12 best Royal Caribbean ships for your next cruise (2025)

In 1968, US hospitality entrepreneur Ed Stephan and a trio of Norwegian shipowners founded a cruise line to sail in the Caribbean. Ed, who became known as “the founding father of the modern-day cruise industry”, picked the name Royal Caribbean to nod to the destination and the high standard of service passengers could expect. The Song of Norway sailed out of Miami in 1970, followed by two more ships over the next two years.

Today, Royal Caribbean is one of the world’s biggest cruise lines with a fleet of 28 — soon to be 29 — ground-breaking vessels sailing to all corners of the globe. While there’s no room to mention them all, they are divided into different classes — Icon, Vision, Radiance, Voyager, Freedom, Oasis, Quantum and Quantum Ultra — which share similarities. Here are 12 of the best Royal Caribbean ships.

Main photo: Liberty of the Seas at CocoCay in the Bahamas

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1. Icon of the Seas

You can’t miss Royal Caribbean’s headline-grabbing Icon of the Seas. Carrying up to 7,600 passengers, plus 2,350 staff, it sailed into the record books in January 2024 as the world’s largest cruise ship, taking the title from Royal’s Wonder of the Seas. The 20-deck ship has the largest waterpark at sea, with seven pools and six slides, and is divided into eight themed neighbourhoods. The all-new Icon-class ship — Icon is Royal’s first new category since 2014 — will be joined by a big sister, Star of the Seas, in summer 2025.

• Read our full review of Icon of the Seas

2. Anthem of the Seas

Want to experience Royal Caribbean without flying? Then look at the itineraries for Anthem of the Seas, which is one of the line’s three Quantum-class cruise ships. Carrying 4,180 guests, Anthem sails out of Southampton on week-long round trips to the Norwegian fjords. It also has Mediterranean itineraries of up to 14 nights visiting sunny ports including Lisbon, Seville and Barcelona, and voyages to the Canary Islands. It features the exhilarating RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, also found on Ovation, Quantum and Spectrum of the Seas.

• Read our full guide to the world’s best cruises

3. Wonder of the Seas

In 2022 this ship made waves when it took the title of the biggest cruise ship in the world from Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. It’s one of Royal’s five Oasis-class vessels and its spectacular entertainment venues include the AquaTheater where performers take the plunge from dizzying 9m (30ft) diving platforms. Meanwhile, youngsters can splash around in the underwater-themed Wonder Playscape area. Awe-inspiring cabins include the two-storey Ultimate Family Suite with an indoor slide, air hockey table and royal genie (a butler by any other name) to take care of everyone’s wishes.

4. Independence of the Seas

Affectionately known as Indy, the 3,858-passenger Independence of the Seas built up a loyal fan following when it was based in the UK several years ago. In 2025 it will be back, replacing Anthem of the Seas to sail out of Southampton. It was launched in 2008 as the third and final Freedom-class ship, after Liberty and Freedom of the Seas, and was the world’s biggest cruise ship at the time. These vessels saw the first appearance of Royal’s exhilarating FlowRider surf simulators, which have become a fixture on subsequent vessels.

5. Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has always been known for pushing the boundaries with first-at-sea innovations. In 2014 these came in the shape of two new crew members, the robot bartenders B1-0 and N1-C (get it?), on the first, namesake Quantum-class ship. They’re capable of mixing two drinks per minute (or 1,000 per day), and the bar menu features classic cocktails — or you can design your own from the 30 spirits and 21 mixers on offer. Robots also serve drinks on Anthem, Ovation, Harmony, Oasis, Odyssey, Spectrum, Symphony and Wonder of the Seas.

6. Grandeur of the Seas

While Royal Caribbean is associated with supersized vessels, there are also some relative tiddlers in the fleet. Launched in 1996, the 1,992-passenger Grandeur of the Seas is the smallest and most senior. What the ship lacks in the all-singing, all-dancing attractions and top deck waterparks of its younger relatives it makes up for in traditional charm, which is the reason many repeaters return to “Lady G” time after time. Based in the Caribbean, Grandeur is one of Royal’s four Vision-class ships along with Rhapsody, Enchantment and Vision of the Seas.

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7. Harmony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean introduced thrill-seekers to life on the high seas in every sense when it unveiled the first Ultimate Abyss on Harmony of the Seas in 2016. Towering more than 45m (150ft) above sea level, the pair of side-by-side slides hold the world record for the tallest slides at sea. Spanning ten decks from the sports zone, Ultimate Abyss twists and turns in a serpentine movement as riders slide down on special mats and emerge on the boardwalk. You can also take the Abyss plunge on Oasis, Symphony and Wonder of the Seas.

8. Spectrum of the Seas

The largest ship sailing in Asia, the 4,905-passenger Spectrum of the Seas marks the next evolution of the line’s Quantum-class cruise ships. The Quantum Ultra-class vessel introduced the line’s first-ever exclusive ship-within-a-ship complex. The quiet enclave, with swanky all-suite accommodation, is reached through a key-card access private lift and guests have their own restaurant and swimming pool. In 2021 Spectrum was joined by Odyssey of the Seas, the line’s only other Quantum Ultra-class cruise ship, which sails closer to home in the Greek islands and Mediterranean.

9. Liberty of the Seas

If you’re on holiday in Florida you can hop aboard Liberty of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale and head to the Bahamas. It’s among Royal’s ships offering three-night mini-cruises to its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Here you can plunge down North America’s tallest waterslide, travel 137m (450ft) in the air in a helium balloon, splash around in the Caribbean’s largest wave pool or simply relax on the beach. When it’s time to cool off, enjoy the dazzling ice show or have a go at skating yourself back onboard. There are also rinks on Royal’s Freedom, Voyager and Oasis-class ships.

10. Radiance of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s first Radiance-class vessel is noted for its open spaces and extensive use of glass, including floor-to-ceiling windows and glass lifts facing out to sea. It also has a high percentage of outside cabins. With all these viewing areas, it’s a perfect ship for an Alaskan adventure. When it comes to entertainment, the mid-size ship, which carries 2,112 guests, has an impressive three-level theatre and plenty of bars. Itineraries include week-long round-trip sailings from Vancouver. The other Radiance vessels in the fleet are Brilliance, Serenade and Jewel of the Seas.

11. Oasis of the Seas

Fly high on the first member of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class, which is often sailing in the Mediterranean. Daredevils can try the zip line suspended over nine decks or, if you prefer something gentler, have a drink in the Rising Tide bar which moves between three decks. Oasis also introduced the first-ever carousel at sea. Indeed, there are times when it’s hard to imagine you’re afloat when you walk through the Central Park area with its lush green lawns, flower gardens and trees.

12. Voyager of the Seas

Don’t have long to soak up the sun at sea? Then take a look at Voyager’s four and five-night trips out of Orlando’s Port Canaveral. These family-friendly sailings can easily be combined with a few land-based days meeting Mickey and his mates at the theme parks. The fun continues onboard with three storeys of twisting tubes on Voyager’s two high-speed waterslides. Or go head to head with family and friends in the glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience Battle for Planet Z, also found on Allure, Independence, Mariner, Navigator, Odyssey and Symphony of the Seas.

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