royal caribbean family cruise reviews

Best Royal Caribbean Ships For Families – Complete Guide

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Royal Caribbean is well known for its family friendly cruise ships with lots of activities for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for a cruise that the whole family can enjoy, Royal Caribbean is the cruise line for you.

As someone who has cruised on Royal Caribbean since I was 4 years old and through my teen years, I know first-hand which are the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for families .

Cruise ships aren’t one size fits all, so it’s important to choose the right cruise ship for your families’ needs and preferred vacation style.

With that being said, here are the best Royal Caribbean ships for families, plus everything you need to know about the kid’s club on Royal Caribbean.

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6 Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Families

1. oasis of the seas.

The Oasis of the Seas is one or the largest ships in the world. As someone who cruised on the Oasis of the Seas recently, I’ll be the first one to say that this is the ultimate cruise ship for families!

With multiple restaurants, fantastic entertainment and endless activities, the Oasis of the Seas has something for every member of the family. For a ship with over 6,700 passengers, somehow the Oasis never feels overly crowded.

Now if you’re thinking about food that is great for kids and families, there are many free casual food options including Sorrento’s Pizza, El Loco Fresh and the Dog House.

Additionally, the Windjammer Marketplace (buffet) has a wide variety of options. If you prefer a sit down meal, the main dining room has great food and service. You’ll also find plenty of specialty restaurants that have an extra charge.

There are multiple entertainment venues onboard the Oasis of the Seas, including the Aqua Theatre, Studio B (ice skating show) and the Royal Theatre.

A few other fun things to do for families are a parade and a 70’s show, all happening in the Royal Promenade.

On sea days , the pool area is a great place to hang out with the family. There are multiple hot tubs and pools, and there is even poolside ice cream for those who have a sweet tooth.

Just because you’re on a family cruise, doesn’t mean that you can’t have some adult only alone time!

On Oasis of the Seas, you’ll find a beautiful solarium pool with hot tubs. The solarium pool area is a perfect adult only escape while your kids are in the kid’s club.

Activities on the Oasis of the Seas:

• The Ultimate Abyss (10 story dry slide)
• Water Slides
• Flow Rider Surf Simulator
• Basketball Court
• Miniature Golf Course

Related: What’s Included on Oasis of the Seas (Entertainment, Activities, Food & Drink)

2. Navigator of the Seas

The Navigator of the Seas is a great option for those who are looking to travel on a budget. The Navigator of the Seas may not be as big as the Oasis class ships, however this Voyager class ship still has some amazing activities!

Since it was recently refurbished, the Navigator of the seas has a beautiful new look and some incredible new attractions. Escape rooms, laser tag and water slides were all recently added to this ship, which is a big hit among kids.

If your kids love waterslides, the will love what the Navigator of the Seas has to offer. This cruise ship has multiple slides, including a two person tube slide that has you suspended over the water.

The Navigator of the Seas has some delicious included restaurants, like El Loco Fresh, Windjammer Café and the main dining room. There is also a wide variety of specialty restaurants, that have an extra charge .

Related: What to Pack for a Royal Caribbean Cruise: The Ultimate Guide

3. Quantum of the Seas

The Quantum of the Seas is one of the best cruises for families . This is a sister ship to the Anthem of The Seas and the Ovation of The Seas cruise ships.

In comparison to the Oasis class ships, the Quantum of the seas is smaller (although still a big ship at 168,000 tons). Quantum of the Seas holds just under 5,000 passengers.

The Quantum of the Seas has some cool and unique attractions: bumper karts, indoor sky diving and the North Star.

The North Star is a ride that brings you 300 feet above sea level where you’ll have beautiful view of the ocean and cruise ship. This ride accommodates up to 14 passengers and last for around 15-20 minutes. Depending on the time of day and sailing, charges may apply for the North Star.

The Quantum of the Seas has multiple pools and hot tub areas including the main pool, an indoor pool and a beautiful adult only pool area.

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4. Voyager of the Seas

The Voyager of the Seas is one of the older ships on this list, however it was recently refurbished in 2019. On the Voyager of the Seas, you can expect family favorites like ice skating shows, water slides and a surf simulator.

While your kids are at Adventure Ocean kid’s club, feel free to enjoy the beautiful adult only solarium. This is a great place to relax in a calm and quiet environment, while your children are having the time of their lives!

One of the great things about Voyager class cruise ships their size. At 137,000 tons, the Voyager of the Seas is a large ship with many onboard attractions and activities.

This ship size is great for families with younger kids that might find Oasis class ships overwhelming in size. While the Oasis of the Seas has many bells and whistles, the Voyager of the Seas has many great activities as well.

Related: How to Save Money on a Cruise: 27 Tips, Tricks & Hacks

5. Wonder of the Seas

The Wonder of the Seas is Royal Caribbean ‘s newest ship. This is the sister ship to the Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and the Utopia of the Seas (coming soon!).

Currently, Wonder of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, holding 6,988 passengers. This cruise is loaded with fun activities, top notch entertainment and amazing food.

Wonder of the Seas has many of the same activities as the Oasis, like the zip lines, rock climbing, water slides, surf simulators and the Ultimate Abyss.

When it comes to onboard entertainment, the Wonder of the Seas has the “INTENSE” aqua show. This show is incredible as it features dancers, acrobats and high divers.

The Wonder of The Seas has a wide variety of stateroom options for families, from economical inside cabins to next level family suites.

6. Freedom of the Seas

The Freedom of the Seas is one of the three Freedom class cruise ships. At about 155,000 tons, this cruise ship is a bit larger than the Voyager class ships, and smaller than the Oasis class.

When it comes to the best cruise ships for families, this list wouldn’t be complete without the Freedom of the Seas.

Since it got refurbished back in 2015, the Freedom of the Seas now has some new attractions and activities . Royal Caribbean added water slides, laser tag, and the Flowrider Surf Simulator to the cruise ship.

One of the biggest advantages of doing a family cruise on Freedom of the Seas is its value, which is amazing for families cruising on a budget .

Since the Freedom of the Seas is not one of the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ships, the price is often lower than other newer cruise ships.

However, don’t let its age fool you. The Freedom of the Seas is full of some amazing features and fun things to do!

Related: What to Wear on a Royal Caribbean Cruise (dress code & outfit photos)

Royal Caribbean Kid’s Club Information

One of the best parts about cruising for families is the kid’s club. The kid’s club, Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean, is a place where children and teens can hang out in a supervised and safe environment.

Children are divided by age group, which allows for each age group to have a unique set of activities. Here’s how the children are divided:

Adventure Ocean Age Groups:

• Royal Babies & Royal Tots (6-36 months)
• Aquanauts (ages 3-5)
• Explorers (ages 6-8)
• Voyagers (ages 9-11)
• Teens (ages 12-14)
• Teens (ages 15-17)

Royal Babies & Royal Tots Information (6-36 months)

The Royal Babies and Royal Tots program is offered on select Royal Caribbean ships. This program is for younger children who are not old enough to attend the Adventure Ocean kid’s club.

There is a 1 staff to 3 children ratio, to ensure that each child gets the proper supervision. There are activities for the young kids throughout the day, like play time, watching movies and art sessions, which parents can participate in.

This program costs $6 per hour, per child, between 9 am to 6 pm and $8 per hour, per child, between 6 pm and midnight.

The Royal Babies and Royal Tots program makes cruising with young children a lot easier and it’s one of the many reasons that Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines for families.

Aventure Ocean Information Ages 3-11:

Those who take part in the Adventure Ocean kid’s club will have the time of their lives. As a kid, my parents could never get me out of the kids club, because it was so much fun!

Here’s a list of activities for the Adventure Ocean Kid’s Club:

• Scavenger Hunts
• Movie Night (in private movie theater)
• Pirate Night
• Pyjama Night
• Talent Show
• Sports Tournaments
• Video Games

Adventure Ocean Hours:

• 9 AM- 12 PM
• 2 PM – 5 PM
• 7 PM – 10 PM
• 10 PM – 2 AM (Additional Fee)

Overall, Adventure Ocean is a blast and the kids will absolutely love it. The staff are great and they keep things fun and exciting throughout your cruise.

Adventure Ocean Teen’s Club Information (Ages 12-17)

The teen club on Royal Caribbean is a great place for young people on a cruise to meet and hang out. In the teen’s club there is a dance floor, video game areas and activities going on throughout the day.

As a teenager who has cruised on Royal Caribbean , I can say that they have one of the best youth programs at sea. The staff are super friendly. Plus, the kid’s club is a cool area to hang out and the activities are super fun.

Here’s a list of activities for the Adventure Ocean Teen Club:

• Pool Parties
• Casino Night
• Battle of the Sexes
• Themed Dance Parties
• Beach Volley Ball

Adventure Ocean Teens Hours (ages 12-17):

• 7 PM – 1 AM

If you have a teenager, they will absolutely love going to the teen’s club. It’s a great place for them to meet new people, participate in activities and have the vacation of a lifetime!

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Final Thoughts on The Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Families

Well there it is, the best Royal Caribbean ships for Families!

When it comes to a cruise line that every member of the family can enjoy, you can’t go wrong with Royal Caribbean. No matter what cruise you decide to book, Royal Caribbean will be a great time for the whole family.

In his post, I shared the 6 best Royal Caribbean cruises for families and everything you need to know about the kids club on Royal Caribbean.

Are you planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com . As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.

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Honest Review of Oasis of the Seas

If you’re searching for a family trip report from the Oasis of the Seas, we’ve got you covered! My extended family and I recently traveled on Royal Caribbean’s beautiful Oasis of the Seas cruise ship. Our group of sixteen included toddlers, kids, teens, adults, and seniors.

So, no matter who you plan to sail with, this review of Oasis of the Seas will provide plenty of tips and insight on the ship and its activities. The Oasis of the Seas review below will follow my family on our 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise itinerary where we visited Labadee, San Juan, St. Thomas, and CocoCay. I’ll share information on and pictures of the fun excursions we experienced.

This post will also include information on the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas rooms, suite perks, restaurants, and more! So, continue reading the review of Oasis of the Seas to discover everything you need to know about one of the largest Royal Caribbean ships in the fleet!

My husband, two kids, and I (along with my brother-in-law’s family) had originally booked a cruise through Royal Caribbean a few years ago. However, that trip was canceled due to the Covid pandemic. Luckily, we were able to use our Future Cruise Credit on this Oasis of the Seas cruise a couple years later.

In addition to our original group of 8 people, my sister’s family agreed to join us on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Plus, we had three grandparents who decided to book the cruise as well. So, our final party of sixteen included 3 seniors, 6 adults, 2 teenagers, 4 young kids (ages 4-9), and 1 toddler.

Royal Caribbean Eastern Caribbean Itinerary

I knew we wanted to cruise on one of the Oasis class ships, and the Oasis of the Seas turned out to be our best option compared to her sister ships due to dates and prices. We were all looking forward to our Eastern Caribbean itinerary since it offered stops at both of Royal Caribbean’s private islands: Labadee and Coco Cay. Plus, we had always wanted to visit St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.

My sister and I really lucked out in finding three staterooms right beside each other. She and I both wanted to cruise in junior suites for the added space. However, my sister didn’t want to pay the extra cost for a junior suite for her two teenagers. She was able to book a junior suite right next to mine. She also booked the room on the other side of her, which was one of the oceanview balcony cabins.

