royal caribbean cruise new years

• CruiseMapper
• Royal Caribbean christmas cruises

Royal Caribbean Christmas and New Year

Christmas cruises 2024, 2025 new year's eve.

All Royal Caribbean Christmas and New Year cruise offers listed here are just itineraries and not cruise deals for sale. Vessels are ordered alphabetically. Comparing all the ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet is a most convenient way to select the best for you Holiday voyages as departures (homeports, dates), destinations (regions, visited countries), itineraries (ports of call, arrival dates, port times) and also to compare cruise prices.

CruiseMapper shows cruise prices per person. These are only indicative fares on the ship's lowest category staterooms. All rates are based on double occupancy (twin share) and don't include cruise line or travel agency promotions, group booking rates or any other special offers and discounts.

Royal Caribbean Christmas and New Year cruise deals are a "mega ship" travel choice for inexpensive December Holiday vacations. RCI's best features are the world's biggest cruise ships ever, top sea travel destinations and signature uniqueness.

The list of exotic RCI Xmas destinations includes Asia (from Singapore and China), Australia (Sydney to NZ and the South Pacific Islands), South America (from Brazil) and Europe (Mediterranean itineraries with UK departures).

Just like with the rest of the "big ship" companies, most RCI voyages for Christmas are roundtrips to the Caribbean, with departures from Florida (Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral).

Royal Caribbean's Caribbean ships also depart from New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Galveston, New Orleans, plus the special roundtrips from Puerto Rico (San Juan) and Panama (Colon).

Royal Caribbean Holiday specials feature unique onboard activities and signature activities offered by no other line. The special cuisine and one-time-in-the-year-only entertainment menu on the ship is another reason to spend the year's merriest time at sea. As to the prices on RCCL cruise package deals, their ticket prices are not cheap, and often perfectly match the size of their ships. Following the most common pattern for big lines Holiday itineraries, the majority of Royal Caribbean voyages for New Years are round-trips departing from Florida ports (Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral). Another set of highly popular deals includes the round-trips to the Caribbean leaving from New York (NYC and Bayonne NJ), Baltimore, Galveston, and New Orleans, along with the line's deals from Puerto Rico and Panama. The list of the Royal Caribbean New Year destinations also includes Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe and South America (Brazil departures).

Next tables show all Royal Caribbean Christmas New Year cruise itineraries as ships, departure ports, call ports (dates and arrival/departure times) and regions.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

• Already Booked?

Tap our phone number to call us for a FREE consultation

• Email Deals
• Personal Quote

• Advanced Search

• Featured Cruise Deals

• Deals by Destination

• Deals by Cruise Line

• Deals by Departure Port

Last Minute Cruise Deals

Holiday Cruise Deals

Military Cruise Deals

• Family Cruise Deals

Popular Destinations

Australia/New Zealand

• Canada / New England

Popular Int'l Departure Ports

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Barcelona, Spain

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Reykjavik, Iceland

Southampton, England

Stockholm, Sweden

Sydney, Australia

Vancouver, British Columbia

Venice, Italy

Popular U.S. Departure Ports

Baltimore, Maryland

Boston, Massachusetts

Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

Los Angeles, California

Miami, Florida

New York, New York

Port Canaveral, Florida

San Francisco, California

Seattle, Washington

Popular Lines

Luxury Lines

River Lines

AmaWaterways

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Avalon Waterways River Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Holland America Line

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Seabourn Cruise Line

Silversea Cruises

Uniworld River Cruises

Viking Expeditions

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Land Vacations

• Cosmos Tours
• Globus Journeys
• Kensington Tours
• Tauck Tours

All-Inclusive Resorts

Cruising 101

• Free Consultation

Why Cruise?

Shore Excursions

Cruising Tips

Future Cruise Credits

Photo Galleries

Specialty Cruises

Group Cruises

Business / Incentive Cruises

Events & Meetings at Sea

Private Charters

Theme Cruises

• River Cruises

Cruise Tours

Wedding Cruises

Hosted Cruises

Family Cruises

Senior Living at Sea

News & Media

Press & News

Testimonials

Social Media

Pre-registration

Passports / Visas

Travel Protection

Why Cruise Web?

Our Approach

Low Price Guarantee

Gift Certificates

Customer Service

Not sure where to start?

Talk to a travel consultant.

Free quotes. Expert guidance. No booking fees.

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

Holiday Cruises with Royal Caribbean

This Christmas season, "Deck the Holidays" with Royal Caribbean. Santa and his hardest working elves have made Royal Caribbean your one-stop shop for holiday entertainment, feasts, activities and much more when you take a Christmas or holiday cruise. Why deal with the stress of putting on all of the holiday festivities yourself when all of your favorite traditions and experiences can be found right on board at the tips of your fingers? When you book your holiday sailing or Christmas cruise with The Cruise Web, you are just one call away from the holiday vacation of a lifetime!

Christmas Cruises with Royal Caribbean

"Come Seek" top-notch Christmas holiday activities, experiences, entertainment and cuisine on a Christmas cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Christmas Activities aboard Royal Caribbean

• Walk for polar bears and join the crew on deck for a walk in support of the World Wildlife Fund's arctic programs.
• Sing along to your favorite timeless holiday tunes Christmas Eve caroling.
• Create your own ugly Christmas sweater at an ugly sweater crafting session. Afterward, rock your creation at the Ugly Sweater Party featuring a live DJ and competition for the ugliest sweater.
• Learn how to decorate like a pro in one of Royal Caribbean's Christmas ornament or gingerbread cookie decorating classes!
• Put your holiday know-how to the test with onboard holiday games and trivia.
• Attend a pajamas movie night featuring your favorite Christmas movies!

Christmas Experiences with Royal Caribbean

• Elves on deck! Be on the lookout for Santa's elves spreading Christmas cheer from bow to stern. And who knows... Saint Nick might be making his own special appearance as well!
• Marvel at the glowing Christmas trees and other holiday decor on display throughout the ship!
• A priest will be onboard for those who wish to attend mass on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both!
• Holiday story time will be hosted by Santa's elves.

Holiday Cuisine aboard Royal Caribbean

• Why spend your Christmas in the kitchen when you can enjoy decadent holiday cuisine stress-free with Royal Caribbean?
• Get your fill of all your favorite holiday dishes at 150 Central Park, Giovanni's Table and Chops Grille when you take a Christmas cruise with Royal Caribbean.
• Royal Caribbean also offers a special holiday-themed version of their traditional Bottomless Galley Brunch where you can eat as much as your ho-ho-heart desires!

View 2024 Christmas Cruises

View 2025 Christmas Cruises

View 2026 Christmas Cruises

Thanksgiving Cruises with Royal Caribbean

Enjoy stress free turkey-time when you celebrate Thanksgiving with Royal Caribbean! Take part in all your favorite Thanksgiving traditions minus the planning and production hassles.

Thanksgiving Activities & Experiences with Royal Caribbean

• Participate in Thanksgiving-themed arts and crafts with the whole family.
• Watch first hand as the Captain of the ship performs a Turkey Pardon.
• Not a fan of the jam packed shopping malls on Black Friday? Instead, take part in Royal Caribbean's countdown to the holidays shopping events. Holiday specials are available at all onboard shops, including gift packages.

Thanksgiving Cuisine aboard Royal Caribbean

• Get in the Thanksgiving "spirit" with Holiday-themed cocktails.
• And of course, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served in the main restaurant featuring all your Thanksgiving favorites!

