It is interesting to see what these cruises are really like, even if you’ve no intention of ever sailing on one.
So, here’s a look at some of the common misconceptions of nude cruises that the passenger (and others) has cleared up.
1. Nudism Cruises Aren’t Sex Cruises
Nudism is a movement all about being positive and comfortable in your own skin – it is nothing to do with sex. People often assume that nude cruises are sex cruises, even if they aren’t advertised in that way, but it’s not true – and anyone who books onto a nude cruise expecting orgies will be disappointed.
You aren’t even supposed to book a nude cruise in order to look at other people – it’s about you, and being free to relax without wearing clothes.
Most people who are on a nudist cruise keep to themselves, and just enjoy the freedom that the cruise offers. It doesn’t mean people don’t have sex in the privacy of their own rooms – but probably no more than they do on a regular cruise where people wear clothes.
2. ‘Excitement’ Is Not Common
One of the most common questions in that Reddit thread is what happens when a man gets ‘excited’ since people think it is bound to happen, but actually it doesn’t. Nudists don’t think about these things anywhere near as much as non-nudists do, apparently.
So if a man was visibly enjoying the sights on a cruise a little bit too much, then it would be expected that he’d try to hide it – it’s not something to show off at all.
Again, nudism is not a sex thing – so someone who did get a bit too excited would probably be very embarrassed and would do what they could to calm things down as quickly as possible.
3. Everyone Is Extremely Hygiene-Conscious
Some people assume that having uncovered bodies wandering around the cruise ship and using the facilities is unhygienic, especially without the protective barrier that underwear and other clothes can provide.
People wonder if the cruises are a bit smelly because of the sweat, or how unclean the sun loungers and chairs around the ship can get.
But it’s not something to worry about. Everyone on a nude cruise is extremely careful about hygiene, and they always follow the rule of putting a towel down on any surface before they sit on it.
It’s not a recommendation, it’s a rule, and it’s one everyone sticks to so that they don’t pick up germs from other people.
I imagine it’s a lot of extra laundry for the cruise ship to deal with, but worth it to avoid having people sitting down with their bare behinds.
4. There’s A Mix Of Attractive & ’Unattractive’ People
There has long been an assumption that nudism resorts are full of unattractive people. I’m not really sure where it comes from, but it was definitely a common question that was asked in that thread.
But it’s not a complete misconception either. The nude cruiser said that, at his own estimate, it was likely to be around 20% attractive people, 20% average, and 60% unattractive.
That should be a reassuring thing, because again these aren’t cruises where you go to look at other people. Instead, you should be able to feel comfortable and confident enough to relax on the cruise even if you would consider yourself part of the ‘unattractive’ group.
It’s worth noting that the cruise lines do, according to some people in that thread, hire models for the cruise. That’s likely just to make sure there’s more of a mix of ages and body types onboard, but don’t feel intimated by it either since it’s all just about enjoying yourself for who you are.
5. Nudism Isn’t Enforced
Nude cruises don’t enforce nudity on guests – anyone onboard is welcome to wear clothes at any time, if they want to.
It’s not really common for anyone to book onto a nude cruise and not get naked, though. Nude cruises cost more than a regular cruise, so unless they were a voyeur then there’d be no reason for them to pay that money just to stay clothed. And voyeurs don’t really take nude cruises anyway.
6. Clothing Is Required In Some Areas
There are some parts of the cruise ship where clothing isn’t optional, mainly in the more formal dining venues such as the main dining room or the speciality restaurants.
Guests can dine in the buffet without getting dressed, again as long as they put a towel down on the chairs. And the bars and nightclub are clothing-optional too.
But most evenings on a nude cruise have a mix of clothed and naked people, just because some are enjoying dinner and don’t want to be constantly getting dressed and undressed.
Guests also have to be dressed as the ship is in port, and for around 30 minutes before and after, just to make sure the ship is far enough away from the shore.
7. Staff Aren’t Nude (Generally)
Staff on a nude cruise won’t be naked – they will be the same regular crew on the ship and they will remain clothed for the duration of the cruise.
There may be a couple of exceptions if there are any entertainment acts on the ship who are nudists or who just want to get comfortable and try it as part of their act.
But most crew will have to stay dressed regardless, for safety reasons.
It’s worth noting that nude cruises are optional for the crew – if they don’t want to work a nudist cruise then they don’t have to.
8. Nobody Is Embarrassed
People don’t tend to get embarrassed on a nude cruise, mainly because there are so many different people with different body sizes and shapes onboard.
A lot of people think it would be embarrassing to get undressed around so many others, but according to the passengers it just quickly becomes second nature.
It’s one of the more appealing parts of a nudism cruise – it’s all about accepting yourself and others, without judgement or worry about how you look.
9. Sensitive Body Parts Don’t Get Hurt
This is a minor point, but someone did ask it in the Reddit thread – you don’t need to worry too much about hurting yourself when you don’t have clothes to protect any parts of you that, shall I say, dangle down?
There is a mildly increased risk of having body parts exposed to the ship, and if you’re clumsy then I guess you should be more careful, but the people on a nude cruise are generally quite aware of their surroundings and where they are walking, and they give each other plenty of space.
So getting caught in a closing door or the folds of a sun lounger shouldn’t be an issue, as long as you pay attention!
Final Word
While I’m not a convert, I do like that nudism cruises sound very respectful and are all about body-positivity.
I’ll stick to clothed cruises for now (interesting fact – they’re referred to as textile cruises in the nudist community!) but if you are interested in a nudist cruise, I’d recommend Bare Necessities as a travel company.
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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.
While I prefer to stick to clothed cruises, it is always interesting to read about other types of cruise holidays that people enjoy, including nude cruises.
And a recent guest on one of the world’s most popular nude cruises has been spilling the beans on a Reddit thread, answering questions on what the cruise was like and what to expect from the people onboard.
Here are some of the interesting facts about nude cruises that we can learn from the guest himself and from others involved in the discussion.
1. Models Are Hired for The Cruise
It might surprise you to know that not everyone on the cruise is a regular paying customer. There are a small number of paid models who go on the cruise and essentially act as if they are regular passengers.
It’s not clear whether all nudist cruise companies do this, but the reason for it is likely just to provide more of a balance on the ship – nude cruises are for everyone, but they do have a particular demographic…
2. Most Guests Are Older
Cruising has always been popular with older people, but while more and more younger families and couples are starting to sail on regular cruises, that’s not the case for nude cruises.
There are some younger men and women onboard, which will likely include a mix of the hired models and some regular nudists, but most of the people on the cruise are older, between 50 and 70, typically.
There could be a lot of reasons for that, but regardless, everyone seems to have a good time and the older passenger who answered the questions in the thread said that younger guests seemed to be having fun just like everyone else.
3. Nudism Cruises Are Popular with Gay Passengers
One final fact on the demographic was that, according to the passenger onboard, there were a lot of gay men on the cruise, but not many gay women that he could identify.
It’s not a big issue because nudist cruises aren’t sexual in any way, and naturally (no pun intended) everyone is very accepting of each other.
Thankfully most modern cruise lines and crowds are accepting of gay passengers anyway, but on a nude cruise you might find more gay couples than you would normally expect to see on regular cruises.
You can also take gay nude cruises on smaller ships with a company called GayNudeSail.
