Even when you’re a newcomer to cruising, you’ve got in all probability heard of Royal Caribbean‘s big Icon Class and Oasis Class ships. Aside from two MSC Cruises vessels — MSC World Europa and MSC World America — they’re far greater than another cruise vessel afloat and like nothing else you will discover at sea.
Certainly, if you hear folks speaking concerning the wow issue of Royal Caribbean’s “floating megaresorts,” it is probably they’re referring to the seven ships in these two units of vessels. This consists of the just lately unveiled Icon of the Seas — the world’s greatest cruise ship.
That stated, not all Royal Caribbean ships are equally supersized. Whereas the road is maybe finest recognized for big vessels — it operates seven of the ten greatest cruise ships on the earth — it additionally markets some comparatively smaller, extra intimate ships.
In actual fact, Royal Caribbean has eight vessels which are lower than half the scale of the Icon Class and Oasis Class ships.
In the event you’re fascinated with reserving a Royal Caribbean cruise, you will discover the road presents a variety of ship types and designs.
With the addition of 4 new ships and the elimination of two older vessels from its fleet since 2020, Royal Caribbean — the world’s largest cruise line by passenger capability — now has 28 oceangoing ships in all. That is greater than another main cruise line, and it means that you’ve got a number of selections with regards to selecting the proper Royal Caribbean ship for you.
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The excellent news for these of you making an attempt to get a deal with on all of the choices is that the 28 ships can simply be bunched into simply seven teams of vessels which have comparable facilities. If you already know one member of the group, you already know all of them.
These seven teams are made up of ships constructed across the identical time with the identical primary design. They’re recognized in cruise trade lingo as “lessons,” and every has its personal appear and feel.
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An introduction to Royal Caribbean ships
For probably the most half, Royal Caribbean operates huge, bustling megaships that may attraction to individuals who like a megaresort expertise. The corporate has constructed its model round providing vacationers a ton of diversions on its ships, whether or not for eating (some vessels have greater than 20 distinct locations to seize a chew) or leisure. Its vessels are vigorous and enjoyable.
The over-the-top megaresort expertise on a Royal Caribbean ship varies from class to class, although.
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The road’s one Icon Class and 6 Oasis Class ships are not like anything you will discover at sea with regards to measurement, facilities and capability. They every can maintain greater than 6,600 passengers, with each berth full.
Considerably smaller in measurement however nonetheless big by any measure, every of the road’s 5 Quantum Class and three Freedom Class vessels has a complete capability starting from round 4,500 to five,600 passengers. With area for round 3,800 passengers at most occupancy, the road’s 5 Voyager Class vessels are comparatively giant, too.
Collectively, the 20 vessels of those 5 lessons — Icon, Oasis, Quantum, Freedom and Voyager — make up Royal Caribbean’s big-ship fleet. The road’s remaining eight vessels, cut up amongst two lessons, are smaller, with most occupancy topping out at round 2,500 passengers.
Whereas not the main focus at Royal Caribbean, the smaller ships (that are typically the road’s older ships) permit it to supply itineraries to locations that are not as simple for large ships to go to. Not all ports on the earth can deal with a ship the scale of Icon of the Seas.
The smaller ships additionally attraction to a subset of Royal Caribbean followers preferring extra intimacy in a cruise vessel and do not thoughts giving up some onboard facilities to get it. They’re additionally typically cheaper to sail per day.
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As you may anticipate, the most important Royal Caribbean ships have probably the most facilities. With every step down in measurement, you will discover fewer eating places, bars, leisure venues and points of interest. Even the smallest Royal Caribbean ships nonetheless have fairly a bit to supply, although.
In the event you’re crusing with the road for the primary time, it is vital to grasp that not all of Royal Caribbean’s signature points of interest and venues are current on all its ships. As an example, whereas each Royal Caribbean vessel now has one of many line’s iconic climbing partitions (some have two), solely the 20 ships of the road’s big-ship lessons have a FlowRider browsing simulator. Solely the 15 ships of the Icon, Oasis, Freedom and Voyager lessons have ice skating rinks.
