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The most affordable rooms, no window, but the same comfy beds, bathroom and service. Perfect if you plan to be out exploring.
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Big-ship resortRoyal Caribbean
Big, activity-packed ships for families and first-timers.
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Compare Royal Caribbean with any other cruise line, and see who wins on what matters.
No more hopping between pages. Line them up on the money-and-complexity facts, gratuities, what's included, drink rules, cancellation, then one call gets you the best rate our partners can offer.
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Verified from official sources· checked Jul 18, 2026 96/96 facts verified from official sources
These differences add up. Call and we'll sort them for your trip.
☎Get your options, call nowRoyal Caribbean is best described as big-ship resort. Big, activity-packed ships for families and first-timers. Below is an independent, source-checked look at what actually matters before you book, and the money-and-complexity details worth a phone call.
Big-ship resort
The facts that cost money
These are the details that quietly change your final bill and vary by fare, cabin and sailing. We verify each from its source and re-check every 30 days; anything not yet verified is shown as a gap rather than guessed.
| Daily gratuitiesA published service charge added to your onboard account each day | $21.00/day in suites; $18.50/day in all other staterooms (per guest) |
|---|---|
| What's included vs. extraDining and entertainment vs. specialty dining, drinks, wifi, excursions | Included: main dining & buffet, casual venues, water/tea/select juices/classic coffee, pools & whirlpools, thrill activities, fitness centre, Adventure Ocean youth program, shows & entertainment, private-destination access. Extra: beverage packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, spa, arcade, casino. |
| Drink package ruleWhether all adults in the cabin must buy it | Alcohol (Deluxe) package: every guest of legal drinking age in the same stateroom must buy it. Non-alcoholic packages can be bought individually. |
| Wi-FiIncluded, or tiered packages at extra cost | VOOM high-speed internet, a paid add-on, not included in the base fare; cost varies by number of devices and package tier. |
| Deposit & final paymentWhen the balance is due before sailing | Final payment due 75 days before sailing (1-4 nights), 90 days (5-14 nights), 120 days (15+ nights). |
| Cancellation & refundsPenalty schedule as the sailing gets closer | By cruise length (US ticket contract): 1-4 nights, 75+ days = no charge, 74-61 = 50%, 60-31 = 75%, 30 or fewer = 100%. 5-14 nights, 90+ = none, 89-75 = 25%, 74-61 = 50%, 60-31 = 75%, 30 or fewer = 100%. 15+ nights, 120+ = none, 119-61 = 25%, 60-41 = 50%, 40-25 = 75%, 24 or fewer = 100%. |
| Refundable vs non-refundableFare/deposit types and what you forfeit | Most lines sell both a refundable-deposit fare and a lower non-refundable-deposit fare; a non-refundable deposit is forfeited if you cancel and change fees can apply. (General, fare types vary by sailing.) |
| Solo traveller supplementSingle supplement and whether solo cabins exist | A single supplement usually applies to solo travellers (roughly the cost of two fares); some ships offer dedicated solo cabins. Availability varies by ship and sailing, an advisor can find the solo-friendly options. |
| Kids, minimum age & clubsMinimum age to sail and kids-club age bands | Infants must be at least 6 months old to sail; 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South American and any cruise with 3+ consecutive sea days. Kids programme: Adventure Ocean. |
| Onboard credit termsRefundable vs non-refundable onboard credit | Onboard credit comes from promotions or loyalty status, not the base fare. Refundable credit can be withdrawn as cash at the end of the sailing; non-refundable credit must be spent onboard. (General, amounts and terms vary by offer.) |
| Loyalty programmeProgramme name and how tiers work | Crown & Anchor Society, 1 point per night; 2 per night in a suite; 3 per night sailing solo in a suite. |
| Travel documentsPassport vs birth certificate on closed-loop sailings | US citizens born in the US can sail most (not all) closed-loop US departures with a state-certified birth certificate + government photo ID; a passport is recommended and is required for some sailings. |
These are exactly the details that surprise people at the pier and on the final bill. Call and we'll confirm every one for your ship, cabin and dates, and the best rate our partners can offer.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250At a glance
Founded1968
HeadquartersMiami, Florida
Parent companyRoyal Caribbean Group
Ships in fleet30
Loyalty programmeCrown & Anchor Society
StyleBig Ship Resort
Is this the right line for you?
