Cruise line · Mainstream & family

Royal Caribbean International: Our Cruise Line Guide

The biggest ships at sea and a private island in the Bahamas: Royal Caribbean is the classic first family cruise, with waterparks, ice shows, Broadway musicals and 17 complimentary places to eat on its newest ships.

Plan your trip:Official website Our Miami guide

The back story

Fleet: 30 ships sailing plus Hero of the Seas (August 2027): Icon class, Oasis class and 21 earlier ships (royalcaribbean.com, Oct 2026) · Newest ships: Legend of the Seas, now sailing; Hero of the Seas arrives in Miami in August 2027 (royalcaribbean.com) · What’s included: Main dining room, buffets and fast-casual spots (17 complimentary eateries on Icon class), pools, waterparks, shows and youth programmes (royalcaribbean.com) · Gratuities: US$18.50 per guest per day; US$21 in suites (royalcaribbean.com, Oct 2026) · Private destination: Perfect Day CocoCay, the Bahamas; Royal Beach Clubs at Paradise Island (Nassau) and Santorini · Sails to: The Bahamas and the Caribbean all year; the Mediterranean and Greek Islands in summer (royalcaribbean.com)

The back story

Royal Caribbean: the back story

Royal Caribbean International·In depth

From one Norwegian-built ship sailing out of Miami in 1970 to the largest cruise ships in the world, with a private island to match.

Explore View on map

The fleet

Who it suits. On a budget: Three- and four-night Bahamas sailings from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral, with a day at Perfect Day CocoCay; an inside or ocean-view room still gets the waterparks, shows and main restaurants. Mid-range: A week on an Oasis- or Icon-class ship with a balcony or Surfside family room, a dining package for the specialty restaurants and a cabana day at CocoCay. Luxury: The Suite Neighborhood on Icon-class ships, with its own restaurant, The Grove, and two-storey sun deck, or the three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Debuted January 2024

Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International·Ocean ship · Icon class·€€

The ship that started the Icon class: seven pools, the Category 6 waterpark and Surfside for young families, sailing from Miami.

Explore View on map
Sails from Port Canaveral

Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International·Ocean ship · Icon class·€€

The second Icon-class ship, sailing week-long Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, within reach of Orlando’s theme parks.

Explore View on map
Now sailing

Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International·Ocean ship · Icon class·€€

The third Icon-class ship and the first in Europe: week-long Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome in summer, the Southern Caribbean in winter.

Explore View on map
Arrives August 2027

Hero of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International·Ocean ship · Icon class·€€

The fourth Icon-class ship, arriving in Miami in August 2027 with nine pools, new slides and 28 dining venues.

Explore View on map
Utopia, Wonder, Symphony, Harmony, Allure, Oasis

Oasis class

Royal Caribbean International·Ocean ships · six ships·€€

The six ships that introduced Central Park, the Boardwalk and the AquaTheater, from week-long Caribbean cruises to three-night getaways.

Explore View on map
21 more ships

The wider Royal Caribbean fleet

Royal Caribbean International·Ocean ships·€

The ships that came before Oasis and Icon: smaller, often on longer or more varied itineraries, and often the best-value fares in the fleet.

Explore View on map

The suites

Three levels, two bedrooms

Ultimate Family Townhouse

Royal Caribbean International·Suite · Icon class·€€

A three-level, two-bedroom suite with its own slide, cinema corner, karaoke and a private patio onto Surfside.

Explore View on map
Two-storey private sun deck

Icon-class Suite Neighborhood

Royal Caribbean International·Suites · Icon class·€€

An enclave for suite guests only, with a two-storey sun deck, private pool and hot tub, and The Grove restaurant.

Explore View on map
Up to six guests

Surfside Family Suites and Family Infinite Balcony

Royal Caribbean International·Family rooms · Icon class·€

Family rooms built around children: a separate kids’ alcove with bunk beds and a split bathroom so everyone gets ready at once.

Explore View on map

Dining on board

Extra charge

Chops Grille

Royal Caribbean International·Steakhouse · specialty·€€

Royal Caribbean’s steakhouse, the classic splurge night of a family cruise.

Explore View on map
Extra charge

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen

Royal Caribbean International·Italian · specialty·€€

Family-style Italian, from pasta and pizza to chicken parmesan, with a wine bar on many ships.

