Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise brands when it comes to megaships, family fun and entertainment at sea.
Its fleet boasts not just one but two of the world’s largest cruise ships - Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas - with Legend of the Seas set to join the lineup next year.
There are 29 active Royal Caribbean ships in operation for people to choose from, with one more.
Many of the brand’s vessels are like floating cities or theme parks, providing a range of features from skydiving and surfing simulators to rock climbing walls, ice rinks, roller discos and waterparks. Passengers are also treated to a variety of restaurants and quality entertainment.
The fleet is divided into six classes, reflecting the size of the ship and the services on offer.
The vessels range from small Vision-class and medium-sized Radiance-class ships, which offer a more relaxed and destination-focused sailing, to the megaship-style Quantum-, Oasis- and the latest Icon-class, which provide larger capacities and more entertainment and activities onboard.
In the middle are Freedom- and Voyager- class ships, which feature popular facilities such as mini-golf, rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks but can be quieter as they have a slightly smaller capacity than the larger ships.
The older ships are worth as much of a look as the new ones, especially as the fleet is regularly upgraded with features such as new slides or restaurants, or what Royal Caribbean describes as “amplified”.
Allure of the Seas enjoyed a $100 million upgrade this year and Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will be renovated in 2026.
The activities on board may make it hard to get off but there are also plenty of top destinations that you can experience with Royal Caribbean. It is a great brand for exploring the Caribbean itself and even has its own private island in the Bahamas for a popular port stop called Perfect Day at CocoCay. There are also plans for a new private island beach club in the Bahamas and a Perfect Day Mexico private island experience to launch in 2027.
Here is our pick of the top Royal Caribbean cruises to choose from in 2025 and 2026.
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Anthem of the Seas: Tokyo to Seattle
Sydney, Australia – Noumea, New Caledonia – Port Vila, Vanuatu – Mystery Island, Vanuatu – Sydney, Australia
Explore the south pacific aboard Anthem of the Seas. Departing from Sydney, Australia, this nine-night voyage includes stops by the scenic rainforests of Port Vila and the turquoise waters of Mystery Island in Vanuatu.
Anthem is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular ships. The Quantum-class vessel carries 4,180 passengers and has plenty to do on board including its RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator and the North Star pod ride that provides views over the sea.
Departs 13 March 2026. From £797pp.
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Allure of the Seas: Western Mediterranean Cruise
Barcelona, Spain – Palma De Mallorca , Spain – Florence, Italy – Rome, Italy – Naples, Italy – Barcelona
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Allure of the Seas was upgraded this year with new slides, a the popular Pesky Parrot bar and 10-deck drop slide The Abyss.
Passengers can enjoy the ship’s old and new features during a seven-night western Mediterranean cruise where you can pack visiting La Rambla in Barcelona, the beaches in Palma De Mallorca, romantic Florence and historic Rome, as well as eating pizza in Naples in just one week.
Allure also its own attractions onboard such as a zip line ride 10 decks above the Boardwalk.
Departs 19 October 2026. From £1,041pp.
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Radiance of the Seas: Southbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier
Seward, Alaska – Hubbard Glacier – Juneau – Skagway – Icy Strait Point – Ketchikan – Inside Passage – Vancouver
Royal Caribbean may be mainly known for visiting warmer destinations but its Alaska itineraries are worth considering.
Departing from Seward on Radiance of the Seas, passengers can enjoy a seven-night sailing beside the mountain views and glaciers of Alaska on its popular Inside Passage that takes in Skagway and the capital Juneau as well as the famous Hubbard Glacier before finishing in Vancouver, British Columbia.
With a capacity of 2,112, Radiance is classed as a mid-sized ship but its floor-to-glass windows and outward-facing lifts ensure you never miss a view of the epic sights.
Departs 12 September 2025; from £516pp.
Liberty of the Seas: Spanish Flair
Southampton, UK – Vigo, Spain – Lisbon, Portugal – Seville, Spain – La Coruna, Spain – Bilbao, Spain – Southampton, UK
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Launched in 2007, Liberty of the Seas is one of the oldest ships in the fleet.
It is set to enter drydock early next year where it will be revamped with a new pool deck, The Lime & Coconut and new casitas or wooden cabins by the pool.
Once ready, UK-based passengers will be able to enjoy a Royal Caribbean sailing without the hassle of a flight.
The upgraded vessel will host 9-night Spanish Flair roundtrips from Southampton next summer.
The itinerary focuses on northern Spain, providing the chance to see the architecture of Bilbao, as well as its Guggenheim Museum and the historic squares and beautiful beaches of Vigo. There will also be chance to feast on genuine pastéis de natas in Lisbon.
Despite being older, Liberty of the Seas still has great features, such as 12 bars and lounges, specialty restaurants, waterslides and it is the only Royal Caribbean ship with the Tidal Wave boomerang waterslide.
Departs 24 July 2026; from £1,129pp.
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Wonder of the Seas: Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day
Miami, Florida – Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas – Miami, Florida
Experience the best of the eastern Caribbean on a seven night sailing aboard the Oasis-class Wonder of the Seas.
It starts in Port Canaveral and the first stop will give you a chance to relax on the private CocoCay island before visiting St Thomas and St Kitts & Nevis.
There is plenty to keep you entertained aboard Wonder including its 10-storey Ultimate Abyss waterslide and there are also amazing water-filled shows in its AquaTheater, which features 30-foot diving platforms.
It is one of the largest ships in the fleet, with space for 5,734 guests at double occupancy and is 1,188 feet long.
Departs 1 May 2026. From £881pp.
Icon of the Seas: Western Caribbean and Perfect Day
Miami – Puerto Costa Maya – Roatan – Cozumel – Perfect Day at CocoCay – Miami
Passengers can island hop around the Caribbean on this seven-night sailing from Miami on the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of The Seas.
It its the brand’s first Icon-class ship at 1,196 feet long.
The itinerary offers plenty of beach days such as in the Bahamas as well as a chance to enjoy the clear waters and Mayan ruins of Costa Maya.
You will also get to experience Royal Caribbean’s private island takeover on a Perfect Day at CocoCay stop, where cruisers can enjoy the party atmosphere amid the pools, bars and a waterpark.
There is plenty of things to do aboard Icon of the Seas. It can fit 5,610 passengers across 18 decks and also boasts the biggest waterpark and waterslides at sea as well as seven pools, its own Central Park and more than 40 bars and restaurants – providing lots for people of all ages.
Departs 5 September 2026; from £1,086pp.
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Star of the Seas: Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day
Port Canaveral – Perfect Day at CocoCay – Puerto Rico – St Marteen – Port Canaveral
Sail aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, and explore the eastern Caribbean.
This seven-day sailing from Port Canaveral visits scenic destinations such as Puerto Rico and St Maarten and includes a stop on the brand’s private CocoCay island.
It is the sister ship to Icon, so you can expect mammoth waterparks and slides onboard.
But there are some extra facilities on this ship compared with Icon.
Royal Caribbean has refreshed its specialty Empire Supper Club onboard, serving intimate meals with live entertainment on a 1930s Chicago-inspired theme.
New onboard technology will also be rolled out including a waterproof bracelet for parents to track where their kids are on the cruise line’s app. The ship also has an exclusive Back To The Future musical show.
Departs 13 September 2026; from £1,203pp.
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