What is the latest Royal Caribbean cruise ship? It’d appear to be an odd query to ask, but it surely’s one thing that issues in case you’re available in the market for a Royal Caribbean cruise.
The latest Royal Caribbean ship is often additionally the Royal Caribbean ship with essentially the most bells and whistles and essentially the most up-to-date cabins, eating places, bars and sights. It is what you need in order for you the newest and biggest in a vessel to your Royal Caribbean cruise trip.
Proper now, the latest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Icon of the Seas, which is just debuting in January. It is the primary of a brand new class of vessels for the road.
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Different comparatively new Royal Caribbean ships embrace Marvel of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. All started crusing within the final six years.
In all, Royal Caribbean operates 27 cruise vessels. On common, the road comes out with out about one new ship a yr, and it sometimes retains vessels in its fleet for round 20 to 30 years earlier than retiring them from the fleet. The oldest Royal Caribbean ship, Grandeur of the Seas, is 27 years outdated.
Generally, Royal Caribbean’s latest ships are far greater and far more amenity-packed than its older ships. In the event you crave numerous actions in a Royal Caribbean cruise trip, you may need to keep on with vessels constructed within the final 15 or so years.
Associated: The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained
Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ships — these constructed within the Nineties and early 2000s — in lots of circumstances are half to a 3rd the dimensions of the road’s latest vessels and have far fewer venues on board. Nonetheless, even these smaller ships provide numerous sights as in comparison with many vessels at competing traces.
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Royal Caribbean is thought for bustling, activity-packed ships throughout its fleet.
Right here, each Royal Caribbean ship at present in operation is ranked from latest to oldest:
1. Icon of the Seas (2024)
Icon of the Seas is the belle of the ball at Royal Caribbean — the road’s latest and most state-of-the-art ship. It is also the most important ship within the Royal Caribbean fleet and, certainly, the most important ship ever constructed by any line.
Icon of the Seas is the primary of a brand new class of vessels at Royal Caribbean known as the Icon Class that will probably be rolling out over the next few years. Royal Caribbean has initially ordered three of the vessels however might add extra ships to the sequence down the street.
Maiden voyage: 2024
Dimension: 250,800 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,610
2. Marvel of the Seas (2022)
Maiden voyage: 2022
Dimension: 235,600 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,734
Wonder of the Seas was the world’s largest cruise ship till the arrival of Icon of the Seas, and it stays one of many largest ships ever constructed by any line.
Marvel of the Seas is the fifth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s much-ballyhooed Oasis Class sequence of vessels — the world’s largest ships from the time they started debuting in 2009 till the arrival of Icon of the Seas early this yr.
3. Odyssey of the Seas (2022)
Maiden voyage: 2022
Dimension: 167,704 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,284
Odyssey of the Seas is the latest of Royal Caribbean’s 5 Quantum Class ships. The five-ship sequence debuted in 2014 with the revealing of Quantum of the Seas and is the latest class of ship within the Royal Caribbean fleet (till the arrival of the Icon Class of ships in January).
4. Spectrum of the Seas (2019)
Maiden voyage: 2019
Dimension: 169,379 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,246
Spectrum of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class sequence and has historically sailed in Asia, usually on cruises aimed on the Asian market.
Like all Quantum Class ships, Spectrum of the Seas options an iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex leisure complicated with bumper vehicles and different amusements and an uncommon attraction known as North Star that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.
5. Symphony of the Seas (2018)
Maiden voyage: 2018
Dimension: 228,081 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,518
Symphony of the Seas is the world’s third largest cruise ship, only a tad smaller than its newer sister Marvel of the Seas and the just lately unveiled Icon of the Seas. Like Marvel of the Seas, it is a part of the groundbreaking Oasis Class of ships that started debuting in 2009 (it is the fourth within the sequence).
Like all Oasis Class ships, Symphony of the Seas is damaged up into a number of neighborhoods for cruising enjoyable, together with a Central Park neighborhood stuffed with eateries, bars and outlets that runs down the center of the ship and is open to the sky.
6. Concord of the Seas (2016)
Maiden voyage: 2016
Dimension: 226,963 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,479
Unveiled in 2016, Harmony of the Seas was the third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class sequence and the most important ship on the planet on the time of its debut (it is since been eclipsed by its barely greater sisters Symphony of the Seas and Marvel of the Seas in addition to the brand new Icon of the Seas).