4. Shoes Are Essential
While you’re welcome to walk around the ship without your clothes on during a nude cruise, there is something you have to wear at all times – shoes or sandals.
You can take them off when you’re sitting down, lounging by the pool or swimming, but any time you’re moving through the ship you need to have footwear on. It’s a safety thing. The floor also gets pretty hot in the sun!
Just a useful bit of information to know if you’re planning on booking a nude cruise.
5. Hygiene Is Very Important
Hygiene is taken very seriously by everyone on a nude cruise. There are towels everywhere around the ship, as you’ll place one down whenever you have a seat anywhere.
Someone did ask the cruise guest whether pubic hair gets everywhere on a nude cruise but it doesn’t, mainly because people are careful and make sure they are clean. Many also tidy themselves up by shaving too.
In summary, there’s no big issue with germs or other hygiene issues on a nude cruise as it’s a top priority for everyone on the ship.
6. Sex Is Not a Big Part Of Nudism Cruises
Nude cruises aren’t sex cruises – far from it. They’re more just about body positivity and acceptance, and allowing yourself to feel free and relax without clothes on.
People don’t book cruises expecting them to be swingers cruises either, so it’s not like there’s a lot of propositioning happening on the ship. There might be some fun happening behind closed doors, but only in the same way that it would be on a clothed cruise.
Nudism is a non-sexual escape. And so the most common question on that Reddit thread of what happens when a guy gets aroused is answered easily – it doesn’t tend to happen, and if it did then the guy would be expected to hide it.
It’s important to be very careful with sunscreen on a nudism cruise – after all, you’ve got no clothes to protect any part of you, so if you’re cruising in a sunny location then you have to make sure you’re safe from sunburn and its risks.
I did love how the passenger answering questions responded to this, when pushed on how much sunscreen they needed – he said “as much as you normally would, plus just a little more”.
8. Most Areas of a Ship Permit Nudity
The whole point of a nude cruise is to properly embrace nudism, so restricting it to just the pool deck wouldn’t be ideal. The good news for nudists is that clothing is optional in most parts of the ship.
It’s only really the sit-down restaurants such as the main dining room and any speciality venues that require clothing. Bars and nightclubs onboard are fine without clothes, as long as you’re putting a towel down on any seats.
For this reason, most people on the cruise are nude during the day but then, in the evening, it’s more mixed. Some people stay nude and eat in the buffet only, whereas others will put some clothes on to enjoy dinner.
9. Guests Can Enjoy Nude Excursions
Guests are not permitted to be naked when the ship is arriving in port, or when she is leaving. Only once the ship is 30 minutes or so from the shore will the announcement go out that guests can get undressed.
However, there are some nudist cruise excursions that guests can book if they want the complete nudism experience. These will involve nude beach parties and nude resorts, often with skinny dipping in the ocean.
Guests will dress for the arrival into port and then be transferred to the excursion location, where they can get naked again.
Most of the crew working on a nudism cruise will be clothed. There might be a couple of exceptions for entertainers, but for safety reasons, it’s important for the crew to be wearing clothes at all times.
And don’t worry – working a nudism cruise is optional for the crew. If they really don’t want to work on an itinerary where there are hundreds, if not thousands of naked people, then they can turn it down without risking their regular cruise contracts.
11. All Shapes and Sizes Enjoy Nudism Cruises
There isn’t a certain body type that takes a nudism cruise. There are people of all shapes and sizes, and one of the most important things about these cruises is that it is always a friendly and welcoming environment.
Embarrassment shouldn’t come into it, though it’s obviously understandable for some guests to be nervous when they first try one. However, a nudist cruise is not just for people with beach bodies, and it’s also not exclusively booked by larger people either.
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Final Word
Now you know a lot more about nudism cruises – perhaps you’re considering giving the lifestyle a go?
It’s certainly not for everyone, and I’ll stick to my regular cruises with clothes on, but if you are interested then check out this Guide to the Best Nude Cruises to learn more about nude 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.
Cruises are a great way to maximize your vacation funds. Oftentimes, you can book a cruise for far less than a land vacation. A wide variety of food and drinks are included, some activities, and your accommodations for the duration of the trip.
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Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
While cruises are an effective way to stay within a budget, there are hidden costs along the way.
Through trial and error, I have discovered several things that can be excluded and still provide a wonderful vacation.
Here are the 8 things I skipped on my cruise to save money:
1. Beverage Package
While a beverage package can be tempting, it’s not necessary. Many cruise lines offer a “soda package” and an “alcoholic beverage package”. These packages can be purchased ahead of your cruise or at the beginning of the trip.
Each package typically gives you a maximum amount of beverages that can be purchased per day.
While this sounds convenient, it can add a hefty price tag to your cruise. I would recommend budgeting a particular amount each day to beverages or limit yourself to drinks after dinner.
2. Shore Excursions
While many will disagree, I tend to stay away from shore excursions. This may be due to the larger number of cruises I have been on, but I prefer a relaxing day in port.
If you are unsure of the port area, do a little research or attend the cruise line-held informational talk before arrival.
Many ports have beaches nearby or attractions that are only a short distance away. You can save lots of cash by planning ahead and paying those lower entrance fees yourselves.
Team up with other cruises to make cab fares even lower.
Premium dining is great for special occasions or first-timers. Otherwise, I am perfectly happy with the included dining on most cruises.
Many ships offer a more luxe dining option that will incur additional fees to your cruise bill. Some of these meals will provide a higher quality meat, larger portions or specialty menus.
If you insist on paying the extra charge for a Steakhouse onboard, rest assured it will be delicious and worth every single penny.
Fine Cut Steakhouse on Celebrity Ascent (Photo credit: Cruise Fever)
4. Photo Credit
Before your cruise departs, you will probably peruse the company website and prepare for any possible situation.
One of the options you may come by is photo credit. You can purchase photo credits that will be assigned to your folio or account onboard. I’ve known of people who will add hundreds of dollars of photo credits at a time. Why? In the name of budgeting, I suppose.
I am quite picky about photos. I would prefer to purchase each photo a la carte, if I find one I am happy with. While some cruise photos are great, many are not. Choose which photos you love and purchase them if you really want to add them to your collection.
5. Bingo
While bingo is fun, it can be very pricey on a cruise ship. Before the bingo session begins, cruise staff will do their best to sell you a package of cards (and a dauber, if you do not bring one yourself).
Sometimes, a large jackpot is advertised, but that comes with restrictions. The entire bingo card needs to be covered in a certain amount of numbers called or less.
Personally, I’d rather spend my money in the casino so that I can at least enjoy the sounds of the slot machines.
6. Balcony Stateroom
I absolutely love a balcony stateroom. The views are gorgeous and many balcony cabins provide a bit of extra space. If it’s not within my current budget, I’ll opt for an interior cabin. Literally hundreds of dollars can be saved by booking a room without a view.
This may not be a popular suggestion for some, but I would rather skip the balcony and still be on the cruise ship for a week of fun in the sun.
Most cruise lines offer a full selection of spa treatments and salon services. Many newer ships have spas that include thermal suites. These can offer additional, premium options such as hot and cold treatments, infrared saunas, and aromatherapy baths.
These spa treatments almost always come with a hefty price tag. Pampering and relaxation are the perfect way to spend a day, but can be booked far cheaper on land.
