We're an independent referral service — not a cruise line and not a travel agency.
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International. We connect you with licensed cruise specialists at independent partner agencies and may be paid a referral fee.
We'd rather tell you it isn't than have you spend a week on the wrong ship.
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
Two ships from the same line at the same fare can deliver completely different holidays. Class is the single most useful thing to understand before you choose.
Icon class
Not yet verified
Entered service2024
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
waterparkneighbourhood layoutmulti-level family suites
Typically sails Caribbean
Source pending verification
Oasis class
Not yet verified
Entered service2009
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
Central ParkBoardwalkAquaTheaterzip linecarousel
Typically sails Caribbean, Mediterranean
Source pending verification
Quantum class
Not yet verified
Entered service2014
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
North Star observation capsuleRipCord skydiving simulatorSeaPlexbumper cars
Typically sails Alaska, Asia, Caribbean
Source pending verification
Freedom class
Not yet verified
Entered service2006
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
FlowRider surf simulatorRoyal Promenadeice rink
Typically sails Caribbean, Bahamas
Source pending verification
Voyager class
Not yet verified
Entered service1999
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
Royal Promenadeice rinkrock climbing wall
Typically sails Caribbean, Asia, Europe
Source pending verification
Radiance class
Not yet verified
Entered service2001
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
extensive glass exteriorsglass elevatorsself-levelling pool tables
Typically sails Alaska, Panama Canal, Australia
Source pending verification
Vision class
Not yet verified
Entered service1995
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
solariumglass-walled public rooms
Typically sails Caribbean, Europe
Source pending verification
Which class fits your trip?A specialist knows which ships are actually deployed where, and when.
This is the question that trips up most first-time cruisers. The fare covers a lot, but the gap between fare and final bill is where budgets go wrong. Here's the honest split.
Daily gratuityNot yet verified per guest, per day, added automatically to your onboard account. Suites may be charged at a different rate (Not yet verified). This is a published service charge, not a fare.
Included in your fare
Main dining roomSet or flexible seating
Buffet (Windjammer Marketplace)Open most of the day
Select casual venues
Main theatre productionsReservations recommended
Pools, hot tubs, sports courts
Fitness centreClasses 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
GratuitiesAuto-added daily per guest; VERIFY current amount and whether suites differ
Alcohol, soda, speciality coffeePackages available
Speciality restaurantsCover 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
Source pending verification
Inclusions change more often than any other detail on this page, which is why we re-verify this section every 30 days. Confirm what applies to your specific sailing with the agency that books it.
Choosing a cabin without regret
On the same deck, at the same price, one cabin can be perfect and the next can sit under the nightclub. Cabin number matters as much as cabin category.
Categories offered
InteriorVirtual Balcony InteriorOcean ViewBalconyNeighbourhood BalconyJunior SuiteGrand SuiteOwner's SuiteStar Class suites
Cabin types worth understanding
Virtual balcony
An interior cabin with a floor-to-ceiling live view of the ocean. Real daylight cue without the balcony price. Available on Quantum, Oasis, Icon classes.
Neighbourhood balcony
Overlooks Central Park or Boardwalk rather than the sea Cheaper than an ocean balcony — decide deliberately rather than by price alone.
Before you pick a number
Cabins directly beneath the pool deck, buffet, theatre or nightclub can carry noise
Mid-ship, lower decks feel steadiest in rough water
Check deck plans for obstructed-view balconies before booking on price alone
Connecting cabinsNot yet verified
Accessible cabins per shipNot yet verified
Solo cabinsNot yet verified
Want the actual cabin numbers to avoid?That detail isn't published anywhere. It's what a specialist does in two minutes.
Age bands decide whether siblings are together or split across two clubs — the single most common family surprise on board. Check them before you choose a ship.
Kids clubAdventure Ocean
Age bandsNot yet verified
Minimum sailing ageNot yet verified
NurseryNot yet verified
Teen programmeNot yet verified
BabysittingNot yet verified
Source pending verification
Accessibility
Accessible cabins are limited in number and sell out long before general inventory. If you need one, booking early matters more here than anywhere else in travel.
Tender ports Tender ports can be difficult or impossible with a wheelchair or scooter; the line publishes guidance per itinerary
Accessible cabin categoriesNot yet verified
Wheelchair & scooter policyNot yet verified
Service animalsNot yet verified
Medical equipmentNot yet verified
Source pending verification
Need an accessible cabin?Availability isn't visible on booking sites. A specialist can check it directly.
We don't publish fares — they move daily and any number here would be wrong by the time you read it. What doesn't change is what moves the price. Understand these six and you'll know whether a quote is good before you're told.
Sailing month
School 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 class
The 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 category
Interior to balcony is usually the single biggest step in the fare. Neighbourhood balconies sit between the two.
Itinerary length
Cost per night often falls as sailings get longer, so a 7-night can be better value per day than a 4-night.
What you add
Gratuities, drinks, wi-fi, speciality dining and excursions can meaningfully change the all-in total. Compare the total, not the fare.
How far ahead you book
Cabin categories sell out unevenly. Accessible and connecting cabins in particular go early regardless of the calendar.
Get the real number for your datesPricing is live and specific to your sailing. A specialist quotes it in minutes.
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.
Where this information comes from
Every factual claim on this page is taken from a primary source and carries its own verification date. We re-check inclusions every 30 days and ship specifications every 90.
Facts are compiled independently from published sources. Descriptions and opinions are our own. Cruise lines change fleets, facilities and policies frequently — always confirm details that matter with the agency booking your trip.
Talk to a Royal Caribbean specialistFree · no obligation · EN/ES