Comprehensive Royal Caribbean Ship Class Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Royal Caribbean is a cruise line that offers a wide range of ship styles and designs. While the line is perhaps best known for its giant vessels, it also markets some relatively smaller, more intimate ships. With the removal of two older ships from its fleet, Royal Caribbean now has 26 oceangoing vessels in all, more than any other major cruise line. This means that travelers have a lot of choices when it comes to picking the perfect Royal Caribbean ship for their next adventure.

The 26 ships can easily be grouped into six classes, each with its own look and feel. These classes are made up of ships constructed around the same time to the same basic design, and each has similar amenities. Whether travelers are looking for a giant Oasis-class ship or a more intimate vessel, they can find the perfect fit with Royal Caribbean.

Check out this post to learn how to pick the best cabins

An Introduction to Royal Caribbean Ships

Royal Caribbean operates a fleet of 26 ships, ranging in size from smaller vessels with a maximum occupancy of around 2,500 passengers to the largest cruise ships in the world. The company has built its brand around offering vacationers a ton of diversions on its ships, whether for dining or entertainment.

The biggest Royal Caribbean ships have the most amenities, including an interior, mall-like Royal Promenades with shops, eateries, and bars. With each step down in size, there are fewer restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and attractions. Even the smallest of Royal Caribbean ships still have quite a bit to offer, though.

Royal Caribbean groups its ships into classes based largely on the ship’s general design and structure. The line’s biggest ships are the five Oasis-class ships, which each can hold more than 6,600 passengers with every berth full. These ships are unlike anything else you’ll find at sea when it comes to size, amenities, and capacity. They have midship openings that are home to tree-lined central parks, and there’s room for three distinct pool areas plus a kiddie splash zone on their top decks.

Somewhat smaller in size, but still giant by any measure, are the line’s five Quantum-class and three Freedom-class vessels, which each have total capacities ranging from around 4,500 to 5,600 passengers. With space for around 3,800 passengers at maximum occupancy, the line’s five Voyager-class vessels are relatively large, too.

Together, the 18 vessels of these four classes — Oasis, Quantum, Freedom, and Voyager — make up Royal Caribbean’s big-ship fleet. The line’s remaining eight vessels, split among two classes, are smaller, with maximum occupancy topping out at around 2,500 passengers. While no longer the focus at Royal Caribbean, the smaller ships (which in general are the line’s older ships) allow it to offer itineraries to places that aren’t as easy for big ships to visit.

If you’re sailing with the line for the first time, it’s important to understand that not all of Royal Caribbean’s signature attractions and venues are present on all its ships. For instance, while every Royal Caribbean vessel now has one of the line’s iconic climbing walls (some have two), only the 18 ships of the line’s big-ship classes have a FlowRider surfing simulator. Only the 13 ships of the Oasis, Freedom, and Voyager classes have ice skating rinks.

Royal Caribbean is currently developing an entirely new class of even bigger ships, the Icon class. The first of the vessels, Icon of the Seas, is scheduled to debut in early 2024, with two more ships coming in 2025 and 2026, respectively. It’ll measure a record 250,800 tons and have room for more than 7,000 passengers.

In conclusion, Royal Caribbean’s fleet offers a wide range of ships, from smaller vessels to the largest cruise ships in the world, each with its own unique amenities and attractions. Whether you’re looking for an over-the-top megaresort experience or a more intimate cruise vessel, Royal Caribbean has a ship to fit your needs.

Quantum Class

Quantum Class is the newest and most innovative class of ships from Royal Caribbean. The class includes five ships: Quantum of the Seas (2014), Anthem of the Seas (2015), Ovation of the Seas (2016), Spectrum of the Seas (2019), and Odyssey of the Seas (2021). These ships have a size range of 168,666 to 169,379 tons.

Quantum Class ships feature a wide range of restaurants, bars, and showrooms. They also boast some of the most unusual new attractions found at sea, including bumper car pavilions and skydiving simulators. One of the most unique attractions is the North Star ride, which is a glass-enclosed capsule mounted on a mechanical arm that takes guests soaring into the sky for bird’s-eye views.

The Quantum Class ships also feature unusual, multilevel entertainment spaces with floor-to-ceiling glass walls called Two70. These spaces are home to innovative shows that often feature aerial performers, singers, and dancers who emerge from openings in the floor or ceiling. At certain times of the day, the glass walls transform into an expansive ambient surface called Vistarama that projects real and imagined scenes.

In addition to the unique attractions, Quantum Class ships offer many of the core Royal Caribbean attractions found on most of the brand’s ships, including pools, rock climbing walls, casinos, spas, and Broadway-style shows. However, some of the classic Royal Caribbean features are not found on Quantum Class ships. For instance, ice skating rinks and water parks are not available on these vessels.

