Oceania Cruises, a premium destination focused cruise line, has announced new cruises to Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the French Polynesia in 2025.
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Oceania Cruises will offer more cruises to the French Polynesia in 2025 than ever before. The cruises will take place on two ships, Nautica and Regatta. Both ships only carry 670 guests making them the perfect sized ships to visit the region.
These new cruises from the cruise line include:
18 day Tahitian & Hawaiian Hues, from Los Angeles to Papeete (Tahiti)
15 day Papeete to Honolulu
10 day Tahitian Legends, roundtrip from Papeete
Oceania Cruises has also partnered with Condé Nast Traveler and these new itineraries from them are part of the partnership. This includes tips and insider knowledge so you can make the most of your port visit.
A few examples of exclusive editor’s tips in French Polynesia include:
Skipping the restaurants and heading to the food trucks, or roulettes as they’re called in Papeete, for a cheap and cheerful al fresco dinner featuring local bites
Strolling through downtown Papeete getting to know its storied history via its colorful colonial architecture while visiting landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral, town hall and the bustling 155-year-old Papeete Market
Swimming with reef sharks during an intimate boat tour aboard a small sailing catamaran with family-run tour operator Voila Moorea
Excursion highlights in the French Polynesia are:
Aito Off-Road Safari
Vanilla Flavor & Taha’a Motu Picnic
Sail Bora Bora by Catamaran
Discover Tahiti’s West Coast
Visit to Taipivai Valley
Shark and Stingray Snorkel Safari in Bora Bora
All cruises include the cruise line’s simply MORE value promise, meaning virtually everything is included in the voyage fare: complimentary vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers during lunch and dinner; and a shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom.
Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, gave the following statement:
“Our 2025 collection of itineraries spanning Polynesia offers guests the opportunity to discover the astounding nature, rich culinary heritage and deep-rooted cultural traditions of the South Pacific.”
“With only 670 guests on board our ultra-premium ships, there is no doubt that traveling through Polynesia with Oceania Cruises is by far the most relaxing and carefree way to experience the most relaxing and carefree place in the world.”
Both cruise ships were recently renovated and are now “better-than-new”.
Crystal, an ultra-luxury cruise line, has announced a new partnership with Casino de Monte-Carlo that will bring back casinos on all of their ocean cruise ships.
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The cruise line said that they are bringing back casinos after receiving feedback from their most loyal guests who want a gaming experience on board.
The new 1,000+ square foot Casino de Monte-Carlo will be added where the current Bridge Lounges are located on both Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.
The Bridge Lounge will then move to the Library on Crystal Serenity and The Lounge on Crystal Symphony. The Lounge is where the casino was previously located on Crystal Symphony.
The casino will also be featured on the cruise line’s new ocean ships that are on order. However, they will not be on Crystal’s expedition ships.
Casino de Monte-Carlo on Crystal ships will feature slots and table games that include blackjack, roulette and more.
The new casino will open on Crystal Symphony during the November 14, 2024 sailing and on Crystal Serenity the following month.
This new alliance will allow the two companies to use their expertise and innovation to create a unique casino experience.
Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, gave the following statement:
“We have listened attentively to the feedback from our loyal guests regarding their desire to have casinos back onboard, and we are proud to announce that we will deliver on our promise.
At Crystal, like at Monte-Carlo SBM, guest satisfaction and enjoyment are paramount, and this alliance with Casino de Monte-Carlo underscores our dedication to fulfilling their wishes and exceeding their expectations. We are confident the reintroduction of casinos will further enhance the overall cruise experience, providing our guests with the entertainment options they crave while sailing with us.”
Cristina Levis, CEO of Crystal Cruises and Pascal Camia, Chief International Development Officer of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, surrounded by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Executive Chairman of the A&K Travel Group and Stéphane Valeri, Chairman and CEO of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group Manfredi Lefebvre, said the following about this new partnership:
“We are delighted to welcome Casino de Monte-Carlo into the Crystal family as our newest collaborator. This affiliation symbolizes our commitment to offering our guests the finest entertainment and gaming experiences available at sea. Together, we aim to create unforgettable moments and continue to set new standards of excellence in the cruise industry.”
Crystal and Casino de Monte-Carlo said that this new partnership will provide a gaming experience unlike any other in the cruise industry.
Many of us create an extensive packing list for our cruise vacations, while others “wing it” and pack the night before.
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Personally, I’m in the second grouping. I will wash clothes until midnight and pack into the wee hours of departure day. I will never learn my lesson. It’s just not in my DNA.
What to pack if you expect rainy days on your cruise. Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
The next time you pack for a cruise vacation, it’s worth it to consider packing for rainy days at sea and in port.
On my last cruise, two of the three days were rainy while we were docked in a port. Luckily, we packed a few essentials that helped us to avoid a trip nightmare.
Here are a few things that I would recommend anyone pack for their cruise if they think it will rain:
Dramamine
While this may be a no-brainer for motion sickness, packing Dramamine is a necessity in inclement weather. A light rain will probably not require it, but a downpour or a storm could very likely make the ship less calm.
Unfortunately, I have experienced this on more than one occasion. I remember being about 12 years old and my father showing me a neighboring ship that was being tossed and turned by the massive waves. I immediately got sick and retreated to my cabin with my mother.
Now, if there is bad weather, I make sure to bring Dramamine. This definitely helps with any possible nausea that may arise from the tossing seas.
Always pack a small umbrella in your luggage. It will take up valuable real estate in your baggage, but it can be a gamechanger on a cruise.
Recently, I spent the day in Roatan, Honduras and it rained. All. Day. I wasn’t about to miss one of the most beautiful ports due to some unexpected rain.
My husband and I walked around the port, happy as two clams could be. Several other cruisers had the same idea as we did and by the end of the day, we were relatively dry.
Ponchos
Slightly easier to pack and effective, ponchos are a popular option. Most of the time, you can grab a cheap, single-use poncho before leaving home for less than $2 each. They are usually available in a variety of sizes and colors.
If you forget to purchase ponchos before leaving, many cruise ships will offer them in their gift shops. If any rain is on the horizon, practically every gift shop in port will have them for a heftier price tag.
Waterproof Shoes
If you expect a rainy cruise or if your destination is to a rainy area like Alaska, consider packing waterproof shoes.
Many outdoor stores offer waterproof sneakers and hiking shoes. Brands like Sorel offer waterproof sneakers and waterproof hiking shoes are appropriate for some terrain.
No one likes to walk around with wet socks and shoes all day. It will be difficult to have them dry for the next few days’ use.
Card Games and Board Games
Make sure to pack plenty of card games and small board games for your cruise. If there is rainy or inclement weather, you will have plenty of things to do indoors.
Oftentimes, cruises have minimal activities planned while in port. If the rain is too heavy and you opt to not leave the ship, games can be a great backup.
If you forget to pack card games and board games, the ship may offer some in the library. Check to see if this is an option and throw a set of Phase 10 cards in your luggage, just in case.
Plastic Ziploc Bags
Over time, I have learned to value the importance of a simple Ziploc bag. Gone are the days when a plastic bag was just for foot items or a packed lunch.
If you leave the ship and it is already raining, pack your cell phone in a small Ziploc bag. This can help to reduce the amount of moisture that can damage it. Also consider putting your wallet or any medications you might need in a plastic bag as well.
Honestly, the possibilities are endless with how such a small thing can come in handy on a rainy day.
The next time you pack for a cruise, consider taking a few of the above extras in case of rainy weather. If it does rain, you will be comfortable and dry. If it doesn’t, you won’t lose a thing.
American Cruise Lines – the only cruise line in the world to offer sailings on the Hudson River – has already tripled departures on the river for 2025 following the early success of the 2024 season.
The Hudson River Summer Classic, an exclusive 8-day cruise by American Cruise Lines, offers a unique journey through the scenic Hudson River Valley.
Departing from New York City, this cruise provides a blend of relaxation and exploration with stops at historic towns and cultural landmarks.
The cruise line has offered a Hudson River Fall Foliage cruise for years, but operating them only in September and October each year.
2024 was the first year that the cruise line tested pre-summer sailings in May and June, as well as the new Hudson River Summer Classic.
