Royal Caribbean International

Line: Royal Caribbean International
Established: 1969
Vessels: 22 by the end of 2010
Star rating: 4 star
Tonnage: 69,130 - 222,900 GRT
Passengers: 1,804 - 5,400

What's included in the price:

  • Room with ensuite
  • Elegant dining - breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Onboard activities and spectacular entertainment
  • Outstanding service
  • Fitness centre
  • Kids' dining program and activities
  • All taxes and fees
  • Onboard gratuities

What's new?

Royal Caribbean claim to be the biggest cruise line and to have the biggest cruise ships. What is certainly true is the any one of the line’s ships is so big that it can carry more passengers than the whole of their fleet in the 1970s. The ships are equipped to an almost unbelievable degree. There are ice rinks and even surf pools as well as a multitude of eating and relaxing venues. All ships of the line have a Viking Crown Lounge which is a place to watch the seascape by day to be able to dance the night away later. There are staggering multi-deck atriums with the generous use of brass fittings and floor to ceiling windows which give the ships an airy, light feeling.

There are plenty of things to do on a Royal Caribbean ship – almost too much to do. There are non-stop casinos and dancing venues, daytime activities around the pool and all of the other usual cruise ship activities. The evenings feature spectacular shows with guest artists and professional ice extravaganzas. Professional artists include celebrity actors, singers and comedians who perform in various lounges around the ship.

Dining on Royal Caribbean ships is an international experience as menus are changed nightly with speciality dishes being featured each evening. Of course, there are alternative eating places other than the main dining room such as an Italian restaurant and a steak house. There are two main sittings for dinner but there is an open seating plan. There is a limited menu for room service and it comes at an extra fee. There are no celebrity chefs on Royal Caribbean cruises but the food is still of an excellent quality.

There are two formal dinner nights on a seven day cruise. At those times men are asked to wear black tie rig and ladies are asked to dress up. All other evenings are casual but jeans and shorts are not welcome in the restaurants and shorts are not welcome in public areas after 6 pm.

Royal Caribbean ships have an appeal to a wide range of ages. Families like the large family staterooms and the extensive facilities for children. Middle age couples like the entertainment and the food whilst younger couples enjoy the extensive range of activities that are available.

There is a very wide range of activities for children. They are split into age groups and supervised by trained counsellors but young children must be toilet trained before they can be left without a parent. There is always a teen centre that is adult free and packed with video games and other things that teenagers cannot survive without. They also have a disco and chilling areas.

Royal Caribbean were pioneers in providing entertainments such as rock climbing wall and ice rinks. There are also jogging tracks, fitness suites and fitness classes, including yoga. Spas and beauty salons are extremely well equipped and very popular. They have full daily menus of treatments and services for pampering and relaxation.

The cruise line’s ships are resorts afloat. There is a great deal to do and passengers may not be able to pack everything in on a short cruise. The line is very family oriented and makes a special effort to ensure that both children and parents have an enjoyable cruise.