Discover Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships
| Formality |
Semi-formal |
| No. of Ships |
22 |
| Rating |
5 stars |
Royal Caribbean International has a reputation for innovation, pioneering new cruise destinations like Alaska and Croatia, as well as bringing new on-ship experiences to its passengers, evidenced in their rock climbing walls and surfing simulators. This, along with more than 170 destinations globally, and a commitment to bringing novel shore excursions to customer attention (cave-tubing and abseiling have been recent offers) means that the cruise line is always at the cutting edge of what can be expected of an ocean holiday.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Royal Caribbean is the way that it balances the drive towards fresh experiences for guests, with the need to commit to environmental improvement. It has its own environmental best practice programme and runs the Ocean Fund, which supports marine conservation organizations working to preserve marine eco-systems.
From her two-storey Loft suites to the adults-only solarium and the huge Youth Zone, there’s something for everyone on Allure of the Seas. First sailed in 2010 she really does offer some entertainment firsts: notably the DreamWorks Experience, which is an amazing parade featuring all your favourite DreamWorks characters, and the ice show How to Train Your Dragon.
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A highly streamlined cruise liner, this one, with a very modern feel, lots of contemporary artworks and glass walled lifts in the lobby give this the feeling of futuristic design, which is echoed in the Starquest dance club which is also an observation deck during the day and the Ocean Arcade video games centre.
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Sister to Grandeur, this is an unusual design for modern cruise ships in that it’s a single funnel vessel. She was upgraded in a ‘stretch’ operation in 2005 that gave her extra cabins and several more sports zones including a Splash Deck with 64 water jets, Bungee trampolines and an extra 150 cabins.
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A really large floating beach hotel is how many people describe this class of Royal Caribbean ships, but unlike some of her sisters.
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When you sail on Freedom of the Seas you are experiencing Royal Caribbean innovation in action, especially in the onboard surf park which features cantilevered whirlpools extending out into space twelve feet beyond the sides of the ship and the water park with its sculpture fountains, ground geysers and waterfall.
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One of the smaller ships in the RCL fleet, this cruise liner offers her passengers some notable features – the glass covered underfloor casino exhibits, for example, along with the favourite features of this line: the rock-climbing wall and the Viking Crown Lounge.
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The just launched Independence of the Seas can accommodate 3,634 guests, which isn't exactly small and stunning features on this brand new and very exciting vessel include the FlowRider, a surfing simulator in which guests use a boogie board and surf in water travelling at up to thirty miles an hour! There are also cantilevered whirlpools suspended high above the ocean.
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This cruise liner is a bright ship, with lots of artwork that picks up the jewel theme and a Casino Royale that is scintillating even by Royal Caribbean’s standards.
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A sister to Splendour of the Seas, she’s designed to cope with the Panama Canal without the consequent deck narrowing that is a feature on many ships that take the Panama route. An interesting point to note is that the sliding roof on Legend can either cover the Roman pool or the miniature golf, but not both! The golf is hardly miniature; it actually covers 6,000 square feet!. One downside to Legend – she has no dedicated cinema.
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This is a sister ship to Freedom of the Seas and is essentially divided into three ‘zones’ – adults only, family and dual. The big hit in this vessel is the H2O Zone, a water park with cannons, fountains, and all other kinds of fun, while the central pool is more sports oriented with games and competitions held every day . There’s a lot of sport, to be honest: boxing, rock-climbing, in-line and ice-skating and golf. Liberty is also notable for having more conference facilities than the average RCL ship.
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Since her makeover in 2007, this ship had benefited from more neatly organised cabins and a new range of flexible dining, which suits its general cruise profile – she was designed for short cruises in the Caribbean – and works well for cruise travellers who like to spend a lot of time ashore or on deck. The cabins are smaller than in some other RCL liners, but the public spaces are larger and there are many nooks and corners for those who like to find some peace and quiet.
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Of the same family as Adventurer, Explorer, Navigator and Voyager, this RCL cruise ship has two internal lobbies, called atria, roughly based on London’s Burlington Arcade and of course, featuring a ‘traditional’ London Pub. Notable features include the Aquarium Bar, which has four large aquariums (what else!) that between them comprise 50 tons of glass! The main dining room here is on three levels, linked by a huge staircase, making for lots of fun when the waiters show off, as they naturally tend to do.
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This cruise liner differs from her sisters in having a special area for young children on board – a ‘toddler base’ - which is good to know if you’re travelling with under fives. She was refurbished in 2003 with bright new colourways and soft furnishings.
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Of the same family as Adventurer, Explorer, Mariner, and Voyager, this RCL cruise ship has two internal lobbies, called atria, roughly based on London’s Burlington Arcade and of course, featuring a ‘traditional’ London Pub – this time called the Two Poets. Notable features are the 24 hour library and the extensive facilities for children and families: bigger by far than those of the Adventure, Explorer and Voyager, there’s a solid range of activities for children from three to mid teens.
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Experience our most innovative and imaginative ship yet, Oasis of the Seas. This new class of naval engineering genius features the first ever neighbourhood concept where everyone can find their unique experiences in one of our seven distinct onboard districts, including: Central Park – a public space combining nature and nautical life; Boardwalk – dedicated to family, fun and featuring the new and entertaining AquaTheater; and the Royal Promenade – the heart of many Royal Caribbean ships, that's now bigger and better than ever. With 28 ultra-modern loft suites and 2,700 spacious staterooms, this 16-deck marvel proves that the impossible is possible.
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Radiance is one of the RCL ships with a helipad, which doubles as a viewing deck for passenger use and this sets the tone for this light, airy and highly contemporary ship. There’s a glass wall on the starboard side which gives fantastic exterior views and the glass lifts face out to sea as well. The solarium has a glass roof for cold weather and an African theme to encourage this sense of space and the natural environment.
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Notable for her electrostatic art, in the form of a changing globe, this ship also has a six deck sculpture on an astrological theme and a star themed multi deck nightclub. A bit oddly, the spa has an Egyptian theme instead, but it’s nicely done and this is one of the ships where the spa area doesn’t feel particularly cramped.
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Serenade offers a streamlined feel and lots of light. She has a very good library and popular coffee shop as well as a small dedicated cinema and excellent internet facilities. She has a great little feature in the pool with waterfalls called Temple Gate, which is beautifully built to a Balinese theme and two pool tables that balance against sea movement so your game is never disturbed.
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Splendour offers the chance to play golf at night on a floodlit 18 hole course! Another notable entertainment feature is the huge theatre/showlounge which has a movable orchestra pit, but there is no dedicated cinema. Splendour features larger cabins than her older sisters, so if space to spread your belongings is important, she may be just the ship for you.
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Vision is notable for her very good selection of artwork which makes the public spaces of the ship a delight to wander around, including the art used in the spa and solarium area. The standard rock-climbing wall, casual dining options and relaxed dress code can all be found here.
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If you’re lucky, you get to stand on the observation platform of Voyager during your cruise – it’s a weather dependant opportunity and a fantastic chance to have your own ‘Titanic’ moment! The traditional pub in the lobby here is the Pig’n’Whistle and there’s a Ben and Jerry’s station too, so both sides of the Atlantic are catered to. There’s an excellent theatre/showlounge and a superb basketball court.
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