Large modern cruise ship sailing across open blue ocean

Icon Class vs Oasis Class: Royal Caribbean’s Mega-Ships Compared

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsRoyal Caribbean

In short, Icon Class is Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest design, and Oasis Class is the proven mega-ship formula it grew out of. As of October 2026 there are three Icon Class ships at sea: Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. The Oasis Class has six: Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder and Utopia of the Seas. Icon ships put more weight on family zones, pools and water play, and on newer cabin designs, and they usually cost more. Oasis ships give you much of the same big-ship fun, often for noticeably less money.

Which Ships Are in Each Class?

Icon Class

  • Icon of the Seas began sailing in January 2024 and runs seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami.
  • Star of the Seas joined the fleet in August 2025 and sails seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral.
  • Legend of the Seas was handed over at Meyer Turku in Finland in June 2026 and made its maiden voyage in the Western Mediterranean on July 4, 2026. Royal Caribbean says it moves to Fort Lauderdale in November 2026 for six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises.
  • Hero of the Seas has been floated out and is due in 2027. Three more Icon ships are on order for 2028, 2029 and 2030. See our report on the first block laid for the fifth Icon Class ship.

Oasis Class

  • Oasis of the Seas (2009) and Allure of the Seas (2010) are the originals. Both have since been refurbished, and Allure got its upgrade in 2025.
  • Harmony of the Seas (2016) and Symphony of the Seas (2018) added newer slides and family features.
  • Wonder of the Seas (2022) and Utopia of the Seas (2024) are the newest. Utopia is the first Oasis ship to run on LNG, and it focuses on short Bahamas getaways from Port Canaveral.
  • A seventh Oasis Class ship, not yet named, is being built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France and is expected in 2028.

Size and Guest Numbers

On paper the gap is smaller than you might expect. The Icon ships measure about 248,600 gross tons and carry around 5,610 guests at double occupancy, or up to about 7,600 when every bed is full. The Oasis ships range from roughly 226,000 gross tons for the oldest pair to about 236,000 for Wonder and Utopia. They carry around 5,400 to 5,700 guests at double occupancy.

The real difference is how the space is used. Oasis ships are split down the middle into two open-air “canyons,” Central Park and the Boardwalk, with cabins facing inward on both sides. Icon ships keep Central Park and the Royal Promenade but move much of the action to big new areas on the top decks and at the bow. They also bring in more glass and natural light.

Neighborhoods Compared

Both classes divide the ship into themed “neighborhoods,” which makes these huge vessels easier to find your way around.

  • Oasis Class: Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Entertainment Place, the Youth Zone and the Vitality Spa. Wonder and Utopia also have a dedicated Suite Neighborhood.
  • Icon Class: eight neighborhoods. Several are new to the line: Surfside for families with young children, Chill Island for pools, Thrill Island for slides and adventure, the AquaDome, the adults-only Hideaway and the Suite Neighborhood. Central Park and the Royal Promenade carry over from Oasis.

Surfside is the stand-out. It puts a kids’ pool, a carousel, an arcade, casual food and family cabins in one place, so parents of toddlers don’t have to walk the length of the ship all day.

Colourful water slides twisting above the pool deck of a large cruise ship
Photo: The Six on Pexels

Pools, Slides and Thrills

This is where Icon Class pulls clearly ahead. Each ship has seven pools, including the Hideaway’s adults-only infinity-edge pool hanging over the stern. The Category 6 waterpark has six slides, among them a drop slide and family raft slides. Thrill Island also has Crown’s Edge, a ropes course and skywalk that ends with a swing out over the side of the ship.

Oasis ships are far from dull. You’ll find a FlowRider surf simulator, zip line, mini golf, climbing walls and the Perfect Storm waterslides. Newer ships, and the older ones that have been upgraded, also have the Ultimate Abyss dry slide that drops several decks. Wonder adds an extra pool and an enclosed adults-only area. Pool-deck space per guest is tighter, though, and on busy sea days the sun loungers fill up quickly.

Cabins: Infinite Balconies and Family Suites

Icon Class brought in the Infinite Balcony, a cabin where the wall of glass lowers at the touch of a button so the “balcony” becomes part of the room. Some people love the extra indoor space, while others miss a traditional outdoor deck with furniture. Icon ships also have more family-sized options. Surfside has Family Infinite Balcony cabins with a separate kids’ nook, and the three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse comes with its own slide and a small cinema.

Oasis ships offer a wider mix of more traditional cabins, including the unusual Central Park and Boardwalk balconies that overlook the ship’s interior rather than the sea. Symphony and Wonder have the Ultimate Family Suite, which has its own slide and games room. On every Oasis ship, the Royal Loft Suites and Star Class suites cover the very top end.

Dining and Entertainment

Dining works much the same way across both classes. You get an included main dining room, Windjammer buffet and casual venues, plus speciality restaurants such as Chops Grille, Izumi and 150 Central Park, depending on the ship. Icon ships add many more choices, with more than 40 places to eat and drink, including the AquaDome Market food hall and the two-level Coastal Kitchen for suite guests. Utopia and Legend both have the Royal Railway, a train-themed dining experience.

For entertainment, both classes have a Broadway-style theatre, an ice show and an AquaTheater for high-diving shows. On Oasis ships the AquaTheater sits outdoors at the stern beside the Boardwalk. On Icon ships it is inside the glass AquaDome, so shows are less exposed to wind and rain. Legend of the Seas introduced new productions, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Programmes change, so check the ship you’re looking at.

Family relaxing together beside a sunny cruise ship pool
Photo: Bridgid Johnston on Pexels

Icon Class vs Oasis Class at a Glance

Feature Icon Class Oasis Class
Ships in service (Oct 2026) 3 (Icon, Star, Legend) 6 (Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, Utopia)
On order Hero (2027) plus three more to 2030 One unnamed ship (2028)
Gross tonnage About 248,600 About 226,000 to 236,000
Guests (double occupancy) About 5,610 About 5,400 to 5,700
Pools Seven, incl. adults-only infinity pool Fewer, varies by ship
Waterslides Six in Category 6 waterpark Perfect Storm slides, varies by ship
Signature family area Surfside Boardwalk and Splashaway Bay
Standout cabins Infinite Balcony, Ultimate Family Townhouse Central Park and Boardwalk balconies, Ultimate Family Suite (select ships)
AquaTheater Indoors in the AquaDome Outdoors at the stern
Fuel LNG Conventional fuel, except LNG on Utopia
Typical price Higher Usually lower

How Much More Does Icon Class Cost?

Expect to pay a premium for Icon Class, especially in school holidays. At the time of writing, seven-night Icon Class Caribbean cruises often start somewhere around $1,000 to $2,000 per person for an inside cabin. Balcony cabins on popular dates are frequently higher. Comparable Oasis Class sailings, particularly on Oasis, Allure or Harmony, can cost hundreds of dollars less per person. Utopia and Wonder also sell three- and four-night Bahamas trips at much lower entry fares. These are rough guides only: fares move constantly and exclude taxes, fees and gratuities, so compare exact dates on Royal Caribbean’s website or with a travel agent. Our guide to cruise deals for 2027 explains when the best offers tend to appear.

Which Class Should You Choose?

Pick Icon Class if…

  • You’re travelling with young children and want Surfside’s all-in-one family zone.
  • Pools and waterslides are high on your list.
  • You want the newest design and cabin types, and you’re happy to pay for them.

Pick Oasis Class if…

  • You want the mega-ship experience on a tighter budget.
  • You’d like more choice of homeports, itinerary lengths and short getaways, since there are twice as many ships.
  • You prefer a traditional balcony or like the idea of a Central Park view.
  • You’re travelling as adults and care more about shows, bars and dining than water parks.