Even though our three cabins were not adjoining rooms on the inside, we were able to open the balcony dividers outside. This meant our three rooms enjoyed one long balcony which we could freely move between.

Cruise Planner

Right after booking the cruise, we began researching activities, excursions, and entertainment options available onboard the Oasis of the Seas. The Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner is a really helpful tool that allows you to book extra items for your trip. Some of the additional things you can purchase for your cruise include

• Drink packages
• Internet packages
• Dining packages

You are required to pay for these extras when you book them, but you are also able to cancel an item before your trip if you change your mind. Our group initially booked the extras listed above, but we kept an eye on the prices as they tended to fluctuate a lot. This was especially true during the Royal Caribbean Black Friday Sale.

Many of the extras went down in price, so we were able to cancel and rebook for the discounted prices. If you’re wondering if the Wi-Fi on the cruise is worth the price, I highly recommend checking out my article on the Royal Caribbean Internet Packages .

Checking In

Once we got closer to the cruise dates, we were able to complete online check in for our trip. This opened up at midnight EST 45 days before our cruise. My sister and I chose to stay up until 12:00 AM when check in opened because we really wanted to book an early port arrival time. Once check in opened up at midnight, we skipped all of the check in forms EXCEPT the port arrival time selection.

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Luckily, we were both able to choose the 10:30 AM port arrival time. We then finished the rest of the online check in process the next day. Note that other members of our travel group forgot to check in at midnight, yet they were able to grab an 11:00 AM port arrival time the following morning.

Upgrade Opportunities

Although we were completely content with the junior suite we had originally booked, my husband and I had been looking forward to seeing our Royal Up options. Roughly 30 days before our cruise, I received an email from the Royal Caribbean RoyalUp program. This email listed various suites that we could bid on for the cruise. Many of these suites were WAY outside of our budget even when bidding the minimum.

However, we were able to bid on a few of the suites in the email. Unfortunately we did not win any of our bids and ended up cruising in the junior suite we had originally booked. This worked out really well for us, though, since we were able to enjoy the connecting balconies with our other family members. You can read about the full process in our post on the Royal Up Program .

Booking Shows

Since Covid, Royal Caribbean had been requiring guests to book their onboard entertainment on embarkation day once they were physically on the ship. Since I am a huge planner, this policy really stressed me out! Luckily, our Oasis of the Seas sailing became one of the first to return to the pre-Covid booking options.

Around 30 days prior to our sail date, we were able to book entertainment like Cats, Aqua 80, and the Frozen in Time ice show. Additional entertainment options like the Comedy Show opened up about a week before sailing. If you plan to attend these shows, I highly recommend booking them as soon as you can. Most of them booked up fairly quickly. 

The reservations are free to make, and they basically allow you to by-pass the line if you arrive at least 15 minutes early. If you aren’t able to make reservations, you can get in the standby line before the show. At 15 minutes to show time, they open the doors for anyone to enter the theater. So, those without reservations can come in and choose any available seats.

Pre Cruise in Miami

Our Oasis of the Seas cruise was scheduled to set sail from Port of Miami. We all decided to fly down to Florida the day before the cruise to be safe. Since flight schedules and prices were better to Fort Lauderdale, we flew into this airport rather than into Miami International.

My sister scheduled ground transfers through SAS Transportation to pick us up at the Fort Lauderdale Airport and drive us to our Miami hotel. This turned out to be a really easy process as our driver was on time and the Mercedes Sprinter Van was roomy and comfortable.

Intercontinental Hotel Miami

We booked reservations at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami since it sits super close to the cruise port. After checking in just before lunch, we were all a bit bummed to learn the hotel pool and pool restaurant were under construction.

Instead of swimming and eating by the pool as planned, our large group decided to explore Miami’s Bayfront Park since it is an easy walk from the Intercontinental. We grabbed a late lunch at Landshark Bar and Grill. Then we let the kids run around in the park to burn off energy.

For dinner that night, we decided to order from a food delivery service. We enjoyed our meals outside near the pool since tables and chairs were available. Then the kids played on the large lawn space where the Intercontinental had outdoor games like a giant Connect 4, basketball, etc.

Packing List

After dinner, we went back up to the room to shower and get ready for embarkation day. I had printed our luggage tags after online check in, so I attached them to all of our bags. I also packed our embarkation day carry-on bag. We like to board with a backpack since it’s easy to carry. Inside our embarkation day backpack, we pack:

• ZipLock bag with kids under garments (since they board with swimsuits under clothes)
• prescription medications
• seasickness remedies
• chargers for electronic devices
• identification
• dollar bills
• luggage tags

Note that you will want to bring plenty of cash with you on your trip. We brought about $200 in smaller bills to tip people throughout the week. Before the cruise even started, we had tipped our driver to the hotel, driver to the port, Intercontinental bellman upon arrival, Intercontinental bellman while leaving, and the porters who handle luggage at the port.

Day 1 Embarkation Day

We were so excited that embarkation day had finally arrived! Our shuttle service was scheduled to pick us up an hour before our port arrival time, so at 9:30 AM. Since we were suite guests, we were technically allowed to arrive an hour before our scheduled 10:30 time slot. We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel and hopped in the shuttle at 9:30 for the roughly 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami.

Terminal A where we embarked is only a couple miles from the Intercontinental Hotel. However, traffic in Miami is crazy, so it took a while to arrive. Our driver dropped us off with the porters at the terminal. They checked that all of our bags held luggage tags. Then we joined the line for the suite guests to wait for the terminal doors to open.

At 10:00, the doors opened and the suite guests were escorted to an elevator that took us to a separate security line. This was a really fast process that took less than five minutes. Then, we walked right into the suite waiting area. This large room consisted of plenty of seating options, refreshments, and restrooms. A Royal Caribbean employee came over to our large group and checked in each party using her tablet. We didn’t even have to get off the couch.

At around 11:00, the Royal Caribbean crew members opened the doors to the gangway. The people inside the terminal formed a line to prepare to board the ship. After showing our digital Sea Pass cards from the app, we were permitted to walk onto the ship. Passengers board on Deck 5, which is the Royal Promenade. There were plenty of crew members at the entrance who greeted us as we entered, and they offered assistance if needed.

Once we were in the Royal Promenade, we saw clearly marked signs for the muster stations. We had watched the safety drill in the app that morning at the hotel and checked the boxes to confirm our participation.

Note that I watched this video prior to embarkation day, but the confirmation at the end didn’t appear until boarding day. Our first task once onboard was to check in at our muster station. This took less than a minute as the crew member just scanned each member’s digital Sea Pass card.

After completing the safety check, we took the elevators up to Deck 16 to enjoy lunch in Windjammer. Although this buffet gets quite crowded during peak times, our early embarkation day lunch was fairly calm and peaceful. My kids love to swim on embarkation day since the pools typically aren’t crowded at all.

So, after lunch, we grabbed seats by the pool, and the kids swam and enjoyed the water slides. While the kids and dads swam, my sister and I walked down to the Main Dining Room to request a table together at dinner. We were directed to different areas and then never did find a crew member to take our request.

I wish we had called Royal Caribbean prior to our cruise to make this request, but I assumed it wouldn’t be an issue since our reservations were all linked in the app anyway. It turned out NOT to be an easy fix, which I’ll discuss more below. So, my sister and I headed back up to the pool deck to watch the kids swim and enjoy our favorite Oasis of the Seas cruise beverage – the Strawberry Blonde.

The kids were still enjoying the pools at 1:30 when staterooms were supposed to open. So my sister and I left the husbands and kids again and went to check out our rooms. Surprisingly, our luggage had already started to arrive. So, we were able to unpack and organize right away.

Our stateroom attendant stopped in to say hello, and we asked him to open the dividers between the balconies. We loved the large closet in the junior suites as it provided plenty of space for a 7 night cruise. We also enjoyed our spacious balcony and spent tons of time out there each evening before bedtime. For a more detailed review of our stateroom, you can check out our post on Royal Caribbean Junior Suites .

Main Dining Rooms

We had signed up for early dining prior to the cruise, but we headed down a bit earlier than the 5:30 dining time to inquire about a table for seven of us. Unfortunately, we learned that the dining room wasn’t going to be able to grant our request. My family of four had been assigned to sit with two strangers in the dining room.

This made no sense to me since we clearly had family members linked to our reservation. I don’t know why they assigned us to a table with people we didn’t know, but the crew member told us to go to the dining room on Deck 5 to see if they could help us. Fortunately, they were able to accommodate our group of seven, but they made it clear it wasn’t a permanent solution.

The Oasis of the Seas dining rooms are lovely, and the food tasted great, but we didn’t really love the main dining room experience. The portions were tiny, and the service felt rushed, although our waiter was super sweet. The dining room experience on this ship left us wanting more, so we left dinner and went to Sorrento’s in the Royal Promenade.

Most of us ordered slices of pizza to eat since we were still hungry after our dinner. We never did go back to the main dining room for the remainder of the trip. I wanted to give them another shot because I know the first day can be so hectic. But, the great thing about the Oasis ship is there are plenty of other dining options available!

Day 2 Sea Day

Our first full day on the ship was one of our sea days. We didn’t really have any set plans for this sea day, but this was the first formal night of our cruise.

We started our sea day with breakfast at Windjammer. Although it was a bit crowded, it offered the most variety for the wide range of preferences in our group. Windjammer offers open seating, and we were always able to find a table for the seven of us who dined together. The teenagers loved Windjammer, and I’m pretty sure they ate almost all of their meals there each day.

My husband is allergic to dairy and gluten, and he was always able to find food there too. And the younger kids loved the diverse options and desserts. After breakfast we headed to the pool deck to swim. The weather was extremely windy so it wasn’t super hot outside. We were grateful for the Sports Pool since it’s heated. After swimming for a couple hours, we went back to the room to change into dry clothes for lunch at Windjammer.

Sports Deck

After lunch, our group decided to split up. My sister and I put our little ones in their strollers and walked the jogging track so they would nap. My husband and older daughter met up with other family members on the Sports Deck where they played on the basketball court and on the miniature golf course.

In addition to the sports deck, sea days are full of fun entertainment venues and activities. Some of the other kid-friendly activities we experienced on sea days and throughout the cruise included:

• Ultimate Abyss (dry slide)
• escape room
• ice-skating rink

Additionally, our mid-December cruise also offered several holiday activities throughout the week. There were options for holiday crafts, Christmas games, and holiday entertainment. We also enjoyed viewing all the Christmas decorations set up throughout the ship. For an extensive list of activities to enjoy on the ship, check out our post on the Best Free Things to Do on the Oasis of the Seas .

Formal Night

Prior to the trip, my family and I went back and forth about whether or not to participate in formal night. To us, dressing fancy on vacation seems like a chore. I also didn’t want to mess with packing formal attire and footwear. So, we compromised and wore somewhat dressier clothes that weren’t quite formal, and I’m so glad we did! While touring the Royal Promenade, you’ll see lots of cruisers decked out in formal wear for the photo sessions that are set up.

Other than that, the majority of the people I saw were wearing just nice vacation clothes: Polo shirts and slacks for men and sundresses for women. We spent our formal night dinner at Windjammer, and it was actually quite pleasant. We had our pick of tables, and the buffet wasn’t crowded at all. After dinner we spent time enjoying the Boardwalk neighborhood. The kids loved the carousel and the small climbing section near the AquaTheater.

