Royal Caribbean leads the cruise trade as top-of-the-line cruise traces for teenagers as a result of its ships are full of the issues households love.
From swimming pools, outside film screens, waterslides, and massive youngsters golf equipment, there is no such thing as a scarcity of enjoyable issues for youngsters’s actions. There’s additionally mountaineering partitions, laser tag, ice skating rinks, carousels, and far more. Whereas primarily it is the brand new cruise ships which have probably the most for teenagers, oldest ships had been nonetheless designed with household enjoyable in thoughts.
The cruise line’s two latest cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, are arguably the very best ships for households contemplating how a lot there’s for company of all ages. Being the world’s largest cruise ships means you will discover a lot to do for everybody, not simply youngsters. There’s one thing for mother, grandpa, the older cousins, and your brother’s girlfriend. Not a simple activity for any trip alternative.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis, Icon, and Quantum Class ships lead the pack as the latest era of cruise ships with extra kid-friendly choices than any ship earlier than it. The Freedom and Voyager Class cruise ships nonetheless supply quite a bit, and at nice costs for households. Lastly, the Radiance and Imaginative and prescient Class ships are the smallest, oldest ships within the fleet and lack the whiz-bang options that often appeal to households with younger kids.
Whether or not you are in search of “wows”, a mess of issues for the children to do, or only a household trip that will not break the financial institution, this is my high picks for the very best Royal Caribbean ships for teenagers.
Greatest Royal Caribbean ship for younger youngsters: Icon of the Seas
You probably have little youngsters, you are going to wish to sail on the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.
Icon is the best choice within the fleet for anybody with younger youngsters as a result of that is precisely the market the cruise line has doubled down on to draw.
The very fact there’s a whole neighborhood for fogeys and their younger youngsters is a compelling purpose to decide on Icon. Surfside is an open-air part of the ship that has a splash space, kid-friendly water slides, and infinity pool for adults. Additionally, you will discover in Surfside an arcade, carousel, playground, and plenty of family-centric eating selections.
Royal Caribbean positioned Surfside proper close to Journey Ocean, so you’ll be able to simply drop off and choose up your youngsters with out trekking across the ship.
There’s additionally particular household cabins and suites in Surfside which are designed to present youngsters and oldsters the house they should take pleasure in a cruise collectively.
Learn extra: Information to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites
If that is not sufficient to do on a cruise, there’s a lot of different actions across the ship, corresponding to the primary swimming pools, water slides, minigolf, ice skating, manufacturing exhibits and extra.
Icon of the Seas affords weeklong cruises to the Caribbean from her homeport in Miami, and each cruise features a go to to Excellent Day at CocoCay.
Greatest Royal Caribbean ship for households of all ages: Marvel of the Seas
In order for you one thing for everybody, look no additional than Royal Caribbean’s latest cruise ship.
Marvel of the Seas (in addition to the opposite Oasis Class cruise ships) is not only a large cruise ship, however it has nearly every thing youngsters, teenagers, and grandma will discover pleasing.
Learn extra: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by dimension
Oasis Class ships are full of the very best choices Royal Caribbean has, and there is only a few actions or facilities discovered on different ships that you could’t discover on these vessels.
You have obtained water slides, a large aqua park, surf simulator, two rock partitions, playscape, and a carousel if it’s essential to burn some power. Then there’s the zip line, ice skating, scorching tubs, and 10-story dry slide.
The adults-only solarium pool space is discovered on each Royal Caribbean ship, however like every thing on an Oasis Class ship, the solarium on Marvel is simply greater.
One other nice amenity on Marvel of the Seas are the exhibits. There are three leisure venues with exhibits nearly each night time: AquaTheater, Royal Theater, and Studio B.
You may count on to see comedy exhibits, ice skating present, diving present and extra.
If you happen to’re new to cruising, or are touring with all kinds of ages, it is arduous to go mistaken with an Oasis Class cruise ship like Marvel.
If there is a draw back to occurring Marvel of the Seas, it is that you’re going to pay extra on common for a cruise on Marvel of the Seas in comparison with different ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
Learn extra: Royal Caribbean ship courses information & rationalization
In case your price range is tight, maybe one of many different ships on this checklist may be a greater match, however that is not to say Marvel will value you an arm and a leg both. Comparatively talking, newer ships are likely to value extra.
You may lower your expenses on nearly each cruise by making the most of sure planning ideas for getting the bottom value, so there isn’t any excuse for paying high greenback, even for a cruise on Marvel of the Seas.
Greatest Royal Caribbean ship for households with older youngsters: Odyssey of the Seas
As an instance you may have tweens or teen in your loved ones and wish to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise that caters extra to them than youthful kids.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships have at all times been the only option for households with older kids due to the extra subtle choices onboard.