View 2024 Thanksgiving Cruises

View 2025 Thanksgiving Cruises

View 2026 Thanksgiving Cruises

New Year's Eve Cruises with Royal Caribbean

Ring in the New Year with Royal Caribbean!

• Begin your year with a bang! Experience a stunning ship-wide party complete with champagne and party favors.
• Enjoy New Year's themed cocktails and exceptional holiday-inspired menus created by Royal Caribbean's expert chefs on New Year's Eve.

View 2024 New Year's Cruises

View 2025 New Year's Cruises

View 2026 New Year's Cruises

Ready for Your Holiday Cruise with Royal Caribbean?

For more information on holiday cruising with Royal Caribbean and to book your stress-free holiday vacation, call The Cruise Web's expert consultants today at 1-800-377-9383!

* Onboard amenities, experiences, features and prices are subject to change without notice. Activities and availability vary by season and sail date. Information accurate at time of publication, but subject to change. Call 1-800-377-9383 to confirm current holiday experiences, pricing and availability.

We Make Vacation Planning Easy

With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.

Expert guidance. No booking fees.

Find a cruise.

• All Cruise Types
• Popular Cruises
• Luxury Cruises

Vacation Deals

Destinations & ports.

• All Destinations

Cruise Lines

• Popular Cruise Lines
• Luxury Cruise Lines
• River Cruise Lines
• All Cruise Lines
• All About Cruising
• Already Booked

Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals.

• Monthly Newsletter

• Find a Cruise​ Cruise Deals Cruise Ships​ Destinations​ Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay​ Weekend Cruises Crown & Anchor Society Royal Caribbean Blog Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-1-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/sgp/en/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Short Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises​
• Family Cruises​
• First Time Cruisers
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• Cruising Guides
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-3-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/sgp/en/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Deck Plans​
• Cruise Dining ​
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms​
• The Cruise Experience​
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/sgp/en/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports​
• Shore Excursions​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Asia Cruises​
• Singapore Cruises​
• Caribbean Cruises​
• Thailand Cruises​
• Alaska Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Check-In for My Cruise​
• Make a Payment
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• Update Guest Information
• Beverage Packages​
• Dining Packages​
• My Account​
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-6-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/sgp/en/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

ADVENTURE IS IN THE AIR

Holiday cruises.

Fill the December holidays with tropical, action-packed days and unforgettable memories. Start a new tradition with the biggest holiday cruise celebration at sea.

This holiday head out to the warm and wonderful islands of the Caribbean. Days at sea are packed with festive celebrations, special Santa-approved events and a never-ending unofficial boat-wide party. Get into the spirit with Christmas Cruises to the Bahamas and show off your creative skills to build this season's best sandman. Enjoy heavenly island days in Jamaica, snorkeling in azure oceans and tanning on sugary sands. Go east to Cozumel with a New Year's cruise from NYC where streets come alive with local celebrations, and onboard parties for all ages are an everyday indulgence. So, grab some tinsel and your favorite holiday outfit, and let the festivities begin! 

EXPLORE AVAILABLE HOLIDAY CRUISES

Enjoy the ultimate holiday celebration with loved ones this festive season.

Departs From {{card.portName}}

Onboard {{card.shipName}}

{{ card.totalGroups }} Itineraries

In this Category

We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. View All Cruises

We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. View All Results

SIGN UP FOR DEALS ON SUMMER 2023 CRUISES

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy .

START TROPICAL TRADITIONS

Head to the Caribbean this December and heat up your holiday celebrations! 

DASHING THROUGH THE SEAS

Soak up the Jamaican sun at  Montego Bay  where refreshing waterfalls, limestone caves and sparkling aqua waters promise days of adventure. Grab a signature Labadoozie on  Labadee island  and fly over the bay on the longest zip line over water in the world! While on December cruises, visit Cozumel to get up close and personal with epic Mayan history while devouring all of your Mexican favorites.

DO YOU WANNA BUILD SANDMAN?

There's nothing like a holiday feast at the multicultural and gourmet  Saint Maarten Island  where you can get merry with exclusive guavaberry liqueur. Head to St. Thomas to get a first-hand look at the beautiful Magens Bay and snorkel in the glassy waters of Sapphire Beach. It's all palm trees and pirates on the Bahamas Islands where you can swim with dolphins and sharks alike.

GET FESTIVE ON YOUR PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

CocoCay is a one-of-a-kind island dedicated to tropical fun, known for making spirits bright. Show off your smooth moves at the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean and launch off from the tallest waterslide in all of North America. All of the best holiday cruises for families spend one glorious day at CocoCay.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

Enjoy holiday cruises that spread waves of joy and festive cheer. 

A TROPICAL WONDERLAND

The best holiday cruises in December are full of fun in the sun and holiday cheer. Make meaningful memories with loved ones and rest assured that you and your family festivities are sorted. Enjoy more experiences, more amenities and more memories in paradise.

FIRECRACKERS & FRUITCAKE

Stuff yourself silly at our holiday-themed version of our Bottomless Galley Brunch, and indulge in all of your favorite trimmings. Tuck into your best holiday dishes and drinks as our chefs go above and beyond to impress your inner foodie.

BE A NEW YEAR'S EVE NOISEMAKER

What better place to ring in the new year than paradise? Join private parties at exclusive bars and go all out with a cruise ship-wide countdown party that transcends expectations. Usher in the New Year with an awesome Big Balloon Drop in the Promenade, Esplanade and Centrum. Take a New Year's Cruise from Miami and other destinations for a party you'll never forget.

CRUISE THROUGH THE HOLIDAY

Need a no-pressure family getaway? A romantic beach adventure for two? Whatever style you're looking to celebrate in, you'll cruise through this year's holiday season stress-free.

FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE

Make sure you stop at  Perfect Day at CocoCay  for an action-packed adventure that everyone will love. Kiddies can splash to their heart's content at Splashaway Bay or head to the swashbuckling Captain Jill's Cannon for the ultimate pirate experience. See who's brave enough to conquer all 13 waterslides at  Thrill Waterpark , or relax along the  Oasis Lagoon . Get the whole family together on a hot air balloon ride and make holiday memories to last a lifetime.

BABY, IT'S NOT COLD OUTSIDE!

All you want for Christmas is a tropical vacation? Get away from holiday pressure and expectations with a romantic December cruise to the Caribbean! Explore local traditions together, swim in secret waterfalls and unwind on powdery Caribbean sands. Romantic beach picnics are just the beginning of your holiday escape.

SPEND THE HOLIDAYS ON THE BOLDEST CRUISE SHIPS AT SEA

Incredible is on the itinerary when you set sail on one of our Oasis Class cruise ships. Get your adrenaline fix with two onboard water slides, a wave park and the only boomerang slide at sea. Dash through the seas and launch into the holiday spirit with themed parties and daily shows. 'Tis the season to indulge! Enjoy one of our specialty restaurants where you'll find traditional favorites and new holiday-themed dishes and delights.

EXPLORE OUR LARGEST CRUISE SHIPS

GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

The ship's crew is there to make sure you have the best holiday cruise. At the start of your voyage, take part in the time-honored tradition of lighting the massive ship's tree. Join Santa's hardest working elves for the ultimate Christmas celebration and a surprise Christmas giveaway. Get up on deck for a festive walk in support of World Wildlife Fund's Arctic programs, presented by Coca-Cola. Decorate your own gingerbread cookies and unleash your creativity with DIY ornament classes.

