Royal Caribbean are widely known for their fun-filled, innovative ships and action-packed holidays, making your time spent at sea just as memorable as the destinations you travel to. Whether you're a solo voyager, a couple, new to cruising or a family group trying to find an option to suit everyone, RCL is the perfect choice. Boasting amazing onboard activities, such as surfing and skydive simulators, all day dining to suit all tastes and some brilliant itineraries that take you to the heart of each port of call, Royal Caribbean cruises are nothing short of incredible.
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28 May 2023
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Dining onboard a Royal Caribbean ship can be an adventure in itself. There are a number of restaurants included in your cruise fare, plus some speciality ones for that extra-special evening.
There's no need to splash out on excellent food during your Royal Caribbean cruise with so many fantastic restaurants included in the price. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed at the sophisticated Main Dining Room, while more casual dining is on offer at Windjammer. Other options include El Loco Fresh, Noodle Bar, Sorrento's Pizza and Coastal Kitchen.
Treat you and your loved ones to a more exclusive dining experience at one of Royal Caribbean's speciality restaurants. Steak lovers will be delighted by what's on offer at Chops Grille, while world flavours can be found at Teppanyaki, Sichuan Red, Izumi and Sabor. Plus, truly elevated dining can be experienced at Chef's Table, a fine dining experience designed for just a small group.
For those wanting to experience the unique Royal Caribbean speciality restaurants, why not opt for a dining package which allows your more choice when it comes to mealtimes at a discounted price?
With four fantastic drinks packages to choose from, there’s no risk of ever being thirsty during your Royal Caribbean cruise.
Evening entertainment onboard Royal Caribbean’s ships is as varied as it is exciting. Whether you’re looking for a laidback night, live shows or something lively that will take you all the way into the early hours of the morning, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life during your cruise.
Just because you’re not on dry land, doesn’t mean that you have to settle for shows that are anything less than spectacular. From Tony award-winning shows such as Hairspray and Cats to original productions, aquatheater and ice skating shows, let yourself be blown away by the talent onboard Royal Caribbean’s ships.
With a great mix of lively bars and more laid-back spots, there are plenty of places on a Royal Caribbean to enjoy a drink. British guests will feel at home in the English Pub, while sports lovers can catch up on their favourite fixtures at Playmakers Sports Bar. Other fantastic venues include North Star Bar, Bionic Bar and Boleros.
For those who want to have a dance, there’s even an onboard nightclub open late into the night, playing some expertly chosen tunes for guests to enjoy.
Royal is among the top cruise lines for families, providing fantastic childcare services, as well as a wealth of choice of food and activities for all ages.
Royal Caribbean makes life easier for families with young children when it comes to mealtimes thanks to My Family Time Dining. For kids aged 3-11, kids have a 40 minute seating before their Adventure OCean activities to enjoy their meal. With menus including kids favourites, there’s no reason to worry that they won’t find something they like.
For more Royal Caribbean cabin information to choose your ideal cabin or suite, check out our dedicated page.
Don’t be fooled by the name as the Caribbean is not the only region Royal Caribbean helps guests discover. Covering almost every inch of the planet, from Europe to Australia, Asia to the South Pacific and Alaska to South America, no stone is left unturned.
Covering over 260 worldwide destinations on over 20 different ships, you can cruise to destinations you've always dreamt of. Whether you like relaxing on a beach or exploring fascinating cities, Royal Caribbean has cruises for every type of traveller.
The cruise line offers both UK sailings from Southampton, as well as a wide range of fly and cruise holidays. Royal Caribbean cruise deals can be arranged with flights from airports all over the UK, including Newcastle, Aberdeen, Belfast, and Jersey. Some of the destinations you can cruise to include the Caribbean, Mexico, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Alaska.
One popular destination on Royal Caribbean's Caribbean cruises is their private island, CocoCay. This idyllic island offers everything from picturesque beaches and the chance to relax, as well as exhilarating things to do like a Zip-line and a wave pool. Read our blog to find out more about Royal Caribbean's Private Islands.
The Mediterranean is home to the world’s most intriguing cities and every inch of these fascinating waters are lined with a new city adventure.