The Quantum Class ships are not as big as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class vessels, but they are still among the biggest ships at sea, with a significant number of venues. Most of the ships in the class hold 4,180 passengers at double occupancy, with a capacity of 4,905 if every berth is filled. Spectrum of the Seas, which was specifically built for the China market with some design differences, can hold up to 5,622 passengers. Additionally, the newest ship in the series, Odyssey of the Seas, can hold up to 5,498 passengers.

One significant difference between the Quantum Class ships and other big Royal Caribbean ships is that the Quantum Class ships are designed to be more versatile. More of their main attractions are indoors and protected from the elements than the ships of the Oasis or Freedom classes. For instance, one of the two main pool areas on each of the Quantum Class ships (except Odyssey of the Seas) is enclosed. The bumper car pavilions are also enclosed, doubling as roller skating rinks or used as indoor basketball courts. This allows Royal Caribbean to send the ships to cooler regions of the world, such as Alaska and Northern Europe, where the temperatures are not always conducive to outdoor activity.

The indoor SeaPlex venue on Quantum Class ships is a bumper car pavilion that doubles as a roller skating rink and can be used for basketball and games. Royal Caribbean has also used some Quantum Class ships for sailings out of China.

Oasis Class

The Oasis Class is a series of cruise ships by Royal Caribbean that includes Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and the upcoming Utopia of the Seas. These ships are the biggest cruise vessels afloat, and they offer a wide range of amenities that cater to big-ship lovers.

Each of the Oasis-class ships has three separate main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court, and even a zip line. On their top decks, passengers can enjoy various amusements, including miniature golf courses, basketball courts, surfing simulators, and more. Inside the vessels, passengers can find more lounges, bars, restaurants, and shops than they can imagine, along with huge casinos, spas, and showrooms with Broadway-style shows. They even have indoor ice skating rinks, just in case passengers want to get their Michelle Kwan on.

The Oasis-class ships are designed to carry as many as 6,988 passengers when every berth is filled, and they operate with around 2,200 crew members. That means passengers could be sharing their vacation with more than 9,000 people. However, despite their size, the ships don’t necessarily feel as crowded as they are. Royal Caribbean’s designers are masters at creating vessels that can carry thousands and thousands of people but still feel relatively uncrowded, at least in some areas. Passengers can have a quiet afternoon reading a book on a bench in the sometimes nearly empty, tree-lined Central Park area of Wonder of the Seas while just a few decks above, thousands of vacationers are frolicking away at the ship’s pools.

The Oasis-class ships also have a few differences from ship to ship. For example, the three newest and largest ships in the series, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas, have a few additional attractions and venues. Among them is the Ultimate Abyss, a terrifying slide that drops nine decks. There are also giant waterslides on four of the five ships. Only Allure of the Seas is missing them. There are plans to add waterslides to Allure of the Seas, but they were put on hold after the COVID-19-caused cruising to shut down in 2020.

A handful of restaurants also differ from ship to ship in the series. The newest and largest ship in the series, Wonder of the Seas, has the most differences from the other Oasis-class vessels. At 236,857 tons, it’s about 4% bigger than the next biggest ship in the series, and the extra space is devoted to such additions as a dedicated suite area with a private lounge, restaurant, and sun deck.

The Oasis-class ships are designed for passengers who love big, bustling resorts with every sort of amusement known to humans. They are perfect for families, groups, and anyone who wants to experience a cruise on a massive, state-of-the-art ship.

Radiance Class

Radiance Class ships are a series of four vessels that were built between 2001 and 2004. The ships in this class are Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Jewel of the Seas. They are smaller than the Oasis-class ships, but still offer a variety of features and activities.

At 90,090 tons, the Radiance-class ships have more than a half-dozen places to eat, including a main restaurant, casual buffet, steakhouse, Italian restaurant, and Asian venue. Each ship has three pools, whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports court, and an adults-only solarium. The ships also have a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

However, due to their smaller size, the Radiance-class ships do not have all the gee-whiz attractions found on the larger Royal Caribbean ships, such as ice skating rinks, surfing simulators, giant waterslides, and bumper car pavilions.

Despite the lack of these features, the Radiance-class ships offer a more intimate cruising experience with a maximum occupancy of 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, which is less than half the amount of passengers found on the biggest Royal Caribbean ships.

Freedom Class

Freedom Class is a class of cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean International. These ships were launched between 2006 and 2008 and include Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas. They were the largest cruise ships in the world at the time of their launch, and while they have since been surpassed in size by other Royal Caribbean ships, they still offer a classic big-ship experience with a range of amenities.

