If Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, Mariner and Navigator class of ships weren’t big and luxurious enough, with action packed venues and floating toys like the Flowrider simulated surf machine in the stern, and the Royal Promenade that resembles the Mall of America with a five story atrium filled with shops, bars and pubs, plus a Rock climbing wall up the ship stack and an ice skating rink at sea, behold… Royal’s Quantum class –The Anthem of the Seas and Ovation are huge! Royal’s Oasis class is even bigger, with more passengers, aboard Oasis of the Seas, Harmony and Allure, Odyssey and Wonder of the Seas. Royal Caribbean’s 2024 Class of Ships – The Icon and The Utopia hold up to 7,600 passengers, and the Star of the Seas (2025) transports 9700 passengers, with an aquadome, 40 dining and drinking options and the largest waterpark at seas.
Here are our tips for the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise, or any cruise vacation…
1. Choose the Right Cruise, then Make it Suite
With so many cruise ship companies and so many fleets of ships, the first challenge is to find your fit. We like Royal Caribbean, and a mid-size ship – not over 5,000 passengers! The kind of suite you book also sets the bar for your cruise. We like an upper deck with a private balcony, mid-ship for a smoother ride. Interior cabins are the cheaper route, and if you like sleeping in darkness, this might be your preferred bat cave. In fact, most ships have a big screen TV in your cabin showing live virtual webcams of the bow, stern and the captain’s view from the bridge – so you aren’t claustrophobic and clueless as to where you are.
2. Pack Smart, Dress the Part
Cruises historically are an opportunity to dress well, think the Queen Mary and even the Titanic… a dress to die for! Cruise ships typically have themed nights or formal dinners. Find out theme nights before your board, then pack strategically. See our packing tips for organizing your outfits, day and night, and don’t overpack a bunch of just-in-case stuff. Ladies, dial back the high heels on the boat… despite advanced stabilizers, the boat can get rocking on high seas. You don’t want to slip and twist an ankle and have to meet the Crusie Ship Dr. If you check your bags on arrival day, keep a swimsuit and coverup handy as your bags may not be delivered to your stateroom until the afternoon.
3. Culinary Cruising
Don’t just go to the all-day buffet. The Main Dining serves more elegant food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, white linen, table service, and the meals are just as timely, arguably healthier with special requests accepted. Most luxury cruises offer gourmet dining experiences as well for an upcharge, a steak house, sushi or Italian for example if you wish to splurge from the norm.
4. Enjoy the Toys and Read the Daily Compass
Modern ships are loaded with fun onboard experiences and activities. Try the flow rider, play pickleball at sea, climb the stack on a rock wall. Check the daily roster for napkin folding to pastry making with the Chef. Also on board are VIP tours of the Captain’s Bridge or the Chef’s kitchen- very cool perspectives on the inner logistics of cruising.
5. Plan Your Shore Excursions
Don’t just stay on the ship during your in-port days. At least get off the boat to walk around. Check out the offered excursions, catamaran sails, historic walking tours, swimming with dolphins or sea turtles, rum factory tastings. Just make “shore” you get back to the ship on time. Don’t miss the boat. If you book through the Cruise ship excursion desk, they guarantee this, but you are paying a premium for their canned and planned trips. More… Tips 6-10
6. Don’t miss the Ship’s Spa and Fitness
One of the highlights of cruise ships is their world-class spa and wellness centers. They invest in rejuvenating treatments, massages, and the latest therapies to relax and refresh as you sail. In port days, they often offer discounts on treatments too, and special pricing on Cruise Ship beauty, nail and hair appointments. Also, the ship fitness center is often a highly scenic, well-equipped gym in the bow with a commanding view, where you’ll find free exercise equipment plus fitness classes, spin and yoga. Another fitness tip – use the stairs aboard the ship to get your steps in, skip the elevator, so you can indulge in the elevated onboard cuisine guilt-free.
7. Get to know your stateroom attendant, bartender and your waiter.
The Ship staff works hard. These foreign workers sacrifice their family life to earn wages, to send home to their spouses and children. Learn their names, tip early and show respectful interest in them and you will receive even better, friendlier service.
8. Stay healthy
Cruise ships can be a giant floating petri dish of germs shared by 3000 or more passengers. Eat healthy, hydrate and take your vitamins to avoid being contaminated. Do your part to use your best hygiene, wash your hands, and maybe avoid the giant hot tubs. And don’t overconsume the boozy sweet concoctions at the poolside bar all day. Being on a boat is tipsy (and pricey) enough.
9. Try new things – Enter a game show, try the scavenger hunt, go to the Ice Show, see the event performance in the theatre. Cruise ship entertainers are typically topnotch, this is your week to go wild and re-invent the ho-hum sit in a beach chair reading a book doldrums.
10. Take photos, make memories, leave only footprints. Do your part not to disrupt the eco-system when visiting ports and islands, and on the ship with its delicate plumbing and winds that can grab the trash and blow it out to sea permanently. Be a responsible traveler wherever you go…
See our Reviews of Cruising
Tips for the Best Luxury Cruise
Royal Caribbean Guide to Cruising
Azamara Cruise in the Adriatic
Cruising aboard MSC Divina
Cruise Ship Spa and Salon Pricing