and met our driver right there at the dock.

We had booked bus transportation from Venice to Ravenna via Royal Caribbean and it was pretty easy to figure out, it was just a lot of waiting around. We arrived at the Tronchetto around 10:30 a.m., waited at least an hour and a half, in the sun, before boarding our bus. It is a two-hour drive from Venice to Ravenna (without traffic). The bus ride did include one stop for bathrooms and it cost about €1.50.

We did book a private car to get us back to Venice for our flight home as we have had issues in the past with the group transportation back to the airport. Like, one time we sat on the bust for over an hour before leaving for the airport and we had a flight to catch! We weren’t chancing that with an international flight so we booked our own car service back to Marco Polo airport.

The Explorer of the Seas

We were on the Explorer of the Seas for this cruise and you could tell the ship was older but it was still well-maintained. It had all the same amenities and dining and bars we expected to find, such as the theater, lounges, casino, pool deck, and dining.

It felt exactly like the other ships we’ve sailed on in the Caribbean.

Accommodations

We have learned to spring for a stateroom with a balcony when we cruise and we definitely wanted one for this adventure as we pulled into the different ports. Our room was spacious enough for our needs and had a Queen-sized bed, couch, desk, closet, and bathroom.

The bedding was cozy but I think the pillows could have been a bit better, but we made do. For how often we were in our room, it worked for the two of us. When we were in our room we were most often on the balcony, enjoying a drink and the exceptional views of the Greek islands.

Housekeeping

Our attendant, Iwayan, was fantastic! He took great care of our room, provided us with anything we needed (like a corkscrew to open our wine), and was often around to let us back into our room if we were carrying souvenirs or cocktails back to our room.

He also checked in with us on the first day on-board to ask what time we would like our room cleaned and so we got to pick 9:30 a.m. as we knew we’d be out of the room by that time each day.

Dining & bars

The ship had the typical dining options we expect onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, such as:

• The Windjammer (buffet)
• The Promenade (pizza, sandwiches, light bites)
• The dining room (which we did not visit during this trip)
• Specialty restaurants (which we also did not visit)

We opted to just eat at the Windjammer buffet so we could eat on our own schedule. I know, we’re boring like that.

We did visit plenty of the bars though! We both loved the British pub, the Schooner Bar, and The R, plus we visited the pool bars a few times while soaking up the sun. Each bar has its own menu of specialty drinks, plus they all serve the cocktail of the day, and you can get standard bar drinks too.

We mostly stuck with prosecco but we did try a few specialty cocktails. I absolutely loved the rum punch at The R and ordered two of those and I also made some return trips to the British pub to get this beer-based cocktail that had jam and honey.

We also made sure to bring our own wine on board as you’re allowed to bring one bottle of wine per person on the ship. We feel this is a great way to save money at the bars and not buy a full drinks package. But, we also do have Diamond status so we also get four drink coupons each every day. So that also makes it easier to not buy a drinks package when we cruise.

Diamond Lounge

Royal Caribbean changed up its loyalty rewards program a bit. Rick and I have Diamond status and that used to mean that we could make great use of the Diamond Lounge for its happy hour where it was all-you-could-drink from 4-8. Now, your SeaPass card is loaded with four drink coupons to use throughout the day.

So, this was the first cruise we’ve been on where the Diamond Lounge is kind of dead. I think we only ever saw at most five other people in the lounge with us at any given time. We did pop in a few mornings to get some breakfast, served from 7-10 a.m., and enjoyed the breakfast breads and pastries, fresh fruit, and yogurt parfaits, plus some lattes!

We still visited the Diamond Lounge in the evening as it offered a great and quiet place to relax, have a glass of prosecco, and watch the sunset.

Entertainment

We enjoyed the entertainment on the show and felt the cruise directors and entertainers were engaging. We checked out the ice skating show, battle of the sexes, trivia nights, the comedians, the dancing shows, live music, and so much more.

We really love the audience participation games, like Battle of the Sexes, The Newlywed Game, and so on as every single show is different. I’d seen a few online reviews that said the entertainment wasn’t good on this ship but I would disagree. Sure, it’s your standard cruise entertainment, but it wasn’t bad by any means.

Since we had two days at sea, Rick and I knew we’d be paying a visit to the spa! I booked a 100-minute hot stone massage and Rick chose a traditional 100-minute Swedish massage treatment.

Both of our treatments were fantastic and we’re so glad we waited until the last day of the trip and last day at sea to book our appointments. It was the perfect way to tend the trip and relax after days of walking and exploring.

It’s good to note that gratuities are already included in your fee for any massage treatment!

With our Diamond status we do get one free day of internet, which worked wonders on on our last day to check in for our flight home. But, I will say the internet is not great. I would not be happy if I paid almost $30 per day for it. I could not use the internet in our room and had to go to a main area to be able to check in on the United app.

It worked okay out about on the ship but it became super slow, like I was having flashbacks to the internet of 1999 as soon as we were in our room.

Royal Caribbean app

You definitely want to download the Royal Caribbean app before your trip so you can view the ship’s deck maps, activities, and discover what’s open for eating and drinking. It also loads your booked activities so we knew what time we had to be ready to go for our excursions and where to meet.

All in, we had a great experience with our first European cruise! We love this type of travel, cruising and guided tours, as it allows us to get a taste of certain travel destinations and understand if we want to come back or we’ve seen it and are ready for new adventures.

We weren’t sure what to expect with Royal Caribbean in Europe, but honestly, it felt the exact same as departing from Florida. So, if you’ve cruised before it’ll feel so familiar.

Now that we’ve done it, I’m already looking up other options for future European cruises as we really enjoyed our experience!

What other destinations do you recommend we check out on a European cruise? Let us know your favorite cruising destinations in the comments below!

Hey, I'm Stephanie! I'm a copywriter living in beautiful Denver with my husband Rick, and our dog Rocco. I love traveling, writing, reading, and being outside as much as possible - unless I'm on the couch binge watching Stranger Things with a glass of wine! Thanks for reading and being a part of the adventure with Back to the Passport! ❤️

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Glad you had a great European cruise. 😊

Check out a Baltic itineary for your next European cruise adventure. It’s a great way to visit Northern Europe!

A cruise to Norway and around Iceland is also filled with amazing scenery. Highly recommend!

Do they speak English on the excursions in the foreign countries(Greece, Croatia etc)? On board- are there any announcements in English from the captain or the activity planner?

Hey Julie, yes to both! They do offer excursions in other languages but they also have English-speaking options and it will be clearly labeled what language the tour is in. And all the announcements are made in English, plus a few other languages. The Cruise Compass (the printed schedule of the day’s activities) is also in English.

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What To Know Before Going On A Mediterranean Cruise With Royal Caribbean

Mediterranean cruises are often an idyllic way to experience the marvels of Europe. Think of it as a European sampler; you get a tiny taste of each city before heading to your next destination. After hopping onboard  Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas,  we share the good, the bad, and the ugly of our  Mediterranean Cruise  with tons of great information for a first time cruiser.

How To Choose The Perfect Cruise Line For Your Mediterranean Cruise 

There are various Mediterranean cruise itineraries, each focusing on different areas of the Mediterranean. Your perfect cruise depends on your budget and the cities and countries you want to see.

Budget is the most significant factor in determining which cruise line you will sail with. If traveling with children, look for a line offering a kid’s club and activities. From there, you will want to evaluate the itineraries, finding ports of call that interest your traveling party.

PRO TIP:   You spend less time onboard the ship on European cruises than on Caribbean cruises . Ships will dock early in the morning and then depart later in the evening, giving guests ample time to explore. Excursions are often 8-9 hours long, leaving you exhausted when you return to the ship.

After reviewing the many options, our family decided on  Royal Caribbean’s 7-night Western Mediterranean Cruise , which hit Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence/Pisa, Cannes, and Barcelona.

Enchantment Of The Seas Review

Enchantment of the Seas has a cult following, as many cruise fanatics love that the  ship was cut in two  and expanded back in 2005. Enchantment of Seas is one of the smaller ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, which can accommodate around 2,700 passengers. The appeal of fewer people onboard is enticing compared to Royal Caribbean’s bigger ships like Odyssey of the Seas, which can accommodate 5,510 passengers.

Don’t expect all the bells and whistles you find on other Royal Caribbean ships. On the contrary, the ship sailed right out of the 90s with light pink interiors, oak trim, and whimsical spaces with exotic decor.

This vessel will not have water slides, an ice-skating rink, and a central park but rather a splash area on the pool deck, a jumbo screen needing repair, and a rock climbing wall.

Dining Onboard The Enchantment Of The Seas

Countless dining options are available onboard the Enchantment of the Seas. However, I strongly advise enjoying the local culinary creations and cuisine from the countries you are visiting. Have pasta in Rome, get crepes in France and paella in Spain.  Remember, the best spots to snag local cuisine are often in the back alleys off the main tourist areas.

Pro Tip:  You will choose your dining preference before sailing. For a European Cruise,  I recommend the anytime dining or a later dining time , as many excursions arrive back at the ship until after the first seating. That way, if you didn’t opt to eat at port, you can enjoy the fine dining offered onboard.