✓ A strong fit for
- Families with children and teenagers
- First-time cruisers who want maximum wow factor
- Groups where everyone wants something different
- Travellers who enjoy structure and activity
- Anyone who wants the ship itself to be the attraction
✕ Probably not for
- Travellers seeking quiet, adults-only calm
- Those who dislike crowds and queuing
- Cruisers who rank gourmet dining above everything
- Anyone wanting small ports that large ships cannot reach
The fleet, class by class
Icon class
Icon of the Seas
2024 · 5,610 guests
View ship →Star of the Seas
2025 · 5,610 guests
View ship →Legend of the Seas
2026 · 5,610 guests
View ship →Oasis class
Utopia of the Seas
2024 · 5,668 guests
View ship →Wonder of the Seas
2022 · 5,734 guests
View ship →Harmony of the Seas
2016 · 5,697 guests
View ship →Symphony of the Seas
2018 · 5,518 guests
View ship →Allure of the Seas
2010 · 5,718 guests
View ship →Oasis of the Seas
2009 · 5,602 guests
View ship →Quantum Ultra class
Quantum class
Anthem of the Seas
2015 · 4,180 guests
View ship →Ovation of the Seas
2016 · 4,234 guests
View ship →Quantum of the Seas
2014 · 4,180 guests
View ship →Freedom class
Independence of the Seas
2008 · 3,858 guests
View ship →Freedom of the Seas
2006 · 3,926 guests
View ship →Liberty of the Seas
2007 · 3,948 guests
View ship →Voyager class
Adventure of the Seas
2001 · 3,114 guests
View ship →Explorer of the Seas
2000 · 3,286 guests
View ship →Mariner of the Seas
2003 · 3,344 guests
View ship →Navigator of the Seas
2002 · 3,368 guests
View ship →Voyager of the Seas
1999 · 3,602 guests
View ship →Radiance class
Brilliance of the Seas
2002 · 2,142 guests
View ship →Jewel of the Seas
2004 · 2,191 guests
View ship →Radiance of the Seas
2001 · 2,143 guests
View ship →Serenade of the Seas
2003 · 2,143 guests
View ship →Vision class
Enchantment of the Seas
1997 · 2,252 guests
View ship →Grandeur of the Seas
1996 · 1,992 guests
View ship →Rhapsody of the Seas
1997 · 2,040 guests
View ship →Vision of the Seas
1998 · 2,050 guests
View ship →Not sure which Royal Caribbean ship fits your trip? A specialist knows which ships sail where, and when.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250What's included, and what isn't
Included in your fare
- Main dining room, Set or flexible seating
- Buffet (Windjammer Marketplace), Open most of the day
- Select casual venues
- Main theatre productions, Reservations recommended
- Pools, hot tubs, sports courts
- Fitness centre, Classes may carry a fee
- Kids club (Adventure Ocean), Core hours; late-night care may cost extra
- Water, drip coffee, tea, select juice at breakfast
Costs extra
- Gratuities
- Alcohol, soda, speciality coffee, Packages available
- Speciality restaurants, Cover charge or à la carte; dining packages exist
- Wi-fi (VOOM), Tiered packages
- Shore excursions
- Spa and salon
- Casino, arcade, bingo
- Laundry and pressing
- Select premium activities
Choosing a cabin
Ocean View
A sealed window or porthole onto the sea, natural light and a view, without the extra of a balcony.
Balcony
Your own private outdoor space for morning coffee and sail-aways, the most popular choice for good reason.
Suite
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
Royal Suite Class (Sea, Sky, Star tiers)
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
The right cabin, and the numbers to avoid on each ship, is exactly what an advisor knows.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Cruising with children
Kids clubAdventure Ocean
Minimum sailing age6 months; 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South America and any sailing with 3+ consecutive sea days
What's on board for kids & teens:
Surfside
Whole neighborhood built for young families, with pool, carousel, eateries and play spaces.
Splashaway Bay
Aquapark play zone for kids with slides and sprayers.
Adventure Ocean
Kids club with interactive games and programming by age group.
Social020
Teens-only hangout with gaming, music and events.
Once Upon a Bedtime Story
Family reading/story program.
Steel Pan Family Jam
Family music activity.