Here’s a take a look at the seven lessons of Royal Caribbean ships in additional element.
Icon Class
Ships at school: Icon of the Seas (2024), Star of the Seas (coming in August), Legend of the Seas (coming in 2026) and an unnamed vessel (coming in 2027)
Dimension: 248,663 tons
Is your thought of an awesome trip a visit to a megaresort loaded with extra eating places, bars, theaters and watery amusements than you possibly can think about? Royal Caribbean’s new Icon Class is the ship class for you.
As talked about above, Icon of the Seas — the one Icon Class ship at present in operation — is greater than another cruise vessel afloat at 248,663 tons, and for big-ship lovers, there’s actually nothing fairly prefer it. Three further Icon Class ships debuting over the subsequent three years will probably be equally excessive in measurement and venues.
Every of the Icon Class vessels which are working or quickly to debut has been designed with seven separate swimming pools (a brand new report for a cruise ship), a water park with six waterslides (additionally a report), a kiddie splash zone, browsing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball courtroom and even a zipper line. And that is simply on their high decks.
Contained in the vessels, you will discover extra lounges, bars, eating places and outlets than you possibly can think about — plus large casinos, spas and showrooms with Broadway-style reveals. They even have indoor ice skating rinks, simply in case you need to get your Michelle Kwan on.
What you will not discover on the Icon Class ships is intimacy. These are vessels that may carry as many as 7,600 passengers when each berth is crammed. They function with round 2,300 crew members. Which means you can be sharing your trip with almost 10,000 folks.
If the above sounds downright outrageous to you, it’s. Take note, although, that the most important megaresorts on land are even greater. The most important resort within the U.S. — The Venetian Resort Las Vegas — has 7,092 rooms. Which means it could actually maintain greater than 14,000 company, assuming there are two folks per room.
By that measure, Icon Class ships are nearly small.
Icon Class ships additionally do not essentially really feel as crowded as they’re. Royal Caribbean’s designers are masters at creating vessels that may carry hundreds and hundreds of individuals however nonetheless really feel comparatively uncrowded — at the very least in some areas. You may have a quiet afternoon studying a e-book on a bench within the typically almost empty, tree-lined Central Park space of Icon of the Seas whereas hundreds of vacationers are frolicking about on the ship’s swimming pools only a few decks above.
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Whereas just one ship on this collection (Icon of the Seas) is at present working, the second and third vessels within the collection (Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas) are already open for bookings. The maiden voyage for Star of the Seas is about for Aug. 31, 2025. Legend of the Seas is scheduled to debut Aug. 2, 2026.
A fourth, as but unnamed, Icon Class ship is on order for supply in 2027.
Quantum Class
Ships at school: Quantum of the Seas (2014), Anthem of the Seas (2015), Ovation of the Seas (2016), Spectrum of the Seas (2019) and Odyssey of the Seas (2021)
Dimension: 168,666 to 169,379 tons
Unveiled in 2014, the Quantum Class could also be Royal Caribbean’s most modern class ever.
Along with a variety of eating places, bars and showrooms, the 5 ships within the class function a number of the most uncommon new points of interest you will discover at sea. This consists of bumper automotive pavilions (sure, one way or the other they discovered room for these) and skydiving simulators.
The ships even have glass-enclosed capsules mounted on mechanical arms that may take you hovering into the sky for chook’s-eye views. They’re known as the North Star rides, they usually could be the oddest points of interest ever added to the highest of a cruise ship.
Quantum Class ships additionally function uncommon multilevel leisure areas with floor-to-ceiling glass partitions known as Two70. The areas are dwelling to modern reveals that usually function aerial performers, singers and dancers who emerge from openings within the ground or the ceiling. At sure occasions of the day, the glass partitions remodel into an expansive ambient floor known as Vistarama that tasks actual and imagined scenes.