EXPLORE MORE

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

Royal Caribbean Deals: A Guide to Scoring the Best Cruise for You

Royal Caribbean cruise deals aren't hard to find, but sometimes they're hard to decipher. Just because a cruise fare says “deal” doesn’t make it so. It usually takes a lot of digging and a little math to unearth real Royal Caribbean deals . But once you know what to look for -- and where and when to look -- spotting deals becomes easier.

Cruise Critic did the hard work for you. We checked Royal Caribbean Black Friday deals and Royal Caribbean package deals, as well as military cruise deals, special pricing for seniors and residents of certain states, plus deals for members of Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program. We even found out just how wow-worthy Royal Caribbean’s Wow deals are. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Kind of Royal Caribbean Cruise Deals Can You Expect to Find?

Royal Caribbean deals on inside cabins start at around $60 per person per night (before taxes and port fees). Anything below that is a deal. For oceanview rooms , fares under $90 per person per night are deals. And while the gold standard for cruise deals across all the mainstream cruise lines is around $100 per person per night for balcony cabins (and you’ll find those on Royal Caribbean), any balcony cabin priced under $150 per night is a good deal on Royal Caribbean. When it comes to suites , look for rooms priced under $250.

Keep in mind that Royal Caribbean frequently enhances its fares with onboard credit and category upgrades while teasing you with both dollars and a percent off of the base fare. It’s easy to search for cruises on the line’s website, but it will take a few clicks to get the hang of finding the deal that suits you best. One trick we’ve learned is not to hesitate to use the "Select Date” option to let the website show you the actual full price. Sometimes it’s the only way to know if you’re getting the deal you thought you were.

Related: The Best Cabin on Any Cruise Ship

Seasonal Royal Caribbean Cruise Deals

The best Royal Caribbean cruise deals show up at the very time you are most likely to be dreaming of a sunny and warm vacation -- January, February and March. Other than those three months, watch for the aforementioned Black Friday cruise deals . Royal Caribbean also offers Cyber Monday deals.

But what seasons are the cheapest for cruising? It depends on your destination, but prices for most Royal Caribbean sailings rise steadily from late spring through mid-summer before dropping as kids return to school. Fares rise again as the holiday season approaches.

Don’t overlook shoulder seasons , either. That’s the transition period between busy and not so busy. For example, the Alaska cruise shoulder seasons are May and September, which often extend into late April and early October and can be cheaper to book.

Royal Caribbean Drink Package Deals, Plus Meal Packages and Casino Deals

Are Royal Caribbean’s drink packages deals or not? It’s a longstanding question among cruisers. Try asking yourself these questions: If I were on an all-inclusive trip with beverages included, would I drink beer and wine with lunch and dinner? Would I have an afternoon poolside cocktail? Do I enjoy specialty coffees and fruity cocktails or mocktails on my vacation?

If you answered yes to any of those, then simply treat the drink package as an upgrade to your cruise and consider it a deal because the package price will likely beat the individual drink price.

Related: Is a Cruise Drink Package Right for You?

There’s really no question whether or not Royal Caribbean meal packages are deals. If you plan to try any of the specialty restaurants onboard, packages are the way to go. They can save you as much as 40% over individual restaurant prices.

As for casino deals, the perks are dependent on how much you play. The more you cruise and play over the course of the year, the better the perks become. Deals range from free drinks in the casino to deals on Royal Caribbean cruises (including for family and friends) all the way up to free annual cruises for high rollers.

How to Get the Best Royal Caribbean Deals: Tips for Beginners

If you're on the hunt for a Royal Caribbean cruise deal, you'll want to start with the following basic tips:

Newer ship classes have higher prices -- and not just on fares. Everything onboard can be more costly, from drinks to specialty restaurants. Older ships are almost always better deals.

Cruises that include Christmas and New Year’s holidays are not usually deals, but the weeks adjacent to them might be. Look for cruises that end before December 23 or start January 2 or later for the best holiday-ish deals.

Take advantage of the Crown & Anchor frequent cruiser awards program. You are automatically enrolled after your first Royal Caribbean cruise. Every member gets up to 25% off last-minute sailings.

Don’t forget to apply promo codes and exclusive rate discounts when you cruise shop. Make sure your Crown & Anchor member number is attached, as well as your state of residence and whether you are entitled to the discounts for military , first responders or for being 55 years old (or older). The best discounts are not applied until you do this.

Sign up for Royal Caribbean deals via email.

Check out Cruise Critic's curated deals . We spell out just how good your deal is using our deal score , which factors in things like on-board credits, room upgrades, flight bargains and more.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Cruise Deal Pros

If you're willing to take an extra step or two, cruise deals on Royal Caribbean can be even better. Start with the below insider tips to maximize your bargain:

The best Royal Caribbean deals generally leave from Galveston , Los Angeles , San Juan , and Baltimore (southbound cruises only).

Check four, five, six and eight-night cruises for hot deals. These lengths are oddballs, so fares per night are often lower.

Repositioning cruises can be amazing deals, but the best ones are short cruises like the ones that move ships into and out of position for the Alaska season or swapping home ports to and from San Juan.

Double dip by using free or bonus onboard credit to buy discounted meal packages.

Unless you are a serious balcony user , consider an inside or oceanview cabin. You may be surprised that the advertised deals are actually better for the less popular categories. We checked prices during the most recent Royal Caribbean Wow deals sale and uncovered numerous instances where the onboard credit was higher for oceanview or inside staterooms than for balcony rooms or suites.

If you are self booking on the Royal Caribbean website, double check every screen. We found instances where choosing your own stateroom was lower priced than allowing the cruise line to choose, even though the top of the screen says you’ll save by letting them choose. We also found obstructed view rooms priced higher than those with perfect views. It pays to expect the unexpected.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

What's the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship? It might seem like a strange question to ask, but it's something that matters if you're in the market for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

The newest Royal Caribbean ship is typically also the Royal Caribbean ship with the most bells and whistles and the most up-to-date cabins, restaurants, bars and attractions. It's what you want if you want the latest and greatest in a vessel for your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.

Right now, the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Icon of the Seas , which is just debuting in January . It's the first of a new class of vessels for the line.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Other relatively new Royal Caribbean ships include Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. All began sailing in the last six years.

In all, Royal Caribbean operates 27 cruise vessels. On average, the line comes out without about one new ship a year, and it typically keeps vessels in its fleet for around 20 to 30 years before retiring them from the fleet. The oldest Royal Caribbean ship, Grandeur of the Seas, is 27 years old.

In general, Royal Caribbean's newest ships are far bigger and much more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave a lot of activities in a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation, you'll want to stick to vessels built in the last 15 or so years.

Related: The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

Royal Caribbean's oldest cruise ships — those built in the 1990s and early 2000s — in many cases are half to a third the size of the line's newest vessels and have far fewer venues on board. Still, even these smaller ships offer a lot of attractions as compared to many vessels at competing lines.

Royal Caribbean is known for bustling, activity-packed ships across its fleet.

Here, every Royal Caribbean ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. Icon of the Seas (2024)

Icon of the Seas is the belle of the ball at Royal Caribbean — the line's newest and most state-of-the-art ship. It's also the biggest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and, indeed, the biggest ship ever built by any line.

Icon of the Seas is the first of a new class of vessels at Royal Caribbean called the Icon Class that will be rolling out over the next few years . Royal Caribbean has initially ordered three of the vessels but could add more ships to the series down the road.

Maiden voyage: 2024 Size: 250,800 gross tons Passenger capacity : 5,610

2. Wonder of the Seas (2022)

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 235,600 gross tons Passenger capacity : 5,734

Wonder of the Seas was the world's biggest cruise ship until the arrival of Icon of the Seas, and it remains one of the biggest ships ever built by any line.

