Royal Caribbean cruises

Royal Caribbean is the line people picture when they think “mega-ship”: water parks, surf simulators, Broadway-style shows, zip lines and more restaurants than you can try in a week. It’s a blast, but the ships are very different from each other, so picking the right one matters.

I’ve sailed more than ten Royal Caribbean ships, from Icon and Star of the Seas to Liberty and Anthem.

Who it's best for

Families with kids and teens (the kids’ clubs are excellent)
Multi-generation groups who want something for everyone
Thrill-seekers and first-time cruisers who want the “wow”

Maybe not for you if: you want a quiet, adults-only ship or a destination-focused trip. Look at Viking instead.

The ships, in plain English

Icon class (Icon, Star and Legend of the Seas): the biggest and newest, with the most to do. Legend of the Seas debuted in July 2026.
Oasis class: huge, with neighborhoods like Central Park and the Boardwalk. Great for families and usually a better price than Icon.
Quantum class: a bit smaller, with sky-high rides and lots of indoor space. Good for cooler-weather cruises.
Smaller and older ships: great prices and short getaways, with fewer bells and whistles.

Royal Caribbean's private destinations

Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas: water park, beaches and an adults-only beach club
Royal Beach Club in Nassau, on Paradise Island

What's included, and what isn't

Main dining, the buffet, some casual spots, entertainment and most activities are included. Drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, gratuities, some activities and CocoCay’s premium areas cost extra. I’ll help you work out which packages are actually worth it for your family.

From my own trips

My experience

Ships I've sailed

Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. Next up: Legend and Hero of the Seas.

Favorite ship and why

Wonder of the Seas. There’s so much to do, but I especially love the Solarium! It’s my spot to slow down and relax when I want a break from the action.

Cabin tip

Neighborhood Balcony cabins can give you a breeze without the higher ocean-view price point, if you can give up those water views!

CocoCay tip

You can have a great beach day without buying a pass. Entry, beach chairs, umbrellas and several food spots are included.

Questions I get asked

Is Icon of the Seas worth the extra money?

It can be. It has the most to do, but an Oasis-class ship gives you a lot of the same fun for less.

Which drink package should we buy?

It depends on how much you actually drink. I’ll run the numbers with you before you pay for one.

Discover the Magic

Ready for your Royal Caribbean cruise?

Tell me who’s coming and when. I’ll help you pick the ship, the cabin and the packages that are actually worth it.