Royal Caribbean International
4.2
5.8
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: February 15th, 2022
The Good
- Classes and entertainment
- Great amenities
- Worldwide cruises to 15 locations
Classes and Entertainment
For those interested in educational pursuits, there are plenty of enrichment classes to choose from. You can learn a foreign language, become a wine connoisseur, or create your own jewelry. Young kids will love the DreamWorks Experience, where they can mingle with well-known characters from Shrek and Madagascar. You can also watch your favorite films poolside.Great Amenities
Cruise rates cover all meals served in the main dining room. Guests may select from one of two set dining times or reserve a table in advance. Guests will find numerous food choices, from doughnuts to pizza to Asian cuisine. There are standard amenities found on all Royal Caribbean ships, but there are also some unique features that vary based on what cruise is booked. These typical amenities include:- DreamWorks Experience
- Adventure Ocean Youth Program
- Shore Excursions
- Playtime for Parents
- North Star capsule
- Seaplex
- Rock Climbing
- Zip line
- Wave Simulator
- Fitness Center
- Ice Skating
- Mini Golf
- and More
Dining Options
Specialty restaurants feature more upscale choices such as steak and Italian cuisine. Additional fees may apply and you will need to schedule a reservation in advance if you want to eat in one of the specialty restaurants. Some cruises also feature Mystery Theater Dinners. Beverages are not included in the price of meals. Beverage packages are available for purchase.Destinations
Where the Royal Caribbean cruise ships travel to is also another key selling point of their vacation package. While destinations may vary year to year depending on weather restrictions and other regulations, there are common destinations Royal Caribbean typically cruises to. These cruises last anywhere from three to nineteen days and are offered year round. Destinations on these excursions include:- Caribbean
- Bahamas
- Alaska
- Asia
- Australia and New Zealand
- Bermuda
- Canada and New England
- United Arab Emirates
- Europe
- Hawaii
- Pacific Northwest
- Panama Canal
- South America
- South Pacific
- and the Transatlantic
Security
Royal Caribbean International has closed-circuit television cameras located in hundreds of strategic, public locations throughout the ship but not in private staterooms, public restrooms, or private spa areas. These systems are upgraded as new and beneficial technologies are developed. Recordings from these cameras are routinely utilized by our security teams and made available to investigative authorities as requested.The Bad
- Protection program
- Extra fees and charges
Protection Program
Despite that there are no major service fees. Royal Caribbean does charge extra for luggage valet, full service laundry, and internet service. The Vacation Protection package offered by Royal Caribbean is also not as comprehensive as other cruise lines. The protection package includes:- CruiseCare Cancellation Penalty Waiver Program
- CruiseCare Travel Insurance Program
- Trip delays provides coverage up to $500 per person
- Accident and Sickness Medical expenses provides coverage up to $10,000 per person
- Emergency Medical Evacuations and Repatriations provides coverage up to $25,000 per person
- Lost, stolen or damaged baggage provides coverage up to $1,500
- Bag delays provides coverage up to $500
- CruiseCare Worldwide Emergency Assistance Program*
Extra Fees and Charges
Some alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages may also incur extra charges on your cruise bill. Beverage packages are available to purchase in your options. Ships can feel crowded and cramped, especially around holiday vacations. Not all amenities are covered. Also, transfers are available for pre-purchase from the arrival airport to the pier on day of sailing and from the pier to the departure airport on debarkation day only.The Bottom Line
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Paula Jacksonville, FL
Avoid Royal during any possible hurricane season. Their contingency plan for re-routing ships away from storms is non-existent until the day before sailing when it is too late to change our travel plans (i.e. use insurance, take a loss and travel another time). We were re-routed from St Thomas and St Maarten to Costa Maya Mexico and Cozumel. Cannot imagine two worse places to send us. Five mega ships side by side in Cozumel was terrible trying to get through the marketplace to get into town. Don't get me started how awful Costa Maya was with raw sewage, bugs and refunds made on beach excursions before the busses even got back to the ship.
We have been Loyal to Royal for 15+ years but their cavalier attitude once we returned about sending us to inferior ports when we paid a premium for St Thomas and St Maarten is not very impressive. YEs, we had to be rerouted from Eastern Caribbean for safety reasons, but surely they could have re routed us to ports comparable to those we paid for. To date, and this is an ongoing issue, Royal has not given us any satisfaction in resolving this issue. What would it hurt their brand to either give us some credit towards our next cruise? A loyalty level or two for future cruises? Some onboard credit for use on next cruise?
