Royal Caribbean has new and outdated cruise ships, with a complete of 29 within the fleet. For the time being, Star of the Seas is the latest, as she debuted in August 2025. The oldest ship within the fleet is Grandeur of the Seas, which entered service in 1996, a 29-year hole from the latest.
In This Article:
Desk of All Royal Caribbean Ships From Latest to OldestRoyal Caribbean Cruise Ships by AgeWhat’s the Distinction Between Newer and Older Royal Caribbean Ships?
Desk of All Royal Caribbean Ships From Latest to Oldest
Earlier than we get into the main points of all of the ships by age, right here’s a fast desk itemizing them, together with these at the moment beneath development and on order.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships by Age
Now you can check out the ships, ranging from Star of the Seas, the present latest within the fleet, all the best way to the oldest. You possibly can test when the ship started crusing and a few stats.
Star of the Seas (2025)
This ship is a real large of the seas, following within the footsteps of its sister ship, Icon of the Seas. Star of the Seas was constructed on the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and options eight neighborhoods spanning throughout 18 passenger decks.
The ship arrived in Port Canaveral on August 9, 2025, for its inaugural season. The naming ceremony occurred with godmother Kellie Gerardi on August 20, 2025.
Entered Service: August 2025
Passenger capability: 5,610 (double occupancy)
Gross Tonnage: 248,663
Utopia of the Seas (2024)
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas is the sixth ship within the Oasis-class and was constructed on the common Chantiers De L’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France. The enormous vessel options eight neighborhoods and debuted in July 2024 out of Port Canaveral, Florida.
Entered Service: July 2024
Passenger Capability: 5,668 (double occupancy)
Gross Tonnage: 236,473
Icon of the Seas (2023)
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship on this planet till sister ship Star of the Seas arrives in 2025. The primary Icon class vessel debuted in January 2024 and arrived in Miami, Florida with numerous consideration. She was constructed on the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and options eight neighborhoods.
Entered service: January 27, 2024
Passenger capability: 5,610 (double occupancy)
Gross tonnage: 248,663
Surprise of the Seas (2022)
Debuting because the world’s largest cruise ship (not less than till Royal Caribbean unveiled the subsequent world’s largest cruise ship in 2024), Surprise of the Seas is the fifth Oasis-class ship, to be adopted by the sixth Oasis-class ship in 2024 (Utopia of the Seas).
Constructed by Chantiers De L’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France, Surprise of the Seas boasts a collection neighborhood, the cruise line’s Final Household Suite, and a variety of beloved and new eating venues.
Entered service: March 4, 2022
Most passenger capability: 7,084
Gross tonnage: 235,600
Odyssey of the Seas (2021)
Constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, Odyssey of the Seas remains to be comparatively new and, as such, options a few of the newer facilities and venues that the cruise line has began including to its ships. You’ll discover indoor skydiving, an indoor sports activities space referred to as the SeaPlex and a revamped pool deck expertise.
Entered service: April 2021
Most passenger capability: 5,498
Gross tonnage: 169,000
Spectrum of the Seas (2019)
Sister ship to Odyssey of the Seas and the primary Quantum Extremely-class ship, Spectrum of the Seas options lots of the similar venues, facilities and leisure choices, just like the iFly skydiving simulator, North Star commentary capsule and Seaplex leisure advanced. This ship primarily caters to the Asian cruising market.
Entered service: April 18, 2019
Most passenger capability: 5,622
Gross tonnage: 169,379
Symphony of the Seas (2018)
The final Oasis-class ship to debut earlier than Surprise of the Seas earlier in 2023, Symphony of the Seas is sort of a pretty downgraded model of Surprise. This ship has so much to like … simply not fairly as a lot as her youthful sister.
There are seven on-board neighborhoods; the Final Household Suite; a 10-story slide often known as The Final Abyss; and a laser tag area.
Entered service: April 7, 2018
Most passenger capability: 6,680
Gross tonnage: 228,081
Concord of the Seas (2016)
Constructed at STX France in St. Nazaire, France, Concord of the Seas presents a lot of the identical particular options as sister ship Symphony of the Seas. There’s the identical trio of waterslides often known as The Excellent Storm, the 10-story Final Abyss dry slide and 7 on-board neighborhoods.
Entered service: Could 29, 2016
Most passenger capability: 6,687
Gross tonnage: 226,963
Ovation of the Seas (2016)
The yr 2016 was an enormous one for Royal Caribbean, because the cruise line debuted two cruise ships in simply as many months. In fact, Ovation of the Seas is unquestionably smaller than Concord of the Seas, however Ovation nonetheless presents loads for cruisers to take pleasure in throughout its 16 decks.