The ship was the primary within the Oasis Class to have a sprawling water park space often called Excellent Storm and the 10-story-high dry slide attraction Final Abyss.
7. Ovation of the Seas (2016)
Maiden voyage: 2016
Dimension: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,180
Ovation of the Seas is the third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class of ships. Lately, it has principally sailed in Australia and Alaska.
Like its Quantum Class sisters, Ovation of the Seas is stuffed with amusements equivalent to an iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex leisure complicated with bumper vehicles and a North Star experience that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.
8. Anthem of the Seas (2015)
Maiden voyage: 2015
Dimension: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,180
Anthem of the Seas is one in every of Royal Caribbean’s 5 Quantum Class vessels (it was the second ship within the sequence). It at present splits its time between New York Metropolis (the place it spends the winter, crusing to New England, the Bahamas and the Caribbean) and Southampton, England. It sails voyages out of the latter house port in the course of the summers.
For the winter of 2024-2025, Anthem of the Seas is scheduled to maneuver to Singapore for Asia sailings.
9. Quantum of the Seas (2014)
Maiden voyage: 2014
Dimension: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,180
Quantum of the Seas was the unique Quantum Class vessel for Royal Caribbean, and it thus kicked off a brand new period for the road.
The 4,180-passenger ship notably was the primary on the planet with a Bionic Bar — a bar with a robotic making drinks (an idea since rolled out to a number of different Royal Caribbean ships). It was additionally the primary cruise ship with an iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex leisure complicated with bumper vehicles and a North Star experience that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.
10. Attract of the Seas (2010)
Maiden voyage: 2010
Dimension: 225,282 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,484
When Allure of the Seas debuted in 2010, it was the most important ship on the planet (by a hair) and remains to be one of many world’s 5 largest cruise vessels.
Attract of the Seas was the second ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class sequence, and solely the three newer vessels within the sequence are greater than it.
Like all Oasis Class ships, Attract of the Seas options a number of neighborhoods, together with the Coney Island-inspired Boardwalk with an AquaTheater for acrobatic and excessive diving reveals, a carousel, an arcade, eating places and candy outlets, and two rock-climbing partitions looming above.
11. Oasis of the Seas (2009)
Maiden voyage: 2009
Dimension: 226,838 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,602
Oasis of the Seas was the cruise ship that modified the cruise world; a vessel a lot greater and with so many extra sights and venues when it debuted in 2009 that no person who beloved megaships wished to be on every other vessel.
On the time of its debut, it was a shocking 40% greater than every other cruise vessel on the planet.
Fourteen years after its debut, Oasis of the Seas stays one of many largest ships on the planet, being only a tad smaller than its 4 Oasis Class sisters which have debuted within the years because it arrived. It is also eclipsed in measurement by the simply unveiled Icon of the Seas.
12. Independence of the Seas (2008)
Maiden voyage: 2008
Dimension: 154,407 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,634
Independence of the Seas is the latest of three ships in Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class sequence.
Like different Freedom Class vessels, it is notably smaller than Royal Caribbean’s large Oasis Class ships, but it surely nonetheless is large enough to supply lots on the subject of deck-top sights, eateries, lounges and bars. The again of its prime deck includes a FlowRider browsing pool, a water park space with swirling waterslides and a rock-climbing wall.
13. Liberty of the Seas (2007)
Maiden voyage: 2007
Dimension: 154,407 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,798
Liberty of the Seas is the second of three ships in Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class sequence.
Like its newer sister Independence of the Seas, it is smaller than Royal Caribbean’s large Oasis Class ships however nonetheless is large enough to pack in numerous choices for cruisers. You will discover many deck-top sights, eateries, lounges and bars throughout this vessel.
14. Freedom of the Seas (2006)
Maiden voyage: 2006
Dimension: 156,271 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,926
Freedom of the Seas was one other groundbreaking ship for Royal Caribbean, the primary in a three-ship sequence (the Freedom Class) that have been the most important ships on the planet once they debuted.
Whereas not within the Prime 25 checklist of largest ships (so many greater ships have since debuted), Freedom of the Seas nonetheless provides numerous onboard enjoyable. It was, notably, the primary Royal Caribbean ship to characteristic a FlowRider browsing simulator on its prime decks — now a signature attraction for the road. It additionally boasts a number of pool areas, a water park, a miniature golf course and a mountaineering wall.