Dining Options

My Fair Lady Dining  is the main dining room onboard the ship. It is two-tiered, offering traditional and anytime seating.  Traditional dining  is when you dine on the same day every day and have the same servers, while anytime dining provides more flexibility. For  anytime dining , guests will have different servers and a possible wait during peak hours. Kids menus are available with classics such as mac-n-cheese, hamburgers, chicken tenders, and pizza.

For curious minds, my daughter insisted on bringing her bear Rose, to dinner with us one night. The staff made such a fuss over Rose she decided to come to all the meals and even dress up!

Guests seeking a more laid-back dining approach can venture to  The Windjammer Cafe . Indulge in culinary creations from around the world, comfort foods, and delicious desserts at this popular buffet. The Windjammer is open for all three meals, but it can get overcrowded during peak hours for lunch and breakfast.

We often opted for a continental breakfast in our stateroom since many excursions had an early departure time. Not wanting to battle the breakfast buffet, it was often more enjoyable to sip our coffee and nibble on our croissants while getting ready in the morning.

Late-night dining is limited to the  Park Cafe,  which stays open late, offering fresh-baked pizza, sandwiches, and light bites.

Elevated dining options are available at  Chops Grille  or by reserving the  Captain’s Table  for the ultimate dining experience. During our cruise, we did not opt for either of these options as they were an extra cost. With so many great dining options included, we allocated our money to different experiences.

Top Things To Do Onboard Enchantment of The Seas

Everyone vacations differently, so a cruise is a great option when traveling with groups. Download the Royal Caribbean app  to see the daily activity schedule for the week.  Take a stab at the daily trivia, attend an art auction, or try a fitness class. Options are endless, but here are a few things we thought were great activities you want to take advantage of.

Attend the  Champagne Art Auction  for a complimentary glass of champagne while having the option to bid on many of the lovely art pieces on display around the ship. Many of these pieces are beyond my budget, but I love watching the auction and seeing others win that prized work to add to their collection.

Rock Climbing At Night  is an event where guests can scale the famous rock wall under the stars at the back of the ship. The Rock Wall is open periodically throughout the day during good weather if you cannot climb at night.

The Belly Flop Competition  is one of the funniest pool games I have seen on a cruise. Guests compete for the best belly flop, which is a hoot!

Don’t miss the  Sail Away Party with Balloon Drop  to kick start your cruise. Dance the evening away in the atrium with a fun balloon drop the kids will adore.

Catch a show in the  Orpheum Theater . From magicians to musicals, there is always top-notch entertainment happening in the theater. Performances are twice a night to accommodate the dining schedules.

Enchantment of The Seas Kids Club Review

To put it shortly, it was a letdown. I was expecting a Royal Caribbean Cruise to have a top-notch kids club, and the one on Enchantment of the Seas was not that. My six-year-old daughter requested not to attend the kids club because it was boring .

After our most recent  Disney Cruise , she fell in love with kids’ clubs, but sadly, not all kids’ clubs offer the same level of entertainment. She quickly realized that most of her time at this particular kids’ club was spent coloring, playing one specific game with a ball, and watching movies.

Walk into the “arcade” across the hall for an even bigger disappointment . There are more arcade games at a small-town bowling alley than here. The arcade room is barely big enough for six people to fit comfortably and holds 4-5 games max.

She only went to the kids club three times during our cruise, each time hoping it would improve. After the third strike, she didn’t want to try it anymore and gave up on it. More adult-focused activities were happening around the ship, so we often would take her to the pool, find live music, or hang out in our stateroom playing games.

Stateroom 7672 On Enchantment of Seas

Upgrading to a  Junior Suite  was an excellent option for more space to spread out, especially in the tight quarters of a cruise ship. However, I wish I had  examined the deck plans  more closely because our room was directly under the Spotlight Lounge. The Lounge had karaoke and music almost nightly till midnight. With it being so loud, you can practically sing along to all the songs.

Back in my youth, I would be down there belting it out with the best of them; however, with a child in tow, my late nights now consist of staying up till 9:00 pm. Bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper and go to bed early.

As with all older ships, the staterooms are dated. The oak trim and furniture are worn, but the room is sparkling clean. The crew members do a fabulous job keeping your stateroom clean and tidy. All room service trays are removed, and they will help you with any requests.

One other downside to this particular stateroom was the balcony. While the balcony is huge, there is one major issue: the soot from the smoke stack falls directly onto it . The smokestack is towards the back of the ship; therefore, your balcony will be covered with black rain depending on how the wind blows.

Portions of the balcony are covered, but it puts a damper on your experience, especially when you pay extra for a junior suite. As you know, I wasn’t about to let a little soot keep me from enjoying those gorgeous balcony views, but it is important to note for anyone looking at rooms in the aft portion of the ship.

A perk of the Junior Suite is that there is a bathtub, and you get an Expresso machine in your room!

Royal Caribbean’s 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise

• Day 1-Ravenna-Venice
•  Day 2-Koper-Slovenia
•  Day 3-Sea Day
•  Day 4-Naples-Italy
•  Day 5-Civitavecchia- Rome, Italy
•  Day 6-Livorno-Florence/Pisa
•  Day 7-Cannes, France
•  Day 8-Barcelona, Spain

Day 1- Getting To Your Ship

When looking at the cruise itinerary, it indicated that our cruise left from Venice. You will want to dig deeper to see which cruise terminal you sail from. Since Venice no longer allows large cruise ships to come down the Grand Canal, you may not be leaving from Venice proper but rather another cruise port hours away.

If your port is  Ravenna, it is three hours from the Airport in Venice Marco Polo . That means a few things:

• You will need to schedule a transfer to get to the port. Royal Caribbean offers transfers, but you must book them in advance. They typically leave from the airport around 11 am-12:30 pm on the day of your cruise.
•  If your plane arrives in Venice the day your cruise departs, you will not see Venice. Time will not be on your side to see the city and catch a three-hour transfer. Navigating the airport to historic Venice will take about an hour, and that is with a vapperato (private boat taxi).
•  We arrived in Venice a few days early to see the city, then booked a vapperato back to the airport the morning of our cruise to catch the transfer.
•  Consider taking the train from Venice to Ravenna or booking a private transfer if you need help getting on the transfer through Royal Caribbean.

If you want a beautiful hotel in Venice, consider the  Hilton Venice . While this hotel has many perks, including a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking the Grand Canal, the most significant amenity is the complimentary water taxi across the Grand Canal to three popular spots. This eliminates the need to navigate public water taxis or hire a vapperato each time.

Pro Tip: I recommend taking it at dusk if you plan a gondola ride. A whimsical magic falls over the canals as the setting sun sets the sky ablaze in colors.

Day 2- Koper, Slovenia

The Port of Koper drops travelers right into the heart of their old town without needing a transfer. The port is 300 meters from the main town square with its cathedral, cafes, restaurants, and tourist attractions. This unique port of call was offered on the 7-night Western Mediterranean Cruise With Royal Caribbean.

Each port of call offers a variety of shore excursions you can book through the ship or another travel company. Many tourists will even put together custom shore excursions.

Pro Tip:  We always recommend that you check with whatever company you are working with to ensure they will have you back on the ship in time. When planning your own, ensure you have a backup plan if something was to happen.

For Example: If visiting Croatia, you may opt to  explore the real Croatia by cruises  or take a self-guided walking tour of the city. 

We booked the Postojna Cave Tour , which was beautiful. The Postojna Caves are Europe’s largest caves, offering guests a train ride through the cave system with an hour-long walking tour. Wear long pants and bring a jacket as the caves get cold, regardless of the weather outside.

Day 3- At Sea

Day 4- naples, italy.

Mount Vesuvius looms as you pull into port, an eerie reminder of the tragedy that occurred at the legendary city of Pompeii hundreds of years ago. With the island of Capri in the distance and the lure of a day trip to stunning Positano, cruise passengers have the difficult decision about what sites they want to see during their brief stent in port.

Naples offers many iconic landmarks and awe-inspiring landscapes that are impossible to do in a day. Guests will often have to choose between exploring the sparkling Almafi Coast, seeing the ancient ruins of Pompeii, or taking in the sites of downtown Naples.

The cruise terminal puts guests into the heart of Naples. Downloading a self-guided walking tour to see the city on foot from the cruise terminal is easy. Many tours are available through the ship to see as many sites as possible, but the reality is you will get a taste of each one.

It is easy to fall into the trap of trying to see as much as possible and then leave exhausted. Take it firsthand from me, who passed out in the streets of Naples from heat stroke trying to get in the final sites.

If you do the Almafi Coast, focus your time on Sorrento and Positano; if you are sailing to Capri, spend the whole day on the island; if you want to do Pompeii, plan on spending a few hours there, then hit a few sites in downtown Naples after your tour.

Day 5-Civitavecchia- Rome, Italy

One of the most important things to note about this port is that  it will take an hour and a half to get from Civitavecchia to Rome.  Therefore, looking at shore excursions, you will want to factor in a three-hour round-trip drive time. Many will make a note of it in the description.