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All of the above come along with lots of the core Royal Caribbean points of interest you will discover on many of the model’s ships, together with swimming pools, mountaineering partitions, casinos, spas and Broadway-style reveals. However do not anticipate all of the traditional Royal Caribbean options on Quantum Class ships. As an example, you will not discover ice skating rinks on the vessels though they are a staple of all different huge Royal Caribbean ships. Quantum Class ships additionally haven’t got water parks.
The Quantum Class ships aren’t fairly as huge as Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and Oasis Class vessels (and thus haven’t got fairly as a lot room for issues like ice skating rinks). At round 169,000 tons, although, they’re nonetheless among the many greatest ships at sea, with a major variety of venues.
Additionally they can carry so much of individuals. Many of the ships within the class maintain 4,180 passengers at double occupancy — 4,905 if each berth is crammed. One exception is Spectrum of the Seas, which was particularly constructed for the China market with some design variations. It may maintain as much as 5,622 passengers. Moreover, the latest ship within the collection, Odyssey of the Seas, can maintain as much as 5,498 passengers.
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Yet one more huge distinction between the ships of the Quantum Class and different huge Royal Caribbean ships: The Quantum Class ships are designed to be extra versatile.
In the event you look carefully at their deck plans, you will discover that extra of their principal points of interest are indoors and shielded from the weather than the ships of the Icon, Oasis and Freedom lessons, for instance.
One of many two principal pool areas on every Quantum Class ship (besides Odyssey of the Seas) is enclosed. The bumper automotive pavilions are, too, doubling as curler skating rinks or indoor basketball courts. This enables Royal Caribbean to ship the ships to cooler areas of the world, corresponding to Alaska and Northern Europe, the place the temperatures aren’t all the time conducive to out of doors exercise.
Royal Caribbean has additionally used some Quantum Class ships for sailings out of China.
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Oasis Class
Ships at school: Oasis of the Seas (2009), Attract of the Seas (2010), Concord of the Seas (2016), Symphony of the Seas (2018), Surprise of the Seas (2022), Utopia of the Seas (2024) and an unnamed vessel (coming in 2028)
Dimension: 226,838 to 236,857 tons
Till this yr’s debut of Icon of the Seas, these have been the world’s greatest and most venue-packed cruise ships. Though they are not fairly as huge as the brand new vessel, they continue to be among the many best possible choices for vacationers who love nothing greater than an enormous, bustling resort with each form of amusement recognized to people.
Every of the Oasis Class vessels has three separate principal pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, browsing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball courtroom and a zipper line on their high decks — a virtually as big selection of options as the brand new Icon of the Seas. Contained in the vessels, as on Icon of the Seas, you will discover a seemingly countless variety of lounges, bars, eating places and outlets, in addition to giant casinos, spas and showrooms. Like Icon of the Seas, every ship has an indoor ice skating rink.
As is the case for Royal Caribbean’s new Icon Class ships, which have many similarities with the Oasis Class ships, these vessels carry an enormous variety of folks. They will carry as many as 6,988 passengers when each berth is crammed. They function with round 2,200 crew members. Which means you can be sharing your trip with greater than 9,000 folks — not fairly as many because the almost 10,000 you can discover on an Icon Class ship however nonetheless an enormous quantity.
The excellent news for these of you anxious about extreme crowds is that, as is the case with the Icon Class ships, the Oasis Class ships do not essentially really feel as crowded as they’re. Royal Caribbean designed them with a “neighborhood” idea that spreads passengers out in seven or eight (relying on the ship) distinct areas, such because the Pool and Sports activities Zone and the Boardwalk amusement zone. Lots of thought went into how passengers transfer between these neighborhoods, too.
Observe that there are just a few variations from ship to ship within the Oasis Class collection. For starters, the 4 latest and largest ships within the collection — Utopia of the Seas, Surprise of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Concord of the Seas — have just a few further points of interest and venues. Amongst them is the Final Abyss, a terrifying slide that drops 9 decks. (Royal Caribbean says it drops 10 decks, however do not be fooled; the road counts a nonexistent Deck 13.)
