When booking a cruise, you might wonder what Royal Caribbean ship is the best for families, solo travelers, adventure seekers, and so on.
You want to figure out which boat in the Royal Caribbean fleet matches your preferences.
Because not all cruises are the same.
Some cruise ships offer a variety of activities catered to different ages, making them perfect for families.
Other ships promise a quiet, contemplative atmosphere with plenty of opportunities for privacy, which many solo travelers appreciate.
And other ships market themselves as a fun-filled party at sea, with community events and themed parties almost every night.
Here’s an overview of the different Royal Caribbean ships and their main features.
Best Royal Caribbean Ship Overall
Symphony of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas is one of the largest and most exciting ships Royal Caribbean has in its fleet.
It’s packed with different dining, entertainment, and relaxation options.
Many agree it’s a spacious and well-designed ship that has something for everyone, making it a great choice for most travelers.
Here’s just a taste of what you can find onboard:
Over 40 restaurants and bars. Royal Caribbean offers both paid and complimentary dining.
Passengers can choose casual eats like Park Cafe and El Loco Fresh or more upscale, specialty dining like Chops Grille℠ and Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen.
Exciting entertainment onboard. Every night treats guests to Broadway-style shows, ice skating performances, and AquaTheater acrobatics.
Activities for All Ages. Adventurous families and travelers will find there’s plenty to do onboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas.
Swimming, rock climbing, and ziplining are standard, of course.
But why not ride the waves on the FlowRider surf simulator or go on the Ultimate Abyss water slide?
Central Park. Symphony of the Seas is a peaceful outdoor space with real plants — great for passengers who need to chill.
Dozens of Staterooms. Thanks to its size, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas has a lot of different staterooms to choose from.
You can pick from affordable, comfy cabins to luxurious grand suites.
So if you want a mix of entertainment, dining, and adventure, Symphony of the Seas is a top pick.
Best Luxury Royal Caribbean Ship
Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is perfect for those who want high-end suites and premium experiences.
Luxurious Suites. Wonder of the Seas has some of the best accommodations among the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Their rooms also come with great VIP perks.
Suite Neighborhood. Wonder of the Seas also has a private area exclusively for suite passengers.
It hosts a pool and sun deck, and it also offers exclusive dining.
Upscale Dining. If you want to know what Royal Caribbean ship is the best for high-end dining, just look at Wonder of the Seas.
It offers some of the more exclusive and elevated dining experiences on Royal Caribbean, with restaurants like Coastal Kitchen and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.
Premium Entertainment. There are high-end, Broadway-style shows and incredibly immersive experiences almost every night.
So if you’re after a more elegant cruise with an exclusive, elevated vibe, Wonder of the Seas is a great choice.
Best Ship for Families
Allure of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas is perfect for families with kids of all ages.
Here’s why:
Adventure Ocean Kids’ Club. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean Club caters to a wide range of young age groups (from infants to pre-teens!) by offering age-appropriate activities.
Parents can get some quiet time to themselves while still being reassured that their kids are safe and entertained.
AquaTheater Shows. Allure of the Seas hosts action-packed aquatic performances that are always a delight to witness.
Boardwalk Avenue. If you’ve booked a cruise on the Allure of the Seas, the Boardwalk neighborhood might become your kids’ go-to hangout.
It’s a lively and vibrant park with a carousel, arcade, and lots of kid-friendly dining options.
Splashaway Bay. Splashaway Bay is a favorite among young Royal Caribbean passengers.
It’s a fun water park for children with all the amenities and features they could want.
Ultimately, families love Allure of the Seas because there are endless activities for kids and parents.
Best Budget-Friendly Royal Caribbean Ship
Freedom of the Seas
What Royal Caribbean ship is the best for budget-conscious travelers?
Many agree it’s Freedom of the Seas.
It offers great lodging, dining, and entertainment options at a much lower price compared to other Royal Caribbean ships.
Affordable Base Fare. If you’re on a tight budget, Freedom of the Seas promises a great cruise experience without the high price tag.
Fun for All. Even with the lower ticket price, Freedom of the Seas has great activities and entertainment for all ages.
It has a mini-golf course, dozens of water slides, and even the FlowRider surf simulator!
A Quick Cruise. Freedom of the Seas is host to some of the shorter cruise trips in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
It’s the perfect pick if you just need a quick, sea-based getaway.
Updated Features. Royal Caribbean announced renovations on its Freedom of the Seas ship not too long ago.
So passengers can expect new restaurants, modern amenities, and elevated entertainment after the rework.
If you’re after an affordable and exciting cruise, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas is a solid pick.
Best New Royal Caribbean Ship
Utopia of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean ship.
It’s designed for shorter cruises but packed with fun.
Here’s what else you can expect from it:
New Dining Options. As Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas has tons of new restaurants and eateries to try.
You‘ll find food trucks, casual eats, upscale restaurants, and more onboard.
Shorter Itineraries. Like Freedom of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas offers short cruises for quick getaways.
You can book cruises as quick as three to four nights long.
Better Elevators. According to Royal Caribbean, this newly installed system cuts down on waiting time for passengers moving between decks.
Classic Oasis-Class Features. Utopia of the Seas falls under Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class.
Because of that, it has all the great features and amenities that other Oasis Class ships have, including the FlowRider and the AquaTheater.
For a new and exciting cruise experience, Utopia of the Seas is a top choice.
Best Ship for Adventure Seekers
Harmony of the Seas
If you’d love a lively cruise packed with thrilling activities and energetic entertainment options, Harmony of the Seas is a great choice for you.
Here’s why:
Ultimate Abyss. This is Royal Caribbean’s popular 10-storey dry slide.
The trip down is exhilarating.
The Perfect Storm. An installation featuring high-speed water slides for adventurous travelers.
Ziplines, Rock Climbing & Surf Simulators. The perfect activities for thrill-seekers and enthusiasts looking for an endorphin rush.
Harmony of the Seas also has great staterooms and dining options.
It’s overall a balanced ship that caters to passengers who want a more high-energy experience.
Best Royal Caribbean Ship for Younger Passengers
Icon of the Seas
Just like Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is great for families with young kids.
It has lots of services for infants and toddlers, including playgroups and daycares.
It also has:
Surfside Neighborhood. A large area with toddler-friendly splash pads, pools, and dining options for families.
Family-Friendly Staterooms. These are larger staterooms with enough space to accommodate big families.
Adventure Ocean Club. This is Royal Caribbean’s special kids program catering to different age groups.
The Aquanauts, for instance, are for toddlers aged 3-5 while the Explorers is the activity group for kids 6-8 years of age.
There are three more groups (Voyagers, Navigators, and Teens) that the Adventure Ocean Club caters to.
So if you’re traveling with little kids, Icon of the Seas is a great option.
Plan Your Royal Caribbean Cruise with Team Thompson Travel
Ultimately, the best Royal Caribbean ship depends on your preferences.
If you want luxury, Wonder of the Seas is ideal.
If you’re looking for adventure, Harmony of the Seas has plenty to offer.
Families will love Allure of the Seas or Icon of the Seas while budget travelers can enjoy Freedom of the Seas.
No matter which ship you choose, Royal Caribbean provides top entertainment, dining, and destinations.
So, still want to know what Royal Caribbean ship is the best for you?
Let us help!
At Team Thompson Travel, we specialize in planning unforgettable Royal Caribbean cruises.
Whether you want a quick luxury escape or a fun family trip, we’ll handle the details.
All you need to do is focus on enjoying your vacation.
Best of all, our services are free.
We work directly with cruise lines to book the best deals at no extra cost to you.
Contact us today to find the perfect Royal Caribbean cruise for you!