Ship Menus Fragment

← Back to Blog

Choosing the Right Royal Caribbean Ship: A First-Timer’s Guide

-

🧭 Not Sure Where to Start? Let’s Break It Down.

Picking your first Royal Caribbean cruise ship can be a bit overwhelming — with so many ships, sizes, and price ranges, how do you know what’s best for you? This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of choosing older vs. newer ships, explain what you actually sacrifice when booking a smaller ship, and whether ship or itinerary should drive your decision. While we focus on Royal Caribbean as an example, many of these insights also apply to other cruise lines like Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian.

Royal Caribbean Ship Classes at a Glance

Royal Caribbean has ships ranging from small, traditional vessels to record-breaking mega-ships. Here’s a brief overview of each class to help you start narrowing down what might be a good fit:

  • Vision Class: Smallest and oldest ships, great for quiet getaways and visiting smaller ports. Fewer bells and whistles.
  • Radiance Class: Slightly newer midsize ships with lots of glass and scenic views. Great for Alaska and Panama Canal.
  • Voyager Class: Mid-sized ships with great value, including FlowRider and ice skating. Some have been upgraded with slides and new dining.
  • Freedom Class: Larger versions of Voyager, with more space and family-friendly features like parades and bigger pools.
  • Quantum Class: Tech-forward ships with indoor fun like bumper cars, skydiving simulators, and North Star viewing capsule.
  • Oasis Class: Huge ships packed with neighborhoods, shows, water parks, and restaurants. Perfect for families and fun-seekers.
  • Icon Class: The newest and most advanced class, with massive water parks, new family zones, and LNG-powered sustainability features.

🧭 Pro Tip: Research individual ships within each class — they can vary a lot based on upgrades and region. The name of the ship often matters just as much as the class.

🛠️ Royal Caribbean Ship Refurbishments (2020–2025)

Ship Name Refurbishment DateKey Additions & Changes
Freedom of the Seas3/2020Perfect Storm waterslides (Cyclone & Typhoon)
Redesigned Caribbean-style poolscape
Splashaway Bay kids’ aquapark
The Lime & Coconut bar
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
El Loco Fresh Mexican eatery
Laser tag: Clash for the Crystal City
Redesigned Adventure Ocean and teen lounge
Allure of the Seas4/2025Ultimate Abyss dry slide
Perfect Storm waterslides (Cyclone, Typhoon, SuperCell bowl)
Redesigned resort-style pool deck and Solarium
Splashaway Bay water park
New venues: El Loco Fresh, Lime & Coconut, Pesky Parrot, Playmakers, The Mason Jar
Laser Tag & Escape Room; Redesigned Adventure Ocean and Social298 teen lounge

Should You Choose a GTY Room or Pick Your Cabin?

When booking your cruise, you might see a GTY (Guarantee) cabin option. This means the cruise line picks your cabin within your chosen category.

✅ Pros:

  • Usually cheaper than selecting your exact cabin
  • Occasional free upgrades to better locations

⛔ Cons:

  • You can’t choose your room’s location — it might be near noisy areas or far from elevators
  • No control if you’re prone to motion sickness or have preferences for deck placement

🎯 First-Timer Tip: A GTY interior room on an older ship may leave a less favorable impression — especially if placed in a dark, low-traffic zone. Picking your own cabin provides peace of mind.

Bottom Line: If you’re flexible, GTY can be a budget win. But first-timers often prefer the comfort of choosing their exact space.

Is Smaller More Intimate? Not Always.

Many new cruisers assume smaller ships offer more intimacy and calm. That’s sometimes true — fewer passengers can mean shorter lines and a more peaceful pace. However:

  • Older ships can feel just as busy when sailing full.
  • Newer mega-ships include quiet zones like Central Park, Solarium, or Suite areas.
  • Ship layout matters just as much as passenger count.

So don’t assume smaller = more relaxing. Consider what type of spaces and pace you enjoy onboard.

Pricing: Does a Newer Ship Justify the Cost?

