Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning: Choosing Your Ship, Cabin and Itinerary

4 days ago

5 min read

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise starts out fun and can quickly turn into a stack of open browser tabs. The fleet has several ship classes, each ship has dozens of stateroom types, and a single week in the Caribbean can be sailed many different ways. This guide covers the three decisions that shape your trip: the ship, the cabin and the itinerary. It also explains where an experienced advisor saves you time and second-guessing.

If you want to know how booking through an agent affects what you pay, read our earlier post, Why Using a Travel Agent Can Save You Serious Money on Your Next Royal Caribbean Cruise. This post is about choosing the right sailing in the first place.

Step 1: Choose the right Royal Caribbean ship

On Royal Caribbean, the ship is a big part of the vacation. Two sailings on the same route can feel completely different depending on which ship you are on, so start here.

Icon Class

Royal Caribbean calls Icon Class its newest ship class and describes it as home to the largest waterpark at sea. These ships suit families who want as much on board as possible, and groups with a wide range of ages who each want their own kind of fun.

Oasis Class

Royal Caribbean describes its Oasis Class ships as some of the largest cruise ships in the world. They are built around themed "neighborhoods", AquaTheater shows and waterslides. They are a strong fit for families, celebrations and anyone who likes a lot of variety without ever leaving the ship.

Quantum Class and the rest of the fleet

Quantum Class ships feature the North Star observation capsule, skydiving at sea and robotic bartenders, according to Royal Caribbean. Freedom, Voyager, Radiance and Vision Class ships make up the rest of the fleet. Some, like Freedom of the Seas, have been "Amplified" with new features. These ships often suit travelers who want classic Royal Caribbean favorites on a more relaxed scale.

How to narrow it down

Ask yourself a few honest questions:

Who is traveling, and how old are they?
Do you want nonstop activity or plenty of pool time and quiet corners?
Is the ship the destination, or are the ports the main event?
Which departure ports can you reach easily?

A good advisor turns your answers into a short list of two or three ships that fit, instead of a list of every ship that sails your week.

Step 2: Pick a cabin that fits how you travel

Royal Caribbean groups its accommodations into four broad categories: interior, outside (ocean view), balcony and suites. Within each category there are many variations, and the details matter.

Interior

Interior staterooms have no window. Royal Caribbean suggests them for travelers who plan to spend most of their time out enjoying the ship. Some ships offer interior rooms with a virtual balcony.

Ocean view

Ocean view rooms add natural light and a window to the sea without outdoor space. On some ships, larger ocean view rooms are designed for families.

Balcony

Balcony staterooms give you private outdoor space. On Oasis Class ships you can also choose an interior-facing balcony that overlooks neighborhoods like Central Park or the Royal Promenade. That is a fun option for people-watchers, but not if you want sea views.

Suites

Suites range from junior suites up to multi-room family suites with extra perks. They make sense for special occasions, multi-generational trips and travelers who want more space and service.

Cabin details people miss

The category is only half the decision. Location matters just as much:

Midship vs. forward or aft: Royal Caribbean notes that a midship balcony, with your eyes on the horizon, can help travelers prone to motion sickness.
What is above and below you: A cabin under a pool deck or near a late-night venue can be noisy.
Bed and occupancy setup: Families of four or five need to confirm exactly how each room sleeps.
Connecting rooms: These are often the easiest way to keep a larger family together.

An experienced advisor reads the deck plans with you and spots these issues before you commit.

Step 3: Match the itinerary to your goals

Royal Caribbean sails from many U.S. and international ports to regions including the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Alaska, Europe and beyond. When you compare itineraries, look past the headline:

Number of sea days vs. port days. Sea days are great on a big ship, while port-heavy trips are better for explorers.
Time in each port. A short stop leaves little room for excursions.
Private destinations. Many Caribbean and Bahamas sailings visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private destination in the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean lists areas like the Thrill Waterpark, the adults-only Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club, which are offered as separate passes, so plan ahead if they matter to you.
Travel days. Flying in a day early protects your vacation from flight delays.

Where an experienced advisor makes the difference

You can absolutely book a cruise on your own. Many people still choose an advisor, because an experienced one does more than click "book":

Narrows the choices to the ship, cabin and itinerary that fit your group, so you are not comparing dozens of options alone.
Catches the details, like cabin location, sleeping setup and port times, that are easy to miss online.
Coordinates the extras, such as flights, pre-cruise hotels, excursions and celebrations, around your sailing.
Stays with you before, during and after the trip if plans change.

At 1923 Travel, planning is free, and you pay the same price you would booking direct. We are a CLIA-accredited agency based in Raleigh, NC, and we plan cruises for travelers nationwide. Every 1923 Travel advisor is experienced and can plan any trip, so whoever you work with can handle your Royal Caribbean cruise, and the hotel or theme park stay you add before it. Learn more on our Royal Caribbean travel agent page or browse all our cruise planning services.

Frequently asked questions

Which Royal Caribbean ship is best for families?

It depends on your kids' ages and what they love. Royal Caribbean positions its Icon and Oasis Class ships as big family ships with waterparks, slides and shows. Some families prefer a smaller ship with fewer crowds. An advisor can compare the two or three best fits for your dates.

What is the best cabin type on Royal Caribbean?

There is no single best cabin. Interior rooms suit travelers who are rarely in the room, balconies suit people who want private outdoor space, and suites suit special occasions and larger groups. Location on the ship matters as much as the category.

Does Royal Caribbean have a private island?

Yes. Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private destination in the Bahamas, and many Caribbean and Bahamas sailings stop there. Some areas, like the Thrill Waterpark and Coco Beach Club, are sold as separate passes.

Does it cost more to book Royal Caribbean through a travel agent?

Not with 1923 Travel. Planning is free, and you pay the same price you would booking direct.

Can you help if I do not live near Raleigh?

Yes. We plan trips for travelers nationwide. Our advisors are available 7am to 7pm Eastern, every day.

Ready to plan your Royal Caribbean cruise?

Tell us who is traveling, when you would like to sail and what matters most. An experienced 1923 Travel advisor will build your options. Request your free quote to get started.