The early success has prompted the cruise line to expand departures for 2025 as more and more people look to enjoy a luxury cruise in this exciting part of the world, with cruises available throughout June, July and August.
Cruises offer incredible views of Manhattan and sail right past the Statue of Liberty. The itineraries include calls in Catskill, Albany, Kingston, Hyde Park, West Point and Sleepy Hollow, with excursions available in New York City itself.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Cruise specialists Iglu Cruise have revealed that demand is rising for solo cruises, with many people eager to set out and explore the world on their own.
Over the past 10 years, online searches for the term “solo travel” have increased by 400%, and then specifically in 2024 there’s been a 19% increase in demand for solo cruise cabins from January to April.
The team at Iglu Cruise have revealed five reasons why solo cruises should be considered by anyone who has a passion for cruise travel.
1. New experiences and destinations
Cruises offer a fantastic way to visit various exciting places in one trip.
With numerous itineraries available, you can explore bucket list destinations like the Norwegian Fjords or Greek islands without waiting for a travel partner. Solo cruises allow you to control your adventure and travel at your own pace.
Additionally, there are incredible shore excursions designed for solo travellers, enhancing your experience and helping you create memorable moments. You may even meet other solo cruisers during your journey, adding a social element to your travels.
2. Make new friends or have some quality time with yourself
A solo cruise provides the flexibility to be as social as you wish.
If you want to make new friends and immerse yourself in a new social environment, cruises offer many opportunities for self-growth and confidence building.
Alternatively, if you prefer solitude, a solo cruise is perfect for quality time with yourself, away from the daily grind. Onboard, you can enjoy lively bars, restaurants, and social events or find quiet spots to read a book or enjoy a drink alone.
3. Work from anywhere, ideal for digital nomads
For those who can work from anywhere, a solo cruise offers a refreshing change from the usual work environment.
Most cruise lines provide WiFi and internet access, though it’s usually at an extra cost, allowing you to keep up with work while exploring new destinations.
With the growing trend of flexible work schedules, cruise working is becoming more popular. Some cruise lines, like Virgin Voyages, offer special passes for flexible workers, combining work and leisure with amenities like fast WiFi, daily coffee credits, and laundry services.
4. Spacious solo cabins
The rise in solo travellers has led to more cruise lines offering solo cabins without extra charges.
Cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and MSC Cruises cater to solo travellers with well-equipped cabins and itineraries worldwide.
These cabins provide ample space to relax and enjoy your voyage independently, making solo travel more comfortable and convenient.
5. A safer way to solo travel
Solo holidays can be daunting due to safety concerns, but cruises offer a secure alternative. Cruise ships have crew available 24/7, trained to ensure your safety both on and off the ship.
Whether you’re enjoying a drink, using the gym, relaxing on the deck, or dining out, crew are there to help you with anything you need.
Excursions booked through the cruise lines are also safe, allowing you to explore with an escorted group. No matter the destination or cruise line, your safety is always a priority.
Interested in learning more? The team at Iglu Cruise will be happy to help you explore your solo cruise options.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include dates range from mid-July into March 2025. Currently, there are 34 unique sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Honolulu, Port Canaveral, Southampton, and Vancouver.
The Disney Wish features the most sailings at 18, the Disney Magic is next with 12, followed by the Disney Dream at 9, with the Disney Fantasy at 3 dates, and the Disney Wonder with 2 dates. Currently, there are no offers listed for the Disney Treasure.
Florida Residents rates dropped 3 to 8 sail dates, the US Military Personnel held at 23 cruises, and the Canadian Resident dropped 1 to 13 sail dates.
Finally, the recently announced limited-time promotion where you pay only 50% of required deposit at time of booking remains available when you book select Disney cruises by August 9, 2024, you will only be required to pay half of the required deposit on the day you make your reservation. This promotion is valid on any new reservation for select Disney cruises aboard the Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Magic and Disney Wish. Eligible departure dates are:
Disney Wonder: October 20, 2024, through February 24, 2025
Disney Dream: January 4, 2025, through March 29, 2025
Disney Magic: January 6, 2025, through March 20, 2025
Disney Wish: January 3, 2025, through March 31, 2025
This promotion is available for bookings that do not require final payment at time of booking. Remaining balance will be due at time of final payment. Not valid on categories with restrictions (IGT, OGT, VGT), suites or Concierge-level staterooms. This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotions, offers or discounts.
The more I look at this promotion, I keep focusing on the end date… Almost makes me think there may be a tiered booking period starting August 12th for an inaugural season.
The special offers listed below are available to book today while inventory lasts.
Special Offers for U.S. Military Personnel
Special Rates for U.S. Military Personnel (MTO) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid for new bookings only.
Disney Dream
5-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona Barcelona, Spain • At Sea • Livorno, Italy • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • At Sea
7-Night British Isles Cruise from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • Greenock, Scotland • Liverpool, England • Cobh (Cork), Ireland • Portland, England • At Sea
7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Barcelona ending in Southampton Barcelona, Spain • At Sea • At Sea • Lisbon, Portugal • Vigo, Spain • La Coruña, Spain • At Sea
7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • Hamburg, Germany • Hamburg, Germany • At Sea • Amsterdam, Netherlands • Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium
Disney Magic
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
Disney Wonder
10-Night Hawaiian Cruise from Vancouver ending in Honolulu Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • Hilo, Hawai’i
15-Night South Pacific Cruise from Honolulu ending in Sydney Honolulu, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Pago Pago, American Samoa • International Date Line (Lose Day) • At Sea • Suva, Fiji • At Sea • Nouméa, New Caledonia • At Sea • At Sea • Sydney, Australia
Special Military rates are available to all retired and active U.S. Military personnel (or spouse), including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Department of Defense personnel. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the U.S. military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. This offer is limited to a maximum of one stateroom per military member (or spouse), per sailing. A U.S. Military service member (or spouse) is required to sail to take advantage of this offer. Activated members (or spouse) of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify).
Government taxes will vary by itinerary and are in addition to the below rates. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Other categories and sail dates may be available. Valid for new bookings only.
Special Offers for Florida Residents
Special Rates for Florida Residents (FLR) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid on new and existing reservations.
Disney Dream
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Fantasy
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
To take advantage of Florida residency cruise rates, proof of Florida Residency for at least one adult in each stateroom must be presented at time of check-in. Guests unable to show proper proof of Florida residency at check-in will have their cruise re-priced and the balance must be paid before being allowed to sail.
Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following: •Florida Driver’s License •Florida Identification Card
If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following—dated within the past 2 months—verifying a Florida residential address and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card): •Monthly mortgage statement •Renter’s lease agreement •Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill •Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill •Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water) •Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements •Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency Note: property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency.
Children’s rates are also available to Guests ages 3 through 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.
Canadian Resident Rates
Special Rates for Canadian Residents with savings on prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com for non-concierge Verandah, Oceanview, and Inside Staterooms on select cruises. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Proof of residency is required an you must mention the special offer code CAN when booking. NOTE: Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested when calling in. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits.
Disney Dream
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Fantasy
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Magic
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
The Canadian Resident rate excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT, and IGT). Proof of Canada residency will be required at time of check-in. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are not included. If booking through Disney Cruise Line’s Contact Center, you must mention code CAN. Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested by caller. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits. Offer valid for new and existing reservations.
Please note, the offers listed are not to be taken as official quotes. Prices and availability can change at any time without notice. More importantly, the deals listed above are a snapshot in time based on DCL’s online cruise search tool.
The Princess Ocean Medallion is a really impressive bit of tech considering the actual Medallion itself is quite small. The Medallion serves as a way of getting onto the ship quicker, making orders and payments and doing all kinds of other stuff too.
But if it’s your first time cruising with Princess, or your first time since they’ve introduced the MedallionClass, there’s a lot that you’ll need to know – which is where I can help. Read this article before you cruise to learn all of the cool things the Medallion can do – and how not to get caught out!
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1. It’s free!
You don’t have to pay for the Princess Medallion – both the Ocean Medallion itself and the companion app are completely free. You also get a free lanyard when you board the ship so that you’ve somewhere to keep it safe, although other accessories will cost you extra.