Experience the exotic flare of Spain, the delicious tastes of Italy or explore the history-enriched culture of Croatia. Feel glamorous in the South of France, soak up the sun in Corsica or go hiking in Santorini. The adventures are never ending on a Mediterranean voyage.
One of the most picturesque parts of the world, a cruise in Northern Europe will ensure no shortage of incredible views.
The iconic Norwegian Fjords will take you through an enchanted wonderland of soaring mountains and narrow waterways. Available to book through Royal Caribbean, a great way to experience the beauty of the lands in Northern Europe is by rail as you travel past sapphire lakes, snowy mountains and cascading waterfalls. Take a cruise that stops at famous Scandinavian cities and you can explore Sweden, Norway and Finland for a truly authentic experience.
Russia, Denmark and Bruges are other popular stops in Northern Europe where you can explore this intriguing part of the world to your heart’s content.
This sun-drenched haven is home to miles of crystal clear water and soft white sand. Boasting the best beaches in the world, the Caribbean truly defines paradise.
Postcard pictures do not justify how inspiring these islands are. With swaying palms along heavenly beaches, colourful rural towns and locals serving up traditional treats, you will not want to leave.
Snorkelling in Grand Cayman, discovering ancient ruins in Mexico or shopping in St Maarten are just some of the highlights. Royal Caribbean also have two private islands in the Caribbean, enabling you to enjoy a day on an exclusive island.
In addition, you can expand your Caribbean adventure on some select Royal Caribbean cruises to also sail through the famous Panama Canal and onwards to the Pacific Ocean and Western Seaboard of Mexico, the USA and even up to Alaska!
A place that doesn’t quite seem real, Alaska is the original winter wonderland. Home to over half of the world’s glaciers this incredible 586,500 square mile land is a story waiting to be read.
Spot whales from the deck as you sail through waters lined with glaciers, before stopping in remote Alaskan villages where you can experience their authentic ways of living.
Cruising past Hubbard Glacier is said to be one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in the world. Best enjoyed from the bow of the ship, you will come close to the largest ice formations in the world and face to face with the unique wildlife that call this area home.
A dog sled ride, a scenic helicopter flight and shopping in Juneau are just some of the explorations that await you in Alaska. In Canada, book an organised excursion with Royal Caribbean to embark on a tall ship sailing and see Pier 21, one of the seven wonders of Canada or spend the day in Vancouver, either shopping in the quirky stores, enjoying the panoramic views of the city from the mountains or take some time cycling around Stanley Park.
A place of mystery, Asia is an enchanted wonderland of life-changing moments. From vibrant cities, tropical jungles and magical temples, this diverse part of the world is bursting with exploration.
Every region of Asia offers a different experience from the last, one minute you are staring up at bright skyscrapers, the next you are looking down into a magical lake surrounded by ancient temples.
Board a floating restaurant in Hong Kong, discover amazing views from the top of high-rise buildings in China or go shopping through Singapore’s colourful street markets.
Despite being located far away, Australia and New Zealand cry out for you to visit and will not disappoint. From cosmopolitan cities, picture-perfect beaches and iconic landmarks, every time you turn you are faced with a new adventure.
Australia is home to vibrant cities including Sydney and Brisbane where you can experience the quintessentially laid-back and fun Australian lifestyle. From the famous Opera House, incredible Ayers Rock and fascinating snorkelling around Heart Reef, there is no end to Australia’s ventures.
A hop across the water, New Zealand is an intriguing island that welcomes every single visitor with open arms. The locals love to show off their beautiful home and everything it has to offer. Royal Caribbean offers a great selection of excursions, such as a visit to the Glow Worm Caves and a Rail, Steamboat and Winery tour.
Welcome to a land of intense beauty and extreme diversity, South America is like nowhere else in the world. A place that will shock even the most experienced traveller, let this alluring region captivate you from the first step.
It will not take you long to fall in love with the lively city of Brazil. From the exciting beaches, breath-taking scenery and pristine National Parks, it is an essential stop on any South American cruise.
Aside from Brazil, South America showcases an array of other intriguing cities. Make friends with penguins in the Falkland Islands, learn to tango in Argentina or take in the sun rays on one of Uruguay’s paradise beaches.