Here are a few tips for doing Rome in under 8 hours:

• Consider doing the hop-on, hop-off bus tour . The tour will take you to all the major sites in the city.
•  Purchase tickets or skip-the-line passes for any major attraction months in advance if not included in your tour. This includes the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Basilica.
•  There is a train that will take travelers from Civitavecchia to Rome.
•  If you miss your bus, expect to pay top dollar for a private taxi from Rome to the ship.
•  Don’t forget the coins to throw into the  Trevi Fountain !
•  Historic sites are always best seen with a tour guide. They bring out so many unique features and stories that would have been missed.
•  The best restaurants are never around popular tourist attractions. You should not spend $22 for pasta in Rome. Often, if you walk a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the main streets, you will find phenomenal little eateries for a fraction of the cost.
•  As will all major cities, watch out for pickpockets , and don’t let a stranger take your family photo. They could easily run off with your phone.
•  While Rome is usually very busy, remember that the more ships in port will mean popular attractions will be even more crowded. Three ships in port could mean an additional 10,000 tourists visiting the city during the same hours you are. Try visiting lesser-known attractions such as the Temple of Hercules Victor and Tempio di Portuno.

Day 6-Livorno-Florence/Pisa

Livorno is an hour away from Florence and 45 minutes away from Pisa . Many shore excursions include visits to both Pisa and Florence, while others will whisk travelers off to the Tuscan countryside.

We opted for a budget-friendly transfer through  Viator  to take us to Florence, Pisa, and back to the ship. The guide on the bus offered an hour-long walking tour of Florence for $10 Euro per adult once we arrived, which was worth every penny.

A Few Tips For Visiting Florence/ Pisa

• While the Leaning Tower Of Pisa is on many bucket lists, you will only want to spend some of your time at Pisa. The  “Square of Miracles ” contains the Pisa Cathedral, the baptistery, and the Leaning Tower, all surrounded by a sea of touristy shops and restaurants.
•  Guests can go up in the Leaning Tower but must purchase tickets in advance.
•  Purchase tickets or skip-the-line passes for any major attraction months in advance if not included in your tour. This includes the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, Florence Duomo, and other famous museums.
• Visit the Officina Profumo, which has been in the perfume business since 1221!
• Make a reservation at Osteria Pastella for an incredible meal! Get the Cacio e Pepe.
•  Find one of Florence’s wine windows.
•  As with most European cities, bring good walking shoes.

Day 7-Cannes, France

The jaw-dropping French Riviera is a desired port of call. The sun-drenched beaches paired with the majestic mountains are captivating. When the city is not abuzz with the Cannes Film Festival , travelers will find themselves strolling the historic Old Town, window shopping along the promenade, before posing on the red carpet at Cannes Palais des Festivals et des Congrè.

Cruise ships must use a tender to bring guests to shore, so ensure you allocate enough time to wait for a tender. Pre-planned shore excursions will utilize the tenders first; then, it will be open boarding for the rest of the guests.

One of the downsides of a Mediterranean Cruise With Royal Caribbean is that there are some ports you only get to spend a little bit of time in. For instance, all aboard was at 2 pm in Cannes. If only having one full day feels rushed, try only a few hours in a city.

Day 8-Barcelona, Spain

Our Mediterranean Cruise With Royal Caribbean came to an end in Barcelona . We opted to stay a few extra days to explore the city, which I highly recommend. Stay at the  Renaissance Barcelona Hotel . It is centrally located downtown near the major attractions, restaurants, and shops. The hotel was gorgeous, and the rooftop bar stole the show with sweeping views of the city, including the Sagrada Familia.

We arranged a private transfer to take us from the ship to the hotel and the airport. Barcelona is a very walkable city, but to see some sites, such as Park Guell, you will likely want to take a taxi or do one of the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tours.

A Few Tips For Visiting Barcelona

• Don’t wait until the last minute to secure tickets for all Gaudi’s sites . We were lucky to be able to book Park Guell and Casa Mila two days before arriving, but the Sagrada Familia was sold out.
•  Tapas and pinchos, or “spikes,” are small bites that are a must in Spain.
•  The Hop On/ Hop Off Bus is a great way to see the city. However, the loop is roughly 2 hours,, so plan your day accordingly if you have timed tickets.
•  In Spain, dinner is a lighter meal, typically eaten between 9 and 10 pm during the week and even later on the weekend.

My Must Have Items For A European Cruise

Take advantage of these must-have items for your next European Cruise .

• A  crossbody bag  with a zipper. These bags are going to be your first line of defense against pickpockets.
•  If visiting during warm weather, investing in a   sun umbrella  is wise. In July, this was one item we used daily.
•  Another must-have during summer months is a  portable misting fan .
•   Liquid IV   is always a great item to keep with you, especially in the summer.
•  Many churches require guests to have their shoulders and knees covered to enter. Bring a shawl or sweater.
•  Bring a good pair of walking shoes or sneakers.
•  One formal night outfit.
•   Bring medications , such as Ibuprofen, Pepto, Benadryl, Sudafed, Imodium, etc. Many items on the ship may not be readily available to you or require you to see the ship’s medic to get them. I also recommend bringing a  first aid kit .

A Mediterranean Cruise With Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruises to see a lot Europe in a short amount of time. However, if you are traveling with young kids, you may want to take a closer look at Disney Cruise Lines. We had a great experience on Enchantment of The Seas but often wished that there was more to do for kids 5-10 years old.

We are already looking at our next Mediterranean Cruise, hoping to go to the Greek Islands or the Holy Land. Would we sail Royal Caribbean again? Absolutely!

Did you enjoy our cruise review? Be sure to check out these related articles.

The Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List

10 Reasons To Book Your Next Cruise With A Travel Advisor

I Took My Two-Year-Old On A Disney Cruise 

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

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Editor & Content Contributor

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Basic Information

Departure ports, private ports/islands, formal nights, complimentary dining, specialty dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, crown & anchor society, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Royal Caribbean is a large cruise line offering mega-ship cruises across the globe. The company has been on the cutting edge of the cruise industry since it launched in 1969. Since then, it has continued to push the boundaries of cruise ship size and amenities, offering lots of “firsts” including the first rock climbing, ice skating, and surfing at sea.

Today, Royal Caribbean has 26 ships sailing to hundreds of destinations every day . If you’ve never cruised before, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll find on a Royal Caribbean ship. If you are a cruising veteran, you probably look to Royal Caribbean for some of the biggest and most innovative ships at sea.

Name: Royal Caribbean International

Parent Company: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (also owns Celebrity Cruises , Azamara, and Silversea Cruises)

Number of Ships: 26 (2 more will be added in 2024)

Destinations: 300+

Loyalty Program: Crown & Anchor Society

Credit Card : Royal Caribbean Visa Signature ® Card

Royal Caribbean boasts a fleet of 26 cruise ships :

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

Two additional ships will be added in the coming years: Icon of the Seas will debut in January 2024 and Utopia of the Seas is coming in spring 2024.

Royal Caribbean sails to more than 300 destinations around the world from 50 departure ports.

Owning a private island or beach resort is a common thing among large cruise lines and is something many passengers have come to expect.

The Royal Caribbean “Perfect Day Island Collection” consists of 1 current location and 1 in the works:

• CocoCay: Located in the Bahamas, this destination features the largest freshwater pool in the Bahamas and the tallest waterslide in North America. You’ll also find a swim-up bar, wave pool, zip line, beaches, a kid’s area, and more.
• Lelepa: Located on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, this destination was originally scheduled to open in 2022. However, the pandemic has put those plans on hold and there’s not currently an updated opening date.

Hot Tip: You can earn points and miles each time you set sail if you book your cruise with one of these credit cards .

Onboard Activities

There is so much to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including pools, a casino, themed parties, Broadway-style shows, youth programs, and art auctions, to name a few.

Royal Caribbean is also an industry leader in offering some of the most unique and interesting experiences at sea. Next time you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise, keep your eye out for some of these activities (not all activities are offered on every ship):

• Bumper cars
• Central Park
• Cooking classes
• Dance classes
• Escape Rooms
• H20 Zone Water Park
• Ice Skating
• Mystery dinner theater
• Outdoor movies
• Ripcord By iFly
• Rock climbing wall
• Scuba certification
• Sky Pad bungee trampoline
• Spanish classes
• Table tennis
• Tidal Wave boomerang slide
• Trapeze school
• Waterslides: Typhoon, Cyclone, The Blaster, Riptide, Supercell

Royal Caribbean still offers formal nights on its cruises. Most itineraries will have 1 to 4 formal nights :

• 3- to 5-night cruises: 1 formal night
• 6- to 10-night cruises: 2 formal nights
• 11- to 14-night cruises: 3 formal nights
• 15+ night cruises: 3-4 formal nights

Dress on formal nights can include suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or evening gowns. On formal nights, many of the restaurants require formal dress and The Chef’s Table dining experience requires formal attire.

If you don’t want to dress up, that’s fine, too. Just stick to the buffet or some of the more casual spots for dinner.

Hot Tip: Royal Caribbean is considered one of the best cruise lines for families , so bring your whole crew onboard.

Dining and Beverages

Like most cruise lines, Royal Caribbean offers both complimentary dining that’s included in your cruise fare and specialty dining that has either a flat fee or à la carte pricing.

There are lots of dining options that are included in the price of your cruise , so you can eat every meal on your ship without paying an extra dime. The following locations are always complimentary, however, not all of these options are offered on every ship:

• Cafe Promenade
• Coastal Kitchen
• El Loco Fresh
• Main dining room
• Solarium Bistro Restaurant
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Splashaway Cafe
• The Cafe @ Two70
• Vitality Cafe
• Windjammer Buffet

Hot Tip: Beverages like wine, beer, cocktails, and even soda will usually cost extra even at the complimentary restaurants. You can purchase a beverage package when you book your cruise or once you get on board. There are different drink package options available including ones that include alcoholic beverages, soda-only packages, and water bottle packages.