Travelling with kids? An advisor books connecting cabins, dining times and the right club, and finds the family deals.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Accessibility
Tender ports can be difficult or impossible with a wheelchair or scooter; the line publishes guidance per itinerary
Where and when it sails
RegionsCaribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Transatlantic repositioning
Typical lengths3 night, 4 night, 5 night, 7 night, 8+ night
Home ports:
Miami, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL
Tampa, FL
Galveston, TX
New Orleans, LA
Cape Liberty (New York), NJ
Boston, MA
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
Honolulu, HI
Vancouver, BC
Montreal, QC
Quebec City, QCWhat actually drives the cost
Sailing monthSchool holidays, Christmas and New Year carry the highest demand of the year. The same itinerary in a shoulder week is a different proposition entirely.
Ship age and classThe newest ships command a premium over older tonnage sailing similar routes. If facilities matter less to you than the destination, an older class often delivers the same itinerary.
Cabin categoryInterior to balcony is usually the single biggest step in the fare. Neighbourhood balconies sit between the two.
Itinerary lengthCost per night often falls as sailings get longer, so a 7-night can be better value per day than a 4-night.
What you addGratuities, drinks, wi-fi, speciality dining and excursions can meaningfully change the all-in total. Compare the total, not the fare.
How far ahead you bookCabin categories sell out unevenly. Accessible and connecting cabins in particular go early regardless of the calendar.
Prices move daily by ship, date and cabin. One call gets you the real number for your trip, and the best rate our partners can offer.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Updates
Latest Royal Caribbean updates
No updates right now. Call and we'll confirm the latest policy from the source.
Questions people actually ask
Which Royal Caribbean ship is best for young children?
The newer and larger classes carry the deepest children's facilities, bigger waterparks, more kids' club capacity with tighter age bands, and more connecting cabin options. The right answer still depends on your children's ages and how long you want to sail, which is why this is worth two minutes on the phone.
What is a neighbourhood balcony and should I book one?
On the largest classes some balconies face inward over Central Park or the Boardwalk rather than the sea. They cost less than an ocean balcony. Some travellers love the atmosphere and the shelter; others find them enclosed and noisy above the Boardwalk. Decide deliberately rather than by price.
Do the biggest ships feel crowded?
They carry more passengers but also far more venues and deck space, so density varies by design and by how you use the ship. Classes with strong neighbourhood separation tend to feel less busy than the headline capacity suggests.
Is a drinks package worth buying?
It depends entirely on how much you actually drink, and packages generally must be bought for all adults in a cabin. The maths is simple once someone walks you through it honestly, which a specialist can do in a couple of minutes.
Helpful guides
Free, factual reading to help you decide, then one call books it.
Choosing a cabinInterior to suite, what you get, what to watch for, and the cabins to avoid.Read guide →
What's includedThe gap between the fare and your final bill, explained plainly.Read guide →
Cruise gratuities explainedThe daily service charge, how it works, who it goes to, and how to plan for it.Read guide →
Find an affordable cruiseThe real levers that move the price, without the fake-deal gimmicks.Read guide →
Deposits, payment & cancellationThe booking timeline that keeps you in control of your money.Read guide →
Are drink packages worth it?How to tell, plus the whole-cabin rule that catches people out.Read guide →
Cruise Wi-Fi explainedPackages, tiers and what to realistically expect at sea.Read guide →
Refundable vs non-refundableWhich fare type fits your plans, and where insurance helps.Read guide →
Hidden cruise costsThe extras first-timers forget to budget for, in one checklist.Read guide →
How cruise pricing worksWhy fares vary, how lines price a sailing, and how to time it right.Read guide →
Onboard credit, explainedWhere it comes from, refundable vs not, and how to spend it well.Read guide →
Big ship vs small shipFloating resort or intimate vessel? How to pick the size that fits.Read guide →
How to choose a cruise lineMatch the line to how you travel, in three quick steps.Read guide →
Solo cruisingThe single supplement, solo cabins, and how to travel alone well.Read guide →
Groups & familiesConnecting cabins, kids' clubs, group dining and split payments, sorted.Read guide →
Accessible cruisingAccessible cabins, tendering, and what to confirm before you book.Read guide →Talk to a Royal Caribbean specialist
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