This majestic part of the world exposes mysterious cities and mesmerising coastlines that make for the ultimate cruise.
From the 17th century fort in Khasab to the modern attractions in Dubai, it has a unique diversity of new and old. Home to some of the world’s most significant cities, it takes you back in time and enables you to truly relive history.
Once here, you will want to take advantage of all the Middle East has to offer such as the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the stunning beaches of Oman or the luxurious lifestyle of Dubai.
Great for those who want the ultimate relaxing escape, transatlantic cruises, or even transpacific cruises to take in South America, enable you to discover our vast oceans like never before. Travelling from one side to another, an ocean-crossing voyage what we love about cruising – experiencing a floating resort on the open sea.
Crossing the Atlantic takes around six days and there will often be a range of exciting ports at the beginning and towards the end of the crossing.
Royal Caribbean is renowned for its impressive range of onboard attractions. Cruisers of any age would struggle not to find something to do, making sea days a thing to look forward to! Here are some of the most popular activities:
From no-fly cruises from Southampton to Scandinavian adventures or a sun odyssey in the Mediterranean, you're sure to find the perfect cruise holiday during Royal Caribbean's Europe 2023 season. Read our Europe 2023 blog to see which ships are sailing and where.
With such a fantastic range of ships, you're sure to find one which perfectly suits your holiday needs:
| Class | About |
|---|---|
| Quantum Class Ships | These ships can accommodate up to around 5,000 guests and feature exciting features like The North Star, an elevated pod which boasts 360° sea views, SeaPlex, a fun zone with fun fair-style activities, and Ripcord by iFly, the onboard sky-diving experience. |
| Quantum-Ultra Class Ships | With only one ship in the class thus far, Quantum-Ultra Class ships boast all the features of the Quantum class, with a few added extras. Guests will enjoy varied dining, exhilarating activities, and some fabulous destinations to explore. |
| Oasis Class Ships | The Oasis-class ships are the largest at sea, so big in fact that the ships are divided into seven different areas, or ‘neighbourhoods’. These are designed to help you navigate the mass of restaurants, activities, and accommodation choices. |
| Freedom Class Ships | Ships in this class are packed full of fun. They boast the well-loved Royal Caribbean facilities like ice-skating, the rock-climbing wall, and thrilling waterslides. |
| Radiance Class Ships | Radiance class ships are wonderful for any cruisers looking to unwind and relax, with excellent facilities like the spacious spa and adults-only solarium onboard. The interior is designed to heighten the open and airy layout. |
| Voyager Class Ships | Onboard this class of ships you can have a brilliant mix of active and chilled out days. Poolside films and Broadway shows make for great, effortless entertainment, while the ice rink allows you to get the blood pumping. |
| Sovereign Class Ships | Majesty of the Seas is the only ship in this class and features a lovely array of things to do for both children and adults. Splashaway Bay is a great spot for making family memories, and likewise, the vibrant night club is a hit with the grown-ups. |
| Empress Class Ships | Empress of the Seas is a simple ship, which is ideal for couples going on a mini-break style cruise. Activities include pools and the casino, as the focus here is on destination immersion. |
| Vision Class Ships | The one and only ship in this class – Vision of the Seas – has classic Royal Caribbean features like the rock-climbing wall, as well as less demanding options such as a number of swimming pools and exciting night club venues. |
If you want to add some extra luxury to your Royal Caribbean cruise experience , choose one of the cruise line's impressive suites. Alongside perks such as priority boarding and exclusive restaurants, you'll get to spend your downtime in one of these breathtaking suites:
As well as Royal Caribbean's suites, on all Oasis Class ships, as well as Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, guests can enjoy an even more elevated experience thanks to the suite class. Divided into three tiers- Star, Sky and Sea- make the most of exclusive benefits which can include everything from priority boarding and departure to premium in-suite amenities and access to the Coastal Kitchen, depending on the suite class tier you choose. Find out more about the Royal Suite Class by reading our Royal Caribbean cabin information page.
To make your time onboard even more relaxing, Royal Caribbean's app, which includes everything from a virtual muster drill to a virtual key and even control of temperature and lighting through your phone, means you'll have everything you need available at the touch of a screen. If you want to find out more, read our Muster 2.0 blog.
