It’s funny that, over the years, cruise ships have basically become mega-resorts that travel across the sea. You can find full water parks on top of those giants, ice rinks, bumper cars, and sometimes even... roller coasters!? Seriously, what are people going to build on top of them in the future? Whole cities? Wait, I think this is already happening.
Let’s see some of the stuff you can find on every Royal Caribbean ship:
Activities you can find on every ship:
- Rock-Climbing
- Basketball & Volleyball Courts.
- Casino (with Bingo nights)
- Poolside Activities and Games
- Scavenger Hunt
- Karaoke
- Trivia Contests
- Fitness Center (with daily classes as well)
- Spa
- Lots of Pools!
The newest Royal Caribbean juggernauts, like Icon of the Seas, include much more than that. Let’s look at some of the special features you may find aboard the newest ships:
- Surf Simulator
- Sky Diving Simulator
- Bumper Cars
- Zip Lining
- Circus School
- Aqua Park and Waterslides
- Bungee Trampoline
- H2O Zone – Family Water Park
- Mini-Golf
- Escape Rooms
- Ice-Skating and In-Line Skating
- Roller Skating
The good news for families is that Royal Caribbean has a little bit of everything for both adults and children. Rock climbing walls are a staple of the company, and I believe you can find them on every single one of their ships. The most advanced ships have complete and ultra-modern water parks and even ice rink shows.
Cruise Compass
Did you know Royal Caribbean has its very own newspaper that is published daily and sent directly to your stateroom? Every night, your stateroom attendant will drop off a printed edition of the Cruise Compass in your cabin. You'll find a lot of cool things there, including weather reports and information about the upcoming port of call.
More importantly, this handy guide outlines the next day's lineup of activities, shows, and entertainment. It shows all the activities in an order which is easy to read, from morning until late into night, and it also tells you if that’s a free activity or if it costs extra. It also shows everything that is happening at the Adventure Ocean - Royal Caribbean’s very own Kids Club.
Another great feature is that it shows the operating hours for most of the restaurants, bars, stores and the spa aboard your ship.
Pools
Over the years, it seems like cruise ships are adding more and more pools. It started with one or two pools per ship, and now most ships have six or seven, not even counting the jacuzzis.
While each cruise typically features a main pool, newer ships often boast multiple main pools. These are the focal points for outdoor parties, competitions, and games pitting the crew against guests. On the first day, there's usually a lively celebration at the main pool where everyone gathers to sing, dance, and kick off their vacation.
On recent ships, Royal Caribbean strives to keep at least one pool open at all times. Typically, most pools are open from 8 am until midnight. Pools will be closed depending on the weather and/or sea conditions. Royal Caribbean also has complimentary towels located right near the pools, so you don’t even need to bring one from your room.
What about getting your chair for the day near the pool, is that hard? Royal Caribbean usually provides plenty of chairs for guests, but they can fill up quickly, especially on sea days. The cruise line encourages guests not to reserve chairs all day long.
On some ships, the crew actively frees up unoccupied chairs to make them available for others. For better chances of finding an open lounge chair, head to the upper deck away from the pool. Also, guests staying in Suites often have access to reserved seating areas.
These are some of the activities you can find at the main pools:
- World's sexiest man competition
- Belly flop competition
- Scuba classes
- Fitness classes
- Poolside bingo
- Dance classes
- Poolside movies
- Solarium
Looking for an adults-only oasis aboard Royal Caribbean ships? Look no further than the Solarium! Reserved exclusively for guests aged 16 and older, this serene area is often enclosed or features a retractable roof.
Kids Pools
Every Royal ship has at least one pool that children can enjoy. Royal Caribbean designs specific pools and water parks tailored for children, which is particularly evident on their newer ships. Ships in the Freedom, Oasis, and Quantum classes feature an H2O Zone, while Radiance class ships (and Majesty of the Seas) offer waterslides and a kids’ pool. For toddlers who aren't yet potty trained, certain Royal Caribbean vessels provide small and cute baby pools with shallow depths.
Fitness Center
Yes, friend, there are people that go to the fitness center while on a cruise ship. Hey, I’m not judging! Now, if you ask me, “have you ever been there?”, I will say that I crossed through it to reach the restaurant on the other side.
The Fitness Center is complimentary, and it's equipped just like a high-end gym. You will find weights, treadmills, all that. They also have dedicated spaces for fitness classes like spin, yoga, and Pilates. It's a good idea to reserve your spot for these classes early! You can sign up on a sheet near the fitness class entrance, noting your room number and name there.
