What is the latest Royal Caribbean cruise ship? It would seem to be an odd query to ask, nevertheless it’s one thing that issues should you’re available in the market for a Royal Caribbean cruise.
The most recent Royal Caribbean ship is often additionally the Royal Caribbean ship with probably the most bells and whistles and probably the most up-to-date cabins, eating places, bars and points of interest. It is what you need if you would like the most recent and best in a vessel to your Royal Caribbean cruise trip.
Proper now, the latest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Utopia of the Seas, which debuted in 2024. It is the sixth ship in Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Oasis Class of vessels.
Different comparatively new Royal Caribbean ships embody Icon of the Seas, Surprise of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. All started crusing up to now few years.
In all, Royal Caribbean operates almost 30 vessels. On common, the road launches roughly one new ship a yr, and it usually retains vessels in its fleet for 20 to 30 years earlier than retiring them from the fleet. The oldest Royal Caribbean ship, Grandeur of the Seas, is 28 years previous.
Typically, Royal Caribbean’s latest ships are far larger and way more amenity-packed than its older ships. For those who crave loads of actions in a Royal Caribbean cruise trip, you may wish to keep on with vessels constructed up to now 15 years.
Associated: The 7 varieties of Royal Caribbean ships, defined
Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ships — these constructed within the Nineties and early 2000s — in lots of circumstances are half to one-third the dimensions of the road’s latest vessels and have far fewer venues on board. Nonetheless, even these smaller ships provide loads of points of interest as in comparison with many vessels crusing for competing strains.
Royal Caribbean is thought for bustling activity-packed ships throughout its fleet.
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Right here, each Royal Caribbean ship at the moment in operation is ranked from latest to oldest.
Word: All passenger capability numbers listed are for double occupancy (two passengers per cabin).
Listing of Royal Caribbean ships, latest to oldest
1. Utopia of the Seas (2024)
Maiden voyage: 2024
Dimension: 236,473 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,668
Utopia of the Seas is the sixth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Oasis Class of ships. In an uncommon twist, it has been deployed to Florida for brief cruises to the Bahamas. Usually, cruise strains assign their latest vessels to longer seven-night sailings.
The deployment of such a brand new and huge ship (Utopia of the Seas is the world’s second-largest cruise ship) to quick cruises is an indication that Royal Caribbean is raring to attract extra first-time cruisers. First-time cruisers usually gravitate to shorter cruises.
2. Icon of the Seas (2024)
Maiden voyage: 2024
Dimension: 248,663 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,610
Icon of the Seas is the belle of the ball at Royal Caribbean — the road’s 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, which might be rolling out over the subsequent few years. Royal Caribbean has initially ordered 4 of the vessels however might add extra ships to the sequence down the highway.
3. Surprise of the Seas (2022)
Maiden voyage: 2022
Dimension: 235,600 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,734
Surprise 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.
Surprise 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 in January 2024.
4. Odyssey of the Seas (2022)
Maiden voyage: 2022
Dimension: 167,704 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,198
Odyssey of the Seas is the latest of Royal Caribbean’s 5 Quantum Class ships. The five-ship sequence debuted in 2014 with the disclosing of Quantum of the Seas. It is the second-newest ship class within the fleet after the Icon Class.
5. 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 incorporates a RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex leisure advanced with bumper vehicles and different amusements, and an uncommon attraction known as North Star that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.
6. Symphony of the Seas (2018)
Maiden voyage: 2018
Dimension: 228,081 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,518
Symphony of the Seas is among the world’s largest cruise ships, only a tad smaller than its newer sisters Surprise of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, in addition to the ships within the Icon Class. It is the fourth ship within the groundbreaking Oasis Class of ships that started debuting in 2009.
Like all Oasis Class ships, Symphony of the Seas is damaged up into a number of neighborhoods, together with a Central Park neighborhood filled with eateries, bars and retailers that runs down the center of the ship and is open to the sky.
7. Concord of the Seas (2016)
Maiden voyage: 2016
Dimension: 226,963 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,479
Unveiled in 2016, Concord of the Seas was the third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class sequence and the most important ship on this planet on the time of its debut. (It has since been eclipsed by its barely larger sisters Symphony of the Seas, Surprise of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas and the Icon Class vessels.)
The ship was the primary within the Oasis Class to have a sprawling water park space often known as Good Storm and the 10-story-high dry slide attraction Final Abyss, the latter of which has since been added to different ships within the fleet.
8. Ovation of the Seas (2016)
Maiden voyage: 2016
Dimension: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,182
Ovation of the Seas is the third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class of ships.
Like its Quantum Class sisters, Ovation of the Seas is stuffed with amusements reminiscent of a RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex leisure advanced with bumper vehicles and a North Star experience that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.
9. Anthem of the Seas (2015)
Maiden voyage: 2015
Dimension: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capability: 4,180
Anthem of the Seas is one in all Royal Caribbean’s 5 Quantum Class vessels (the second ship within the sequence). It shares lots of the facilities provided by the opposite ships within the class, together with a North Star experience that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod, a Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator and a SeaPlex leisure advanced with bumper vehicles.