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A handful of eating places additionally differ from ship to ship within the collection.
The 2 latest and largest ships within the collection, Utopia of the Seas and Surprise of the Seas, have probably the most variations from the opposite Oasis Class vessels. At 236,473 tons and 235,600 tons, respectively, they’re about 4% greater than the subsequent greatest ship within the collection; the additional area is dedicated to such additions as a devoted suite space with a non-public lounge, a restaurant and a sundeck.
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A seventh, as-yet-unnamed ship within the Oasis Class collection is below building and anticipated to debut in 2028. It is being constructed by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France — the identical shipyard that constructed Utopia of the Seas and Surprise of the Seas.
Radiance Class
Ships at school: Radiance of the Seas (2001), Brilliance of the Seas (2002), Serenade of the Seas (2003) and Jewel of the Seas (2004)
Dimension: 90,090 tons
Unsure you need to sail on a megaship with 6,000 folks however nonetheless desire a vessel with a very good quantity of options and actions? The Radiance Class ships could be the excellent resolution.
At 90,090 tons, the 4 vessels within the collection are lower than half the scale of Royal Caribbean’s huge Icon Class and Oasis Class ships however are nonetheless sufficiently big that they’ve so much to supply.
Every vessel has greater than a half dozen locations to eat, together with the principle restaurant, an informal buffet, a steakhouse, an Italian restaurant and an Asian venue.
You may additionally discover three swimming pools on every ship, whirlpools, a mountaineering wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium. Every ship has a theater, a spa, a on line casino and a number of bars and lounges.
What you will not discover on the ships, due to their smaller measurement, are all of the gee-whiz points of interest — corresponding to ice skating rinks, browsing simulators, big waterslides and bumper automotive pavilions — that Royal Caribbean has placed on its greater vessels. If you cannot stay with out these kinds of options on a cruise ship, the Radiance Class in all probability is not for you.
Every Radiance Class ship holds greater than 2,100 passengers at double occupancy (plus just a few hundred extra with each berth crammed). That is lower than half the variety of passengers on the most important Royal Caribbean ships.
That makes them excellent for cruisers who need to get away from the form of crowds on the most important megaships with out giving up lots of the facilities that huge ships supply.
Freedom Class
Ships at school: Freedom of the Seas (2006), Liberty of the Seas (2007) and Independence of the Seas (2008)
Dimension: 154,407 to 156,271 tons
As just lately as 2009, these have been the most important cruise ships on the earth, they usually’re nonetheless fairly huge in comparison with nearly all different cruise vessels afloat.
Whereas not on the checklist of the highest 25 greatest cruise ships — they have been displaced by Royal Caribbean’s Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class vessels, in addition to a number of ships from different traces — the Freedom Class vessels supply a traditional big-ship expertise with a lot of eating places, bars, showrooms and deck-top points of interest.
The Freedom Class ships, notably, have been the primary Royal Caribbean ships to function a FlowRider browsing simulator on their high decks — now a signature attraction for the road. Every of those vessels additionally has a number of pool areas, a water park, a miniature golf course and a mountaineering wall on its high decks (that are among the many most activity-packed at sea).
Certainly, the highest decks of Freedom Class ships are extra loaded with points of interest than another Royal Caribbean vessels besides the Icon Class and Oasis Class vessels. You simply will not discover a number of of probably the most over-the-top points of interest, corresponding to zip traces, that Icon Class and Oasis Class ships have.
Of their interiors, Freedom Class vessels have the mall-like Royal Promenade areas full of eateries, bars and outlets which have turn out to be customary on greater Royal Caribbean ships. Additionally they have giant casinos and spas.
At round 156,000 tons, the Freedom Class ships are about 38% smaller than the Icon Class ships and 31% smaller than the Oasis Class ships, a major step down in measurement. They’re almost 8% smaller than the Quantum Class ships.