8. Discounted Jewelry
No doubt you have noticed the seemingly endless advertisements for discounted jewelry on cruise ships. You might find a good deal on occasion, but trusting your hard-earned money to your local jeweler will leave you happier and more satisfied.
The “Inch of Gold” is one area I would particularly stay away from. The “plating” on this material is hardly even a coating of sorts. As a general rule, this is the type of jewelry that will turn your skin green.
The next time you book a cruise and need to stay within a particular budget, consider the 8 points above. You will have a wonderful vacation and save money for your next cruise.
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Looking for a list of Royal Caribbean ships from newest to oldest? We’ve got you covered. This ships-by-age list will stay updated as more ships are built.
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*This article has been updated to reflect the latest cruise ships from Royal Caribbean.
With the inclusion of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International currently has 28 cruise ships in the fleet, more than any other cruise line in the world (currently beating Carnival by one). With the largest cruise ships in the world (Oasis-class) and some of the most technologically advanced cruise ships on the water, the cruise line is growing quickly.
Below we will look at every single ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
What is the newest Royal Caribbean ship? Utopia of the Seas, an Oasis-class ship launched in 2024, is the latest ship to be built and added to service with the cruise line.
The oldest Royal Caribbean ship is Grandeur of the Seas which was built in 1996.
We also sorted every cruise ship by size if you’d like to see which ships are the largest in the fleet.
Jump to:
This list of Royal Caribbean ships will start with the newer ships and end with the oldest Royal Caribbean ship. The cruise line has ships that can vary from 73,000 gross tons (Vision Class), to the Oasis class that are 225,000+ gross tons.
RCCL’s new ships coming soon:
Star of the Seas – Summer 2025. The second Icon-class ship, Royal Caribbean just released the name of this future ship.
Unnamed Icon-class ship – Scheduled for 2026
Unnamed Oasis-class ship – 7th Oasis-class vessel, scheduled for 2028.
The cruise ships listed below are the vessels currently sailing within Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
Royal Caribbean cruise ships newest to oldest (updated):
Utopia of the Seas (2024)
The sixth Oasis-class ship in the fleet, Utopia of the Seas was handed over to Royal Caribbean on June 14, 2024, with a first sailing taking place on July 19. The ship which took two years to build will offer 3- and 4-night sailings which will include a visit to the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
5,668 double capacity
1,188 feet long
236,860 gross tons
18 decks
Oasis-class
Icon of the Seas (2024)
Icon of the Seas is the first Icon-class cruise ship with Royal Caribbean and is currently the largest cruise ship in the fleet on top of being the largest in the world. Icon’s official debut took place on January 27th, 2024. The ship has 8 neighborhoods and a unique AquaDome in which the AquaTheater shows will take place.
5,610 double capacity
1,198 feet long
250,800 gross tons
20 decks
Icon-class
Wonder of the Seas (2022)
Launched in 2022, Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis class ship from Royal Caribbean and previously was the largest in the world before Icon of the Seas was built. Just like her sister ships, she debuted as the world’s largest cruise ship at more than 236,000 gross tons and carries just under 7,000 passengers at maximum capacity and 5,734 at double capacity.
5,734 double capacity
1,188 feet long
236,857 gross tons
18 decks
Oasis-class
Odyssey of the Seas (2021)
The 2nd Quantum Ultra-class cruise ship from Royal Caribbean, Odyssey of the Seas had its inaugural sailing in June of 2021. The ship measures 1,138 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 167,704. The 16-deck ship can carry 4,198 passengers at double occupancy.
4,198 double capacity
1,138 feet long
167,704 gross tons
16 decks
Quantum-class
Spectrum of the Seas (2019)
A Quantum Ultra class ship, Spectrum of the Seas was specifically designed for cruise guests in China and now enjoys sailings all around the world. At 169,000 in gross tonnage it has a guest capacity of over 4,000. The ship was delivered in April of 2019.
4,246 double capacity
1,139 feet long
169,379 gross tons
16 decks
Quantum-class
Symphony of the Seas (2018)
At 228,000+ in gross tonnage, Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas became the largest cruise ship in the world at the time. This Oasis-class ship was built in 2018 and has a double capacity of 5,518. The length of this ship is 1,184 feet with a max beam of 215 feet. The ship holds 2,200 crew members onboard.
5,518 double capacity
1,184 feet long
228,081 gross tons
18 decks
Oasis-class
Ovation of the Seas (2016)
Built in 2016, Ovation of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean Quantum-class ship. Ovation comes in at 168,000+ gross tons and has a double capacity of 4,180. The length of this ship is 1,141 feet with a max beam of 160 feet.
4,180 double capacity
1,141 feet long
168,666 gross tons
16 decks
Quantum-class
Harmony of the Seas (2016)
Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis class ship built in 2016. Maximum capacity is 6,687 on this 226,963 gross ton ship. The length of Harmony is 1,188 feet with a max beam of 217 feet.
5,497 double capacity
1,188 feet long
226,963 gross tons
18 decks
Oasis-class
Anthem of the Seas (2015)
Built in 2015, Anthem of the Seas was the second Quantum class ship from Royal Caribbean. The 168,666 gross ton ship has a maximum capacity of 4,905. The length of this vessel is 1,139 feet with a max beam of 162 feet.
4,180 double capacity
1,139 feet long
168,666 gross tons
16 decks
Quantum-class
Quantum of the Seas (2014)
The first Quantum class ship ever built made huge waves when it was first revealed to the world. Quantum of the seas was built in 2014 and featured the first ever North Star, a ride that elevates cruisers over 300 feet above the sea for 360-degree views. This vessel is a 168,666 gross ton ship with a maximum capacity of 4,905. The length of this ship is 1,141 feet with a max beam of 162 feet.
4,180 double capacity
1,141 feet long
168,666 gross tons
16 decks
Quantum-class
Allure of the Seas (2010)
This ship was the largest in the world for a time when it was built in 2010. The second Oasis class ship, Allure of the Seas is 225,282 gross tons with a maximum capacity of 6,780. The length of this ship is 1,187 feet with a max beam of 198 feet.
5,492 double capacity
1,187 feet long
225,282 gross tons
18 decks
Oasis-class
Oasis of the Seas (2009)
The mega ship that started it all, Oasis of the Seas was built in 2009. At 226,838 tons, Oasis has a max capacity of 6,699. The length of this ship is 1,181 feet with a max beam of 198 feet. The pool deck offers 3 separate pools and plenty of space on the sun deck. The top deck reaches 18 decks high on this massive vessel.
5,606 double capacity
1,181 feet long
226,838 gross tons
18 decks
Oasis-class
Independence of the Seas (2008)
Independence of the Seas was built in 2008 and was the last of the Freedom class ships. At 155,889 gross tons this ship has a maximum capacity of 4,375. The length of this ship is 1,112 feet with a max beam of 184 feet.
3,634 double capacity
1,112 feet long
155,889 gross tons
15 decks
Freedom-class
Liberty of the Seas (2007)
Built in 2007, Liberty of the Seas is a Freedom-class Royal Caribbean ship. At 155,889 tons this ship has a max capacity of 4,960. The length of this ship is 1,112 feet with a max beam of 128 feet.