For a historical angle on Oasis-class size, see how Utopia of the Seas compares with the Titanic.

For a ship-by-ship decision rather than a class overview, see Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.

Both classes use the Sea, Sky and Star suite tiers, and our guide to Royal Caribbean suite perks versus The Key explains what each tier really includes.

FAQs

Is Icon of the Seas part of the Oasis Class?

No. Icon of the Seas was the first ship of the separate Icon Class. It borrows ideas such as Central Park and the Royal Promenade from Oasis Class, but its layout, top decks and cabin designs are new.

Is Legend of the Seas sailing yet?

Yes. Legend of the Seas was delivered in June 2026 and began cruising in the Mediterranean in July 2026. Royal Caribbean plans Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale from November 2026.

Which is the newest Oasis Class ship?

Utopia of the Seas, which entered service in July 2024. A seventh Oasis Class ship is under construction for 2028.

Are Oasis Class ships much smaller than Icon Class?

Not dramatically. Icon ships are roughly 5 to 10 percent larger by tonnage and carry a similar number of guests at double occupancy. The bigger difference is how the space is laid out and the extra pools and family areas on Icon ships.

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Another Fight On A Cruise Ship

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

In a week where a video of a Carnival cruise brawl went viral, another cruise fight video has been shared online – this time on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Mariner of the Seas

This fight is smaller than the Carnival brawl as it only involves two men, though it’s still a shocking and violent incident.

It’s not clear which ship this fight took place on. The account sharing the video states that it was a cruise out of Galveston.

Several Royal Caribbean ships are sailing from Galveston in 2024, including Jewel of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.

However only Mariner and Harmony are sailing from Galveston during the summer, so if the video is contemporary, it’s likely to be one of those two ships. I would guess Mariner looking at the video, but I might be wrong.

It’s not clear what started the fight and how long it had already been occurring before the video was filmed.

Often passengers are kicked off a ship for a big fight, and potentially banned for life from cruising again. Whether this fight results in similar punishments remains to be seen.

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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.

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Bright cruise ship suite with a large bed and an ocean view through balcony doors

Carnival Cruise Suites: Perks by Type and Whether They’re Worth It

by CarnivalCruise LinesCruise News

Carnival cruise suites give you more space, priority check-in and boarding, a priority dining time and a few in-cabin extras, but the standard versions are not the all-inclusive experience some other lines sell. The perks become meaningful in Excel, Cloud 9 Spa, Family Harbor and Havana categories. If you mostly want to board early, the much cheaper Faster to the Fun package may be the better buy.

Perks below reflect Carnival’s published amenity sheets and the Carnival Rewards program that replaced VIFP on September 1, 2026. Amenities can differ by ship and category, so check the list on your own booking before paying for an upgrade.

Carnival suite perks at a glance

Category Main extras Best for
Standard suites (Junior, Ocean, Grand) More room, priority check-in, boarding and debarkation, priority dining time, robes, two large bottles of water Couples or families who want space
Excel Suites Loft 19, concierge line, Bottomless Bubbles, room service, laundry, guaranteed dining Guests who will use the full package
Cloud 9 Spa Thermal Suite use, priority spa booking, fitness classes, port-day treatment discounts Spa regulars
Family Harbor Private family lounge with breakfast and snacks, kids eat free at most specialty restaurants, one Night Owls babysitting evening Parents of younger children
Havana Daytime access to a private pool area, themed cabins Guests aged 12 and over wanting quieter pool time

What standard Carnival cruise suites include

The biggest perk of a standard suite is the room itself. On Carnival Vista, for example, an Ocean Suite offers about 275 square feet plus a 65-square-foot balcony, compared with roughly 185 and 35 square feet for a regular balcony cabin. A separate seating area makes a real difference on longer trips or with children. Size varies widely by class, and our guide to how Carnival ships compare by size helps explain why the same suite name can feel different across the fleet.

Carnival’s suite amenity sheets list these extras over a regular cabin:

  • Priority check-in and boarding
  • Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
  • Priority debarkation at all ports
  • Two large bottles of water
  • Pillow-top mattress
  • Bathrobes supplied rather than on request

That list is shorter than many people expect. Laundry, for instance, appears on Carnival’s Excel Suite sheet rather than as a general suite perk, despite older lists suggesting otherwise. Not every category with “suite” in its name has always been treated identically either, so confirm the perks for your exact cabin code.

Carnival suite vs balcony: the cost difference

Prices move constantly, so treat any figure as a guide. In one published comparison from Cruise.Blog, a seven-night Excel-class fare for two came to around $1,300 in an inside cabin, $2,600 in a cove balcony and $3,000 in an Ocean Suite, though those were different ships and sailing dates. The notable point is that the jump from a balcony to a suite can be far smaller than the jump from inside to balcony.

Remember the running costs too. Since April 2, 2026, Carnival’s daily gratuities have been $19 per person in suites and $17 in other cabins. For two people on a seven-night cruise, that adds $28.

Spacious cruise suite with a sofa, bed and sliding doors opening to a private balcony
A suite's extra living space is its most reliable perk. Photo: Kim Villanueva on Pexels

Excel Suites: the top tier

Excel Suites are available on Carnival’s Excel-class ships: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, with Carnival Festivale due in 2027 and Carnival Tropicale in 2028. They are the only Carnival rooms that feel like a true premium product. Amenities include:

  • Complimentary access to Loft 19, a private deck area, with priority cabana reservations
  • A dedicated concierge phone line
  • Guaranteed Main Dining Room time, plus guaranteed reservations at most specialty restaurants when booked 24 hours ahead
  • Sparkling wine and a fruit bowl on arrival
  • Bottomless Bubbles soft drink package
  • Complimentary room service, on-demand movies and laundry service
  • Upgraded bathroom amenities

The Excel Presidential Suite goes further, adding Thermal Suite and Havana Pool access according to Carnival’s sheet for Mardi Gras. Specialty meals themselves are not listed as free; the benefit is a guaranteed table.

Specialty staterooms and suites

This is the part many guides blur. Cloud 9 Spa, Family Harbor and Havana perks come with the location, and all three are also available as regular staterooms. You may be able to get the perk you care about without paying for a suite at all.

Cloud 9 Spa

Cloud 9 Spa is offered on the most ships of the three. Carnival lists a welcome ritual, priority spa reservations, unlimited Thermal Suite use with a scrub kit, two complimentary fitness classes per guest, a body composition analysis, port-day treatment discounts, spa robes and slippers, and upgraded Elemis toiletries. Those who would otherwise buy a Thermal Suite pass get the most out of it.

Family Harbor

Family Harbor guests get a private lounge with daily breakfast and snacks, plus board games, movies and video games. Kids eat free at most specialty restaurants, and you get one free evening of Night Owls babysitting at Camp Ocean. For families with young children, this can be better value than a larger standard suite.

Havana

Havana cabins and suites include daytime access to the private Havana pool area, with its hot tubs and loungers. The area has been reported to open to all guests from 7 p.m. Everyone staying in a Havana cabin must be at least 12, so it is not an option for families with younger children. Availability is limited to selected larger ships.