You’ll also find restaurants on every Royal Caribbean ship that come with additional charges — either a per-person fee or à la carte menu pricing.

The following dining options will cost extra over what you pay for your cruise:

• 150 Central Park
• Cafe Latte-Tudes
• Chef’s Table
• Chops Grille
• Coffee and Tea Shop
• Cupcake Cupboard
• Fish & Ships
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
• Giovanni’s Table
• Hooked Seafood
• Izumi Hibachi and Sushi
• Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver
• Johnny Rockets
• Johnny Rockets Express
• La Patisserie
• Portside BBQ
• Room Service
• Samba Grill
• Sichuan Red
• Sugar Beach

If you would like to try out some of the specialty restaurants, you can purchase a dining package ahead of time or once you are on board the ship. You’ll be able to choose between a 3-restaurant package or an unlimited package. Kids ages 6 to 10 can dine at specialty restaurants for only $10. Kids ages 5 and under are free.

Hot Tip: How about specialty dining for free? Look out for deals when you book your cruise. Lots of websites offer perks like free specialty dining when you book with them. Be sure to check out our guide to the best websites to book a cruise to get you started.

There are plenty of places on Royal Caribbean ships to kick back and relax with your favorite beverage. Bars and lounges offer à la carte pricing or you can use your beverage package.

Here are the bars and lounges you may find on your Royal Caribbean ship (not all locations are offered on every ship):

• The Bamboo Room
• Champagne Bar
• Diamond Club
• English Pub
• The Lime and Coconut
• North Star Bar
• Playmakers Bar & Arcade
• Rising Tide Bar
• Schooner Bar
• Solarium Bar
• Suite Lounge
• Trellis Bar
• Wipe Out Bar

If you would prefer to pay for your drinks upfront, you can choose one of Royal Caribbean’s beverage packages:

Deluxe Beverage Package

• Bottled water
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Cocktails, spirits, and liquor
• Coffee and tea
• Freshly squeezed juice
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Unlimited soda and Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Wine by the glass

Refreshment Package

Classic Soda Package

Water Package

• 6-, 12-, or 24-packs of water delivered to your stateroom

Hot Tip: The drinking age onboard any Royal Caribbean ship is 21+ on sailings from North America and 18+ on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

There are so many different types of rooms you can book on your Royal Caribbean cruise. The 4 basic types of rooms include interior, oceanview, balcony, or suite, but there are many different types of rooms among those categories.

No matter what room category you choose, you’ll enjoy the following amenities:

• Drawer and closet space
• Flat-screen TV

Royal Caribbean offers a few unique room categories as well:

Virtual Balcony Staterooms — These rooms are available on select ships (including every interior room on Quantum of the Seas). They feature an 80-inch screen that gives you a virtual ocean view via a live camera outside of the ship.

Unique Interior View Rooms or Balconies — These rooms have a window or a balcony, but the view isn’t of the ocean! These rooms look out on the action inside the ship like The Royal Promenade or Central Park.

Royal Suite Class — This is a category of rooms that offer the highest level of luxury . You’ll not only enjoy fantastic accommodations but amazing experiences as well. These rooms offer 3 tiers of luxury — Sea Class, Sky Class, and the most luxurious, Star Class.

The Ultimate Family Suite — This one-of-a-kind room at sea is only available on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. It features 2 stories of the ultimate in family luxury including a balcony with a Jacuzzi, private game room, in-suite slide, and tons of other VIP perks!

Hot Tip: Tight budget? Why not pay for part or all of your cruise with points and miles ? 

Royal Caribbean offers a loyalty program called the Crown & Anchor Society .

After you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean once, you’ll be automatically enrolled as a member of the Crown & Anchor Society. As a member you’ll earn 1 Cruise Point for every night you sail . Your points are doubled if you book a suite.

There are 6 tiers of membership in the Crown & Anchor Society:

• Gold: 3+ Cruise Points
• Platinum: 30+ Cruise Points
• Emerald: 55+ Cruise Points
• Diamond: 80+ Cruise Points
• Diamond Plus: 175+ Cruise Points
• Pinnacle Club: 700+ Cruise Points

Benefits vary by membership tier and can include things like onboard discounts, priority check-in, onboard lounges, private departure area, and free or discounted cruises .

Hot Tip: Make sure you’re prepared — check out our printable cruise packing list before you set sail.

Cruising is a great way to spend your vacation and Royal Caribbean offers some of the biggest and best ships around.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ll enjoy onboard activities like waterslides, zip-lining, bumper cars, and rock climbing. You’ll be able to dine at one of the many included restaurants, or you can choose a specialty restaurant like Giovanni’s Table, Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, or Johnny Rockets.

After a long day at sea, you’ll rest comfortably in your stateroom, whether you choose a Virtual Balcony room or opt for luxury in a Royal Class Suite. Plus you’ll earn perks and bonuses each time you cruise as a member of the Crown & Anchor Society.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to over 300 destinations, so no matter what part of the world you want to visit, chances are you can get there on a cruise.

The information regarding the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ship on royal caribbean.

Royal Caribbean’s biggest and best ships are the Oasis Class ships — Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. However, the new Icon of the Seas which will debut in 2024, is set to be the biggest cruise ship in the world.

How much are drink packages on Royal Caribbean?

Beverage package prices on Royal Caribbean vary based on length of cruise and your itinerary. Here’s a look at what kind of pricing you can expect:

• Deluxe Beverage Package (includes alcohol): $63 to $89 per day
• Refreshment Package (includes soda, coffee, mocktails, juices, and water): $29 to $38 per day
• Soda-only package: $12.99 to $15 per day

What is Royal Caribbean's newest ship?

The newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet is currently Wonder of the Seas. However, there are 2 new ships debuting in 2024: Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

Is food free on Royal Caribbean?

Yes, Royal Caribbean has multiple dining venues on each ship that are included in the price of the cruise so you don’t have to pay anything extra onboard. There are also specialty restaurants that charge extra.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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After we disembarked and got back to the airport following our cruise, my wife realized she left her wallet and wedding rings inside the locked safe in our stateroom. We immediately called RC and were told we would not be allowed back on the ship and needed to fill out a lost and found report online. I'll spare you the details, but within 5 days, and after a brief communication mix-up, I was contacted by the Executive Office of RC and our valuables were on their way back to us. I would like to thank Executive Mr. Geno Bell-Floyd and Royal Caribbean for their professionalism, integrity, and trustworthiness and for how this situation was handled.

Date of experience : April 26, 2024

Rcl beverage rip off

I've a Rcl cruise next year. Have been keeping an eye on beverage packages. Top price for US based customers for the deluxe is $90. In the UK top price is £85. A difference of over £12 per customer per day. 10 day cruise =£240 more expensive for UK customers. Recent promotion was buy one second one 50%.US customers got for $67/£53. UK customers £63.A difference of £100/ per person for 10 days.So £200 per couple. Contacted Rcl who stated "market forces" for differences but refused to match US customers prices.I'm crown and anchor member but makes no difference. Seriously thinking about cancelling, nevertheless last time I'll use Rcl. Seems like discrimination and they are giving preferential treatment for US customers.

Date of experience : April 23, 2024

2days after getting off the allure of…

2days after getting off the allure of the seas with a zero balance ,royal deducted a hold off almost three hundred dollars on my debit card leaving me in a negative balance. This set off a chain of events that left me broke,temporarily homeless and caused me to miss a costly chemotherapy session(liver and correctal cancer)which puts me in a a very precarious health and mental condition. Post cruise cust mer services were cold and oblivious to situation. No help what so ever was given!!

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

You might be locked up

There is a list, despite being fresh out of drydock there were many restrooms not operational, at times including the one in our stateroom. Our bed was extremely uncomfortable. The WiFi was incredibly spotty and in our stateroom dropped connection regularly. Many of the representatives were on the boat were very new and did not know how to answer questions, many with a severe language barrier. We went to our meal time at the main dining room and was turned away rudely by the maitre d. Then directed to go into the main dinning through another door which we were then also denied. Room service delivering the wrong food. Soda machines being sparsely located throughout the ship. Getting stuck in one of the centrum elevators for a short time. Called guest services about needing some personal towels to be laundered and they stated they were sending someone, no one ever showed up. However, I want to highlight our Wait Staff in main dining assigned to our table, RAJ was AWESOME (who also called our room to check on us as we missed a few nights due to reservations on board). Additionally our help in purchasing some LV from the store was met with a representative who I did not get her name was so helpful and courteous and patient. The manicure tech for my wife was also amazing, she stated it was the best manicure ever and she gets them regularly from very competent techs. The couples massage was great as well! The guys at the Cafe were always helpful. Beyond that it was a bit tough to get through, like a charge being added to our account from Shore side, without any communication or notification or explanation. $518 which then when billed to our BoA Royal card caused it to be locked due to fraud concerns from BoA. Then dealing with customer service rep Yooka who did attempt to take care of us and did not have the authority to fix anything at first was awful but got better with our second discussion and she really did try the next go round to help. I want to highlight the positives to show that it had its moments but the negatives way out weighed the positives and the financial issue that occurred supposedly in December to never get resolved prior to sailing is crappy to not use the profane word I would like to. We were amidst the Next Cruise and considering another with Royal 2 days in for it to become glaringly obvious we would never be back. I was told I would not be allowed to leave unless I paid, and I would be locked on board the ship. We are not on cruises often so likely no one cares but we have the financial capability of being a very desired customer but we will look to other cruise lines to find our home as we near retirement my wife wants 2 cruises every year of our retirement. I plan to make that happen for her but it will not be on Royal.