Entered service: April 17, 2016
Most passenger capability: 4,905
Gross tonnage: 168,666
Anthem of the Seas (2015)
On the similar dimension and passenger capability of sister ships Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, launched into service in Southampton, England. After crusing Europe for the ship’s maiden voyage, Anthem of the Seas has gone on to serve cruise itineraries all through the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Entered service: April 2, 2015
Most passenger capability: 4,905
Gross tonnage: 168,666
Quantum of the Seas (2014)
Quantum of the Seas kicked off the Quantum class in excessive type. Constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, the ship is notable for being the primary Royal Caribbean ship to supply first-at-sea actions, together with the iFly skydiving exercise, the North Star commentary pod and the Bionic Bar. These facilities would go on to be added to future Quantum-class ships as nicely.
Entered service: November 2, 2014
Most passenger capability: 4,905
Gross tonnage: 168,666
Attract of the Seas (2010)
This Oasis-class ship is greater than the entire Quantum-class ships that straight adopted it, and presents a big collection of spotlight options, together with the aquatheater Royal Caribbean has featured on a variety of its ships, the Central Park zone and a zip line.
Constructed in Turku, Finland, at STX Europe, the ship is getting up there in age and was due for some refurbishments just some years in the past, however the Covid-19 pandemic put a pause on these plans.
Entered service: December 4, 2010
Most passenger capability: 5,496
Gross tonnage: 225,282
Oasis of the Seas (2009)
The lead ship for the Oasis class, Oasis of the Seas was met with a lot fanfare. Whereas, certain, it didn’t have as many wonderful new options because the later Quantum of the Seas and the general Quantum class, Oasis of the Seas nonetheless introduced new choices and was, for a time, the biggest and the longest cruise ship on this planet.
This ship underwent renovations in 2019 to incorporate the tallest slide at sea, the primary barbecue restaurant for Royal Caribbean, and a few of the line’s Final Panoramic suites.
Entered service: December 5, 2009
Most passenger capability: 6,771
Gross tonnage: 226,838
Independence of the Seas (2008)
Debuted in 2008 after being in-built Turku, Finland, and most not too long ago refurbished in 2013 after which 2018, Independence of the Seas was the final of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom class.
Crusing quick cruises across the Caribbean, the ship presents traditional cruising experiences in a smaller, lower-key setting. Its 2018 refurbishments introduced waterslides and different options.
Entered service: Could 2, 2008
Most passenger capability: 4,375
Gross tonnage: 154,407
Liberty of the Seas (2007)
Considered one of three Freedom-class ships, Liberty of the Seas is technically the identical dimension as sister ship Independence of the Seas, however can accommodate extra company.
In 2016, the ship was majorly overhauled to obtain new eating and leisure choices, water slides, a water park, and extra.
Entered service: Could 19, 2007
Most passenger capability: 4,960 company
Gross tonnage: 154,407
Freedom of the Seas (2006)
The very first Freedom-class ship, Freedom of the Seas is barely bigger than its two following sister ships.
In contrast to some ships that had their renovations pushed again or delayed indefinitely in 2020, Freedom of the Seas managed to squeeze hers in, with amplifications that yr bringing new life to the pool decks, including waterslides, and revamping the restaurant and bar choices. The ship was constructed at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Turku, Finland.
Entered service: Could 11, 2006
Most passenger capability: 4,635 company
Gross tonnage: 156, 271
Jewel of the Seas (2004)
At lower than half the scale of a few of Royal Caribbean’s latest ships, Jewel of the Seas feels positively intimate. A cruise on this ship, constructed at Meyer Werft Yard in Papenberg, Germany, means solely sharing your area at sea with a couple of thousand different cruisers.
The ship was the final Royal Caribbean vessel to incorporate a multi-story atrium (versus a promenade) and she or he obtained renovations in 2016. Since launch, the ship has served cruise routes all through the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Persian Gulf.
Entered service: Could 8, 2004
Most passenger capability: 2,702
Gross tonnage: 90,090
Mariner of the Seas (2003)
Considered one of 5 Royal Caribbean Voyager-class vessels, Mariner of the Seas isn’t as small because the Radiance-class ships, however nonetheless manages to remain on the small facet.
The ship, which was in-built Turku, Finland, for a value of $650 million, was renovated final in 2018 so as to add new leisure and eating options.
Entered service: November 14, 2003
Most passenger capability: 3,807
Gross tonnage: 139,863 GT
Serenade of the Seas (2003)
With a barely smaller visitor capability than later sister ship Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas nonetheless presents a lot of the identical experiences.
The ship, constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, obtained discover as the primary Royal Caribbean ship to sail to Alaska, in addition to to supply the longest cruising itinerary ever, at 274 days spent touring the whole globe throughout a single itinerary.
Entered service: August 25, 2003
Most passenger capability: 2,476
Gross tonnage: 90,090 GT
Navigator of the Seas (2002)
In-built Turku, Finland, Navigator of the Seas has been up to date a number of occasions since 2002. In 2014, Royal Caribbean added further cabins to the ship, in addition to its trademark browsing simulator and outside film display screen.
In 2019, additional modifications have been made so as to add waterslides and new eating choices, amongst different new options.