What you don’t get in a Carnival suite

  • A ship-within-a-ship. Outside Loft 19, there is no suite-only restaurant or dedicated suite complex comparable to Norwegian’s The Haven or MSC Yacht Club. Carnival’s Faster to the Fun page does mention Captain’s Lounge access for deluxe suites, so ask what that means on your ship.
  • Early cabin access or express luggage. Those belong to Faster to the Fun and top-tier loyalty members.
  • Included alcohol or excursions. Excel suites include soft drinks, and that is the limit of the beverage perk beyond the arrival bottle of sparkling wine.
  • A butler. Carnival’s amenity sheets list a room steward and, in Excel Suites, a concierge line, but no butler service.
Passengers walking towards a large cruise ship docked at a sunny port terminal
Priority boarding is one perk you can buy without booking a suite. Photo: Abdel Achkouk on Pexels

Faster to the Fun vs a Carnival suite

Faster to the Fun (FTTF) is a paid package sold per stateroom, not per person. It includes:

  • Priority check-in and boarding, after Diamond, Platinum and deluxe suite guests
  • Access to your cabin before it is officially ready, so you can drop off bags
  • Expedited luggage delivery
  • A dedicated Guest Services line
  • Priority dinner time assignment and water shuttle priority
  • A choice of early or late debarkation at your homeport

Pricing has varied by cruise length and ship. Reported 2026 prices ran from about $79.95 per cabin for two- and three-day cruises to $149.95 for most week-long trips and $169.95 on Excel-class ships, but check the current price in your Carnival account. It sells in limited numbers, and availability depends on how many Diamond and Platinum guests are booked.

The practical comparison: if a balcony plus FTTF costs several hundred dollars less than a suite, and space is not your priority, the package gives you most of the embarkation benefit for far less. Suite guests with priority boarding generally don’t need it, unless early room access or express luggage matters to you.

How Carnival Rewards changes the math

Carnival replaced VIFP with Carnival Rewards on September 1, 2026. Members earn 3 Points and 3 Stars per dollar on eligible Carnival purchases, including gratuities, and tiers are Red, Gold (10,000 Stars), Platinum (50,000) and Diamond (100,000). Two details matter when weighing up a suite:

  • Platinum and Diamond members already receive priority check-in, boarding and debarkation, plus complimentary laundry bags. For them, a standard suite mainly buys space.
  • A pricier fare can earn more Stars, helping you reach status faster, but it makes little sense to upgrade for Stars alone. Points are also redeemable on future cruises and onboard purchases.

Are Carnival cruise suites worth it?

A simple way to decide:

  1. Book a standard suite if extra room is the goal and the price gap to a balcony is modest.
  2. Book Excel if you will use Loft 19, the room service and the laundry, and the premium is justified by what you would otherwise spend.
  3. Book a specialty cabin if one perk, such as the spa or a kids’ lounge, is what you actually want.
  4. Buy Faster to the Fun if your main interest is a quicker embarkation day.
  5. Stay in a regular cabin if you will barely be in the room. Put the savings towards dining or excursions instead.

The ship matters as much as the suite. See our ranking of the best and worst Carnival ships by passenger reviews before paying for a premium cabin, and browse cruise deals for 2027 to see how far upgrade prices have dropped on your dates.

FAQs

Do Carnival suites come with Faster to the Fun?

Not automatically. Suite guests get priority check-in, boarding and debarkation, but express luggage and early cabin access belong to Faster to the Fun and to Platinum or Diamond members.

Do Carnival suites include free drinks?

Standard suites do not include a drink package. Carnival’s Excel Suite amenities add the Bottomless Bubbles soft drink package and sparkling wine on arrival, but alcohol beyond that is still paid for.

Do Carnival cruise suites have a private lounge or restaurant?

Generally no. Carnival has no suite-only restaurant in the style of Norwegian’s The Haven or MSC Yacht Club. The closest equivalent is Loft 19, the private deck area for Excel Suite guests on Excel-class ships.

How much more do suites on Carnival cost?

It varies a lot by ship and date, but suites often cost more than double a cheap inside cabin. Compare the suite against a balcony on your exact sailing, and include the higher $19 per person daily gratuity.

Is a suite on a Carnival cruise worth it?

It is usually worth it if you want much more space, or if you book a specialty suite whose perks you will use. For priority boarding alone, Faster to the Fun is far cheaper.

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Royal Caribbean Makes You Look With Utopia Of The Seas Godmother Announcement

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

Meghan Trainor, award-winning singer and songwriter, has been announced as the godmother for Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas.

Meghan Trainor Utopia of the Seas

Trainor will help to christen the ship in a spectacular 3-day ceremony that will be held onboard the ship and on the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

It will include a performance by Trainor on the island, and her full headliner show held on the ship in the outdoor AquaTheater.

The cruise line is offering the chance for 52 cruise fans to attend the full 3-day ceremony in a competition – but you don’t have long to enter as the contest closes on 7th July 2024.

“It’s an incredible honor to join the Royal Caribbean family as godmother of Utopia of the Seas and set the tone for the parties to come. The best part is that we get to bring that weekend energy to the stage with my family and fans.”

Meghan Trainor

The choice of a full 3-night party for a christening ceremony, and the fact that 52 guests are being chosen to join the cruise, is a nod to the way Utopia of the Seas is being branded as the ultimate weekend experience.

So the ceremony will reflect the typical 3-night cruise itineraries being offered for guests who want to join a weekend cruise (4-night weekday cruises will also be available) and there’ll be one cruise guest for every weekend of the year attending the ceremony.

Utopia of the Seas’ inaugural sailing will take place on 19th July 2024, with the 3-day naming ceremony being held from 16th July.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean 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.

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14-Year-Old Child Missing From Cruise Ship After Seemingly Disembarking Alone

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

A 14-year-old boy has gone missing from a cruise ship in Germany after being permitted to disembark the ship alone.

Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship

Aydin Brown, from the US, left the Caribbean Princess alone when it was docked in Warnemunde, the port nearest Berlin, on 4th July.

He should not have been permitted to disembark alone, as he is a child, but it’s unclear how this mistake happened.

Photo of Aydin released by German police

It’s reported that he had an argument with his grandmother on the ship before deciding to leave, though it’s unclear whether this is true.

He failed to return to the ship before it had to leave port, with CCTV footage appearing to show him at the train station, accompanied by a stranger.

Family members are posting updates on social media, concerned that he may have been lured away from the ship and potentially even abducted.

Brown’s mother has flown to Germany to assist police and to hopefully be reunited with her son – reports are that Princess Cruises has arranged the flight for her.

Brown is approximately 5’8″ tall. He has brown hair and eyes, and was last seen wearing a grey zip-up sweatshirt and dark trousers. He was carrying a black backpack with AMAZON written on it.

Police in Rostock are appealing for more witnesses as they continue their search.

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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.

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Cruise Passenger Left Out Of Pocket As Tour Company Refuses Excursion Refund

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsNews

A cruise passenger has expressed frustration due to being owed over $400 from an independent cruise agent, following a cancellation of their booked tour in Greenland.

Greenland Scenery

Jill Reiter was booked on a Carnival cruise to Greenland and Canada on Carnival Legend in 2023 with her family, but the cruise line stated that it would not be arranging excursions in the Greenland ports.

So when Sandra O’Leary, of Sandra’s Cruise Tours, promoted her own excursions on Facebook to those going on the cruise, Reiter signed up, paying $424 for a day trip in Nanortalik for her family.

The itinerary was then shortened due to weather issues, with the Greenland ports cancelled, but Reiter stated that she was unable to get a refund for the excursion from O’Leary.

Not only that, but she claimed that O’Leary changed the terms of her website after the tours had been booked, stating that tours were not refundable.

Reiter tried to get a refund from O’Leary and even issued a chargeback through her bank, although Santander denied this due to the terms on the website stating no refunds were allowed.

O’Leary claimed that she was left out of pocket due to the operator of the tour in Greenland, which was delaying her from refunding passengers including Reiter.

She has since claimed that she will issue refunds minus her own expenses, though under pressure from the website Consumer Rescue she has refused to state what those expenses are.

O’Leary has also claimed that she offered a 50% refund immediately with the remaining refund to follow in at the start of the new year, but that anyone who went down the chargeback route would have to instead abide by the bank’s decision, stating that she would not be refunding Reiter for that reason.

