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Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International is a Miami-based cruise line built around very large ships packed with activities. Started by Norwegian shipping companies and launched in 1969, it put its first ship, Song of Norway, into service in 1970, has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group since 1997, and is the largest cruise line by revenue.

Fleet editorial score

4.0/ 5

30 rated ships in service

Page updated

Official site
Icon of the Seas in Puerto Rico, 2025

About Royal Caribbean International

The line has repeatedly built the world's biggest cruise ships, from Sovereign of the Seas in 1988 to the Oasis class in 2009 and the LNG-powered Icon class in 2024. Its 30 ships span seven classes, from Vision-class ships of the 1990s carrying about 2,000 guests to Icon-class ships carrying more than 5,600 at double occupancy, and a fourth Icon-class ship, Hero of the Seas, is due in August 2027.

Most of the fleet sails short and weeklong Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Puerto Rico, many stopping at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, while other ships are based in Europe, Alaska, Asia and Australia. Days aboard revolve around attractions such as surf simulators, water slides, ice shows and large theater productions, with specialty restaurants and drink and dining packages sold on top of the fare.

What Royal Caribbean International is known for

Royal Caribbean is best known for big-ship innovation: rock walls, surf simulators, ice rinks and zip lines on older classes, and waterparks, the AquaDome and huge pool decks on the newest ones. It has won industry awards such as Travel Weekly's Best Cruise Line Overall in 2016, and Perfect Day at CocoCay is a major draw on Bahamas sailings.

The common criticisms are the flip side of that scale. The largest ships carry well over 5,000 guests, so pools, shows and buffets can feel busy at peak times, and many extras, from specialty dining to drink and internet packages, add to the cost. The fleet also varies widely in age, so a cruise on a 1990s Vision-class ship is quite different from one on an Icon-class ship. The company has also paid environmental penalties, including a US$475,000 EPA fine in 2024 over waste reporting.

Who it's for

Mainstream · big ships with lots to do and fares for most budgets

  • Families
  • First-time cruisers
  • Multigenerational groups
  • Friends and groups

Royal Caribbean suits families with children and teens, groups of friends and first-time cruisers who want plenty to do on board and easy short cruises from US ports. Multigenerational groups like the range of activities, cabin types and dining on the Oasis and Icon classes, and travelers who want a private-island beach day will find it on most Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries.

Travelers who want a quiet, small-ship atmosphere, an adults-only setting or an all-inclusive fare will usually be happier with a premium or luxury line. Those who prefer port-intensive cultural itineraries should look closely at the European and Asian programs, or at smaller ships, rather than the short Bahamas runs.

How it rates

Compare lines · Every ship
Cabins
4.2/5
Dining
3/5
Entertainment
4.9/5
Service
4/5
Pools & decks
4/5
Value
4/5

The fleet's average on each metric, across 30 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.

Rankings and comparisons

Best cruise lines

Where Royal Caribbean International sails

Ships in service

Ships

30 in service

Best rated

Icon of the Seas in Puerto Rico, 2025#14.2 ★Icon of the Seas2024 · 248,663 GT · 5,610 guests · Caribbean · BahamasIcon of the Seas, built by Meyer Turku in Finland, entered service from Miami on 27 January 2024 as the largest cruise ship in the world, a title she now shares with her…Legend of the Seas at the Meyer Turku shipyard, Finland, June 2026#24.2 ★Legend of the Seas2026 · 248,663 GT · 5,610 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanLegend of the Seas is the third Icon-class ship, completed at Meyer Turku in Finland in 2026 and in service since her maiden voyage on 4 July 2026. She shares the class's record…Odyssey of the Seas at Rhodes, Greece, September 2024#34.2 ★Odyssey of the Seas2021 · 169,379 GT · 4,284 guests · Bahamas · MediterraneanOdyssey of the Seas is the second Quantum Ultra-class ship and the last of the Quantum family. She entered service in 2021, initially from Port Everglades, and was christened…

Every ship, by class

Find Royal Caribbean International deck plans & cabin guides

Icon class

3 ships · 2024–2026 · 248,663 GT · avg 4.2 ★

  1. Legend of the Seas2026 · 248,663 GT · 5,610 guests4.2/5
  2. Star of the Seas2025 · 248,663 GT · 5,610 guests4.2/5
  3. Icon of the Seas2024 · 248,663 GT · 5,610 guests4.2/5

Oasis class

6 ships · 2009–2024 · 226,637–236,473 GT · avg 4.1 ★

  1. Utopia of the Seas2024 · 236,473 GT · 5,668 guests4.2/5
  2. Wonder of the Seas2022 · 235,600 GT · 5,734 guests4.2/5
  3. Symphony of the Seas2018 · 228,081 GT · 5,518 guests4.0/5
  4. Harmony of the Seas2016 · 226,963 GT · 5,479 guests4.0/5
  5. Allure of the Seas2010 · 226,637 GT · 5,484 guests4.0/5
  6. Oasis of the Seas2009 · 226,838 GT · 5,606 guests4.0/5

Quantum Ultra class

2 ships · 2019–2021 · 169,379 GT · avg 4.1 ★

  1. Odyssey of the Seas2021 · 169,379 GT · 4,284 guests4.2/5
  2. Spectrum of the Seas2019 · 169,379 GT · 4,246 guests4.0/5

Quantum class

3 ships · 2014–2016 · 168,666 GT · avg 4.0 ★

  1. Ovation of the Seas2016 · 168,666 GT · 4,180 guests4.0/5
  2. Anthem of the Seas2015 · 168,666 GT · 4,180 guests4.0/5
  3. Quantum of the Seas2014 · 168,666 GT · 4,180 guests4.0/5