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth vessel in Royal Caribbean's much-ballyhooed Oasis Class series of vessels — the world's largest ships from the time they began debuting in 2009 until the arrival of Icon of the Seas early this year.

3. Odyssey of the Seas (2022)

Maiden voyage : 2022 Size: 167,704 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,284

Odyssey of the Seas is the newest of Royal Caribbean's five Quantum Class ships. The five-ship series debuted in 2014 with the unveiling of Quantum of the Seas and is the newest class of ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet (until the arrival of the Icon Class of ships in January).

4. Spectrum of the Seas (2019)

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 169,379 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,246

Spectrum of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class series and has traditionally sailed in Asia, often on cruises aimed at the Asian market.

Like all Quantum Class ships, Spectrum of the Seas features an iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex entertainment complex with bumper cars and other amusements and an unusual attraction called North Star that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.

5. Symphony of the Seas (2018)

Maiden voyage: 2018 Size: 228,081 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,518

Symphony of the Seas is the world's third largest cruise ship, just a tad smaller than its newer sister Wonder of the Seas and the recently unveiled Icon of the Seas. Like Wonder of the Seas, it's part of the groundbreaking Oasis Class of ships that began debuting in 2009 (it's the fourth in the series).

Like all Oasis Class ships, Symphony of the Seas is broken up into multiple neighborhoods for cruising fun, including a Central Park neighborhood full of eateries, bars and shops that runs down the middle of the ship and is open to the sky.

6. Harmony of the Seas (2016)

Maiden voyage: 2016 Size: 226,963 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,479

Unveiled in 2016, Harmony of the Seas was the third vessel in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class series and the biggest ship in the world at the time of its debut (it's since been eclipsed by its slightly bigger sisters Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas as well as the new Icon of the Seas).

The ship was the first in the Oasis Class to have a sprawling water park area known as Perfect Storm and the 10-story-high dry slide attraction Ultimate Abyss.

7. Ovation of the Seas (2016)

Maiden voyage: 2016 Size: 168,666 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,180

Ovation of the Seas is the third vessel in Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class of ships. In recent years, it has mostly sailed in Australia and Alaska.

Like its Quantum Class sisters, Ovation of the Seas is filled with amusements such as an iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex entertainment complex with bumper cars and a North Star ride that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.

8. Anthem of the Seas (2015)

Maiden voyage: 2015 Size: 168,666 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,180

Anthem of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's five Quantum Class vessels (it was the second ship in the series). It currently splits its time between New York City (where it spends the winter, sailing to New England, the Bahamas and the Caribbean) and Southampton, England. It sails voyages out of the latter home port during the summers.

For the winter of 2024-2025, Anthem of the Seas is scheduled to move to Singapore for Asia sailings.

9. Quantum of the Seas (2014)

Maiden voyage: 2014 Size: 168,666 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,180

Quantum of the Seas was the original Quantum Class vessel for Royal Caribbean, and it thus kicked off a new era for the line.

The 4,180-passenger ship notably was the first in the world with a Bionic Bar — a bar with a robot making drinks (a concept since rolled out to several other Royal Caribbean ships). It was also the first cruise ship with an iFly skydiving simulator, a SeaPlex entertainment complex with bumper cars and a North Star ride that takes passengers into the air in a suspended pod.

10. Allure of the Seas (2010)

Maiden voyage: 2010 Size: 225,282 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,484

When Allure of the Seas debuted in 2010, it was the biggest ship in the world (by a hair) and is still one of the world's five biggest cruise vessels.

Allure of the Seas was the second ship in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class series, and only the three newer vessels in the series are bigger than it.

Like all Oasis Class ships, Allure of the Seas features multiple neighborhoods, including the Coney Island-inspired Boardwalk with an AquaTheater for acrobatic and high diving shows, a carousel, an arcade, restaurants and sweet shops, and two rock-climbing walls looming above.

11. Oasis of the Seas (2009)

Maiden voyage: 2009 Size: 226,838 gross tons Passenger capacity: 5,602

Oasis of the Seas was the cruise ship that changed the cruise world; a vessel so much bigger and with so many more attractions and venues when it debuted in 2009 that nobody who loved megaships wanted to be on any other vessel.

At the time of its debut, it was a stunning 40% bigger than any other cruise vessel on the planet.

Fourteen years after its debut, Oasis of the Seas remains one of the biggest ships on the planet, being just a tad smaller than its four Oasis Class sisters that have debuted in the years since it arrived. It's also eclipsed in size by the just unveiled Icon of the Seas.

12. Independence of the Seas (2008)

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 154,407 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,634

Independence of the Seas is the newest of three ships in Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class series.

Like other Freedom Class vessels, it's notably smaller than Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class ships, but it still is big enough to offer a lot when it comes to deck-top attractions, eateries, lounges and bars. The back of its top deck features a FlowRider surfing pool, a water park area with swirling waterslides and a rock-climbing wall.

13. Liberty of the Seas (2007)

Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 154,407 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,798

Liberty of the Seas is the second of three ships in Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class series.

Like its newer sister Independence of the Seas, it's smaller than Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis Class ships but still is big enough to pack in a lot of options for cruisers. You'll find many deck-top attractions, eateries, lounges and bars across this vessel.

14. Freedom of the Seas (2006)

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 156,271 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,926

Freedom of the Seas was another groundbreaking ship for Royal Caribbean, the first in a three-ship series (the Freedom Class) that were the biggest ships in the world when they debuted.

While no longer in the Top 25 list of biggest ships (so many bigger ships have since debuted), Freedom of the Seas still offers a lot of onboard fun. It was, notably, the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature a FlowRider surfing simulator on its top decks — now a signature attraction for the line. It also boasts multiple pool areas, a water park, a miniature golf course and a rock climbing wall.

15. Jewel of the Seas (2004)

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,191

Jewel of the Seas is the newest of Royal Caribbean's four Radiance Class vessels, a series of ships that is significantly smaller than the line's newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships.

Indeed, at 90,090 tons, Radiance of the Seas and its three sisters are less than half the size of the massive Oasis Class ships.

Still, Radiance of the Seas has more than a half-dozen places to eat, including the main restaurant, casual buffet, steakhouse, Italian restaurant and Asian venue.

You'll also find three pools, whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports court and an adults-only solarium. Inside, a theater, spa, casino and multiple bars and lounges keep passengers entertained.

16. Mariner of the Seas (2003)

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 139,863 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,000

Mariner of the Seas is the newest ship in Royal Caribbean's five-vessel Voyager Class series, which began debuting in 1999.

At the time of their debuts, the Voyager Class ships were the biggest cruise ships in the world (as is often the case with the new series of Royal Caribbean ships). But today, they are essentially midsize in the pantheon of Royal Caribbean vessels.

Still, Mariner of the Seas and its four Voyager Class sisters have many of Royal Caribbean's signature attractions, including rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks. In fact, the ships were the first at Royal Caribbean to have those attractions.

Voyager Class ships were also the first to feature a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and shops in their interior. Each also has several specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining room and casual buffet; specialty restaurants include a version of Royal Caribbean's signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.

17. Serenade of the Seas (2003)

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,143

Serenade was the third ship to debut in Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class series, which rolled out in quick succession in the early 2000s.

Like other Radiance Class ships, it is significantly smaller than the line's newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships but still has a lot to offer, including more than a half-dozen places to eat, three pools, whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports court and an adults-only solarium.