The first Freedom class ship, Freedom of the Seas was built in 2006. When this ship was first built it was the largest cruise ship in the world. At 156,271 gross tons, this ship has a max capacity of 4,515. The length of this ship is 1,111 with a max beam of 128 feet.
3,782 double capacity
1,111 feet long
156,271 gross tons
15 decks
Freedom-class
Jewel of the Seas (2004)
Jewel of the Seas was the last Radiance class ship built by Royal Caribbean International. It was built in 2004 with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a max capacity of 2,466. The length of this ship is 961 feet with a max beam of 131 feet. Jewel of the Seas is currently sailing out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2,143 double capacity
961 feet long
90,090 gross tons
13 decks
Radiance-class
Serenade of the Seas (2003)
Built in 2003, Serenade of the Seas comes in at 90,090 gross tons with a max capacity of 2,476 cruise passengers. The length of this ship is 961 feet with a max beam of 131 feet.
2,146 double capacity
961 feet long
90,090 gross tons
13 decks
Radiance-class
Mariner of the Seas (2003)
Mariner of the Seas was the last of the Voyager class ships and is a second generation Voyager class vessel. Built in 2003, Mariner has a max capacity of 3,807 while coming in at 139,863 in gross tonnage. This ship has a length of 1,020 with a max beam of 157 feet.
3,114 double capacity
1,020 feet long
139,863 gross tons
15 decks
Voyager-class
Brilliance of the Seas (2002)
This is another Radiance class vessel. Brilliance of the Seas was built in 2002 and comes in at the same 90,090 tons as the other ships in its class. With a max capacity of 2,543 passengers this ship has a length of 958 feet with a max beam of 130 feet.
2,140 double capacity
958 feet long
90,090 gross tons
13 decks
Radiance-class
Navigator of the Seas (2002)
Built during the same year as Brilliance of the Seas in 2002, Navigator of the Seas has a gross tonnage of 139,999 with a max capacity of 3,990. This Voyager-class vessel has a length of 1,020 feet and a max beam of 157 feet.
3,386 double capacity
1,020 feet long
139,999 gross tons
15 decks
Voyager-class
Radiance of the Seas (2001)
The first Radiance class ship was built in 2001. This ship has a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a max capacity of 2501 cruise guests. Radiance has a length of 961 feet and a max beam of 131 feet.
2,143 double capacity
961 feet long
90,090 gross tons
13 decks
Radiance-class
Adventure of the Seas (2001)
Adventure of the Seas is a Voyager class ship built in 2001. It has a gross tonnage of 137,276 and has a maximum capacity of 3,807 passengers. The length of this ship is 1,020 with a max beam of 161 feet.
3,114 double capacity
1,020 feet long
138,193 gross tons
14 decks
Voyager-class
Explorer of the Seas (2000)
Built in 2000, Explorer of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 137,308 and a max capacity of 3,807. This ship has a length of 1,020 feet and a max beam of 161 feet.
3,114 double capacity
1,020 feet long
138,194 gross tons
14 decks
Voyager-class
Voyager of the Seas (1999)
The first of the Voyager-class ships was built in 1999. Voyager of the Seas has a gross tonnage of 137,276 with a max capacity of 3,840. The length of this ship is 1,021 with a max beam of 156 feet.
3,114 double capacity
1,020 feet long
137,276 gross tons
14 decks
Voyager-class
Vision of the Seas (1998)
This is a Vision-class ship, although the ships in this class are more varied than in other classes from Royal Caribbean. Vision of the Seas was built in 1998 and is 78,717 in gross tonnage with a max capacity of 2,514 passengers. This ship is 915 feet in length with a max beam of 117 feet.
2,050 double capacity
915 feet long
78,717 gross tons
12 decks
Vision-class
Enchantment of the Seas (1997)
Another Vision class ship, Enchantment of the Seas was built in 1997 and has a gross tonnage of 82,910 with a max capacity of 2,730. Enchantment mainly operates in the Bahamas. This ship has a length of 916 feet with a beam of 106 feet.
2,252 double capacity
916 feet long
82,910 gross tons
12 decks
Vision-class
Rhapsody of the Seas (1997)
Rhapsody of the Seas was built in 1997 and is one of the older ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. This ship has a gross tonnage of 78,878 with a max capacity of 2,416. The ship’s length is 915 feet with a max beam of 116 feet.
1,998 double capacity
915 feet long
78,878 gross tons
12 decks
Vision-class
Grandeur of the Seas (1996)
This was the first of the Vision-class ships, built in 1996 and is now the oldest ship with Royal Caribbean. With a gross tonnage of 73,817 and a max capacity of 2,440, The length of this Royal Caribbean cruise ship is 915 feet with a max beam of 118 feet.
Here are all the current Royal Caribbean ships by age from newest to oldest:
Utopia of the Seas, 2024
Icon of the Seas, 2024
Wonder of the Seas, 2022
Odyssey of the Seas, 2021
Spectrum of the Seas, 2019
Symphony of the Seas, 2018
Ovation of the Seas, 2016
Harmony of the Seas, 2016
Anthem of the Seas, 2015
Quantum of the Seas, 2014
Allure of the Seas, 2010
Oasis of the Seas, 2009
Independence of the Seas, 2008
Liberty of the Seas, 2007
Freedom of the Seas, 2006
Jewel of the Seas, 2004
Serenade of the Seas, 2003
Mariner of the Seas, 2003
Brilliance of the Seas, 2002
Navigator of the Seas, 2002
Radiance of the Seas, 2001
Adventure of the Seas, 2001
Explorer of the Seas, 2000
Voyager of the Seas, 1999
Vision of the Seas, 1998
Enchantment of the Seas, 1997
Rhapsody of the Seas, 1997
Grandeur of the Seas, 1996
List of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships by Size
The table below lists every Royal Caribbean ship currently in service in order from largest to smallest. This measurement is by GT or Gross Tonnage which measures overall space and not weight.
Cruise Ship
Gross Tonnage
Double Capacity
Year in Service
Icon of the Seas
250,800
5,610
2024
Utopia of the Seas
236,860
5,668
2024
Wonder of the Seas
236,857
5,734
2022
Symphony of the Seas
228,081
5,518
2018
Harmony of the Seas
226,963
5,497
2016
Oasis of the Seas
226,838
5,400
2009
Allure of the Seas
225,282
5,492
2010
Spectrum of the Seas
169,379
4,246
2019
Anthem of the Seas
168,666
4,180
2015
Ovation of the Seas
168,666
4,180
2016
Quantum of the Seas
168,666
4,180
2014
Odyssey of the Seas
167,704
4,200
2021
Freedom of the Seas
156,271
3,782
2006
Liberty of the Seas
155,889
3,798
2007
Independence of the Seas
155,889
3,634
2008
Navigator of the Seas
139,999
3,376
2002
Mariner of the Seas
139,863
3,114
2003
Explorer of the Seas
138,194
3,114
2000
Voyager of the Seas
138,194
3,114
1999
Adventure of the Seas
138,193
3,114
2001
Serenade of the Seas
90,090
2,146
2003
Radiance of the Seas
90,090
2,143
2001
Brilliance of the Seas
90,090
2,142
2002
Jewel of the Seas
90,090
2,112
2004
Enchantment of the Seas
82,910
2,252
1997
Rhapsody of the Seas
78,878
1,998
1997
Vision of the Seas
78,717
2,050
1998
Grandeur of the Seas
73,817
1,992
1996
For those cruise history buffs out there, you should know that the name of RCCL’s first ship was Song of Norway which debuted in 1970.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Classes
Icon Class
Icon class is Royal Caribbean’s newest class of cruise ships. The recent debut of Icon of the Seas as the first Icon class ship was a huge success, and the company has two more ships in this class on order. This is the largest class of ships in the fleet and introduces some new neighborhoods like the family-friendly Surfside and the adult-only Hideaway.
