Royal Caribbean has seven ship classes in service as of November 2026: Icon, Oasis, Quantum (including the Quantum Ultra sub-class), Freedom, Voyager, Radiance and Vision. Together they make up a fleet of 30 ships, from the 1990s Vision-class ships at roughly 74,000 to 83,000 gross tons up to the Icon class at nearly 249,000 gross tons. An eighth class, called Discovery, has been ordered and the first ship is due in 2029. The chart below shows how the classes compare, followed by a short guide to what each one is like on board.
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Royal Caribbean ship class chart (2027)
Figures are approximate and come from published ship specifications. Guest numbers are at double occupancy (two people per cabin). When every bunk and sofa bed is filled, ships can carry noticeably more. Years show when each class first and most recently entered service.
| Class | Ships in service | Years | Gross tonnage (approx.) | Guests (double occupancy) | Signature features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icon | Icon, Star, Legend of the Seas | 2024-2026 | about 249,000 | about 5,610 | Category 6 waterpark, Crown’s Edge, AquaDome, family-focused Surfside area |
| Oasis | Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, Utopia of the Seas | 2009-2024 | 225,000-236,500 | 5,400-5,730 | Central Park, Boardwalk, AquaTheater, zip line, Ultimate Abyss slide |
| Quantum / Quantum Ultra | Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Spectrum, Odyssey of the Seas | 2014-2021 | about 168,000-169,500 | 4,180-4,250 | North Star viewing pod, RipCord by iFLY skydiving, SeaPlex, Two70 lounge |
| Freedom | Freedom, Liberty, Independence of the Seas | 2006-2008 | about 156,000 | 3,630-3,800 | Royal Promenade, ice rink, FlowRider surf simulator |
| Voyager | Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator, Mariner of the Seas | 1999-2003 | 138,000-140,000 | 3,110-3,380 | The original Royal Promenade, ice rink, rock-climbing wall |
| Radiance | Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade, Jewel of the Seas | 2001-2004 | about 90,000 | 2,110-2,150 | Floor-to-ceiling glass, many balcony cabins, quieter atmosphere |
| Vision | Grandeur, Enchantment, Rhapsody, Vision of the Seas | 1996-1998 | 74,000-83,000 | 1,990-2,250 | Glass-walled Centrum atrium, Viking Crown Lounge, smaller-ship feel |
If you want individual ships rather than classes, our guide to Royal Caribbean ships by size lists every ship from largest to smallest.
Royal Caribbean ship classes list: which ships are sisters?
Ships in the same class are called sister ships. They share a hull design, layout and most venues, so a sister is the best stand-in if your first-choice ship is full or sails on the wrong dates.
- Star of the Seas sister ships: Icon of the Seas and Legend of the Seas (Icon class), with Hero of the Seas joining in 2027.
- Quantum of the Seas sister ships: Anthem and Ovation of the Seas. Spectrum and Odyssey of the Seas are close cousins in the Quantum Ultra sub-class.
- Liberty of the Seas sister ships: Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas (Freedom class).
- Wonder of the Seas sister ships: Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony and Utopia of the Seas (Oasis class).
- Navigator of the Seas sister ships: Voyager, Explorer, Adventure and Mariner of the Seas (Voyager class).
- Jewel of the Seas sister ships: Radiance, Brilliance and Serenade of the Seas (Radiance class).
- Grandeur of the Seas sister ships: Enchantment, Rhapsody and Vision of the Seas (Vision class).
How the classes differ in practice
Within a class, ships share the same basic layout, cabin types and many of the same venues. Ships do differ, though. Newer sisters often get extra attractions, and older ships may have gained new features during an “amplification” refit, so check the deck plan for the specific ship you are booking.
As a rough rule, the bigger and newer the class, the more there is to do on board, with more dining venues and more for children and teens. Those ships also carry more people and spend more time in the Caribbean and at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The smaller, older classes cost less, feel calmer, and are more often used on longer or more unusual itineraries.
Icon class
The Icon class is Royal Caribbean’s newest and largest class. Icon of the Seas arrived in January 2024, Star of the Seas followed in August 2025, and Legend of the Seas, delivered by Meyer Turku in Finland in June 2026, made its official debut in July 2026. Legend is spending summer and early autumn 2026 in the Western Mediterranean from Barcelona and Rome, then moves to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean sailings. The ships run on LNG (liquefied natural gas).
Each ship has eight “neighbourhoods”, including Thrill Island, with its Category 6 waterpark and the Crown’s Edge ropes course, and Surfside, an area built for families with young children. The ships also have a large number of pools and more than 20 places to eat and drink. The fourth ship, Hero of the Seas, was floated out in September 2026 and is expected to debut in 2027. Royal Caribbean has ordered three more Icon-class ships, due around 2028, 2029 and 2030. They have not been named yet.
