If you are considering booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, it may be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the available cruise ship classes and make comparisons based on size, capacity, and onboard offerings.
Royal Caribbean International has over twenty ships, some of which are still being built, and owns some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. You can’t go wrong with a Royal Caribbean cruise! However, there are some things to consider.
Keep reading to discover Royal Caribbean’s largest ship and learn more about what makes the other Royal Caribbean vessels some of the most popular in the cruise industry.
Largest Royal Caribbean Ships
Royal Caribbean International is known for its massive, award-winning cruise ships. These cruises include top-rated itineraries, breathtaking destinations, exciting entertainment options, and world-class dining options.
Some of the ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet that have won the most awards include Harmony of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas.
More recently, the fleet’s pride and joy has been Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis-class ship commonly referred to as the largest cruise ship in the world.
Wonder of the Seas
The Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is a massive vessel, over a thousand feet in length, with a total guest capacity of nearly seven thousand. It is trademarked as the largest Royal Caribbean ship, bested only by their newest ship, Icon of the Seas.
Wonder of the Seas set sail for the first time in November 2022, departing from the popular tourist attraction Cape Canaveral in Orlando, Florida. This thrilling family-friendly cruise vacation offers attractions and activities for all ages, making it easy to see why it is one of the most popular cruise ships in the world.
Passengers can enjoy a relaxing spa treatment or retail therapy at one of the shopping options. There are several entertainment options, such as aqua theater shows and performances at the ice skating rinks, and more adventurous activities like zip-lining or snowboarding. Families traveling with children can enjoy the arcade and water park on the pool deck. And, if you’re looking for something more adult-friendly, you can stop by the casino.
There is a wide variety of accommodation options for passengers to choose from, including luxury family suites and chic ocean-view staterooms. Wonder of the Seas also plays host to fourteen different dining options, including everything from burger and hotdog joints to cafés and seafood eateries.
It’s an excellent choice for any luxury cruise getaway.
Icon of the Seas
While Wonder of the Seas is commonly known as Royal Caribbean’s biggest ship, in truth the title belongs to their 2024 addition; Icon of the Seas. At a staggering gross tonnage of well over two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand, and a total passenger capacity of seven-thousand-six-hundred, it is the biggest cruise ship in existence.
The ship includes a variety of bold and daring attractions, including the world’s largest waterpark at sea. The park is home to several pools and record-breaking waterslides, making it an incredible feat of engineering.
In terms of accommodation options, Icon of the Seas is focused on families and optimal comfort, with spacious rooms and suites that include floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies with incredible views of the ocean, plush living areas, and sunset bedrooms.
Another part of the Icon of the Seas appeal is the stop at the private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay- exclusively for use by Royal Caribbean’s passengers. It is located in the Bahamas, and visitors can enjoy everything from hot-air balloon rides to relaxing at the beach.
Royal Caribbean International also announced another large, luxury cruise ship to be released in 2024; Utopia of the Seas.
Smallest Royal Caribbean Ship
As is typical with cruise lines, the smaller ships in a fleet tend to be the older ones. Grandeur of the Seas is the smallest of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships, as well as its oldest ship. It dates back to 1996 and has a total guest capacity of just under two-thousand five-hundred and a gross tonnage of just under seventy-four thousand.
Despite its smaller size in comparison to its sister ships, however, Grandeur of the Seas still has a lot to offer its passengers, and may end up being the right ship for your next cruise vacation!
The ship departs from Baltimore, Maryland, and sails to amazing vacation destinations all over the world, including New England, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It is ideal for families and couples and offers many worthwhile attractions.
From rock-climbing walls and tanning on the pool deck to watching live performances or visiting the casino, you’re bound to find something to keep you entertained on this intimate Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
Royal Caribbean Ships FAQs
Is bigger better when it comes to cruise ships?
Your choice of a cruise ship is down to personal preference, whether you opt for one of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships or Royal Caribbean’s smallest ship.
Many people find a larger ship with more passengers too overwhelming and may prefer one of the smaller ships, such as Grandeur of the Seas, or a mid-sized ship like Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas. In other cases, tourists may prefer the largest cruise ships, like Allure of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas, where they can enjoy specialty restaurants and endless attractions.
It is important to remember that the larger the ship size, the more expensive the cruise. Because bigger ships like Icon of the Seas are newer and have more amenities, they tend to have a higher price range than you may pay for the smallest and oldest ship or a mid-range ship like Liberty of the Seas.
Many frequent cruisers agree that mid-range ships are ideal, as they offer a lower price while still including more than enough facilities to keep you entertained.
What is the difference between the classes of ships?
Royal Caribbean’s fleet is home to seven classes of cruise ships, namely:
- Quantum Class Ships
- Voyager Class Ships
- Oasis Class Ships
- Freedom Class Ships
- Vision Class Ships
- Radiance Class Ships
- Icon Class Ships
The ships are divided into each respective class according to features and amenities, making it easier to choose between them once you know what each cruise class has to offer. There are now 26 oceangoing Royal Caribbean cruise ships in service, more than any other big cruise line, giving you lots of options when picking the ideal one for you.
For example, the Oasis class vessels are known for their impressive size. The Oasis class is home to, among other ships, Wonder of the Seas – the longest cruise ship in the world. There is also the latest class of ships, which debuted with Icon of the Seas in 2024. They are home to things like ice skating rinks, surfing simulators, and zip lines. They’re perfect for passengers who enjoy big, bustling ships with a lot to see and do, but may not be ideal if you’re looking for something more intimate.
The Quantum class ships are large and innovative, including amazing attractions like skydiving simulators, bumper car pavilions, and showrooms. Additionally, these ships have glass domes where the more adventurous passengers can enjoy bird’s eye views of the ship and the surrounding ocean. If you’re fond of strange and awe-inspiring attractions, the Quantum class ships may be the ones for you.
If you’re looking for a slightly smaller ship size, with a smaller passenger capacity, but a good amount of attractions and amenities, you may opt for a mid-range ship. The Radiance class ships fall into this category and are less expensive than some of the larger ships. Other classes in this category include the Voyager class ships, such as the Explorer of the Seas voyager, and Freedom class ships, home to the popular Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. These ships include things like buffet dining options in the main dining room, a rock climbing wall, a sun deck by the poolside, a spa, a theater, and even a golf course.
The Vision class ships are the oldest and smallest of the Royal Caribbean ships and include fewer attractions. However, they are also the most budget-friendly and ideal for passengers who want a more intimate vacation.
The Icon class is the newest of the Royal Caribbean ship classes and includes the 2024 Icon of the Seas, which is set to dethrone Wonder of the Seas as the biggest cruise ship in the world. The other vessels in this class are yet to be announced, but will likely follow suit as some of the world’s biggest ships.