Oasis Class
With two more Oasis class ships on order, there will be a total of seven ships in this class. In addition to being the largest ships in the world (before the debut of Icon of the Seas), Oasis class ships introduced Central Park and the Coney-Island inspired Boardwalk. Being able to accommodate well over 5,000 passengers, the first Oasis vessel was launched in 2009.
Quantum Class
The Quantum class is another of Royal Caribbean’s most popular ship classes. Full of innovative tech and cutting edge features, Quantum-class ships have some amenities not found on any other ships at sea. Things like sky-diving simulators, bumper cars, and the “North Star” capsule that elevates cruise passengers over 300 feet above the ocean make this class the perfect fit for adventure seekers. The first ship in the class was launched in 2014 and there are five ships in the category.
Freedom Class
Once the largest cruise ship in the world, Freedom of the Seas was the first of three Freedom class ships which also include Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas. These ships feature an ice-skating rink and cantilevered whirlpools on the sides of the ships and are still popular among Royal Caribbean fans. These ships debuted in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Voyager Class
Voyager class ships were also once the largest in the world when they first debuted. Do you see a theme here? There are five Voyager class ships in the fleet and they were the first ships to have ice-skating rinks onboard. These 138,000 gross ton vessels were built from 1999 to 2003 with Mariner of the Seas being the latest.
Radiance Class
The Radiance class is a smaller and more intimate class of Royal Caribbean ships. There are four of these vessels in the class and their 90,000 gross tonnage and slimmer design allows for them to pass through the Panama Canal. These ships were built from 2001 to 2004.
Vision Class
The Vision class is Royal Caribbean’s oldest class of ships, but there have been many updates and renovations to these ships. There are four vessels in this class, including the oldest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet that was built in 1996: Grandeur of the Seas. The gross tonnage of this class ranges from 73,000 to 78,000 with maximum capacities around 2,500.
Specialty Restaurants
The main dining room offers some fantastic menu choices, but sometimes you just want something a bit more, and no I’m not talking about the buffet. Royal Caribbean has a plentiful menu of specialty dining options to consider. Here they are listed below:
Chops Grill – Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse
Giovanni’s Table – Traditional Italian dining
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen – Pizza and pasta along with dishes like chicken parmigiana
Jamie’s Italian – Modern Italian food
Wonderland – An Alice and Wonderland themed restaurant with creative dishes
150 Central Park – A restaurant focusing on locally sourced ingredients
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi – a Japanese restaurant with traditional teppanyaki and sushi
Sabor – Mexican restaurant with tacos and quesadillas, and tapas
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade – Nachos, sliders, chicken tenders, and french fries
Johnny Rockets – Classic American diner with a 1950’s vibe
Hooked Seafood – Northeast seafood restaurant with clam chowder and oysters
The Mason Jar – Southern soul food with fried chicken, lobster and crawfish gumbo
Portside BBQ – Barbecue restaurant with tons of barbecued meats and comfort food side dishes
Chef’s Table – Six course meal where each course paired with a different type of wine
Basecamp – Burgers, pretzel bites, and treats in the middle of Thrill Island
Pier 7 – California-inspired meals at Surfside, kids eat free
Empire Supper Club – The exclusive and upscale dining in an intimate atmosphere with live music
Royal Caribbean offers a wide variety array of amenities for a wide range of cruise passengers. So, usually there is something for everyone on board. Children will love the kid-friendly attractions and adults can find plenty of thrills with larger water slides like the twisting Perfect Storm.
Their ships visit ports in Europe, Asia, Australia, Alaska, and of course the Caribbean. When it comes to picking a cruise line for your first sailing, it’s an excellent choice.
The above cruise ships are owned by Royal Caribbean International and fall under the umbrella of parent company Royal Caribbean Group which also owns Celebrity Cruises.
Note: This article was updated in June of 2024.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don’t know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)
A few days ago, Royal Caribbean, the world’s largest cruise line, took delivery of their newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas.
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Royal Caribbean takes delivery of its newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. Finishing touches are being made to the ship before delivery.
Utopia of the Seas will debut at the end of July and the cruise line is putting the finishing touches on their sixth Oasis class ship.
Here are a few photos released by Royal Caribbean giving us a sneak peek at the world’s newest cruise ship. While it is only a few photos, it does give us a first look at many of the features that Utopia of the Seas will have.
Central Park is a staple on Oasis class ships.
This open area in the middle of the ship will have thousands of live trees and plants creating a park like atmosphere lined with restaurants, shops and drink venues.
The Solarium will be enclosed like it is on sister ship, Wonder of the Seas
The Solarium on Royal Caribbean cruise ships is an adults only retreat that has pools and hot tubs.
The Ultimate Abyss will be the longest dry slide on a cruise ship.
The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas will be longer and have more thrills than on other Oasis class ships.
Sugar Beach on the ship’s Boardwalk.
The Boardwalk brings Coney Island to sea. This area will have a carousel and the unique Aqua Theater.
Splashaway Bay kids aqua park on the pool deck on Utopia of the Seas.
The pool deck on Utopia of the Seas will have a little something for everyone, from the kids waterpark to thrilling waterslides.
Perfect Storm is a trio of waterslides.The popular Izumi restaurant.
First before the ship debuts, Cruise Fever will be taking a short preview cruise on the vessel. Stay tuned as we bring you everything you need to know about this newest cruise ship from Royal Caribbean.
Where will Utopia of the Seas sail to? The cruise ship will sail three and four night cruises out of Port Canaveral to The Bahamas.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don”t know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)
This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include dates range from mid-July into March 2025. Currently, there are 36 unique sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Barcelona, Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Honolulu, Port Canaveral, Southampton, and Vancouver.
The Disney Wish features the most sailings at 21, the Disney Magic is next with 12, followed by the Disney Dream at 9, with the Disney Fantasy at 4 dates, and the Disney Wonder with 2 dates. Currently, there are no offers listed for the Disney Treasure.
Florida Residents rates held at 11 sail dates, the US Military Personnel dropped 5 to 23 cruises, and the Canadian Resident dropped 1 to 14 sail dates.
The last two general special offers have recently been advertised as up to 25% off the prevailing rates, but the last few weeks the savings is not mentioned aside from the domestic offer which still has 25% in the page title you will spot in a browser tab.
Last week’s new arrival, a limited-time promotion for 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 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 • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
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
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
6-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • At Sea • Castaway Cay
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.
Holland America Line is offering fans of the cruise line an interesting opportunity – they can decide on the name of a moose!
Working in collaboration with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre (AWCC), the cruise line has taken to social media to help find a name for an orphaned moose calf.