Explore View on map
Extra charge

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi

Royal Caribbean International·Japanese · specialty·€€

Teppanyaki cooked at the table and sushi rolls, the specialty night children enjoy most.

Explore View on map
Oasis class

150 Central Park

Royal Caribbean International·Chef-driven tasting menu · specialty·€€

The most polished table on an Oasis-class ship, looking onto the open-air garden of Central Park.

Explore View on map
Icon class

Empire Supper Club

Royal Caribbean International·Supper club · specialty·€€

A dressed-up evening on Icon-class ships: dinner with a live band.

Explore View on map
Suite guests only

The Grove

Royal Caribbean International·Suite restaurant · included·€€

The private restaurant of the Icon-class Suite Neighborhood, included for suite guests.

Explore View on map
Icon class

AquaDome Market

Royal Caribbean International·Food hall · included·€

An Icon-class food hall of five counters under the glass AquaDome, from crêpes to quick plates, included in the fare.

Explore View on map

Spa and wellness

Extra charge, 20% gratuity added

The spa on Royal Caribbean ships

Royal Caribbean International·Spa and salon·€€

Spa treatments and the salon are optional extras on every ship, with a 20% gratuity added automatically.

Explore View on map

Life on board

Included in the fare

Adventure Ocean and Royal Babies & Tots

Royal Caribbean International·Kids’ clubs·€

Youth programmes grouped by age, from babies and toddlers to teens, included in the fare, plus a late-night group for ages 3–11.

Explore View on map
Icon class

Category 6 and Thrill Island

Royal Caribbean International·Waterpark at sea·€

The largest waterpark at sea, with six slides including the tallest waterslide to sail and the first open freefall slide on a cruise.

Explore View on map
Included in the fare

Shows on Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International·Entertainment·€

Broadway musicals, ice skating, diving shows in the AquaTheater and live music, without an extra ticket.

Explore View on map

Private islands and beach clubs

Open, Royal Caribbean guests only

Perfect Day CocoCay

Royal Caribbean International·Private island · the Bahamas·€

Royal Caribbean’s own island in the Bahamas, with a 14-slide waterpark, an adults-only beach, a beach club and lagoon-side Chill Island.

Little Stirrup Cay, Berry Islands, The BahamasExplore View on map
Open, day pass

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Royal Caribbean International·Beach club · Nassau, the Bahamas·€€

A beach club on Paradise Island in Nassau: two beaches, three pools and the Floating Flamingo, called the world’s largest swim-up bar.

Paradise Island, Nassau, The BahamasExplore View on map
Open, via the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion

Royal Beach Club Santorini

Royal Caribbean International·Beach club · Santorini, Greece·€€

Europe’s first Royal Beach Club, on a volcanic black-sand beach, reached on a shore excursion that also takes in Oia and Fira.

Santorini, GreeceExplore View on map
In development

Royal Beach Club Cozumel

Royal Caribbean International·Beach club · Cozumel, Mexico·€€

A planned beach club on the site of a former beach club in Cozumel, with day passes; local residents keep their access to the public beach.

Explore View on map

Where it sails

All year

The Bahamas and the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International·Where it sails

Short Bahamas getaways and week-long Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean cruises from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Galveston.

Explore View on map
Summer

The Mediterranean and the Greek Islands

Royal Caribbean International·Where it sails

Summer weeks from Barcelona and Rome on Legend of the Seas, and Greek Isles and Croatia cruises from Ravenna, with Santorini’s beach club.

Explore View on map

What’s included and how to book

Official wording

What’s included on Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International·Booking

The main dining room, buffets, fast-casual spots, pools, waterparks, kids’ clubs and the big shows are in the fare; specialty dining, drinks, Wi-Fi and spa are extra.

Explore View on map
US$18.50–21 per guest per day

Royal Caribbean gratuities

Royal Caribbean International·Service charges

A daily gratuity of US$18.50 per guest, or US$21 in suites, plus 18% on drinks, specialty dining and room service and 20% on spa.

Explore View on map
Prices vary by sailing

Royal Caribbean drinks and dining packages

Royal Caribbean International·Packages

Beverage packages from soft drinks to cocktails and wine, and dining packages for several specialty restaurants, sold before you sail or on board.

Explore View on map

Share your Royal Caribbean International tips

Sailed with them? Share your ships, cabins and tips with other cruisers.

Loading the conversation…