11 years ago
Mike Mitchell Los Angeles, CA
Booked a Grand Suite on Oasis of the Seas for our anniversary. First impression was good because I went to the Suite Lounge right after boarding to see what the amenities are like. Very nice lounge. Went downhill from there. Concierge was pompous and made me feel like I was bothering him. Said there are 300 suite guests, and there are only two of them to take care of us. Totally unsatisfactory service. Might as well wait in line at guest services like everyone else. Food quality was okay, but sometimes had been sitting awhile because it was almost room temp. For example- escargot not hot and soup not hot. Just too many passengers and not enough crew to serve adequately. Crew attitude was sub par compared to other past cruises. The suite experience on other cruise lines is better than what I experienced. Probably won't go on the Oasis again. That was my 18th cruise. Royal Caribbean didn't even respond to the negative review I gave them on the survey they sent, so I doubt they care very much about the things they should fix.
11 years ago
Brenda Lee Trabosh State College, PA
I just returned from a 5 day cruise to Bermuda . -The first night after my daughter completed her shower, the entire bathroom was flooded, none of her water went go down the drain, so I used the mat and all but one bath towel to soak up the water, then I took my shower and the same thing, now I had to use all the wet towels to clean up my shower water. We immediately reported this to our room porter and watched as she requested service. This happened the next day, we reported it again, and she reported it again - this happened 3 nights and finally my daughter informed them she was a Travel Agent and then the Chief Porter appeared offered us 10% off our next cruise and assured us it would be fixed. IT WAS NOT. I slipped in the soapy water trying to clean it up and we went down to the Service Desk - ENOUGH -she informed them she was a Travel Agent and this was unacceptable - a maintenance man came in to repair the drain, and now they offered us 20% off our next cruise that could be booked in 2 years. I was livid, what about the inconveniences on this cruise? I did not come on a cruise to mop up the bathroom floor every night and then to slip in the soapy water! The best he could do was give me $50 onboard credit.
Last night I got an email from the Royal Caribbean and there is no 20% discount - what we received was my daughter has $139 onboard credit and I have $50 onboard credit and it must be used before 9/18/2016. I am not able to cruise every year - so what compensation is this? I feel that this part of the service is sorely lacking
The food in the dining room for dinner was good, however, what happened to the lobster on the formal night? It's there, however, not as part of the menu, it must be purchased? The wait staff at our table was wonderful.
We booked the Glass Bottom Boat to see a ship wreck - what a waste of money - yes, there was a glass bottom to the boat, however, you do NOT see any part of a shipwreck thru the glass - after circling a few minutes, they shine flood lights on a pile of 'wreckage' that from what I could see could have been a beaver dam or a big rock sticking out of the water - not through the glass bottom??.
I LOVE cruising this was my 4th and in the future would probably book another, not on this ship.
11 years ago
Margaret W Billinger Valdez, AK
Trip was great food was fair...lots of people had upset stomachs from the food and diet change. Chops was excellent highly recommend...don't do the others...but they are a little better than the main dining. Service was good. Internet isn't worth buying it's worse than dial up. took 5-8 min just to log in..let alone down load anything
also not a safe connection so don't check your bank accounts. Trip itinerary was awesome Italy was great.
Show were good. Drinks are high. it cost 4.00 to wash a pair of under wear. Best to wait till they run a special... with the spa services. I have found the bigger the ship the worse the service and food..... Was on Vision of the Seas.
11 years ago
Pam Rodell North Fort Myers, FL
Just cruised to Alaska on Radiance of the Seas this past June. Cruise was Great. Food was good, entertainment just so so. My main complaint was with guest services. They were very rude. There was a terrible odor in our bathroom and on our deck (9), Several times the toliets would not flush. They fixed them from out in the hall but the odor lingered. When I complained again the head of housekeeping came up and said she didn't smell anything. We had 8 people inour group (2 cabins) and many others were complaining at the desk. I filled out a complaint form and my travel agent contacted RC but we have heard nothing. I am cruising 4 more times this year but think I will stick with Celebrity and Viking.
