The classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained 

My wife and I just returned from a January cruise from Baltimore to the Bahamas on the Enchantment of the Seas. The Enchantment of the seas was the perfect ship for us: we are both in our seventies; my wife has issues walking long distances; and we are not into water sports. Other reasons the ship was perfect for us include: the ship left from Baltimore, about a 90-minute drive from home; the mix of passengers tended to be mostly in the 50 years of age and up group, with few children; and the Enchantment offered plenty of age-appropriate activities for us older folks to do. I would sail on Enchantment of the Seas again.

Just got off Wonder of the Seas last week and I still didn't have a clue what the different classes meant lmao Wonder of the Seas is actually the biggest one right now, and it is just CRAZY. Even with such a massive ship what I was specially amazed was with the shows and performances, I still don't get over inTENse, the Effectors, and the 365 skating show, they are not kidding when they say they can offer top class entertainment acts in a cruise ship. I've been to Cirque du Soleil shows twice and the inTENse team doesn't have anything to envy to those of the Cirque.

Radiance class is by far our favorite class. We love the glass, the Centrum, the public spaces, the flow.

We sailed Voyager of the Seas when it was relatively new in 2001. Never dreamed they could get larger or more innovative at the time, but boy did they prove me wrong. I can't wait to see the new innovations of future classes like Icon.

I have been on Enchantment OTS (Twice), Liberty OTS, Oasis OTS (twice), Allure OTS (Twice). Enchantment was 4 & 5 night cruises and were having outstanding sale prices so I encouraged friends who had never been on a cruise to try Enchantment. This wouldn't break their pocketbooks yet would give them an understanding of the cruise experience. (i.e. the specialty dining, the shows, the beverage packages, excursions, etc). She's an older ship and somewhat smaller but I felt it was perfect for new cruisers so not to be overwhelmed. Liberty OTS was our first Royal cruise. I love the Freedom class! Such perfect ships. I'll always have a soft spot for the Liberty. Now I;m absolutely hooked on the Oasis class!! Just the most wonderously beautiful ships that make me feel like a queen!! The level of class & luxury never siezes to amaze me!! I am looking forward to trying a Quantum class ship. I just want the right itinerary and time of year for that. I'll let you know when I do. Cruising, to me, is the ultimate 5 star vacation at a very affordable cost! Happy cruising everyone. God bless!

Just got back from a 14 night cruise on anthem! IT WAS INCREDIBLE! It was our first ever royal Caribbean cruise! Would definitely cruise with them again, thank you for all the tips

I remember going on Sovereign of the Seas when I was in 2nd grade and I thought it was absolutely gigantic (probably was to someone that age). I got the same feeling again years later when I went on Symphony and Harmony

We have been on all of them and they are all wonderful, never a dull moment, thank you Royal, can't wait to go on the new one

Oasis list 4:30 Quantum list 5:38 Freedom list 6:43 Voyager list 8:18 Radiance list 9:37 Vision (no list given) 9:39 - 11:18 Icon class 11:20 - 11:53

I’m excited. I just booked adventure of the seas for December. I’ve never been on a cruise but your videos have been helping me make decisions today. Thank you.

Thanks for the wonderful description of the ship classes! This really helps in selecting the right cruise!

I've sailed once on Serenade OTS, twice on Anthem OTS and once on Oasis OTS. Oasis class is my pick due to size, layout and choice of activities. The AquaTheater, Studio B & Finis Henderson shows were amazing; having a balcony overlooking Central Park was special; I couldn't get enough of Johnny Rockets & El Loco Fresh; and of course the Boardwalk is fun and the Promenade vibrant. The Quantum & Radiance classes are impressive, but I find the Oasis class most impressive.

Enchantment is BY FAR our favorite ship. We have sailed on her multiple times, twice this year in fact. Two of the things we enjoy are the feeling of safety when traveling with our 11 year old granddaughter. She was old enough to check outb of the kid's club & we could just tell her where & when to meet us. We also enjoy the Centrum area to enjoy water views while enjoying a drink or coffee yet still enjoying the activity of the ship. We sail mostly out of Baltimore, which can only handle small ships. RCI would serve the loyal customers of Baltimore to design a new small ship.