Date of experience : April 29, 2024

Spring Break

My family spent a week on Jewel of the Seas. Our room was outdated, with literally no sound-proofing. The balcony cabin was under the fitness center. It was awful. Staff is very friendly. Entertainment is okay at best. Food is decent but the main dining room takes forever. We dined in all of the “extra” restaurants which I find frustrating to have to pay for variety. I would not travel on this ship again.

Date of experience : March 22, 2024

Nightmare. Don’t book up!!

Our 2nd cruise with Royal Caribbean. and the last. The Wonder last year, this time the Symphony. Myself, my partner, and 2 children, 14 and 12 years old. 4th day into the trip somewhere between Aruba and Jamaica we were called to the medical room on deck 2,absolutely bewildered why, until we got there and our 14 year old daughter is sat there surround by ALOT of straight faced doctors and security with body cams - I ask the obvious, what the hell is going on?Before telling me they warn me that I’m being recorded on bodycams, then proceeded to question me about my daughters mental health because she had been heard saying something along the lines of ‘my period cramps are killing me.. I’m going to kill myself if they don’t go away’ She had been complaining to us about them that day and continued complaining about them several days after, It was a flippant remark that put us through an hour long series off questions regarding my daughter and after the interview told us to go back to our rooms where our balcony is now being locked and that one of us, either myself or my partner had to keep our daughter with us, she was not allowed out of our sight, all this due to the apparent threat of life my 14 year old made… at this point I was shocked, stunned, fuming, you name it. And they would update us in the morning to advise us of what the follow up was going to be once they had spoken to head office in Miami the following day. So we went back to our rooms as instructed, balcony door was indeed locked and that was ridiculous enough but unbeknown to me at this point this was only the beginning. The folllowing morning we got up, dressed went to breakfast as a family, the kids hung around near us that day but we heard nothing so I went to see the security duty manager to ask if he had heard about the event that took place the evening before to which he answered yes, I then asked what restrictions are being placed on my daughter / us, he said none other than make sure she is near one of us and we’ll see if we can get the restriction lifted on your balcony, other than that you’re all good. Great.. kind of, all forgotten about let’s get on with the holiday, we can live with what we’ve just been told. That evening whilst out for our evening meal, my name comes over the tannoy - can myself and my family come to guest services immediately.. we all looked at each other like what’s going on, within 5 mins we are at guest services and waiting for us is the stone faced zero emotion or empathy or any normal human kind feeling whatsoever immediately asked me one question… Why are you not in your room? I asked him to explain why should we be in our room? I had spoken to security today and we’re all good thankyou. His reply was a very very firm - daytime duty manager had given us the wrong information and that we should be confined to our room with a locked balcony door and a security guard sat outside our door to make sure we don’t leave.. Absolutely shocked / stunned even more at this point. I simply cannot believe what he is saying to us, my daughter burst out crying, my son is not fully understanding what’s going on looking confused and myself and my partner and questioning what he’s telling us to do.. obviously, his reply was if we didn’t go to our room immediately then his security team would be called to assist him in getting us to our room, I feel like au was about 10 seconds away from being frogmarched to the ships prison cell so eventually in fear of not wanting to go there we very very reluctantly agreed as ridiculous as it was clearly this guy thinks he’s judge and jury and off we go,when we get to our room there is indeed a security guard sat in the gangway outside our door and throughout the night they had a changing of the guard every couple of hours What the actual hell, but wait if gets worse, we then get a message from security that we are to be disembarked at Jamaica and to arrange our own travel home from there. Hang on a minute.. you are dumping a British family who’s never been to Jamaica before - with children - at the dock and we’ve got to sort ourselves out from there, with literally a couple of hours spare to arrange what on earth do we do!! Tried calling the British embassy in a panic but each time no answer, we then found a flight leaving Jamaica going to Miami in 4 hours time, we’re about an hour away from the airport so within minutes we are packed and asking to get off because we’ve just spent £1500 on flights to get us somewhere we would atleast feel safe. They made us wait for paperwork and when that eventually came we were escorted off, one security guard in front, then us 4, followed by one security guard behind, 3 days and about £4500 lighter we are home, upset, fuming still in shock. How is this allowed? A family just dumped in Jamaica. Never ever again will I holiday with RC, and I’ll post this everywhere I can. FU RC FU

Date of experience : April 21, 2024

Once you have paid expect ZERO customer service

Paid over £7000 for our cruise, once paid it is IMPOSSIBLE to get ANY information out of ANYONE at Royal Caribbean. Sent over 2 dozen requests by e-mail and on their website not had a single response. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY.

Date of experience : September 01, 2023

This was my first cruise with Royal…

This was my first cruise with Royal Caribbean after cruising a few times with Disney Cruise Lines. The actual cruise experience was good, the surrounding amenities were not so much. I won't go into many of the details but just know that the "Key" is a waste of money, and don't prepay for arcade. Overall - not worth it. Contacted them numerous times via phone and keep getting transferred and/or call dropped. Guest Experience Management seems to be a joke.

Date of experience : March 25, 2024

Refused to refund or give future credits

Multiple flights canceled due to bad weather. Company refused to refund multiple tickets, and even refused to give a credit for future cruises because the flight was not booked through them. Lost multiple future clients, we were all looking foward to it.

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Probably the worst service I’ve…

Probably the worst service I’ve received. Rude management, hidden costs, misleading tours and terrible, noisy rooms they don’t fix.

Date of experience : April 13, 2024

Would just like my money back!!!

When planning a trip and purchasing insurance for this trip with the cruise line; we was told that if we could not go for any reason due to illness our money would be refunded to us. Well a few weeks prior to the cruise my husband's Parkinson's began to cause some problems with his legs really bad and he felt that it would be wise not to take the trip at this time. We contacted the trip planner, who in turn gave us the numbers to call and cancel our trip. Not once has anyone from the Cruise line called to ask if there was something they could do to help. Never asking if we would like to reschedule the trip. We are still trying to get our money back as it seems unlikely a cruise is in our future, because of my husbands' health.

Date of experience : June 07, 2023

I went through a horrible divorce after…

I went through a horrible divorce after 33 year marriage. I had two trips planned with my husband I had to cancel. I asked to move the trips to another time. They said they were keeping my deposit and will not work with me. The one trip was 4 months before setting sail. I gave them plenty of notice. As a business owner myself I would have never treated a customer like this. I am a major gambler too and always spend a lot in their casinos. I will not be going back to Royal Caribbean. Shame on them.

Date of experience : April 01, 2024

If you struggle with mental illness, please reach out to me before you go or save yourself the trauma and DONT GO!

If I could give my experience with Royal Caribbean 0 stars I would. I would like to share what I experienced and went through in hopes that I can save someone from trauma and raise awareness for the horrible actions that went on. I also would like to raise awareness for mental health disorders. Because of a mental disorder, I was confined into a room with everything I had, including my prescription medication taken away from me. I had 0 rights. Ship doctor was one of the most heartless and disrespectful human beings. Prisoners get more hours of sunlight that I was allowed. All employees gave different responses and it was clear there was lack of communication. Every action done by staffing was traumatic and contradictory of what should have been done. I will be writing my story to raise awareness of this issue. Please if you have a mental disorder DO NOT GO! If you would like more information or to discuss please reach out or comment.

Don’t give what you paid for.

Booked a cruise to go to three islands, two of which were coco cay and labadee so we did not have to book excursions and could have a nice day without having to spend extra to get off the island. At the last minute Royal Caribbean cancelled our Labadee stop (which given the circumstance is understandable) however, they routed other cruises to nice equal or better islands, but chose to send us to the trash can of the Caribbean - Nassau. Given they replaced our stop with one that is less valuable (cruises that go there are cheaper than other destinations) they absolutely refused to cancel our cruise or give us any sort of discount or compensation for not giving us our moneys worth of our cruise and changing it to no fault of our own. Their attitude is basically they don’t care if you like it or not they have too many other customers to care if you are happy or get what you paid for. Will stick with Carnival from now on.

Date of experience : March 28, 2024

This was by far the worst cruise we…

This was by far the worst cruise we have ever experienced with RCCL. We have been on numerous cruises. There were some positives (i.e., room attendant, dinner service, a few of the bartenders (pool area) We had an incident with a member of our party of 9 that involved security. Security extremely rude, very unprofessional and harassed the entire party throughout the remainder of our cruise. So, the last 3 days of a 5-day cruise was miserable. We could not wait to disembark. NEVER AGAIN WE WILL SAIL WITH RCCL. I realize that our measly amount of money will not bother them as they could care less.