Similar to Marvel of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas is the latest ship in its class and has the newest choices obtainable. Furthermore, Odyssey is a really new ship too, which suggests you are going to discover heaps to take pleasure in.
You probably have a teen, make sure you begin off by displaying them the teenager membership and teenage solar deck. Teenagers not solely have an indoor space for them, however they’ve a reserved space of the pool deck only for them.
Learn extra: 6 issues you’ll be able to solely do on Odyssey of the Seas
Then there’s the SeaPlex on Odyssey of the Seas, the place all through the day actions are swapped that embody bumper automobiles, curler skating, basketball, and extra. Dad and mom can “observe” from the close by Playmakers sports activities bar situated on the higher stage of the SeaPlex.
One thing to do together with your teenagers can be Zone Zero, an immersive digital actuality expertise the place you placed on a full digital actuality swimsuit.
Everybody will be capable to additionally try North Star observational pod, which is a glass capsule that takes you 300 toes above the ocean.
In case your teenagers ever wished to attempt skydiving, Odyssey has a sky diving simulator too!
Grandparents and oldsters will discover their enclave within the Solarium, which is as stunning to take a look at as it’s to loosen up in and revel in.
On your night leisure, head to Two70, which has performances that incorporate superb expertise on the rear of the ship. You may be wowed by how Royal Caribbean has taken conventional stage productions and infused tech enhancements.
Greatest Royal Caribbean ship for households on a price range: Freedom of the Seas
You wish to take your loved ones on a superb cruise but additionally have to make each greenback depend? Try Freedom of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean revamped this ship in early 2020, and it affords a lot to do with out the worth tag newer cruise ships include.
Freedom continues to be a “huge ship”, so there isn’t any compromising on what there’s to do onboard. You are going to discover a surf simulator, stunning pool space, aqua park, water slides, mountaineering wall, and far more.
The truth is, the resort-style pool deck stands out as a giant win for households. Children can take pleasure in time at Splashaway Bay aqua park whereas adults will discover serenity on the Solarium. The Lime & Coconut spans 3 decks, which creates a enjoyable occasion ambiance onboard.
Freedom has Royal Caribbean’s new tackle youngsters membership and teenage space, identical to the newer ships.
As a result of she’s getting older, the typical value on Freedom is notably lower than ships constructed within the final 5 years. Nevertheless, her age does not include a variety of compromise, as a result of there’s quite a bit nonetheless to do for households onboard.
Briefly, Freedom of the Seas delivers on the promise of one thing for everybody, however at far much less of a price than newer ships.
Greatest Royal Caribbean ship for households visiting Alaska: Ovation of the Seas
There’s merely nothing like an Alaska cruise, and households will love every thing Alaska has to supply in addition to onboard Ovation of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean affords cruises to Alaska on 4 ships, however I like Ovation the very best for households, particularly if it is your first Alaska cruise.
Associated: Evaluating the Royal Caribbean ships crusing to Alaska in 2024
Primarily based out of Seattle, you can discover extra direct flights to get you onboard and in case you’re an American, at a lower cost than in case you flew to a ship departing from Canada.
As soon as onboard, there’s heaps to do and many of the actions are indoors. Similar to Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation has a North Star, Flowrider, SeaPlex, indoor Solarium and extra.
Since Ovation has an indoor pool for company of all ages (along with the Solarium), it is the right ship for Alaska.
Whereas Alaska is worthy of dedicating as a lot time as you’ll be able to on shore, when you get again to the ship, there isn’t any compromise with issues to do aboard.
Greatest Royal Caribbean ship to take your dad and mom: Brilliance of the Seas
Whether or not your youngsters are together with your or not, if you’re able to take mother and pa on a cruise too, you may have a look at a ship that focuses extra on the basic cruise expertise.
Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class ship, which is definitely one among Royal Caribbean’s smaller ships within the fleet.
Do not let her dimension idiot you, there’s nonetheless actions onboard to take pleasure in. There’s nonetheless the mountaineering wall and a enjoyable pool deck. If you happen to do convey younger youngsters with you, there is a water slide on the again of the ship too.
The adults-only solarium may be my favourite solarium throughout the whole fleet. It is enclosed and local weather managed, and has a lot of nice seating for studying, napping, or each.
One thing I’ve at all times liked concerning the Radiance Class are the floor-to-ceiling views, that are excellent for taking within the sunsets and watching your locations become visible.
Along with the primary eating room, you will discover three nice specialty eating places worthy of a go to. After dinner, take a present in on the Royal Theater.
So why Brilliance over her sister ships? The upgrades Brilliance obtained a number of years in the past stand out from her sister vessels (though Serenade has very related options). Crusing from Tampa within the winter, there’s additionally an excellent likelihood mother and pa are close by.
One thing else you will love while you invite your dad and mom to sail with you is the worth. Very often the worth of Brilliance is unmatched.