She later claimed that she would refund Reiter in exchange for Reiter closing down a Facebook group regarding the situation.

Consumer Rescue is acting on Reiter’s behalf to get her money back but, as it stands, no refund has been issued.

The website has issued advice to anyone considering booking excursions through a third party:

  • Always book refundable excursions
  • Screenshot the information about the excursion at the time of booking
  • Use online reviews to vet companies before booking your excursions
  • Avoid unlicensed middlemen and use reliable companies instead

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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.

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Brawl Between Passengers Breaks Out On Carnival Paradise

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

A brawl between passengers on Carnival Paradise has been captured in a shocking video posted to social media.

Carnival Paradise Brawl

It’s not clear from the video what caused the brawl – the person who filmed it was not involved. But it involved a group of people throwing punches and throwing chairs at each other.

Because of the nature of the fight, the video is age-restricted, so I can’t embed it – but you can view it here.

It took place in the Lido buffet, and it was a couple of minutes before the security team could reach the fight and separate the fighting passengers.

It happened on the last night of the cruise according to the passenger filming it, who had stopped by to get some pizza.

While the person filming it seemed quite enthusiastic about the fight in their narration, they did at least offer to help the crew with cleaning up the aftermath, which included overturned chairs and smashed plates.

Passenger fights aren’t too common on cruises but they can happen. Usually, guests involved in a big brawl will be kicked off the cruise but as this happened on the last day, they may have just been disembarked the following day.

However, they may have got themselves a ban from ever cruising with Carnival again.

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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.

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Here’s What Each Cruise Line Offers For Solos

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsSolo

Cruising on your own can be a wonderful experience, whether you’re looking to enjoy the solace or get out there and meet new people who share your love of cruise holidays.

And the cruise lines will often help by offering special provisions for single travellers – whether that’s helping to group solo passengers together for dinner, or arranging events that make it easier for you to mingle with others.

I love to cruise solo but I’ve found that every cruise line is different, and some are a little more hands-on than others. So let’s take a look at what each of the major cruise lines offers for solo guests…

Ambassador Cruise Line

Cruise Mummy with long dark hair smiles at the camera, standing in front of the Ambassador Cruise Line's ship named Ambition docked at a port. The ship is large and white with the words "AMBASSADOR CRUISE LINE" and "AMBITION" clearly visible on its hull.

Ambassador is one of the best cruise lines for looking after solo guests, and ensuring they have plenty of opportunities to meet others. 

Events typically take place on cruises of six nights or more only though, so just be aware that any short cruises might not have much organised. I recently took a three-night cruise and there were no solo meet-ups on the daily programme.

On longer cruises, however, there is usually a solos lunch on the first sea day of the cruise, in a designated area so that single passengers can easily find each other. 

And then throughout the cruise, there’ll be several chances to attend solo meet-ups that are hosted by a crew member, to make it easy to find the event and get to know people.

The cruise line does have solo cabins allocated on both ships in the fleet and while you might not pay the standard per-person fare you would if booking a two-person cabin, it will be a special rate much lower than paying the full 100% supplement.

Carnival

Carnival welcomes solo guests but doesn’t make much of an effort for them. 

Cruise Mummy in a leopard print coat and orange scarf smiles with arms outstretched in front of a colorful water slide structure at the Carnival Celebration water park. The water slides are vibrant in red, yellow, and blue, creating a lively backdrop under a clear blue sky.

There are no single cabins on the ships in the fleet, and so you’d need to pay a double occupancy rate for your cruise – making it quite expensive.

There are solo events listed in the FunTimes schedule each day on most cruises, but these are unhosted, and typically they’re held in a bar area at a peak time. 

This means that you’re often left to turn up and guess as to who is a solo guest and who is just relaxing at the bar at the same time.

Read more: Cruising Solo with Carnival? Here’s What You Need To Know

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is a great option for solo guests who want a more luxurious experience. The ships are beautiful and modern, and feature some of the most stylish solo cabins at sea. 

Cruise Mummy in a light blue dress stands in front of a large silver sculpture of two hands forming a heart shape on a Celebrity Cruises ship. The deck features a small pool in the background, and the woman smiles at the camera under a partly cloudy sky.

The Edge-class ships include solo cabins with infinite verandas, so you can enjoy your own balcony space – rare for single-passenger rooms.

A luxurious Infinity Veranda stateroom on the Celebrity Edge cruise ship, featuring a plush bed with purple accents, a stylish seating area, and a modern desk. The room offers a stunning ocean view through the floor-to-ceiling window that can be opened to create a balcony experience, enhancing the spacious and elegant ambiance.

The cruise line hosts a special Solo Travellers’ Gathering and Dinner, which is hosted by the Activity Team onboard either in the Sky Lounge (Millennium-class and Solstice-class ships) or Eden (Edge-class ships). 

Suggested read: Celebrity Cruise Ships By Class

It’s a relaxed event where you can meet other solos, and then that night there’s a hosted table for dinner, with the rest of the cruise having an unhosted solos table for dinner too.

The shore excursions team are also on-hand at the welcome event so that you can book onto excursions with any new friends you make.

Costa Cruises

Costa’s cruises are a good option if you’re sailing on a budget – that applies whether you’re cruising solo or with others. 

Cruise Mummy wearing sunglasses and a gray t-shirt with a black heart symbol stands smiling in front of a large Costa Cruises ship docked at a port. She has a backpack on, and the ship is visible against a partly cloudy sky.

The cruise line does have good solo pricing though, with several sailings available without a single supplement. I enjoyed a five-night cruise as a solo traveller for just £151!

A bright and modern cabin on the Costa Toscana cruise ship, featuring vibrant blue and yellow decor. The room includes a comfortable bed, a desk with a stylish chair and lamp, and a wall-mounted TV. Large windows offer a beautiful ocean view, adding to the room's cheerful and inviting ambiance.

There aren’t really any organised singles events on the cruises that are advertised, but instead, the cruise line puts a lot of emphasis on the onboard activities which can be used for meeting others, such as dance classes or cookery lessons. Just be aware that these are open to couples/families too.

At dinner, you’ll typically be grouped with other solo passengers, and where possible with guests from your own country too (Costa’s sailings attract guests from across Europe and further afield).

On my solo cruise, I was seated at a table of British female solo travellers, and all the British male solo travellers were at another table, which was great.

Suggested read: The REAL Reasons Costa Cruises Are So Cheap!

Cunard Line

If you like the idea of enjoying traditional cruising with Cunard as a solo guest, then you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of events to enjoy aimed at you and other solo passengers, including daily coffee meetups and some cocktail receptions too.

Cruise Mummy smiles at the camera while holding a glass of champagne on the deck of the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship. She is sitting on a blue lounge chair with a regal emblem embroidered on the headrest.

Single staterooms are available without an expensive solo supplement, though guests are invited to book a double-occupancy room with a supplement if they want more space.

A cozy Single Inside stateroom on board the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship, featuring a neatly made bed with white and red accent pillows. The room includes a desk with a mirror, a telephone, and reading materials, as well as a nightstand with a lamp, creating a warm and inviting ambiance with elegant decor.

At dinner, guests will usually be seated with other passengers, though you can speak to the maitre d’ if you would rather be seated alone. There aren’t really any solo tables but you’ll be able to dine alone at a table for two if that’s your preference.

If you enjoy ballroom dancing, there are both male and female dance hosts who will be delighted to spin you around the dance floor.

Read more: My Solo Cunard Cruise Review

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line is primarily aimed at families, but Disney-loving adults will often book places onboard too. 

Cruise Mummy wearing sunglasses and a red polka dot Minnie Mouse bow headband smiles on the pool deck of Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wish. Behind her, lounge chairs are neatly arranged in front of a large screen on the ship's funnel, with clear blue skies overhead.

