Cruise ships are sometimes in comparison with cities, and there are specific ones you’d love to return and see once more.
I simply took my one centesimal cruise whereas crusing on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, and it is a milestone that made me mirror on all of the sailings I’ve taken since I began cruising in 2006.
In these virtually 20 years, I have been on a lot of the ships within the fleet. There are nonetheless a number of I’ve but to sail on, however I hope to attempt all of them some day.
Within the meantime, there are a handful of cruise ships I will gladly sail on once more as a result of they stand out for providing a superior expertise. In quite a lot of instances, they converse to my preferences and the way I wish to cruise.
Whether or not you are going in your first cruise or seeking to get on each ship too, these are the 5 Royal Caribbean ships I extremely advocate.
Utopia of the Seas has all the things in a weekend cruise
I’ve cherished Oasis Class ships since I first tried Oasis of the Seas in 2010, so selecting a favourite is like selecting a favourite baby.
I picked Utopia of the Seas as a result of it is a part of the newest era and has the most effective in school options that simply make it stand out.
Purists will complain the ship solely sails quick cruises as an alternative of 7-nighters and that diminishes the enchantment, however I am keen to miss the problem as a result of Utopia is simply higher than the remainder of the ships in its class.
Sure, it is marketed as a “weekend celebration ship” and also you get an brisk bunch on there, however my goodness, they included so many good concepts on Utopia.
This is a number of examples of belongings you’ll solely discover on Utopia and not one of the different Oasis Class ships:
Finest pool deckFlat Tire restaurantRoyal Railway restaurantIzumi in Central ParkBest Giovanni’s location
Utopia additionally has my favourite bar on any ship, the Mason Jar.
Plus, the non-smoking on line casino on this ship is huge. Royal Caribbean gutted the comedy membership and loyalty lounge and changed it with a sprawling non-smoking on line casino space that looks like a land primarily based on line casino.
Whereas I want it nonetheless had a devoted comedy membership as a result of comedy within the Royal Theater does not hit the identical, there isn’t any doubt the on line casino is an improve.
It is also similar to Surprise of the Seas, however I picked Utopia as a result of Surprise does not have the Royal Railway, Flat Tire, or Izumi in Central Park. Little tweaks, however sufficient that I might be mendacity if I mentioned I did not choose them.
Freedom of the Seas has nice costs and plenty to do
I’ve sailed on Freedom of the Seas 8 occasions up to now, and it is not a coincidence I’ve ended up again on onboard.
Not solely are the Freedom Class ships nice values that ship a giant ship really feel, however the upgrades it obtained in 2020 simply make it the most effective of the category.
Freedom is a giant ship, with a most capability effectively over 4,000 passengers. There are water slides, an amazing number of specialty eating places, expansive aqua park for teenagers, and an amazing bar scene.
You are additionally very prone to discover a good worth when crusing on Freedom of the Seas. Each the Freedom and Voyager Class characterize the most effective dollar-for-dollar worth right this moment as a result of they’re older ships (20 years outdated in 2026), however in addition they have quite a bit to do onboard.
Identical to Utopia, it too obtained a pleasant improve with a non-smoking on line casino that changed Vintages on the Royal Promenade. A welcome change to non-smokers that take pleasure in playing.
The chief draw back to Freedom is in its cabins, which nonetheless have a twenty yr outdated motif to them. The sunshine pink cabin doorways, dated bedding, and lack of retailers are usually not causes I like to recommend the ship.
They’re issues I hope are some day improved, however within the meantime, I can reside with them as a result of the remainder of the ship makes up for it.
The hidden gem ship is Odyssey of the Seas
Odyssey of the Seas is in some methods Royal Caribbean’s forgotten new ship.
It launched proper because the cruise trade was recovering from the shutdown of 2020, and Surprise of the Seas entered service so rapidly after Odyssey that it felt prefer it was rapidly overshadowed.
What I really like about Odyssey is it is the Quantum Class ship that obtained all the things proper. I at all times preferred the Quantum Class ships, however by no means cherished them till Odyssey got here alongside.
Royal Caribbean found out quite a lot of issues with Odyssey. They added Playmakers and reworked the SeaPlex to make it a spot everybody want to take pleasure in, not simply youngsters.
They reworked the pool deck and opened all of it up, whereas additionally making it really feel such as you’re at a resort.
Odyssey has the brand new Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen restaurant, in addition to a unified Major Eating Room.
If you have not sailed on Odyssey but, you actually ought to e book one thing on it as a result of it is simply ignored, but a ship I feel does not get sufficient reward for being that darn good.
My favourite funds cruise ship is Mariner of the Seas
If you happen to’ve obtained sticker shock taking a look at Icon of the Seas, you may discover far more affordable costs on Mariner of the Seas.
Mariner is a Voyager Class ship, and first launched in 2003. Whereas a 20 yr outdated cruise ship may appear lower than excellent, latest upgrades increase this ship’s enchantment.
It has a Playmakers sports activities bar, water slides, laser tag, tiki bar, and a handful of specialty eating places I frequent anytime I am onboard.
I’ve sailed on Mariner 13 occasions, and I feel the explanation I really like to return again is the nice mixture of low costs and enjoyable actions onboard.
Much like Freedom, Mariner is the form of ship you e book since you need to spend much less, however nonetheless have sufficient to do. And like Freedom, Mariner’s upgrades make it a extra compelling selection than different ships inside its class.
Out of all of the ships I’ve sailed, Icon of the Seas is my favourite
It has been virtually two years since Royal Caribbean reset the usual for all different cruise ships once they launched Icon of the Seas, and it stays on the very high of my really helpful ship checklist.
The array of improvements, tweaks, and additions make Icon a must-try for just about everybody. I feel Royal Caribbean obtained a lot proper with this ship whereas additionally enhancing visitor ache factors that it stands out from the remainder of the ships within the fleet.
For somebody new to cruising, I feel it is a fantastic introduction as a result of it simply makes all the things so easy. You may discover a lot to do, attractive choices, and a frictionless trip.
I particularly just like the pool selection, unbelievable water slides, the totally enclosed AquaTheater, and actually good included eating selections.
The one draw back to Icon is it can value you greater than some other ship on this checklist. Each Icon and Star of the Seas command premium pricing, so do not anticipate a discount basement worth.
Talking of Star, sure, I really like Star and would advocate it too. The explanation I picked Icon was just because they’re so related and Icon was the unique, so I opted for it.
Do not child your self, each different new ship out there may be attempting to meet up with the Icon Class, and none have come near matching it.
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