The Medallion is a fancy bit of kit, but it’s included in the price of your cruise, which is a nice bonus. If you make the most of it, it’ll make your entire holiday a little more seamless, so it’s definitely worth taking advantage of since you don’t have to pay any extra to enjoy the benefits.
My mum and I with our Medallion lanyards
2. It works on every ship
Every ship in the Princess Cruises fleet is MedallionClass, meaning you can use the Medallion on every ship. It originally only launched on a select number of ships but has gradually been rolled out across the remainder of the fleet.
The last of the ships to receive the MedallionClass upgrade did so during the shutdown so that when cruising returned every ship was able to offer this service. Even if you’re cruising on the oldest ships in the fleet, you can make use of the Medallion and its companion app.
Island Princess
3. You’ll only get it mailed to you if you live in the US
The Ocean Medallion can be ordered to your home if you live in the US, but passengers in other countries must pick theirs up when they are checking in for their cruise at their embarkation port. There are plans to roll out home delivery to other countries in future.
If you live in the US, you won’t be mailed the Medallion automatically. Instead, you need to log onto the MedallionClass app and fill in your details, ordering it for delivery. If you don’t, then it’ll be waiting for you at your embarkation port just as any other guests would be.
4. The app lets you set everything up in advance
In order to get the Ocean Medallion working for you, you’ll need to activate your account on the MedallionClass app on your smartphone. You can download this ahead of your cruise, or while you’re on the ship – even if you don’t pay for a WiFi package.
It is recommended that you download it in advance since you’ll have the best connection and can also complete the necessary details to make embarkation run smoothly and get you onto the ship faster. It’s really simple to use, and all you’ll need to fill in is a few personal details.
5. Free lanyard included
The Ocean Medallion comes with a free lanyard holder designed to keep it safe. You can pick up your lanyard at the same time as you pick up the Medallion at your embarkation port. US passengers who ordered the Medallion for home delivery must still pick up the lanyard at the port.
The lanyard has a holder attached to it that is designed for the Medallion, so it will just slot into place. You can buy replacement paper inserts if you’d prefer to jazz up your lanyard, with some designed to show favourite ports and others to celebrate a special occasion.
As you can see from the image above, the strap is white so it really does get dirty quite quickly, particularly if you wear make-up. It’s also quite thin so it’s not the most comfortable.
Instead, I prefer to use my own lanyard. The one below is from Cruise Necessities. As well as the Medallion holder, it also comes with a regular cruise card holder, so you can use it with other cruise lines too.
I like this lanyard because it has an extendable cord and a clip to take it on and off. You can get a pack of four in different colours so you have one to match every outfit!
6. Other accessories are available (for a fee)
If you’d rather not wear the lanyard, there are other accessories you can buy to hold the Medallion. These include plastic watch straps, plastic clips, and either silver or gold bracelets and necklaces. You can order these through the app or in the OceanFront store on the ship.
The plastic accessories are relatively cheap – the watch straps are $12, and the clips are $8. The jewellery is more expensive, ranging from $45 to $65 depending on your choice. Replacement paper inserts for the lanyard cost just $3.
Cheaper Princess Medallion accessories are available on sites like Amazon. I’ve made a list of the 10 Best Ocean Medallion accessories, so be sure to check that out particularly if you’re cruising with kids, as there are some much better options than the free lanyard which is much too long for small people.
7. You don’t have to use it
You don’t have to use your Ocean Medallion if you don’t want to. It is an optional extra, although it comes with a number of benefits to make your cruise run smoother, so it is recommended that you use it.
If you’re a little bit confused or intimidated by the Medallion, then there are free classes you can attend on the ship that explain what it is and everything it does. These don’t take up much of your valuable holiday time, and so are a good idea if you’re hesitant to use it just because you don’t quite grasp its purpose.
And while you are filling in the details about yourself on the app, the actual Medallion doesn’t store those details, so you don’t need to worry about losing it and therefore losing your data. All it contains is a unique ID for you, and when that communicates with the ship’s systems, it recognises you.
8. It’s a similar size to an AirTag
The Ocean Medallion is not a large or cumbersome item – it’s about the same size as an Apple AirTag, or slightly larger than a US quarter or £2 coin. It’s a great size to wear around your wrist or your neck without it becoming uncomfortable.
Because of its small size, it is recommended that you keep it within a secure holder at all times. Otherwise, it could be very easy to lose it.
9. It’s waterproof – you can swim with it
The Ocean Medallion is completely waterproof and sandproof, so you’re safe to wear it in the swimming pools or take it with you on the beach on a shore excursion. It won’t be damaged and will continue to work as normal.
This is great, because you don’t want to be constantly thinking about taking it off and putting it back on whenever you’re enjoying the pools on the ship, and you definitely don’t want to lose it on the beach while you’re in port and then have to rush around to find it before you get back on-board.
10. Lose it? Relax – you’ll get a new one free
If you lose your Ocean Medallion at any point, you can just visit the Guest Services or Medallion Class desk onboard and they’ll issue you a new one with a new lanyard at no extra charge. However, if you’ve bought another accessory and lost it, Princess won’t replace that along with the Medallion.
Don’t worry if you’ve lost the Medallion, as it will be disabled as soon as you get a new one. If someone did find your Medallion they wouldn’t be able to pay for things with it, as a photo check is carried out by the staff at the same time. If the person ordering doesn’t match the photo, then they’ll be refused.
And to use the Medallion with slot machines in the casino, you’ll need to know the date of birth of the guest that it belongs to.
11. Using the MedallionClass app means boarding the ship faster
When you fill in your details on the Princess Medallion app, you’ll be giving Princess Cruises some of the essential details that they would normally take from you at check-in, including providing a photo. So your check-in process will be smoother and quicker and you’ll get on board sooner.
It’s not priority embarkation and you will still have to queue up, but once you reach the desk then you won’t have to answer as many questions, meaning you can move into the waiting area to board sooner.
One of the best benefits of the Ocean Medallion is that it can open your stateroom door for you. It uses an RF signal to communicate with your door, so that it unlocks automatically as soon as you approach it, without needing to find your cruise pass.
The staterooms also have small displays near them, and you’ll get a greeting message as you approach. This greeting will be personalised even further if you’re celebrating a special occasion on the ship.
One thing to be aware of, is that the door will be unlocked whenever you’re just outside with your Medallion. So you can’t press the handle to check that it’s locked, as it will only lock when you walk away! This is something to get used to.
13. Use it to order food or drinks
You can use the Medallion to make purchases around the ship, with everything charged to your onboard account. If you order food or drinks on the smartphone app, then it will be delivered to your exact location on the ship, as the Medallion acts as a tracker.
This is perfect if you want to order a cocktail but are worried about giving up your place on a lounger by the pool – just have your drink brought to you.
I ordered a drink and then went to the bathroom. When I returned, the waitress said that she was aware that I was in the bathroom, so she waited for me to come back to deliver the drink!
And if you’ve filled in all your details on the MedallionClass app, this will include your favourite drinks and foods. So as you approach a bar, the server might greet you by name and ask if you want your particular drink, since the information will be shown to them on their display. It’s a nice touch.
While it can be great to order drinks without having to get up or speak to a waiter, the Medallion app isn’t perfect. When I ordered something that was out of stock, the app didn’t tell me this, it just stayed on the ‘being prepared’ status for a couple of hours and then was marked as delivered, even though it wasn’t.
If you don’t have a drink package, you may therefore be charged for drinks that you haven’t received, so you’ll need to head to guest services to get these removed.
Also, at busy times, your drink may not arrive at all. So, I found that I only used the app to order drinks when I wasn’t desperate for one. If I was really thirsty, I’d head to the bar.
Using the MedallionClass smartphone app, you can track others in your travelling party around the ship, getting real-time updates on their location so you can easily find them if you’ve been separated.
You don’t need the paid Wi-Fi in order to access this – the app will work on the free Medallion Wi-Fi instead. It’s great for cruising families too, since you can always keep tabs on your children while they’re in the kids’ club and make sure they haven’t wandered off.
15. It can be used to send messages to each other
As well as tracking other members of your party using the MedallionClass app, there’s also a messenger service that lets you send messages to each other without needing to pay for the onboard Wi-Fi.