So many ships to sail on! Appreciate the details on the smaller ships.

hey Mat thanks for the videos! I wanted to share that I found the main dining hall experience very different in the Voyager class ships (which is one gigantic dining hall with 3 levels) as compared to the Quantum class ships.(which has been broken up into multiple different dining halls). I think the large combined dining hall with 3 storeys feels like a grander experience, especially when the staff perform. The broken up smaller dining halls dont feel as grand. Hope that makes sense.

We just finished our first ever cruise on Explorer. It was a wonderful experience! Sailing out of Galveston on Allure next and can’t wait! Thank you for the explanation of the different classes. It’s nice to know that all the ship classes have something to offer regardless of size. As a new cruiser I feel more open minded to try the smaller ships in the future! 😊

Since I was little my family and I, we always sailed on the Adventure of the seas. I could literally close my eyes and walk that ship no problems. At the time it was our #1 ship since it was the most accesible and it had everything we wanted and were used to. And to see the amount of improvements Royal has made on these Voyager class ships, it's just mind blowing to compare how it was back then, which still was a whole lot of fun and now, it's just bonkers how much there is to do nowadays on these ships. Royal Caribbean for the win honestly.

First ever cruise was on Serenade OTS. Loved it! Second ever cruise is on Liberty OTS next year! It'll be interesting to experience the difference!

Our first cruise ever will be a 9 day holiday southern Caribbean cruise. My husband and 7 yo son on Explorer of the Seas. Learning a lot from your blog. Thank you

Our first cruise ever will be on the Allure out of Galveston in December. So looking forward to it!!! Thanks for all the great content, too btw. I’ve learned so much from your channel and it’s helped us a ton with all of our planning. 👍🏻

My first cruise is coming up in November on Allure! I didn’t do any research what so ever before booking and I’m glad that it will work out for my family. I love watching these videos and hope to experience other ships if we love this one coming up! We’re so exited!!! Thank you for all of these informative videos!!!

Would love to see a video on the best sail away spots on each class.

Great to see the old ships still getting their dues. I worked on all the old ships during the 90s and 2000s, finishing my 10yr RCCL tenure on the Voyager when it first came out and was the 'BIGGEST' cruise ship in the world. Ah the good ol days.

Great Video! I have been on all classes except the Vision Class, I will schedule that next. I love them all for different reasons.

Thank you so much for this. I have an upcoming cruise for Liberty of the Seas for the first time. Super excited I hope it’s everything I hope for

Great video and you broke down the ships and made it easy to choose your ship! We cruised Allure 2018, hubby and I, his first and my second cruise, but both a 1st on Royal. We just finished the Disney Fantasy yesterday with my son, and grandson. My hubby loved Allure and wanted to return to Allure. I want to try different ships, and Royal is definitely my cruise line, and I want to definitely try the rest of the Oasis first! Will book our next cruise before months end! Disney was ok, but Allure out did Disney with activities, food, and much more. Thanks, JJ

For my wife and I the smaller ships - Radiance and Vision class - are the ones we'll choose. We were on our first really big ship a few months ago (3,350 passengers) and didn't care for it at all.

Sailed a bunch of the oldies - Majesty, Monarch, Allure, Anthem, Grandeur and our next trip in the fall is on Enchantment of the Seas. They all had pros and cons. Pro tip, be careful selecting room on Anthem. We were up 4 decks or so from the Rock Club, but it was a terribly noisy room with sound pouring in. Maybe due to ductwork? Not sure.

Thank you for this video. This was very helpful to help us decide on our future cruises.