Day 3 Labadee

The ship was scheduled to arrive in Labadee at around 7:00 AM, so we ordered from the room service menu the night before. This process was super simple. We just specified the quantity of each item and hung the menu on our stateroom door. After eating, we loaded up our backpack with sunscreen, snacks, and sand toys and headed off the ship. 

Months prior to our cruise, I booked beach bungalows at Columbus Cove to enjoy at Labadee . I had originally reserved one bungalow, but I added a second one after more family members joined our cruise party. Each bungalow held 8 people, so two of these cabanas worked perfectly for our group. We received tickets and instructions for our bungalows in our stateroom on the first day of the cruise.

The instructions specified that the bungalows were first come first serve. So, we tried to leave the ship early to secure two bungalows that were next to each other. We ended up getting off the ship at around 9:00 and taking the tram to Columbus Cove. There was only one other family at a bungalow at this time, so we had plenty to choose from. The bungalows came with towels, water, floating mats, and a server. This allowed for a relaxing day in the water and on the sand.

After enjoying Columbus Cove for a few hours, we decided to head back to the ship for lunch. We had plans to watch the World Cup at 2:00, and we wanted to eat and change into dry clothes prior to that. The line for the tram was really long, so we decided to just walk back to the ship. The walk took about 15 minutes, but we were able to see more of the island and take lots of pictures.

Playmakers is one of the specialty restaurants onboard the Oasis of the Seas. It sits on the Boardwalk near the carousel. Even though the food costs extra here, the prices are really reasonable. We had planned to watch the World Cup at Playmakers since they have large screen televisions. My brother-in-law ended up reserving the sofa area in front of the big screens for around $100. This included appetizers and beverages (including some alcoholic drinks). 

The ship was also playing the game on the large screens in the AquaTheater, but the atmosphere in Playmakers was much more fun! After the game ended, we headed back to the room to shower and get ready for dinner. We skipped the main dining room on this night and opted for the buffet again. Since we were all exhausted from our day in the sun, we grabbed some wine from Vintages and enjoyed it on our balcony before heading to bed that night.

Day 4 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Our ship wasn’t scheduled to arrive in San Juan until around 4:00 PM, and we had booked the Aqua 80 show for 7:00. So, we weren’t exactly sure how to fit in an excursion in San Juan. We had several plans on this day, and it was difficult fitting in everything we wanted to experience.

Central Park

We started our morning by eating breakfast at Windjammer. Then we hung out by the pools on the ship so that the kids could swim. We really wanted to try El Loco Fresh for lunch, but the line was always extremely long. So, we headed to Park Cafe to grab food instead.

Our staterooms were located on Deck 8 near the Central Park neighborhood, so Park Cafe turned out to be a really convenient dining option for lunch and breakfast.

Boardwalk on Oasis of the Seas

The World Cup was on again during Day 4, so my husband and brother-in-law reserved the private space at Playmakers again. The little kids enjoyed the appetizers at Playmakers, but then they got a bit bored of the game.

We had planned to let them ride the carousel or buy some treats from Sugar Beach to keep them occupied. However, neither of these activities was available at this time. So, we grabbed some milkshakes from Johnny Rockets, which they devoured. They also enjoyed walking around the Boardwalk and playing in the small climbing feature near the AquaTheater.

Coastal Kitchen

Since we had booked a junior suite, we were able to reserve the Coastal Kitchen ( Oasis of the Seas suites restaurant) for dinners. We originally did not do this because my sister’s name was technically on the reservation for the ocean view balcony room and NOT on the junior suite. However, the concierge team in Coastal Kitchen assured us they could make it work.

My sister’s junior suite had three names on its reservation, so they were willing to let my sister attend dinner instead of my teenage niece who was actually on the reservation. When we checked in, they just asked for her room number. After seeing her suite had 3 guests in it, they didn’t require identification for the three people.

We had an amazing experience at Coastal Kitchen! Not only did Coastal Kitchen provide excellent food, but it also offered excellent service. The servers were all really attentive and great with the kids. They brought coloring papers and crayons, did magic tricks, made balloon animals, etc.

We had reservations for the Aqua 80 show at 7:00, so our 5:30 dinner was really cutting it close. We ended up having to skip dessert to arrive at the theater 20 minutes before the show started to secure seats. The theater had a separate line for guests with reservations, so we were able to walk right in and grab our spots.

Shortly after this, they opened the doors for anyone to enter, so we made it just in time. The Aqua 80 show was amazing, and I highly recommend you watch the aqua shows on any of the Oasis class ships . My brother-in-law and I had both watched the show online and agreed the videos didn’t do it justice. Every single member of our family absolutely loved this show!

As mentioned above, we didn’t really have time to book any excursions in San Juan. But I was adamant that we had to get off the ship and at least walk around. I had read that the Old Town area decorated for Christmas, so we were hoping to tour the streets and see some of the lights.

By the time we left the Aqua 80 show and debarked the ship, it was after 8:00. Since the kids were getting sleepy, we walked a block or two and then turned around to head back to the ship. We got some really great photos of our group in San Juan, but we didn’t see the Christmas lights we had hoped for. However, once back in our room balconies, we were able to see the Christmas decorations as we pulled away from the port. On a side note, we also counted nine shooting stars from our balcony that night!

Day 5 St. Thomas

Our ship was scheduled to arrive in St. Thomas early in the morning on Day 5. We ate our room service breakfast outside on our balcony while enjoying the music being played at the port.

We planned to debark the ship at 8:30 and hire a taxi to take us across the island to Coral World and Coki Beach. We easily found a taxi driver after debarking the ship and were able to ride together in one shuttle. I believe it was $15 per person (including kids). Our taxi in St. Thomas looked more like an open-air bus. The bench style seats were located in the back of a pickup truck with bars and a canopy.

The pickup truck itself had a backseat, so the driver allowed some of our family members to ride in the air conditioning with him. You get beautiful views of the island on the roughly twenty-minute drive to Coki Beach, but the ride is wild! The roads are super narrow with lots of twists and turns.

Our driver was great about announcing good photo ops as we passed by certain places. He even slowed down almost to a stop to give us the opportunity to take pictures. When we arrived at Coki Beach, the taxi driver instructed us on where to walk to find Coral World. He also gave us his card and asked us to call him when we were ready to return back to the ship.

Coki Beach is a really small beach in St. Thomas. Although we didn’t snorkel, I noticed lots of other people in the water wearing snorkeling gear. So, I’m guessing it’s a great spot to see fish and sea life. The water was warm and clear during our December visit. We noticed lots of seaweed on the sand, but it wasn’t really in the water.

We were not asked to pay an entrance fee at Coki Beach, but we did ask for chairs. The beach attendant was super friendly and set them up for us. We gave him a decent sized tip because he also took the time to show us where to order food, rent umbrellas or snorkeling gear, etc. We were approached several times to buy different items or services from vendors. They were always really friendly and didn’t press when we said no. After spending an hour or so on the beach, we took the short walk over to Coral World.

Coral World

I had called Coral World prior to our trip to reserve a “Dolphin Moment” for twelve of us. Even though they typically only allow eight people in each group, Coral World was really accommodating and shifted their schedule for us to enjoy this dolphin experience together. After checking in, we walked over to the dolphin section of Coral World. Our guide greeted us and was super friendly and informative.

Coral World provided a locked storage bin to place our personal items during the experience. They also offered water shoes, showers, and restrooms if needed. We watched a short video to prepare us for the dolphin experience, and then we were led to a platform to stand during the interaction. We were able to stand about knee-high in water during the dolphin experience. The two guides did a great job of answering questions and keeping the kids entertained.

Some of the activities included in the interaction included:

• Petting the dolphin
• Giving hand signals for tricks
• Feeding fish to the dolphin
• Getting splashed by the dolphin

We also had a great photo op with the twelve of us looking at the camera while the dolphin jumped up in the air behind us. Overall, this was a really great experience that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Afterwards, we visited the gift shop and purchased pictures from the experience.

We had planned to spend some time touring Coral World after our dolphin interaction. However, the park was much smaller than I had anticipated, so there really wasn’t much to see. We ended up walking around for about ten minutes before walking back over to Coki Beach.

Frozen in Time Ice Show

We called our taxi driver when we were ready to go back to the ship, and he arrived within ten minutes. The St. Thomas port is really lively and entertaining and may be one of my favorite ports we have visited. Once back on the ship, we showered and got ready for dinner. We had reservations at Coastal Kitchen again on this night.

We were just as impressed with Coastal Kitchen on our second visit as we had been on our first. After eating, we walked down to Studio B for the Frozen in Time show on the ice rink. Since we had reservations, we were able to enter the room early and grab our seats. This show was an interesting one. The kids seemed to enjoy it a lot, but the adults were very confused the whole time.

Frozen in Time features ice skaters acting out different stories from Hans Christian Anderson. There is no talking, so I wouldn’t have even realized the premise except for the title of each story being displayed on a small screen.

The music that went along with each act kind of put us to sleep too. I think it would have been a better show had the characters been dancing to popular songs. Instead, we found it to be really strange and boring, and we definitely would not sit through it again.

Day 6 Sea Day

We woke up and enjoyed breakfast at Windjammer on Day 6 of our trip. Then, we headed to the heated pool to let the kids swim. My brother-in-law wanted to participate in the belly flop competition. This event was scheduled to take place at the Sports Pool, and it was a really entertaining show.

After spending several hours at the pool, we went back to the room to change into dry clothes. I wanted to pack so that I didn’t leave it all to do on Day 7 when we were at CocoCay. My husband took the kids to the Sports Deck to play mini golf while I got our luggage as organized as I could.

Chops Grille

My niece and my brother-in-law share a birthday, which took place on Day 6 of our trip. So, we made reservations to celebrate at the specialty restaurant, Chops Grille, before the cruise. We arrived early for our reservation to let Chops know about the birthdays. At the end of our meal, they brought out a special dessert for each birthday guest. 

I had read mixed reviews about Chops prior to our trip, but we all enjoyed the food. That is, except my toddler niece and my four-year-old. So, after dinner we took the two little ones to Sorrento’s to get pizza. After eating at Sorrento’s, we had one of my favorite experiences of the whole trip.

We pressed the button to get on an elevator, and the doors opened to a man sitting at a piano inside. We climbed on the elevator, and he started playing Kiss the Girl from The Little Mermaid. It was a really fun and special moment that the kids loved!

Day 7 Perfect Day at CocoCay

I think CocoCay was the port we were all looking forward to visiting the most. And it didn’t disappoint! We arrived at CocoCay at around 10:30 AM just after Freedom of the Seas. My brother-in-law had booked an Overwater Cabana at the CocoCay Beach Club prior to our trip, and my sister had booked a Beach Club Cabana.

Each cabana held eight guests, so we were all able to enjoy the Beach Club and the two cabanas. We had the Overwater Cabana on the end of the dock, and it sat right across from our Beach Club Cabana. So, the kids enjoyed floating on the mats from one cabana to the other without having to walk. And of course, the slide on the cabana was a huge hit!

The attendants brought each cabana a platter of every appetizer on the menu. After snacking on appetizers for a while, we each ordered an entree for lunch from the Beach Club menu. Later in the afternoon, the attendants brought a tray holding all of the desserts from the menu. Needless to say, we ate a ton that day!

This port was the perfect end to our vacation as we all had the best time on the island. We hated to say goodbye, but we finally headed back to the ship around 4:00. For our full guide to the island, check out our CocoCay Review post where we discuss the pools, beaches, and activities available.