Like Jewel of the Seas, its interior venues include a theater, spa, casino and multiple bars and lounges.

18. Navigator of the Seas (2002)

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 139,999 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,388

Unveiled in 2002, Adventure of the Seas is the second newest vessel in Royal Caribbean's five-vessel Voyager Class series.

Like other Voyager Class ships, it is significantly smaller than Royal Caribbean's newer vessels but still offers many of the line's signature attractions, including a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, and a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and shops.

19. Brilliance of the Seas (2002)

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,142

Coming out just a year earlier than Serenade of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas is an almost identical vessel.

Like Serenade of the Seas, it's a Radiance Class ship, and that means it's significantly smaller than the line's newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships. However, it is still loaded with venues, including more than a half-dozen places to eat, three pools, whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports court and an adults-only solarium.

Like its Radiance Class sisters, its interior venues include a theater, spa, casino and multiple bars and lounges.

20. Adventure of the Seas (2001)

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 137,276 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,114

Adventure of the Seas is the third newest vessel in Royal Caribbean's five-vessel Voyager Class series.

21. Radiance of the Seas (2001)

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 90,090 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,143

Radiance of the Seas was the prototype vessel for Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class series, which debuted between 2001 and 2004.

Like the other ships in the series, it's significantly smaller than the line's newer Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships. However, it still is loaded with venues, including more than a half-dozen places to eat, three pools, whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a sports court and an adults-only solarium.

In addition, its interior venues include a theater, spa, casino and multiple bars and lounges.

22. Explorer of the Seas (2000)

Maiden voyage: 2000 Size: 137,308 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,286

Unveiled in 2000, Explorer of the Seas was the second vessel in Royal Caribbean's five-vessel Voyager Class series.

Like the other four vessels in the series, it has many of Royal Caribbean's signature attractions despite being smaller than the Royal Caribbean ships that have debuted over the past 15 years. These include a rock climbing wall and ice skating rink as well as a Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and shops.

Explorer of the Seas also has several specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining room and casual buffet; specialty restaurants include a version of Royal Caribbean's signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant.

23. Voyager of the Seas (1999)

Maiden voyage: 1999 Size: 137,276 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,602

Voyager of the Seas was the original Voyager Class ship, and at the time of its debut, it was the biggest cruise ship in the world.

Twenty-four years later, it isn't even one of the 50 biggest cruise ships in the world, the result of years of growth in the cruise industry that has seen far bigger vessels.

Still, Voyager of the Seas has many of Royal Caribbean's signature attractions, including a rock climbing wall and ice skating rink (two concepts it debuted). It was also the first Royal Caribbean ship with an interior Royal Promenade with bars, cafes and shops.

24. Vision of the Seas (1998)

Maiden voyage: 1998 Size: 78,340 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,050 passengers

Vision of the Seas is the newest of Royal Caribbean's Vision Class ships, which are the smallest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Unlike most Royal Caribbean ships, they offer fewer onboard attractions and amenities than is typical for the line's vessels.

In general, Vision of the Seas and its three older Vision Class sisters appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience on a cruise ship and cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit than the onboard attractions.

25. Enchantment of the Seas (1997)

Maiden voyage: 1997 Size: 82,910 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,252

Enchantment of the Seas is the third of four Vision Class vessels that began joining the Royal Caribbean fleet in 1996.

Like its sister ships, it's less than half the size of Royal Caribbean's newest, biggest ships and has far fewer onboard attractions and amenities.

Like Vision of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience on a cruise ship.

26. Rhapsody of the Seas (1997)

Maiden voyage : 1997 Size: 78,419 gross tons Passenger capacity: 1,998

Rhapsody of the Seas was the second vessel in Royal Caribbean's Vision Class of ships, which are the smallest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

Like its sisters in the Vision Class, it offers fewer onboard attractions and amenities than are typical for the line's vessels.

27. Grandeur of the Seas (1996)

Maiden voyage: 1996 Size: 73,817 gross tons Passenger capacity: 1,992

Grandeur of the Seas was the original Vision Class vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet, and it's the smallest of the series, too. In fact, it's the smallest ship in the entire Royal Caribbean fleet.

Like its sisters in the Vision Class, Grandeur of the Seas offers relatively few onboard attractions and amenities — at least compared to newer Royal Caribbean ships.

What is the newest Royal Caribbean ship?

The newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Icon of the Seas. As noted above, it is just debuting in January, with its first sailing with paying passengers scheduled for Jan. 27.

Measuring 250,800 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship ever built. It's also loaded with more restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top attractions than you'll find on any other ship at sea.

TPG got a sneak peek at Icon of the Seas in early January in advance of its first sailing with paying passengers. Don't miss our first stories live from the ship:

• Icon of the Seas preview: Photos of Royal Caribbean's newest ship
• Why the world's largest cruise ship won't be as crowded as you fear

What is the oldest Royal Caribbean ship?

The oldest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas. Unveiled way back in 1996, it's not just the oldest Royal Caribbean ship but the smallest Royal Caribbean ship — far smaller than the newest Royal Caribbean vessels. Measuring just 73,817 gross tons, it's just a third the size of Wonder of the Seas and has far fewer venues.

Except for a rock climbing wall, Grandeur of the Seas has none of the gee-whiz deck-top attractions found on bigger Royal Caribbean vessels, such as skydiving simulators and giant water parks. For the most part, its top deck is lined with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the 1990s.

That said, Grandeur of the Seas has a loyal following among Royal Caribbean fans who prefer smaller and more intimate ships.

What new Royal Caribbean ships are coming?

Royal Caribbean currently has three new cruise ships on order, all of which will be among its biggest cruise ships ever — if not its biggest.

The first to arrive, in July, will be Utopia of the Seas , the sixth and final vessel in the line's iconic Oasis Class series. Launched in 2009 with the debut of Oasis of the Seas, the Oasis-class ships have dominated the world of mega-size cruise ships since that year. At the time the class began rolling out, the vessels were around 40% bigger than the next-biggest cruise ships, and they have continued to be the biggest and most amenity-laden ships in the world ever since.

Utopia of the Seas is expected to be roughly the same size as Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's second-biggest cruise ship. But it'll be smaller than the line's biggest ship, Icon of the Seas. It's currently under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Royal Caribbean also has two more vessels similar to Icon of the Seas on order from shipyards for delivery in 2025 and 2026. The first of the vessels will be called Star of the Seas. The second of the vessels has not yet been named.

Known as the Icon Class, these ships are being built at the giant Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

What is the newest Royal Caribbean ship available for booking?

Star of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean ship that you can book right now. While the ship isn't yet sailing, its initial sailings scheduled for August 2025 are already on sale, as are future sailings through April 2026.

Also not yet sailing but available to book is Utopia of the Seas, the new Oasis Class vessel that will debut in July. Utopia of the Seas sailings through April 2025 are now open for bookings.

The third Royal Caribbean ship on order has yet to open for bookings.

What is the newest class of Royal Caribbean ships?

The Icon Class is the newest class of Royal Caribbean ships. It'll be made up of at least three vessels, the first of which (Icon of the Seas) is debuting this month.

At 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas is more than 6% bigger than the biggest Royal Caribbean ships that came before it. It can hold up to 7,600 passengers — a new record for a passenger ship. That's about 7% higher than the maximum capacity of Wonder of the Seas, the line's next oldest vessel, which can hold up to 7,084 passengers.