Freedom class

3 ships · 2006–2008 · 155,889–156,271 GT · avg 4.0 ★

  1. Independence of the Seas2008 · 155,889 GT · 3,634 guests4.0/5
  2. Liberty of the Seas2007 · 155,889 GT · 3,798 guests4.0/5
  3. Freedom of the Seas2006 · 156,271 GT · 3,782 guests4.0/5

Radiance class

4 ships · 2001–2004 · 90,090 GT · avg 4.0 ★

  1. Jewel of the Seas2004 · 90,090 GT · 2,112 guests4.0/5
  2. Serenade of the Seas2003 · 90,090 GT · 2,146 guests4.0/5
  3. Brilliance of the Seas2002 · 90,090 GT · 2,140 guests4.0/5
  4. Radiance of the Seas2001 · 90,090 GT · 2,143 guests4.0/5

Voyager class

5 ships · 1999–2003 · 138,193–139,999 GT · avg 4.0 ★

  1. Mariner of the Seas2003 · 139,863 GT · 3,114 guests4.0/5
  2. Navigator of the Seas2002 · 139,999 GT · 3,386 guests4.0/5
  3. Adventure of the Seas2001 · 138,193 GT · 3,114 guests4.0/5
  4. Explorer of the Seas2000 · 138,194 GT · 3,286 guests4.0/5
  5. Voyager of the Seas1999 · 138,194 GT · 3,602 guests4.0/5

Vision class

4 ships · 1996–1998 · 73,817–82,910 GT · avg 3.8 ★

  1. Vision of the Seas1998 · 78,340 GT · 2,050 guests3.8/5
  2. Enchantment of the Seas1997 · 82,910 GT · 2,252 guests4.0/5
  3. Rhapsody of the Seas1997 · 78,878 GT · 2,040 guests3.8/5
  4. Grandeur of the Seas1996 · 73,817 GT · 1,992 guests3.8/5

Coming soon

Every new ship
Debuts Aug 2027Hero of the Seas2027 · 250,800 GT · Caribbean · BahamasHero of the Seas is an upcoming ship, the fourth of the Icon class, under construction at Meyer Turku in Finland; she was floated out on 8 September 2026 and is listed at about…

Former ships

All retired ships
ShipLeft
Majesty of the SeasDecember 2020
Empress of the SeasMarch 2020

Where to fly in

All ports

Quick answers

What is Royal Caribbean International known for?

Royal Caribbean is best known for big-ship innovation: rock walls, surf simulators, ice rinks and zip lines on older classes, and waterparks, the AquaDome and huge pool decks on the newest ones. It has won industry awards such as Travel Weekly's Best Cruise Line Overall in 2016, and Perfect Day at CocoCay is a major draw on Bahamas sailings.

Who is Royal Caribbean International best for?

Royal Caribbean suits families with children and teens, groups of friends and first-time cruisers who want plenty to do on board and easy short cruises from US ports. Multigenerational groups like the range of activities, cabin types and dining on the Oasis and Icon classes, and travelers who want a private-island beach day will find it on most Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries.

Where does Royal Caribbean International sail?

Royal Caribbean International's ships in service sail Caribbean (20 ships), Bahamas (18 ships), Mediterranean (6 ships), Transatlantic (6 ships), Alaska (4 ships), Mexican Riviera (3 ships), Asia (3 ships), Bermuda (2 ships), Canada and New England (2 ships), Australia and New Zealand (2 ships), South Pacific (2 ships), Northern Europe (1 ship), Norwegian Fjords (1 ship) and Hawaii (1 ship).

How is Royal Caribbean International rated?

Royal Caribbean International's fleet averages 4.0 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 30 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Icon of the Seas at 4.2.

Does Royal Caribbean International have new ships coming?

Yes: Royal Caribbean International has 1 new ship on the way: Hero of the Seas (debuts August 1, 2027).

How many ships does Royal Caribbean International have?

Royal Caribbean International has 30 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas, and 22 more.

What ship classes does Royal Caribbean International sail?

Royal Caribbean International sails 8 classes of ship in service: Icon class (3 ships), Oasis class (6 ships), Quantum Ultra class (2 ships), Quantum class (3 ships), Freedom class (3 ships), Radiance class (4 ships), Voyager class (5 ships) and Vision class (4 ships).

Who owns Royal Caribbean International?

Royal Caribbean International is part of Royal Caribbean Group.

Where is Royal Caribbean International based?

Royal Caribbean International is headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States. It has operated since 1969.

What is Royal Caribbean International's loyalty program called?

Royal Caribbean International's past-guest loyalty program is Crown & Anchor Society.

What is the largest Royal Caribbean International ship?

Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean International's largest ship at 248,663 gross tons, carrying 5,610 guests.

Cruising with children

Royal Caribbean offers several age-specific family options, but its nursery is ship dependent. Choose the actual vessel before making childcare the basis of a booking.

Read the Royal Caribbean International family guide →

Is a drinks package worth it?

How it works

Thinking about a drinks package on Royal Caribbean International? The average drink starts at what a glass of house wine costs on board, about $9; change it to what you usually order, and enter the package price Royal Caribbean International quotes.

A glass of house wine costs about $9. Royal Caribbean Blog (2026) ↗

The price is

Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.

A glass of house wine on Royal Caribbean International.

Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.

The days the package is charged for.

To make the drinks package pay for itself

9drinks a day

A $75-a-day package costs the same as 8.3 drinks at $9. Over 7 days that's $525, or 59 drinks for the cruise.

You expect 5 drinks a day; the package breaks even at 8.3.

Pay as you go

At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $210 less than the package.

Drinks package, 7 days
$525
Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
$315

Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.

Traveller reviews

What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.

No reviews yet. Be the first.

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