This 3,114-passenger Royal Caribbean ship was groundbreaking at its debut for its size and breadth of onboard activities, including 13 bars, clubs, and lounges and the first ice-skating rink and rock-climbing wall at sea. The message, heard by other lines as well, was clear: Cruising doesn’t have to be a sedate experience.
Getting Active: In addition to ice-skating and rock-climbing, you can hit the full-size basketball court, whirl on an in-line skating track, play a round of miniature golf, and learn to surf in a wave pool. Get a workout of a different sort in the huge casino, packed with nearly 300 slot machines.
Johnny Rockets: Having this retro diner onboard means great burgers, shakes, and fries (but be aware there is a fee). The 1950s decor is a hit with adults and the family crowd.
Its Main Street: On the Royal Promenade — long as a football field and wide as several lanes of traffic — you can sip lattes and martinis, dance, participate in parades, and shop for duty-free deals. It’s better than the main drag in some towns.
A Large Choice of Staterooms: There are categories for all tastes and budgets, including the oddities of cabins overlooking the Royal Promenade (rather than the sea) and virtual balconies, where you watch a live video feed of the ocean rather than the real thing.
Multigenerational Families: There’s stuff for everyone to do, from babies to Grandma (who, if she's not into surfing, may enjoying hanging out in the adults-only Solarium pool). The presence of DreamWorks Animation characters onboard, including Shrek, is a fun bonus.
Party-Hearty Types: This is a ship where you can literally dance the night away, including at the Latin-themed Boleros.
It’s a Big Ship: Directional signage helps, but it’s not the easiest ship to navigate. You may feel like you’re walking a mile at times, and you really are.
You Have to Fly a Distance to Board: The Voyager of the Seas now sails year-round in Australia.
