Royal Caribbean International
Floating theme parks for families who want everything onboard.
Royal Caribbean has spent the last decade in an arms race with itself. Each new Oasis- and Icon-class ship raises the ceiling on what a cruise ship can contain — surf simulators, ice rinks, full-scale water parks, Broadway shows, and Central Park-style outdoor neighborhoods with real trees. The result is divisive. For families with kids who do not want to sit still, no other line comes close. For travelers who want a quiet seascape and a good book, the same ships can feel like a stadium.
Ideal for
Multigenerational families, first-time cruisers wowed by spectacle, anyone who values activity variety over intimacy.
Dining
Strong main dining rooms, an enormous specialty restaurant lineup (Chops, 150 Central Park, Izumi), and surprisingly competent buffets.
Entertainment
Aqua theater shows, ice skating, Broadway-caliber productions, and whole indoor neighborhoods.
Typical itineraries
3-12 night Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Mediterranean — with private island Perfect Day at CocoCay anchoring most short Caribbean sailings.
Latest Royal Caribbean International reviews
Icon of the Seas — Yes, the Largest Ship Actually Works
Sensory overload would be the natural expectation. Instead, Royal Caribbean's neighborhood concept genuinely delivers a 7,600-passenger ship that doesn't feel like one.
Wonder of the Seas — Oasis-Class Near Perfection
The fifth and final Oasis-class refinement adds a dedicated Suite Neighborhood and the line's strongest production show lineup. The ceiling is real.
Ships in the fleet — editorial reviews
Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's flagship and the largest cruise ship ever built. Eight neighborhoods, the largest waterpark at sea, and a quietly excellent suite-class product hidden inside the spectacle.
Wonder of the Seas
An Oasis-class refinement with a dedicated Suite Neighborhood, an upgraded Central Park, and the line's strongest production show lineup.