Cruise passengers travelling solo, or single-parent travellers who want to meet other solo adults while the kids are off enjoying the kids’ clubs, are invited to the Cruisin’ Solo events held onboard.

These are always held on the first night of the cruise, and then usually at regular intervals throughout the sailing, and they’re all hosted by the crew to help make it easy to find the event and mingle. 

The cruise line does recommend attending the first night, as solo passengers will often use that meetup to plan other, unofficial get-togethers during the cruise.

Suggested read: How Much is a Disney Cruise Compared to Other Cruises?

Fred. Olsen

Fred. Olsen is aimed more at seniors, including solo travellers, and offers a range of activities to encourage new friendships.

Cruise Mummy with teal highlights in her hair smiles while standing in front of the Fred. Olsen Borealis cruise ship docked at a port. The ship's name "Borealis" is visible on the side, and the woman is wearing a blue jacket with a striped shirt underneath.

There are several hosted Solo Travellers group meetings held during each cruise, always in a relaxed space that makes it easier to strike up conversations with other guests and potentially make plans for the rest of the cruise.

One particularly pleasant feature is the dance hosts – each ship has them, on-hand to make sure that solo guests can still waltz the night away at the dancing events when they don’t have their own partner.

The cruise line also has a range of solo cabin options including those with a balcony or an ocean view, so that anyone travelling alone can still get the cabin they want without paying for double occupancy.

Suggested read: Fred. Olsen Borealis Solo Cruise Review

A Single Balcony Suite on the Fred Olsen Balmoral cruise ship, featuring a cozy bed with white linens and blue accents. The room includes a small sitting area with two blue armchairs and a glass-top coffee table, as well as a nightstand with a lamp and a framed artwork on the wall. The decor combines soft, inviting tones with a comfortable layout, perfect for relaxation.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line does offer some limited events for solo passengers, but beyond that guests tend to be responsible for arranging their own meetups.

Cruise Mummy with pink highlights in her hair smiles while standing near the water with a Holland America Line cruise ship visible in the distance. She is wearing a denim jacket over a black top, and the cloudy sky adds a dramatic backdrop to the scene.

There’s usually a hosted event on the first day of the cruise, but in the past it has been held at 8pm, which might be an inconvenient time depending on your dining time.

A cozy solo cabin on the HAL Nieuw Statendam cruise ship, featuring a comfortable bed with white linens and dark accent pillows. The room includes a large window with ocean views, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, and a small desk with an orange chair. The decor combines warm wood tones with modern furnishings, creating a welcoming and elegant atmosphere.

If you’re on a longer cruise, then the solo events tend to be better organised and more consistently attended, but otherwise, any other solo events aren’t hosted and guests report that not many people show up.

“Sometimes, in my experience, there will may be one hosted solos event and it will be on embarkation day at the most inconvenient time possible for any solos who dine during second seating."

Marella Cruises

Marella is a popular British cruise line that could be a very attractive option for solo guests who want an all-inclusive experience, especially with most ships having a range of solo cabins to choose from, including inside and oceanview options.

A cozy single cabin on a Marella cruise ship featuring a neatly made bed with white linens and blue accent pillows. The room includes a small sitting area with a round table, a dresser with a mirror, and a TV mounted on the wall, all accented with warm, neutral tones and modern decor.

There are hosted events throughout each Marella cruise for solo passengers, all arranged by the cruise host onboard. There’ll also be the option to dine with a larger group of other solo guests, or alone if you’d prefer – you’ll just need to speak to the crew onboard.

Read more: Why Choose A Marella Solo Cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL has been ahead of the curve for solo passengers for a long time, being one of the first cruise lines to really invest in solo cabin options, with more being retroactively added to the fleet.

A modern Bliss Studio cabin on an NCL cruise ship, featuring a comfortable bed with a gray blanket and decorative pillows. The room includes a sleek bathroom area with a sink and toiletries, a wall-mounted TV, and a compact desk area, all designed with clean lines and neutral colors to maximize space and comfort.

Guests can also enjoy the Studio Lounge – a dedicated space for solo passengers who want to relax and meet others. Just be aware that the Studio Lounge shouldn’t be treated like a meetup event – not everyone there will be looking to make new friends, and they might just want to unwind in peace.

There are arranged events for solo guests though, so you do have the option of attending these – they tend to take place in the evenings, and are hosted so they run smoothly. 

Guests can also request to dine alone or make arrangements to eat with other solo passengers, with the cruise host on-hand in the Studio Lounge to help with planning.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is surprisingly not great for solo guests, despite having solo cabins on all ships in the fleet.

Cruise Mummy bundled up in a gray knit headband, green scarf, and blue puffer jacket smiles while pointing at a P&O cruise ship docked in a scenic fjord. Snow-capped mountains and quaint buildings create a picturesque background under a partly cloudy sky.

There are meetups arranged every day for single travellers, held every morning. They take place in the Crow’s Nest and are advertised as a coffee meetup, but there’s no host – so you’re left to hope that anyone you’re approaching is there to meet others, and not just relaxing on their own briefly. There isn’t a designated area.

The cruise line is flexible for dinner though, and allows solo guests the option of being placed on a bigger table with other guests if they’d prefer, or you can dine alone if that suits you more.

Read more: How to find P&O Cruises With No Single Supplement

A Single cabin on the P&O Arcadia cruise ship, featuring a comfortable bed with orange and gold accent pillows and a matching throw. The room includes a small sitting area with a round table and two chairs, a flat-screen TV on a dresser, and bedside tables with lamps. The decor is warm and inviting, with patterned curtains and artwork adding a touch of elegance.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has daily Single & Solo Get-Together events that are held at 5.30 pm, making them a good option for meeting others and potentially making dinner plans. 

Cruise Mummy in a leopard print dress sits on a curved, patterned bench near a pool on a Princess cruise ship. She smiles at the camera, with people in the background enjoying the pool area under a covered deck.

However, only the first day’s event is hosted, and guests are expected to make their own arrangements for the rest of the cruise.

Solo guests are asked each evening at the restaurant for their seating preference (alone or with a group) but otherwise, the cruise line doesn’t put a lot of effort into facilitating events for single travellers.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is another cruise line that doesn’t do a huge amount for solo passengers. There are some solo cabins available on some ships, but expect to pay a premium regardless.

Cruise Mummy in a blue puffer jacket and pink hoodie points and smiles at a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked in a scenic, misty fjord. The ship's reflection is visible in the calm water, with mountains and cloudy skies in the background.

As for the events, there will be some listed on the daily schedule but they will almost always be unhosted, and held at a bar where there will be other guests attending who aren’t even aware of the solos event.

If you’re on My Time Dining you’ll typically be seated alone, but if you choose a set dining time you can request to be placed with a group if you’d prefer that.

Suggested read: The Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Adults

A Studio Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony on board the Anthem of the Seas cruise ship, featuring a cozy bed with white linens and a dark blue runner. The room includes a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, a small desk with a stool, and sliding glass doors leading to a private balcony with seating. The decor is modern and sleek, with light wood tones and a serene ocean view enhancing the relaxing ambiance.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is a good option for younger solo travellers, with the cruise line having quite the party atmosphere onboard. There are regular deals for booking a double room as a solo guest with no single supplement, so it’s worth looking out for those.

Cruise Mummy in a red polka dot dress with a heart-shaped pendant smiles while standing in a stylishly lit hallway on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady. The modern decor features reflective surfaces and bright lights, creating a chic and vibrant atmosphere.

Hosted events are held throughout the cruise to encourage solo passengers to meet up with each other, and there are several other events onboard that are well-suited to solo guests, including the ‘grog-walk’ (bar crawl).