We showered and got ready for dinner, which was at Coastal Kitchen again. Since our reservations weren’t until 7:00, we took time to finish packing so that we could place our luggage outside our room by 10:00 that night. After dinner, we spent time on our balcony one last time before calling it a night since we had to be up early the next day.

Day 8 Debarkation Day

The morning of debarkation, we had to vacate our rooms by 8:00 AM. We headed up to Windjammer buffet around 7:45 and ate breakfast. We had chosen a debarkation time of 9:00, but we were finished with breakfast by 8:15. The line to get off the ship was massive, so we went to the Main Dining Room on Deck 5 since it was our designated waiting area.

Most of the tables and chairs were set up for the new guests to arrive, so people just kind of sat on the floor or stood until they received the text stating it was their turn to disembark. At 8:30 ish we realized the line was barely moving, so we opted to get in the line thinking that by the time we made it to the front, it would be 9:00.

This turned out to be a smart plan as we finally made it off the shop just after 9:00. We had reserved a shuttle to pick us up and take us to the Loews Miami Beach Hotel after the cruise. The driver loaded our luggage, and we waved goodbye to the Oasis of the Seas.

Is Oasis of the Seas a Good Ship?

Overall, we had a great time on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship . It was our first time taking a major vacation with a large group of family and friends. The ship offered plenty of fun activities for all age groups, and the variety of restaurants and bars was appreciated.

Other than the Aqua 80 show, we wished there had been more quality entertainment offered. Although, we did enjoy the live music in the Royal Promenade and other areas. My family’s stateroom was the perfect size for us, and the other suites we were able to see on the ship looked even more amazing!

In summary, we would book another Oasis class ship again. I found that I was constantly comparing the ship and experience to our past cruises with Disney Cruise Line. If you’re interested in our comparison, we recommend checking out our post on Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise Line .

For information on everything we packed for this trip, check out our Printable Cruise Packing List post. In that article, I list all the items we packed for the vacation. You can also grab a copy of the free printable! Do you have a review of Oasis of the Seas Comment below to share your experiences with the ship!

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean (Who’s the Winner?)

Honest Review of CocoCay Beach Cabanas

Ultimate Cruise Packing List (Printable PDF)

Wow! Shari this is an excellent blog. I am a 1st time cruiser and will be going on Oasis of the Seas-Mar 31. Your advice and suggestions are great. I wish I would have found your blog earlier in my planning but so glad I did find it. It helped so much with my last minute questions, especially about check in and booking shows. We have the new Hide Away Beach booked for CocoCay! Thanks again

I’m so glad you found the information helpful! You’re going to absolutely love sailing on Oasis! CocoCay is beautiful, and I bet the weather will be amazing there in March/April. Hope you have a great trip!

What date did you sail….I’m concerned it may need refurbishing….went on in 2018 and loved it.

We were on Oasis last year, and the ship looked great! I think she was refurbished in 2019, so you must have just missed the updates.

Hi. We have sailed on 2 Disney Cruise ships. We are getting ready to do another cruise finally. We are a family of 5 and my kids are little older now. My husband wants to stick to Disney but I am torn between Disney and maybe trying Royal. Any thoughts on the differences? We have done the 5 night on the Magic and the 7 night on the Fantasy. I worry because I read so many things that say once you go on a Disney cruise nothing else comes close.

Hi Anne Marie. I have sooooo many thoughts on this! I’m going to write a post comparing the two, and I’ll add a link to it here once it’s complete: Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise . I’ll try to briefly give a comparison though. If your kids are older, I think they will really enjoy the Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships. The two teens and older elementary aged children we traveled with had a great time! They would all gladly cruise with Royal or Disney again. The main difference between the two brands for my husband I was the level of service. Disney just completely outshines Royal in this department. If you can swing a suite on Royal, I highly recommend it! The only time we felt Royal matched Disney’s level of service was in the Suite Lounge and in Coastal Kitchen (the suite restaurant). If the suites aren’t an option, I would just go in knowing the service may not be the same and that the vacation is a little less relaxing than one with Disney Cruise Line. That being said, the kids had a blast and loved every minute of it! Hope that helps!

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Royal Caribbean Family Cruise Review | Navigator of the Seas

A few jump links below, in case you're looking for specific information and reviews about this Royal Caribbean Cruise :  Click here to Jump to the section about our Catalina Island Stop during our cruise. Click here to Jump to the section about our Rosarito Beach Club Excursion when we were at the Ensenada port during our cruise. Click here to read my blog entry about my Carnival Cruise that also stopped at Ensenada . I've been on both the Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise lines to get to Ensenada, Mexico.

Cruise Mishaps on Day 1

Day 2 - 5 on Navigator of the Seas

Port Stop #1: Catalina Island

Port Stop #2: Ensenada, Mexico

• If you're traveling by plane, don't pack anything with aerosol like sunscreen spray or hairspray. Find sunscreen lotion that you apply yourself that are non-spray! Aerosol is not allowed on planes for travel. If you're just driving to your port to hop on the cruise ship, then aerosol spray is fine to pack as aerosol is okay to bring with you on the ship. I always prefer using the lotion that you apply on yourself anyway.
• Find a waterproof pouch for your phone before you get on the cruise so that you're ready to take pictures with the waterproof pouch if you'll be near a lot of water activities. You don't want to accidentally break your phone!
• Bring nice clothing for the evenings on the ship if you'd like to really dress up to take nice pictures on the cruise. They have many professional photographers ready to take pictures of you as a souvenir. Taking pictures and viewing them is free on the boat. It's buying them for keep that costs money. Many regular cruisers will dress up more than the newbies for main dining rooms and pictures. There is always at least 1 formal night on the cruise. We dressed up every night for dinner (khakis, button up shirt, nice shoes, dresses ) at the main dining room for dinner and dressed extra nice for the 1 formal night on our 4 day cruise. The main dining room won't turn you away if you're not dressed under their suggested dress attire (you can find this attire guide on the Royal Caribbean website) but depending on your personality and comfort level, you may feel a bit underdressed among guests that may be dressed in nicer attire.
• Get your vaccination records and Covid-19 Test ready to go to show the cruise line staff when you check in, if this is still a requirement for your cruise. It was a requirement for us when we traveled. Royal Caribbean used a special kind of Covid-19 Test where they monitor you live as you take the test. We had to do this to show that we tested negative. You only have a 2 day window from your cruise to take this test at home before your cruise but you have to have the kit ready so order the Covid Test kit that they specifically noted in their cruise preparation information ahead of time to ensure that they arrive in time. It was pretty pricey for us but thankfully, we were able to use our health savings card to pay for their specific Covid-19 test kits. If you have all of these positive test proofs readily available to check in the cruise ship, you'll be able to speed through the long lines quicker. There was a family who blatantly looked like they were racing us to get right in front of us in line but because they didn't get all of their paperwork handled correctly with the positive tests, we were processed a lot quicker and beat them to the ship. I gave them a side eye because they were apparently staring at us after our check-in process was so quick. Watch this rockstar family with our shades on do this right, as we board the ship! :)
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Port in Los Angeles is only 31 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood.  Read about our trip to Universal Studios Hollywood to check out Super Nintendo World during our Spring Break .
• I also went on a cruise to Ensenada through Carnival Cruises (Royal Caribbean's competition cruise line) as well. Read my review about my Carnival Cruise experience to compare it with the Royal Caribbean Cruise!
• Read about our 5 night stay in Cancun, Mexico where we stayed at the all inclusive Moon Palace The Grand . Food, drinks and entertainment were included.
• Read my pros and cons comparisons for both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises . There are some things that I like better at one cruise over the other on certain things like kid's club, dining room services and more.

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What's So Special About Icon of the Seas? We Sailed to Find Out

From pricing to activities, here's everything you need to know about the world’s largest cruise ship from Royal Caribbean.

In advance of its highly anticipated inaugural cruise, we were able to explore the ship during its pre-inaugural preview sailings, and we’re sharing everything you need to know (along with plenty of insider photos!) to help you plan.

What’s so special about the Icon of the Seas?

Neighborhoods and activities, entertainment and nightlife, cruise itinerary, bottom line: is sailing on icon of the seas worth it.

Picture this: Twenty stories, more than 50 dining experiences, seven pools, over 2,800 staterooms and a capacity of 5,610 guests (plus staff!). Add to this an expansive two-level shopping promenade and a reimagined Central Park (complete with 30,000 living plants and trees), and you'll very quickly forget you’re on a boat once you board the Icon of the Seas. The ship itself is 1,198 feet long and 250,800 GT (gross tonnage; or the internal volume), making it over five times as large as the Titanic (which was 46,328 GT).

In fact, Icon of the Seas is so big that it’s broken up into eight different "neighborhoods." It has just started sailing and will depart from Port Miami in Miami with seven-day cruises through the Eastern Caribbean or the Western Caribbean. Regardless of which trip you take, you’ll stop at Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island, “Perfect Day at CocoCay.”

It turns out that bigger really is better. Not only is it the biggest cruise ship in the world, but it’s also home to many “biggests” and “firsts” at sea. It has the largest water park at sea (including the first family raft slide), the first (and only) suspended infinity pool at sea and the biggest swim-up bar at sea — plus, there are six thrilling water slides and a 50-foot-tall waterfall. It even has the first dog at sea — a golden retriever named Rover who lives on board to bring joy to guests and the crew.

And while family fun is front and center on Icon of the Seas, it is thoughtfully designed to cater to every type of traveler. There’s something for every age group and trip preference, and it does a great job of separating these offerings into distinct neighborhoods (e.g., adult-only travelers and families with young kids can have little to no interaction with one another if they choose). From a variety of new room choices to seemingly endless dining and entertainment options, the offerings of the Icon of the Seas have raised the bar for cruise vacations.

A significant aspect in which Icon stands out from other cruise ships is in its having a whopping 28 different room types. Many staterooms are similar to those on other large ships and sleep from two to four people, but there are a variety of more spacious rooms available to make your stay more comfortable, especially if you’re traveling as a family .

Rooms are outfitted with tons of USB-A ports and electrical outlets in all the right places (and some even with USB-C ports by the vanity). Our team was impressed with the amount of storage in every room, including drawers and multiple closets (complete with a good number of hangers) and nooks to stash your things. Royal Caribbean has even made sure the space under the beds is perfectly sized for tucking away carry-on luggage . Rooms come in two categories, Staterooms and Suites, and below are the most common types for each class:

Staterooms are the more affordable way to experience the ship. They come in various sizes and each is outfitted with a mini beverage fridge, but no other food or beverage amenities. All come with basic bathroom amenities, meaning standard bar soap and a shower with a single wall-mounted dispenser with hair and body wash but no conditioner lotion. “I’m not a regular cruiser, so I was very surprised to discover there wasn’t any conditioner in the room — and I regretted not bringing my own,” said one guest. (Of course, there’s an easy solution: If you stay in a stateroom, consider yourself warned and bring some!) Here’s what else you should know before choosing your stateroom.

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It’s the smallest class and has no windows, but it’s also the cheapest way to experience the ship’s grandeur. This type of room is not recommended for anyone who is prone to feeling claustrophobic.

You get a window, but not fresh air from a balcony.

Neighborhood Balcony

These rooms have an outdoor balcony that faces an interior neighborhood (such as Central Park or Surfside).