For information on the Crown and Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean's loyalty club, see our dedicated page and find out how you and other loyal RCL guests can enjoy special discounts and services.
Royal Caribbean endeavour to make their cruises as accessible as possible. This includes:
Anthem of the Seas is a beautiful ship, with lots of things to do at almost all times. The crew (all departments) are very committed to making a brilliant vacation experience.
Excellent although expensive.
Very enjoyable cruise. Excellent parking facilities at ABP Southampton. Cases delivered from car park to ship. Boarding was simple and efficient. Food and facilities excellent though some queuing both at breakfast and dinner. Shows were great. Excursions were expensive but we booked our trips (the same as RC ones) separately on-line direct with the providers at a much lesser cost. Overall a lovely experience and the weather was perfect.
Royal Caribbean ships are fitted with both standard 2-pin North American flat sockets and European round-pin plug sockets so you'll need an adaptor in order to use British electrical equipment. If needed, it's a good idea to bring more than one adaptor should you need to charge multiple phones/devices or use items like hair straighteners at the same time.
In addition to the nursery for babies aged 6-36 months, there are five more kids clubs which are grouped into ages, each with suitable activities and supervision.
| Aquanauts | 3-5yrs |
| Explorers | 6-8yrs |
| Voyagers | 9-11yrs |
| Younger Teens | 12-14yrs |
| Older Teens | 15-17yrs |
It's possible to register your children for these clubs at any time during your cruise.
Most onboard entertainment and activities are included in your cruise fare, from fantastic Broadway-style shows to thrilling activities like ice skating and rock climbing.
Royal Caribbean ships use US dollars as the onboard currency. You can exchange sterling or Euros onboard at a 3% surcharge. Alternatively, there is a cash machine onboard you can use to withdraw USD but please note this will charge you $5 each time.
Your Royal Caribbean cruise fare includes accomodation, meals on a full-board basis, all entertainment, most activities, and access to Vitality Spa and Fitness facilities. It's possible to buy drinks packages when you book, or on your first day.
Coeliacs, vegetarians, and those who can only eat soft foods will find plenty of options onboard but it's still advised you mention these requirements when booking your cruise. Many menu items will feature a 'GF' note to make it easier to order gluten-free food. Other dietary requirements must be declared a minimum of 60 days before sailing, with the exception of Kosher meals which must be requested a minimum of 45 days prior to North American sailings, 90 days prior to European sailings, and 100 days prior to Australia/Asia/South American sailings. Please note that Halal meals can not be catered for with Royal Caribbean.
Tea, coffee, water and squash are all complimentary and widely available onboard Royal Caribbean ships.
On Royal Caribbean cruises departing from North America guests must be at least 21 years of age to consume alcohol onboard. If the ship departs from the UK, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, or New Zealand, guests over the age of 18 are permitted to drink alcohol onboard.
Yes, many cruisers choose to dine in their cabins rather than in one of the dining venues. Room service is available 24 hours a day with a surcharge around $8. There is also an 18% gratuity charge that will be added to your bill automatically.
It's possible to order room service (for a service charge) but there are no 24 hour restaurants with Royal Caribbean. Opening times of restaurants are quite generous though, and snacks are available throughout the day at various venues.
Your child must be at least 6 months old to travel with Royal Caribbean as standard. However, this is raised to 12 month on cruises to South America and Hawaii or transatlantic and transpacific crossings.
Yes, Royal Caribbean's Royal Babies and Tots Nursery is available for children aged between 6 and 36 months. There are regular parent-baby playgroups, or kids can be left here between 10pm and 2am - for a charge - if parents want an evening to themselves.
Babysitting services are not available on sailings from the UK and are only bookable for children aged 12 months and up. The service is charged by the hour, and it's possible to choose between having a childcare professional watching over children in your cabin or have them looked after with other kids in a fun children's activity area.
Royal Caribbean became the first Autism Friendly Cruise Line in 2014, and is proud to happily accommodate children with a range of different abilities. Kids can be grouped according to needs rather than ages, and will be watched over attentively.
Yes, most restaurants onboard offer a kid's menu. In the main restaurant kid's dishes include meals like pizza, spaghetti Bolognese and grilled chicken breast.
