Royal Caribbean International

Overview

Big, bigger, biggest! More than a decade ago, Royal Caribbean launched Sovereign of the Seas, the first of the modern megacruise liners, which continues to be an all-around favorite of passengers who enjoy traditional cruising ambience with a touch of daring and whimsy tossed in. Plunging into the 21st century, each ship in the current fleet carries more passengers than the entire Royal Caribbean fleet of the 1970s and has features—such as new surfing pools—that were unheard of in the past.

All Royal Caribbean ships are topped by the company's distinctive signature Viking Crown Lounge. These lofty perches allow passengers to contemplate the passing seascape by day and dance away the night in a heavenly space high above the water. Expansive multideck atriums and the generous use of brass and floor-to-ceiling glass windows give each vessel a sense of spaciousness and style.

A variety of lounges and high-energy stage shows draw passengers of all ages out to mingle and dance the night away. Production extravaganzas showcase singers and dancers in lavish costumes. Comedians, acrobats, magicians, jugglers, and solo entertainers fill show lounges on nights when the ships' companies aren't performing. Professional ice shows are a highlight of cruises on Voyager- and Ultra Voyager-class ships—the only ships at sea with ice-skating rinks.

The action is nonstop in casinos and dance clubs after dark, while daytime hours are filled with poolside games and traditional cruise activities. Port talks tend to lean heavily on shopping recommendations and the sale of shore excursions.

1050 Royal Caribbean Way, Miami, FL, 33132-2096. 305/539-6000 or 800/327-6700. www.royalcaribbean.com. Cruise Style: Mainstream.