11 years ago
Merry Krieg Palo, IA
For the most part, the cruise we were on was very good, although it would have been nice to be in St Thomas & St Maarten longer. The biggest disappointment we had was ordering a romance package for the 1st night at sea. It included roses, champagne, 2 robes & slippers, etc. Everything was in court cabin when we got there except the robes. We never received them, they even promised that they'd be sent to our home after our cruise. I had to call customer service a month later, and after a couple more weeks, they refunded the value of the robes. The only reason we ordered the package was to get the robes to remember the cruise. We ordered the package a good month in advance of the sailing date. It left a very disappointing end to our 2nd honeymoon!
11 years ago
Rori Howard Fremont, CA
We've sailed on RCCL 5 times. Never had a bad experience. Once in Alaska a fishing boat cut across our bow in a fjord, causing the Captain to cut hard to Starboard. We were in the café when suddenly we were standing at a 15% list. Food, dishes, utensils, etc. were everywhere on the floor. The crew did a remarkable job of cleaning up and 10 minutes later, all the mess was gone and all the food had been replaced. At a party with the Captain later in the evening, he was very animated about the incident. We were so pleased with how well everyone handled this and no one got upset. Great experience visible by the crew, great food, great ports and wonderful staff. We are Crown and Anchor Society, but RCCL has forgotten us. We never get special offers, brochures or flyers. About 3 years ago, we got a call from our "Personal Cruise Assistant" who got very belligerent and angry when I questioned why we never received anything from them. After that we are not inclined to book on RCCL. We've found Princess and overall, everything is perfect. No complaints, they care about our comments and/or concerns and had by far the BEST FOOD AFLOAT. There is no need for specialty dining. Their main dining rooms have 5 star quality and menus everyday.
11 years ago
Deborah Hargis Charlotte, NC
Recently cruised my first cruise with your line,
. Sorry, but it was not so great. Aside from the weather, which I know was not your responsibility, the food, other than your upscale restaurants, was abismile. The service was so-so. Was very disappointed with the ladies area by the fitness center. Must say the organization of the port side parking was first class. Very organized and easy. Have to give the overall a C- at best.
10 years ago
Barbara Ramsdell Citrus Heights, CA
I am an Emerald member of RCCL, but have not booked a cruise for several years. The ships are WAY too big and TOO many passengers. My husband and I are in our 70's and really enjoy the ships with much less passenger capacity. The food is OK, but nothing special and customer service was good, but nobody has gone above and beyond. We will probably not cruise on any of these ships,unless they come down in size.
10 years ago
Dianne Carroll Goose Creek, SC
Sailed Liberty of the Seas on a New England *Canada cruise this was the 5th time I have sailed Royal...Was very disappointed with the food and service in the dinning room.. second formal night we waited over an hour for our main course...Service up on the pool deck was nil to none one day noticed 4 waiters on the upper deck just standing around talking with no one up there..The beds need to be replaced sagging in the middle. I will think again before sailing them again..next cruise booked on Princess.
11 years ago
Barb Kent, OH
I have always gone with Princess & their ships are gorgeous. So my first Royal cruise was very disappointing as it turned out the ship we were on was scheduled to go in for a rehab AFTER our cruise! Everything was pretty outdated, even the slot machines in the casino still had the paper receipt you had to cash out with. Don't know if I will do Royal again but it wasn't an awful cruise.
11 years ago
Mike Genzabella Syracuse, NY
Was my first RCCL, Sailed the Liberty of the Seas.I done 7 other cruises on other cruise lines. I was a bit disappointed with the room and food. The food was barely warm never hot. Cheese burgers were pre made. And you made your own burger. The cheese you put on your burger was not melted. Got a good burger at Johnny Rockets but you have to pay extra.
Needed to pay extra for a lot of things that are included on other cruise lines.
Are room was dated and felt old. Boat was not cleaned and kept up like other boats I have been on.
11 years ago
Gerald Harry FL
We have been on 10 + cruises with Royal Caribbean. The last cruise was on Freedom of the Seas. They have cut back so much. The lemonade / tea drinks were poured ahead of time so by the time you drank them they were watered down. We could not even get these drinks all the time. They were only offered at lunch and dinner. So if you were thirsty in between times you could only get water or if you paid for a beverage package. What ever happened to walking up and dispensing your own drink?? Royal Caribbean use to make you feel special. Now for the price we sail with Carnival.