It isn’t perfect – you need to go into the app to retrieve messages, and you won’t get notifications when someone messages you. But if you know you’re planning on meeting up soon, you can check the messages every now and then to get updates. And it’s a great free alternative to Wi-Fi.
16. There are even games to play!
There are numerous games you can play using the Ocean Medallion, including treasure hunts for kids, family-friendly trivia and more. You can interact with the touch screens around the ship to take part, and possibly top the leaderboard by the end of the cruise.
The Medallion also lets you enjoy casino games both around the ship and directly through the app. These are, of course, suitable for adults only.
17. The colour matches your loyalty level
The centre colour of your Princess Cruises Medallion will match your level in the Captain’s Circle loyalty programme. The default colour is blue, but if you are a member of the Captain’s Circle then the Medallion will be different. There are five Princess Medallion colors.
Gold members (those who have cruised once before) will get a gold Medallion. Ruby members (those with three cruises, or 30 days of sailing) will have a ruby Medallion. Platinum members (5 cruises or 50 sailing days) will have a platinum Medallion, and Elite members (15 cruises or 150 sailing days) will have a black Medallion.
18. Don’t wear the Medallion near a pacemaker!
The Ocean Medallion includes magnets and devices that emit an RF signal. The recommendation is that they should not be worn within nine inches of a pacemaker device, although the pacemaker manufacturer may have more specific requirements.
If you are wearing a pacemaker, you should avoid using the lanyard and necklaces, and either wear the Medallion on a wrist strap or not use it at all. Otherwise, it may cause some interference, which could have severe consequences.
19. There’s a battery inside
The Ocean Medallion contains a small battery which is a similar size to a watch battery. These are long-lasting and will easily manage your cruise holiday – the Medallion doesn’t require much power at all to emit the RF signal with your unique guest ID.
So don’t worry if you order your Medallion for home delivery – it will still work by the time you get onto the ship and for the length of your holiday without any issues. If it does stop working for any reason, visit the Guest Services desk and they’ll replace it for you free of charge.
20. They can’t be re-used across cruises
The current design of the Ocean Medallion, including a sealed battery, means that they are not reusable. They are designed to be used only for the duration of your cruise, and then you can keep them as a souvenir.
It may be that future designs are made rechargeable so that they can be used on multiple cruises, but for now, you will just have to use the Princess Cruises’ Medallion as a keepsake once your cruise has ended.
21. They’re magnetic
The Medallion is magnetic, which means a lot of people like to use metal surfaces to keep it safe when they aren’t wearing it. It also means it can be used as a fridge magnet once you return home for your cruise.
If you like to display your collection of cruise cards on your fridge, you’ll be pleased to know that the Ocean Medallion can join the display.
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To conclude
It may not be mandatory, but there are a lot of great reasons to use the Princess Ocean Medallion, so it makes sense to learn how to get the most out of it. Whether it just means keyless access to your stateroom, or you’re ordering drinks and snacks direct to your seat, it can just make your cruise feel that little bit more special.
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If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for over 50 years. Each new class of ship has been considered an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences. Royal Caribbean currently has 28 cruise ships in service. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection.
List of Royal Caribbean Ships By Age
Here is a complete list of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships newest to oldest. We hope this list will help you, as the cruise line has ships that can vary in size from 73,000 gross tons (Vision Class), to the new Icon class that are 250,000+ gross tons.
Here is every cruise ship with Royal Caribbean currently and planned to delivered in the fleet, sorted by newest first:
Utopia of the Seas – 2024
Utopia of the Seas is the sixth ship in the popular Oasis Class and is 236,860 GT’s. She carries5,668 passengers (based on two per cabin). Utopia of the Seas is the second ship in the Oasis Class to feature 8 neighborhoods and the first to feature Royal Railway – Utopia Station, Pesky Parrot Lounge, The Spare Tire (food truck bites), Uzumi in the Park, and Solarium Suites.
Icon of the Seas – 2024
Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas arrived in Miami for the first time ahead of its official debut on Jan. 27. Photo by Royal Caribbean
Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the Icon Class and is 250,800 GT’s. She carries5,496 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of6,826. The 20 deck ship took her maiden voyage from Miami in January 2024.
Wonder of the Seas – 2022
Wonder of the Seas is the fifth ship in the popular Oasis Class and is 235,600 GT’s. She carries5,734 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 7,084. Wonder of the Seas is the first ship in the Oasis Class to feature 8 neighborhoods with the addition of the new Suite Neighborhood. She also received other design enhancements to the Windjammer Café and other areas and is the first ship to include the popular restaurant, The Mason Jar. The Godmother of the ship is Marie McCrea.
Odyssey of the Seas is the fifth ship in the popular Quantum Class and is 169,000 GT’s. She carries4,198 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 5,498. This 16 deck ship features the popular features like the North Star, Seaplex and a Bionic Bar. The Godmother of the ship is Erin Brown.
Ship Highlights:
North Star
Seaplex
Sky Pad
Ripcord By IFLY
Two70
Spectrum of the Seas – 2021
Spectrum of the Seas is the first ship in the new Quantum Ultra Class and is 168,666 GT’s. She carries4,246 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 5,622. This 16 deck ship was specifically designed for the Chinese market. You will also find popular features like the North Star, Seaplex and a Bionic Bar. The Godparents of the ship are Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming.
Symphony of the Seas – 2018
Symphony of the Seas is the fourth ship in the Oasis Class and is 228,081 GT’s. She carries5,518 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of6,680. The 18 deck ship ship includes 7 neighborhoods and the Ultimate Family Suite. You can also take a ride of the Ultimate Abysss, which is a 10-story dry slide. The GodFamily of the ship are the PeneVegas family which includes Alexa, Carlos and Ocean.
Ship Highlights:
Ultimate Family Suite
Ultimate Abyss – A 10-Story Dry Slide
The Perfect Storm – A Trio of Waterslides
Battle For Planet Z – Lazer Tag
Ovation of the Seas – 2016
Ovation of the Seas is the third ship in the Quantum Class and is 168,666 GT’s. She carries 4,180 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of4,905. The 16 deck had her maiden voyage on April 17, 2016. The Godmother of the ship is the Chinese actress, Fan Bingbing.
Harmony of the Seas – 2016
Harmony of the Seas is the third ship in the Oasis Class and is 226,963 GT’s. She carries5,479 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of6,687. The 18 deck ship took her maiden voyage on May 29, 2016. Her Godmother is Brittany Affolter.
Anthem of the Seas – 2015
Anthem of the Seas is the second ship in the Quantum Class and is 168,666 GT’s. She carries4,180 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 4,905. With 16 deck ship took her Maiden voyage on April 22, 2015 The Godmother of the ship is British historian and author Emma Wilby.
Quantum of the Seas– 2014
Quantum of the Seas is the first ship in the Quantum Class and is 168,666 GT’s. She carries4,180 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 4,905. With 16 decks, this new class of ship is packed with amazing features like the North Star, Seaplex (Bumper Cars), Ripcord by IFLY, Bionic Bar and much more. The Godmother of the ship is American actress Kristin Chenoweth.
Allure of the Seas – 2010
Allureof the Seas is the second ship in the Oasis Class and is 226,963 GT’s. She carries5,496 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of6,826. The 18 deck ship took her maiden voyage on Dec 5, 2010. The ship features 7 different neighborhoods and highlights featuring a Central Park, Carousel, Zip Line ride and an Aquatheater. Her Godmother is Princess Fiona.
Oasis of the Seas– 2009
The revolutionary Oasisof the Seas is the first ship in the Oasis Class and is 226,838 GT’s. She carries5,602 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of6,771. The ship features 7 different neighborhoods and highlights like the Portside BBQ, Ultimate Panoramic Suite, Music Hall, Ultimate Abyss (10-story dry slide), The Perfect Storm waterpark and more. Her Godmothers are Gloria Estefan, Michelle Kwan, Dara Torres, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Shawn Johnson, Jane Seymour and Daisy Fuentes.
Independence of the Seas– 2008
Independence of the Seas is the third ship in the Freedom Class and is 154,407 GT’s. She carries 3,634 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of4,375. She took her maiden voyage on May 2, 2008. Her Godmother is Elizabeth Hill.
