Given its name, you might expect Royal Caribbean to be one of the leading cruise lines in the Caribbean — and you'd be right. The cruise line has built a solid reputation for offering year-round Caribbean itineraries to places like Mexico, Aruba, and St. Maarten.
Royal Caribbean's innovative ships, family-friendly activities, and world-class entertainment keep passengers coming back time and time again.
However, if you're planning your first cruise, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. One easy way to narrow down potential sailings is to consider who you're sailing with, as Royal Caribbean caters to a wide variety of demographics.
Families, for example, love the line for its record-breaking water parks, complimentary kids' clubs, and other adrenaline-pumping amenities, while couples appreciate the adult-only pool decks, specialty dining, and high-quality entertainment options.
Thankfully, there’s a Royal Caribbean cruise tailored for all travelers — no matter your age, budget, or personal preferences.
Best Cruise for Families
Royal Caribbean markets itself as the ultimate family cruise line, and there is a lot of truth behind its claim to fame. From the world's largest cruise ships featuring sprawling water parks, sports courts, zip lines, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and more, to award-winning youth programs, Royal Caribbean has built a strong reputation for being the best cruise line for families.
You can't go wrong with a family vacation aboard an Icon Class ship, including Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas. Once Legend debuts in July, you can sail aboard the world's largest ships to The Bahamas, Caribbean, and Europe.
Icon Class ships are known for the record-breaking Category 6 Waterpark, family-focused Surfside neighborhood, a multi-deck pool area, new entertainment options, the cruise line's first-ever food hall at sea, and so much more.
Oasis Class ships are another solid option, as they offer many of the same jaw-dropping amenities at a slightly lower price point. For example, Oasis Class ships have an AquaTheater that is home to high-diving spectacles. Many ships also have Broadway-style performances in the main theater. You can watch Mamma Mia aboard Allure of the Seas and Hairspray on Symphony of the Seas, just to name a few.
Other Oasis Class highlights include:
- Ultimate Abyss Dry Slide
- Perfect Storm Waterslides
- Central Park
- Boardwalk with Carousel
- Zip Line
- Two Rock Climbing Walls
- Flowrider Surf Simulator
- Adult-Only Solarium
- Adventure Ocean Youth Programming
Read more: My family of 4 went on our first cruise on the biggest cruise ship in the world
Best Party Cruise Ships
While "Royal Caribbean" and "party cruise" aren't exactly synonymous, they have some ships that are geared more toward a party crowd.
Utopia of the Seas, for example, is Royal Caribbean's first-ever purpose-built ship for the short cruise market. It has everything cruisers know and love about Oasis Class vessels, along with a unique schedule designed around high-energy getaways — think fraternity-themed parties, silent toga discos, and more.
Generally speaking, any 3-day or weekend cruise will have a rowdier atmosphere than weeklong voyages. These shorter itineraries tend to attract celebratory travelers who want non-stop fun from the moment they step on board until they're walking off on disembarkation morning.
Plus, they are typically cheaper than 7-night cruises. Even if the fare itself seems steep, add-ons — like drink packages and Wi-Fi — are charged for fewer nights. For example, instead of paying $70 per day for a drink package on a weeklong cruise, you’d only pay for three or four nights on a short party cruise, which can make the final cost seem more reasonable.
Read more: I sailed on Royal Caribbean's mega ship designed for first-time cruisers — it is undeniably fun
Best Cruise for First Timers
Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are good ships for first-timers since they're packed from bow to stern with the cruise line's most highly-rated amenities and dining options. Since sailings are only 3 or 4 nights, first-timers can experience Royal Caribbean highlights, including the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas, without feeling overwhelmed on a longer voyage.
That said, if you know that you're more interested in a weeklong cruise that visits more unique ports in the Caribbean, like St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Cozumel, Roatán, or even Oranjestad, Aruba, you'll have considerably more options to choose from — from Southern Caribbean cruises on tiny Vision Class ships to Western Caribbean cruises on vessels like Star of the Seas. As such, it’s important to know your own priorities.
Do you, for example, care about sailing on a ship with a ton of amenities, or would you prefer a more intimate ship? Are you sailing with kids, or are you taking an adult-focused getaway? Do you have a strict budget, or do you have more flexibility in your spending? Are you more interested in spending time ashore, or do you want to be on the ship as much as possible?
Answering these questions first will help you choose the right ship, itinerary, and stateroom, as there truly isn't a "one size fits all" answer to the best cruise for first-timers.
Read more: This is how to pick a cruise ship you'll love
Best Cruise for Couples
Just because Royal Caribbean's primary target audience is families doesn't mean that couples can't have a great time onboard. In fact, my partner and I — both in our mid-20s and childfree by choice — have sailed on multiple Royal Caribbean ships, from Freedom of the Seas to Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, and we’ve consistently enjoyed ourselves.
However, if you're seeking a more adult-tailored experience, you may want to consider sailing with Royal Caribbean's sister line, Celebrity Cruises. With a focus on world-class dining, quality entertainment, and upscale ships, the onboard experience feels more refined than Royal Caribbean's. Those who already have status with Royal Caribbean can enjoy reciprocal benefits through Celebrity's Captain's Club, too.
However, if you're set on trying Royal Caribbean, I'd recommend an Oasis Class ship. While they're still heavily family-focused, they are less so than the Icon vessels and offer the adult-only Solarium sun deck. Specialty restaurants, nightclubs, and Broadway-style performances may also be of interest to couples.
Read more: I've been on 21 Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and here are the best 8 cruise ships for adults
Best Senior Cruise
Because of their convenience, cruise vacations are great for older travelers who might not want to worry about coordinating transportation between cities, unpacking and repacking, and hauling luggage through busy airports. Once on the ship, nearly everything is taken care of — from dining to housekeeping, entertainment, and more.
Plus, cruise ships are designed to be accessible. As such, they're a solid vacation choice for those with mobility concerns, dietary restrictions, or other physical limitations. Royal Caribbean vessels have accessible staterooms with wider doorways, grab bars, roll-in showers, and more.
Still, not every ship in the fleet was designed the same way. For older travelers who want a balance of accessibility, easy-to-navigate spaces, and a more relaxed atmosphere, Quantum Class ships are a good option. These vessels are smaller than the ground-breaking Oasis and Icon Class ships, but they still feature modern amenities and refreshed design elements.
The Voyager and Freedom Classes shouldn't be overlooked, either. While they aren't as modern as the Quantum vessels, the modest size makes them easy to navigate. Amenities include the main Royal Promenade thoroughfare, Studio B ice rink shows, an elegant three-deck-high dining room, and an adult-only Dolarium.
Best Cruise Ship for Solo Travelers
Finally, you don't have to be traveling with friends or family to take a cruise. In fact, solo cruises have become increasingly popular recently, leading Royal Caribbean to add dedicated cabins for one aboard many of its ships, including:
- Anthem of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas.
These rooms are advantageous for single travelers because they eliminate the dreaded single supplement fee and are priced for just one person.
As a solo cruiser, the best cruise ship depends on your needs. If, for example, you want a larger vessel packed with amenities, a single cabin aboard a ship like Harmony of the Seas could be the perfect fit. Conversely, if you're seeking a more traditional, intimate experience, consider Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, or Serenade of the Seas.
These ships don't have the same bells and whistles as newer vessels, but they provide a relaxed, comfortable cruising experience and are ideal for travelers who prefer a quieter pace or want to focus more on the ports of call rather than nonstop onboard activities.
