Why I love Royal Caribbean Cruises

The view from aqua theatre on the Oasis of the Sea.

I went on my first Royal Caribbean International cruise in January 2023. Fast forward three years, and I’ve now been on four. From that very first sailing, I fell in love with cruising. I quickly realized this was a style of vacation I would want more of in my future.

I’ve had the chance to experience a nice variety of ships within the fleet. I sailed on a smaller ship, Radiance of the Seas; a mid-sized ship, Navigator of the Seas; and two large Oasis Class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. With more cruises already planned for the coming year, I’m excited to continue exploring the fleet.

While I’m certainly no expert (I’ve met people onboard who have cruised far more than I have!), these experiences have given me a solid sense of what Royal Caribbean International offers. I’ve also sailed with Disney Cruise Line, which gives me a helpful point of comparison. In this article, I’m excited to share what my family loves most about cruising with Royal Caribbean.

The Entertainment

My family and I love live entertainment, so it’s no surprise this is one of the biggest reasons we love cruising. While we’ve enjoyed many resort-style vacations—with beaches, pools, waterslides, sunshine, and great food—none have matched the level of live entertainment you’ll find on a cruise.

To me, it’s the combination of engaging activities, great dining, and high-quality, family-friendly entertainment that makes cruising stand out—and Royal Caribbean truly excels here.

One thing that sets Royal Caribbean apart is the variety and quality of its entertainment. While many cruise lines offer strong main-stage productions, Royal Caribbean goes further with Broadway-caliber shows, impressive ice skating productions, and jaw-dropping AquaTheater performances. That diversity really elevates the experience.

Each ship features at least one major production in the Royal Theater, and in my experience, there are usually two or three shows performed by the onboard cast. Many Oasis and Icon Class ships even feature full Broadway shows like Cats, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, The Wizard of Oz, Back to the Future, and the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. That said, Royal Caribbean’s original productions are fantastic as well—sometimes we’ve enjoyed them just as much, if not more.

I also really appreciate that the shows are family-friendly. My kids, my husband, and I have all genuinely enjoyed them together.

Ice Skating Shows

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the ice skating shows at first. I grew up loving figure skating and have seen world-class performances—including attending the World Figure Skating Championships twice—so I had high expectations.

I was pleasantly surprised. Even with the limitations of a smaller rink on a moving ship, the performances were incredibly entertaining. The shows feature talented skaters, creative choreography, elaborate costumes, and fun elements like drones and themed music. They still manage to incorporate impressive jumps, spins, and tricks, making them a highlight of the cruise.

AquaTheater Shows

When we first booked an Oasis Class ship, one of our top priorities was seeing an AquaTheater show—and it did not disappoint.

On the very first night, we were completely blown away. It quickly became our favorite entertainment of the week, and we went back multiple times. These shows combine high diving (from up to 30 feet), synchronized swimming, dance, and aerial acrobatics into a truly unique performance.

They’re especially great for family members who may not love traditional theater. For example, my six-year-old isn’t as into musicals, but he absolutely loved the AquaTheater and ice shows because of all the action and impressive stunts.

The Aqua Theatre on the Oasis of the Seas.

The Aqua Theatre on the Oasis of the Seas.

Other Entertainment Options

Beyond the main shows, there’s always something happening onboard—live music, comedy clubs, karaoke, and interactive game shows for both families and adults. Some sailings also feature guest headliner acts like singers, comedians, magicians, or jugglers.

We’ve enjoyed every headliner performance we’ve seen and always look forward to them.

Activities Onboard

Another area where Royal Caribbean International really shines is onboard activities. While offerings vary by ship size, we’ve always found plenty to keep our family entertained.

Some staples across the fleet include mini golf and rock climbing walls—both big hits with my kids (and my husband!). Kids need to be at least six to climb, and there are multiple routes to challenge different skill levels, which keeps it fun throughout the cruise.

Pool Deck & Water Features

The pool deck is always a central hub, with multiple pools, hot tubs, and plenty of lounge chairs. There’s also typically an adults-only indoor solarium.