15. Jewel of the Seas (2004)
Maiden voyage: 2004
Dimension: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capability: 2,191
Jewel of the Seas is the latest of Royal Caribbean’s 4 Radiance Class vessels, a sequence of ships that’s considerably smaller than the road’s newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships.
Certainly, at 90,090 tons, Radiance of the Seas and its three sisters are lower than half the dimensions of the huge Oasis Class ships.
Nonetheless, Radiance of the Seas has greater than a half-dozen locations to eat, together with the primary restaurant, informal buffet, steakhouse, Italian restaurant and Asian venue.
You will additionally discover three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountaineering wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium. Inside, a theater, spa, on line casino and a number of bars and lounges maintain passengers entertained.
16. Mariner of the Seas (2003)
Maiden voyage: 2003
Dimension: 139,863 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,000
Mariner of the Seas is the latest ship in Royal Caribbean’s five-vessel Voyager Class sequence, which started debuting in 1999.
On the time of their debuts, the Voyager Class ships have been the most important cruise ships on the planet (as is usually the case with the brand new sequence of Royal Caribbean ships). However in the present day, they’re primarily midsize within the pantheon of Royal Caribbean vessels.
Nonetheless, Mariner of the Seas and its 4 Voyager Class sisters have lots of Royal Caribbean’s signature sights, together with mountaineering partitions and ice skating rinks. Actually, the ships have been the primary at Royal Caribbean to have these sights.
Voyager Class ships have been additionally the primary to characteristic a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and outlets of their inside. Every additionally has a number of specialty eating places along with the primary eating room and informal buffet; specialty eating places embrace a model of Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.
17. Serenade of the Seas (2003)
Maiden voyage: 2003
Dimension: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capability: 2,143
Serenade was the third ship to debut in Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class sequence, which rolled out in fast succession within the early 2000s.
Like different Radiance Class ships, it’s considerably smaller than the road’s newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships however nonetheless has lots to supply, together with greater than a half-dozen locations to eat, three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountaineering wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium.
Like Jewel of the Seas, its inside venues embrace a theater, spa, on line casino and a number of bars and lounges.
18. Navigator of the Seas (2002)
Maiden voyage: 2002
Dimension: 139,999 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,388
Unveiled in 2002, Journey of the Seas is the second latest vessel in Royal Caribbean’s five-vessel Voyager Class sequence.
Like different Voyager Class ships, it’s considerably smaller than Royal Caribbean’s newer vessels however nonetheless provides most of the line’s signature sights, together with a mountaineering wall, ice skating rink, and a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and outlets.
19. Brilliance of the Seas (2002)
Maiden voyage: 2002
Dimension: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capability: 2,142
Popping out only a yr sooner than Serenade of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas is an nearly an identical vessel.
Like Serenade of the Seas, it is a Radiance Class ship, and which means it is considerably smaller than the road’s newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless loaded with venues, together with greater than a half-dozen locations to eat, three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountaineering wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium.
Like its Radiance Class sisters, its inside venues embrace a theater, spa, on line casino and a number of bars and lounges.
20. Journey of the Seas (2001)
Maiden voyage: 2001
Dimension: 137,276 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,114
Journey of the Seas is the third latest vessel in Royal Caribbean’s five-vessel Voyager Class sequence.
Like different Voyager Class ships, it’s considerably smaller than Royal Caribbean’s newer vessels however nonetheless provides most of the line’s signature sights, together with a mountaineering wall, ice skating rink, and a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and outlets.
21. Radiance of the Seas (2001)
Maiden voyage: 2001
Dimension: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capability: 2,143
Radiance of the Seas was the prototype vessel for Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class sequence, which debuted between 2001 and 2004.
Like the opposite ships within the sequence, it is considerably smaller than the road’s newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships. Nevertheless, it nonetheless is loaded with venues, together with greater than a half-dozen locations to eat, three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountaineering wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium.
As well as, its inside venues embrace a theater, spa, on line casino and a number of bars and lounges.
22. Explorer of the Seas (2000)
Maiden voyage: 2000
Dimension: 137,308 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,286
Unveiled in 2000, Explorer of the Seas was the second vessel in Royal Caribbean’s five-vessel Voyager Class sequence.
Like the opposite 4 vessels within the sequence, it has lots of Royal Caribbean’s signature sights regardless of being smaller than the Royal Caribbean ships which have debuted over the previous 15 years. These embrace a mountaineering wall and ice skating rink in addition to a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and outlets.
