Honest, First-Hand Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews
If you are looking for honest, first-hand Royal Caribbean reviews, you have come to the right place. Royal Caribbean is famous for building the biggest, most action-packed mega-ships in the world, packed with record-breaking waterslides, Broadway-style entertainment, and massive distinct “neighborhoods”.
Because their fleet ranges from the 248,000+ gross ton Icon Class all the way down to the classic, intimate 73,000-ton Vision Class, choosing the right ship is absolutely critical to your vacation experience. In our detailed trip reports, we share exactly what it is like to sail across this diverse fleet. We cover everything from dining in the main dining rooms to navigating the massive Royal Promenades. Read our daily reviews and watch our stateroom tours below to help plan your perfect Royal Caribbean getaway!
Free Royal Caribbean Planning Tools
We've built a few free tools to help take the guesswork out of planning your next Royal Caribbean voyage:
Oasis Class · 225,000+ Gross Tons
Allure of the Seas
Launched 2010Oasis Class · Various
In our Allure of the Seas reviews, we explore one of the incredible Oasis-class vessels that forever changed the cruise industry. With distinct neighborhoods like Central Park and the Boardwalk, this massive ship is a destination in itself. Our trip reports dive into the incredible entertainment at the AquaTheater, the fantastic dining options, and the sheer scale of a ship carrying over 5,000 guests.
✦ My Cruise Reviews for Allure of the Seas
🛠️ Tools & Resources
✨ Ship Highlights
Quantum Class · 168,000+ Gross Tons
Quantum of the Seas
Launched 2014Quantum Class · Various
Our Quantum of the Seas reviews highlight the high-tech innovations of the Quantum class. This ship traded the open-air central parks of the Oasis class for incredible indoor experiences, making her perfect for all-weather cruising. We cover everything from the massive Two70 entertainment venue to the bumper cars in the SeaPlex!
✦ My Cruise Reviews for Quantum of the Seas
🛠️ Tools & Resources
✨ Ship Highlights
Freedom Class · 154,000+ Gross Tons
Independence of the Seas
Launched 2008Freedom Class · Various
In our Independence of the Seas reviews, we showcase why the Freedom class remains a fan-favorite. Big enough to offer incredible amenities like the FlowRider and the sprawling Royal Promenade, but smaller than the mega-ships, she hits a perfect sweet spot. Check out our trip reports covering our quick Caribbean getaways!
✦ My Cruise Reviews for Independence of the Seas
🛠️ Tools & Resources
✨ Ship Highlights
Vision Class · 73,000 - 82,000 Gross Tons
Enchantment of the Seas
Launched 1997Vision Class · Various
Our Enchantment of the Seas reviews dive into this classic, destination-focused Vision-class vessel. Because she is a smaller ship, she offers a highly relaxed atmosphere with plenty of ocean views, skipping the mega-ship crowds. Check out our daily logs from our 4-day Cozumel escape!
✦ My Cruise Reviews for Enchantment of the Seas
2025
✨ Ship Highlights
Grandeur of the Seas
Launched 1996Vision Class · Various
In our Grandeur of the Seas reviews, we take a look at the oldest and smallest active ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. For cruisers who prefer a traditional maritime experience without waterslides or massive crowds, she is an absolute gem. Read our daily trip reports from our August sailing to Cozumel!
✦ My Cruise Reviews for Grandeur of the Seas
2024
✨ Ship Highlights
Former Fleet · Retired Ships
Sovereign of the Seas
Launched 1988Sovereign Class (Retired) · Retired
While the Sovereign of the Seas officially left the Royal Caribbean fleet in 2008 and was sadly scrapped in 2020, we have kept our legacy reviews available for those interested in cruise history! Widely recognized as the world's first true modern mega-ship when she debuted in 1988, she introduced the now-iconic multi-story glass-elevator Centrum and revolutionized the industry.
✦ My Cruise Reviews for Sovereign of the Seas
Sovereign of the Seas holds a special place in my heart, as she was the very first ship I sailed on from June 26 to July 3, 1993 on a trip through the Eastern Caribbean
✨ Ship Highlights
Our Review Methodology - How We Score Cruises, Ships, and Cruise Lines
A great vacation is more than just a ship; it’s a seamless experience from the terminal to the final debarkation. To provide the most accurate ratings, I evaluate every voyage on seven key dimensions. These scores determine the rating for a specific cruise, which then feeds into a rolling average to calculate the overall 1–5 star rating for the ship and the cruise line
| Category | What We Evaluate | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Embarkation | Speed of check-in, terminal efficiency, and the muster process. | First impressions set the tone for the entire vacation. |
| Stateroom | Layout, storage, technology (USB/outlets), furnishings, and noise levels. | This is your "home" at sea; it must be functional and comfortable. |
| Dining & Food | Taste, quality, and service in the MDR, buffet, and specialty restaurants. | We rate every food outlet individually to find the best value for your money. |
| Service | Attentiveness of cabin stewards, bartenders, waitstaff, and senior officers. | Great service can elevate a budget cruise to a premium experience. |
| Entertainment | Engagement level, production quality (Broadway vs. amateur), and variety. | You should never be bored, but you should not feel overwhelmed either. |
| Vibe & Guests | The passenger mix, age, activity level, and the general atmosphere onboard. | The crowd you sail with can make or break the daily "vibe" of the ship. |
| Debarkation | Organization and speed from the ship to the curb on the final morning. | A chaotic "hot mess" at the end can ruin a great week. |
The "Rolling Average" Guarantee: One bad cruise won't tank a line's rating, but consistent issues will. My ratings are ever-changing and based on real-world experiences to ensure you have the most current data for your 2026 planning.