Waterslides are another highlight, though they vary by ship. Even smaller ships have options for younger kids, while larger ships offer multiple slides and full water parks. Features like Splashaway Bay—a colorful water playground with slides, sprayers, and tipping buckets—are a huge hit with families.

Oasis Class ships also offer unique attractions like a zip line over Central Park, the Ultimate Abyss (a 10-story dry slide), and a lively Boardwalk area complete with a carousel.

A view of Splashaway Bay water play area on the Symphony of the Seas.

FlowRider

I would be remiss not to mention my husband’s favorite activity: the FlowRider.

This onboard surf simulator lets guests try boogie boarding or stand-up surfing on a wave of rushing water. Many ships even have two. My husband goes daily, and now my older kids are hooked too.

I personally prefer watching from the bleachers (it’s entertaining enough!), especially since my younger son isn’t tall enough yet—and I’m a bit too nervous to try!

My husband enjoying the Flowrider on the Symphony of the Seas.

Hard to beat surfing with an amazing view from the ship.

Even More to Do

Other great activities included on some of the ships:

• Ice skating sessions (in addition to shows)

• Laser tag (in converted rink spaces)

• Escape rooms (extra cost)

• Arcades with ticket-based prizes

• I-fly sky diving simulator

• Go Karts

• Roller Skating

• Sports Courts, including the ever popular Pickleball

No matter the ship, there’s never a shortage of things to do.

Doing some ice skating while we sail through the Caribbean!

Food

The food is another major highlight for me. Not having to plan meals, cook, or clean up makes it so much easier to truly relax.

I also love the convenience—no researching restaurants or navigating unfamiliar places. Everything is right there, with plenty of family-friendly options.

You’ll find casual options like burgers, tacos, and pizza (the wood-fired pizza is a favorite), along with grab-and-go cafés.

The Windjammer buffet offers an impressive variety, including themed dinners, fresh cooking stations, and plenty of kid-friendly choices.

For a more formal experience, the main dining room serves multi-course meals each night with rotating themes like Italian, French, or Caribbean. One of my favorite things? You can order as much as you want—including multiple appetizers or desserts (and yes, I’ve taken full advantage of that!).

Specialty dining is also available for an extra cost, with elevated cuisine and unique experiences. Restaurants like Wonderland offer whimsical, interactive dining, and even a visit from the Madhatter himself, while others feature live cooking or themed environments.

Ports of Call

While the ship itself is the main attraction for our family, the ports are still a wonderful bonus.

I love waking up in a new destination without the hassle of packing, traveling, or changing hotels. You can explore independently or book excursions—either through Royal Caribbean for added peace of mind or through third parties to save money.

Private Destinations

Our favorite stops are Royal Caribbean’s private destinations.

We’ve loved relaxing beach days in Labadee, Haiti and the excitement of Perfect Day at CocoCay. These destinations offer beautiful beaches, included food, and optional paid activities like zip lines, water parks, and more.

CocoCay’s water park was a huge hit with my kids, especially the wave pool and slides. And yes—the soft-serve ice cream is always a win.

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean is expanding with new destinations like Perfect Day Mexico featuring an even larger waterpark and more amazing beaches and pools. This will be opened as a part of the Costa Maya cruise port starting sometime in 2027.

Another type of curated experience which Royal Caribbean is expanding is the exclusive beach clubs in places like Nassau. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opened in Nassau at the end of 2025 and features beaches, pools and swim up bars. More private beach clubs in Cozumel, Santorini and Lelepa, Vanuatu are set to open in 2026 and 2027.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to fully capture what makes a Royal Caribbean cruise so special, because it’s often the little things—the towel animals, the exceptional service, the family photos, and the overall ease of the experience.

I often tell friends that cruising is one of the few vacations where I, as a mom, truly feel like I’m on vacation too. Once it’s booked, everything is taken care of. No navigating, no planning meals—just time to relax and enjoy being together.

Cruising has truly become our family’s favorite way to travel, and we can’t wait to explore more ships and destinations in the years ahead—and, of course, share those experiences along the way.