Explorer of the Seas additionally has a number of specialty eating places along with the primary eating room and informal buffet; specialty eating places embrace a model of Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.
23. Voyager of the Seas (1999)
Maiden voyage: 1999
Dimension: 137,276 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,602
Voyager of the Seas was the unique Voyager Class ship, and on the time of its debut, it was the most important cruise ship on the planet.
Twenty-four years later, it is not even one of many 50 largest cruise ships on the planet, the results of years of development within the cruise business that has seen far greater vessels.
Nonetheless, Voyager of the Seas has lots of Royal Caribbean’s signature sights, together with a mountaineering wall and ice skating rink (two ideas it debuted). It was additionally the primary Royal Caribbean ship with an inside Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and outlets.
24. Imaginative and prescient of the Seas (1998)
Maiden voyage: 1998
Dimension: 78,340 gross tons
Passenger capability: 2,050 passengers
Imaginative and prescient of the Seas is the latest of Royal Caribbean’s Imaginative and prescient Class ships, that are the smallest ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet. In contrast to most Royal Caribbean ships, they provide fewer onboard sights and facilities than is typical for the road’s vessels.
Generally, Imaginative and prescient of the Seas and its three older Imaginative and prescient Class sisters enchantment to cruisers on the lookout for a extra intimate expertise on a cruise ship and cruisers who care extra in regards to the locations they go to than the onboard sights.
25. Enchantment of the Seas (1997)
Maiden voyage: 1997
Dimension: 82,910 gross tons
Passenger capability: 2,252
Enchantment of the Seas is the third of 4 Imaginative and prescient Class vessels that started becoming a member of the Royal Caribbean fleet in 1996.
Like its sister ships, it is lower than half the dimensions of Royal Caribbean’s latest, largest ships and has far fewer onboard sights and facilities.
Like Imaginative and prescient of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas appeals to cruisers on the lookout for a extra intimate expertise on a cruise ship.
26. Rhapsody of the Seas (1997)
Maiden voyage: 1997
Dimension: 78,419 gross tons
Passenger capability: 1,998
Rhapsody of the Seas was the second vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Imaginative and prescient Class of ships, that are the smallest ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Like its sisters within the Imaginative and prescient Class, it provides fewer onboard sights and facilities than are typical for the road’s vessels.
27. Grandeur of the Seas (1996)
Maiden voyage: 1996
Dimension: 73,817 gross tons
Passenger capability: 1,992
Grandeur of the Seas was the unique Imaginative and prescient Class vessel within the Royal Caribbean fleet, and it is the smallest of the sequence, too. Actually, it is the smallest ship in the complete Royal Caribbean fleet.
Like its sisters within the Imaginative and prescient Class, Grandeur of the Seas provides comparatively few onboard sights and facilities — a minimum of in comparison with newer Royal Caribbean ships.
What’s the latest Royal Caribbean ship?
The latest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Icon of the Seas. As famous above, it’s simply debuting in January, with its first crusing with paying passengers scheduled for Jan. 27.
Measuring 250,800 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is the most important cruise ship ever constructed. It is also loaded with extra eating places, bars, showrooms and deck-top sights than you may discover on every other ship at sea.
TPG received a sneak peek at Icon of the Seas in early January upfront of its first crusing with paying passengers. Do not miss our first tales reside from the ship:
What’s the oldest Royal Caribbean ship?
The oldest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas. Unveiled manner again in 1996, it is not simply the oldest Royal Caribbean ship however the smallest Royal Caribbean ship — far smaller than the latest Royal Caribbean vessels. Measuring simply 73,817 gross tons, it is only a third the dimensions of Marvel of the Seas and has far fewer venues.
Aside from a mountaineering wall, Grandeur of the Seas has not one of the gee-whiz deck-top sights discovered on greater Royal Caribbean vessels, equivalent to skydiving simulators and large water parks. For essentially the most half, its prime deck is lined with swimming pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships constructed within the Nineties.
That stated, Grandeur of the Seas has a loyal following amongst Royal Caribbean followers preferring smaller and extra intimate ships.
What new Royal Caribbean ships are coming?
Royal Caribbean at present has three new cruise ships on order, all of which will probably be amongst its largest cruise ships ever — if not its largest.
