Beginner’s Guide to Royal Caribbean: Ships, Dining, Destinations & More

• Innovative fleet and mega-resorts: Royal Caribbean boasts the largest and most innovative fleet at sea, with ships designed as floating cities featuring distinct, themed neighbourhoods.

• Record-breaking onboard experiences: From surfing simulators and zip lines to Broadway shows and massive waterparks, Royal Caribbean offers non-stop, high-energy fun for everyone.

• Global destinations: With itineraries covering over 200 destinations worldwide, including Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, guests can explore the world on the biggest ships.

If you’re looking for a cruise line that blends record-breaking innovation with the ultimate family adventure, Royal Caribbean is the top choice.

Known for its massive, modern ships, diverse itineraries, and thrilling atmosphere, Royal Caribbean has become a favourite for both first-time cruisers and adventure-seeking families.

In this ultimate guide, discover everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean before you set sail.

Meet The Royal Caribbean Fleet

Royal Caribbean operates one of the most modern and innovative fleets at sea, featuring more than 25 ships across several classes.

Each class of ship is designed to wow guests in a slightly different way, with unique features and amenities onboard.

Royal Caribbean Ship Classes

Icon Class:

• Icon of the Seas

• Star of the Seas

The newest class, Icon Class ships offer the largest waterparks at sea (Category 6), the revolutionary AquaDome entertainment venue, the family-dedicated Surfside neighbourhood, and the thrilling Crown’s Edge ropes course experience.

Oasis Class:

• Wonder of the Seas

• Symphony of the Seas

• Harmony of the Seas

• Allure of the Seas

• Oasis of the Seas

• Utopia of the Seas

These are the world’s largest cruise ships, known for their seven distinct neighbourhoods, the AquaTheater high-diving shows, the ten-story Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and the natural open-air space of Central Park.

Quantum Class:

• Quantum of the Seas

• Anthem of the Seas

• Ovation of the Seas

• Spectrum of the Seas

• Odyssey of the Seas

Focusing on high-tech innovation and enclosed spaces, the Quantum Class offers the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, the North Star observation pod (lifting guests 300 feet above the sea), the multi-purpose SeaPlex activity space, and the two-story Two70 entertainment lounge.

Radiance Class:

• Brilliance of the Seas

• Jewel of the Seas

• Radiance of the Seas

• Serenade of the Seas

These mid-sized ships are designed for scenic cruising, offering a higher percentage of ocean-view staterooms. They feature nine acres of glass, numerous glass elevators, the enclosed, tropical-themed Solarium, and spectacular 70-foot high atrium views.

Vision Class:

• Enchantment of the Seas

• Grandeur of the Seas

• Rhapsody of the Seas

• Vision of the Seas

These ships are smaller and focus on port-intensive itineraries, giving you more time to explore destinations. They are known for their classic cruise atmosphere, the signature glass-domed Solarium pool area, and extensive use of ocean-facing windows.

Freedom Class:

• Freedom of the Seas

• Liberty of the Seas

• Independence of the Seas

These "Amplified" ships brought game-changing features to the sea, including the FlowRider® surf simulator, the H2O Zone waterpark (or Splashaway Bay), and cantilevered whirlpools, all built around the multi-level Royal Promenade.

Voyager Class:

• Voyager of the Seas

• Explorer of the Seas

• Adventure of the Seas

• Navigator of the Seas

• Mariner of the Seas

The original game-changers, these ships introduced the concept of the massive floating resort. They feature the Royal Promenade, the Ice Skating Rink, and the iconic Rock Climbing Wall at sea.

Dining on Royal Caribbean

Food is at the heart of the Royal Caribbean experience, with a strong focus on high-quality international dining and specialty venues.

Guests can enjoy a wide range of international cuisines, from American steakhouse classics and fresh sushi to fun casual options like pizza and hot dogs.

The main dining rooms serve multi-course meals with rotating menus that feature high-quality dishes throughout the cruise.

Specialty restaurants provide an elevated experience: Chops Grille serves premium cuts of steak, Izumi delights with authentic Asian cuisine, and Jamie's Italian offers rustic, hearty Italian dining.

Royal Caribbean also caters for dietary requirements, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus widely available upon request.

Bars & Lounges

Royal Caribbean ships feature a diverse bar and lounge scene, offering spaces to suit every mood and occasion.

You’ll find everything from sophisticated wine bars like the Vintages Wine Bar to casual spots like the Schooner Bar, known for its classic nautical theme and piano entertainment.

For unique fun, the Bionic Bar (on select ships) features robot bartenders mixing cocktails.

The Boleros lounge is perfect for Latin-inspired music and dancing, while the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade provides a casual spot to enjoy drinks and live sporting events.

Coffee lovers will appreciate the dedicated cafes serving Starbucks or Illy coffee blends, depending on the ship.

Entertainment & Shows

Entertainment is a major highlight of every Royal Caribbean cruise.

Guests can enjoy full-scale Broadway-style productions, world-class dive performances in the AquaTheater, stunning ice-skating shows, live music, and themed parties.

On select ships, high-tech venues host incredible digital and theatrical shows, pushing the boundaries of technology and performance at sea.

Families will enjoy 4D cinemas, virtual reality arcades, and family-friendly game shows.

The nightlife continues late into the evening with onboard casinos, nightclubs like the Viking Crown Lounge, karaoke lounges, and dance parties that appeal to all ages.

Onboard Activities

Royal Caribbean Cruises offers an array of activities for both thrill-seekers and those looking to relax.

Thrill-seekers can enjoy exhilarating waterparks like The Perfect Storm℠, the FlowRider surf simulator, Zip Lines over the open deck, and the North Star observation capsule.

For wellness, the Vitality℠ Spa offers relaxing treatments, saunas, and serene relaxation areas.

The fitness centres are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and group classes including yoga, Pilates, and spinning.

Families are exceptionally well catered for with kids’ clubs tailored to specific age groups (Adventure Ocean).

Plus, partnerships ensure plenty of engaging, supervised fun for toddlers to teens.

Destinations & Itineraries

Royal Caribbean sails to more than 200 destinations across the globe, offering itineraries to suit every kind of traveller.

The Caribbean remains Royal Caribbean’s signature region, with sailings that explore The Bahamas, Mexico, and the Eastern and Western Caribbean islands.

In the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean features exclusive access to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, a private destination featuring adrenaline-pumping thrills and serene beach escapes.

Other itineraries include the beautiful glaciers of Alaska, the ancient sites of the Mediterranean, the scenic Norwegian Fjords, and exotic voyages to Asia and South America.

If you’re looking for an extended adventure, Royal Caribbean also offers longer, repositioning voyages.

Why Choose Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean combines massive, innovative ships, adventure-focused itineraries, and excellent value for money.

The cruise line has a strong focus on the North American market but caters to an international audience, making it appealing for travellers who enjoy a high-energy, exciting atmosphere.

Families appreciate the flexible dining, kids’ programmes, and cabins, while adventure seekers enjoy the plethora of included activities like the FlowRider and rock climbing.

With its focus on thrilling experiences, incredible value, and guest satisfaction, Royal Caribbean continues to grow in popularity as one of the world’s leading cruise lines.