The bigger passenger capacity of Icon of the Seas is in part due to the ship's greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas is being built with more cabins that have plenty of extra bunks to accommodate families with children. It'll also have more amenities geared to families, including a new-for-the-line outdoor "neighborhood" called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.

What's the difference between newer and older Royal Caribbean ships?

Newer Royal Caribbean ships generally are bigger than older Royal Caribbean ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for many more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels.

On Royal Caribbean's newest and biggest Oasis Class vessels, for instance, you'll find three separate main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. And that's just on their top decks.

Inside the vessels, you'll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine — plus huge casinos, spas and showrooms with Broadway-style shows. They even have indoor ice skating rinks.

In short, they're like giant floating versions of the megaresorts you find in the Orlando area or Las Vegas, and they appeal to people who like a megaresort experience.

Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas has a similar array of venues.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's older ships are a half to a third smaller and lack many of the above features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While Icon Class and Oasis Class ships can hold more than 6,600 passengers with every berth full, the line's four oldest vessels (known as the Vision Class) are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

That makes them a good choice for someone who wants to try Royal Caribbean but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet thus appeal to a subset of Royal Caribbean fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Royal Caribbean loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the oldest ships at Royal Caribbean are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Wonder of the Seas.

Note that all Royal Caribbean ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Royal Caribbean cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
• Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
• The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Royal Caribbean Lifts Profit View Again on Cruise Boom, Higher Prices

FILE PHOTO: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, is docked at Costa Maya Cruise Port, in the village town of Mahahual, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, February 6, 2024. REUTERS/Paola Chiomante/File Photo

By Juveria Tabassum and Doyinsola Oladipo

(Reuters) -Royal Caribbean Group on Thursday raised its annual profit forecast for a second time, after record bookings during the first quarter and higher ticket pricing boosted its results, sending its shares 4% higher premarket.

Soaring demand for vacations at sea has given cruise operators ample room to raise ticket prices as the industry looks to close the pricing gap between more expensive land-based holidays and give their profits a lift.

Royal Caribbean also beat expectations for quarterly profit and revenue, with half of its yield growth coming from higher ticket pricing.

"Our existing fleet along with our new ships continue to perform exceptionally well, highlighted by the market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas," said CEO Jason Liberty.

The company now expects annual adjusted profit between $10.70 and $10.90 per share, compared with its earlier forecast of $9.90 to $10.10.

The Celebrity Cruises operator carried 2.05 million passengers in the quarter, nearly 14% higher year-over-year. It also reported record demand during the "wave season" - a period marked by special cruise deals and discounts for the year.

That helped its quarterly revenue of $3.73 billion surpass expectations of $3.69 billion, according to LSEG data.

Higher ticket prices have helped shield the company from slightly steeper net cruise costs expected this year due to increased dry dock days, as well as an impact from canceled voyages to the Red Sea amid tensions in the region.

The company expects net cruise costs excluding fuel to increase about 5.5% for the year, up from its earlier forecast for a rise between 3.75% to 4.25%.

Royal Caribbean's adjusted earnings per share of $1.77 beat market expectations of $1.33.

"I remember owning the stock in 2022 and every client was giving me grief about it," said Peter Ahluwalia, manager at Belinvest Global Equity Fund that holds Royal Caribbean stocks and chief investment officer at Swiss Partners Group. "We're turning almost 45% return on equity at the moment, which is quite incredible."

Shares of the company have risen 126% to about $137 in the past year.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Devika Syamnath)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Tags: United States

The Best Financial Tools for You

Credit Cards

Personal Loans

Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get investing advice, rankings and stock market news.

See a newsletter example .

You May Also Like

10 best growth stocks to buy for 2024.

Wayne Duggan April 26, 2024

7 High-Risk, High-Reward Stocks to Buy

Jeff Reeves April 26, 2024

5 Best Gold ETFs for 2024

Coryanne Hicks April 26, 2024

Green Hydrogen Stocks and ETFs

Matt Whittaker April 26, 2024

Best Tax-Free Muni Bond Funds

Tony Dong April 25, 2024

Bitcoin Runes 101: Bitcoin Meme Coins

Wayne Duggan April 25, 2024

7 Best High-Dividend ETFs to Buy Now

Glenn Fydenkevez April 25, 2024

What to Know About Sweep Accounts

Brian O'Connell April 24, 2024

Best Charles Schwab Mutual Funds

Tony Dong April 24, 2024

6 Best Airline Stocks to Buy

Coryanne Hicks April 24, 2024

7 Best Long-Term ETFs to Buy and Hold

Jeff Reeves April 24, 2024

7 Best Electric Vehicle ETFs to Buy

Tony Dong April 23, 2024

Best Beginner Investing Books

Julie Pinkerton April 23, 2024

Are There Any Tax-Free Investments?

Marguerita Cheng April 23, 2024

8 Best Defense Stocks to Buy Now

Wayne Duggan April 22, 2024

7 Best Energy ETFs to Buy Now

Tony Dong April 22, 2024

Small-Cap ETFs to Buy for Growth

Glenn Fydenkevez April 22, 2024

7 Best IPOs in 2024

Brian O'Connell April 22, 2024

Oil Stocks Tied to Crude Prices

Wayne Duggan April 19, 2024

7 Best Dividend ETFs to Buy Now

Jeff Reeves April 19, 2024

Royal Caribbean Pleased with Return to ‘High-Yielding’ China

• April 26, 2024

With the Spectrum of the Seas back in Shanghai, China for Royal Caribbean International, the company is ready to double capacity next year with the Ovation of the Seas sailing from Tianjin.

“We are also pleased to return to the high-yielding China market this month with Spectrum of the Seas and to add Ovation of the Seas to Tianjin in 2025 as we rebuild our China business,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group .

“With our return to China, we are now finally back in all of our key markets, which enables us to capture quality global demand and source from new consumer bases. Customer sentiment remains very positive, bolstered by resilient labor markets, wage growth, stabilizing inflation, and record high household net worth,” he said, speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said the company was pleased with the bookings for the Spectrum, which led to the decision to add a second ship in 2025.

“Our comparison, of course, is 2019, which we’ve used a lot over the last couple of years. Overall volume and rate for the China product in ’24 is significantly higher in both volume and rate from ’19, which is a great indicator of the kind of demand that we’re seeing for the product,” Bayley said. “And we feel good about ’24 going into ’25. That’s why we’ve got the second ship. Both quantum class, both have done very well in the China market. They seem to be really well suited for that market.

“And of course, Ovation, both in Alaska and Australia, is perfectly suited for the China market in terms of its geographical positioning. One will be in Tianjin, which we’ve operated out of many years before the pandemic. And of course, Shanghai, which are both great markets for us.”

Of note, Bayley said that onboard spend in China was looking good.

“We have high expectations and I think they’re going to be realized. The other thing that’s changed quite a lot in terms of the market dynamics in China is the change in our direct business versus the traditional trade business. There was quite a transformation during the pandemic in terms of a lot of the retailers that dropped out of business. Fortunately, pre-pandemic, we started to invest significantly in resources, technology and people to develop that direct business. And we continued through the pandemic and we accelerated when we came out of the pandemic. And it’s proving to be very productive for us. So overall, our distribution strategy is proving to be successful. Demand seems very, very strong,” Bayley said.\

“Of course, Korea opened up, which is great. So that gives us a better itinerary product to offer to our guests. And we’re feeling good about how this will play out. Of course, we’ve been in China for a decade before. So we’ve all been through the ups and downs, but currently it’s looking pretty positive.”