The cruise line also has a section of the Virgin Voyages mobile app that lets you connect with other guests on the ship and make arrangements to share activities, so that’s another way you can meet other solo passengers too.

A stylish Solo Sea View cabin on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship, featuring a cozy bed with red and white bedding, and a padded headboard. The room includes a sleek desk area with a modern lamp, a round mirror, and a mounted flat-screen TV displaying vibrant artwork. The contemporary decor is accented with pops of color, creating a chic and inviting space.

Final Word

If you’re hoping to cruise solo and want to meet others, but you’re a little shy about walking up to someone, then definitely choose one of the cruise lines that offers regular hosted events.

Of course, not every solo guest goes on a cruise with a wish to make a lot of new friends, and so choosing one which gives you the option to dine alone might be your preference.

Every guest is different – and I’d recommend you check out my guide to the best cruises for every kind of solo traveller so that you can find the perfect one for you.

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Cruise Mummy

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.

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Colourful children's play area with toys and climbing frames, the kind of space used by cruise kids clubs

Cruise Kids Club Ages: Every Major Line Compared

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsKids

Cruise kids club ages usually run from 3 to 17. Most big lines split children into three or four groups (roughly 3-5, 6-8 or 6-9, 9-12 and teens), and many offer paid or parent-supervised care for babies from 6 months. The details matter, though. Carnival takes 2-year-olds, Disney’s main club stops at 10, NCL keeps 3 to 12-year-olds together, and some lines don’t take children at all.

This guide compares the current kids club ages line by line. It also covers potty-training rules, nurseries, late-night fees and how strict the age bands are. Everything was checked in November 2026, but policies change, so confirm in your line’s app before you sail.

Cruise kids club ages at a glance

Daytime sessions are included in the fare on every line below. Extra charges usually apply only to nurseries and late-night sessions after about 10pm.

Cruise line Club names and age groups Under-3s Potty-trained required? Late-night care
Carnival Camp Ocean: Penguins 2-5, Stingrays 6-8, Sharks 9-11; Circle C 12-14; Club O2 15-17 Turtles programming for 6 months to 2 years No. Children in diapers are accepted from age 2 Night Owls, 10pm-1am, 6 months to 11 years, hourly fee (about $8.85 per child including service charge)
Royal Caribbean Adventure Ocean: Aquanauts 3-5, Explorers 6-8, Voyagers 9-11 (AO Kids 6-12 on some newer ships); Teens 12-17 or 13-17 depending on ship Royal Babies and Tots nursery, 6-36 months, paid (most ships) Yes, from Aquanauts upward, with no pull-ups Free until 10pm, then hourly fee to about 1am (reported at $15 per child from late 2025)
Norwegian (NCL) Splash Academy 3-12; Entourage 13-17 Guppies open play, 6 months to 3 years, parent stays Children in diapers go to Guppies Late Night Fun Zone, 10pm-midnight, ages 3-12, $10 per child per hour
Disney Oceaneer Club and Lab 3-10; Edge 11-14; Vibe 14-17 it’s a small world nursery, 6 months to 3 years, paid and pre-booked Yes for Oceaneer Club and Lab Clubs run late at no extra cost; the nursery charges by the hour
Princess Camp Discovery: The Treehouse 3-7, The Lodge 8-12, The Beach House 13-17 Under-3s may use the youth centre with a parent Check with Princess before sailing Late-evening group sessions for an hourly fee
Celebrity Camp at Sea: Shipmates 3-5, Cadets 6-9, Captains 10-12; Teens 13-17 No nursery or babysitting Yes, all children must be fully potty trained 10pm-1am, hourly fee per child
Holland America Club HAL / Kids Club for 3-17, split into younger kids, tweens and teens No drop-off care for under-3s Check with the line No dedicated late-night program
MSC Mini Club 3-6, Junior Club 7-11, Young Club 12-14, Teen Club 15-17 Baby Club 0-3 (Baby Time with parents included; Baby Care drop-off is paid) Check with the line Check onboard
Cunard Play Zone 2-7, Kids’ Zone 8-12, Teen Zone 13-17 Night Nursery for babies and toddlers up to 2 Check with the line Night Nursery included
P&O Cruises (UK) The Reef: Splashers, Surfers, Scubas, then H2O or The Scene for teens Nursery 6 months to 2 years with a parent; Night Nursery for little ones Check with the line Night Nursery; some sessions bookable free on board
Costa Squok Club: Mini, Maxi and Teen groups covering about 3-17 Baby Squok Club on some ships, paid Check with the line Check onboard
Virgin Voyages No kids club. All guests must be 18 or over Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Carnival, Cunard and P&O take children from age 2, while most US lines start at 3. For a young toddler, that one year can decide which line suits you.

Carnival kids club ages: Camp Ocean, Circle C and Club O2

Carnival kids club ages run from 2 to 17, split across three clubs. Camp Ocean covers 2 to 11 in three groups: Penguins (2-5), Stingrays (6-8) and Sharks (9-11). Tweens move up to Circle C (12-14) and older teens to Club O2 (15-17).

Carnival is one of the friendliest big lines for toddlers. Two-year-olds can join Penguins even if they are not potty trained, and parents are contacted when a change is needed. Turtles offers activities for babies from 6 months to 2 years. Night Owls group care runs from 10pm to 1am for children from 6 months to 11 years and costs extra per hour.

Royal Caribbean kids club ages: Adventure Ocean age groups

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean is free for ages 3 to 11 or 12, with a separate teen club. Most ships still use these Adventure Ocean age groups:

  • Aquanauts: 3-5 (called AO Junior on some updated ships)
  • Explorers: 6-8
  • Voyagers: 9-11
  • Teens: 12-17, often split into 12-14 and 15-17

Newer and refurbished ships merge Explorers and Voyagers into one AO Kids group for 6 to 12, with teens starting at 13, so exact Royal Caribbean kids club ages depend on your ship.

Children must be fully potty trained to join Aquanauts, and pull-ups are not allowed. The Royal Babies and Tots nursery takes children from 6 to 36 months on most ships. It charges by the hour, and rates rose in late 2025. Adventure Ocean is free until 10pm. After that, late-night care for younger children carries an hourly charge until about 1am. If you’re still choosing a ship, our guide to the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids of each age matches ships to age groups.

Young children doing a craft activity together in a bright, colourful indoor play room
Most cruise kids clubs split younger children into small groups by age for crafts and games. Photo: Bruno Bueno on Pexels

NCL, Disney and Princess youth club age groups

Norwegian Cruise Line: Splash Academy and Entourage

NCL has the simplest structure. Splash Academy covers 3 to 12 and Entourage covers 13 to 17. Babies and toddlers from 6 months to 3 years, and children still in diapers, use Guppies open play sessions, where a parent stays with them. The Late Night Fun Zone runs from 10pm to midnight for ages 3 to 12 at $10 per child per hour.

Disney Cruise Line: Oceaneer Club, Edge and Vibe

Disney changed its age bands in December 2023. The Oceaneer Club and Lab now cover 3 to 10, down from 3 to 12. Edge is for 11 to 14 and Vibe for 14 to 17. Fourteen-year-olds fall into both ranges, so they can use either space. Children must be potty trained for the Oceaneer Club. Under-3s go to the it’s a small world nursery (6 months to 3 years), which is paid and booked ahead.

Princess Cruises: Camp Discovery

Princess runs three age groups under Camp Discovery: The Treehouse for 3 to 7, The Lodge for 8 to 12 and The Beach House for teens 13 to 17. Babies and toddlers can use the youth centre with a parent present. Late-evening group sessions after the free hours carry a small charge.

