I truly believe there’s a Royal Caribbean ship for every kind of cruiser, whether you’re dreaming of sailing on the world’s biggest ship or simply want to unwind in a peaceful adults-only solarium, there’s a perfect match out there for you. (Plot twist: both of those things are actually on the same ship!)
Royal Caribbean are known for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at sea, offering some of the most exciting cruise experiences in the world. Whether you’re looking for next-level entertainment, incredible dining, or adrenaline-pumping thrills, Royal have a ship for you. Having just sailed on Oasis of the Seas and with my first-ever cruise being on Independence of the Seas, I’ve developed a real appreciation for what makes these ships special.
Before diving in, it’s important to know about ‘class’ of ships. A ‘class’ of ship is a way to group similar ships within a cruise line based on their design, size, features, innovation, etc.
Royal Caribbean currently have 7 classes of ship: Icon, Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Radiance, Voyager, and Vision class. And each class of ship (currently) has at least 3 ships. So if you hop onto one ship, absolutely love it, you can find more ships like that! And it works if you end up disliking a certain style of ship too.
If you’re thinking about booking your next Royal Caribbean adventure, here are five ships you absolutely need to try:
5. Icon of the Seas – The Largest Cruise Ship in the World (for now)
Royal Caribbean’s newest and most revolutionary ship, Icon of the Seas, is basically a floating theme park, resort, and luxury getaway all rolled into one. With Category 6, the largest water park at sea, the stunning AquaDome, and the Pearl, a never-before-seen architectural marvel, this ship redefines cruising. Whether you’re after heart-pounding slides or chilling in the infinity-edge Hideaway Pool, Icon has something for everyone.
Icon of the Seas is in a class of it’s own. It’s that new and that revolutionary, they introduced Icon-class! With a second ship, Star of the Seas already on the way!
I’ve put it at number 5 on my list. Given how new this ship is, the prices are going to be sky high. And because this ship is the best-of-the-best in terms of flashiness, newness, and general innovation, I actually wouldn’t recommend this for your very first cruise. It would be perfect for your second or third. That’s like buying a Maserati for your first car!
4. Oasis of the Seas – The Game-Changer
Oasis of the Seas changed cruising forever when it debuted as the world’s first mega-ship. I recently sailed on Oasis, and I was blown away by its energy, from the Central Park neighbourhood (yes, a real park at sea!) to the AquaTheater shows. Whether you’re racing down The Ultimate Abyss or enjoying the FlowRider surf simulator, Oasis is a ship packed with excitement.
Of course, having just sailed on her, I had to recommend it! If you’re wanting to try a big ship, and by big, I really mean BIG. But maybe you don’t want to pay the prices of Icon of the Seas, don’t dismiss Oasis! She may be just over 15 years old, but she’s still got a lot of life in her.
This would be especially good if you’re travelling as a family as there’s so much to do onboard Oasis of the Seas.
3. Utopia of the Seas – A Whole Lot of Newness
Maybe you love the look of Oasis of the Seas, but you want the newness of Icon of the Seas, Utopia is the perfect hybrid. Having launched in 2024 as the latest addition to the Oasis-class, she boasts all the features you would expect on Oasis of the Seas (and her other Oasis-class sisters), but with a brand spanking new feel to it.
It’s worth noting that the differences between Oasis, Utopia, or any in her class are quite marginally. So you’d be solid choosing from any!
2. Independence of the Seas – A Classic Favourite
This ship holds a special place in my heart since it was my first-ever cruise. While it’s not the newest, Independence of the Seas is packed with charm. It has Sky Pad (a virtual reality trampoline experience), a fantastic Royal Promenade, and the ever-popular Fish & Ships eatery.
Personally, I think it would make a solid first cruise option, and even given her 15+ year age, she’s still in really good shape! You’ve got some light flashiness in terms of features, but still all the classic elements of a cruise. This would give you a real honest flavour of cruising.
1. Odyssey of the Seas – The Perfect Blend of them All
You’re going to laugh. I haven’t actually been on this ship, nor on any of her class. But I honestly think she looks like the perfect cruise ship. Kinda like the three bears, she’s not too big, not too small, not so old, not young enough where there’s a huge price tag… The perfect hybrid of everything I loved about Independence and Oasis, rolled into one… That’s Odyssey of the Seas. Plus, I had full intention of sailing on her before COVID cancelled my plans.
Odyssey of the Seas is a really interesting ship because she’s technically in the Quantum-class, but she’s also in another little class of ship titled Quantum-Ultra, meaning she’s a little bit more different than her sisters.
Which Cruise Ship Is Right for You?
Whether you’re after the largest ship at sea, a tech-forward experience, or a nostalgic classic, Royal Caribbean has a ship for you. Each one offers something unique, and having cruised on Oasis of the Seas and started my journey on Independence of the Seas, I can confidently say that these five ships deserve a spot on your must-sail list.