Spa
Yes, every Royal Caribbean cruise ship features a spa offering the ultimate in relaxation and luxury! Choose from over 100 treatments, with newer ships continually adding new things for you to try out. At the Vitality Spa & Fitness Center, you'll find everything you need to rejuvenate between adventures. Plus, there's a special area where teens and younger guests can experience various massages and services.
Prices for treatments vary widely depending on the treatment and ship. For example, a 75-minute Swedish Massage typically costs around $150 per guest, while a 75-minute skin renewal facial is priced at $129.
Be sure to consult the Cruise Planner for the latest availability of spa treatments and time slots. You can reserve your spot before your cruise or onboard. Please note, a 20% gratuity will be added to the purchase price, which is not included in the initial cost of the treatment.
Shows
Each night, there's a main show scheduled either at the Royal Theater or another venue. These shows are included in your cruise fare, and seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations for the shows can be made starting on the first day of the month prior to sailing, allowing guests to view all available shows by date and time. When sailing on Royal Caribbean's Oasis, Icon and Quantum class ships, you also can use Royal Caribbean’s online portal or app to pre-book shows in advance.
Some guests have complained that popular shows can sell out quickly, leaving no chance to watch the most sought-after performances once passengers are aboard. One example is Wizard of Oz aboard Icon of the Seas, a highly anticipated show that you should definitely plan for in advance. Or, you can leave it to Famvia, and we will save you a spot.
If the big, broadway like shows aren’t your thing, you can also find movie nights, karaoke shows, sing-alongs and much more.
Activities aboard Royal Caribbean for Children
Adventure Ocean Kids Club
Of course that a major company like Royal Caribbean would have their very own version of a Kids Club. The Kids club is divided into the Aquanauts (3 to 5 years old), Explorers (6 to 8 years old) and Voyagers (9 to 12 years old). Children aged 13 and older can join in teen activities or enjoy their ship's dedicated lounge and club areas.
Activities vary per age group, but you will typically find staff members interacting with children by doing crafts, singing, watching movies, playing board games and, of course, a lot of videogames. Children love videogames, and it doesn’t matter if they are in their rooms or on a cruise across the Caribbean.
The Adventure Ocean Kids Club is open from 9am until 10 pm. The service is free. Beyond these hours, special programs and parties extend from 10 pm to 1 am during the Late Night Party Zone, which incurs a fee of $10 per hour.
The Kids Club frequently closes during lunch and dinner to promote family mealtime (aww). On port days, however, the Kids Club typically remains open all day. This allows families participating in tours or activities outside the ship to ensure their children have lunch at Adventure Ocean.
Guests can enroll their children in Adventure Ocean onboard at the designated area. However, it's recommended to make pre-cruise reservations.
Royal Babies & Tots program
If your child is too young for Adventure Ocean, they can participate in the Royal Babies & Tots program. This program serves as both a kids' club and nursery designed for infants up to the age of two. Onboard nurseries are stocked with age-appropriate toys, soft mats for crawling and play, and nap rooms complete with cribs.
Nightlife aboard Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean comes alive after sunset, so dress to impress! The bars are lively with singers, and dancing is a common sight. Remember that salsa class you attended twice before? Now's your chance to put it into practice.
Each night, there's a main show scheduled either at the Royal Theater or another venue. These shows are included in your cruise fare, and seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations for the shows can be made starting on the first day of the month prior to sailing, allowing guests to view all available shows by date and time.
If the big, broadway like shows aren’t your thing, you can also find movie nights, karaoke shows, sing-alongs and much more.
Royal Caribbean Shore Excursions
It’s no surprise that, depending on the length of your trip and destinations, you will be visiting a lot of cool cities and places.
According to Royal Caribbean, “Guests can book a Shore Excursion by visiting the Shore Excursion desk onboard during their cruise. Guests may also visit MyRoyal Cruise to purchase excursions before they cruise. You may view and purchase available shore excursions once you've reserved a cruise, received your cruise reservation number, and have made at least one payment toward your cruise”.
MyRoyal Cruise is your ideal hub for managing your cruise and maximizing your travel experience. Booking reservations and purchasing cruise package deals before you embark ensures you get the best savings. From land tours to internet and drink packages, you can purchase everything you need there.
Excursions can be modified or canceled up to 48 hours prior to port arrival without penalty. Tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays, and Private Journeys must be canceled 30 days prior to sailing to avoid cancellation penalties.
