Look, we know you love a beach week. We all do. But if you’ve ever found yourself lying on a sun lounger thinking, “I wish this hotel had a surf simulator, a Broadway show, and an ice rink,” then you’re looking in the wrong place.
You’re looking for Royal Caribbean.
These aren’t just ships; they’re floating cities where boredom is virtually impossible. Forget everything you think you know about cruising (Shuffleboard? No chance). This is high-energy, high-tech, and honestly, a bit ridiculous in the best possible way.
If you want a holiday where you can skydive before breakfast and watch a robot make your cocktail before dinner, read on.
Destinations and Departures: No Flight? No Problem.
One of the best things for us Brits? You don’t even have to go near an airport. Royal Caribbean parks some of their best ships right here in Southampton. You can drive down, park up, and be poolside with a piña colada while everyone else is still queuing for security at Heathrow.
From Southampton: The legendary Independence of the Seas® (a massive UK favourite) and her sisters often sail from here. You can do the Norwegian Fjords (think Lord of the Rings scenery), the Mediterranean (Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon), or short 3-night “taster” cruises to places like Bruges/Zeebrugge if you just want a long weekend of fun.
Fly-Cruises: If you’re willing to hop on a plane, you can meet their newest giants—like the Icon of the Seas℠—in the Caribbean. This unlocks Perfect Day at CocoCay, their private island in the Bahamas. It’s got the tallest waterslide in North America and a swim-up bar. It’s basically Disneyland for beach lovers.
The Ships: Go Big
Royal Caribbean believes that “too much” is just the right amount. They build the biggest ships in the world.
Icon Class & Oasis Class: These are the big boys. They are split into “neighbourhoods.” You’ve got Central Park (an actual park with 12,000 real plants and birdsong), the Boardwalk (with a carousel and hot dog stand), and the Royal Promenade (like a high street at sea).
Freedom Class: Ships like Independence are “Amplified,” meaning they’ve been upgraded with water slides and new bars. They are perfect for families and first-timers.
Rooms: From “Cosy” to “Rockstar”
Interior with Virtual Balcony: This is clever. It’s an inside room (cheapest option), but it has a floor-to-ceiling 80-inch HD screen on the wall that shows a live feed of the outside. It sounds gimmicky, but it actually works.
Balconies: The gold standard. Nothing beats waking up, opening your own private door, and watching the ocean go by.
Ultimate Family Suite: If you’ve got the budget (and we mean budget), this is the dream. It has a slide inside the room that goes from the kid’s bedroom down to the living room. Plus a private cinema and a Lego wall.
Things to Do: The “Wait, What?” Section
This is where Royal Caribbean leaves everyone else in their wake.
The Adrenaline Stuff: We’re talking the FlowRider® (surf simulator), RipCord® by iFly (skydiving simulator), and the North Star® (a glass observation pod that lifts you 300ft above the sea).
Entertainment: They don’t do “cruise ship karaoke” as the main event. They have full-blown West End productions. We’re talking Grease, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!—the full licensed shows.
The AquaTheater: On the big ships, there’s an open-air amphitheatre at the back where Olympic divers jump from 30ft into a tiny pool while the ship is moving. It’s terrifyingly good.
Dining Options
You will not go hungry. In fact, you might need to be rolled off the ship.
Included: The Main Dining Room is a sit-down affair (very nice, multi-course), but the Windjammer Marketplace is the legendary buffet. It’s massive. Pizza at Sorrento’s is free and open late (a lifesaver after a night out).
Specialty Dining (Extra Cost):
Wonderland: It’s Alice in Wonderland themed. You paint the menu with water to reveal the dishes. The food looks like art.
Chops Grille: A proper American steakhouse.
Izumi: Incredible sushi and hibachi where the chefs cook in front of you.
Good to Know
The Drink Package: If you enjoy a drink, look at the Deluxe Beverage Package. It covers cocktails, beers, wine, sodas, and even premium coffees. It’s not cheap, but if you’re having a few drinks by the pool and wine with dinner, it usually pays for itself.
Dress Code: It’s not the Titanic. “Formal Night” is now “Dress to Impress,” and it’s optional. You can wear a tuxedo if you want, but a smart shirt and trousers (or a nice dress) is absolutely fine. The rest of the time? Shorts and t-shirts are the uniform.
Gratuities: Just so you know, a daily service charge (tips) is usually added to your account automatically. It saves you tipping cash for every drink, but factor it into your budget.
Ready to ramp up your holiday?
Browse our Royal Caribbean deals below. Whether you want to sail from Southampton or jet off to the Caribbean, we’ll get you on board.
