Cruise Line · Mid-Range
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean suits families and groups who want maximum onboard activity and variety — waterslides, rock climbing, ice skating, and Broadway-caliber shows — alongside solid but not luxury-level service and dining.
A Bit of History
Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968 by a group of Norwegian shipping companies specifically to serve the emerging Miami-based Caribbean cruise market, debuting its first ship in 1970.
The line became known for pushing the size and scale of cruise ships further than any competitor, a strategy that culminated in its Oasis-class and, in 2024, Icon-class ships — the largest passenger vessels ever built, designed less like traditional ocean liners and more like floating resort destinations with neighborhoods of their own.
What Makes Royal Caribbean International Different
Royal Caribbean made a deliberate, sustained bet that the biggest ship wins — its Oasis and Icon-class vessels are the largest passenger ships ever built, engineered less as boats and more as floating small cities with distinct onboard neighborhoods.
Destinations & US Homeports
Destinations Served
US Departure Ports
Sample Packages & Itineraries
Starting prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and vary by season and cabin category.
7-Night Perfect Day Eastern Caribbean
CaribbeanIncludes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the line's private island with the Caribbean's tallest waterslide.
7 nights · Departs from Miami, FL or Port Canaveral, FL
7-Night Western Caribbean
CaribbeanTypically calls at Cozumel, Roatán, and Costa Maya.
7 nights · Departs from Galveston, TX or Fort Lauderdale, FL
7-Night Alaska Glacier Discovery
AlaskaIncludes cruising past a major tidewater glacier, seasonal May–September.
7 nights · Departs from Seattle, WA
4–5 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day
BahamasA short getaway centered on CocoCay's beach day.
4–5 nights · Departs from Port Canaveral, FL
Which Trip Length Is Right for You?
First-Timer (4–5 nights)
A short Bahamas or Perfect Day sailing is the easiest way to experience an Oasis or Icon-class ship without a big commitment.
Classic Week (7 nights)
Eastern or Western Caribbean lets you fully use the ship's activities across multiple sea days.
Longer (10+ nights)
Alaska or transatlantic repositioning cruises are the main long-format options.
Cabin Categories
Interior
$70–110/night
Includes 'virtual balcony' floor-to-ceiling screens on some ships showing a real-time ocean view.
Ocean View
$100–150/night
A real window or porthole, no balcony.
Balcony
$150–220/night
The most popular category fleet-wide, especially valuable on Alaska sailings for glacier viewing.
Suite
$280–600+/night
Access to exclusive suite lounges, priority everything, and on the largest ships, multi-level loft suites.
Recommended Budget by Group Size
Estimated cabin cost for the itinerary above — actual fares vary by season and sailing date.
Couple
$2,100–$3,080 for a 7-night balcony cabin
Based on double occupancy; interior cabins run meaningfully less.
Family of 4
$3,200–$4,600 for a 7-night balcony cabin
Assumes 2 kids at discounted 3rd/4th-guest fares sharing the same cabin.
Group of 6+
$4,700–$6,900 for 7 nights
Best split across 2 cabins, or consider a Central Park/Boardwalk-view suite that sleeps more.
Onboard Amenities
Ultimate Abyss & FlowRider
A 10-story dry slide and a surf simulator, signature features on the line's largest ships.
Ice skating rinks & rock climbing walls
Available fleet-wide on most larger ships, included in the cruise fare.
Central Park & Boardwalk neighborhoods
Open-air, tree-lined outdoor spaces built into the middle of the ship on the largest ship classes.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
The line's private Bahamian island, with the Caribbean's tallest waterslide and a dedicated helium balloon ride.
Escape Room & laser tag
Included activities on many ships, popular with families and groups.
Casino Royale & Broadway-style shows
Full production entertainment included in the cruise fare on most sailings.
Hidden Gem
Vitality Spa's thermal suite day pass
Booking a single thermal suite day pass (heated loungers, saunas, steam rooms) is far cheaper than a spa treatment and an underused way to actually relax on a high-energy ship.
Things to Know Before You Book
Gratuities
Automatically added daily, typically around $16–20 per person depending on stateroom category.
Drink packages
The Deluxe Beverage Package covers most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at a flat daily rate.
Dining
Main dining room and Windjammer buffet included; specialty restaurants run $20–50 per person.
Wi-Fi
VOOM high-speed internet available fleet-wide for a daily fee, notably faster than many competitors.
Booking the biggest ships early
Oasis and Icon-class sailings, especially school holiday weeks, sell out cabin categories and specialty dining reservations well in advance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Widest range of onboard activities in the mass-market segment
- + Strong private island experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay
- + Generally newer, well-maintained fleet
- + Good balance of price and amenities
Cons
- – Largest ships can feel overwhelming or crowded
- – Specialty dining and drink packages add up quickly
- – Popular sailings and cabin categories book out early
- – Less intimate than smaller-ship lines
Compare Other Cruise Lines
BudgetCarnival Cruise Line
The biggest name in mass-market cruising — vibrant, affordable, and built for a good time over a quiet one.
3–8 nights (short getaways are a Carnival specialty)
Mid-RangeNorwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle Cruising — no set dining times, no formal nights required, built around flexibility.
3–14 nights
PremiumDisney Cruise Line
Disney-level production value at sea — built as much for adults who grew up on Disney as for kids.
3–7 nights (with occasional longer repositioning cruises)