Entered service: December 14, 2002
Most passenger capability: 3,968
Gross tonnage:139,999 GT
Brilliance of the Seas (2002)
One other smaller Radiance-class ship, Brilliance of the Seas was final renovated in 2013, so it nonetheless options a few of the traditional Royal Caribbean facilities and leisure choices, even when it won’t have the entire newest and biggest, latest options.
There’s nonetheless a rock-climbing wall, solarium, mini golf course and a handful of eating and ingesting choices.
Entered service: July 15, 2002
Most passenger capability: 2,543
Gross tonnage: 90,090
Journey of the Seas (2001)
In-built Turku, Finland, Journey of the Seas might not be as up to date as a few of the ships that have been initially launched across the similar time, however the ship does nonetheless function a few of cruisers’ favourite Royal Caribbean facilities.
There’s the mountain climbing wall, Flowrider browsing simulator, Excellent Storm water slides and extra.
Entered service: November 18, 2001
Most passenger capability: 3,807
Gross tonnage: 137,276 GT
Radiance of the Seas (2001)
The very first Radiance-class ship, Radiance of the Seas was constructed at Meyer Werft Yard in Papenburg, Germany. The ship made waves when it debuted, because the ship containing essentially the most glass in its development out of another Royal Caribbean ships, in addition to the very first ship within the trade to function gyroscopically-stabilized pool tables.
Entered service: April 7, 2001
Most passenger capability: 2,466
Gross tonnage: 90,090
Explorer of the Seas (2000)
In-built Turku, Finland, this ship obtained updates pretty not too long ago, in 2023, when Royal Caribbean added some waterslides. When Explorer of the Seas first debuted, it contained a notable oceanographic laboratory utilized by college researchers, although that lab has since been retired.
Entered service: October 28, 2000
Most passenger capability: 4,290
Gross tonnage: 137,308
Voyager of the Seas (1999)
The primary Voyager-class vessel for Royal Caribbean, Voyager of the Seas launched in — imagine it or not — the final century. This ship was ground-breaking when it debuted, with the primary Royal Caribbean promenade, the primary ice skating rink and the primary mountain climbing wall.
As so many Royal Caribbean cruise ships have been, the ship was the biggest on this planet when it first set sail.
Entered service: November 21, 1999
Most passenger capability: 4,000
Gross tonnage: 137,276
Imaginative and prescient of the Seas (1998)
Imaginative and prescient of the Seas is the latest of Royal Caribbean’s oldest class of cruise ships nonetheless in operation. It was in-built St. Nazaire, France. The ship has been refitted as not too long ago as 2013 to function sure Royal Caribbean options that got here commonplace on later ships, similar to a rock-climbing wall.
Entered service: Could 2, 1998
Most passenger capability: 2,514
Gross tonnage: 78,340
Enchantment of the Seas (1997)
This ship, constructed at Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland, has the distinctive distinction of getting been stretched — Enchantment of the Seas was actually lengthened by 73 ft in 2005, with a brand new midsection inserted at a shipyard in The Netherlands.
Most not too long ago, the ship was refitted in 2013, and now contains options similar to a rock-climbing wall, splash deck, outside theater display screen and extra.
Entered service: July 13, 1997
Most passenger capability: 2,730
Gross tonnage: 82,910
Rhapsody of the Seas (1997)
Debuting just some months earlier than sister ship Enchantment of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas was constructed at Chantiers de L’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France.
The ship was refurbished in 2012 so as to add extra cabins, a brand new outside film display screen and new eating choices; different refurbishments occurred in 2016 and 2019, although the included modifications have been comparatively minor.
Entered service: Could 19, 1997
Most passenger capability: 2,416
Gross tonnage: 78,491
Grandeur of the Seas (1996)
The oldest of Royal Caribbean’s ships nonetheless in operation, Grandeur of the Seas was initially going to be transferred to Pullmantur Cruises in 2021, although these plans have been canceled as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
The ship obtained refurbishments in 2012 and options lots of the similar venues, facilities and eating places that you simply’ll spot on different Royal Caribbean ships constructed all through the Nineteen Nineties and 2000s.
Entered service: December 14, 1996
Most passenger capability: 2,440
Gross tonnage: 73,817
What’s the Distinction Between Newer and Older Royal Caribbean Ships?
When deciding between cruising on a more recent or older Royal Caribbean ship, there are a couple of massive variations that you simply’ll wish to contemplate.
Newer ships are considerably bigger than older ships. That is each good and dangerous. You’ll take pleasure in way more leisure, eating and stateroom choices, however you’ll additionally take care of extra crowds and simply must navigate your means round a a lot bigger ship, which may show annoying for some.
Learn Additionally: Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive?
Older ships, although, are much less up to date and fewer tech-savvy. Whereas new ships function laser tag arenas and VR experiences, older ships depend on leisure like swimming pools and rock-climbing partitions.
Likewise, staterooms are far much less luxurious on older ships than they’re on the newer ships, and also you get extra stateroom and suite choices general on newer ships than you do on the older ships. These are all issues to take into consideration earlier than you e book your Royal Caribbean cruise.
Royal Caribbean Ships By Age: Latest to Oldest (1996-2025)
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