Ocean View Balcony

As the name implies, this room’s exterior balcony gives you views of the ocean while the ship is sailing.

Ocean View Infinite Balcony

Unlike a regular balcony room with a separate outdoor space, this type of room has a large window that opens wide enough to feel like a balcony. When the window is open, you feel exactly as if you’re on a balcony, but you gain valuable interior living space when the window is closed.

Family Ocean View Infinite Balcony

Giving families more space to spread out, these have a bed and a pullout sofa in the main area, along with a separate nook with bunk beds. They are designed for groups of four to six people. The main living and sleeping area feels very comfortable and spacious (like a regular hotel room), but the kids’ nook is smaller in person than it appears in photos. One standout plus: the split bathroom, one part with a toilet and a sink, the other with a sink and a shower. It’s a huge bonus and almost feels like two full bathrooms instead of one divided into two. The kids’ nook can also come in handy as a changing room for everyone, thanks to its curtain “door.”

For more space, added in-room amenities in Icon’s suites such as a Lavazza espresso coffee machine and soft drinks, luxury bathroom amenities from Malin+Goetz (including conditioner and lotion), plush bathrobes and access to other exclusive offerings deliver a more elevated ship experience. These rooms are available in three classes:

Rooms in this category include  Junior Suites , which give you a bit more space than regular staterooms and can sleep up to four on a pullout sofa. You get access to the suite-exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant (for dinner only).

  Sky Class

You get everything in Sea Class as well as concierge service, full access to the suite-exclusive neighborhood and priority boarding and departure. A variety of suites are available that sleep up to four or five, many of which are newly available on Icon. The most common suite in this class is the Surfside Family Suite, which we got to experience with two adults and two children during our preview. Although the shared pullout sofa bed was on the smaller side, it was great to have the separate space for kids and all the perks that came with the suite class.

This top tier includes everything in Sky Class along with premium seats for entertainment, complimentary dining packages and more. You even get a “genie” – i.e., a personal concierge. Only nine suites in this class are available, including seven Icon Lofts, one Royal Loft and one Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-level paradise that even has an in-suite slide, gaming area, movie room, patio and more. It can cost over $80,000 for a week — and it is already sold out for all of 2024.

The Icon is so big that it’s broken up into eight distinct neighborhoods:

Thrill Island

Located at the back of the ship, this is the home of all of the action and adventure on board. Its Category 6 waterpark has six large water slides, including ones with big drops, zero-gravity suspensions and even the first family raft slide at sea. There’s also the Crown’s Edge , a daring adventure course that leaves you dangling 154 feet above the ocean. (Just note that there's an added fee for Crown’s Edge.)

Other highlights include the Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall, the Flowrider surf simulator, the Lost Dunes mini golf course and a sports court.

Chill Island

This is where you can find four of the seven pools, which are spread out over three separate decks. It is home to Swim &Tonic, the biggest swim-up bar at sea (and the first for Royal Caribbean) as well as Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea.

Designed as a family-friendly area (especially for younger kids), this neighborhood is intended to be used as a spot where families can spend their entire day. There’s a carousel (with whimsical motifs instead of horses), a dry climbing area, a splash park (including smaller water slides) and an arcade.

There’s also a lounge area for grown-ups to hang out near their kids. The kids’ club and kid-friendly dining options are also located in this area.

This is a breathtaking indoor space at the front of the ship. During the day it’s meant to be a “tranquil oasis” with ocean views and a picturesque waterfall. At night, it’s a buzzing hot spot with restaurants, bars and entertainment in the AquaTheater.

The Hideaway

An adults-only area at the back of the ship, it has the first suspended infinity pool at sea, offering stunning views of the water and beach club vibes.

Royal Promenade

Located in the middle of the ship, this is the indoor entry point when passengers embark, and it serves as a central hub. You’ll find many of the restaurants in this area as well as shops, guest services, a shore excursions desk and more. There’s a Royal Promenade on many Royal Caribbean ships, but it’s elevated on the Icon thanks to The Pearl, a massive orb structure that’s just as functional in the ship’s architecture as it is a piece of art.

Central Park

An open-air area in the middle of the ship, this neighborhood features trees and living plant walls that make you feel as if you’re in an actual park while at sea. There are Central Parks on other Royal Caribbean ships too, and like the others, this one has several restaurants and bars.

Suite Neighborhood

For guests staying in the Sky and Star Class suites, this area is toward the front of the ship (near the AquaDome) and offers amenities like a private pool, a sun deck, a lounge, a restaurant and more.

As on other Royal Caribbean ships, there’s also an ice-skating rink (which converts into a laser tag arena), a spa, a fitness center and more activities available, including an escape room.

The Icon has over 20 places to eat and boasts more than 50 dining experiences, some of which are included in the main charge and others of which cost extra. There’s a three-floor main dining room and a buffet (the Windjammer) available at no charge.

Other complimentary options include the Aquadome Market (the first ever food hall on a Royal Caribbean ship), Sorrento’s (a pizza place), El Loco Fresh (Mexican fare), Park Café (a deli), Surfside Eatery (a kid-friendly buffet) and more. “We loved the grab-and-go and serve-yourself options at El Loco Fresh,” said one guest. “I could eat those quesadillas all day long.” In the main buffet, the Indian counter was also exceptionally delicious.

Then there are specialty restaurants you have to pay for such as Chops Grille (a steakhouse with out-of-this world crab cakes), Giovanni’s (Italian), Izumi (hibachi and sushi) and Hooked (seafood). For fancier options, there’s the Empire Supper Club (with an extravagant eight-course menu with a ritzy New York theme) and Celebration Table (a VIP experience for 12 people).

There are plenty of other places to grab snacks (including ice cream!) throughout the day as well as quick-service spots (Izumi in the Park has out-of-this-world bubble waffle creations) and even a Starbucks on board the ship. For a great place to start your morning, the Pearl Cafe is a comfortable and centrally located cafe on Deck 6. Head over to the Vitality Spa on Deck 14 for juices and smoothies.

Royal Caribbean stands out from other cruise lines for its shows, and the Icon takes it to another level. It has The Wizard of Oz as a Broadway-style show and Aqua Action, which features water-based stunts in its signature AquaTheater. There’s also an ice skating show called Starburst: Elemental Beauty and live music (including rock, blues and a DJ), dueling pianos, karaoke and comedy shows. All shows are included as part of the cruise.

Beyond the shows, there are a casino (called Casino Royale) and plenty of bars, from sports bars to more swanky venues.

The Icon of the Seas is sailing from and to Miami and currently offers two itineraries:

• 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
• 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Both itineraries include stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay (which previously won a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award ). It offers water parks, beaches, pools and more – and the best part is that it's all just steps from the ship. For the other stops, you can book shore excursions directly through Royal Caribbean.

A 7-day sailing on the Icon of the Seas typically costs around $2,000 per person.

However, you can often find promotions from Royal Caribbean, and we even discovered some options in 2025 that let you book for around $1,000 per person. The pricing varies based on room type, dates and availability, but Icon is considered more of a luxury cruise than a budget option. That said, the price covers much of the food, amenities and experiences throughout your week-long vacation.

Yes. While it's certainly not for everyone because of its size and price, we were impressed by the innovation this cruise delivers. The highlights compared with other cruises were the family-friendly room layouts, the next-level activities and the design of the neighborhoods.

For instance, on other Royal Caribbean ships you'll find the carousel for kids located next to the sports bar and in the same neighborhood as the AquaTheater, which gets congested around showtimes. With this new layout, there’s less overlap and it’s easier to navigate the experiences.

Meet Your Icon of the Seas Guides

• Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she oversees travel content ranging from the best luggage to Good Housekeeping’s Family Travel Awards . Lexie has been on eight cruise ships from a range of cruise lines (including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival) and has sailed through Alaska, the U.S. East coast, the Caribbean, Bermuda, South America and Europe. She attended a preview sailing on the Icon of the Seas with her husband and two daughters.
• Laurie Jennings is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s general manager and lead consumer tester across categories like travel, home, automotive and more. This was Laurie’s first overnight cruise experience. Her multigenerational group included her mother, a seasoned cruiser (who raved, “Everything about this ship is perfect! It will blow you away,”) as well as her daughter, 9, and her nephew, 11. During her sailing, Laurie visited all 28 room classes as well as every neighborhood and restaurant available for viewing.

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• Cruises for Families

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: Which Cruise Line Is Right for Your Family?

Jan 22, 2020

See recent posts by Cortney Fries

You know you want to go on a cruise for your next family vacation, but how do you choose between some of the most popular cruise lines for families ? Carnival and Royal Caribbean are two power players in family cruising , with a plethora of unique activities both on and off the ships. Based on our family’s recent experiences on Carnival Panorama, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas and Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, as well some industry expertise, we’ve compared Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean to help you choose the right cruise line for your next vacation.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: Cost

Royal Caribbean:  “Royal Caribbean’s fares— especially on newer ships—tend to be a bit higher, but with a greater selection of options onboard, some at an added cost (such as room service and specialty dining),” says Erica Silverstein, senior editor at Cruise Critic .

Carnival: Known to be affordable, casual and focused on fun, Carnival was recently named Best Cruise Line for Value by the editors of Cruise Critic. Silverstein says this is due in large part to their budget-friendly fares and wealth of inclusions.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: Kids’ Programs

Royal Caribbean:  Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s complimentary youth program for ages 3 to 17. Its edu-tainment features programs in art, theater and science. Teens will love socializing in their own spaces, including a teen-only lounge and nightclub. Arcades and 3D theaters bring the action to life and create additional opportunities for tweens and teens to meet new friends.

Cruising with an infant? Order organic baby food , diapers , wipes and other essentials via Babies 2 Go , to be delivered to your stateroom upon arrival.

Late-night group babysitting ensures kids are cared for in the comfort of their staterooms while parents enjoy an evening out. “Royal Caribbean also has a drop-off, extra-fee nursery and free parent-kid play space for under-3s on many ships,” says Silverstein.

Carnival:  Carnival offers Camp Ocean for children aged 2 to 11, where they enjoy games, crafts, music and more in groups divided by age (Penguins: 2 to 5; Stingrays: 6 to 8; and Sharks: 9 to 11). “Carnival is the only line in the industry to allow 2-year-olds to be dropped off at its programs,” says Silverstein. “Counselors will also change diapers.” For tweens and teens, there’s Club O2, with karaoke, sports and even a prom !

Night Owls programming offers nighttime babysitting for an added fee.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: Family Activities and Entertainment

Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean is an adventure in technology and entertainment. The line offers huge ships with amusement park-like amenities — including many industry firsts — such as the first ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, zip line, aqua theater, surf simulator, and 10-story slide (the Ultimate Abyss) at sea. Glow-in-the-dark laser tag, simulated skydiving, bumper cars, trapeze school and even robotic bartenders are a few of the other unique features you’ll find on Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean is also the only cruise line that offers Tony Award-winning shows at sea. You can expect to see Grease , Cats and other Broadway hits.

“Royal Caribbean’s entertainment is second-to-none, recently recognized as the best in the industry by Cruise Critic’s editors,” says Silverstein. (Another) case in point: Royal Caribbean recently launched a new private island experience, Perfect Day at CocoCay , with wild waterslides (including the tallest in North America), blissful beaches, a giant wave pool and a floating helium balloon ride.

