Royal Caribbean

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.

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.

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.

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.