Date of experience : March 03, 2024

Air2Sea Program is HORRIBLE

Booked my cruise and needed to fly to our port. I made the mistake of booking our flights through their Air2Sea Program. I am a very inexperienced traveler. We had a connecting flight in Atlanta, unfortunately, their program chose a flight that was 35 minutes between flights. We didn't realize that boarding closed 15 minutes before the flight time. We landed in Atlanta and discovered that we had 14 minutes to get to the terminal that was 19 minutes away from our terminal. Needless to say, we missed our connecting flight - all outbound flights were fully booked, we were on standby for 3 more flights but did not make it and missed our cruise. We did get a refund for the cruise, however, Air2Sea said we were marked as a NO SHOW and REFUSE to refund our flights. IF you cruise with Royal Caribean, DO NOT book your flights with their Air2Sea Program.

Date of experience : November 17, 2023

I have traveled with Royal many times…4

I have traveled with Royal many times and this will be my last cruise with them. If there is one thing I dislike is being nickel & dimed by companies forcing cruisers to get packages they do not want. Drinking packages are a great way to save money however when you force a extra package on other room occupants that is wrong. You will no longer have me as a cruiser anymore Royal Carribean!!!

Date of experience : February 22, 2024

Royal Caribbean Customer Service

I am going on a cruise ship with my parents on the Symphony of the Seas. Despite i sent 5 messages to customer service with my questions, nobody has replied me. I also tried to call the US line from Europe as the German customer service can‘t help with bookings done on the US website ( i find it extremely weird) but the number „was not reachable“ at that time. We haven‘t done any cruise ship so far, but i hope the journey will be better than the first experience with the cruise ship.

Date of experience : February 15, 2024

Disappointment prior to sailing.

I’ve never been on a royal caribbean cruise and this will be the last time I book with them. I haven’t even set sail and I truly regret even booking with them. The cruise selected was to Labadee, Haiti however, with the current issues happening in Haiti, I appreciate Royal Caribbean making the decision to not go there for safety concerns. The cruise is now going to stop in Nassau, Bahamas. I do not feel that Nassau, Bahamas is of equal or greater port value as Labadee, Haiti. I understand the cruise has the right to change ports per the contract, but I’ve been to the Bahamas many times and contacted Royal Caribbean to change to a different cruise that would sail the same dates. I was told no changes could be made after final payment. I paid for my cruise in one payment and the port was changed close to the departure date. I understand Royal Caribbean has rules that I agree to at sign up, but I feel they could offer their passengers something for this change to make it a little better for the disappointment. They have their money and they seem to not care if you are happy with their change. Especially, because they are making money by going to one of the cheapest cruise destinations available (Nassau, Bahamas).

Date of experience : March 27, 2024

Dishonest and BS company that I will…

Dishonest and BS company that I will never ever again consider using. They tell you they can refund your deposit if it's >3 months then they make you hold for 1/2 hour before transferring your to wait another hour then they tell you they won't refund your deposit because "you bought a non-refundable ticket." That is not what they told me when I bought it!!!! Total BS. DO NOT GIVES THIS CRAP COMPANY YOUR MONEY unless you're 100% sure nothing will happen that may cause you to miss your trip. They rep wouldn't even give his last name "DIEGO" is all he would say. THIS IS A RIP-OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date of experience : February 03, 2024

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The best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for every type of traveler

What's the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship? We get this question a lot, and our answer always is the same: It depends.

It depends on what sort of traveler you are. 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. While they all have a lot in common, they have some major differences, too, that make them more or less appealing to different types of travelers.

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.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

In short, the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for you, if you're traveling with children, might not be the same as the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for a solo traveler or the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for a retiree.

Here, we list our top picks for the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for five different types of travelers.

Icon of the Seas: Best ship for families

The best Royal Caribbean ship for families, in the unanimous view of TPG's cruise editors, is a ship that just debuted earlier this year: Icon of the Seas.

Sailing since January 2024, Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world — more than 6% bigger than the next-biggest ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet. That means greater space for the family fun zones that are a hallmark of Royal Caribbean ships, from children's clubs to water parks.

But it's not just its larger size that makes Icon of the Seas the best Royal Caribbean ship for families. 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.

For starters, Icon of the Seas has an increased number of cabins that offer extra bunks to accommodate families with multiple children, including new room designs. Some family suites even feature separate rooms for the kids.

Related: The 5 best cruise lines for families

Many of these family-friendly accommodations are near a new-for-the-line outdoor "neighborhood" called Surfside, which is dedicated to families with young children. Surfside features splash areas for babies and kids, pools and lounge spaces for parents, family-friendly eateries and shops, and a bar with "mommy and me" matching mocktails for kids and cocktails for grownups.

Icon of the Seas also features the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six top-deck waterslides and a cool new ropes course. Your teens will never want to sail on another ship.

Related: The ultimate Icon of the Seas review and guide

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.

Wonder of the Seas: Best ship for luxury lovers

There's no doubt about it, Wonder of the Seas is the Royal Caribbean ship to book if you're looking to live the high life (and are willing to spend big bucks to do so). Unveiled in 2022, the world's second biggest cruise ship (after Icon of the Seas) was the first Royal Caribbean vessel with a private suite complex for the fancy set — a swanky hideaway with an upscale private lounge, restaurant and sun deck (the new Icon of the Seas has one of these, too, but we still rank Wonder of the Seas as our top Royal Caribbean ship for luxury).

If you book a suite in the complex on Wonder of the Seas, you'll be getting a luxury experience of the sort you won't find almost anywhere else in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

Related: What's it like in Wonder's suite complex? We spent $11,000 to find out

Called the Suite Neighborhood, the complex offers some of the biggest (and priciest) suites at sea, including the sprawling, two-deck-high Royal Loft suites that measure more than 1,500 square feet.

A booking for one of the suites also comes with a bevy of perks, from complimentary Wi-Fi to private beach access at Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach destination in Haiti. Among the best perks: Access to private concierges who set up shop daily in the suite complex and will ensure you get prime seats at the ship's shows or a table at the always crowded Mason Jar eatery . On a ship that can carry more than 6,000 people, such reservations are a must.

Note the suite complex is a gated community — one where you'll only be surrounded by other swells who have paid top dollar for exclusivity. Nobody can get into the area unless they have a keycard showing they're a resident.

Related: The 8 best cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

With access to a stylish rooftop pool, loungers at the suite area's private sun deck and higher-level food in its private Coastal Kitchen eatery, you may never want to leave the enclave. However, this being Royal Caribbean, you'll also have access to a seemingly endless array of amusements from waterslides to aerial water shows just steps away.

Freedom of the Seas: Best ship for budget travelers

Freedom of the Seas is the Royal Caribbean ship to pick when you're looking for a quick and affordable getaway — something that isn't a big commitment and won't break the bank.

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. That's not per day, mind you, but for the entire cruise. 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.

For would-be Royal Caribbean cruisers, Freedom of the Seas serves as a sort of "test the line" ship. Its short sailings and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't have the time of your life. It caters heavily to first-time cruisers as well as Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape.

One of three ships in the line's Freedom class that date to the mid-2000s, Freedom of the Seas is no longer the creme-de-la-creme of the Royal Caribbean fleet (though it was when it debuted). At around 156,000 tons, it's about 30% smaller than Royal Caribbean's newer Oasis-class ships and has fewer venues, from bars and restaurants to entertainment spaces.

Related: The 7 classes of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

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.

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.

The only things you won't find are the most over-the-top Royal Caribbean attractions found on newer Royal Caribbean ships, such as zip lines, skydiving simulators and bumper car pavilions.

Quantum of the Seas: Best ship for solo travelers

Royal Caribbean isn't particularly known as a major draw for solo travelers. In recent years, it's doubled down on the family market more than ever. That doesn't mean that solos aren't welcome on its ships or won't have a great time.

If you're looking for the best Royal Caribbean ship for solo travelers, you'll want to start with Quantum of the Seas and its Quantum-class sisters. It's the class of ships where Royal Caribbean made the most effort to appeal to solo travelers.

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.

What's more, unlike Norwegian's solo digs, some of these cabins are ocean-view rooms with balconies. Others have a virtual balcony that, at first glance, looks like a veranda but is actually a digital screen projecting a real-time view of the outside. (It may sound corny, but it works.)

Related: The best cruise ships for solo travelers

While the solo cabins on the Quantum-class ships don't come with a dedicated solo lounge as they do on Norwegian ships, solo travelers will find Royal Caribbean-hosted meetups for solo travelers on the vessels. It's a great way for single travelers to find others in the same boat, so to speak.

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.

In addition, Quantum of the Seas ships is particularly known for its unusual range of activities, from skydiving simulators to bumper cars that you can enjoy just fine as a solo traveler.

Rhapsody of the Seas: Best ship for retirees

For older travelers looking for a Royal Caribbean ship that isn't jammed full of children, it's hard to beat Rhapsody of the Seas.

Dating to 1997, Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest vessels, and it lacks nearly all the gee-whiz attractions for families found on newer Royal Caribbean ships. You won't find big water parks, kiddie splash zones, zip lines or bumper car pavilions on this ship.

For the most part, its top deck only offers pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the 1990s. As a result, it draws far fewer families than the vessels above and caters more to an older crowd of mostly couples.

Rhapsody of the Seas is also the ship that Royal Caribbean deploys on some of its most destination-focused itineraries, the type that have particular appeal to retirees looking to see more of the world.