Liberty of the Seas – 2007
Liberty of the Seas is the second ship in the Freedom Class and is 154,407 GT’s. She carries 3,798 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of4,960. She took her maiden voyage on May 19, 2007. Her Godmother is travel agent, Donna Madeley.
Freedom of the Seas – 2006
Freedom of the Seas is the first ship in the Freedom Class and is 156,271 GT’s. She carries 3,926 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of4,635. She took her maiden voyage on May 11, 2006. Her Godmother is foster-mother, Katherine Louise Calder.
Jewel of the Seas – 2004
Jewel of the Seas is the fourth ship in the Radiance Class and is 90,090 GT’s. She carries 2,191 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 2,702. She took her maiden voyage on May 8, 2004. Her Godmother is (National Teacher of the Yearfor2004), Kathy Mellor.
Serenade of the Seas– 2003
Serenade of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas is the third ship in the popular Radiance Class and is 90,090 GT’s. She carries 2,143 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 2,476. She took her maiden voyage on August 25, 2003. Her Godmother is Whoopi Goldberg.
Mariner of the Seas– 2003
Mariner of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas is the third ship in the Voyager Class and is 138,279 GT’s. She carries 3,114 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of3,807. The 15 deck ship took her maiden voyage on November 16, 2003. Her Godmother is Jean Driscoll.
Brilliance of the Seas– 2002
Brilliance of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas is the second ship in the Radiance Class and is 90,090 GT’s. She carries 2,142 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of2,543. She took her maiden voyage on July 15, 2002. Her Godmother is Marilyn Ofer.
Navigator of the Seas– 2002
Navigator of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas is the third ship in the Voyager Class and is 137,276 GT’s. She carries 3,114 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of3,807. The 15 deck ship took her maiden voyage on November 18, 2001. Her Godparents are Tara Stackpole (FDNY), Kevin Hannafin (FDNY), Margaret McDonnell (NYPD), Sgt. Richard Lucas (NYPD)
Radiance of the Seas– 2001
Radiance of the Seas at Hubbard Glacier
Radiance of the Seas is the first ship in the Radiance Class and is 90,090 GT’s. She carries 2,143 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of2,466. The 13 deck ship took her maiden voyage on April 7, 2001. Her Godmother is Margot Pritzker.
Adventure of the Seas – 2001
Adventure of the Seas
Adventure of the Seas is the third ship in the Voyager Class and is 137,276 GT’s. She carries 3,114 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of3,807. The 15 deck ship took her maiden voyage on November 18, 2001. Her Godparents are Tara Stackpole (FDNY), Kevin Hannafin (FDNY), Margaret McDonnell (NYPD), Sgt. Richard Lucas (NYPD)
Explorer of the Seas– 2000
Explorer of the Seas is the second ship in the Voyager Class and is 137,308 GT’s. She carries 3,286 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of4,290. The 15 deck ship, along with an international crew of 1,185 and passengers took her maiden voyage on October 28, 2000. Her Godmother is retired American track and field athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Voyager of the Seas– 1999
Voyager of the Seas
Voyagerof the Seas is the first ship in the Voyager Class and is 137,276 GT’s. She carries 3,602 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of4,000. The 15 deck ship took her maiden voyage on November 21, 1999. This would be the first ship with a revolutionary new interior promenade area with shops, dining venues and more. Her Godmother is two-time Olympic champion figure skater, Katarina Witt.
Vision of the Seas– 1998
Vision of the Seas
Vision of the Seas is the fourth ship in the Vision Class and is 73,817 GT’s. The ship was built at Chantiers de L’Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France. She carries1,998 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of2,416. The 12 deck ship took her maiden voyage on May 2, 1998. Her Godmother is Helen Morin Stephan, wife of Royal Caribbean’s founder and former Vice Chairman, Edwin Stephan.
Enchantment of the Seas– 1997
Enchantment of the Seas is the third ship in the Vision Class and is 82,910 GT’s. The ship was built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Helsinki, Finland. The 12 deck ship took her maiden voyage on July 13, 1997. This ship is very unique since she was Lengthened by 73 feet in June 2005 with a new section being inserted in her mid-section. The result is a very unique look and greater size than her sisters. She carries2,252 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of2,730. Her Godmother is Colleen Fain, wife of Royal Caribbean Chairman and former CEO Richard D. Fain.
Rhapsody of the Seas– 1997
Rhapsody of the Seas is the second ship in the Vision Class and is 73,817 GT’s. The ship was built at Chantiers de L’Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France. She carries1,998 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of2,416. The 12 deck ship took her maiden voyage on May 19, 1997. Her Godmother is Bodil Wilhelmsen, wife of Royal Caribbean principal shareholder Gjert Wilhelmsen.
Grandeur of the Seas – 1996
Grandeur of the Seas is the first ship in the Vision Class and is 73,817 GT’s. She carries1,992 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of2,440. The 12 deck ship took her maiden voyage on December 14, 1996. This new class of ship were known as “Ships of glass” with the large amount of glass used in the ship’s exterior. This was something very new for ship design at the time and helped create a more floating resort atmosphere. Her Godmother is Aviva Ofer, wife of Sammy Ofer and mother of Eyal Ofer, a member of Royal Caribbean’s Board of Directors.
Here are all the current list of Royal Caribbean cruise ships by age from newest to oldest:
Royal Caribbean Ships By Age Newest to Oldest
Ship
Class
Year
Utopia of the Seas
Oasis
2024
Icon of the Seas
Icon
2024
Wonder of the Seas
Oasis
2022
Odyssey of the Seas
Quantum
2022
Spectrum of the Seas
Quantum Ultra
2021
Symphony of the Seas
Oasis
2018
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum
2016
Harmony of the Seas
Oasis
2016
Anthem of the Seas
Quantum
2015
Quantum of the Seas
Quantum
2014
Allure of the Seas
Oasis
2010
Oasis of the Seas
Oasis
2009
Independence of the Seas
Freedom
2008
Liberty of the Seas
Freedom
2007
Freedom of the Seas
Freedom
2006
Jewel of the Seas,
Radiance
2004
Serenade of the Seas
Radiance
2003
Mariner of the Seas
Voyager
2003
Brilliance of the Seas
Radiance
2002
Navigator of the Seas
Voyager
2002
Radiance of the Seas
Radiance
2001
Adventure of the Seas
Voyager
2001
Explorer of the Seas
Voyager
2000
Voyager of the Seas
Voyager
1999
Vision of the Seas
Voyager
1998
Enchantment of the Seas
Vision
1997
Rhapsody of the Seas
Vision
1997
Grandeur of the Seas
Vision
1996
Royal Caribbean Ships By Age
List of Royal Caribbean Ships By Class
Royal Caribbean has six unique classes of ship’s that have their own size and features.
What are the different classes of Royal Caribbean ships?
Here is a list of the six classes of ships:
Vision Class
Voyager Class
Radiance Class
Freedom Class
Quantum Class
Quantum Ultra Class
Oasis Class
Icon Class
Future Royal Caribbean ships
Royal Caribbean also has two more Icon class cruise ships on order with deliveries expected in 2025 and 2026.
Plan Your Trip?
Need help planning a trip? Check out these helpful links:
Royal Caribbean Ships Frequently Asked Questions
What is Royal Caribbean’s newest ship?
Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newest ship and began service on January 27, 2024. She is the first ship in the revolutionary Icon Class and is 250,800 GRT’s
What is the oldest ship of Royal Caribbean?
Grandeur of the Seas is currently the oldest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. She began service on on December 14, 1996. She was the first popular Vision Class.
What is the smallest Royal Caribbean ship?
Grandeur of the Seas is currently the smallest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet coming in at 73,817 GRT’s.
Holland America is a former shipping company that switched to a full-time cruise company in 1989. Since then it has offered a sort of premium-mainstream brand of cruising – not quite luxury cruising, but a step up from some of the mainstream cruise lines that are pitched more at families.
The Holland America fleet currently stands at 11 ships, and has just as many former ships in its ranks, selling them to various other cruise lines.
The current fleet is split between four classes, and this seems to be the planned fleet for the foreseeable future – unlike most other cruise lines, Holland America doesn’t currently have a new ship on order.
