Royal Caribbean is well known for its family friendly cruise ships with lots of activities for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for a cruise that the whole family can enjoy, Royal Caribbean is the cruise line for you.
As someone who has cruised on Royal Caribbean since I was 4 years old and through my teen years, I know first-hand which are the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for families.
Cruise ships aren’t one size fits all, so it’s important to choose the right cruise ship for your families’ needs and preferred vacation style.
With that being said, here are the best Royal Caribbean ships for families, plus everything you need to know about the kid’s club on Royal Caribbean.
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6 Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Families
1. Oasis of the Seas
The Oasis of the Seas is one or the largest ships in the world. As someone who cruised on the Oasis of the Seas recently, I’ll be the first one to say that this is the ultimate cruise ship for families!
With multiple restaurants, fantastic entertainment and endless activities, the Oasis of the Seas has something for every member of the family. For a ship with over 6,700 passengers, somehow the Oasis never feels overly crowded.
Now if you’re thinking about food that is great for kids and families, there are many free casual food options including Sorrento’s Pizza, El Loco Fresh and the Dog House.
Additionally, the Windjammer Marketplace (buffet) has a wide variety of options. If you prefer a sit down meal, the main dining room has great food and service. You’ll also find plenty of specialty restaurants that have an extra charge.
There are multiple entertainment venues onboard the Oasis of the Seas, including the Aqua Theatre, Studio B (ice skating show) and the Royal Theatre.
A few other fun things to do for families are a parade and a 70’s show, all happening in the Royal Promenade.
On sea days, the pool area is a great place to hang out with the family. There are multiple hot tubs and pools, and there is even poolside ice cream for those who have a sweet tooth.
Just because you’re on a family cruise, doesn’t mean that you can’t have some adult only alone time!
On Oasis of the Seas, you’ll find a beautiful solarium pool with hot tubs. The solarium pool area is a perfect adult only escape while your kids are in the kid’s club.
Activities on the Oasis of the Seas:
- The Ultimate Abyss (10 story dry slide)
- Water Slides
- Water Park
- Zip Line
- Laser Tag
- Ice Rink
- Rock Walls
- Flow Rider Surf Simulator
- Basketball Court
- Miniature Golf Course
Related: What’s Included on Oasis of the Seas (Entertainment, Activities, Food & Drink)
2. Navigator of the Seas
The Navigator of the Seas is a great option for those who are looking to travel on a budget. The Navigator of the Seas may not be as big as the Oasis class ships, however this Voyager class ship still has some amazing activities!
Since it was recently refurbished, the Navigator of the seas has a beautiful new look and some incredible new attractions. Escape rooms, laser tag and water slides were all recently added to this ship, which is a big hit among kids.
If your kids love waterslides, the will love what the Navigator of the Seas has to offer. This cruise ship has multiple slides, including a two person tube slide that has you suspended over the water.
The Navigator of the Seas has some delicious included restaurants, like El Loco Fresh, Windjammer Café and the main dining room. There is also a wide variety of specialty restaurants, that have an extra charge.
Related: What to Pack for a Royal Caribbean Cruise: The Ultimate Guide
3. Quantum of the Seas
The Quantum of the Seas is one of the best cruises for families. This is a sister ship to the Anthem of The Seas and the Ovation of The Seas cruise ships.
In comparison to the Oasis class ships, the Quantum of the seas is smaller (although still a big ship at 168,000 tons). Quantum of the Seas holds just under 5,000 passengers.
The Quantum of the Seas has some cool and unique attractions: bumper karts, indoor sky diving and the North Star.
The North Star is a ride that brings you 300 feet above sea level where you’ll have beautiful view of the ocean and cruise ship. This ride accommodates up to 14 passengers and last for around 15-20 minutes. Depending on the time of day and sailing, charges may apply for the North Star.
The Quantum of the Seas has multiple pools and hot tub areas including the main pool, an indoor pool and a beautiful adult only pool area.
4. Voyager of the Seas
The Voyager of the Seas is one of the older ships on this list, however it was recently refurbished in 2019. On the Voyager of the Seas, you can expect family favorites like ice skating shows, water slides and a surf simulator.
While your kids are at Adventure Ocean kid’s club, feel free to enjoy the beautiful adult only solarium. This is a great place to relax in a calm and quiet environment, while your children are having the time of their lives!
One of the great things about Voyager class cruise ships their size. At 137,000 tons, the Voyager of the Seas is a large ship with many onboard attractions and activities.
This ship size is great for families with younger kids that might find Oasis class ships overwhelming in size. While the Oasis of the Seas has many bells and whistles, the Voyager of the Seas has many great activities as well.
Related: How to Save Money on a Cruise: 27 Tips, Tricks & Hacks
5. Wonder of the Seas
The Wonder of the Seas is Royal Caribbean‘s newest ship. This is the sister ship to the Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and the Utopia of the Seas (coming soon!).