Additionally they carry considerably fewer passengers than the Oasis Class ships. Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas carry about 3,900 passengers at double occupancy (nearer to 4,600 with each berth crammed). Liberty of the Seas can carry a number of hundred extra.
Voyager Class
Ships at school: Voyager of the Seas (1999), Explorer of the Seas (2000), Journey of the Seas (2001), Navigator of the Seas (2002) and Mariner of the Seas (2003)
Dimension: 137,276 to 139,999 tons
The Voyager Class ships are much like Freedom Class ships however shorter in size. In different phrases, the Freedom Class was a stretched model of the Voyager Class.
Just like the Freedom Class vessels, the Voyager Class ships have a lot of Royal Caribbean’s signature points of interest, together with mountaineering partitions and ice skating rinks. In actual fact, the ships have been the primary at Royal Caribbean to have these points of interest.
Voyager Class ships have been additionally the primary to function a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and outlets of their inside. Every additionally has a number of specialty eating places along with the principle eating room and informal buffet; specialty eating places embody a model of Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.
One of many principal variations between the Voyager Class and the Freedom Class is that the Royal Promenades on Voyager Class ships are shorter. The highest-deck areas of the Voyager Class ships are additionally extra truncated than the Freedom Class vessels.
There are additionally fewer cabins on the Voyager Class ships, leading to fewer passengers on board a typical crusing. Many of the ships carry round 3,100 passengers at double occupancy — about 800 fewer than the everyday Freedom Class ship.
At round 139,000 tons, the ships are about 11% smaller than the Freedom Class ships.
There are additionally some variations in points of interest among the many 5 Voyager Class vessels. Navigator of the Seas has a comparatively new waterslide zone that is dwelling to The Blaster, the longest waterslide at sea. You will not discover that on the opposite ships, although most of them have completely different waterslides. Solely three of the 5 ships — Voyager of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas — have laser tag programs. Journey of the Seas is the one vessel within the class with a kiddie splash zone.
Imaginative and prescient Class
Ships at school: Grandeur of the Seas (1996), Rhapsody of the Seas (1997), Enchantment of the Seas (1997) and Imaginative and prescient of the Seas (1998)
Dimension: 73,817 to 82,910 tons
Courting to the Nineties, the Imaginative and prescient Class ships are the smallest at Royal Caribbean, they usually supply fewer onboard points of interest and facilities than is typical for the road’s vessels.
Typically, they attraction to cruisers searching for a extra intimate expertise on a cruise ship and people who care extra concerning the locations they go to than the onboard points of interest.
Alongside these traces, Royal Caribbean typically sends a few of its Imaginative and prescient Class ships to Europe in the summertime to function port call-intensive itineraries. The vessels additionally typically sail longer journeys within the Caribbean that embody less-visited southerly islands. In each instances, the attract of the cruises has extra to do with the ports the ships go to than the onboard expertise.
Imaginative and prescient Class ships are additionally typically based mostly in secondary ports corresponding to Baltimore or San Juan, Puerto Rico, the place the scale of the native cruise market won’t warrant a bigger vessel.
Aside from mountaineering partitions, the Imaginative and prescient Class ships have not one of the signature Royal Caribbean deck-top points of interest corresponding to browsing and skydiving simulators. For probably the most half, their high decks are lined with swimming pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships constructed within the Nineties. All have at the very least two swimming pools and 6 whirlpools, aside from Enchantment of the Seas, which has three swimming pools and 6 whirlpools.
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Along with principal eating places and informal buffets, every ship has at the very least one (and infrequently a number of) further specialty eating places. The road’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and Italian eatery Giovanni’s Desk are two of them. Rhapsody of the Seas has the most important collection of eating; Enchantment of the Seas has the smallest. Three of the 4 vessels — all however Enchantment of the Seas — have an Izumi Asian restaurant.
Every of the ships varies barely in measurement. Grandeur of the Seas is the smallest of the 4 vessels, measuring round 74,000 tons. Enchantment of the Seas is the most important, measuring round 83,000 tons (it was, notably, lengthened by 73 toes in 2005).
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