PRICE PROMISE
We will not be
beaten on brochure
discounts!

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean International target their cruises at active people of all ages. A cruise with RCI promises plenty of lively entertainment, comfortable and brightly decorated public rooms and lots of big ship fun.

Their cruises are well loved, with a consistent level of service and their ships are decorated in a bright and contemporary style, with a great deal of Scandinavian influence.

Two UK-based ships, the new Independence of the Seas - the largest cruise ship in the World and Jewel of the Seas sail from Southampton and Harwich respectively and offer many destinations including Northern Europe, the Mediterranean (Western, Central and Eastern) the Canaries and short-break cruises. The remaining RCI fleet, aimed at mainstream America, offer destinations around the world. See our RCI 2008 Late Deals and our RCI 2009 Early Booking Offers.

Berlitz Review of
Royal Caribbean

RCI provides a cruise experience that is well-integrated, fine-tuned, comfortable and well-liked product that is consistent, but homogenous. This is cruising for mainstream America. The ships are all quite pleasing, and some have really comfortable public rooms, lounges, bars, and some innovative gimmicks such as ice-skating rinks.

The company competes directly with Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises in terms of what’s offered on board, and the way it is delivered, as well as the hard sell for onboard revenue (the result of highly discounted pricing in the marketplace), but RCI ships have more glass area and connection with the outdoors and the sea than the ships of Carnival Cruise Lines.

There’s really nothing ‘royal’ about it, except in the name. While ships’ senior officers are Norwegian or Scandinavian (there is a difference), the service staff are an eclectic mix of many nationalities. There is a big difference between the largest ships – termed the Freedom-class (Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas) and Voyager-class ships (Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas) and others (mainly in the internal layout) which sport a large mall-like high street – the focal point for most passengers.

The next group of ships (Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas) have lots of balcony cabins, and large expanses of glass, which help to provide more of a connection with the sea, while Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Vision of the Seas also have large expanses of glass in the public areas, but not so many balcony cabins.

The onboard product is dedicated to those with an active, contemporary lifestyle. All ships have a 30-ft (9-metre) high rock-climbing wall, with five separate climbing tracks. You’ll need to plan what you want to take part in wisely as almost everything requires you to sign up in advance.

Find out more about Royal Caribbean cuisine, entertainment and family cruising.

Gratuities (tipping) and currency

Gratuities can be paid in cash or added to your onboard account daily at the suggested rate of US$9 per person. Also, 15% is added to all bar, wine and spa charges. The onboard currency is the US dollar (except for ships operating out of the UK).

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008