Greatest Royal Caribbean ship for infants and toddlers
You probably have younger youngsters beneath the age of three, there are a subset of Royal Caribbean ships you will wish to guide for the higher choices they’ve for this age group.
Search for ships which have these necessary options.
Nursery
Not each Royal Caribbean ship has a Royal Infants & Tots Nursery, and it is a distinction maker to go on a ship that has one.
The Royal Infants & Tots Nursery has an hourly value to it, together with restricted capability. They’re obtainable for youngsters between the age of 6 and 36 months outdated.
The charge for this service is $6 per hour between 9 am and 6 pm and $8 per hour from 6 pm till midnight.
The ship’s nursery is a boon for fogeys as a result of the nursery is a spot you’ll be able to drop off your toddler or toddler and have somebody maintain them for a number of hours, permitting you to go to dinner, see a present, and in any other case benefit from the ship.
Heck, you’ll be able to go away the kid within the nursery when you get off the cruise ship in a port of name for a enjoyable shore tour.
Royal Caribbean ships with Royal Infants & Tots Nursery:
- Attract of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Brilliance of the Seas
- Enchantment of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Grandeur of the Seas
- Concord of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Mariner of the Seas
- Navigator of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Radiance of the Seas
- Rhapsody of the Seas
- Serenade of the Seas
- Star of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas
- Imaginative and prescient of the Seas
- Marvel of the Seas
Child splash zone
Do you know kids in a diaper can not go within the swimming pools or scorching tubs on Royal Caribbean?
Infants nonetheless in a diaper can, nevertheless, go in designated splash zones which are a part of Splashaway Bay or the H2O Zone.
Royal Caribbean ships with a child splash zone:
- Journey of the Seas
- Attract of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Concord of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Star of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas
- Marvel of the Seas
The proper ships when you’ve got youngsters
It is necessary to speak about why Royal Caribbean is the very best cruise line for households earlier than we choose a ship. Somebody new to cruising is probably not conscious of how Royal Caribbean separates itself from different traces within the household journey market.
Royal Caribbean is thought within the cruise trade for constructing cruise ships which are floating locations, with a lot of superb issues to do onboard.
Each Royal Caribbean ship has a supervised youngsters membership, enjoyable actions on the pool deck, and visits to non-public islands within the Caribbean. Many ships have babysitting for youthful kids, water slides, surf simulators, bumper automobiles and extra.
Royal Caribbean does not put issues on its ships simply for teenagers, moderately, they design experiences that children and their dad and mom can take pleasure in collectively. FlowRider, bumper automobiles, carousels, laser tag are all issues company of all age can discover enjoyable.
If getting your adrenaline pumping is not your concept of enjoyable, Royal Caribbean additionally has Broadway musicals on choose ships, parades, ice skating exhibits, and expansive pool decks.
Arguably as necessary for mother or father and youngster alike is Journey Ocean. Day-after-day of your cruise there is a youngsters membership the place youngsters can go to fulfill different youngsters and play collectively in a supervised surroundings. Journey Ocean is not simply a big room that children get put in. There’s actions, artwork, video games, video video games, and books for teenagers to take pleasure in.
Royal Caribbean revised its Journey Ocean program on its latest ships and some amplified ships, which revamped the areas and enormously expanded the choices.
Journey Ocean is included in your cruise fare, excluding late night time (after 10pm), so your trip price range will not break.
There’s even teen areas on many ships, together with devoted lounges for teenagers and tweens to go and discover their very own enclave. The teenagers membership is much less programmed because the youthful youngsters membership, however there’s nonetheless enjoyable actions for them. The truth is, Royal Caribbean will dedicate sure occasions of the day on the FlowRider or different signature actions only for teenagers.
You probably have toddlers, the nursery program is a unbelievable providing for fogeys and youngsters alike. The nursery has an extra hourly value to it, however it gives a secure place for youngsters between 6 – 36 months to go and play, nap, eat, and play some extra. For folks to have a spot to drop infants off and be capable to take pleasure in dinner and night leisure whereas their child will get to play and be put down for sleep is a boon.
If all of this sounds nice, you may be questioning how a lot this may value you. Royal Caribbean’s costs are fairly affordable, with cabins and cruise fares to match almost any household trip price range.
One other ace Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve for households are its non-public islands of Excellent Day at CocoCay and Labadee.
These are ports your ship can go to on a Caribbean itinerary which are run by Royal Caribbean, which suggests a lot of actions, seashores and a freshwater pool (at CocoCay) included together with your cruise fare. A go to to both island is a spotlight for almost any household.
Different cruise traces could also be extra synonymous with youngsters, however Royal Caribbean’s onboard programming stacks up favorably and affords extra for youngsters of all ages with out compromising on the grownup expertise. Plus, Royal Caribbean routinely affords a youngsters sail free deal the place kids in the identical cabin because the adults pay nothing for his or her cruise fare.