Celebrity, Holland America and MSC

Celebrity Camp at Sea splits kids into Shipmates (3-5), Cadets (6-9) and Captains (10-12), with a separate teen program for 13 to 17. All children must be fully potty trained. Celebrity has no nursery and no babysitting, although babies from 6 months can sail. Late-night care runs from 10pm to 1am for an hourly fee. Celebrity Flora has no youth program.

Holland America’s Club HAL (Kids Club) is free for ages 3 to 17. It uses separate spaces for younger kids, tweens and teens. There is no drop-off care for under-3s, and hours are shorter than on the mainstream lines, with breaks at mealtimes.

MSC Cruises has the most age groups: Baby Club (0-3), Mini Club (3-6), Junior Club (7-11), Young Club (12-14) and Teen Club (15-17). The main clubs are included in the fare. For babies, Baby Time sessions with a parent are free. MSC Baby Care, a drop-off service for 6 months to 3 years in set time slots, costs extra.

Parents and young children standing together at the railing of a cruise ship deck on a sunny day
Choosing a line whose age groups fit your children can make a big difference to a family cruise. Photo: Burak Guven on Pexels

UK and European lines: Cunard, P&O and Costa

Cunard clubs are free and start at age 2. The Play Zone is for 2 to 7, the Kids’ Zone for 8 to 12 and the Teen Zone for 13 to 17. A Night Nursery looks after babies and toddlers up to 2 in the evenings.

P&O Cruises runs The Reef, covering 6 months to 17 years. The nursery is for 6 months to 2 years with a parent, then Splashers, Surfers and Scubas for primary-age children and H2O or The Scene for teens. Some sessions can be booked free on board. Pre-booking from two weeks before the cruise carries a small fee. Some ships in the P&O fleet are adults-only, so check before you book.

Costa’s Squok Club covers roughly 3 to 17 in Mini, Maxi and Teen groups. The paid Baby Squok Club for toddlers runs on selected ships, including Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana.

Minimum ages, potty training and nurseries

There are three different minimums to keep in mind:

  1. Minimum age to sail. Most lines require babies to be at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise.
  2. Minimum age for the main kids club. This is usually 3. Carnival, Cunard and P&O start at 2.
  3. Nursery age range. Usually 6 months to 3 years, where a nursery exists. Royal Caribbean, Disney and MSC offer paid drop-off nurseries. NCL and Princess offer parent-supervised play, and Celebrity and Holland America offer no under-3 care at all.

Potty-training rules catch out a lot of parents of 3-year-olds. Royal Caribbean, Disney and Celebrity all require children to be fully toilet trained, with no pull-ups, and counselors will not help with the toilet. Our baby and toddler cruise packing list covers swim nappies, spare outfits and the other items toddler clubs and splash zones tend to ask for.

How flexible are kids club age groups?

This is the part most guides skip. Here is how it usually works:

  • Your child’s age on embarkation day usually counts. NCL, for example, goes by the age on the passport or birth certificate at the time of sailing.
  • Birthdays during the cruise. Some lines publish clear rules. NCL lets children who turn 3 on the cruise join Splash Academy from their birthday, and lets those turning 13 join Entourage from embarkation evening. A teen who turns 18 onboard must leave Entourage.
  • Siblings in different groups. Disney is firm on this: a 10-year-old cannot move up to Edge to stay with an older brother or sister. Brief visits to a sibling’s group are at staff discretion.
  • Merged groups. On quiet sailings, sea-day mornings or late in the evening, lines often combine groups. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL and Cunard all say groupings can change based on how many children are aboard.
  • Sign-out rights. Older children can often sign themselves out, from 9 on Carnival, 10 on NCL and Celebrity, and 8 on Princess.

If your children’s ages straddle two groups, it may be worth comparing lines. A family with a 9 and an 11-year-old would have both children in Splash Academy on NCL, but they would be split on Disney. For a broader comparison, see our pick of the best cruise lines for families with kids.

FAQs

How old do you have to be to go to a kids club on a cruise?

Most main kids clubs start at 3. Carnival, Cunard and P&O accept 2-year-olds, and Royal Caribbean, Disney, MSC and P&O have nursery or baby options from 6 months.

What is Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean?

Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s free youth program for children aged 3 to 11 or 12, split by age into Aquanauts, Explorers and Voyagers (or AO Kids on some ships), with a separate club for teens.

What are the Carnival kids club ages?

Camp Ocean is for 2 to 11 (Penguins 2-5, Stingrays 6-8, Sharks 9-11), Circle C is for 12 to 14 and Club O2 is for 15 to 17.

Do kids need to be potty trained for cruise kids clubs?

On Royal Caribbean, Disney and Celebrity, yes, with no pull-ups allowed. Carnival accepts 2-year-olds in diapers, and NCL directs children in diapers to its parent-supervised Guppies sessions.

Are cruise kids clubs free?

Daytime and early-evening sessions are included in the fare on all major family lines. Nurseries and late-night care after about 10pm usually cost extra by the hour.

Guests gathered on a cruise ship deck at sunset, the social atmosphere that themed cruises are built around

The Best Themed Cruises for 2027 (and Beyond)

by Choosing a cruiseCruise LinesCruise News

Themed cruises are sailings built around one shared interest, such as a band, a TV franchise, a sport, food and wine, or a decade of music. In 2027 the busiest calendar is in the Caribbean, where Star Trek, 80s pop, classic rock, country, EDM, Broadway and heavy metal events have already announced their dates. Some are full-ship charters run by a festival organiser. Others are special voyages run by the cruise line itself.

Below you’ll find the themed cruises we could confirm for late 2026 and 2027, along with an explanation of how charter cruises work. Charter terms are very different from a normal cruise booking, so it’s worth reading that part before you pay a deposit.

What is a themed cruise?

A themed cruise swaps the usual onboard programme for one focused on a single interest. On a music charter that means several stages of live sets from morning until late at night. A fan cruise usually has panels, autograph sessions and costume nights, and on a food or wine voyage you can expect chef demonstrations, tastings and talks. You still get the ship’s restaurants, pools and ports of call. The difference is that almost everyone on board is there for the same reason, and for many guests that shared audience is the main appeal.

There are two main types of themed cruise:

  • Full-ship charters. An outside promoter, such as Sixthman, On The Blue or Entertainment Cruise Productions, books the whole ship and sells the cabins under its own brand. The theme runs across the entire ship. Norwegian Cruise Line warns that its regular theatre shows and game shows are suspended on these sailings.
  • Cruise line event voyages and group sailings. The cruise line adds themed content to a normal sailing. Examples include Cunard’s arts voyages on Queen Mary 2, Virgin Voyages’ Halloween and True Crime sailings, and seasonal events on Royal Caribbean and Disney. On a partial group sailing, the organiser holds a block of cabins and runs private events while other passengers take a regular cruise.

Themed cruises 2027: confirmed sailings at a glance

Every sailing in the table below had been announced by its organiser or cruise line as of October 2026. Line-ups, ports and prices can change, so check the organiser’s own site before you book.