Carnival:  Carnival offers traditional cruise ship activities featuring cruise directors that rile up guests in poolside contests and during evening entertainment. Your kids will be able to experience comedy shows and karaoke nights, which include the famous Lip Sync Battle . There’s also Hasbro , The Game Show, plus games and dive-in movies by the pool.

Continuously recognized by Cruise Hive’s Cruise Ship Awards as a fantastic domestic cruise line that delivers fun family experiences, Carnival also won Best Cruise Ship Feature for SkyRide , its suspended cycling experience. Carnival is also known for its Sky Zone trampoline park, available on select ships. For an added fee, kids can jump, climb a wall, dunk a basketball and play dodgeball for an hour. (Our children loved it so much, they went every day, giving us an hour to ourselves!). Silverstein also calls out the popular Carnival partnership with Dr. Suess that includes themed events, such as the Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, a costume parade, and Dr. Suess Bookville, a reading and play area.

Complimentary family fun includes the SportsSquare; with mini-golf, foosball and Ping-Pong; and WaterWorks, with adrenaline-inducing waterslides.

Related: 11 Things You Can’t Forget to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: Family Dining

Royal Caribbean: Included dining involves the main dining room, Windjammer buffets and a few other options. For added fees, you can enjoy specialty restaurants such as steakhouses, sushi restaurants and celebrity-chef driven establishments, like Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian. My Family Time Dining is a great option for kiddos to eat with their parents for the first 40 minutes, and then get whisked off to the kids club so parents can enjoy the rest of their meal together.

Carnival:  Accolades for best cruise ship dining venue often go to Guy’s Burger Joint, which is free and available on all Carnival ships. The smashed burgers are total kid-pleasers. Carnival offers several other complimentary dining options, which include room service. Don’t miss the signature Carnival chocolate melting cake served in the main dining room!

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: Family Cabins and Staterooms

Royal Caribbean: In 2019, Royal Caribbean launched another first at sea: the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas. The luxurious cabin has multiple TVs, video gaming systems, air hockey, a climbing maze, a floor-to-ceiling slide, and two bedrooms to sleep a total of eight guests. It also includes the service of a personal butler.

The price tag is out of most families’ budgets, but don’t worry; there are plenty of family-friendly room options available. “Royal Caribbean has a wealth of cabin selections- many with connecting doors- so families of all sizes and preferences can find a suitable option, at various price points,” says Silverstein. “That’s especially great for multi-generational groups, where you’re traveling with a wide range of family members.”

Royal Caribbean even offers interior rooms with virtual balconies, featuring 80-inch screens with real sights and sounds from outside. This is a great option for those on a budget.

Carnival:  Cabins that connect or sleep up to four or five guests make it easy to cruise with kids on Carnival Cruise Line. (Our family’s cabin, a standard category 8 balcony, included bunk beds for the kids and a king bed for the parents). Bathing and sleeping get even more comfortable when you reserve a family stateroom, featuring five berths (pull-down beds) and two bathrooms, and located in the Family Harbor section of Carnival ships. The Family Harbor Lounge (available on select ships), an area for families to relax with snacks, ice cream and video games .

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: The Bottom Line

“Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean are fantastic options for families—with tons to do onboard, and plenty of family-focused features,” says Silverstein. The real difference is in the cost and number of inclusions, so decide which onboard experiences are most important to you and your kids before making your final decision.

Related: 7 Things You’ll Regret Not Packing for Your Family Cruise

Cortney Fries (pronounced “freeze”) is an award-winning Chicago-based writer and mom to two spunky elementary school-age kids. She loves nothing more than traveling with family, having adventures with friends and exploring the outdoors. Cortney believes that you should definitely do things that scare you just a little bit. Follow her on Instagram,  @cortneyfries.

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Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship aims to be the ideal vacation for young families

Royal Caribbean is betting big on young families with its newest, biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.

When the 7,600-passenger vessel launches in 2024, the line hopes it will create "the best family vacation in the world," according to Michael Bayley, the line's president and CEO — the kind of no-compromises, something-for-everyone experience that will create believers out of cruise skeptics, lure well-heeled families away from their beloved land resorts and finally give parents some much-needed relaxation time.

If Royal Caribbean can pull it off, Disney should be scared.

TPG got a sneak peek into what the line plans for families on Icon of the Seas at an event in Miami on Tuesday, and it's impressive. For the first time, the line is going all-in on young families with an open-air area at the back of the ship devoted to everything a family with young kids could want, surrounded by family-focused accommodations and with easy access to the kids club and other popular onboard attractions.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Royal Caribbean has long been a family favorite . Its Adventure Ocean kids club features activities for kids and teens of all ages, plus a nursery and little-kid play areas for children under 3. Its biggest ships thrill kids with splash parks, waterslides, rock climbing and miniature golf. But real family-focused cabins , with separate sleeping spaces for kids and multiple bathrooms, and plentiful activities for the preschool set have been harder to come by.

No longer. Royal Caribbean realized that the five vessels in its current largest class of ships, the Oasis class, routinely carry 200 to 600 young kids on any given cruise, and that these young families sail year-round as they're not yet tied to the school calendar. With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean aims to lure those families with more amenities catering to them, presented in a way that lets parents get a real vacation at the same time.

Here's what we currently know about Icon of the Seas' family attractions.

Related: Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas will be world's biggest cruise ship, with room for nearly 10,000 people

Surfside neighborhood for young families

On Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has created its first neighborhood (or themed section of the ship) dedicated entirely to young families. It's located in an open-air space at the back of the ship, approximately where the Boardwalk is found on the line's Oasis-class ships .

The concept behind this area is to create an all-day play area for families with kids ages 6 and under (though everyone is welcome), where parents don't need to give up their relaxation time just because their kids want to play. The centerpiece will be adjacent water play spaces for kids and adults, including Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay splash parks for junior cruisers and the Water's Edge pool for grownups. Colorful deck chairs line the space so parents can lounge with their feet up or soak in the pool while maintaining sightlines to their playing kids.

Royal Caribbean will bring back its Oasis-class carousel to the Surfside neighborhood, but the ride will be newly pool-themed with the ride-on animals designed like pool floats and the carousel roof a giant beach umbrella.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean | Royal Caribbean cabins and suites guide | The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained | How to maximize your perks with Royal Caribbean's loyalty program

Surfside will also house family-friendly dining venues, so no one has to go far when hunger strikes. The venues have not been announced, though Royal Caribbean staffers told me there would be some complimentary options. Surfside's bars will serve some exclusive-to-Surfside "mommy and me" drinks, where kids can order the nonalcoholic versions of their parents' tropical cocktails. (Caregivers may also want to focus on mocktails while supervising their preschoolers in a slippery play zone.)

Retail outlets will include the Sugar Beach candy shop and boutiques selling beach necessities and fun souvenirs for kids.

The ship's arcade, Adventure Ocean kids club and Social020 teen club will all be nearby. Even better, Surfside will be accessible from the deck above by both a staircase and a slide.

New family-focused cabins

Royal Caribbean will outfit Icon of the Seas with several new cabin layouts aimed at families with three or more kids. Many of these will be located near the Surfside neighborhood, with some overlooking it with interior-facing balconies. This will be the first time Royal Caribbean is creating large numbers of cabins created exclusively with families in mind.

The Family Infinite Balcony cabin is an ocean-facing, extra-long family cabin measuring 285 square feet. It can sleep up to six people with an alcove featuring upper and lower beds for kids, a separate sleeping area for grown-ups, a living area and split bathroom (toilet and sink in one room and shower and sink in the other). The infinite balcony design takes an idea from Royal Caribbean sister line Celebrity Cruises where instead of a standard balcony external to the ship, the room features a glass wall with a window that can roll down halfway (like a car window) to allow fresh air in, and curtains to close off that area from the rest of the cabin to create a veranda-like space.

Across the hall from these family balcony rooms will be the 269-square-foot Surfside Family Suites. These suites sleep four with a glassed-in living area that can turn into a kids bedroom at night, plus a real 53-square-foot balcony overlooking the Surfside neighborhood. Though not in the Suite Neighborhood , these accommodations are designated as Sky-class suites and come with some of the Royal Suite-class perks , such as access to the exclusive Suite Neighborhood sun deck and restaurants.

There are also smaller, 196-square-foot Surfside Family View Balcony cabins and 187-square-foot Surfside Family View Interior cabins for families who want a cheaper alternative near all the family neighborhood fun.

The creme de la creme of family accommodations is the three-deck-high Ultimate Family Townhouse, an evolution of the Ultimate Family Suite that wowed guests on Oasis-class ships. In addition to kid and adult sleeping areas, this 1,772-square-foot top-level suite features an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, a karaoke machine and spacious indoor living spaces. It also features 751 square feet of outdoor space, divided among two balconies and a "backyard" with a pingpong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to all the Surfside neighborhood attractions. It can sleep up to eight guests.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship

In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed as family-focused accommodations. However, many regular cabins and suites can sleep three or four guests should families wish to reside in other parts of the ship.

Bottom line

Bookings for Icon of the Seas' maiden season, which begins Jan. 28, 2024, go on sale Monday for Royal Caribbean loyalty members and Tuesday for everyone else. You can bet that its most innovative family cabins will sell out quickly. If you're a young family, wondering how you're going to catch a break on vacation with a baby, toddler or preschooler, this ship might just be the answer to your vacation prayers.

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I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.

• I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.
• For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.
• I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

In April 2022, I cruised on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas . At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world , but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas .

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas .

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms , which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony , and two steps below a suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

I thought it was the most relaxing area on the ship, so I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

To operate most of the electricity in the room, I had to insert my room key into a slot on the wall.

I appreciated the energy-saving system.

On one side of the room, I had a mirror and a desk with several outlets to charge electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

I thought the desk was useful for eating, as well as storing daily flyers about the day's events.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

The desk drawers were mostly empty aside from a hair dryer, which I didn't end up using.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

Inside each closet, I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks, like placing the trash can and toilet paper under the counter.

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration, according to its website , so they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I was able to look out over the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

The window was equipped with an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been a tight space for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

• Main content

Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: Which family-friendly cruise line is for you?

If you're planning a cruise vacation with kids, you're likely focused on two brands: Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

While other cruise lines cater to families, these two lines top the charts. Royal Caribbean is known for its humongous ships that are chock-full of family-friendly attractions, from waterslides and ice skating shows to huge kids clubs and adults-only solariums and sun decks. Disney is always top of mind for a family getaway, and the characters, quality of entertainment and family-focused service you're used to in its parks and hotels carry over onto its cruise ships.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

How do you make a decision when your vacation choice falls to Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean? The cruise lines are different in many ways — discover what sets the lines apart to determine which is the best for you.

Size of ships

Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the largest cruise ships in the world , including the 250,800-ton, 7,600-passenger titleholder, Icon of the Seas . Its Freedom, Quantum and Oasis Class ships are no joke either. Freedom Class ships measure roughly 156,000 tons and carry upward of 4,500 passengers at maximum capacity, Quantum Class ships measure 169,000 tons and accommodate 5,000 passengers, and Oasis Class ships measure a bit more than 225,000 tons and carry between 6,600 and 7,000 passengers.

As befitting their size, these ships are full of attractions and entertainment options, a range of cabins and suites at varying price points and multiple dining and drinking establishments.

