Royal Caribbean has spent decades doing something that most companies only talk about: genuinely innovating. From the first rock climbing wall at sea to the first surf simulator, from the first onboard skydiving experience to the first neighborhood-style ship design, Royal Caribbean has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a cruise ship can be — and in doing so, has created a product that is genuinely unlike anything else in travel.

At Marquis Vacations, we book Royal Caribbean for a wide range of clients — from families seeking the ultimate adventure vacation to couples celebrating anniversaries to groups of friends who want to experience something they've never experienced before. The line's breadth is one of its greatest strengths: there is a Royal Caribbean ship and itinerary for almost every type of traveler.

The Ships: Engineering Marvels

Royal Caribbean operates the world's largest cruise ships — and they are genuinely extraordinary achievements of engineering and design. The Icon of the Seas, launched in 2024, carries over 7,000 guests and features six waterslides, seven pools, an ice skating rink, a full-size carousel, a mini golf course, and more than 40 dining and bar venues. It is, in the most literal sense, a floating city.

But Royal Caribbean's fleet is not only about scale. The line also operates smaller, more intimate ships — the Vision and Radiance classes — that carry 2,000 to 2,500 guests and offer a more relaxed, less overwhelming experience while still delivering Royal Caribbean's signature quality and innovation.

The Oasis class ships (Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, and Icon of the Seas) are the line's flagship product and the ships that most people think of when they think of Royal Caribbean. They are organized around a series of distinct "neighborhoods" — Central Park (a real garden with live plants and trees), the Boardwalk (a classic American boardwalk with a carousel and aqua theater), the Pool and Sports Zone, the Entertainment Place, and the Royal Promenade (a four-story indoor boulevard lined with shops, bars, and restaurants). The neighborhood concept makes these enormous ships feel surprisingly navigable and human-scaled.

The Suite Life: Royal Caribbean's Luxury Tier

Royal Caribbean's suite program has evolved significantly in recent years, and the current offering is genuinely impressive. The Royal Suite Class — which includes Sky, Sea, and Star Suite tiers — provides access to the exclusive Suite Lounge and Sun Deck, priority boarding and disembarkation, dedicated concierge service, and a suite-only restaurant called Coastal Kitchen that serves some of the best food on the ship.

The top suites — the Royal Loft Suite, the Ultimate Family Suite, and the Ultimate Panoramic Suite on the newer ships — are spectacular. The Ultimate Family Suite on Icon of the Seas includes a slide from the upper level to the lower level, a private hot tub, a dedicated kids' area, and enough space for a family of eight to live comfortably for a week. The Royal Loft Suite features a two-story living area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, a grand piano, and a private balcony that spans the full width of the suite.

The Dining: Quality Across the Board

Royal Caribbean has invested heavily in its dining program, and the results show. The main dining rooms serve three-course dinners with a menu that changes nightly and includes both classic and contemporary options — the quality is consistently good, and the service is attentive.

The specialty restaurants are where Royal Caribbean truly shines. Chops Grille, the line's signature steakhouse, serves USDA prime beef and is one of the best steakhouses at sea. Giovanni's Table (Italian), Izumi (Japanese), and 150 Central Park (contemporary American) are all worth the cover charge. On the newer ships, the dining options have expanded significantly — Hooked Seafood, El Loco Fresh (Mexican), and the Mason Jar (Southern American) add variety and quality to an already strong lineup.

The Entertainment: Spectacular by Design

Royal Caribbean's entertainment program is the most ambitious in the industry. The AquaTheater — an outdoor amphitheater at the stern of the Oasis class ships — hosts high-diving, synchronized swimming, and acrobatic performances that are genuinely spectacular. The main theater productions are Broadway-quality, with full sets, costumes, and professional casts.

Beyond the formal entertainment, Royal Caribbean's activity programming is extraordinary: rock climbing walls, surf simulators (FlowRider), zip lines, bumper cars, laser tag, escape rooms, and on the newest ships, the Category 6 waterpark with six slides and a dedicated kids' splash area. For families with children, the activity options are essentially unlimited.

The Itineraries: Every Ocean, Every Season

Royal Caribbean sails to over 240 destinations across 60 countries, with particular strength in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and the Bahamas. The Caribbean itineraries are the most popular, with sailings from Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, and Baltimore covering every corner of the Caribbean basin.

The Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas — is one of the line's signature experiences and one of the best private island stops in the cruise industry. The island features the tallest waterslide in the Bahamas, a wave pool, a floating waterpark, overwater cabanas, and a beach club that serves exceptional food and cocktails. It is, by any measure, an extraordinary day.

European itineraries cover the Mediterranean, the British Isles, and the Norwegian fjords, with the Mediterranean sailings being particularly popular. Royal Caribbean's larger ships can't access some of the smaller ports that boutique lines visit, but the combination of onboard activities and major port calls makes for a compelling itinerary.

Is Royal Caribbean Right for You?

Royal Caribbean is an excellent choice for families with children of all ages — the activity programming, the kids' clubs, and the sheer variety of things to do make it one of the best family cruise lines in the world. It is also an excellent choice for groups of friends who want a high-energy, activity-rich experience, and for travelers who want to experience the engineering marvel of the world's largest ships.

For travelers seeking the most intimate, quiet, or ultra-luxury experience at sea, a smaller luxury line may be a better fit. But for those who want adventure, variety, and the best family cruise experience available, Royal Caribbean is hard to beat.

Planning Your Royal Caribbean Cruise

Suite categories and the most popular cabin types on peak sailings — particularly summer Caribbean and holiday sailings — book well in advance. Marquis Vacations has preferred partner status with Royal Caribbean, providing our clients with priority booking access, onboard credits, and the benefit of our direct relationships with the Royal Caribbean team. We'll help you find the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right cabin category for your travel style and budget.