Holland America Line has a long-standing history of exploring Alaska and supporting conservation efforts to protect its unique wildlife. The cruise line offers a wide range of sailings for guests in the region.
Fans can submit name suggestions for the orphaned moose calf on Holland America Line’s official Facebook and Instagram pages until 23 June 2024.
The top ten names will be selected and posted for public voting, with the winning name announced in early July.
Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska longer than any other cruise line and we are deeply committed to supporting AWCC in its conservation efforts to protect Alaska’s wildlife. Our guests take an Alaska cruise to see wildlife in the region, and moose are part of ‘Alaska’s Big Five.’ We are excited to give our fans the opportunity to participate with the Alaska community in a fun and meaningful way.
Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer for Holland America Line
Holland America Line guests on cruises this summer will be able to enjoy excursions to the AWCC where they can have a close-up encounter with the animals in the centre’s care.
Don’t miss the latest Holland America Line offers…
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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.
Celebrity Cruises has announced the sale of two of its ships, leading to the cancellation of all 2025 voyages scheduled on these vessels.
The cruise line is to sell two of its Galapagos Expedition Series ships, Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration. Lindblad Expeditions has agreed to buy them, with the transaction due to complete in January 2025.
The cruise line is not closing down its Expedition arm, with Celebrity Flora still continuing to sale for the cruise line.
On the heels of this news, Celebrity Cruises has announced options for guests who are booked on either of the sold ships for a 2025 sailing.
The first option is for guests to rebook a cruise on the ships for a sailing departing before the end of 2024. Guests will have their booking transferred to an equivalent or better stateroom category, with their fare protected.
If the new fare is lower, the guest will be asked to pay the lower rate. Any guests who’ve also booked airfare through the cruise line will have their flight bookings automatically moved, and guests can receive up to $400 towards non-refundable charges for rental cars, trains or parking.
The second option allows guests to move their booking onto a 2025 cruise onboard Celebrity Flora. Again, their fare will be protected, but holiday sailings are excluded from this option – guests wishing to move to a holiday cruise will have to pay the higher fare.
Again, flights booked through Celebrity will automatically be transferred and guests can request up to $400 towards non-refundable travel arrangements.
While the cruise line has not detailed any specific alternatives to these two options, standard cancellation options will apply for any guests who just prefer to cancel their cruise.
Once Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xpedition are transferred to Lindblad, they’ll be renovated and renamed. Bookings are expected to open for the two ships during summer 2024.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Celebrity Cruises offers…
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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.
When booking a Princess cruise, you’ll need to decide whether to get a drinks package or pay for your drinks individually.
With Princess Cruises, the decision isn’t as straightforward as “Is the Princess drink package worth it?” This is because Princess Cruises offers four different drinks packages, as well as two special fares – Princess Plus and Princess Premier – which both give you free drinks.
In fact, Princess Cruises’ pricing gets really confusing when you compare the drinks packages and the special fares.
Me on Enchanted Princess with a huge Margarita
Don’t worry – this simple guide will help you make the right decision about whether to buy a Princess Cruises drink package or upgrade to the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fares which come with free all-inclusive drinks.
Princess Cruises Drink Packages
Here are the four drink packages that are available…
Package
Includes
Advertised Cost
Actual Cost (Incl. Service Charge)
Plus Beverage Package
Drinks up to $15 each
$64.99 per day
$76.69 per day
Premier Beverage Package
Drinks up to $20 each
$84.99 per day
$100.29 per day
Zero Alcohol Package
All non-alcoholic drinks
$29.99 per day
$35.39 per day
Classic Soda Package
Sodas, juices, mocktails, smoothies
$14.99 per day
$17.69 per day
Prices are in US dollars. If you’re cruising from Australia, the pricing is different and is priced in AUD.
In addition to these packages, Princess Cruises offers the ‘Princess Plus fare’ and the ‘Princess Premier fare’. These bundle the drink packages with WiFi, crew tips and a whole host of other extras. I’ll give you more info on those further in this article.
If you just want the quick maths on whether a drink package is worth it, this calculator is for you…
Now, let’s take a closer look at Princess Cruises drinks prices and what you get in each package…
1. Plus Beverage Package
Price = $64.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $76.69)
Includes drinks up to $15:
Choice of 25 beers
Choice of 25 wines by the glass
Choice of 50 spirits
Cocktails and mocktails
Bottled water (500ml)
Fountain sodas
Fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar
Speciality teas and coffees
Frappés at Coffee & Cones
Red Bull energy drinks
Plus is the most popular drink package. But, if you prefer high-end crafted cocktails, premier wines, top-shelf spirits and Champagne, then you should upgrade to the Premier package…
2. Premier Beverage Package
Price = $84.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $100.29)
Includes drinks up to $20:
Beers
Choice of 40+ wines by the glass
Choice of 75+ spirits
Cocktails and mocktails
Bottled water (500ml)
Fountain sodas
Fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar
Speciality teas and coffees
Frappés at Coffee & Cones
Red Bull energy drinks
Unless you like to drink several alcoholic drinks each day, you’re unlikely to get your money worth from the alcohol packages. So instead, you should consider one of the following…
3. Zero-Alcohol Drink Package
Price = $29.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $35.39)
Includes:
Mocktails
Bottled water (500ml)
Fountain sodas
Cans of soda
Fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar
Speciality teas and coffees
Hot chocolate
Frappés at Coffee & Cones
Red Bull energy drinks
Milkshakes
4. Classic Soda Package
Price = $14.99 per day + 18% service charge (totalling $17.69)
Includes:
Fountain sodas
Cans of sodas
Juices (excluding the fresh juice bar)
Mocktails
Smoothies
What’s not included?
None of the Princess drink packages include:
Bottles of wine or spirits
Buckets of beer
One litre bottles of water (except when dining at speciality restaurants)
Bottled juices
Room service
Mini bar
Self-service or vending machines
Items from retail shops
Souvenir glasses
The Plus and Premier Beverage Package will get you a 25% discount on bottles of wine, one-litre bottles of water and cans of soda.
Princess Plus & Princess Premier Fares
Now before, you go ahead and buy a drink package, don’t!!!
You’re always better off getting the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare that bundles in WiFi, tips and other extras, rather than just buying the drinks package.
Princess Plus
Princess Premier
Cost = $60 per day
Cost = $80 per day
Plus Beverage Package (including the service charge)
Premier Beverage Package (including the service charge)
WiFi (1 device per guest)
WiFi (4 devices per guest)
Crew tips
Crew tips
Premium desserts (2 per day)
Premium desserts (unlimited)
Fitness classes (2 per cruise)
Fitness classes (unlimited)
Drinks delivered anywhere on ship
Drinks delivered anywhere on ship
Room service delivery
Room service delivery
2 casual dining meals per guest
Unlimited casual dining meals per guest
2 speciality dining meals per guest
Photo package
Medallion accessory
Reserved theatre seating
Princess Prizes
Both the Princess Plus fare and the Princess Premier fare are $15-20 per day cheaper than just getting the drink package, when you include the service charge costs of the drinks packages.
This doesn’t make much sense, I know. But that’s how it is. There are zero benefits to just buying the drinks packages on their own.
To make sure, I spoke to a member of Princess Cruises’ customer service team:
So for absolute clarity – if you think you’d want an alcoholic drinks package, don’t buy one – pay for the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare instead.