I know I am being bias but this is one video everyone should watch every time they get ready to cruise! Matt, this was an awesome video! Nothing short of what I expected from you. Detailed in every way but most importantly... you highlight that sometimes you might want to cruise on a large ship like the Harmony or bask in the sun on a smaller ship like the Mariner. Both of which my wife and I have been on. Going on our first cruise with our 2 year old in October and we will be on the Grandeur of the Seas. Thanks again for the video and the shout out!! 🙂

Thanks Matt for a breakdown of each class of ships in the fleet. I haven’t sailed on a large ship so right now enjoy Liberty ,Adventure, or Seranade but will be trying Allure this January.

Great video Matt. We just got off our 1st large ship Allure (great time)and look forward to sailing on each ship before we're done then I'll let you know which is our favorite 🌞

I love watching these videos because they remind my of the cruise I'm going to in September

We have sailed (Eastern Mediterranean) on Vision of the Seas and are booked on Allure coming Februrary. For us it is about the itinerary and time of sailing. We chose end of October for the eastern med because we know that the climate in Greece is nicer that time of year (not 40C temperatures). We had to pick a sailing around a specific date to match school holiday dates for our granddaughter who is coming with us - plus we wanted a ship with lots of fun activities for her.

I’ve been on the Voyager, Oasis, Freedom (twice),Brilliance, Adventure, Jewel, Mariner, Navigator and leaving Saturday on my 2nd trip on the Explorer. February I will be on the Odyssey, so I’m trying to cover all the classes at least once. My very first cruise was on the Empress but she’s been laid to rest.

Absolutely 💯 % best breakdown w/explanation I've heard yet

Just let it roll with whatever offers and ships are available when booking. Just enjoy the cruise and explore. Great Video, btw. Learned a lot again.

I have been on 3 of their ships, Oasis in 2017, Symphony in 2018 and Harmony a few days ago. I had a wonderful time on all 3 except from Independence which was in extremely fast winds but everything else was great

Thanks for this video. I’ve been looking for something like this for soo long.

This is helpful beyond words. Thank you for making!

We love the Oasis Class Ship. Going on our 18th cruise next week!

I have sailed each class at least once Matt. My favorite class is the radiance class (Serenade of the Seas), but I love them all. There isn’t really one ship to enjoy, because for me it all depends on the itinerary! I will jump on any of the class ships as long as it offers destinations that interest me. I am about to do the Vision of the Seas a second time because of the itinerary (heading to Costa Rica, Panama, and Columbia) 12:48

We just got back from 7 days on Harmony of the Seas! Loved it. Took my 16 yr old son. We wanted all the bells and whistles and it did not disappoint 👏. I loved the ice skating and the aqua shows. We also thought the Columbus show was fun and quirky. My son loved the Sushi. He could have eaten there every night. We had a great time and enjoyed bingo and trivia and the schooner bars piano guy! Lots to do and see. Good Times! 🎉🎉🎉

Thank you so much for explaining the difference between class of ship

Allure is my favorite, and Indy a close second. I LOVE the transatlantic cruises aboard them!😎👍

I'm so excited. 8 days to Alaska on Radiance! Now there's one thing I have to say about Izumi. A lot of people always talk about the Hibochi and the Sushi. But there's other things also there. I love the Ramen! Makes me miss Japan even more

I love the Oasis class ships. I especially like the inside balconies over the Boardwalk.

Wife & I first sailed on Viking Serenada out of LA. We were hooked on cruising after that, we have sailed all classes except Quantum. Our favorite is Radiance class. Sailed many times on Radiance & Serenade. We’re planning a transatlantic on Jewel in 2024.

I recently went on Voyager of the seas and I loved it especially the waiters they were very nice

We have sailed on explorer of the seas and adventure of the seas. I went on Oasis of the Seas with a friend and loved it! Hope to get my husband on one of the bigger ships in ‘24.

Going on our first RC cruise at the end of january 2023. We are going on adventure of the seas out of Galveston. I was excited to learn Allure of the seas will be traveling out of Texas also. I’m so excited to see all RC has to offer! This was a great video !

Been waiting for this! Thank you!

Taking our first cruise in 32 years in September. Sailing on Allure of the Seas out of Galveston. Cruising has changed so much from when we went on our honeymoon in 1991. Taking our adult children. Can’t wait!

