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🚢 Royal Caribbean: Where Cruising Meets "Wait, That’s on a SHIP?!
All about Royal Caribbean - who it's for and who may want to skip it.
7/29/20253 min read
I stepped off Ovation of the Seas, and my inner 10-year-old is still freaking out over the bumper cars. 🎢 (Yes, bumper cars—on a cruise ship.)
If your idea of cruising is still stuck in the ‘napkin-folding-class’ era, let me introduce you to Royal Caribbean—where the ships are basically water parks, foodie havens, and relaxation hubs all rolled into one floating masterpiece.
Quick Royal Caribbean 101:
🛳️ Not All Ships Are Created Equal
Royal Caribbean has huge megaships (like their new Icon Class ships that can accommodate up to 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members) and smaller, cozier options. The bigger the ship, the more wild activities—but even their ‘smaller’ ships pack a punch.
🌎 Where They Sail
Alaska? Check. Caribbean? Obviously. Europe, Asia, even Australia? Yep! They’ve got ports covered, but the best amenities are on newer ships. Fun fact: Ovation of the Seas is the largest cruise ship to call the Los Angeles port home!
Who It’s For:
✔ Families Who Can't Agree on Anything
Kids? Teens? Grandparents? Royal Caribbean has something for everyone. And the best part? You can let your kids do their own thing while you enjoy some time to yourself, and then meet back up to explore together!
✔ Adrenaline Junkies
I strapped into the iFly skydiving simulator and instantly understood why people scream-laugh the entire time. (Yes, I sounded like a pterodactyl.) For 60 glorious seconds, you’re defying gravity—no plane, no parachute, just pure wind-in-your-face euphoria (or in my case, sensory overload).
All suited up and ready to skydive!
✔ Foodies & Cocktail Lovers
From sushi to steak, and yes, even robot-mixed drinks. Some specialty restaurants come at an additional cost.
✔ First-Time Cruisers
Easy to navigate, endless fun, and no chance of boredom.
Who Might Want to Skip It:
🚫 Ultra-Luxury Seekers – This isn’t a quiet, butler-everywhere vibe (although you can upgrade to a luxury cruise suite).
🚫 Strict Budget Travelers – While you can cruise affordably, add-ons like drink packages or excursions add up fast.
Pro Tips for Sailing on Royal Caribbean:
Insider Intel You'll be Glad to Know
1️⃣ How to Book iFLY & North Star for FREE
Want to try RipCord by iFLY (the sky diving simulator) or the North Star (the pod that carries you 300 feet above sea level for spectacular views - see photo above) for FREE? Book a complimentary session on port days. The spots generally open up the night before a Port Day, but be sure to ask once you're on the ship so you don't miss out.
2️⃣ The Solarium is Your Secret Oasis
Adults-only, climate-controlled, and with killer ocean views? Perfect for escaping the kiddos (or that one overly enthusiastic belly flop contest).
3️⃣ Download the Royal Caribbean App Before You Sail
It’s your lifeline for schedules, reservations, and checking your onboard account (aka ‘How did I already spend $200?’).
4️⃣ Formal Night ≠ Fancy
Want to dress up? Go for it! Prefer jeans? Also fine. Royal Caribbean’s ‘formal’ is more ‘Instagram cute’ than black-tie.
5️⃣ Print Your Luggage Tags
When you arrive at the port, you can drop off your suitcases, and they will magically appear at your stateroom door later that evening. However, they must have a luggage tag attached. Royal Caribbean will email these to you as part of your pre-cruise "e-Doc" pdf. You'll need to print and attach them to your suitcase(s) before arriving at the port.
6️⃣ Bring closed-toe shoes.
You'll need them to ride the bumper cars!
My Take:
Overall, I loved my time onboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas and am itching to sail on one of their megaships with my family!
Ovation of the Seas is a great ship for:
folks who live near LA or can get there easily
short 3-4 night itineraries
Alaskan cruises because there's so much to do indoors (including an indoor pool and the solarium, an adults-only pool).
Some things onboard that were not my favorite:
Some of the nighttime shows. Many of them were not family-friendly. So be sure to pay attention to the parental advisory for each show.
The Bionic Bar. The concept is fun, but it takes a long time to get your drink.
Things that I loved:
The Solarium. It was a great place to relax and read my book.
That there are multiple places onboard where you can get a specialty coffee - including at the buffet!
Going up in the North Star pod. It was cool to see the ship from a different angle.
If I were to put this cruise line on a Venn Diagram, Royal Caribbean would overlap in quality and energy. They have so much to offer!
👋 Want help picking the perfect Royal Caribbean ship (or a totally different vacation)?
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