If you’d like to know more about exactly what’s included, then I recommend that you check out my Princess Plus Vs Premier Guide to help you decide which to choose.
Tip: You can choose the Princess Plus for adults and the standard fare for children. This means that the adults can benefit from the drinks package and the wifi that might be wasted on kids. You can’t do this online, but you can if you book over the phone or with a travel agent.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Upgrading after booking
You can upgrade your cruise to Princess Plus or Princess Premier after booking. To do that, you can call the travel agent that you booked with, or if you booked directly with Princess Cruises you can call them.
You can also upgrade on the first day of your cruise at one of the desks that you’ll find near the atrium.
Only the non-alcoholic packages are worth considering…
In short, the two alcoholic drinks packages are never worth buying. You get them included with the Plus or Premier cruise fares, along with other extras, but those special fares are cheaper than buying the drinks packages alone!
Whether or not the Plus or Premier cruise package is worth it depends on how many drinks you plan to drink each day.
The easiest way to calculate whether you should buy a drinks package or choose the Princess Plus or Premier fare is to use my drinks package calculator tool.
But, if you’d rather work it out for yourself, read on for the drinks prices…
Princess Cruises drinks prices
The bar prices on Princess Cruises ships are in line with most other cruise lines such as Carnival and P&O Cruises.
Princess Cruises Drinks Prices in 2024:
Cocktail: $10 to $18
Mocktail: $7
Beer: $7 to $7.50
Glass of wine: $10 to $19
Soft drinks: $2.50
Bottle of water (500ml): $2.50
Here are photos of the poolside drinks menus that I took onboard Sky Princess in August 2023…
You can also bring drinks on to the ship in your luggage. This may reduce the overall amount that you spend on drinks during your cruise.
Princess Cruises allows each adult to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne on board to drink in your stateroom.
You’re welcome to bring additional wine and champagne, but each bottle will have a $15 corkage fee. If you’ve paid the corkage fee, you can drink your wine anywhere on the ship, including in restaurants and bars.
Guests cruising with Princess Cruises can also bring an unlimited amount of soft drinks and water in cans, bottles or cartons.
From time to time, Princess Cruises used to offer free drinks packages as a booking incentive.
The last time this was offered was in 2019, when the ‘Sip + Sail’ promotion offered a free alcoholic drinks package to guests booking a balcony stateroom or suite, and a free non-alcoholic drinks package to guests booking an inside or oceanview stateroom.
As the Princess Plus Fare has now become permanent and the Princess Premier Fare was launched in 2022, it seems unlikely that free drinks packages will be offered on cruises in the foreseeable future.
While some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have fluid drinks package pricing that goes up and down over time, on Princess cruises, the price is fixed.
The best way to get a discount on your Princess Cruises package is to opt for the Princess Plus Fare which includes free drinks, free wifi and free pre-paid gratuities.
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Important Things To Know
Before you take your cruise, I want to make you aware of a few drink package-related things. If you get these wrong, you could face unexpected charges, or even risk having your drink package voided.
1. Not every guest in your cabin needs a package
Most cruise lines require that if one person has a drink package, then everybody in the cabin must have one. MSC Cruises even makes kids aged three and over get a kids package, if the parents want a drink package.
However, on Princess Cruises that is not the case. You may buy a drink package for only one person if you wish. But…
2. You cannot share drinks packages
Sharing of drinks packages is forbidden on Princess cruises. If you are caught giving drinks to another passenger, your drinks package may be cancelled without a refund.
3. Drinks packages aren’t available on every cruise
Princess Cruises’ drinks packages are not available on Australian cruises of six nights or less and are not available on one- or two-night cruises.
4. You can only have 15 alcoholic drinks per day
Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period (6 am to 6 am).
Unlike on Carnival Cruises where the system prevents any further alcoholic drinks from being served, with Princess Cruises, any extra drinks may be served, but this is down to the discretion of the bartender.
So, if you don’t look drunk, you can go ahead and order that 16th drink, and you’ll be charged for it as if you didn’t have a package.
There is no limit to the number of non-alcoholic drinks that you can have per day.
5. You can order multiple drinks at a time
On a Princess Cruise, you can order multiple drinks at once, within reason. If you order too many the bartender will probably want to know who they are for and is likley to only serve one per person.
When there was along line at the bar, I queued up with my mum and ordered two beers (one each). She then immediately ordered two beers and was served. This is worth doing when the bar is very busy.
On the app, you can also order multiple drinks at once…
6. If you order expensive drinks, you just pay the difference
Let’s say you havew the Princess Plus Beverage Package that includes drinks priced at up to $15. If you order a drink that costs $16 drink, you will be charged the extra $1.
7. You must buy the package for every day of your cruise
As with all cruise drinks packages, If you buy a Princess Cruises drink package, you must buy it for every day of your cruise. You cannot buy it for only part of your cruise.
8. The minimum drinking age depends on where the cruise departs
On Princess cruises, guests must be 18, 20 or 21 years old, depending on the itinerary.
For cruises between Australia/New Zealand, China, Europe and Singapore ports, the drinking age is 18. For cruises between Japanese ports, the drinking age is 20. Everywhere else, it is 21.
9. The drinks package works on Princess Cays
When you buy a Princess drink package you’re not limited to only using it onboard your ship. The packages also work on Princess Cruises’ private island, Princess Cays, which is located in the Bahamas.
The bottom line
If you’re considering getting a drink package for your Princess Cruise, then you should instead consider the Princess Plus and Princess Premier fares.
The respective fares include their equivalent drinks packages, but are actually cheaper. It’s so confusing, but it’s true!
The only time to consider buying a standalone drinks package would be if you wanted a non-alcoholic one, but even then the Zero-Alcohol package, combined with tips, would be more expensive than the Plus fare. Only the Classic Soda Package makes sense as standalone purchases.
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.
When you book your Carnival cruise, you must decide whether to buy the drink package or pay for your drinks individually. In this thorough guide, I’ll give you the facts you need to make that decision.
If you’re short on time, just use my Carnival drink package calculator. Choose which drink you’d like and it will work out how much you’ll spend with and without the package.
Carnival Cruise Lines offers two drink packages. The Cheers package includes virtually all drinks up to the value of $20. The Bottomless Bubbles package includes only sodas and juices.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly what’s included in Carnival’s drink packages…
Cheers Package – From $59.95 per day
Includes:
Cocktails
Spirits
Beer by the glass
Wine by the glass
Sodas
Zero-proof frozen cocktails
Energy drinks
Milkshakes
Smoothies
Juices
Specialty coffees
Hot tea
Bottled water (500ml)
Other non-alcoholic bottled drinks
The Cheers Package also gives a 25% discount on drinks priced above $20, bottles of wine and champagne and drinks classes and seminars.
Carnival’s Cheers drink package limits guests to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. A day is considered to be 6 am – 6 am. There is no limit for non-alcoholic drinks.
What’s not included?