Oasis class
Oasis of the Seas changed the scale of cruising when it launched in 2009, and the class now has six ships, the newest being Utopia of the Seas (2024), which mainly sails short getaways from Florida. The ships are split into seven neighbourhoods. The best known are Central Park, a real garden open to the sky, and the Boardwalk, with its carousel and the AquaTheater, where high-diving shows are staged.
A seventh Oasis-class ship is under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France. Its keel was laid in June 2026 and it is expected in 2028. At the time of writing it has not been named.
Quantum and Quantum Ultra class
Quantum, Anthem and Ovation of the Seas (2014-2016) are the original Quantum ships. Spectrum (2019) and Odyssey of the Seas (2021) are slightly modified “Quantum Ultra” versions. These ships replaced the long indoor promenade with features such as the North Star, a glass capsule that lifts guests high above the ship, and Two70, a lounge at the back of the ship with huge windows. Several Quantum ships have spent long periods in Asia, Australia and Alaska, so they are a common choice outside the Caribbean.
Freedom class
When Freedom of the Seas launched in 2006, it was the largest cruise ship in the world. The three Freedom ships are essentially a larger take on the Voyager design. They have a Royal Promenade running through the middle of the ship, an ice rink and a FlowRider. They have all been refurbished since launch, and Freedom and Independence gained new slides and other additions along the way. They are popular with families who want plenty of activities at a lower price than the Icon or Oasis ships.
Voyager class
The five Voyager-class ships (1999-2003) introduced the Royal Promenade, the ice rink and the rock-climbing wall to Royal Caribbean. Several have been amplified with waterslides, new restaurants and updated pool decks, and Navigator of the Seas in particular has been extensively updated. They are mid-sized by today’s standards and are used for a wide mix of short Caribbean trips and longer itineraries.
Radiance class
Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade and Jewel of the Seas (2001-2004) are noticeably smaller and quieter than the big ships. They are known for their glass, including glass elevators, large windows and a high share of balcony cabins. Their size lets them use the Panama Canal and smaller ports, so you will often find them on Alaska, Panama Canal, Europe and longer repositioning cruises.
Vision class
The Vision class contains Royal Caribbean’s oldest and smallest ships. Grandeur of the Seas, the oldest, entered service in 1996. Grandeur was once due to move to sister brand Pullmantur in 2021, but that plan was dropped in 2020 and the ship is still in the fleet. Two former Vision-class ships, Splendour of the Seas and the original Legend of the Seas, were sold years ago and now sail for Marella Cruises. At the time of writing, Royal Caribbean has not announced dates for the remaining four to leave, but they are the most likely candidates when the line does retire ships. Expect fewer attractions, a more traditional cruise and often the lowest fares.
Coming next: Discovery class
In January 2026, Royal Caribbean ordered two ships for a new Discovery class from Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with options for four more. The first is due in 2029 and the second in 2032. The line has not confirmed their size, capacity or features yet. Reports suggest they may be smaller than the Oasis and Icon ships, but treat that as unconfirmed until Royal Caribbean publishes details.
For a head-to-head between two Freedom-class sisters, read Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas.
To see the whole fleet in year order, from newest to oldest, see Royal Caribbean ships by age.
For a ship-level look at the two Quantum-family sisters, see our Anthem of the Seas vs Spectrum of the Seas comparison.
FAQs
How many Royal Caribbean ship classes are there?
There are seven classes in service: Icon, Oasis, Quantum (including Quantum Ultra), Freedom, Voyager, Radiance and Vision. An eighth, the Discovery class, is on order, with the first ship due in 2029.
Which Royal Caribbean class is the biggest?
The Icon class is the largest, at nearly 249,000 gross tons and about 5,610 guests at double occupancy. Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas are the three largest cruise ships in service.
Which class is best for families?
The Icon and Oasis classes have the most for children, including waterparks, kids’ areas and large family cabins, with Freedom and Quantum close behind. For a ship-by-ship view, see the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids of each age.
Which Royal Caribbean ships are the oldest?
The four Vision-class ships, built between 1996 and 1998, are the oldest. Grandeur of the Seas (1996) is the oldest ship still sailing for Royal Caribbean.
Which Royal Caribbean ships have a FlowRider?
The FlowRider surf simulator is found on the bigger classes: Icon, Oasis, Quantum and Freedom, and on Voyager-class ships that have been refitted. The smaller Radiance and Vision classes do not have one.
Does Jewel of the Seas have a FlowRider?
No. Jewel of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship, and none of the Radiance ships has a FlowRider. Instead they offer a rock-climbing wall, mini-golf and a quieter pool deck. If surfing on board matters to you, choose a Freedom, Quantum, Oasis or Icon-class ship.
What are Star of the Seas’ sister ships?
Icon of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. All three are Icon-class ships of about 248,663 gross tons, and Hero of the Seas will become the fourth sister in 2027.