Related: The 7 best cruises for seniors who love to travel

Over the next two years, for instance, Rhapsody of the Seas is sailing out of such less-common home ports as Colon, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The sailings out of Colon and Cartagena offer the chance to visit Southern Caribbean ports such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao that aren't on most Royal Caribbean itineraries in the Caribbean. The sailings out of San Juan will also get you into the Southern Caribbean, while the sailings out of Israel and Cyprus offer a destination-heavy tour through the Eastern Mediterranean, including stops at multiple Greek islands.

At 78,808 tons, Rhapsody of the Seas is a third the size of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships. Expect a more intimate experience than what you'll find on the bustling Icon-class, Oasis-class, Quantum-class and Freedom-class ships mentioned above.

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.

Bottom line

Royal Caribbean is the world's largest cruise line, with a large fleet of ships that cater to a wide range of traveler types.

While its biggest focus of late has been on the family market, it has ships that will appeal to luxury travelers, budget travelers, solo travelers and retirees as well.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
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Protect Your Trip »

Royal caribbean vs. carnival: quick comparison chart.

Decide which line is best based on costs, food, onboard entertainment and other key factors.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line have quite a bit in common.

Trying to choose between Royal Caribbean and Carnival for your next cruise? Check out the comparison chart below, then read on for more details.

Winner: Royal Caribbean

When it comes to fleet size as well as the features available on cruise ships, Royal Caribbean has an edge over Carnival Cruise Line. That's because Royal Caribbean already has 28 ships in operation, including its incredible Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class ships. Oasis Class vessels like Allure of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are some of the largest in the world – and Royal Caribbean Group is constantly rolling out new, even bigger cruise ships with better amenities and new features. For example, the new Icon of the Seas (scheduled to debut in 2024) plans to have the largest water park at sea, the largest swimming pool at sea, and a range of over-the-top cabins and suites for families of all sizes.

Meanwhile, Carnival currently operates 25 different vessels with a few more on the way. Newer ships like Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia aren't as large and grand as Royal Caribbean ships, nor are the brand-new vessels the company is planning for late 2023 and 2024. For example, the new Carnival Jubilee that is set to begin sailing later in 2023 will have 15 passenger decks and capacity for up to 6,631 guests, compared to 18 guest decks and 7,600 passengers on Icon of the Seas.

Read: The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

SBW-Photo | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Comparing cabins across cruise lines as a whole isn't an easy feat, mostly because companies tend to offer larger suites and cabins with a better layout on their newer ships . You'll therefore likely have a nicer cabin on one of Carnival's newest vessels compared to an older ship from Royal Caribbean, and of course the opposite is also true. Cabin sizes and layouts also vary widely across the vessels of both brands, and that's true even for basic interior, ocean view and balcony cabins.

That said, Royal Caribbean still comes out ahead in this category, since the line boasts more square footage in some of the most basic cabins as well as more over-the-top luxury accommodations, especially for families.

As an example, most inside cabins on Allure of the Seas feature 172 square feet of space, whereas Carnival Celebration's inside cabins are slightly smaller at 158 square feet. Meanwhile, the largest suites on Celebration are the Carnival Excel Presidential Suite, with 1,120 square feet of space including the balcony, and the Carnival Excel Aft Suite, which has 861 square feet of interior and balcony space. Compare those options to the Sky Loft Suites on Allure of the Seas, which feature 1,132 square feet across the room and balcony, and the spacious two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites with 1,595 square feet including the balcony.

Book a cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Winner: Tie

Food options vary widely across vessels within any cruise brand, and this is especially true with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. For example, older ships from both cruise lines offer fewer specialty dining options overall along with the main dining rooms and buffet options cruisers come to expect, whereas newer ships from both lines feature a lot more unique and innovative options.

When you view the cruise dining options from both lines, you'll quickly find that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean pull out all the stops when it comes to food. For example, Carnival ships include a range of eateries from large and expansive buffets to main dining rooms to unique offerings like Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Meanwhile, specialty dining on Carnival vessels features options like teppanyaki, Emeril's Bistros at Sea and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

Royal Caribbean ships feature convenient buffets and main dining room experiences, as well as included options like pizza kitchens, noodle bars and casual fast food. Specialty dining on Royal Caribbean ranges from the brand's Chef's Table experience to Johnny Rockets' burgers and shakes to innovative fine dining at Wonderland.

Drink packages

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer drink packages that cruisers can purchase as part of their vacation to get a more all-inclusive feel . Then again, the value of these packages depends on how much you drink over the course of your trip. Also note that the cost of drink packages across all cruise lines can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, travel dates, length of trip and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out slightly ahead in this category because the line offers three tiers of drink packages for guests with different needs. Choose from the Classic Soda Package; the Refreshment Package, which includes soda along with coffees, juices and even milkshakes at Johnny Rockets; and the Deluxe Beverage Package, which adds in beer, cocktails and wine by the glass. Meanwhile, Carnival offers just two different drink packages: the Bottomless Bubbles package, which covers soft drinks and juice, and the Cheers! drink package, which adds in spirits and cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffee, energy drinks and more.

Read: Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Onboard activities

Analyzing onboard activities across cruise lines isn't always easy – you really have to break down this category by ship for a true comparison. When you do that with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, you'll find that both lines offer fun activities for all ages, from onboard water parks to hosted games, casinos and more.

That said, Royal Caribbean does take things up a notch in this category, especially on the line's newer ships. Some Royal Caribbean vessels offer escape rooms, surf simulators, zip lines, game shows and over-the-top water parks with incredible slides for thrill-seekers. For example, Freedom of the Seas boasts huge onboard waterslides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, mini-golf and more. Don't forget about Icon of the Seas with its massive water park and pool offerings in the works. Meanwhile, standout activities on Carnival ships include Family Feud Live, onboard water parks and the thrilling SkyRide.

Compare Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

Live entertainment

The quality of cruise ship entertainment varies widely based on the quality of the talent booked for individual ships. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer their share of live music and entertainment, including performances by bands and singers, karaoke, and piano bars. Meanwhile, both lines also boast their own theaters on every vessel, which often feature Broadway-style shows, singing and dancing, comedy acts, and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out ahead in this category since its vessels feature award-winning musicals like "Hairspray," "Mamma Mia!" and "Cats." The open-air AquaTheater on Oasis Class ships also wows guests with incredible diving feats, stunts and aerial acrobatics. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have onboard ice skating performances and ice games.

Explore cruise deals on  GoToSea .

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Kids programming

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Winner: Carnival

Both cruise lines have kids clubs that cater to younger guests of all ages, with each one offering supervised care so parents can drop the kids off for some alone time or a quiet dinner on the ship. However, Carnival stands out slightly in this category due to the six different clubs offered across the fleet for children and teens between 6 months and 17 years old. Carnival also offers supervised Night Owls services for kids 11 and younger, which lets parents get out and have some late-night fun for an extra charge.

Royal Caribbean offers four kids clubs for children ages six months to 12, along with a separate club for tweens and teens . Supervised child care is available for free during the day, and you can opt for paid care after hours as well.

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Adults-only offerings

Both cruise lines offer their share of adults-only spaces and things to do, from onboard casinos to luxurious spas to bars that offer cocktails and live entertainment at all hours of the day and night. Carnival and Royal Caribbean also offer adults-only areas on some of their ships.

On Carnival, for example, cruisers will find the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat for sailors 21 and older with extra space and comfortable chairs for relaxation, along with its own bar nearby. On many Royal Caribbean vessels, on the other hand, the onboard Solarium for ages 16-plus has its own pool and extra space to find peace and quiet.

Carnival's Serenity relaxation area is included for guests. While Royal Caribbean's Solarium is typically also included, on certain sailings there is restricted access by fare class.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Shore excursions

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Shore excursions offered by cruise lines are largely operated by third-party companies and are often the same across brands. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a broad selection of excursions in destinations around the world, from snorkeling and scuba tours in the Caribbean to city tours, horseback riding, cooking classes and more.

Both cruise lines offer private and custom tours you can book through your ship as well.

Compare cruises on GoToSea .

Private island experiences

Royal Caribbean and Carnival each have their own private island in the Bahamas , which is included in most itineraries to this part of the world. These private islands provide a fun beach escape for families to enjoy, whether you want to relax in the sun or take part in some of the available activities.

Royal Caribbean's private island, called Perfect Day at CocoCay, is the more impressive option due to everything it includes: a heart-thumping water park, its own wave pool, a zip line, a hot air balloon experience and overwater bungalows you can book for the day, among other offerings. Meanwhile, Carnival's Half Moon Cay has a unique beached pirate ship to explore – but fewer amenities overall.

Note that both private islands have plenty of beach space for guests to spread out and relax, as well as restaurants and bars. You can also book excursions on both private islands, which include activities like snorkeling and water sports.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands

Comparing costs across cruise lines can be tricky since fares and available sales vary throughout the year, as well as based on the vessel booked, the cruise itinerary, the number and age of travelers, and more. To get an idea of who wins on price, we looked for two similar cruises on comparable ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean, then priced out an option for a family of four with two children ages 8 and 10. For the purpose of this comparison, we used seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises on Carnival Celebration and Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, both of which began sailing in 2022.

The Carnival Celebration itinerary from Miami stops in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands . By comparison, the Wonder of the Seas sailing leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten ; San Juan; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

The chart below shows the total cost (including taxes and fees) for a family of four in January 2024 in both an ocean view and a typical balcony cabin across both cruise lines. Note that, for the purpose of this comparison, we selected the least expensive room option in each category.

