Royal Caribbean is one of the most recognizable cruise brands in the world. But popularity alone does not answer the bigger question many people are asking: Is Royal Caribbean a good cruise line?
Personally, Royal Caribbean has been part of my life for more than two decades. I have sailed with the cruise line 33 times, including sailings to the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, and Asia. I have celebrated anniversaries, gotten engaged, honeymooned, and traveled with three generations of my family onboard its ships.
After 30+ cruises with the brand, I’d argue that Royal Caribbean is the best family-friendly cruise line in the industry. Not every sailing is flawless, but the cruise line performs well in the areas that matter most to me.
Royal Caribbean offers strong overall value, along with smooth operations, top-notch entertainment, innovative ship design, and global itineraries. Here’s how why I think Royal Caribbean is a good cruise line after more than two decades of sailing with the brand.
Industry-leading ships and innovation
If you ask what Royal Caribbean is known for, the answer is innovation.
From ice skating rinks at sea to the North Star observation capsule on Quantum Class ships, Royal Caribbean has consistently pushed ship design forward. The introduction of neighborhood concepts on Oasis Class vessels fundamentally changed how large ships manage crowd flow and space. Even after decades of cruising, stepping onboard a new Royal Caribbean ship still feels impressive.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class remains my personal favorite because of its balance of technology, entertainment venues, and layout. Most importantly, I appreciate the port-immersive experiences that these ships offer while still providing a modern cruise experience.
While I have only briefly experienced the Icon Class so far, the scale and design signal that Royal Caribbean intends to remain at the forefront of ship innovation.
However, not every ship in the fleet offers the same wow factor. Older vessels lack many of the newer and exciting venues that you can find on newer ships. But across the fleet, Royal Caribbean continues innovating and pushing the boundaries, which differentiates it from competitors.
Entertainment that blows the competition out of the water
Entertainment is one area where Royal Caribbean shines, especially on its newer ships.
AquaTheater shows on Oasis Class ships feature high diving and aerial performances rarely found even on land. Ice skating productions in Studio B showcase Olympic level jumps and choreography. Several ships host full Broadway style musicals with impressive staging and technology.
In contrast, I have sailed on other cruise lines where some evenings lacked headline entertainment altogether.
To be fair, older Royal Caribbean ships do not deliver the same production scale. But the company’s ongoing investment in onboard entertainment makes it one of the strongest in the industry.
For travelers who prioritize shows, production quality, and nighttime options, Royal Caribbean is often a standout choice.
Excellent for families and multigenerational travel
One of Royal Caribbean’s biggest strengths is its broad demographic appeal, especially for families. Royal Caribbean’s ships have everything from awe-inspiring attractions to quieter spaces for relaxation, which allows everyone to cruise at their own pace. This kind of flexibility makes it especially well suited for multigenerational groups.
As children, my family loved the onboard thrills and activities. Royal Caribbean has some of the most impressive attractions on a cruise ship, and it’s only gotten better with time!
For families, Adventure Ocean is a great option for childcare and youth programming while the teen club provides a safe space for older kids. In fact, I’ve made lifelong friends from Royal Caribbean’s teen program that I met over 20 years ago. We still cruise together to this day!
As teenagers and college students, my sister and I still found Royal Caribbean’s ships exciting. Now, traveling as adults with parents in their 60s, the experience continues to be a good fit for our family.
Last winter, we even sailed with my 90-year-old grandparents on Utopia of the Seas. Unfortunately, this ended up being my grandfather’s last cruise before he passed away later that winter. So, we have really cherished memories from this trip. It is rare to find a vacation style that adapts to every life stage, but Royal Caribbean truly caters to travelers of all ages.
Perfect Day at CocoCay is the best private island experience
Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is arguably the strongest in the industry. While other cruise lines have private destinations, they really don’t compare to Royal Caribbean’s.
I remember visiting the island before its transformation when it felt pretty bare bones and forgettable. Today, Perfect Day at CocoCay is expansive and thoughtfully designed with multiple zones, extensive included food options, and a layout that minimizes crowding.
Loyalty drink vouchers and internet packages work ashore just like they do onboard, which is one of the biggest perks. This continuity creates a more inclusive experience, versus needing to book separate packages for your time ashore.
After visiting other private islands operated by competing cruise lines, Perfect Day at CocoCay feels more upscale, even without spending any extra money. While premium upgrades are available, the more inclusive experience and ultimate convenience makes it my top choice.
Loyalty program with great perks
Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society is one of the biggest reasons I continue to sail with the brand.
I earned Diamond Plus status while still in college. After getting married, my husband inherited that status and the benefits that come with it. We also take advantage of reciprocal benefits with Celebrity Cruises, allowing us to expand beyond Royal Caribbean.
The most valuable perk for us is five daily drink vouchers on every sailing. This perk alone saves hundreds of dollars per cruise and often eliminates the need for a drink package. When you consider complimentary WiFi, specialty dining credits, free photos, and laundry service, and the benefits are very lucrative.
Royal Caribbean has also introduced more flexibility through its evolving points programs with Points Choice, allowing frequent cruisers to tailor how they build and use loyalty perks. For repeat cruisers, the program delivers real financial value and recognition.