The fleet does include smaller ships among its 28 vessels. The Vision and Radiance Class ships carry around 2,500 passengers when full. However, these ships lack many of the family-friendly attractions that Royal Caribbean is known for, and are also the vessels the line sends on longer voyages or based in secondary home ports, such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Baltimore. On many of these smaller ships, you'll find more adults, though all will have kids clubs and welcome families.

Related: The 7 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Disney Cruise Line has a much smaller fleet with only five ships (soon to be six by late 2024). These ships come in three sizes: the 83,000-ton Disney Magic and Disney Wonder carry 2,713 passengers at maximum capacity; the 130,000-ton Disney Dream and Fantasy carry 4,000; and the 144,000-ton Disney Wish (and its soon-to-debut sister, Disney Treasure ) can also accommodate 4,000. That puts its larger ships on par with Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class.

Unlike Royal Caribbean, Disney's smaller ships still bring all the Disney magic, including waterslides, family-friendly dining options and all the Disney character and princess encounters you could wish for.

Related: The 3 types of Disney Cruise Line ships, explained

Cabins and suites

Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line ships offer a range of cabin and suite categories, so travelers can choose the amount of space, layout and price point that works for them.

Both cruise lines divide cabins generally into windowless inside cabins (on both lines, certain ships have digital screens that simulate windows, displaying video from outside the ship), ocean-view rooms with porthole or picture windows that do not open, balcony cabins with private verandas and suites with extra space and VIP amenities.

Both lines offer top-level cabins and suites with access to exclusive lounges and deck space and the services of a concierge. You can find these Concierge-level rooms on all Disney cruise ships, but Royal Caribbean's Suite Class is only offered on its newest classes of ships (Icon, Oasis and Quantum).

All of Disney Cruise Line's cabins were designed with families in mind. Most have a split bath design, with a sink and toilet in one room and a tub-shower combo and sink in another. They have room-dividing curtains and plenty of extra berths, with sofabeds and pulldown bunks. Royal Caribbean does have some family cabins fleetwide, especially on Icon of the Seas, but the majority of its rooms were not created with families of three and four in mind.

Royal Caribbean is your line if you're looking for over-the-top suites on the biggest ships. The collection includes stunning two-floor suites, including the Ultimate Family Townhouse and Ultimate Family Suite on Icon and Oasis Class ships which are a kid's dream accommodation.

Royal Caribbean also has some quirky cabins you might find fun, including ocean-view and balcony rooms that look onto the open-air, interior "neighborhoods" on Oasis and Icon Class ships, such as the fun-loving Boardwalk, leafy Central Park and kid-friendly Surfside. Icon of the Seas has new Infinite Balcony cabins, which have extra interior space and a glass wall that rolls down halfway (like a car window) to bring fresh air into the room.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Food and drink

Neither Royal Caribbean nor Disney Cruise Line is known for amazing food across the board; however, both have restaurants that will wow you.

When comparing Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean on dining, Royal Caribbean is your best bet, especially on its larger ships, if you want a lot of dining variety and don't mind paying extra for certain meals. Disney Cruise Line is the winner for family-focused restaurants and some amazing adults-only restaurants.

All Royal Caribbean ships include three meals a day in its multideck, banquet-style main dining rooms and Windjammer Marketplace buffets. Ships will also have a couple of additional included venues for snacks and fast-casual meals, such as cafes (with extra-fee coffee), Sorrento's pizza and El Loco Fresh for Mexican fare.

If you're willing to pay, you'll find nearly everything you could wish for: sushi and hibachi, steak, seafood, Italian, Southern, Johnny Rockets, pub fare and inventive dishes created using molecular gastronomy. Suite Class guests have access to an elevated, intimate dining room called Coastal Kitchen.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Disney Cruise Line takes a completely different approach to dining. Each of its ships features three included sit-down restaurants, and passengers are given a schedule of which venue to visit on which night. Your waiters rotate through the dining rooms with you, so they can get to know your preferences. The eateries are often themed to Disney movies or characters and might have a stage show or other entertainment as part of the fun.

In addition, a buffet is open for breakfast and lunch, along with all-day dining at poolside, grab-n-go venues for things like pizza, burgers and sandwiches.

Adults can seek a quieter, more romantic meal in Disney's various adults-only, extra-fee restaurants, including the Italian Palo and the French Remy or Enchante. At $50 per person, Palo is a great value for brunch and dinner with all-you-can-eat options from an extensive menu, all of very high quality. On the flip side, Remy and Enchante are among the most expensive specialty restaurants at sea.

Both cruise lines offer room service , but Disney's is included in the fare, while you have to pay extra on Royal Caribbean.

Kids activities

Both cruise lines excel at entertaining kids (especially on Royal Caribbean's bigger and newer ships), but the lines take different approaches here as well. To start, both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have large kids clubs on their ships, with separate spaces for kids and teens, as well as extra-fee nurseries for the littlest cruisers.

Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab are expansive play spaces themed to Disney, Pixar and "Star Wars" characters. You can play in Andy's Room from "Toy Story" or fly the Millennium Falcon in a "Star Wars" simulation. Activities range from arts and crafts and science experiments (like making goop) to playing video games or digital entertainment on the Magic Play Floor. Tweens and teens each have separate hangouts with lots of games and hangout space.

On Royal Caribbean ships, teens and tweens share a hangout, and the cruise line is experimenting with new programming to host activities around the ship for this picky age group. Kids still congregate in Adventure Ocean with multipurpose spaces for sports, games and crafts and plenty of high-tech entertainment. Newer ships have separate artist's studios, theaters, science labs and game space.

And, of course, both cruise lines plan kid and family activities around the ship, outside of the drop-off kids programming in the clubs. On Disney Cruise Line, families can take photos with their favorite characters and princesses, enjoy family trivia and karaoke, and attend events like a Pirate Night deck show or dance parties in the main atrium. Royal Caribbean might offer a family festival with games and face painting or field day-style competitions.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Onboard attractions

Disney might be a wiz at theme parks, but no cruise line does onboard attractions better than Royal Caribbean. Look to its biggest, newest ships for wow-factor attractions, including a FlowRider surf simulator , waterslides (including a six-slide water park on Icon of the Seas) and giant dry slides, escape room, ice skating rinks, laser tag pop-ups, bumper cars (on Quantum Class ships), zip lines, rock climbing walls and sky diving simulators.

However, its Vision and Radiance Class ships take a more traditional, pared-down approach to onboard attractions, focusing on pools and hot tubs, the casino and the spa. Choose your ship carefully if you have certain whiz-bang attractions on your to-do list.

Disney Cruise Line ships will have a water ride or slide or two, indoor and poolside movie theaters and a spa, but don't expect the over-the-top attractions of a Royal Caribbean ship. The line focuses more on activities than attractions and lazy days by the pool.

Related: The 10 wildest attractions you'll find on a cruise ship

Entertainment

When you compare the entertainment of Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise Line, you're not going to get a clear winner. Both lines excel at entertainment but — this won't surprise you — the two lines have different strengths when it comes to onboard shows.

Disney Cruise Line knows how to turn out high-quality shows, and each ship will offer three original Broadway-style musicals in its onboard theater. Some of them are musical versions of favorite animated classics, such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tangled." Other shows combine characters and songs from the Disney playbook to create original shows, like "The Golden Mickeys."

Disney is also known for captivating top-deck events, such as its Pirate Night shows, complete with fireworks, rappelling pirates and Mickey and friends dressed in their pirate best. Its ships run classic Disney movies on its poolside screen and first-run shows from the entire Disney portfolio in the indoor movie theaters. Adult entertainment in the lounges at night might include interactive game shows, karaoke, live music or even a solo show from a cast member.

Royal Caribbean also gets high marks for its stage shows, which range from shortened versions of Broadway musicals to original song-and-dance revues. Some ships have separate clubs where guest comedians perform, ice rinks for original Ice Capades-style shows and AquaTheaters for innovative acrobatic-diving-dancing performances. Expect high-tech effects, including the use of robotics, to enhance the entertainment.

The cruise line employs numerous musicians, including pianists who perform at the Schooner Bar, Dueling Pianos bar and even in the elevator and other unexpected locations (you never know where the Stowaway Pianist will appear). Ships with Royal Promenades host festive parades, dance parties and midnight balloon drops.

Who is on board?

Disney Cruise Line unsurprisingly attracts a lot of families, especially families with little kids in that princess-worshipping sweet spot, as well as multigenerational families. However, the line also attracts its fair share of adult couples, friends and families with grown children. It's not uncommon to find couples celebrating an onboard wedding or their honeymoon.

What most of these Disney passengers share is a love of the brand, whether that's the characters and movies or Disney's obsession with high-quality entertainment. Also, Disney cruises don't come cheap, so families tend to be well off, or they've saved for years for a special trip.

Related: 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids

Royal Caribbean sees a larger variety of passengers across its fleet due to multifaceted ships and a wide range of cruise fares. You'll find families with kids of all ages (including adult ones), couples celebrating milestones from weddings to retirements, and lots of bachelor and bachelorette parties, spring breakers and girlfriend getaway groups. Who is on board will vary depending on the ship, the time of year and the length and destination of the cruise.

If you want a more adult environment, look for smaller or older ships, longer itineraries and off-peak travel times. If you want to find families, look for weeklong cruises sailing during school breaks. The party crowd and younger friend groups gravitate toward the super-short three- or four-night or weekend itineraries.

Related: The best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for every type of traveler

Itineraries and pricing

Disney Cruise Line ships mainly sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas on weeklong or shorter sailings. Three- and four-night cruises from Florida home ports, especially Port Canaveral, are ideal for tacking onto short visits to Disney World in Orlando.

Disney Wonder is the cruise line's Pacific-based ship. It sails to Mexico, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific and Hawaii (the latter as repositioning cruises). Disney Dream is the line's transatlantic ship. It sails to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida, but also crosses the ocean to offer European cruises (Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, Western Europe).

Disney has previously offered Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises from northeastern U.S. home ports but does not currently have any on its schedule.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries

With a much larger fleet, Royal Caribbean has a much more diverse itinerary roster, but its focus is mainly the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Europe. In the summer, the line might base a dozen ships in the islands, half as many in Europe and four in Alaska, with the rest sailing to places like Bermuda, Canada and New England, Mexico and Asia. It can offer ship and itinerary options within one cruise region at the same time, whereas Disney might only have one ship sailing one route.

Royal Caribbean also offers cruises to the South Pacific, Pacific Northwest, Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii and Panama Canal, as well as transatlantic and transpacific crossings to move ships to new home ports.

You'll also have a wider selection of departure ports in the U.S. with Royal Caribbean. Its ships sail from secondary home ports, such as Baltimore, Boston, Cape Liberty (Bayonne, New Jersey), Galveston, New Orleans and Tampa, as well as the major Florida ports, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Perhaps because Disney Cruise Line has far fewer ships to fill than Royal Caribbean, its prices are generally much higher on similar itineraries. For example, at press time, the cheapest seven-night Caribbean cruise you can book on Disney Cruise Line starts at $1,449 per person, based on double occupancy and not including taxes and fees. Royal Caribbean's cheapest weeklong cruise starts at $377 per person.

However, Royal Caribbean's newest ships are very much in demand, and pricing can rival Disney's. The cheapest seven-night cruise on the line's recently debuted Icon of the Seas starts at $1,723 per person; its 2025-arriving sister Star of the Seas isn't much more affordable, with rates starting at $1,677.

Bottom line: Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean

If you're looking at Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean for your next vacation at sea, you can't go wrong with either line.