Read: How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 30 times across most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries around the world. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate this cruise line comparison.

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• The Top Kids Sail Free Cruises

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5 best Royal Caribbean ships for kids

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Royal Caribbean is unarguably one of the best cruise lines for kids. But that doesn’t mean all its ships are equally good for kids of all ages and interests.

Every ship in Royal Caribbean ’s fleet has kid-friendly attractions, such as pools, an outdoor movie screen, a rock-climbing wall and a kids club with age-appropriate activities. The line’s oldest and smallest ships don’t offer much more than that — while the newest and biggest ships in the fleet have many more amusements. These include splash parks and waterslides, ice skating rinks, bumper cars, zip lines, laser tag and fast casual restaurants serving Mexican food and Johnny Rockets burgers and milkshakes.

Royal Caribbean excels at offering something for everyone on its ships. It’s hard to find an age group that wouldn’t find something to love about the line’s newest ships, such as Wonder of the Seas (the current world’s largest ship) or Icon of the Seas (which will steal the title when it debuts in January 2024).

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

As a quick guide, the line’s Vision- and Radiance-class ships have the fewest kid-friendly attractions. Voyager- and Freedom-class ships offer a sweet spot of plenty of family fun with a more manageable size. Oasis- and Icon-class ships are giant megaships packed with restaurants, shows and amusements aimed at kids and families, while Quantum-class ships offer a more sophisticated and high-tech approach to big-ship family fun.

But if we absolutely had to choose the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids, here are the ships we’d pick.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for babies and toddlers: Freedom of the Seas

I cruised with a 1-year-old to Alaska on Rhapsody of the Seas, one of Royal’s oldest and smallest ships, and it wasn’t my best cruise by a long shot. If you’re planning to cruise with little kids, my advice is to start with a short, warm-weather sailing on a ship that caters to the youngest cruisers.

On Royal Caribbean, that means picking a ship that has both a Royal Babies & Tots nursery and a Baby Splash Zone (because kids in swim diapers are not allowed in the main pool and water play areas). For my money, I’d go with Freedom of the Seas. It has both of those baby staples and plenty of restaurants and activities for the adults to enjoy as well. Your preschooler may enjoy the parades down the Royal Promenade followed by a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. (Freedom is one of six Royal Caribbean ships with their own Ben & Jerry’s outlet.)

However, Freedom is not as huge as an Oasis-class ship (which have great offerings for the 3-and-under diapered set), so you’ll have less FOMO when you’re stuck in the cabin after early bedtime. And the halls aren’t quite as long when your new walker decides the best activity on the ship is pushing something up and down the cabin hallways. (Yes, I’ve been there, done that.)

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Plus, Freedom of the Seas sails mainly short three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean’s private island. If your kids are like mine, beaches are fascinating places to play, and CocoCay has a calm bay, pirate ship-themed play area, splash park and a shallow-entry pool perfect for babies and toddlers. Plus, conveniently located complimentary barbecues and tram services make it easier for parents to manage a day at the beach with their kiddos.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for little kids (ages 3-7): Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Icon of the Seas isn’t debuting until January 2024, but I’m already positive it’s the best in the fleet for younger kids. That’s because Royal Caribbean has built the entire ship to target young families .

The line has created a happy place for parents and kids under the age of 7 or so. It’s called Surfside and is an open-air space located at the back of the ship. It will feature a splash area with junior waterslides for kids and an infinity pool for adults. It will also have a beach-themed carousel, dry playground, arcade, multiple family-friendly restaurants (so you don’t have to go far when hunger strikes) and a mommy-and-me cocktail/mocktail bar.

This Deck 7 neighborhood is also a hop, skip and a jump away from the Adventure Ocean kids club on Deck 6.

Related: The best cruise ships for kids

Even better for all those little legs, Surfside will be surrounded by family-themed cabins and suites, many with separate sleeping areas for kids and adults. You won’t have to carry your tuckered-out tyke far when they’re ready for naptime in the cabin.

Because Icon of the Seas is a larger, reimagined version of Royal Caribbean’s beloved Oasis-class ships, families with young children can also enjoy ice skating and acrobatic diving shows, tons of family-friendly dining around the ship and top-deck attractions such as pools and minigolf.

Icon of the Seas will sail family-favorite weeklong itineraries to the Caribbean from the port of Miami . Each cruise also stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for older kids (ages 8-12): Wonder of the Seas

I took my daughter on Wonder of the Seas for her eighth birthday, and I can attest that Wonder (and its Oasis-class siblings) are ideal for older kids. These megaships have so much going on, your kids will never be bored. Or, as soon as they’re finished with one activity, they have several more to turn to next.

Some of the Wonder of the Seas activities have age or size limits, which is why littler kids can’t fully appreciate all it has to offer. For example, my daughter could go rock climbing, play in the splash park and multiple pools, ride the waterslides and the 10-decks-long dry slide. But she was just slightly too short and light to boogie board on the FlowRider or try the zip line. The minimum height requirements are usually 48 or 52 inches.

Related: Why Wonder of the Seas is awesome for families

The Studio B ice skating show and original musical “Effectors II” are perfect for older kids. My daughter was especially wowed by the slackliners, aerialists, dancers and divers we saw at the AquaTheater. Kids ages 8 to 12 may also enjoy Wonder’s escape room, sports court, minigolf course, carousel, promenade parades and arcade.

And let’s not forget about the many fast casual dining venues on the ship. My daughter would have dined on hot dogs and milkshakes at Johnny Rockets every day if I were willing to pay for it. She also enjoyed quesadillas at El Loco Fresh near all the fun top-deck attractions, the Campfire Cookie dessert at Playmakers and browsing the selections at the buffet. Other kid-friendly venues that got her thumbs up included the new-on-Wonder Mason Jar southern-themed specialty restaurant and pizza at both the free Sorrento’s and the extra-fee Giovanni’s.

Wonder of the Seas mainly sails seven-night Caribbean cruises, which is a perfect vacation length for this age group. Book those school-vacation weeks early as they’re popular dates.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for tweens and teens: Odyssey of the Seas

Tweens and teens would certainly enjoy all of the ships already mentioned, but sometimes they’re looking for a vacation that’s a little cooler and perhaps more high-tech. That’s why Odyssey of the Seas is our pick for the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for middle and high school kids.

Odyssey of the Seas and its Quantum-class sister ships have some cool attractions not found on other Royal Caribbean vessels. Teens will love trying the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and bouncing on the Sky Pad VR bungee trampoline. At the ship’s SeaPlex, they can get active with indoor basketball, table tennis and bumper cars, or get their game on at the arcade or virtual-reality play space. If they work up an appetite, they can grab burgers at Playmakers nearby.

The ship also features Two70, a cool hangout by day (grab a bite at the cafe and curl up somewhere away from parents to check your social media feeds) and a high-tech performance venue at night. The NorthStar is a sightseeing pod that rises high above the ship on a mechanical arm; teens can snap a selfie while up there.

Related: The 5 best cruises for teens

Social 180 is the tween and teen hangout on Odyssey of the Seas, and it’s extra cool given that it has both an indoor lounge and an outdoor patio. Plus, the ship has plenty of teen-friendly Royal Caribbean fan favorites, such as the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, laser tag and outdoor movies.

Tweens and teens may also be ready to appreciate Royal Caribbean’s diverse array of specialty restaurants including sushi at Izumi, steaks at Chops Grille and Italian at Giovanni’s. Plus, they can grab quick bites at El Loco Fresh and Sorrento’s.

Odyssey of the Seas sails a mix of weeklong and longer Caribbean sailings, as well as Greek Islands and Holy Land cruises. This gives families more options for more adventurous travel with teens who are ready to handle longer trips or flights to Europe.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families heading to Alaska: Quantum of the Seas

Because most of our family picks are for ships sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas, it seemed like an oversight to leave out Alaska. Alaska is an amazing destination for a family vacation with kids, and Royal Caribbean bases four ships up north every summer. But some are better for families than others.

Our top pick for families sailing to Alaska is Quantum of the Seas (though nearly identical Quantum-class sister ship Ovation of the Seas is a close second). Quantum sails seven-night round-trip cruises from the accessible port of Seattle, perfect for families that can’t take more than a week’s vacation and don’t want to spend the time and money flying to Alaska to board a ship.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

Quantum of the Seas has many of the same amenities as the aforementioned Odyssey of the Seas, which are ideal for Alaska. Indoor activities like kids clubs, the sky diving simulator and SeaPlex will always be usable even if the northern weather gets chilly or rainy. The North Star sightseeing ride is much more appealing when you can take in Alaska’s stunning scenery rather than mere stretches of Caribbean sea. Two70 makes for an equally attractive indoor observation lounge when the ship is cruising through fjords and by glaciers.

Quantum of the Seas get the nod from Ovation because it has two activities Ovation lacks: an escape room and laser tag.

Bottom line

It’s hard to go wrong with any Royal Caribbean cruise ship when you’re planning a family vacation. The bigger the ship, the more amazing kid attractions you’ll find on board. I’d recommend sticking with Voyager class and newer ships when traveling with kids, but even the smaller ships have kids clubs, pools and other family-friendly activities.

So when all is said and done, the best Royal Caribbean ship for kids is likely whichever ship in the fleet your family happens to be on!

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.