Thoughtful ship design and crowd management
Large ships can feel chaotic if they’re poorly designed, but Royal Caribbean generally avoids that problem.
For instance, the neighborhood layout on Oasis Class ships distributes passengers across distinct areas with their own dining, lounges, and attractions. This reduces congestion and makes navigation more intuitive.
Even on older ships, I rarely feel the kind of crowding I have experienced elsewhere and the crowd flow tends to make sense. Venues are positioned logically and lines are pretty manageable. You might still experience crowds during busy times, such as the Windjammer buffet on embarkation day. But, that subsides overtime after the first day of the cruise.
There is also growing anticipation around Royal Caribbean’s upcoming smaller ship concepts, which could replace aging classes and expand itinerary access. If executed well, this could introduce new innovations with more port intensive sailings.
Expansive specialty dining that’s worth the up-charge
Your Royal Caribbean cruise fare will include plenty of complimentary dining options, from the main dining room to the Windjammer buffet and other cafes. However, you can also find a plethora of specialty dining venues across Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
In my opinion, Royal Caribbean’s complimentary dining has declined in quality within the last few years. This has been especially evident in the main dining room. While it’s not unappealing, it’s certainly not the top-tier quality that it once was.
However, Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining restaurants are well worth the added charge. Everything from Chops Grille to Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Izumi Sushi are fantastic options for dining.
You’ll enjoy a more upscale ambiance and intimate setting with extremely attentive service. The quality is unmatched, and you should absolutely splurge for one or two meals!
International presence and global itineraries
Royal Caribbean’s recent focus has leaned heavily toward shorter Caribbean itineraries, and this shift has reduced some itinerary diversity.
Even still, over two decades, Royal Caribbean allowed me to walk through Jerusalem, visit Vietnam with my veteran father, meet elephants in Thailand, stand on the Great Wall of China, explore glaciers in Iceland, sail through fjords in Alaska, and finally visit Tenerife on a bucket-list trip with my husband.
Cruising with Royal Caribbean influenced how I travel and even inspired me to study abroad on Semester at Sea for 100 days during college. For travelers seeking global itineraries, Royal Caribbean’s scale and international presence remain a significant advantage compared to competitors.
Fantastic service, smooth operations, and transparent communication
Service consistency and operational logistics are two often-overlooked aspects of the cruise experience. But, after 33 cruises with Royal Caribbean, I’ve found the company provides attentive service, smooth logistics, and proactive communication.
After two decades of cruising with Royal Caribbean, I have rarely encountered service that fell short of expectations. Cabin stewards, dining staff, and bartenders are professional and attentive. I appreciate how bar service is proactive and attentive without being intrusive.
I started to notice these strengths only after sailing with other brands, especially Norwegian Cruise Line. Now, I truly appreciate how consistent Royal Caribbean’s service culture feels across its fleet.
Operationally, the cruise line also tends to run well-organized ships with clear communication. On more complex itineraries that I’ve sailed on, Royal Caribbean always provided detailed guidance about visa requirements, passport procedures, and tendering processes.
Of course, no cruise line is immune to itinerary changes, especially with weather and geopolitical events. But in my experience, Royal Caribbean communicates clearly and handles adjustments in a way that feels structured rather than reactive.
This level of organization builds trust, especially when vacations represent a significant financial and emotional investment.
What are some downsides to Royal Caribbean?
No cruise line is perfect, including Royal Caribbean. Although the brand is one of my all-time favorites, there are some downsides to booking a Royal Caribbean cruise.
First, the older ships are lacking the bold innovation you see in every Royal Caribbean advertisement. The oldest ship, Grandeur of the Seas, can feel like a completely different cruise line than the brand-new Star of the Seas.
You won’t find many modern upgrades on the older vessels, and some of the upkeep can make the cruise ship look dated. Within the last few years, I’ve really started to notice the wear and tear on Royal Caribbean’s older ships. This has me rethinking whether I want to book a cruise on a Radiance or Vision class ship.
Additionally, you may experience sticker shock when you see the pricing for Royal Caribbean’s newest ships. I’ve been able to find cheaper rates for the more premium Celebrity Cruises compared to Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.
If you are tight on budget, you might want to consider a slightly older vessel, such as a Quantum class ship. You’ll still enjoy a lot of the modern amenities without the bigger price tag.
So, is Royal Caribbean a good cruise line?
Royal Caribbean is not the cheapest cruise line, nor is it the most luxurious. What the cruise line does offer is an expansive fleet with innovative ship design, family-friendly experiences, strong entertainment, global itineraries, valuable loyalty program, and operational consistency.
For families, multigenerational groups, and travelers who want large ships packed with amenities, Royal Caribbean is often an excellent fit.
After 33 cruises, I continue to book Royal Caribbean because I trust the brand with my vacation. No one wants to spend their hard-earned money and vacation time on a subpar experience. And while other cruise lines might offer better itineraries, the overall cruise experience with Royal Caribbean is reliably good.
For many travelers asking whether Royal Caribbean is a good cruise line, the better question might be this: does it align with what you value in a cruise? For me and my family, the answer has been yes for decades.