So which ships are the biggest, the smallest, the newest and the oldest in the current fleet? Which ship should you be looking to book a cruise on if you want the most modern features? Let’s take a look.
Holland America ships ranked by age
Here’s a rundown of the Holland America cruise ships by age, including the last time they were refurbished, from the newest ship to the oldest.
Ship
Year Built
Refurbished
Class
MS Rotterdam
2021
–
Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Statendam
2018
–
Pinnacle
MS Koningsdam
2016
2018
Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Amsterdam
2010
2017
Signature
MS Eurodam
2008
2018
Signature
MS Noordam
2006
2019
VIsta/V-Class
MS Westerdam
2004
2020
VIsta/V-Class
MS Oosterdam
2003
2018
VIsta/V-Class
MS Zuiderdam
2002
2019
VIsta/V-Class
MS Zaandam
2000
2018
Rotterdam/R-Class
MS Volendam
1999
2019
Rotterdam/R-Class
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The newest ship
The newest ship in the Holland America fleet is MS Rotterdam. She launched in 2021 and was the third ship in the Pinnacle Class.
MS Rotterdam
Originally planned to be named the Ryndam, she was renamed during construction to honour the cruise line’s history – becoming the sixth ship named Rotterdam to sail for HAL.
The fleet doesn’t have any new ships on order currently, so for now, the MS Rotterdam will remain the flagship in the fleet alongside the MS Nieuw Statendam and the MS Koningsdam, sister ships of the MS Rotterdam.
These three are the most recent additions to the fleet, with MS Koningsdam launching in 2016 and MS Nieuw Statendam launching in 2018. The MS Nieuw Statendam even received a refurbishment just two years after she launched, ensuring that she remains a true flagship alongside her sisters.
The newest ships have a capacity that’s around 25% more than the previous largest ships in the fleet, but they’re still a lot smaller than many other cruise line’s ships.
The MS Volendam and the MS Zaandam are the oldest ships in the Holland America fleet, with the Volendam being slightly older as she launched in 2009, with Zaandam following a year later. These ships are part of the Rotterdam Class, more commonly referred to as the R-Class.
MS Volendam
There were two other ships in the R-Class for Holland America – the MS Rotterdam and the MS Amsterdam. The MS Rotterdam was the oldest ship in the fleet as she launched in 1997. But in 2020 the two ships were sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, sailing now as Borealis and Bolette respectively.
While some of the ships in the Holland America fleet are a little older now, none of them are ancient. Holland America has a policy of selling off its older ships on a relatively regular basis, maintaining a fleet that is modern and lives up to its premium standards.
And older ships also go through multiple refurbishments, so that no ship ever feels tired or boring. From adding new features to simply ensuring staterooms and public areas are properly maintained, Holland America is always looking to keep even its oldest ships looking their best.
Holland America ships ranked by size
The table below lists the Holland America Line cruise ships by size, from largest to smallest. It also shows how many guests each ship can accommodate as well as the class of ship.
Ship
Gross Tonnage
Guest Capacity
Class
MS Rotterdam
99,863
2,650
Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Statendam
99,863
2,650
Pinnacle
MS Koningsdam
99,863
2,650
Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Amsterdam
86,700
2,106
Signature
MS Eurodam
86,273
2,104
Signature
MS Noordam
82,318
1,924
Vista/V-Class
MS Westerdam
82,305
1,916
Vista/V-Class
MS Oosterdam
82,305
1,916
Vista/V-Class
MS Zuiderdam
82,305
1,916
VIista/V-Class
MS Zaandam
61,396
1,432
Rotterdam/R-Class
MS Volendam
61,214
1,432
Rotterdam/R-Class
As you can see, most of the ships are very similar in size, while the oldest two ships are a little smaller. None of the Holland America ship sizes are troubling the lists for the biggest cruise ships in the world.
Holland America’s biggest ships aren’t huge…
The biggest ships in the Holland America Line fleet are the Pinnacle Class ships – the MS Rotterdam, the MS Nieuw Statendam, and the MS Koningsdam. They’re all the same size, and can accommodate 2,650 guests at double occupancy.
MS Koningsdam in Norway
These ships all have 13 decks – numbered from 1 to 14, skipping the unlucky number 13, and they are all just over 980 feet in length.
Holland America’s biggest ships are nowhere near the same size as the biggest ships for other cruise lines. Compared to the biggest cruise ships in the world – the Oasis Class ships for Royal Caribbean – they can only hold around 46% of the maximum guests at double occupancy.
In terms of length, the difference is quite surprising – there’s only a 200-foot difference between the Holland America Pinnacle Class ships and the Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ships. But the width of the beam is notable. For the Pinnacle Class ships, it’s 114 feet, and for the Oasis Class ships, it’s 210 feet, making them almost twice as wide.
And this is important because Holland America Line has designed the Pinnacle Class ships to a very specific blueprint – they meet the New Panamax specification.
What this means is that they are designed to be able to sail through the newest set of locks in the Panama Canal, the ones that were opened in 2016. This opens up more cruising options for the ships as they can easily sail the Panama Canal if needed, allowing them to transition between the east and west of the Americas much faster.
Holland America Line ship in the Panama Canal
Plus, sailings through the Panama Canal are fascinating – well worth a look if you want to see how a giant cruise ship can traverse man-made canals.
Holland America’s smallest ships
The two oldest ships in the Holland America fleet are also the smallest – the MS Zaandam and the MS Volendam. Both of these ships have a maximum guest capacity of 1,432, with the MS Volendam having a slightly lower gross tonnage (61,214 compared to MS Zaandam’s 61,396).
MS Zaandam
They aren’t really ‘small ships’ that you would consider as luxury ones limited to fewer than 1,000 passengers, but they’re definitely on the smaller side of the mid-sized ship range. All of Holland America’s ships are what you’d consider mid-sized compared to other cruise lines, but these two, in particular, are great if you want a quieter cruise.
It’s worth noting that MS Volendam was chartered in May 2022 by the actual city of Rotterdam, to be used as a refugee shelter for people who had escaped from Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.
While the charter was originally scheduled for three months, it was then extended by a month to run until September. The ship was still manned by Holland America crew during this period.
Ship classes explained
There are currently four classes of ship in the Holland America fleet. The newest ships are the Pinnacle Class ships.
Before that, there was the slightly smaller Signature Class. Ships built in the early 2000s belong to the Vista Class and those pre-millennium are Rotterdam Class ships.
Pinnacle Class
The Pinnacle Class ships are:
MS Rotterdam
MS Nieuw Statendam
MS Koningsdam
Size: 99,862 GT
Signature Class
The Signature Class ships are:
MS Nieuw Amsterdam
MS Eurodam
Size: 86,273 to 86,700 GT
Vista Class/V-Class
The Vista Class ships are:
Ms Noordam
MS Westerdam
Ms Oosterdam
MS Zuiderdam
Size: 82,305 to 82,318 GT
Rotterdam Class/R-Class
The Rotterdam Class ships are:
Size: 61,214 to 61,396 GT
Ah, but which ships are the best? It’s not clear-cut…
While Holland America has gone to great lengths to update its older ships, the best ships are definitely the newest Pinnacle Class ships. But thanks to those careful renovations, it’s not a huge gulf in difference.
With capacities ranging from around 1,500 to 2,600 guests, none of the ships in the Holland America fleet are massive, and they’re definitely aimed more at people who prefer a quieter cruise rather than one with 4,000+ people onboard.
That being said, the ships aren’t exactly sparse, and there is plenty to see and do on board. The newest ships do have some of the better features, including the widest selection of dining venues, ranging from the exclusive feel of the Pinnacle Grill and Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurants, to more casual venues like Dive-In, the poolside grill, and the poolside pizzeria.
The beautiful Main Dining Room on Rotterdam
If you’re looking to enjoy the newest ships with the most choice of bars and places to eat then I would definitely lean towards a Pinnacle-Class ship, but if you’re not as worried about that and one of the smaller ships has a better itinerary then that would be the way to go.
The onboard experience won’t be radically different, unlike with some cruise lines where their biggest and smallest ships are a world apart.
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Related posts:
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Royal Caribbean cruises are fantastic for families and have many exciting family-friendly facilities on board. But which Royal Caribbean ship is best for kids?