The primary to reach, in July, will probably be Utopia of the Seas, the sixth and closing vessel within the line’s iconic Oasis Class sequence. Launched in 2009 with the debut of Oasis of the Seas, the Oasis-class ships have dominated the world of mega-size cruise ships since that yr. On the time the category started rolling out, the vessels have been round 40% greater than the next-biggest cruise ships, they usually have continued to be the most important and most amenity-laden ships on the planet ever since.
Utopia of the Seas is predicted to be roughly the identical measurement as Marvel of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second-biggest cruise ship. Nevertheless it’ll be smaller than the road’s largest ship, Icon of the Seas. It is at present beneath development on the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.
Royal Caribbean additionally has two extra vessels much like Icon of the Seas on order from shipyards for supply in 2025 and 2026. The primary of the vessels will probably be known as Star of the Seas. The second of the vessels has not but been named.
Generally known as the Icon Class, these ships are being constructed on the large Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.
What’s the latest Royal Caribbean ship out there for reserving?
Star of the Seas is the latest Royal Caribbean ship you can guide proper now. Whereas the ship is not but crusing, its preliminary sailings scheduled for August 2025 are already on sale, as are future sailings by April 2026.
Additionally not but crusing however out there to guide is Utopia of the Seas, the brand new Oasis Class vessel that can debut in July. Utopia of the Seas sailings by April 2025 at the moment are open for bookings.
The third Royal Caribbean ship on order has but to open for bookings.
What’s the latest class of Royal Caribbean ships?
The Icon Class is the latest class of Royal Caribbean ships. It will be made up of a minimum of three vessels, the primary of which (Icon of the Seas) is debuting this month.
At 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas is greater than 6% greater than the most important Royal Caribbean ships that got here earlier than it. It might maintain as much as 7,600 passengers — a brand new file for a passenger ship. That is about 7% larger than the utmost capability of Marvel of the Seas, the road’s subsequent oldest vessel, which may maintain as much as 7,084 passengers.
The larger passenger capability of Icon of the Seas is partly because of the ship’s better deal with household vacationers. Icon of the Seas is being constructed with extra cabins which have loads of additional bunks to accommodate households with kids. It will even have extra facilities geared to households, together with a new-for-the-line outside “neighborhood” known as Surfside devoted to households with younger kids.
What is the distinction between newer and older Royal Caribbean ships?
Newer Royal Caribbean ships typically are greater than older Royal Caribbean ships — typically a lot greater. Because of this, they’ve room for a lot of extra onboard venues and sights than the road’s older vessels.
On Royal Caribbean’s latest and largest Oasis Class vessels, for example, you may discover three separate most important pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, browsing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball courtroom and even a zipper line. And that is simply on their prime decks.
Contained in the vessels, you may discover extra lounges, bars, eating places and outlets than you possibly can think about — plus large casinos, spas and showrooms with Broadway-style reveals. They even have indoor ice skating rinks.
In brief, they’re like large floating variations of the megaresorts you discover within the Orlando space or Las Vegas, they usually enchantment to individuals who like a megaresort expertise.
Royal Caribbean’s new Icon of the Seas has an identical array of venues.
Associated: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s older ships are a half to a 3rd smaller and lack most of the above options. They’ve a way more intimate really feel, a minimum of within the pantheon of comparatively massive, mass-market ships, they usually maintain far fewer individuals. Whereas Icon Class and Oasis Class ships can maintain greater than 6,600 passengers with each berth full, the road’s 4 oldest vessels (often called the Imaginative and prescient Class) are solely designed to hold about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.
That makes them a sensible choice for somebody who desires to attempt Royal Caribbean however is not wanting to journey with large crowds. The oldest ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet thus enchantment to a subset of Royal Caribbean followers preferring extra intimacy in a cruise vessel and do not thoughts giving up some onboard facilities to get it. They’re additionally usually inexpensive to sail on, on a per-day foundation.
Associated: Don’t miss out on these Royal Caribbean loyalty perks
As well as, due to their measurement, the oldest ships at Royal Caribbean are in a position to function itineraries to locations that are not as straightforward for large ships to go to. Not all ports on the planet can deal with a ship the dimensions of Marvel of the Seas.
Word that every one Royal Caribbean ships are renovated and upgraded on a daily schedule each few years, so even the oldest Royal Caribbean cruise vessels have newer carpeting, up to date furnishings, fashionable decor in cabins and different updates. In lots of circumstances, in addition they have had complete eateries and bars renovated through the years with ideas that first debuted on newer vessels.
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