Performances and Shows 9. (Michel Verdure/Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International). This special event takes place in select destinations and includes chilled Champagne, caviar, live music and a barbecue set against the backdrop of white sand beaches and turquoise waters in beautiful locales around the world. The rinks are in the interiors of the ships, surrounded by stadium seating for up to 775 people, and the shows are out of this world. This sprawling oasis is the largest pool at sea with over 40,000 gallons of water. To gain entrance, people need to be over 16.. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels. Yes. Children and adults, from. Enrollment required. When Will Royal Caribbean Bring Back an Adult Favorite Activity? Consider Vegas rules in play -- what happens at Quest stays at Quest. In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of Royal Caribbean ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night, including a seemingly endless array of bars, lounges and nightspots. On top of that, select ships feature a cascading lagoon for further relaxation. The aft location of the bar offers almost twice the space as previous iterations and beautiful wake views. Royal Caribbean also operates a Royal Babies nursery program for children ages 6 to 18 months old that includes interactive child and parent classes with activities developed by early childhood experts. If its a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and youre bound for the top deck, that means looking like youre going to the beach T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine. We put it to the test. It would take five cruises if youre doing seven-night trips (fewer if youre in a suite) to reach the second tier, Platinum (30 points). It is the moments, As much as everyone on a cruise hopes for endless days of sun, a slight breeze, and warm temperatures, the truth is, Certain cruise ports require tendering from ship to shore, but what does this mean and how does the cruise ship tender, Several changes are coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023, from a new Main Dining Room menu to a Perfect Day at CocoCay. Here are our 16 favorite things to do on a Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas cruise. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). For more information about the difference between Royal Caribbeans classes, check out my guide: Royal Caribbean Ship Classes Compared. Restrictions 16 + (Excluding China sailings) For China Sailings only This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. When it's time to relax, The Solarium is a popular adults-only area that's found on the Resort Deck of all of Celebrity's ships, including Celebrity Beyond. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. How to Plan the Perfect Graduation Cruise, Best Cruise Ship Activities for a Class Reunion Cruise, Pacific Explorer: What's Free -- and What's Not, 5 Things to Know About Family Expedition Cruising, 5 Reasons Why Families Will Love the Refurbished Norwegian Jewel, The Panorama Suite (Owner's Suite Connecting Cabin) on Silver Muse, Mangrove Kayak Excursion in the Darien Jungle. Youll receive a SeaPass card that you can use to make charges. The Royal Promenade fills with dancing, confetti and junkanoo drums, *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Note the based on double occupancy caveat. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking. Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville - Adults Only All Inclusive. While there are family-friendly parties and shows put on earlier in the evening, once the night club scene pops up, the cruise line security team will check ages of anyone who tries to get into the club. Think you can get a bullseye? Many ships also have an Italian eatery, called either Giovannis Table or Jamies Italian by Jamie Oliver. Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville - Adults Only All Inclusive Resort is situated in the stunning Caribbean destination of the Dominican Republic. Related: The 9 best meals you can have at sea. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Check Price. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Recently, Royal Caribbean soft launched their new Hyperlink Program onboard select vessels, and after reading some mixed reviews, I decided to see what the activities were all about while sailing on Symphony of the Seas. Cruise line staff cannot serve wine or any other alcoholic drink to your underage son or daughter. Adults can also enjoy pre-dinner cocktails in one of the lounges and nightly entertainment in the Constellation Theater; for a nightcap, sip a fine cognac in one of the ship's favorite hideaways, the Connoisseur Club. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Heres how I get the lowest price when I book a cruise. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). The casinos on the four other Oasis-class ships are similarly giant. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Other included-in-the-fare offerings found on some ships include Sorrentos pizza parlors, the Mediterranean cuisine-themed Solarium Bistro and the coffee bar Cafe Promenade. The Oasis-class ships have three distinct pool areas, as well as a watery play zone for kids. While this isnt the biggest class for Royal Caribbean, its onboard facilities are more focused on technology, adrenaline-rushing activities and thrill-seeking, with plenty of adult-only options too. Hang on tight for The Blaster aqua coaster, the longest waterslide at sea. We finished with a bronze, and for the next two days, in-the-know passengers who stopped our pal to say, "Hello Savannah" were greeted with a big smile (and a little blush). Some recently built ships even have skydiving simulators giant acrylic tubes where you get to experience the sensation of skydiving. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Family fun takes a nostalgic turn on the handcrafted carousel, Feel the freedom of freefall on the only skydiving simulator at sea RipCord by iFLY, Make your circus dreams come true on the flying trapeze. Our companions persuaded us to show up early at the Safari Club, where Quest would take place, so we could grab a primo seat -- in this case, close to the stage with unobstructed views. Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles. And thats just on the top deck. It casually came up in conversation throughout our cruise on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas, but it didn't show up on our Cruise Compass until the second-to-last night of our trip. And on the recently launched Norwegian Prima, an elevated beach club experience includes the line's first infinity hot tubs. Many cruise lines have a version of the Quest "scavenger hunt," so check out your daily cruise planner to see when it's scheduled. Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships. Ive worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and now my blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. Travelers 18 and older are welcome aboard Viking's adults-only ships, which feature destination-focused itineraries around the world. If you're heading off the ship for an excursion to Princess Cays (the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas), plan to chill out for the day in an adults-only Sanctuary Bungalow. One more Oasis-class ship Utopia of the Seas is scheduled to join the fleet in 2024. There also are multi-device packages that are less expensive on a per-device basis. 10:00 pm - 10:45 pm Last Laughs Adult Comedy Show (18+) Royal Theater Deck 4; 10:30 pm - 11:45 pm Hush! Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. The lines ships are designed to provide a little something for everyone, and they appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has added solo cabins to more ships in recent years). Royal Caribbean is the worlds largest cruise line by passenger capacity, with 26 ships that together offer more than 94,000 berths. Now it's time to enjoy the best of what Royal Caribbean has to offer - our exclusive onboard activities! 28, 2023, Up to 60% Off + Exclusive 5% Guaranteed Priceline Coupon, Up to 50% Off Travel Plans with Top Expedia Promo Code, Discount Travel Plans with 50% Off on Hotels.com bookings, 50% Discount on Getaways with Barcel Resort & Hotels, Booking.com Promo Code Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, The best places to see cherry blossoms around the US this spring, Looking back: How my points and miles strategy has changed over the years, The best increased card offers to sign up for this March. The line started with climbing walls to FlowRider surfing simulators, and has since added ziplining nine stories above deck, bumper cars, and even a sky diving chamber with RipCord by iFLY. For megaresort lovers, Royal Caribbean may be the ultimate cruise line. Hi, I'm Jenni. A whole new way to explore and discover an underwater-themed world full of fun. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Wonder of the Seas. At Norwegian Epic's Posh Beach Club, complimentary perks include fruit skewers, cold water spritzers and a snack menu. While you can't book a room on the opposite end of the ship from your older children (as much as you might like to), most cruise lines let you place your teen or young adult children in an adjoining cabin, a room across the hall or one just a few doors down. Whether you are taking a break from the kids after dropping them off in Adventure Ocean, or cruising without kids, there are a few good spots and activities to look for where children will be far from view. The most out-there deck-top attractions on Royal Caribbean ships are surely the North Star rides found on Quantum-class ships. Yes, with caveats. The currency used on all Royal Caribbean ships is U.S. dollars, no matter where they are in the world. But it quickly got a little more bawdy: a man wearing lipstick or someone with their pants on backward. During the winter, the line will move even more of its ships to the Caribbean and send a few to Asia and Australia. Serve up stiff competition during a table tennis face off. Youll receive things like priority check-in and a private departure lounge with continental breakfast at the end of a trip. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. The Oasis-class ships are well-known for a few things. Enter a musical world and power up sound-glyphs in the virtual reality Sky Pad game, Bass Bouncer. Youll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless inside cabins measuring just 149 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to massive, multi-room suites that are more than 10 times that size. With destination-focussed itineraries, you can enjoy more time ashore and fewer sea days than on the larger ships. That said, they also offer serene spots. The Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts. View Activities Gallery With multiple restaurants, fantastic entertainment and endless activities . Just a step up from the Quantum Class, these ships pack even more on-board to keep both you and your partner entertained, including the lively Lime & Coconut Bar, Playmakers Sports Bar, laser tag and more! TPG values it at $1,600. Usually these tours are offered to resorts or beaches that do not allow children in, either due to the inclusion of alcohol or other prohibitions. Theres another neighborhood just for adults as well, which is The Hideaway. It's the Quest game show, the adults-only scavenger hunt that ranks as a cruise can't-miss. As of the time of this guide's posting, for instance, a two-bedroom Grand Suite on Harmony of the Seas for a seven-night Caribbean cruise in January 2024 was going for $3,010 per person, based on double occupancy. Ice Skating Show 10. All suite accommodations include a private veranda or terrace; butler service; state-of-the-art amenities; Egyptian cotton linens; and an in-suite minibar stocked with Champagne, wine and other personally selected beverages. The top spot for any adult looking to spend time without children around is to head to the Solarium pool area. The Best Overall Royal Caribbean Ships For Adults: While this is definitely a ship that families will love, there are some great features specifically for adults who are either travelling without kids or who just want to relax while their children are busy in the kids club. With 27 ships in the fleet, many of them offer adult-only areas and venues for a cruise getaway completely kid-free. Really. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Swirl through a champagne bowl funnel in Supercell, part of The Perfect Storm, the boldest waterslides at sea. On a typical sailing, you might find an entry-level cabin for around $100 per person per night, while a high-end suite is five or 10 times that amount. The child-free venue varies from ship to ship. The Captain invites all guests to a formal night reception held in their honor. Oasis-class Zip Line 5. Gather the grown-ups and set sail on an ocean, river or expedition cruise around the world. Note that, unlike airline frequent flyer programs, cruise line loyalty programs do not require you to requalify for status every year. Royal Caribbean allows you to bring two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin onto ships at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas. A passenger staying in suites can get to the Diamond Plus level with just 13 seven-night cruises. The hardest part is deciding where to start. Other SeaPlex activities include air hockey and table tennis. The 13 vessels that are part of the Voyager, Freedom and Oasis classes also have Royal Promenades indoor, mall-like spaces that are home to some of the coolest bars at sea, as well as food outlets and retail shops. For even more pampering, Senses Spa & Salon boasts treatment rooms with ocean views, luxurious spa villas and other amenities. This light-filled covered pool area encased by a glass dome is the perfect quiet space for reading a book or taking a nap. The Solarium is your slice of paradise, with soothing whirlpools, warm sunshine and a refreshing water mist. Learn more. And if youd like to see how the different Royal Caribbean ships fared in reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Cruiseline.com and Cruise Critic, then take a look at this guide to The Best & Worst Royal Caribbean Ships By Reviews. As a parent, it is nice to have time now and then away from the kids to relax, and here are the top five things you can do on a Royal Caribbean cruise without kids! That should've tipped us off. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Ultimate Abyss Slide on Royal Caribbean Cruises, Snorkeling in Alaska with Princess Cruises, Surfing on a Cruise Ship: We Try the FlowRider on Royal Caribbean, What's Your Cruise Critic Story? If you're not easily offended and love to cut loose on a cruise, this is a must. If you know you want to eat at a few extra-charge restaurants during your voyage, you can buy one of several dining packages that offer meals at a discount. Were particularly fond of the two-deck-high Music Halls on Quantum-class vessels. Its six ultra-luxury ships and five expedition vessels range in size from 51 to 364 suites and feature spacious ocean-view accommodations most with private verandas. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Access to the space is complimentary for passengers 21 and older; while there, guests can enjoy relaxing loungers, daybeds and whirlpools. Members Celebrate 25 Years of Cruising Community. Many Azamara voyages also offer longer stays and overnights in ports not found on many other itineraries (including wine and culture itineraries) and feature special events such as the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool during a British Isles cruise. In This Article Freedom of the Seas Stats 1. Balcony cabins on the same sailing started at around $683 per person, based on double occupancy. While some lines provide a fully adults-only experience (i.e., children are not allowed on board), others offer adult-focused venues and activities on the ship to keep you separate from younger patrons. It started off innocently enough, with requests for items like "a tie" or "a sock with a hole in it" (yes, every sock has at least ONE hole in it). Since there are few (or no) activities geared toward younger cruisers and no babysitting services, you typically won't find parents with young children on these ships. In North America, Royal Caribbean ships generally sail out of PortMiami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdales Port Everglades and Tampa in Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Galveston, Texas; Bayonne, New Jersey (one of the ports for New York City); Baltimore; Boston; Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska. Related: How fast is the internet on Royal Caribbean ships? Royal Caribbean is well-known for big ships with tons to see, do, and experience. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. The newest cruise ship, Seabourn Ovation, accommodates up to 600 guests and offers amenities found on most of Seabourn's ships such as well-appointed oceanfront suites, living areas with dining tables, verandas, a nearly one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio and a Personal Suite Host to cater to your every need. 6 Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Families. This tropical haven offers guests a truly unforgettable experience, with its white sand beaches and crystal-clear . Seven Seas Splendor, christened in February 2020, is the line's newest vessel at sea. Each day and night brings something new to do, see and explore. By the end, it was barely controlled chaos, with one male member of our group wearing a bra and poorly applied makeup declaring his name was Savannah Sunshine. Guard the goal against drone-launched balls in this virtual reality Sky Pad game. All rights reserved. There are full-blown Starbucks cafes on some ships or at least a Starbucks stand. The Oasis of the Seas is one or the largest ships in the world. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. What Royal Caribbean event has you sharing your underwear, putting lipstick on strangers and screaming at the top of your lungs? Other adult-focused venues to check out on Celebrity Beyond are the new elevated bar spaces. Smart casual is a step up to collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits, with a jacket for men optional. It's gross tonnage is 182,000, or about nearly 25% smaller than Wonder. The cruise line has not brought back a popular very adult event, but there are signs that may change. The drinking age on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18. Royal Escape Room - Mission Control: Apollo 18 North Star Virtual Concert Dance Classes Latin Fiesta Expedition Two70 Tidal Wave All Access Tour Zip Line FlowRider SeaPlex Table Tennis Bass Bouncer Whirlpools Game shows Dancing Under The Stars Typhoon and Cyclone Spanish Classes Totally Awesome 90s Street Party Pool Parties A growing number of vessels also have USB ports in cabins. If you want to enjoy some time on shore without kids, look for excursions that do not allow kids to be booked. On board, guests will have butler service, a nearly one-to-one ratio of guests to staff, 24-hour gourmet dining, premium alcoholic beverages, one complimentary shore excursion in each port, gratuities and more. If youre more of a small boutique hotel sort of person or someone who just isnt happy around crowds, well this might not be the line for you. What you do in the privacy of your own cruise room will likely not be monitored, unless your young adult child then goes out onto the ship and behaves inappropriately. Thrill Waterpark. The ship also has a Polar Class 6 rating, enabling it to sail to destinations like Antarctica. I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! The Best Overall Royal Caribbean Ships for Adults. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. For cruises from international ports, youll need a passport. The timing of when you book can also matter. All vessels operate on a cashless system, with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. But don't post those perfectly lit photos on social media sites. That just scratches the surface of what Icon of the Seas has to offer, with 15 restaurants, many bars and lounges, exciting waterslides, cutting-edge entertainment and more. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Keep an open mind and go with the flow. For a casual evening, plan to dine alfresco at the Pool Grill. If youre sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary and about a dozen other things you can head over to RoyalCaribbean.com and book directly. If youre sure that Royal Caribbean is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Insider tip: Be sure to book the (free) tickets for onboard comedy clubs early. That said, it's not uncommon for teens to find ways to drink onboard (just as they do at home). From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. These ships dont tend to attract as many crowds or young families, meaning its quieter and more relaxed. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Learn more. Read more about Royal Caribbeans Quantum Class. If your teen or young adult isn't going to be satisfied hanging out with the family, consider bringing a friend along on your vacation. Formal officially means suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. Scenic Eclipse, touted as "The World's First Discovery Yacht," offers an all-inclusive, ultra-luxurious experience for just 228 guests and with 172 crew.