11 years ago
Margaret W Billinger Miami, FL
Currently on the Vision of the seas.. Service is good food is bland and they nickel and dime you for everything. Was very disappointed in the food so far you would think on a Mediterranean cruise to Italy you would get great food with great taste instead... no flavor and under cooked. We have been on many cruses hope the next few days are better...
11 years ago
H LEIBFRIED Fort Stewart, GA
HAVE SAILED WITH RC OVER 12 TIMES. I CAN SAY UNTIL RECENT HAD NO PROBLEMS. THE FOOD IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE, SAME MENU FOR THE LAST 4 OR 5 YEARS. ENTERTAINMENT NOT THE SAME AS BEFORE. THE AUTOMATIC TIPPING HAS RUINED SERVICE. THEY TELL THE STAFF YOU ELECT TO NOT AUTO TIP, WHICH IS A SHAME. I TIP AND TIP WELL FOR GOOD SERVICE. SINCE THIS TIPPING PROBLEM SERVICE HAS DECLINED, THERE IS NO INSENTIVE FOR GOOD SERVICE. ALWAYS LOVER RC, BUT LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR BETTER SERVICE.
11 years ago
Barb Kent, OH
RoI have always done Princess cruises and one time I did Royal. I was very disappointed because all the Princess ships are gorgeous and the one Royal I went on was very old and really needed updating. The casino still used the "tickets" when you cashed out! Turns out after my cruise on Royal, the ship was going in for a total rehab. Went back to Princess and probably won't do another Royal because of that. They shouldn't have such old ships out there. They should take these ships out of commission before they get that outdated!
11 years ago
Renee Sheehan East Stroudsburg, PA
The Explorer was my first cruise with Royal, the following year we upgraded to the Allure, this was the most amazing experience of my life. Last month we were on the Oasis; overall it was a good trip but I feel the service has gone done hill. There were 8 people in my group and we all felt the same way. That being said my next cruise I think we will be giving Norwegian a try.
11 years ago
Diana Jansson Minersville, PA
I was very disappointed with our most recent cruise on RCI. There were 5 of us in the party and they had us sitting at 3 different tables, the 5 year old at his own table. We stopped at Labadee only to be disappointed by the long lines, not being able to book certain activities because of another RCI ship in at the same time. They billed us for a water activity that we didn't do, but it was eventually cleared up after we got home. The food was outstanding as usual and our waiter was super top notch.
11 years ago
bburlingame Biloxi, MS
It okay but the point system said I achieved 21 points before my last cruise .I was going to choose another cruise I stayed at 21 points and they didn't put me up another level so I didn't book another trip. The mini suite was good but the food was not up to cruising experience.
10 years ago
Earl Graham Mauldin, SC
We have been on RCCL about 10 or 11 times..Great ships and the best service at sea. We have cruised other cruise lines about 15 times and they are all good. RCCL is just a little more expensive. Worth the extra money ??? Not sure..
11 years ago
Fred Scranton, PA
Royal Caribbean is....OK. Not great, not terrible. Be careful what cruise you book. We've booked 6 cruises that were supposed to stop at cococay, their private island. 4 out of the 6 cruises did NOT stop there because they said the water was too choppy to stop. Food is basically college cafeteria food
11 years ago
Barbara Johnson Anaheim, CA
My first cruise was in 1977, on the Song of Norway, loved it, went again on the Song of Norway in 1995. Been on the Nordic Prince twice in 1993, love the small ships that back then even middle class people could sail on, but don't like the over-sized ships now.
11 years ago
Bill Pallan Monticello, NY
Just got off the enchantment of the seas. Had a nice time but the food was just so so and their cutting back on no lobster for dinner, you now have to pay 29.95 for a lobster. Might have to look for a new cruise line...
11 years ago
Bill Pallan Monticello, NY
We sailed on the Alure of the seas, nice ship but I had a very expensive watch stolen from our luggage. When we told the desk nothing was said or done. It mad us feel as if we didn't matter to them.
11 years ago
nchalkias Boca Raton, FL
Good rates for cruises. Hard to get your money back if you asked for credit and then changed your mind and you don't want the credit anymore.
5 years ago
Bill Pallan Monticello, NY
The only WOW factor I found was the staff. Food, just at best ok..
11 years ago
Duane Hansa North Las Vegas, NV
Good service good activities good entertainment small rooms and lousy food
11 years ago
Lenny Brooks Lake Worth, FL
Not a fan! All dressed up with no where to go!
11 years ago