Cruise Industry News Email Alerts

• Breaking News

Get the latest breaking  cruise news .  Sign up.

54 Ships | 122,002 Berths | $36 Billion | View

Highlights:

• Mkt. Overview
• Record Year
• Refit Schedule
• PDF Download
• Order Today

• 2033 Industry Outlook 
• All Operators
• Easy to Use
• Pre-Order Offer
• Advertising
• Cruise News
• Magazine Articles
• Quarterly Magazine
• Annual Report
• Email Newsletter
• Executive Guide
• Digital Reports

Privacy Overview

• All content
• Rural Alaska
• Crime & Courts
• Alaska Legislature
• ADN Politics Podcast
• National Opinions
• Letters to the Editor
• Nation/World
• Film and TV
• Outdoors/Adventure
• High School Sports
• UAA Athletics
• Food and Drink
• Visual Stories
• Alaska Journal of Commerce (Opens in new window)
• The Arctic Sounder
• The Bristol Bay Times
• Legal Notices (Opens in new window)
• Peak 2 Peak Events (Opens in new window)
• Educator of the Year (Opens in new window)
• Celebrating Nurses (Opens in new window)
• Top 40 Under 40 (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Spelling Bee (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Craft Brew Festival
• Best of Alaska
• Spring Career Fair (Opens in new window)
• Achievement in Business
• Youth Summit Awards
• Lynyrd Skynyrd Ticket Giveaway
• Teacher of the Month
• 2024 Alaska Summer Camps Guide (Opens in new window)
• 2024 Graduation (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Visitors Guide 2024 (Opens in new window)
• 2023 Best of Alaska (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Health Care (Opens in new window)
• Merry Merchant Munch (Opens in new window)
• On the Move AK (Opens in new window)
• Senior Living in Alaska (Opens in new window)
• Youth Summit Awards (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Visitors Guide
• ADN Store (Opens in new window)
• Classifieds (Opens in new window)
• Jobs (Opens in new window)
• Place an Ad (Opens in new window)
• Customer Service
• Sponsored Content
• Real Estate/Open Houses (Opens in new window)

With commitment from Royal Caribbean, Alaska Railroad advances $137M plan to revamp Seward dock

Children play by the Resurrection Bay coastline in Seward as as the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Radiance of the Seas departs on June 22, 2018. The ship traveled Southeast Alaska toward its destination, Vancouver. (Marc Lester / ADN)

The Alaska Railroad is making a new push to replace its aging cruise ship dock in Seward with a larger one that can handle much bigger ships.

The $137 million plan also calls for construction of a 60,000-square-foot terminal that is much larger than the current one, railroad officials said. The effort will require the Legislature to approve the railroad’s plans for issuing bonds. If the funding process is approved, the project should be completed before the 2026 cruise season, railroad officials said.

The plan is backed by an unusual 30-year commitment from Royal Caribbean Group, which will essentially act as an anchor tenant while other cruise lines will also use the dock, the railroad said in a statement this month.

The effort comes as Alaska prepares for another big summer of cruise ships.

A record 1.7 million cruise passengers visited Alaska last year, said Jillian Simpson, president of the Alaska Travel Industry Association.

About 190,000 cruise guests last year used Seward as their port of call, she said. The picturesque town of 3,000 sits at the head of Resurrection Bay.

This summer, the number of cruise passengers coming to Seward is expected to fall, the railroad said. Norwegian Cruise Line is transitioning its ships from Seward to Whittier, where a new cruise port is being completed.

[Previously: Tiny Whittier debates an Alaska Native corporation’s proposal for a second cruise ship dock ]

The railroad hopes the new dock will attract more cruise lines to Seward, president Bill O’Leary said in a statement from the railroad. He said maintenance is an increasing challenge for the current dock, which was built in the mid-1960s and is nearing the end of its useful life.

Seward Mayor Sue McClure said many people in town seem to support the railroad’s plans and the idea of more tourism in the future. “I don’t hear a lot of outcry that we’ll be overrun with tourists,” she said in an interview.

The Viking cruise ship Orion is docked in Seward on May 12, 2022. Seventy-six cruise ship dockings are planned for 2022. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Many cruise guests already hop on buses or the train to depart Seward for other destinations in Alaska, she said. But if larger ships and new cruise lines arrive, that would mean additional tourists sticking around Seward to visit attractions like the Alaska SeaLife Center and Kenai Fjords National Park.

That would help many businesses, she said.

Also, the larger terminal will better support community events that take place there in winter, she said. And the city hopes to provide electricity to the ships so they no longer run their engines while waiting in port. That will cut emissions and provide revenue to Seward through the local electric utility, she said.

“I can’t speak for the city council, but I feel this is all so far positive,” she said.

Changes to plans

The plans to replace the dock date back to at least 2019.

The railroad secured legislative bonding authority for $60 million in 2022 in an initial effort to pay for a new dock with minor improvements to the existing terminal, railroad officials said.

Sharply rising inflation and labor shortages led to higher construction costs and made project timelines uncertain, said Meghan Clemens, a spokeswoman for the railroad. That caused the railroad to rethink its plans, she said.

Other important changes also came about.

A new business, The Seward Company, provided an unsolicited proposal to the railroad in the fall, offering to build the project and fund construction, the railroad said. The company presented a new design for the large terminal and a new dock. It also secured the commitment from Royal Caribbean Group for the proposal.

Under the plan, the Alaska Railroad will buy the new dock from The Seward Company once it’s complete, issuing bonds to help pay for it. Also, $30 million from “internal funds generated through port improvement fees assessed to current Seward dock customers,” will help pay for it, the railroad statement said.

A computer rendering of the proposed dock. The Alaska Railroad is pursuing a $137 million plan to revamp its old cruise dock in Seward, after Royal Caribbean Group committed to a 30-year use of the new dock. (Rendering courtesy of The Seward Company)

The railroad is now seeking an additional $75 million in bonding authority from the Legislature for the project, atop the $60 million in authorization it already holds. The project faces extra costs now compared to two years ago because of higher prices and the additional expense of building a much larger, new terminal, Clemens said.

The debt will be “solely an obligation of the railroad and not that of the state,” the railroad said in its statement. Authorizing legislation in both chambers has moved to the Finance committees after clearing the Transportation committees, Clemens said.

Royal Caribbean Group has committed to providing revenue for 30 years based on passenger fees associated with the equivalent of 140,000 guests a year, said Mickey Richardson, chief executive of Port of Tomorrow, which owns The Seward Company.

Royal Caribbean last year brought about 70,000 guests to Seward.

The increase in guests will happen over time after the new dock is built, Richardson said.

Richardson formerly worked on other cruise dock projects in Alaska for Huna Totem Corp., a Southeast Alaska Native corporation, including the new cruise dock and terminal in Whittier that’s being completed.

“Tourism is a bright spot in the Alaska economy, so it makes sense to add infrastructure for tourism,” Richardson said.

Jason Davis, president of Turnagain Marine, an Anchorage-based firm that will build the Seward dock project, said plans calls for construction of a 750-foot floating dock.

It will be the largest floating dock in the state, he said. The old dock would be demolished late next year, with no disruption to service before the new dock is built, he said.

The dock will be able to support Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships, which carry more than 4,000 guests, about double the number of guests many cruise ships bring to Seward.

A floating dock will be safer than a fixed dock for passengers getting on and off ships, Davis said. It will rise and fall in tandem with the ship, eliminating concerns like the need to use steep ramps.

