If you are new to cruise here is an easy guide to cruising with Royal Caribbean that answers the most frequently asked questions.
Cruising With or Without Kids
The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of Royal Caribbean, is kids. Whether you are travelling with or without children, there is still a Royal Caribbean cruise for you.
Every Royal Caribbean ship (unless otherwise stated below) has a sports court, FlowRider, rock climbing wall, in-stateroom movies, family events, and the Adventure Ocean kids club. This is a fantastic facility for kids which both of my children loved. So there is certainly plenty on board to keep them entertained.
Tips For Avoiding Kids on a Royal Caribbean Cruise
If you are not looking to cruise with kids, and the idea of having them onboard fills you with dread, don’t worry because not all Royal Caribbean cruises are the same.
First of all, the smaller ships are less likely to have as many young families on board, as all the exciting new features such as Splashaway Bay, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Trampolining, and water slides are mainly on the larger ships.
Secondly, if you avoid school holidays, you will not find too many kids onboard anyway. If you do book a larger ship during the school holidays, then you need to expect a lot of kids around.
Which Ship Should I Choose?
People cruise for different reasons. Not everyone wants to get off at every port and explore. For those with mobility issues, a cruise offers a great way to enjoy a resort-style holiday without staying in the same place. As a single mum, I would relish the port days when I could enjoy the pool deck all to myself while my kids were having fun in Adventure Ocean.
So before choosing a ship, you need to decide what you are looking for in a cruise. If you are going to be getting off at every opportunity, the chances are you will not have time to enjoy the vast array of activities onboard the larger ships. Some ports are only accessible by smaller ships, so that will also play a role in your decision.
If your cruise is more about spending quality family time together, with a bit of time to relax and unwind, then you may want to spend more time onboard the ship. This is when you should take a closer look at the onboard facilities.
What Are The Different Classes of Ship?
The first Royal Caribbean ships were called Sovereign Class and Vision Class. These ships are classic in design and feature a rock climbing wall.
Radiance Class ships are known as “ships of light”. This is due to their outward facing lifts and floor to ceiling glass windows in the atrium. Royal Caribbean introduced the sports court to this class of ship.
Voyager Class were the first ships to introduce the Royal Promenade. A street inside the ship with shops and bars. They also introduced an ice rink for guests to enjoy skating at their leisure and stunning ice show performances.
Freedom Class introduced the FlowRider surf simulator.
Oasis Class are the largest cruise ships in the world. They introduced an aquatheatre, a zip line, a carousel, 7 different neighbourhoods including Central Park.
Quantum Class take technology to a whole new level. The north star is a glass capsule that lifts guests 300ft above sea level. Guests can try the iFly skydiving simulator, drive bumper cars, roller skate and much more. Quantum Class ships do not have an ice rink.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest
Empress of the Seas – June 1990
A maximum guest capacity of 1840. Empress of the Seas does not have a sports court, FlowRider or Adventure Ocean kids club.
Majesty of the Seas – April 1992
A sovereign class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2767. Majesty of the Seas does not have a sports court, FlowRider or Adventure Ocean kids club.
Grandeur of the Seas – December 1996
A vision class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2446. Grandeur of the Seas does not have a sports court or FlowRider.
Rhapsody of the Seas – May 1997
A vision class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2416. Rhapsody of the Seas does not have a sports court or FlowRider.
Enchantment of the Seas – July 1997
A vision class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2446. Enchantment of the Seas does not have a sports court or FlowRider.
Vision of the Seas – May 1998
A vision class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2514. Vision of the Seas does not have a sports court or FlowRider.
Voyager of the Seas – November 1999
A voyager class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 3138.
Explorer of the Seas – October 2000
A voyager class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 3114.
Adventure of the Seas – November 2001
A voyager class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 3114.
Radiance of the Seas – April 2001
A radiance class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2501. Radiance of the Seas does not have a Flowrider
Navigator of the Seas – December 2002
A voyager class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 4000.
Brilliance of the Seas – July 2002
A radiance class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2501. Brilliance of the Seas does not have a
Flowrider.
Mariner of the Seas – November 2003
A voyager class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 3114.
Serenade of the Seas – July 2003
A radiance class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2490. Serenade of the Seas does not have a Flowrider.
Jewel of the Seas – May 2004
A radiance class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 2501. Jewel of the Seas does not have a Flowrider.
Freedom of the Seas – May 2006
A freedom class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 3634.
Liberty of the Seas – May 2007
A freedom class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 3634.
Independence of the Seas – April 2008
A freedom class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 4370.
Oasis of the Seas – November 2009
An oasis class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 6780.
Allure of the Seas – November 2010
An oasis class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 6780.
Quantum of the Seas – October 2014
A quantum class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 4905.
Anthem of the Seas – April 2015
A quantum class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 4905.
Ovation of the Seas – June 2016
A quantum class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 4905.
Harmony of the Seas – May 2016
An oasis class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 6780.
Symphony of the Seas – March 2018
An oasis class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 6680.
Spectrum of the Seas – April 2019
A quantum ultra-class ship with a maximum guest capacity of 4905.
Newest Royal Caribbean Ships
Odyssey of the Seas – Scheduled November 2020
Quantum Ultra Class
Wonder of the Seas – Scheduled March 2021
Oasis Class
Where is Royal Caribbean Headquarters
3, The Heights, Wellington Way, Weybridge KT13 0NY
1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132, United States
How to Contact Royal Caribbean
UK 01932 834200
USA (305) 539-6000
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