The Cheers package does not include:
Drinks in souvenir glasses
Bottles of liquor
Drinks offered at the gangway
Room service or mini bar
Sharing cocktails, pitchers, floaters, tubes and buckets
Bottomless Bubbles – From $9.50 per day ($6.95 for kids)
Includes:
Fountain soda by the glass (16 oz)
Juice by the glass (10 oz)
Soda flavours may vary but generally include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Caffeine Free Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free, Sierra Mist, Sierra Mist Zero Sugar, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, Bubly Lime Sparkling Water, Bubly Grapefruit Sparkling Water, Bubly Orange Sparkling Water
Juices include orange, cranberry, tomato, pineapple and grapefruit.
The Bottomless Bubbles package does not include:
Non-alcoholic beverages other than soda and juices
Drinks in souvenir glasses
Bottled water
Hot drinks
Drinks offered at the gangway
Room service or mini bar
Bottomless Bubbles Package Terms and Conditions
More info on package prices
Cheers Package
Buy on website
Buy on ship
6 days or more
$59.95
$64.95
5 days or less
$69.95
$74.95
Carnival’s alcohol drink package costs $59.95 per person, per day, if you buy it before your cruise or $64.95 per person per day if you buy it on board the ship.
For cruises of 5 days or less departing after December 1st 2023, the prices are $69.95 per person per day for advance purchases or $74.95 per person per day if you buy in on the ship.
You will also have to pay an 18% gratuity on top. When the ship is within US waters (docked in port) you will also have to pay an extra 10% sales tax on each drink.
For a 7-day cruise, if you pre-purchase your drink package, you can expect to pay $495 per person for drinks on your Carnival cruise including gratuities.
If your cruise departs from Texas or New York, state laws mean that you cannot use a drink package on the first day of your cruise. In this case, you will charge drinks to your account on the first day, and the Cheers package will start from 6 am the following day. You will not be charged for the first day.
Bottomless Bubbles Package
Carnival Cruise Line’s unlimited soda package costs $9.50 per day for adults and $6.95 per day for kids. There’s an 18% gratuity on top, plus a 10% sales tax on any drinks purchased while the ship is in US waters.
For a 7-day cruise, if you pre-purchase a soda package, you can expect to pay $ 78.47 per adult or $57.41 per child for unlimited sodas and juices, including gratuity.
They never go on sale – so don’t delay hoping for a discount
The Carnival drink packages never go on sale. The only way to get discounts on Carnival drink packages is to book it before you cruise. This will give you a $5 per day saving on the Cheers package compared to the price you will pay if you wait until you’re on the ship to buy it.
Technically you can use onboard credit, but…
You can buy a Carnival drink package with onboard credit, but it’s not recommended. You can only use your onboard credit once you get on board the ship, meaning that your drink package will cost an extra $5 per day than if you pre-purchased it.
If you want to use your onboard credit to buy the soda package, that’s okay, as the price is the same whenever you buy it. But if you want the alcohol package, you would be better to pre-purchase it before your cruise and save your onboard credit for something else.
To work out whether a drink package is worth it for you, or whether you would be better off buying your drinks individually, you’ll want to look into the price of each drink, as well as which drinks are always free.
The drinks on Carnival cruises are reasonably priced and tend to be a little cheaper than other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.
The average cost of drinks on a Carnival cruise ship in 2024:
Cocktails: $10.50 -$12.50
Beer (16oz): $7.00 to $8.50
Wine by the glass: $9.50 to $14.00
Spirit and mixer: $7.50 to $15.00
Soft Drinks: $2.75
Specialty Coffee: $2.50 – $4.95
Energy Drinks: $4.95
Smoothies: $6.50
Bottled Water: $1.50 – $3.95
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A good selection of free drinks is available
Carnival Cruise Line is pretty generous with the free drinks on offer in the main dining room, buffet and room service. The free drinks include water, lemonade, fruit juice, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk and chocolate milk.
These drinks are free of charge in the main dining room and the Lido restaurant:
Non-bottled water
Lemonade
Iced tea
Hot chocolate
Hot tea
Regular and decaf coffee
Milk (regular or skim)
These drinks are available free of charge through room service:
Juices (orange, tomato, apple or grapefruit)
Coffee (regular or decaffeinated)
Hot tea
Iced tea
Hot chocolate
Chocolate Milk
Milk (regular or skim)
Carnival Cruise Lines does not offer a coffee package. Speciality coffees are included in the Cheers drink package or can be purchased individually. Regular coffee is available for free in the dining room, buffet or via room service.
When you play in the casino on a Carnival cruise ship you’ll earn casino points. Once you have enough points you will get a ‘Drinks On Us’ card which gives you free drinks while you play.
You get one point for every $2.50 you play through the slot machines and you need 1500 points to get a Drinks On Us card. So, you’ll need to spend around $3750 in the Carnival casino before you start to get free drinks.
If you accumulate 5,000 points, you will get a Drinks On Us card to use on your next cruise.
As the drinks are only free while you’re actively gambling, in the time it takes between ordering a drink and being served it, you’ll likely spend more than the cost of the drink.
Water prices
On a Carnival cruise, you can order water to be delivered to your room. The prices are:
12-pack of 500ml bottles: $14.95 (+18% delivery fee)
1.5-litre bottle: $4.50 (+18% delivery fee)
8-pack of 1.5-litre bottles: $24.95(+18% delivery fee)
The best value option is definitely the 12-pack of small bottles. You can purchase these before your cruise here: www.carnival.com/funshops
Don’t forget to bring your own
On a Carnival cruise, each adult can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage. Each person can also bring 12 cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages such as water, soda, energy drinks, juice or milk.
You can drink your own wine in your stateroom. If you wish to drink it in a bar or restaurant, you will be charged a corkage fee of $15 per bottle.
If you’d like to take a closer look at the Carnival drink menus from each of the bars and restaurants, you can see those here: Carnival Cruise Drink Menus 2024.
So, drinks packages – worth it?
Generally speaking, a Carnival drink package is worth it if you drink five or more alcoholic drinks per day. The unlimited soda package is worth it if you drink four or more sodas or juices per day. The exact number of drinks depends on what it is that you drink.
For example, if you drink mixer drinks costing $20 each, you will break even with your third drink. But with $1.50 bottles of water, it would take at least 40 to break even!
If you’re trying to make the decision of drink package vs no drink package, the easiest way to do this is with a drink package calculator. This will show you how much you can expect to spend with and without a package, based on the drinks you would have.
Carnival Drink Package Calculator
Just enter your email address and the free calculator tool will be sent straight to you.
Alternatively, if you mostly drink the same drink, then this chart will help you to work out how many drinks you would need to break even. The prices are based on a pre-purchase of the Cheers package.
As gratuities are added on to individual drinks or onto the package price (but not both), I’ve not included them in this calculation.
Carnival Cruise Drink Package chart – how to break even
Drink
Price
Drinks to Break Even
Cocktails
$10.50
6
Beers
$7.50
8
Wines
$12.00
5
Sodas
$2.75
22
Coffees
$3.50
18
Energy Drinks
$5.00
12
Smoothies
$6.50
9
Water
$1.50
40
With the Bottomless Bubbles soda package, it would take four sodas per day for an adult to break even and three sodas per day for a child to break even.
And if you purchase the Cheers package before your cruise and then change your mind, you can get a refund up to 9.00 pm ET on the evening before departure. After that time it is not refundable.
Before you cruise, be sure to check out my 19 Best Carnival Drink Package Tips for some handy hints that will help you make the most of your drink package and avoid any hidden charges.
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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.