The answer to this question depends on the age of your children, as the best ship for teenagers will not necessarily be the best ship for toddlers! In this guide, I’ll show you the best Royal Caribbean ships to consider for your next family cruise.
My daughter on Mariner of the Seas
Most activities on Royal Caribbean ships have height, weight or age requirements. It’s important to choose the best Royal Caribbean ship for your kids carefully, to avoid any disappointment that would come with finding out that your children aren’t old enough to join in the fun.
Note: Royal Caribbean is extremely strict on their requirements and will weigh and measure children to make sure they’re tall or heavy enough. Staff will also check a list of children’s names and ages at the entrance to each attraction.
How to pick the best ship for families
Royal Caribbean has 27 ships with more soon to be launched. Each ship has different facilities on-board. The ships are grouped into eight different classes. Each ship in a class will be fairly similar, with some variation in the onboard activities available.
To choose the best Royal Caribbean ship for your kids, you’ll need to make sure that they’re old enough to take part in the activities that they’ll want to. If your younger child has to spend a lot of time watching their older sibling have all the fun, it might not be the best experience for them.
There are some facilities that are available on every ship across the Royal Caribbean fleet. These are…
Adventure Ocean kids’ club
Swimming pools
Whirlpools
Arcade
Rock climbing wall
Table tennis
Other facilities like waterslides, ziplines and mini-golf are only available on certain ships.
In this guide to the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids of all ages, I’ve suggested what I believe to be the best ship for each age group, based on the onboard facilities. I also give details about age requirements for each activity and list the Royal Caribbean ships which have that activity.
Let’s start with the little ones…
The best ships for babies and toddlers
There are a few important things to think about when cruising with a child under three on Royal Caribbean, such as whether they can use the swimming pools and the kids’ club facilities.
The best Royal Caribbean ship for babies and toddlers is Anthem of the Seas. This ship has the Baby Splash Zone where tots can splash around in the water whilst wearing a swimming nappy/diaper and it also has the Royal Babies & Tots program where you can drop off your little one to play.
For UK cruisers, Anthem of the Seas sails from Southampton during the summer season in 2024, making it the perfect choice for those who prefer not to fly. In the winter, she cruises from New York to the Bahamas and Caribbean. She’s moving on in 2025 though, to be replaced by Independence of the Seas from Southampton.
Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship. Other ships in this class are Quantum of the Seas (for Asia), Ovation of the Seas (for Australia and Alaska) and Spectrum of the Seas (for Chinese guests).
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Things that babies and toddlers can do on a Royal Caribbean cruise…
1. Baby Splash Zones
Swim diapers are not allowed in any swimming pool or whirlpool on Royal Caribbean ships. This is to prevent the spread of diseases on board.
However, selected ships have Baby Splash Zones which have a few inches of water and features like water fountains and spray jets. Here, babies are welcome to cool off in the water.
Baby Splash Zones are part of Splashaway Bay or the H2O Zone.
Royal Caribbean ships with Baby Splash Zones:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Harmony 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
Symphony of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
2. Royal Babies & Tots Nursery
Royal Caribbean’s kids’ club, Adventure Ocean, is available on all ships for children aged three years and older. Selected ships also have the Royal Babies and Royal Tots programs for children aged 6 to 36 months.
With the Royal Babies and Royal Tots clubs, you can drop off your little ones and leave them in the care of highly-qualified childcare professionals while you go and enjoy yourselves.
The fee for this service is $6 per hour between 9 am and 6 pm and $8 per hour from 6 pm until midnight.
Royal Caribbean ships with Royal Babies & Tots Nursery:
Allure of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Enchantment of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Grandeur of the Seas
Harmony 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
Symphony of the Seas
Vision of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
The best ships for young kids (3 to 5 years)
Once children are out of nappies, they’re allowed to use the swimming pools and whirlpools. Royal Caribbean’s kids’ clubs are open for those aged three and up. Children of this age can also begin to use some of the more exciting facilities like water slides or even the sky-diving simulator!
The best ships: Quantum-class ships
Quantum-class ships like Anthem of the Seas are packed full of activities that kids of all ages will love and many of these are suitable for pre-school kids.
Things that 3- to 5-year-olds can do on a Royal Caribbean cruise…
1. Swimming pools
Each Royal Caribbean ship will have several swimming pools and Jacuzzis, These are available for all toilet-trained children to use. Life jackets are provided free of charge for kids aged four and up.
2. Skydiving simulator
Royal Caribbean’s skydiving simulator, RipCord by iFLY, is suitable for children as young as three years old. Floating weightlessly in the air with the wind in your face is an incredible feeling and even young kids will love it!
RipCord by iFly only available on Quantum-class ships:
Anthem of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
3. North Star observation pod
Royal Caribbean’s North Star is a glass observation capsule that is elevated up to 100 metres above sea level, giving incredible 360-degree views of the world.
To ride in the North Star, kids must be at least 42 inches (107cm) tall. Most kids reach this height at four or five years old.
North Star is only available Quantum-class ships:
Anthem of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
4. Bumper cars
Quantum-class ships also feature bumper cars (dodgems). Kids who are five years old and over can enjoy riding the bumper cars when accompanied by an adult. Once kids are eight years old and at least 42 inches (107cm) tall, they can drive the car alone.
Bumper cars are only available on Quantum and Quantum Ultra-class ships:
Anthem of the Seas
Odyssey of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
5. Aquanauts kids club
Three-, four- and five-years-olds are able to join the Aquanauts group in the Adventure Ocean kids’ club, which is available on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
Activities include things like finger painting, building blocks, music activities, bingo and space night.
The best ship for kids (6 to 8 years)
Kids of this age should be big enough and old enough to take part in most of the on-board activities like roller skating, ice skating and whizzing down water slides.
The best ships: Freedom-class ships
Photo credit: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has three Freedom-class ships:
Freedom of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Freedom-class ships are packed full of things that six, seven and eight years olds will love. The Splashaway Bay waterpark, Perfect Storm waterslides, mini-golf, laser tag, rock climbing wall and virtual reality trampolines are all huge hits with this age group.
Independence of the Seas returns to the UK in summer 2025 so it’s a great option for UK families who want to cruise without flying!
If Freedom-class ships don’t offer the itineraries you would like, you should also check out Oasis-class ships and Quantum-class ships.
Things that 6- to 8-year-olds can do on a Royal Caribbean cruise…
1. Splashaway Bay
Royal Caribbean’s waterpark is the perfect place for kids to cool off with waterslides, water cannons, fountains and a giant tipping bucket.
Splashaway Bay is suitable for all toilet-trained kids but there is a height requirement of 42 inches (107cm) to use the slides. This equates to about five years old for an average-height child.
Royal Caribbean ships with Splashaway Bay:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Icon of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
2. Perfect Storm water slides
The Perfect Storm waterslides are fairly tame and are suitable for adults and kids who are 48 inches (122 cm) tall, which is approximately seven years old. Taller than average six-year-olds will be fine too.
The slides vary by ship but are all quite similar. They are called the Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell.
I tested out the Perfect Storm waterslides on Mariner of the Seas. Take a look at my GoPro footage to see how fast they go and decide if your kid would like them…
Royal Caribbean ships with Perfect Storm waterslides:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
3. Mini golf
Mini golf is a fun game for families to enjoy together on Royal Caribbean ships. There’s no age requirement, and kids as young as four or five years old can enjoy hitting the balls and practising maths while they keep score.
Royal Caribbean ships with mini golf courses:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Icon of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
4. Laser tag
Laser tag involves moving around a glow-in-the-dark course, equipped with a laser gun, whilst shooting members of the opposite team. It’s suitable for children aged five years old and over who are also at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall, as most kids of this age are.
This is the video I made of the laser tag on-board Mariner of the Seas using my GoPro head camera.
Royal Caribbean ships with Laser Tag:
Allure of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedomof the Seas
Independenceof the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
5. SkyPad virtual reality trampolines
Royal Caribbean’s trampolines have optional virtual reality headsets so that you can smash sweeties or see lightyears into the future as you jump up to twenty feet in the air. Kids must be at least five years old to jump and at least seven years old to jump with the headset.