10. 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 this 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 a Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex leisure advanced with bumper vehicles and a North Star experience that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.
11. Attract of the Seas (2010)
Maiden voyage: 2010
Dimension: 225,282 gross tons
Passenger capability: 5,718
When Attract of the Seas debuted in 2010, it was the most important ship on this planet (by a hair) and remains to be one of many world’s largest cruise vessels.
Attract of the Seas was the second ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class sequence, and solely the newer vessels within the sequence are larger 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 exhibits, a carousel, an arcade, eating places and candy retailers, and two mountain climbing partitions looming above.
12. 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 larger and with so many extra points of interest and venues when it debuted in 2009 that no person who liked megaships needed to be on every other vessel.
On the time of its debut, it was a surprising 40% larger than every other cruise vessel on the planet.
Practically 20 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 Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships.
13. Independence of the Seas (2008)
Maiden voyage: 2008
Dimension: 154,407 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,858
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, nevertheless it nonetheless is large enough to supply loads relating to top-deck points of interest, eateries, lounges and bars. The again of its prime deck incorporates a FlowRider surf simulator, a water park space with swirling waterslides and a mountain climbing wall.
14. 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 loads of choices for cruisers. You will discover many top-deck points of interest, eateries, lounges and bars throughout this vessel.
15. 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 had been the most important ships on this planet once they debuted.
Whereas now not within the Prime 25 checklist of largest ships (so many larger ships have since debuted), Freedom of the Seas nonetheless presents loads of onboard enjoyable. It was, notably, the primary Royal Caribbean ship to characteristic a FlowRider surf 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 mountain climbing wall.
16. 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 latest Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Icon Class ships.
Certainly, at 90,090 tons, Radiance of the Seas and its three sisters are lower than half the dimensions of the large Icon Class ships.
Nonetheless, Radiance of the Seas has greater than a half dozen locations to eat, together with the principle restaurant, informal buffet, steakhouse, Asian venue and Italian restaurant.
You will additionally discover three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountain climbing 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.
17. Mariner of the Seas (2003)
Maiden voyage: 2003
Dimension: 139,863 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,344
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 had been the most important cruise ships on this planet (as is commonly the case with the brand new sequence of Royal Caribbean ships). However right this moment, 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 points of interest, together with mountain climbing partitions and ice skating rinks. In truth, the ships had been the primary at Royal Caribbean to have these points of interest.
Voyager Class ships had been additionally the primary to characteristic a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and retailers of their inside. Every additionally has a number of specialty eating places along with the principle eating room and informal buffet; specialty eating places embody a model of Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.
18. 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 latest Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Icon Class ships however nonetheless has loads to supply, together with greater than a half dozen locations to eat, three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountain climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium.
Like Jewel of the Seas, its inside venues embody a theater, spa, on line casino and a number of bars and lounges.
19. Navigator of the Seas (2002)
Maiden voyage: 2002
Dimension: 139,999 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,368
Unveiled in 2002, Navigator 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 presents lots of the line’s signature points of interest, together with a mountain climbing wall, an ice skating rink, and a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and retailers.
20. 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 latest Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Icon Class ships. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless loaded with venues, together with greater than a half dozen locations to eat, three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountain climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium.
Like its Radiance Class sisters, its inside venues embody a theater, spa, on line casino, and a number of bars and lounges.
21. Journey of the Seas (2001)
Maiden voyage: 2001
Dimension: 137,276 gross tons
Passenger capability: 3,114
Journey of the Seas is the center 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 presents lots of the line’s signature points of interest, together with a mountain climbing wall, an ice skating rink, and a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and retailers.
22. 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 latest Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Icon Class ships. Nevertheless, it nonetheless is loaded with venues, together with greater than a half dozen locations to eat, three swimming pools, whirlpools, a mountain climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports activities courtroom and an adults-only solarium.
As well as, its inside venues embody a theater, spa, on line casino and a number of bars and lounges.
23. 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 points of interest regardless of being smaller than the Royal Caribbean ships which have debuted over the previous 15 years. These embody a mountain climbing wall and an ice skating rink, in addition to a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and retailers.
Explorer of the Seas additionally has a number of specialty eating places along with the principle eating room and informal buffet; specialty eating places embody a model of Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.
24. 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, the most important cruise ship on this planet.
Practically 30 years later, it is not even one of many 50 largest cruise ships on this planet — the results of years of development within the cruise trade, which has since launched far larger vessels.
Nonetheless, Voyager of the Seas has lots of Royal Caribbean’s signature points of interest, together with a mountain climbing wall and an ice skating rink (two ideas it debuted). It was additionally the primary Royal Caribbean ship with an inside Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and retailers.
25. 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 points of interest and facilities than is typical for the road’s vessels.