The Freedom-class ships are between 154,407 and 156,271 tons, making them significantly smaller than the Oasis-class ships but still quite large compared to other cruise vessels. They can accommodate around 3,900 passengers at double occupancy, with Liberty of the Seas able to carry several hundred more.

The top decks of Freedom-class ships are some of the most activity-packed at sea, with multiple pool areas, a water park, a miniature golf course, and a rock climbing wall. They were also the first Royal Caribbean ships to feature a FlowRider surfing simulator on their top decks, which has since become a signature attraction for the line. While they do not have some of the over-the-top attractions of Oasis-class ships, such as zip lines, they offer a range of other activities.

In terms of interior spaces, Freedom-class vessels have the mall-like Royal Promenade spaces that have become standard on bigger Royal Caribbean ships. These spaces are filled with eateries, bars, and shops, and the ships also have large casinos and spas.

Overall, the Freedom-class ships offer a classic big-ship experience with a range of amenities and activities. While they are not as large or as packed with attractions as some of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships, they still offer plenty to keep passengers entertained.

Voyager Class

The Voyager Class is a group of five Royal Caribbean cruise ships that were launched between 1999 and 2003. These ships are Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas. They have a size range of 137,276 to 139,999 tons.

The Voyager-class ships are similar to the Freedom-class ships, but shorter in length. In fact, the Freedom class was a stretched version of the Voyager class. These ships have many of Royal Caribbean’s signature attractions, including rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks. In fact, the ships were the first at Royal Caribbean to have those attractions.

The Voyager-class ships were also the first to feature a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes, and shops in their interior. Each ship also has several specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining room and casual buffet. Specialty restaurants include a version of Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.

One of the main differences between the Voyager class and the Freedom class is that the Royal Promenades on Voyager-class ships are shorter. The top-deck areas of the Voyager-class ships are also more truncated as compared to the Freedom-class vessels. There are also fewer cabins on the Voyager-class ships, resulting in fewer passengers on board a typical sailing. Most of the ships carry around 3,100 passengers at double occupancy — about 800 fewer than the typical Freedom-class ship.

At around 139,000 tons, the ships are about 11% smaller than the Freedom-class ships. There are also some variations in attractions among the five Voyager-class vessels. Navigator of the Seas has a relatively new waterslide zone that’s home to The Blaster, the longest waterslide at sea. You won’t find that on the other ships, though most of them have different waterslides. Only three of the five ships — Voyager of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas — have laser tag courses. Adventure of the Seas is the only vessel in the class with a kiddie splash zone.

In a major overhaul of Mariner of the Seas in 2018, Royal Caribbean added a new attraction called Sky Pad. It’s a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience.

Vision Class

The Vision Class ships are the smallest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The ships in this class are Grandeur of the Seas (1996), Rhapsody of the Seas (1997), Enchantment of the Seas (1997), and Vision of the Seas (1998). They range in size from 73,817 to 82,910 tons.

These ships are designed to offer a more intimate experience to cruisers who prefer a quieter, less crowded environment. They have fewer onboard attractions and amenities than other Royal Caribbean ships. The appeal of these ships is more about the ports they visit than the onboard experience.

The Vision Class ships are often sent to Europe in the summer to operate port call-intensive itineraries. They also sail longer trips in the Caribbean that include less-visited southerly islands. These ships are sometimes based in secondary ports such as Baltimore or San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the size of the local cruise market might not warrant a larger vessel.

Unlike other Royal Caribbean ships, the Vision Class ships do not have the signature deck-top attractions such as surfing and skydiving simulators. However, they do have pools, whirlpools, and sunning areas on their top decks. All of the ships have at least two pools and six whirlpools, except for Enchantment of the Seas, which has three pools and six whirlpools. Enchantment of the Seas also has a bungee trampoline area, which is something none of the other vessels offer.

Each of the ships has at least one, and often several, additional specialty restaurants in addition to main restaurants and casual buffets. The line’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and Italian eatery Giovanni’s Table are two of them. Rhapsody of the Seas has the biggest selection of dining, while Enchantment of the Seas has the smallest. Three of the four vessels, all but Enchantment of the Seas, have an Izumi Asian restaurant.

The size of each ship in the Vision Class varies slightly. Grandeur of the Seas is the smallest of the four vessels, measuring around 74,000 tons. Enchantment of the Seas is the biggest, measuring around 83,000 tons. It was lengthened by 73 feet in 2005.

In summary, the Vision Class ships offer a more intimate cruising experience with fewer onboard attractions and amenities. They appeal to cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit than the onboard experience. Despite their smaller size, they still offer a variety of dining options and have pools, whirlpools, and sunning areas on their top decks.