My five-year-old on the SkyPad
Royal Caribbean ships with the SkyPad trampolines:
Independence of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Odyssey of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
6. Ice skating
Ice skating can be a fun activity for all the family to enjoy together. There’s no age limit for ice skating on Royal Caribbean ships. Ice skates are available to hire in sizes as small as toddler size 9 or 10.
There are no skating aids or supports for kids, so young children (and adults) who haven’t skated before are likely to find this activity a little tricky. Check out these first-time ice skating tips before you go so you know what to do!
Royal Caribbean ships with ice skating:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Harmony 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
Symphony of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
7. Roller skating
Roller skating is available in the SeaPlex on Quantum-class ships. There’s no age limit for roller skating and skates are available to hire for very young kids.
Royal Caribbean ships with roller skating:
Anthem of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
8. Rock climbing wall
The climbing walls on Royal Caribbean ships are 12 metres tall and offer a great workout with incredible views at the summit. Children must be six years old and over to climb.
Take a look at this video for a closer look at Royal Caribbean’s rock-climbing walls…
Rock climbing walls are present on every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
9. Explorers kids club
Six-, seven- and eight-years-olds can join the Explorers group in the Adventure Ocean kids’ club which is available on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
Activities include things like sports, carnival games, talent shows, pajama night and pirate night.
The best ships for older kids (9+ years)
Pick one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships and you won’t see your teens for dust! Or, pick a small, older ship with no facilities, if you have the kind of teens who will be happy sunbathing and reading a book (do they exist?)
The best ships: Oasis-class ships
Royal Caribbean has five Oasis-class ships:
Allure of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
The best Royal Caribbean ships for older kids and teenagers are the Oasis-class ships. These are some of the largest ships in the fleet and are packed with adrenaline-pumping activities like zip lines, slides and surfing machines.
Things that older kids and teenagers can do on a Royal Caribbean cruise…
1. Zip lines
One of the best features on the Oasis-class ships is the zip line. These ships have a hollow middle that enables you to zip along a wire, ten decks above the Central Park area in the middle of the ship.
Royal Caribbean’s zip line has a height requirement of 52 inches (132 cm) and a weight requirement of 75 lbs (34 KG). This makes this activity suitable for kids who are approximately ten years old and up, depending on their height and weight.
Royal Caribbean ships with zip lines:
Allure of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
2. FlowRider surfing simulators
The FlowRider is a 12-metre long surfing machine where you can do stand-up surfing or boogie boarding on your knees.
Kids must be at least 52 inches (132 cm) to boogie board and 58 inches (147 cm) to stand-up surf. This makes the FlowRider suitable for children aged approximately nine years old and above, depending on their height.
Take a look at this video for more information on the FlowRider…
Royal Caribbean ships with FlowRiders:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Harmony 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
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
The Oasis-class ships have two FlowRiders on each ship for double the fun (and half the queue time).
3. Ultimate Abyss slide
A jaw-dropping feature on the back of each Oasis-class ship is the Ultimate Abyss slide. This dry slide is ten decks high and offers an exhilarating ride for those brave enough to try it.
Incredibly, the height restriction on the Ultimate Abyss slide is only 44 inches (112 cm). This makes it suitable for children aged approximately five years old and up.
Children cannot sit on parents laps as only one rider is allowed on the slide at once. In reality, most younger kids would probably be too scared to ride this slide, but thrill-seeking teenagers are sure to love it.
Royal Caribbean ships with the Ultimate Abyss slide:
Allure of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
4. Sports court
If your teenagers love playing basketball, volleyball or soccer, pick a ship with a sports court and they’ll be entertained for hours. Organised tournaments take place throughout the day and at other times kids can just play one-on-one or with their new friends.
Photo credit: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean ships with sports courts:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Icon of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
5. Trapeze school
Royal Caribbean’s circus school offers trapeze lessons for adults and kids aged six years old and above. You’ll find this activity in the SeaPlex on board Quantum-class ships.
Royal Caribbean ships with trapeze school:
Anthem of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
6. Escape room game
The escape rooms are different on each of the ships that have them, with names such as ‘Escape from the Future’, Escape the Rubicon’ and ‘The Observatorium’. The concept is always the same though, to solve various brain-teasers in an attempt to locate the key and get out of there.
Children must be 12 years old or over to play the escape room game.
Royal Caribbean ships with an escape room:
Anthem of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
7. Voyagers kids club
Nine-, ten- and eleven-years-olds can join the Voyagers group in the Adventure Ocean kids’ club which is available on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
Activities include things like karaoke, sports tournaments, boys vs girls games, scavenger hunts and crazy tag.
8. Teens club
On Royal Caribbean ships, teens are divided into two age groups – 12 to 14 and 15 to 17. Teens have the option to come and go as they please and can take part in organised activities like karaoke, sports tournaments, casino nights, pool parties and themed dance parties. Or, they can just do their own thing, play video games, watch movies and hang out with friends.
The best ship overall
Whether your kids are all various ages or you just want to have the best choice available, there’s no better ship than the biggest in the world.
Icon of the Seas is the newest and biggest ship in the whole fleet and it is absolutely packed with things to see and do. Whatever ages you’re travelling with, your family will have the best time on Icon.
1. Thrill Island
Thrill island is one of five new neighborhoods debuting on Icon of the Seas (of eight neighborhoods in total). It’s where you’ll find many of the exciting outdoor activities on the ship, including Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea.
There are six waterslides to try, including Pressure Drop, the first open free-fall slide on a cruise ship; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Store Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides on a cruise ship; and Storm Chasers, the first mat-racing duo slides at sea. That’s a lot of firsts!
There’s also Crown’s Edge, which is a unique combination of a skywalk, a ropes course and a thrill ride. Adrenaline-loving teens will love the ending where you swing out above the ocean.
2. Surfside
Another of the new neighborhoods, Surfside is more tailored to younger families – it’s where you’ll find Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while there’s also the amazing views of the Water’s Edge Pool.
It’s also here where you’ll find Adventure Ocean and Social020, and the arcade and carousel.
3. Family Suites
There are 28 different accommodation options on Icon of the Seas, but two worthy of particular mention are the Ultimate Family Townhouse and the Surfside Family Suites.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse is an amazing three-storey suite, taking the concept of the Ultimate Family Suite from prior ships and adding a whole new floor as well as other neat features.
Meanwhile, the Surfside Family Suites are in a great location on the ship if you want to spend more time at the waterparks, and they have kids-only alcoves for when the younger ones want some space of their own (or when you’re the one wanting a little peace).
The best Royal Caribbean ship for babies and toddlers is Anthem of the Seas. It’s also the one ship with sails from the UK, which is a huge bonus for UK cruisers.
The best Royal Caribbean ships for kids aged three to five are the Quantum-class ships, which are Anthem, Ovation, Spectrum and Quantum of the Seas.
The bestRoyal Caribbean ships for kids agedsix to eight are the Freedom-class ships, which are Freedom, Independence and Liberty of the Seas.
The bestRoyal Caribbean ships for kids agednine and over are the Oasis-class ships, which are Allure, Harmony, Oasis, Symphony and Wonder of the Seas.
The bestoverall Royal Caribbean ships for kids are the Icon-class ships, including Icon of the Seas and two ships due to launch in the next few years.
Icon of the Seas
What about the other ships?
The other ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, such as the Radiance Class and Vision Class ships, are older and smaller ships with fewer facilities. Whilst these may not have as much to do on-board as there is on the new mega-ships, there are still some fun activities for families to enjoy, including swimming pools, whirlpools, table tennis, rock climbing and arcades.
Cruising on an older ship is usually much cheaper than a cruise on a new ship, making them the perfect choice for budget-conscious cruisers and those looking for port-intensive itineraries.
Royal Caribbean are continually renovating their ships and the Royal Amplified program is seeing features like water slides and trampolines being added to some of the older ships in the fleet. This means that Voyager-class ships which are around 20 years old, now have lots of cool new facilities.
As the facilities featured on ships change when ships are refurbished, Please check directly with Royal Caribbean to see what facilities there will be on your ship.
And if you’d like to see how the different Royal Caribbean ships fared in reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Cruiseline.com and Cruise Critic, then take a look at this guide to The Best & Worst Royal Caribbean Ships By Reviews.
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If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