Currently, Wonder of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, holding 6,988 passengers. This cruise is loaded with fun activities, top notch entertainment and amazing food.
Wonder of the Seas has many of the same activities as the Oasis, like the zip lines, rock climbing, water slides, surf simulators and the Ultimate Abyss.
When it comes to onboard entertainment, the Wonder of the Seas has the “INTENSE” aqua show. This show is incredible as it features dancers, acrobats and high divers.
The Wonder of The Seas has a wide variety of stateroom options for families, from economical inside cabins to next level family suites.
6. Freedom of the Seas
The Freedom of the Seas is one of the three Freedom class cruise ships. At about 155,000 tons, this cruise ship is a bit larger than the Voyager class ships, and smaller than the Oasis class.
When it comes to the best cruise ships for families, this list wouldn’t be complete without the Freedom of the Seas.
Since it got refurbished back in 2015, the Freedom of the Seas now has some new attractions and activities. Royal Caribbean added water slides, laser tag, and the Flowrider Surf Simulator to the cruise ship.
One of the biggest advantages of doing a family cruise on Freedom of the Seas is its value, which is amazing for families cruising on a budget.
Since the Freedom of the Seas is not one of the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ships, the price is often lower than other newer cruise ships.
However, don’t let its age fool you. The Freedom of the Seas is full of some amazing features and fun things to do!
Related: What to Wear on a Royal Caribbean Cruise (dress code & outfit photos)
Royal Caribbean Kid’s Club Information
One of the best parts about cruising for families is the kid’s club. The kid’s club, Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean, is a place where children and teens can hang out in a supervised and safe environment.
Children are divided by age group, which allows for each age group to have a unique set of activities. Here’s how the children are divided:
Adventure Ocean Age Groups:
- Royal Babies & Royal Tots (6-36 months)
- Aquanauts (ages 3-5)
- Explorers (ages 6-8)
- Voyagers (ages 9-11)
- Teens (ages 12-14)
- Teens (ages 15-17)
Royal Babies & Royal Tots Information (6-36 months)
The Royal Babies and Royal Tots program is offered on select Royal Caribbean ships. This program is for younger children who are not old enough to attend the Adventure Ocean kid’s club.
There is a 1 staff to 3 children ratio, to ensure that each child gets the proper supervision. There are activities for the young kids throughout the day, like play time, watching movies and art sessions, which parents can participate in.
This program costs $6 per hour, per child, between 9 am to 6 pm and $8 per hour, per child, between 6 pm and midnight.
The Royal Babies and Royal Tots program makes cruising with young children a lot easier and it’s one of the many reasons that Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines for families.
Aventure Ocean Information Ages 3-11:
Those who take part in the Adventure Ocean kid’s club will have the time of their lives. As a kid, my parents could never get me out of the kids club, because it was so much fun!
Here’s a list of activities for the Adventure Ocean Kid’s Club:
- Scavenger Hunts
- Movie Night (in private movie theater)
- Pirate Night
- Pyjama Night
- Talent Show
- Sports Tournaments
- Karaoke
- Video Games
Adventure Ocean Hours:
- 9 AM- 12 PM
- 2 PM – 5 PM
- 7 PM – 10 PM
- 10 PM – 2 AM (Additional Fee)
Overall, Adventure Ocean is a blast and the kids will absolutely love it. The staff are great and they keep things fun and exciting throughout your cruise.
Adventure Ocean Teen’s Club Information (Ages 12-17)
The teen club on Royal Caribbean is a great place for young people on a cruise to meet and hang out. In the teen’s club there is a dance floor, video game areas and activities going on throughout the day.
As a teenager who has cruised on Royal Caribbean, I can say that they have one of the best youth programs at sea. The staff are super friendly. Plus, the kid’s club is a cool area to hang out and the activities are super fun.
Here’s a list of activities for the Adventure Ocean Teen Club:
- Pool Parties
- Casino Night
- Battle of the Sexes
- Themed Dance Parties
- Sports Tournaments
- Karaoke
- Beach Volley Ball
Adventure Ocean Teens Hours (ages 12-17):
- 9 AM- 12 PM
- 2 PM – 5 PM
- 7 PM – 1 AM
If you have a teenager, they will absolutely love going to the teen’s club. It’s a great place for them to meet new people, participate in activities and have the vacation of a lifetime!
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Final Thoughts on The Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Families
Well there it is, the best Royal Caribbean ships for Families!
When it comes to a cruise line that every member of the family can enjoy, you can’t go wrong with Royal Caribbean. No matter what cruise you decide to book, Royal Caribbean will be a great time for the whole family.
In his post, I shared the 6 best Royal Caribbean cruises for families and everything you need to know about the kids club on Royal Caribbean.
Are you planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com. As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.
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