Typically, Imaginative and prescient of the Seas and its three older Imaginative and prescient Class sisters enchantment to cruisers searching for a extra intimate expertise on a cruise ship and cruisers who care extra concerning the locations they go to than the onboard points of interest.
26. 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 points of interest and facilities.
Like Imaginative and prescient of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas appeals to cruisers searching for a extra intimate expertise on a cruise ship.
27. Rhapsody of the Seas (1997)
Maiden voyage: 1997
Dimension: 78,878 gross tons
Passenger capability: 2,040
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 presents fewer onboard points of interest and facilities than are typical for the road’s vessels.
28. 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. In truth, it is the smallest ship in the whole Royal Caribbean fleet.
Like its sisters within the Imaginative and prescient Class, Grandeur of the Seas presents comparatively few onboard points of interest and facilities — at the least in comparison with newer Royal Caribbean ships.
What’s the latest Royal Caribbean ship?
The most recent Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Utopia of the Seas. As famous above, it debuted in 2024.
Utopia of the Seas is the most recent 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 had been round 40% larger than the next-biggest cruise ships, and till early 2024 they continued to be the most important and most amenity-laden ships on this planet.
Additionally new at Royal Caribbean is the road’s Icon Class of vessels. At almost 250,000 gross tons, they’re the most important cruise ships ever constructed, eclipsing the six Oasis Class ships by a tad. They’re additionally loaded with extra eating places, bars, showrooms and top-deck points of interest than you may discover on every other ship at sea.
TPG received a sneak peek at Icon of the Seas upfront of its first crusing with paying passengers. Do not miss our first tales stay from the ship:
What’s the oldest Royal Caribbean ship?
The oldest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas. Unveiled approach 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 solely one-third the dimensions of Icon of the Seas and has far fewer venues.
Apart from a mountain climbing wall, Grandeur of the Seas has not one of the “gee whiz” top-deck points of interest — like skydiving simulators and large water parks — discovered on larger Royal Caribbean vessels. For probably 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 mentioned, 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 the moment has 4 new cruise ships on order, all of which might be amongst its largest cruise ships ever — if not its largest.
They embody three extra vessels within the line’s Icon Class sequence, the primary of which can roll out in 2025 with the title Star of the Seas. The second, Legend of the Seas (which recycles the title of a earlier Royal Caribbean ship that is now not within the fleet) is ready to debut in 2026. The third, which is scheduled to start crusing in 2027, is at the moment unnamed. They’re anticipated to be as huge as or larger than Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean additionally has yet one more unnamed ship within the Oasis Class sequence on order for supply in 2028. It is anticipated to be roughly the identical measurement as Utopia of the Seas however smaller than Icon of the Seas.
What’s the latest Royal Caribbean ship accessible for reserving?
The subsequent two Royal Caribbean vessels on order (the third and fourth Icon Class ships) have 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’s going to be made up of at the least three vessels, the primary of which (Icon of the Seas) debuted in 2024.
At 248,663 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is greater than 6% larger than the most important Royal Caribbean ships that got here earlier than it. It could maintain as much as 7,600 passengers — a brand new document for a passenger ship.
The larger passenger capability of Icon of the Seas is partially as a result of ship’s higher concentrate on household vacationers. Icon of the Seas was constructed with extra cabins which have loads of further bunks to accommodate households with kids. It additionally has extra facilities geared to households, together with a new-for-the-line outside “neighborhood” known as Surfside that is devoted to households with younger kids.
What is the distinction between newer and older Royal Caribbean ships?
Newer Royal Caribbean ships typically are larger than older Royal Caribbean ships — typically a lot larger. Consequently, they’ve room for a lot of extra onboard venues and points of interest than the road’s older vessels.
On Royal Caribbean’s latest and largest Oasis Class vessels, for example, you may discover three separate foremost 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 retailers than you may think about — plus enormous casinos, spas and theaters with Broadway-style exhibits. 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 that sort of expertise.
Royal Caribbean’s new Icon of the Seas has an analogous array of venues.
Associated: The final word information to Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s older ships are half to one-third smaller and lack lots of the above options. They’ve a way more intimate really feel, at the least within the pantheon of comparatively huge, mass-market ships, they usually maintain far fewer folks. Whereas Icon Class and Oasis Class ships can maintain almost 5,700 passengers at double occupancy, the road’s 4 oldest vessels (often known as the Imaginative and prescient Class) are solely designed to hold about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.
That makes the older vessels a good selection for somebody who desires to attempt Royal Caribbean however is not desperate to journey with enormous 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. In addition they usually price much less to sail on a per-day foundation.
Associated: Do not miss out on these Royal Caribbean loyalty perks
As well as, due to their measurement, the oldest ships at Royal Caribbean are capable of function itineraries to locations that are not as straightforward for large ships to go to. Not all ports on this planet can deal with a ship the dimensions of Icon of the Seas.
Word that each one Royal Caribbean ships are renovated and upgraded on an everyday 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 whole eateries and bars renovated through the years with ideas that first debuted on newer vessels.
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