You’ve heard of the Royal Caribbean cruise line – huge ships, fun activities, impressive facilities. Among a wide array of choices, their ships stand out for their promise of a truly exciting adventure. Whether you’re headed to the beautiful Mexico, the picturesque Bahamas, Jamaica, or the breathtaking St. Maarten, there’s always good reason to set sail with the Royal Caribbean.
Like they say, in life, it’s not always about the destination – it’s about the journey too. And Royal Caribbean makes sure you enjoy that to the fullest with their a world-on-their-own cruise ships.
Here are three of them you must make sure to experience when you get the opportunity:
Harmony of the Seas
Touted as the world’s largest cruise ship, the Harmony of the Seas takes you from one world to another exciting realm, giving you an on-sea adventure on an entirely new level.
Just launched this year, this ship is so expansive, it can accommodate more than 5000 passengers, has 16 decks, and is manned by more than 2000 crew. It proudly showcases sprawling ‘neighborhoods’ – sections of the ship that put together related activities and areas. These neighborhoods like Central Park, Youth Place, Entertainment Place, and the like make it easier for cruisers to find their onboard ‘adventure’.
Good-sized, well-appointed cabins make you feel luxury and comfort, but do not overwhelm. They have studio rooms, interior cabins, suites, and even oceanview cabins that promise a daily calming sight of the big blue beauty outside throughout the cruise.
You certainly won’t miss out on any excitement despite the long journey to your port of call – Harmony of the Seas lets you enjoy rock climbing, onboard surfing with the FlowRider, ziplining, mini golfing, and more!
Love the water? You and other fellow water enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the many pools onboard. There are also two slide adventures – the Perfect Storm and the Ultimate Abyss – a must for the daredevils! Want something more laid-back? Pay a visit to their spa, ice rink, or watch a showing of Grease at the ship’s theater.
Onboard dining is also an absolute treat! Dine with luxury at the Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, make the most of their delectable buffet offerings, as well as from the various restaurants onboard like Sabor Modern Mexican, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and more.
Providing a similar brand of adventure is a ship in the same class, Harmony’s ‘older sister’, the Allure of the Seas. There are certain aspects the Allure does not have though that Harmony has added to their offerings – like the Wonderland restaurant, the Escape Room, and the Perfect Storm water slides. This ship travels to the Caribbean.
Quantum of the Seas
The Royal Caribbean aims to surprise and impress with every ship – and on the Quantum of the Seas, it’s an entirely different brand of adventure!
Families are sure to enjoy the SeaPlex – an indoor recreational venue that features a skating rink, basketball court, Xbox consoles, and a bumper car arena. The adults can also try their luck at the Casino Royale, rock and groove at the ship’s Music Halls where bands play live music, or just get their ‘refreshments’ at any of the bars onboard.
Care for a swim? There are three main pools onboard as well as four hot tubs. Kids will have hours of fun at the wave pool, and the little ones can also get their cooling time at the splash pool.
They also have something for the adventure-hearted – enter, the iFly by Ripcord. This unique feature lets cruisers simulate a skydiving experience onboard. Quantum of the Seas also has the North Star, a globe-shaped ride that takes you 300 feet above sea level – providing you with an awe-striking view of the ship and the surrounding ocean.
Good food is never scarce onboard either – with a wide variety available on the Quantum of the Seas, you’re sure to find something that will tickle everyone’s palate. There’s delicious pizza at Sorrento’s, and you’ll surely find the perfect pastry for your coffee at Cafe Promenade. Want something fancy for a special event? Try The Grande – where elegance meets beautiful details and gourmet food.
Quantum’s sister cruise ship, the Anthem of the Seas is another awesome option! It has 2090 cabins (including 375 rooms that showcase ‘virtual balconies’), beautiful, whimsical artwork, topnotch entertainment shows like We Will Rock You, and so much more.
Mariner of the Seas
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship under the Voyager class, the Mariner of the Seas offers a family-friendly, enriching adventure to the beautiful Northeast and Southeast Asia. This opens your doors to the enchanting sights of Beijing and Seoul, as well as the breathtaking views of Malaysia and Thailand.
Though smaller than the hulking ships of the likes of the Freedom and Quantum classes, Mariner of the Seas will provide you with a string of amenities and activities that will keep you happily occupied throughout your cruise.
From line dancing lessons, to video arcades, to seminars as well as arts and crafts workshops – everyone in the family is sure to find something to tickle their cruise fancy. The Promenade comes alive with plenty of energizing performances by the Royal Caribbean’s team of singers and dancers. Interaction with cruisers is also tops, with various contests that encourage guests to take part in the fun.
This Royal Caribbean ship offers families plenty of age-appropriate activities. There’s the Adventure Ocean Youth Program, which gives the little kids, the tweeners, and teens various on-sea ‘adventures’ that are just right for them.
Three to five year-olds have story time and scavenger hunts, kids aged 6-8 enjoy more crafts and exploration-themed activities, while active 9-11 year olds can look forward to foosball and science experiments. Tweens have their own mini-contests while the teens jam and have the most awesome dance parties.
For those who really prefer to spend a lazy afternoon just basking under the sun, the 24-hour Cafe also on the Promenade, is a must-visit. Along with brewed coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, they also offer delicious croissants, sandwiches, and more.
You can also sit back and relax to watch an outdoor movie by the pool, try your luck at the Casino, or simply get a stress-removing massage from the Vitality Spa.
Make the most of your chance to cruise – book your next one on any of these Royal Caribbean ships and get yourself ready for the on-sea experience of a lifetime!