Choose Disney Cruise Line if you're a huge Disney fan or are traveling with kids who are. Choose that line if you prefer smaller ships that are still kid-focused but offer plenty of adults-only spaces. Finally, book a Disney if you can afford the high fares and if your preferred destination and travel dates match up with the line's more limited schedule.

Choose Royal Caribbean if you like big ships and cruises that appeal to all ages and interests or if you're looking for smaller ships and are fine with older ships and more traditional onboard activities. If you need a wide variety of itineraries to choose from, are looking to cruise to more far-flung destinations or need options for affordable rooms or a wide selection of suites, Royal Caribbean is the line for you.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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Royal caribbean vs. carnival: quick comparison chart.

Decide which line is best based on costs, food, onboard entertainment and other key factors.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line have quite a bit in common.

Trying to choose between Royal Caribbean and Carnival for your next cruise? Check out the comparison chart below, then read on for more details.

Winner: Royal Caribbean

When it comes to fleet size as well as the features available on cruise ships, Royal Caribbean has an edge over Carnival Cruise Line. That's because Royal Caribbean already has 28 ships in operation, including its incredible Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class ships. Oasis Class vessels like Allure of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are some of the largest in the world – and Royal Caribbean Group is constantly rolling out new, even bigger cruise ships with better amenities and new features. For example, the new Icon of the Seas (scheduled to debut in 2024) plans to have the largest water park at sea, the largest swimming pool at sea, and a range of over-the-top cabins and suites for families of all sizes.

Meanwhile, Carnival currently operates 25 different vessels with a few more on the way. Newer ships like Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia aren't as large and grand as Royal Caribbean ships, nor are the brand-new vessels the company is planning for late 2023 and 2024. For example, the new Carnival Jubilee that is set to begin sailing later in 2023 will have 15 passenger decks and capacity for up to 6,631 guests, compared to 18 guest decks and 7,600 passengers on Icon of the Seas.

Read: The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

SBW-Photo | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Comparing cabins across cruise lines as a whole isn't an easy feat, mostly because companies tend to offer larger suites and cabins with a better layout on their newer ships . You'll therefore likely have a nicer cabin on one of Carnival's newest vessels compared to an older ship from Royal Caribbean, and of course the opposite is also true. Cabin sizes and layouts also vary widely across the vessels of both brands, and that's true even for basic interior, ocean view and balcony cabins.

That said, Royal Caribbean still comes out ahead in this category, since the line boasts more square footage in some of the most basic cabins as well as more over-the-top luxury accommodations, especially for families.

As an example, most inside cabins on Allure of the Seas feature 172 square feet of space, whereas Carnival Celebration's inside cabins are slightly smaller at 158 square feet. Meanwhile, the largest suites on Celebration are the Carnival Excel Presidential Suite, with 1,120 square feet of space including the balcony, and the Carnival Excel Aft Suite, which has 861 square feet of interior and balcony space. Compare those options to the Sky Loft Suites on Allure of the Seas, which feature 1,132 square feet across the room and balcony, and the spacious two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites with 1,595 square feet including the balcony.

Book a cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Winner: Tie

Food options vary widely across vessels within any cruise brand, and this is especially true with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. For example, older ships from both cruise lines offer fewer specialty dining options overall along with the main dining rooms and buffet options cruisers come to expect, whereas newer ships from both lines feature a lot more unique and innovative options.

When you view the cruise dining options from both lines, you'll quickly find that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean pull out all the stops when it comes to food. For example, Carnival ships include a range of eateries from large and expansive buffets to main dining rooms to unique offerings like Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Meanwhile, specialty dining on Carnival vessels features options like teppanyaki, Emeril's Bistros at Sea and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

Royal Caribbean ships feature convenient buffets and main dining room experiences, as well as included options like pizza kitchens, noodle bars and casual fast food. Specialty dining on Royal Caribbean ranges from the brand's Chef's Table experience to Johnny Rockets' burgers and shakes to innovative fine dining at Wonderland.

Drink packages

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer drink packages that cruisers can purchase as part of their vacation to get a more all-inclusive feel . Then again, the value of these packages depends on how much you drink over the course of your trip. Also note that the cost of drink packages across all cruise lines can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, travel dates, length of trip and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out slightly ahead in this category because the line offers three tiers of drink packages for guests with different needs. Choose from the Classic Soda Package; the Refreshment Package, which includes soda along with coffees, juices and even milkshakes at Johnny Rockets; and the Deluxe Beverage Package, which adds in beer, cocktails and wine by the glass. Meanwhile, Carnival offers just two different drink packages: the Bottomless Bubbles package, which covers soft drinks and juice, and the Cheers! drink package, which adds in spirits and cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffee, energy drinks and more.

Read: Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Onboard activities

Analyzing onboard activities across cruise lines isn't always easy – you really have to break down this category by ship for a true comparison. When you do that with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, you'll find that both lines offer fun activities for all ages, from onboard water parks to hosted games, casinos and more.

That said, Royal Caribbean does take things up a notch in this category, especially on the line's newer ships. Some Royal Caribbean vessels offer escape rooms, surf simulators, zip lines, game shows and over-the-top water parks with incredible slides for thrill-seekers. For example, Freedom of the Seas boasts huge onboard waterslides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, mini-golf and more. Don't forget about Icon of the Seas with its massive water park and pool offerings in the works. Meanwhile, standout activities on Carnival ships include Family Feud Live, onboard water parks and the thrilling SkyRide.

Compare Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

Live entertainment

The quality of cruise ship entertainment varies widely based on the quality of the talent booked for individual ships. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer their share of live music and entertainment, including performances by bands and singers, karaoke, and piano bars. Meanwhile, both lines also boast their own theaters on every vessel, which often feature Broadway-style shows, singing and dancing, comedy acts, and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out ahead in this category since its vessels feature award-winning musicals like "Hairspray," "Mamma Mia!" and "Cats." The open-air AquaTheater on Oasis Class ships also wows guests with incredible diving feats, stunts and aerial acrobatics. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have onboard ice skating performances and ice games.

Explore cruise deals on  GoToSea .

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Kids programming

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Winner: Carnival

Both cruise lines have kids clubs that cater to younger guests of all ages, with each one offering supervised care so parents can drop the kids off for some alone time or a quiet dinner on the ship. However, Carnival stands out slightly in this category due to the six different clubs offered across the fleet for children and teens between 6 months and 17 years old. Carnival also offers supervised Night Owls services for kids 11 and younger, which lets parents get out and have some late-night fun for an extra charge.

Royal Caribbean offers four kids clubs for children ages six months to 12, along with a separate club for tweens and teens . Supervised child care is available for free during the day, and you can opt for paid care after hours as well.

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Adults-only offerings

Both cruise lines offer their share of adults-only spaces and things to do, from onboard casinos to luxurious spas to bars that offer cocktails and live entertainment at all hours of the day and night. Carnival and Royal Caribbean also offer adults-only areas on some of their ships.

On Carnival, for example, cruisers will find the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat for sailors 21 and older with extra space and comfortable chairs for relaxation, along with its own bar nearby. On many Royal Caribbean vessels, on the other hand, the onboard Solarium for ages 16-plus has its own pool and extra space to find peace and quiet.

Carnival's Serenity relaxation area is included for guests. While Royal Caribbean's Solarium is typically also included, on certain sailings there is restricted access by fare class.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Shore excursions

Getty Images

Shore excursions offered by cruise lines are largely operated by third-party companies and are often the same across brands. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a broad selection of excursions in destinations around the world, from snorkeling and scuba tours in the Caribbean to city tours, horseback riding, cooking classes and more.

Both cruise lines offer private and custom tours you can book through your ship as well.

Compare cruises on GoToSea .

Private island experiences

Royal Caribbean and Carnival each have their own private island in the Bahamas , which is included in most itineraries to this part of the world. These private islands provide a fun beach escape for families to enjoy, whether you want to relax in the sun or take part in some of the available activities.

Royal Caribbean's private island, called Perfect Day at CocoCay, is the more impressive option due to everything it includes: a heart-thumping water park, its own wave pool, a zip line, a hot air balloon experience and overwater bungalows you can book for the day, among other offerings. Meanwhile, Carnival's Half Moon Cay has a unique beached pirate ship to explore – but fewer amenities overall.

Note that both private islands have plenty of beach space for guests to spread out and relax, as well as restaurants and bars. You can also book excursions on both private islands, which include activities like snorkeling and water sports.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands

Comparing costs across cruise lines can be tricky since fares and available sales vary throughout the year, as well as based on the vessel booked, the cruise itinerary, the number and age of travelers, and more. To get an idea of who wins on price, we looked for two similar cruises on comparable ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean, then priced out an option for a family of four with two children ages 8 and 10. For the purpose of this comparison, we used seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises on Carnival Celebration and Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, both of which began sailing in 2022.

The Carnival Celebration itinerary from Miami stops in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands . By comparison, the Wonder of the Seas sailing leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten ; San Juan; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

The chart below shows the total cost (including taxes and fees) for a family of four in January 2024 in both an ocean view and a typical balcony cabin across both cruise lines. Note that, for the purpose of this comparison, we selected the least expensive room option in each category.

Read: How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 30 times across most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries around the world. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate this cruise line comparison.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Cruise
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• The Top Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
• How to Find Last-Minute Cruise Deals
• The Top Kids Sail Free Cruises

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Make-A-Wish

Wishes at sea, making a wish and a difference.

Royal Caribbean ® is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish ® — an incredible organization granting the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Every penny collected across our fleet goes directly to Make-A-Wish. No donation is too small. And when it comes to these deserving children and their families, we can turn wishful thinking into steadfast believing.

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Caribbean cruise line reroutes ships, cancels stop at island port due to violence, turmoil

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Royal Caribbean International has canceled stops at its private beach in Haiti through September as a result of the violence plaguing the island nation, a private fan blog, citing messages to travelers, reports. AP

• Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops at its private port of Labadee through the summer because of simmering violence in Haiti.

In March, the cruise line canceled stops at the private beach area through May, but this week Royal Caribbean reworked cruise schedules through the summer and into September, a post on the Royal Caribbean Blog said.

“Guests booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled,” the blog said. “On Tuesday (April 23), cruisers began to share updates they received from Royal Caribbean that their itineraries have been updated to drop Labadee and replace it with another port or a sea day.”

Labadee is a beach area on a peninsula in northern Haiti near Cap-Haitien used exclusively by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has its own security force at the site, which is walled off from the rest of the country.

The 260-acre site has been leased by Royal Caribbean since the 1980s. It is about a six-hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and thus far has not seen any incidents of violence, the blog said.

More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January to March across Haiti, a more than 50% increase from the same period last year, according to a report Friday by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The vast majority of violence is in Port-au-Prince .

Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s former capital, has been spared much of the violence and is going through a bit of a resurgence, The Associated Press said . Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating there, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February.

Royal Caribbean International had no formal announcements of the changes posted to its website. Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial site for fans of the cruise line and is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International.

But it cited chatter and messages from cruise ticket holders about changes to their itinerary that showed stops at Labadee were being canceled and replaced with either an extra day of cruising at sea or stops in alternate ports.

A notice from the cruise line, reposted on the blog, informed guests about the change in travel plans, without explicitly mentioning the violence.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the notice reads. “We’re sorry for the change – your safety is our top priority. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit a new port with you!”

Grand Turk is the capital island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago north of Haiti.

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