Cruise Theme Line / ship Dates and departure
Groove Cruise Miami EDM / dance music Royal Caribbean, Allure of the Seas 21–25 Jan 2027, Miami
The Rock Boat XXVI Rock / singer-songwriter Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jewel 2–7 Feb 2027, Miami
Jam Cruise 23 Jam band / funk MSC Poesia 4–10 Feb 2027, Miami
Star Trek: The Cruise X Sci-fi fan event Royal Caribbean, Mariner of the Seas 20–27 Feb 2027, New Orleans
Rock Legends Cruise 14 Classic rock (Foreigner headlining) Independence of the Seas 21–25 Feb 2027, Miami
Cayamo Americana / folk Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jewel 26 Feb – 5 Mar 2027, Miami
The 80s Cruise 80s pop and rock (Chaka Khan headlining) Royal Caribbean, Mariner of the Seas 27 Feb – 6 Mar 2027, New Orleans
Outlaw Country Cruise 11 Country / roots Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jewel 5–10 Mar 2027, Miami
Cruise to the Edge Progressive rock Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jewel 2–8 Apr 2027, Miami
The Broadway Cruise 4 Musical theatre Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jewel 15–20 Apr 2027, Miami
Chefs Making Waves: Food, Wine & Spirits Festival Food and drink Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jewel 20–24 Apr 2027, Miami
Monsters of Rock Cruise Hard rock / metal Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Joy 6–11 May 2027, Los Angeles
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II Blues Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jade 14–21 Sep 2027, Seattle
Theatre at Sea with the Olivier Awards West End theatre Cunard, Queen Mary 2 20–27 Oct 2027, transatlantic
Literature Festival at Sea Books and authors Cunard, Queen Mary 2 2–9 Dec 2027

Still to come in late 2026

If you’d like to sail sooner, Norwegian Cruise Line lists several charters from Miami for the rest of 2026. They include Headbangers Boat (30 October to 3 November on Norwegian Jewel), Chefs Making Waves with Bobby Flay and Friends (6–11 November on Norwegian Joy), Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling (7–11 November on Norwegian Jewel) and Bert Kreischer’s comedy cruise Fully Loaded at Sea (19–23 November on Norwegian Jewel). In Europe, saxophonist Dave Koz’s SOMMA luxury music cruise sails on Silversea’s all-suite Silver Nova from Athens (Piraeus) on 6 November 2026. It’s a seven-day Adriatic itinerary via Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar to Venice. Most of these late-2026 sailings are likely to be sold out or close to it, so ask the organiser about waitlists.

Crowd watching a live band on an outdoor stage at night, similar to the pool deck concerts on music themed cruises
Music charters bring festival-style stages to the pool deck. Photo: Lisa Fotios on Pexels

Best themed cruises by interest

Music festivals at sea

Most themed cruises are music charters. Sixthman, the Atlanta-based promoter behind The Rock Boat and Cayamo, has run these festivals for more than two decades, and On The Blue organises Monsters of Rock and a classic rock and yacht rock cruise. For decade-themed nostalgia, the 80s Cruise and Rock Legends Cruise are both in February 2027. EDM fans have Groove Cruise and the jam-band crowd has Jam Cruise. In the UK, Ambassador Cruise Line has run decades-themed and country music sailings from British ports, which suits passengers who would rather not fly to Miami. Check the line’s current programme for future dates.

Fan conventions and pop culture

Star Trek: The Cruise has been running for about a decade. Its tenth sailing, in February 2027, moves to Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas from New Orleans and calls at Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Montego Bay. Disney Cruise Line has seasonal programming such as Halloween on the High Seas on most of its ships. Virgin Voyages, which is adults-only, has a True Crime Voyage on 20 March 2027. One fan favourite has come ashore: KISS Kruise is now “KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas”, a land-based event held in November 2026.

Food, wine and culture

If you’d rather have tasting menus than mosh pits, look at cruise lines that build themed programmes into their own voyages. Cunard has four event voyages on Queen Mary 2 in 2027: Dance the Atlantic with English National Ballet (16–23 July), a National Symphony Orchestra crossing (1–8 October), Theatre at Sea with the Olivier Awards (20–27 October) and a Literature Festival at Sea (2–9 December). Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chefs Making Waves series goes to Alaska on Norwegian Jade from 21 to 28 September 2027. River lines such as Uniworld and Avalon run wine itineraries and Christmas market sailings.

Sports, comedy and once-in-a-lifetime events

Comedy charters are growing, Bert Kreischer’s included. Chris Jericho’s wrestling and rock cruise is also back. Golf cruises pair a luxury ship with tee times ashore, and Royal Caribbean holds a Super Bowl watch party at sea, which it calls The Ultimate Tailgate, on 14 February 2027. One unusual sailing stands out: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady sails from Barcelona from 28 July to 8 August 2027, an itinerary timed for the total solar eclipse over Spain and North Africa on 2 August.

Private balcony of a cruise ship cabin looking out over open sea, the kind of cabin themed charter guests reserve early
Charter cabins are sold by the organiser, often with set group pricing. Photo: Bingqian Li on Pexels

How themed charters differ from a regular cruise

This section matters most before you book. A full-ship charter is a product sold by the promoter, not by the cruise line, and that changes several things:

  1. You book through the organiser. Charter cabins are sold on the event’s own website or through its approved agents. You usually can’t book them on the cruise line’s site. Cruise line loyalty perks, onboard credit offers and price matching often don’t apply.
  2. Pricing is per person and usually bundled. Fares tend to include the concerts or events, and some include drinks packages or gratuities. Charters often cost noticeably more than the same ship’s regular fare for the same dates, because you’re paying for the line-up. Deposits are often due early, with the balance due several months before sailing.
  3. Refund terms are stricter. Many charters have non-refundable deposits and their own cancellation schedules. Artists can change, and an organiser usually won’t refund you because a headliner pulls out. Read the terms carefully and think about travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason you are allowed to claim for.
  4. The ship runs differently. The usual entertainment is replaced, music often goes on into the early hours, and cabins near outdoor stages can be noisy. Some charters are adults-only or have age policies that the regular ship doesn’t.
  5. They sell out fast. Popular events often sell most cabins to returning guests during priority booking windows. Joining the organiser’s mailing list is often the only realistic way to get a good cabin.

A cruise line event voyage, like Cunard’s or Virgin’s, is booked the normal way. The line’s usual fares, offers and cancellation rules apply, so it is the lower-risk way to try a themed cruise. For current fares on regular sailings, see our guide to the best cruise deals for 2027.

How to choose the right themed cruise

  • Decide how much theme you want. On a full charter you’re immersed in the theme all day. An event voyage on a regular sailing gives you a few themed highlights alongside a normal cruise.
  • Check the guest profile. Some events are lively and go on late into the night, while cultural voyages are calmer. Adult-only travellers can compare the options in our round-up of the best adults-only cruise lines.
  • Look at community cruises too. Many of the most social themed cruises are built around a community, not a band. Our guide to the most fun gay and LGBTQ+ cruises covers charters and group sailings in that space.
  • Allow a buffer for travel. Most US charters leave from Miami, New Orleans or Los Angeles. Fly in the day before, because a ship won’t wait for a delayed flight.

Adults-only lifestyle charters are a separate niche, covered in our guide to swingers cruises.

If live music is the theme you care about most, our guide to the best music cruises for 2027 lists the rock, country, jazz and festival charters with confirmed sailings.

FAQs

What are the best themed cruises for 2027?

Confirmed highlights include Star Trek: The Cruise X (February, Mariner of the Seas), the 80s Cruise (February to March, Mariner of the Seas), Rock Legends Cruise 14, Outlaw Country Cruise 11, The Broadway Cruise 4, Monsters of Rock (May, from Los Angeles) and Cunard’s Theatre at Sea on Queen Mary 2 in October.

Are themed cruises more expensive than regular cruises?

Full-ship charters usually cost more than a regular fare on the same ship because the concerts or events are included. Event voyages run by the cruise line, such as Cunard’s arts crossings, are generally priced like normal sailings.

Can I cancel a themed cruise charter and get a refund?

That depends on the organiser’s terms. They are often stricter than the cruise line’s, with non-refundable deposits and no refund if performers change. Check the cancellation schedule before paying and consider suitable travel insurance.

Do regular passengers sail on a themed cruise?

On a full-ship charter, no: every guest booked through the organiser. On a partial group sailing or a cruise line event voyage, themed guests share the ship with regular passengers.