Our verdict

This Royal Caribbean review is an editorial assessment of the cruise line built from Royal Caribbean's own ship, policy and FAQ pages, public health resources and independent reviews by travel publications. NerdBible has not sailed on the ships for this review. On that evidence, Royal Caribbean is the strongest choice among the big mainstream cruise lines for families, groups and first-time cruisers who want a lot to do: it runs some of the largest ships at sea, packs them with attractions that are included in the fare, and owns a private island in the Bahamas designed around its guests.

The same strengths are the reasons some travellers should look elsewhere. The biggest ships carry thousands of guests and can feel busy, many of the best extras cost more, and the atmosphere on family-focused sailings is lively rather than restful. We cover the line's style and its policies below. We deliberately do not cover fares, promotions or booking offers; check the current price and terms directly with the line or a travel advisor at the time you book.

What it is and who it is for

Royal Caribbean International is a large mainstream cruise line. Its ships page lists a fleet of more than two dozen vessels across several classes, from older, smaller ships to the Oasis and Icon classes, which it describes as the world's largest cruise ships. Itineraries range from short Caribbean and Bahamas getaways to Europe, Alaska and Asia.

It is best suited to:

  • Families with children and teenagers, who get supervised youth programmes and a long list of included activities.
  • Multigenerational groups, where grandparents, parents and children want different things on the same holiday.
  • First-time cruisers who want to be sure there is always something to do.
  • Short-break travellers, since the line now builds large, new ships specifically for three- and four-night sailings.

Ships and onboard style

Icon class

The Icon class is Royal Caribbean's newest and largest. The Icon of the Seas page markets it as a family holiday ship, organised into neighbourhoods with distinct purposes. The ships page highlights Category 6, which Royal Caribbean calls the largest waterpark at sea, and Crown's Edge, a ropes-course experience that suspends guests feet-first 154 feet above the ocean. There is an adults-only pool area called The Hideaway, and an AquaDome with aquatic shows.

Oasis class

The Oasis-class ships, such as Symphony, Wonder, Utopia, Harmony and Allure, share the neighbourhood concept, including a Central Park area with real plants and a Boardwalk area. Utopia of the Seas is the line's first brand-new ship built for short cruises, according to The Points Guy.

Smaller and older ships

Royal Caribbean also operates older and smaller ships such as Quantum, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance and Vision of the Seas. These carry fewer guests, still offer signature attractions like rock-climbing walls and, on many ships, the FlowRider surf simulator, and tend to sail more varied itineraries, including Alaska, Europe and Asia.

What the onboard style feels like

Royal Caribbean's style is energetic and activity-driven: Broadway-style shows, ice shows and aqua shows, pool parties, waterslides and late-night venues. Quiet corners exist, such as the adults-only areas, but the overall feel on the big ships, especially during school holidays, is busy and loud.

What is included in the fare

Royal Caribbean's FAQ on what is included lists:

  • Your stateroom, with daily housekeeping.
  • Complimentary dining in the main dining room, with a waiter-served three-course dinner and rotating menus, and the Windjammer buffet, plus casual venues that vary by ship.
  • Included drinks such as water, tea, select juices and classic coffees.
  • Entertainment, including Broadway-style and original productions, live music, comedy and outdoor movies.
  • Activities such as rock climbing, mini golf, waterslides, the FlowRider, bumper cars and laser tag, on select ships.
  • The Adventure Ocean youth programme with supervised activities for children and teens.
  • Access to the line's private destinations.

The line's guide to inclusions adds that alcoholic drinks, soda, specialty coffees, bottled water, specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and spa treatments usually cost extra. That split between included and extra is central to understanding the real cost of a Royal Caribbean holiday.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas features on many Caribbean itineraries. The CocoCay page describes seven beaches, a large freshwater pool area, and Thrill Waterpark with 14 waterslides, including Daredevil's Peak, which the line says is the tallest slide in the Caribbean at 135 feet. Hideaway Beach is adults-only, and Coco Beach Club offers upgraded dining and overwater cabanas. Several of these, including the waterpark, the helium balloon ride, the beach club and cabanas, are ticketed or upgraded experiences rather than part of the standard day, and children under 14 must be accompanied by an older ticketed guest in the waterpark.

Policies to know before you book

Gratuities

According to Royal Caribbean's gratuity policy, guests who do not prepay gratuities have a daily service gratuity added automatically to their onboard SeaPass account, at a higher daily rate for suite guests. A percentage gratuity is also added automatically to drinks and beverage packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar purchases, with a higher percentage on spa and salon services. The line says gratuities are pooled to compensate a wide range of crew, and guests can adjust them at Guest Relations before the morning of disembarkation.

Cancellations and refunds

Royal Caribbean's cancellation policy for bookings made in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico works on a sliding scale. Some fare types require a nonrefundable deposit, and change fees apply to those. Otherwise, there is no cancellation charge until a cut-off that depends on cruise length: 75 days before departure for one to four nights, 90 days for five to 14 nights and 120 days for 15 nights or longer. After that, charges rise in steps until there is no refund in the final 30 days. The page lists a different schedule for certain Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, transpacific and Pacific coastal sailings booked after a set date. Taxes, fees and fuel supplements are refunded on cancellation. If you book from another country, check the local terms.

Health and sanitation

Cruise ships carrying 13 or more passengers on foreign itineraries are inspected under the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vessel Sanitation Program, which publishes inspection scores and reports for individual ships. It is worth looking up the specific ship you plan to sail on. Anyone with a medical condition should also check the line's onboard medical provisions and discuss travel with their doctor before booking.

What other reviewers found

  • The Points Guy found Icon of the Seas surprisingly easy to navigate thanks to its neighbourhood layout and was impressed by the ice and aqua shows. Its reviewer was less impressed by some extra-cost food, noted that cabins facing the interior park lack privacy, and felt the slides suit thrill-seekers more than younger children. The sailing was only partly full, so crowding could not be judged.
  • In a separate Utopia of the Seas review, The Points Guy said the short-cruise ship offers an impressive amount for a three-night trip, with a solid mix of included and extra-fee restaurants, and found the main dining room good if not exceptional.
  • Eat Sleep Cruise, which has sailed several ship classes, praised the entertainment, the youth clubs and CocoCay, but warned that the biggest ships can be overwhelming, that crowds build at elevators and showtimes, and that main dining room quality varies between ships and nights.
  • Traveling Ears judged Icon worth it for high-energy families and multigenerational groups, but advised couples seeking quiet evenings and adults who dislike crowds to consider a smaller ship.

Where they agree: Royal Caribbean's newest ships deliver more entertainment and more for children to do than almost any competitor, and the neighbourhood layout helps spread people out. Where they disagree: on crowding and value. Some reviewers found the big ships manageable; others found them overwhelming at peak times, and opinions on paid extras range from worthwhile to disappointing. For a buyer, that points to choosing the ship as carefully as the line: pick an Icon or Oasis ship if your group will use the attractions, consider a smaller ship or an off-peak sailing if you want calm, and budget separately for the extras you know you will want.

What could be better

  • Crowds on the largest ships, especially at pools, buffets, elevators and showtimes during school holidays.
  • Many extras cost more. Specialty dining, most drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions and some CocoCay areas are not in the fare, and automatic gratuities are added on top.
  • Variable dining quality in the included venues, according to some reviewers.
  • Strict cancellation windows. Late cancellations can cost the full fare unless you have suitable travel insurance.
  • Navigating very large ships can be tiring for guests with limited mobility.

Who should choose something else

  • Couples and adults seeking quiet may prefer a smaller ship, an adults-focused line or a premium line with fewer children aboard.
  • Travellers who dislike crowds should avoid the largest ships during school holidays.
  • Destination-focused travellers who care more about ports than onboard attractions may find a line with longer port stays and more varied itineraries suits them better.
  • People who want an all-inclusive fare should compare the total cost, including drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi, against lines that bundle more into the price.

Bottom line: is Royal Caribbean worth it?

For families, groups and anyone who wants a ship that doubles as the destination, Royal Caribbean is the line we rank first. Its Icon and Oasis ships offer attractions no other mainstream line matches, much of the activity programme is included, and CocoCay adds a private-island day designed around its guests. Go in knowing that the biggest ships are busy, that extras and gratuities add up, and that cancellation charges start well before departure. Choose the ship and the season that match your group, and read the line's current policies directly before you book.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in a Royal Caribbean cruise fare?

Royal Caribbean says the fare includes your stateroom with daily housekeeping, the main dining room and Windjammer buffet plus some casual venues, water, tea, select juices and classic coffees, entertainment, many onboard activities, the Adventure Ocean youth programme and access to its private destinations. Specialty restaurants, alcohol, soda, Wi-Fi, excursions and spa treatments usually cost extra.

Are gratuities automatic on Royal Caribbean?

Yes. If you do not prepay, Royal Caribbean adds a daily service gratuity per guest to your onboard account, with a higher rate for suites. A percentage gratuity is also added to drinks, specialty dining, room service and minibar purchases, and a higher percentage to spa and salon services. You can adjust gratuities at Guest Relations before the morning you disembark.

What is Royal Caribbean's cancellation policy?

For US, Canadian and Puerto Rican bookings, there is no cancellation charge until 75, 90 or 120 days before departure, depending on cruise length, except for nonrefundable deposits on some fares. Charges then rise in steps, and cancelling within 30 days forfeits the full fare. Some itineraries have a different schedule, and taxes and fees are refunded. Check the current policy before booking.

Is Royal Caribbean good for adults without children?

It can be, but expect a lively atmosphere. The ships have adults-only areas, such as the Solarium on many ships and The Hideaway on Icon class, plus adults-only Hideaway Beach on CocoCay. Reviewers note that families dominate the feel on the biggest ships, especially in school holidays, so adults wanting calm may prefer a smaller ship or an off-peak sailing.

How can I check a Royal Caribbean ship's health inspection record?

Cruise ships carrying 13 or more passengers on foreign itineraries are inspected under the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program. The CDC publishes inspection scores and reports, including any violations, for individual ships through its online inspection tool. Look up the specific ship you plan to sail on, and speak to your doctor about any personal health concerns before you travel.

Sources