An Alaska Railroad train car idles in Seward on Monday, July 4, 2022 with a Norwegian Cruise Line ship behind. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

‘The more the merrier’

Preston Carnahan, regional vice president for Royal Caribbean Group, said the 30-year commitment to the cruise port is unprecedented in Alaska.

Royal Caribbean Group “remains strongly committed” to the future of Seward and the state, Carnahan said in the statement from the railroad.

Business owners in Seward said more cruise visitors in the future would be a positive step for the economy, though the level of support for the plans was mixed.

Scott Reierson, who owns Seward Adventure Lodge and a surfing charter business in Seward, said more tourists will generally be good for businesses in town.

But he said there needs to be a responsible plan to ensure Seward receives adequate revenues for the extra strain more visitors will put on city services, such as roads, water and sewer.

“I don’t know if it’s an absolute win-win for the town, but it’s hard to find a win-win in anything,” he said.

Dorothy Urbach, with Urbach’s Clothiers, said the idea of more cruise guests is “wonderful.”

“The more the merrier,” she said.

More summer visitors in Seward can help extend the tourism season, since travelers sometimes decide to return to Seward in winter.

“It means more businesses will be open,” she said of the plan.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or [email protected].

About Karlson Tourism

Karlson Tourism offices :

• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Moscow Sightseeing

By Orange County Murphy , March 27, 2010 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Recommended Posts

Orange County Murphy

We will have 2 full days to sightsee in Moscow in June prior to a cruise and would welcome recommendations. We are traveling independently and will have a guide for 2 days. We will also have a car and driver on 1 of those days.

We plan to see the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's mausoleum, GUM Department Store, the Metro and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. What else should we try to include?

The Kremlin is enormous; what should we be sure to visit?

Unfortunately, it looks as though the Bolshoi will not be performing during our dates, but the circus will be in town. Has anyone seen the Moscow circus? Tickets online are about $100. Worthwhile?

Our hotel is the Moscow Marriott Tverskaya. Has anyone stayed there?

Any recommendations for restaurants or Russian foods to sample?

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

We will have 2 full days to sightsee in Moscow in June prior to a cruise and would welcome recommendations. We are traveling independently and will have a guide for 2 days. We will also have a car and driver on 1 of those days. We plan to see the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's mausoleum, GUM Department Store, the Metro and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. What else should we try to include? The Kremlin is enormous; what should we be sure to visit? Unfortunately, it looks as though the Bolshoi will not be performing during our dates, but the circus will be in town. Has anyone seen the Moscow circus? Tickets online are about $100. Worthwhile? Our hotel is the Moscow Marriott Tverskaya. Has anyone stayed there? Any recommendations for restaurants or Russian foods to sample? Colleen

Hi, Colleen! THANKS for posting this Moscow thread! We did a one-day, fly to Moscow and back, one-day tour from our 2008 cruise ship docking in St. Petersburg. It was a long day and there was lots of time taken in the logistics in and out of this large city of twelve million people, but it all worked well. It was worth visiting there.

As you can see by the pictures below we were focused more around the Kremlin, Red Square, etc. We also did the subway, which was very interesting and beautiful, plus seeing some other well-known structures, including the KGB Headquarters, Bolshoi Theatre, the Stalin-era government towers, etc.

The Kremlin includes many different buildings , but there are a few that are very important. At the top of the list, but not easy to just walk in without special arrangements, is the spectacular Kremlin Palace. Its rooms are large and historically significant. This is where the Czars were crowned and the place where current Russian Presidents are sworn in, hold their receptions, sign treaties, etc. Kremlin’s State Armoury, with the famed eggs & jewels, is a must see. Cathedral Square has three cathedrals within the 68 acres of the Kremlin with its walls and twenty historic towers. The Cathedral of the Annunciation was completed in 1489. Ivan the Great Bell Tower is on this Cathedral Square and is said to mark the exact centre of Moscow. It resemble a burning candle and was completed in 1600. It is 266 ft. high and was, until the 20th Century, the tallest structure in Moscow.

Your hotel is at a little distance for the historic heart of Moscow. Do you want to see some of their art museums and other collections within this town? Will you have a guide for part of your visit to Moscow? That might be helpful to navigate and understand a city where the signs and language are not all user friendly. Let us know your added question and reactions. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

One of the Kremlin Wall Towers in Moscow:

The interior for Moscow's most historic church inside the Kremlin walls:

Walking on the famed Red Square of Moscow:

Inside the Kremlin’s State Armoury, here are some of the famed eggs & jewels:

Inside the newly, more westernized GUM Department Store:

Moscow’s subways are called the People’s Palace with its marble coverings and unique designs:

Thank you for the wonderful pictures of Moscow!!!! We will also be taking a one day tour of Moscow thru Celebrity. We are so looking forward to it. I did not know that we might stop at Gum Department Store, that would be awesome. Anything else we should be on the look out for??

Thank you for taking the time to post your beautiful photos.

We booked through Mir Travel & have arranged for a driver and guide. We'll arrive in Moscow on a Monday and leave on Thursday for Istanbul. We applied for our independent Russian visas this week, a somewhat time consuming but required process.

I'll check with Mir to see that arrangements have been made for us to see the areas of the Kremlin that you mentioned, particularly the Faberge eggs.

I know that the location of the Marriott Tverskaya isn't as close to Red Square as we might like, but the hotel prices in Moscow are shockingly expensive, among the highest anywhere.

Keep posting your marvelous photos.

THANKS to Laura and Colleen for the nice comments! Much appreciated. On GUM Department Store, it sets right on Red Square and is easy to enter and check out it interior. It looks more and more westernized with its shops, dining options, etc., on the inside. The outside of it is a large, massive late 1800's structure. A new Coach shop was getting ready to open there in the fall of 2008. The State Armoury is great and it is fairly easy to go into there. The Kremlin Palace is the superstar that is much harder to tour. Push for that one, if possible. Read up on the history of Faberge and their production techniques, etc. We had a ship presentation on that background that was very helpful.

I would encourage Colleen to read up ahead on Moscow and push your tour folks to consider carefully your many options. I really like the Eyewitness books that have an excellent mix of text, history, photos, maps, building cut-aways, etc. YES, Moscow is very costly for its hotels. Below are a few more visual previews. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

The domes of the historic church inside the walls of the Kremlin:

The famed KGB Headquarters in Moscow where many entered and did not exit (alive) during the 1950’s and 1960’s:

One of the 1930’s style building built by Stalin in Moscow:

Kremlin Treasures: Royal coaches:

World’s largest cannon sits inside of the Kremlin walls:

St. Basil's sits on Red Square and dates back to the 1500's/Ivan the Terrible:

All those pictures are wonderful, my dh and I love seeing them!!! If you have more PLEASE post them!!!!!

All those pictures are wonderful, my dh and I love seeing them!!! If you have more PLEASE post them!!!!! Laura

THANKS, Laura, for the nice comments and wishes from you and your dh! Be careful what you wish for. Here are a few more that might be of interest. Lots to see and experience in Moscow. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Kazan Cathedral right near Red Square:

The fairly modern Lenin Tomb sits directly on Red Square:

Kremlin Treasures: Some of the Royal books & other items:

Kremlin Treasures: Royal clocks, etc.:

Young Military Officers with Soviet "High Hat":

Another shot from Moscow’s subways with their art and unique designs:

Simply wonderful can not wait to go!!! Thanks again!!!

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 7 hours ago

LauraS · Started 11 hours ago

LauraS · Started Thursday at 04:15 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 03:00 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 10:41 AM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...