Overview
This segment from Royal Caribbean Blog provides a personal ranking of the top five and bottom five Royal Caribbean cruise ships, including reasoning for each choice and advice on how ship selection should align with traveler expectations and itinerary preferences.
Top Five Royal Caribbean Ships
- Icon of the Seas ranks #1 for innovative features, crowd management, and overall experience, though it's expensive and only sails the Caribbean.
- Wonder of the Seas is the best Oasis class ship, offering refined amenities but lacks a Broadway show compared to older Oasis ships.
- Odyssey of the Seas benefits from improvements over earlier Quantum class ships, with upgraded spaces and dining, but limited by location and lack of water slides.
- Utopia of the Seas is designed for short cruises and first-time cruisers, with enhanced pool and party atmosphere, but shorter itineraries may limit its appeal for some.
- Freedom of the Seas stands out for value and recent/upcoming upgrades, despite less modern cabin decor.
Bottom Five Royal Caribbean Ships
- Explorer of the Seas has not received recent upgrades, making its onboard experience less attractive compared to its Voyager class peers, but offers low fares.
- Liberty of the Seas is similar to Explorer, with some water slide additions but lacking major updates; also offers good deals.
- Jewel of the Seas is the least updated among Radiance class ships, with outdated venues but benefits from smaller ship crowds.
- Vision class ships (all included in the bottom list) are older and lack modern amenities, making them less reflective of the Royal Caribbean brand, though they are suitable for unique destinations and smaller ports.
- Destinations and price can justify choosing these lower-ranked ships if itinerary is the priority over onboard features.
Considerations When Choosing a Ship
- Newer and upgraded ships provide the best Royal Caribbean experience, especially for families or those new to cruising.
- Older or smaller ships may be preferable for unique destinations or budget-conscious travelers, but manage expectations regarding amenities.
- Ship choice should not be based solely on price; align selection with your desired experience and ports of call.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- What are your personal top five and bottom five Royal Caribbean ships?
- Do you agree or disagree with these rankings, and why?