I didn't know this got better and better keep on ur hard jobs good!

Matt, I can certainly tell you spent countless hours organizing all of this vital information. We can't thank you enough. I hope to make you smack your grandmaw on your upcoming show!

We love them all. As you said, it depends on the itinerary which ship to use as your home base. They all have their positives and negatives but we find them to be mostly positive.

Casino Royale has been GREAT to me since my first RCC cruise on the Allure in May! I’ve received 6 complimentary cruise offers so far and booked 3 of those offers. I’m using the complimentary cruises to try out the different classes of ships. I have a booking on the Radiance, Harmony, and then Anthem .

Thanks MATT!!! Awesome information

I’ve been on Allure, Independence and Mariner of the Seas. Loved them all, Allure was my favorite. Next 2 will be wonder of the seas and odyssey of the seas.

It’s time on oasis oct 16. Review was very helpful.

I have been in Seranade OTS, back in 2003, every since than, i have been dreaming in make another cruise. This year i will finally be back to exp liberty ots, cant wait!

Our first cruise was this year on the Explorer of the Seas. We had a blast!

Thanks. Very helpful

Good video, helpful information. Thankyou

I think we have been on most, if not all of the different classes of RCL Ships. Love the Oasis class, we did an Alaskan cruise and a transpacific on the Radiance (rare twice in same ship) and we have been on the Grandeur, etc. etc. 12 or more in all. I can’t remember having a less than enjoyable time on every cruise, no matter the size or amenities. 😎

Wonderful video. Loved it

As always great advice

These videos are sooo helpful ❤

I'm so excited for my cruise on the wonder of the seas in the summers

Looking forward to our first ever cruise next year on the Harmony!

You should do a video on the excursions. Where to go to and find how to get to the excursions.

Radiance is our go to size RC ship followed by Vision class. We enjoy the more "traditional" style of cruising and the older demographics found on these classes. Out preferred departure port is Tampa which the larger ships can't use due to clearance under the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Many crew members have also remarked that they like the smaller ships because they develop closer relationships with the fewer guests onboard. We have sailed all four Radiance class ships, most several times but only two of the Vision class. We are scheduled on Grandeur in October for our first outing aboard her.

Thank you for this video! I now know all the classes of Royal Caribbean!

My 1st Cruise in 2003 was on Voyager of the Seas... I think it was the biggest ship at the time...(memory of it always stuck with me)19 years later, I took my family on their 1st Cruise (my 2nd, finally, smh) on Freedom of the Seas. We loved it, great experience. I will become a cruising regular. Liberty is next.

I have sailed on Explorer and Ovation. I enjoyed them both but especially loved Explorer. What a beautiful classic ship. Sadly she no longer comes to Australia. I am going on Ovation again soon and next year on Anthem. For me both the ship and the destination are equally important in order to have a great holiday. How do others feel?

Good video of the different classes of ships

Thanks for the breakdown, very interesting! We have been on a few RC ships including Vovager of the Seas! It was fun! I loved the Central Park section of the cruise so fun, I like they have included on the other ships! I think for me I would prefer a ship that is medium size but still has a good amount of stuff to do! Probably the Quantum and/ or Freedom Class. These big, big ships are become amusement parks on water and up to 6,000 people on board! No thank you! If I had a lot of money I would love to try one ship from each class and really get taste of the size, activities, restaurants! 😂

I'm not really a fan of the new ships enclosed courtyard. I like the older ships when you could walk around the outside of the ships and go do things and actually see the ocean. And for me ice skating is a waste of space. Norwegian Cruise line has some nice ships and they were the first ones to introduce hand sanitizer way before the pandemic in the early 2000s

For me the only one you listed that I been on was the Marnier, it was good. The others that I been on were the Sovereign, Monarch, Majesty, and the Viking Serenade. They were all good

I recently went on the quantum of the seas in early 2023 and I can say it did not disappoint. There was always something different to do through out the day, I do need to say that the Ripcord reservations that I booked got cancelled due to the ship rocking which was a disappointment but they did issue a refund

Thanks for this video. This was very helpful

Loved the harmony of the sea! Oasis class

Matt, you described the classes perfectly.

Our first cruise was on a Sovereign Class ship call Majesty OTS... now retired, so I'm glad we got to experience it! It was "only" 70k gross tons, but it was AWESOME! the ship did rock a tiny bit, but just enough to put us to sleep at night! We LOVED being able to feel the ship set sail every night! The other cruise we did was just this past month on a Voyager Class ship the Mariner OTS... 130k tons so a major step up in size and features!!! Really loved it, but we kinda missed the feel of the ocean...Next we hope to do Allure!

Thanks for the breakdown. I'm considering an Oasis class ship.

My first cruise was on Aventure and I thought that ship was big but we went on Oasis for our second and that even more luxurious. Can't wait for Icon so my family can experience that one

my very first cruise was a voyager class, Adventure, in Feb 2022 then in April I went on Wonder. WOW the difference. on Adventure we got to know our bartenders and waiters!! much more intimate and cozier. Love all the stuff on Wonder but felt like there was so much we missed. too much to do in just one 7 day cruise. I felt more relaxed on Adventure! after Wonder (which currently is the largest Oct. '22) I really want to go on the smallest ship.. lol so i have been on RC's 1st & last alphabetically and Largest and smallest available!! but im quarky like that.

We've sailed on Independence, Adventure, and going on Radiance in March 2023. All out of Galveston. I'm looking forward to going on an Oasis class ship one day from Galveston. Maybe soon since Royal is opening up the new cruise terminal this fall.

We have done so many cruises. We love the vision class

Hi Matt: I have been on all classes of ships, and chose the boats based on the itinerary in my early cruise days, but now I look very closely at the boat as primary in my vacation cruises after my cruise on Oasis class. I have been on Oasis at debut, Allure, Harmony, Symphony and most recently on Wonder in April 2022. When Cruising with my children and their families I choose Oasis class and Anthem class ships since there is so many options on the ship at Sea. I loved Giovanni’s on Wonder in Central Park for a glass of wine in the evening and a quick bite when cruising with my husband and myself without children. On a smaller ship we were able to go to Cuba before the entry door closed again. I really enjoyed the balanced approach you presented since many of the suggestions you made took me years to figure out. I didn’t know about ICON…I am looking forward to what ship comes next!! Wondering if any new ports are on the horizon..? Is RC building new port docks in the Caribbean? Are cruises returning to Venice? Any New ports in Europe? Are new excursions available at the well-traveled ports like Bahama? Excursions may take more than 1 video…but it is a prime reason we get on a ship in the first place. Thanks!!!

Like this video Matt!

My wife and I have sailed on the Liberty 4 times, Adventure 2 times, Vision 2 times, Independence, Ovation, Serenade, Explorer, Monarch and Majesty once each. We will be sailing on the Allure, our first Oasis class ship in December!!!!

we have sailed on the Freedom of the seas, Liberty of the seas, and Allure of the seas. Sailing on Harmony of the seas in 23 days. Yay!!

Today was disembarkation day for our first cruise. Liberty of the Seas. It was a tiny bit disappointing in terms of shopping, food, and things to do, but it’s great if you just want to relax.

wow! talk about responding to comments! awesome!

Wow that's awesome never went on a cruise ship before

My family's going on a Symphony of the Seas cruise next year lol, we are so excited! Are you going to make a Symphony of the Seas tour?

Love Royal Caribbean! Been on Liberty of the Seas 2-3 times. Nice size ship but they’re all great in their own way.

I want big. That's why we did Disney Dream back in 2014. (Bigger than Magic or Wonder.) We just booked our first RC on Harmony. So excited for that! Once I've had that experience, I won't mind Vision class. But since it will be 9 years in between cruises, gotta realize my dream of an Oasis class before going smaller.

My 1st Rc cruise was on the independent of the Seas, my second was the Explorer and my third was the Oasis of the Seas. I'm booked on Anthem March 2023!!!