🧾 First-Time Cruiser Tip: Don’t forget about gratuities! Royal Caribbean adds a daily gratuity fee — usually $16–$20 per person — which often isn’t included in the advertised fare. You can prepay it during booking or be charged onboard. Make sure to factor this in when comparing costs.

🔍 Real 2025 Cruise Examples:

  • Rhapsody of the Seas (Vision Class): ~$114/day (Inside cabin)
  • Wonder of the Seas (Oasis Class): ~$198–$250/day (Inside cabin)

Yes, newer ships are pricier — but you’re getting more:

✅ On a Newer Ship:

  • More restaurants and bars
  • Bigger shows and thrill zones (slides, surfing, etc.)
  • Better cabins and pools

⛔ On an Older Ship:

  • Fewer entertainment options
  • No balcony guarantees
  • Smaller public areas

📌 If you’re after activity and variety, newer ships may be worth the premium. For a destination-focused cruise, older ships may suit you just fine.

Ship vs. Destination

Ship vs. Itinerary: What Should Matter More?

Some ships only sail certain routes, so your bucket-list itinerary might influence your options.

  • Visiting smaller ports? Opt for Vision or Radiance Class.
  • Want Perfect Day at CocoCay? Look for ships from Florida or New Jersey.
  • Love sea days? Bigger ships have more to do onboard.

Most U.S. cruisers head to the Caribbean — often to repeat ports like Nassau or Cozumel — so unless you’re chasing a unique destination, the ship experience often matters more.

Choose:

  • Ship first for big features and onboard fun.
  • Itinerary first if destination is your top priority.

🎯 Tip: Aim for a balanced ship and route so you don’t feel like you missed out.

Do You Need a Passport?

You don’t always need a passport to cruise — many Royal Caribbean Caribbean sailings allow U.S. citizens to board with a government-issued photo ID and a certified birth certificate. Just make sure it’s an original or certified copy — not a photocopy or hospital-issued version. While not always required, a long-form certificate with parental info and a raised seal is safest.

Still, a valid U.S. passport is highly recommended. If you miss the ship or need to fly home unexpectedly from another country, a passport gives you far more flexibility.

Always double-check requirements with your cruise line, especially as travel guidelines may change.*

Other Cruise Lines, Same Trade-Offs

These principles apply well beyond Royal Caribbean:

Carnival

  • New Excel-class ships (e.g., Mardi Gras) feature Bolt roller coaster, water parks
  • Older Fantasy-class ships are simpler, cheaper, and sail shorter trips

MSC Cruises

  • MSC World America rivals Oasis class for scale and features
  • Smaller ships like MSC Armonia offer quiet, budget-friendly alternatives

Norwegian

  • Breakaway-Plus ships (e.g., Encore) offer racetracks, VR lounges
  • Older Jewel-class ships are simpler but do unique itineraries (Asia, South America)

No matter the brand, you’re choosing between:

  • Ship-as-a-destination vs.
  • Ship-as-transportation

Final Thoughts: Your First Cruise Should Match Your Priorities

There’s no one-size-fits-all “best” ship — just the one that suits your vacation vibe, budget, and priorities.

Ask yourself:

  • Do I want to relax or play all day?
  • Do I care more about food, fun, or where I’m sailing?
  • Am I OK skipping bells & whistles to save money?

💡 Don’t let price be your only deciding factor. A cheaper cruise might sound good upfront, but it could leave you wishing for more entertainment, better dining, or smoother logistics. Balance cost with what will actually make your trip feel fun and fulfilling.

Start simple if you’re unsure. Many cruisers fall in love with cruising on older ships and upgrade to bigger ones later.

🚢 Once you’re hooked — there’s always the next ship!

Sources

Disclaimer

This post is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Ship features, itineraries, and pricing are subject to change and may vary by sailing. All examples are based on publicly available 2025 cruise listings as of time of writing. Always verify with the cruise line or your travel advisor before booking. We are not affiliated with any cruise brand mentioned in this post.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *