Finding The Right Royal Caribbean Ship For You

Royal Caribbean is known for having a large fleet with innovative technology, exciting entertainment and plenty of dining choices. Each ship has individual features, but cruise ship classes help to group similar vessels.

If you’re looking to book a Royal Caribbean cruise but are not sure what ship to choose, here’s a breakdown of their classes to help you decide.

Freedom Class

Being smaller than their Oasis-class cousins, but having similar entertainment facilities, means that Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas make sailing less intimidating for families and couples cruising for the first time. There are a handful of restaurants on each ship, providing plenty of choice for your stay.

Freedom-class ships are overflowing with exciting activities, from the FlowRider, a surfing simulator, to a top-deck rock climbing wall that provides breathtaking ocean views when at the summit. During the day, the indoor ice-skating rink is filled with guests and, by night, professionals take to the floor and perform.

Oasis Class

Families, groups of friends and thrill-seekers looking for a cruise with all the bells and whistles will feel at home on an Oasis-class ship. They can enjoy seven different themed neighbourhoods, a zip line across the ship and Broadway-style shows like Mamma Mia and Cats.

Oasis-class ships are separated into neighbourhoods, including the Boardwalk and Central Park, to hold a large number of guests without feeling crowded. The list of entertainment options is endless, including the H2O splash park that’s perfect for young children and the bionic bar, where friends gather to experience robots creating their favourite cocktails, before or after their evening meal.

Quantum Class

The five Quantum-class ships are built for two distinct markets. Anthem of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas are aimed at European and American cruisers, whilst Quantum of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas both target an Asian audience.

Quantum-class ships feature a plethora of entertainment facilities that appeal to guests of all ages, including a skydiving simulator, moving observation pod and multimedia theatre where robotic dancing screens come alive. All ships have around 15 restaurants; perfect for guests wanting to indulge in a range of international delicacies.

Radiance Class

Guests looking for a classic cruise should opt for a Radiance-class ship. Each holds around 2,100 passengers, creating a calming atmosphere compared to others. Relax in one of the glass-enclosed venues and enjoy the passing ocean views, before taking part in traditional cruise entertainment or watching blockbuster films on the outdoor movie screen.

Many passengers choose a Radiance-class cruise for unique itineraries around Alaska. The smaller sized ships allows guests to explore off-the-beaten-track locations like the Glacier Bay National Park and Inside Passage. During a sea day, climb the rock climbing wall or play mini-golf to experience magnificent ocean views.

Sovereign & Empress Class

Majesty of the Seas is the oldest ship in the fleet and the only Sovereign-class ship. She completes short, warm-weather cruises all year round, with a continuous party atmosphere that’s great for groups of friends celebrating a special occasion. Her onboard features are similar to Radiance-class ships, from glass-covered spaces and lifts to an adult-only solarium and outdoor cinema.

Empress of the Seas is the only Empress-class cruise ship. She’s ideal for guests wanting to sail to Montreal in Canada, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Caribbean and the British Virgin Islands, where you can visit the iconic Virgin Gorda baths.

Vision Class

Looking to island-hop in the Caribbean or Mediterranean? Choose a Vision-class ship. Their small size allows them to hold around 2,000 passengers each and dock in hard-to-reach ports. These cruise ships appeal to couples for being destination focussed but still have plenty to do on board.

Enjoy a more intimate feel when relaxing in the sun by the pools or dining in one of the speciality restaurants. A guest favourite is the onboard steakhouse, Chops Grille, where you can feast on delicious hand-cut steaks. When awaiting your next destination, climb the top-deck climbing wall or take a break in the adults-only solarium.

Voyager Class

The five Voyager-class cruise ships will suit anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. On the newly-refurbished Navigator of the Seas, you’ll discover the longest waterslide at sea, the 800-feet Blaster, filled with twists, turns and drops, some of which are suspended over the sea.

Other family favourites include the SkyPad, a VR bungee trampoline on Mariner of the Seas, and Battle for Planet Z, a laser tag arena on Voyager of the Seas. Groups of friends will also love this class as they can stop-off on the shores in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, before boarding for a tasty meal and spectacular ice-skating show.

Do you now know which Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the one for you? Call our team on 0800 021 3237 or contact us via our website to discuss the itineraries we have available. Alternatively, you can visit our Woodbridge, Ipswich or Framlingham Travel Agents to speak to a member of our team.