Ahoy there! Welcome to this video about Royal Caribbean.
We are going to be looking at the cabins, entertainment on-board, ships and the drinks
packages to see if Royal Caribbean is the right cruise liner for you.
Lets get on with the show!
Royal Caribbean are the second largest cruise liner and we feel one of the most well known.
They have 7 main classes of ship
and each ship can offer you a completely different holiday experience.
First lets look at the Sovereign Class. The Sovereign Class is Royals oldest class.
Built in the early 90's and holding around 2300 passengers.
They are known as having some of the smallest staterooms at sea
so if you are looking for more room another class may be a better pick.
Missing many of the features of the larger and newer ships we feel that this class is
better suited to shorter cruises or those looking for a bargain.
They do have charm though but don't have as many dining options as the rest of the fleet.
These ships are highly rated by passengers.
The vision class ships are the smallest holding around 2000 people.
Built in the mid to late 90's they are older and more intimate, great for relaxing.
They were refurbished last year and whilst they don't have all the bells and whistles
of some of the newer ships but are loved for their more relaxed pace and glass panoramic vistas.
This class is chosen for its itineraries rather than ships features.
We think there are other ships in the fleet that better suit people looking for a more
active holiday and those with children.
The Voyager Class ships are huge!
Built in the late 90's and early 00's they hold around 4000 people.
With a royal promenade full with shops, bars and places to eat plus with many features
of the newest ships.
They have also been updated over the last few years.
These are excellent all round ships providing loads of entertainment including an Ice rink
and mini golf along with the flow rider and climbing wall.
These ships are ideal for famines.
Now let's take a look at the Radiance class of ship.
The Radiance class hold around 2100 passengers these ships were built in early to mid 00's.
These ships are known as being beautiful and more elegant - filled with glass walls so
you never forget your sailing!.
Perfect for Alaska and scenic area cruising.
They are a slightly smaller ships so easy to get around with less queuing in lines that
the Voyager and Freedom Class can experience.
They don't have a royal promenade but still offer many of the staple features of the newer ships.
Along with their own features such as themed dining rooms and vertical theatre for aerialists show.
If you are attracted to a more active cruise, The Voyager, Freedom or the new classes may be
a better choice.
They also have a pool with a retracting roof so you can enjoy the poolside facilities no
matter the weather.
The Freedom class are basically lengthened versions of the Voyager Class.
The Freedom Class were built in the mid to late 00's, they hold around 4500 passengers.
They are packed with most of the same entertainment features of the Voyager class plus a boxing
ring, H20 Zone and cantilevered whirlpools.
Perfect for families, active couples and mature travellers.
The Oasis class are largest class in the world these beasts hold around 5500 passengers!
They were built from 2009 up to last year.
These ships are huge and we don't feel would be the best choice for those looking for a
relaxing or more traditional cruise.
They are brilliant for active people looking for fun and those with kids.
There are more places to eat than are possible on the days of your cruise.
They are filled with cutting edge features such as zip lines, massive water parks, ice
rinks, a bionic bar.
They also have massive indoor and outdoor theatres and 5 deck “neighbourhood areas’
like the boardwalk and Central Park.
Size comes at a price, reservations are required for everything if you want to eat somewhere
special you need to have it reserved!
However if you're organised this isn’t a problem.
Do expect long lines however on these ships.
The Quantum class are the newest class and were built in the last few years and hold
around 4200 passengers.
Equally huge and with many of the same features of the Oasis Class the quantum Class ships
are packed with bars, restaurants and shopping.
There is so much to do on these ships.
This class also includes the iFly by rip cord, the North Star, dodgems and Roller Skating at sea
and two gorgeous indoor solarium's.
These are cutting edge modern ships with touch screens and the latest technology.
With the technology comes some downsides - you need to make reservations for everything but
if you are prepared this isn't a problem!
Great for fun loving families, couples and groups.
Now lets look at some of Royal Caribbeans destinations.
Unlike the name suggests Royal have itineraries all around the world.
They do have a good selection of cruises in the Caribbean
but they also have cruises sailing from Europe, Australia...
Asia, the Norwegian Fjords and Alaska.
They have a good selection of cruises for everyone.
The main dining rooms along with a number of
quick service dining service options are all included in the price.
And of course along with the buffet also which you can't miss!
Some room service items are free but others have a charge.
Royal offer the largest range of speciality extra pay dining, from Jamie Oliver...
...to Japanese cuisine they have something to suit every taste.
You also have the choice between the traditional set time dining
or Royal Caribbeans ‘My Time’ dining.
This is fantastic as you can just turn up to the restaurant whenever you like.
You are not set to the standard dining times.
Formal nights change depending the number of nights with 2 on a 7 night cruise.
There are some restaurants where formal wear is not required if you don't fancy dressing up.
This is great! You can go to the buffet or one of the quick service restaurants.
During the day it's casual dress.
Entertainment on board is in abundance and we feel that this is where Royal Caribbean shine!
From Broadway shows such as 'Grease', 'Cats' and 'We Will Rock You',
live music fills most venues across the ships.
There are also more traditional activities such as quizzes
and you can spend some cash in the casinos.
There is always lots of outdoor space with different sports on offer and depending on
the ship features such as the flow rider, climbing wall, ice rink and outdoor theatres.
Most ships feature multiple pools, hot tubs and plenty of areas to sunbathe.
There are fantastic kids clubs for kids aged 3 and above with plenty to do for kids and
teens of all ages.
The newer and larger ships are really catered for kids.
It's really impossible to be bored on these ships.
We find there is so many activities to do, any time of the day.
The cabins are about the same size from ship to ship.
With some of the older ships having smaller staterooms.
We have always been very please with our cabin.
We find that Royal Caribbean make good use of space so you have lots of storage
and the decor is nice and welcoming.
Next Ben is going to talk about what is included and not included on your cruise.
Main dining and a selection of tea, coffee, water and juices are included.
Drinks packages can be purchased before or whilst of the cruise. We recommend you buy
these before sailing as they are usually cheaper.
Oooh! Don't mind if I do...
The drinks packages range from the classic soda package including fountain soda drinks
This package comes in at around $8.50 per day per person excluding gratuities.
The refreshment package including premium teas, bottled water, non alcoholic cocktails
and freshly squeezed juices.
This package costs around $26 per day per person excluding gratuities.
And the most expensive deluxe beverage package including unlimited beer, wine and cocktails
up to the value of $12 per drink.
This package costs around $55 per day per person excluding gratuities.
These prices do change depending on the cruise and where you are sailing so they are just a guide.
Evian bottled water packages are also available to buy.
There are no charges for most of the facilities including as things like entertainment...
... the flow rider and climbing wall but you can purchase extra sessions for an extra cost.
Kids clubs and entertainment are included in the price.
Speciality dining ranges anywhere from $4.95 for a 'Johnny Rockets' burger to about $75 per
person depending on the restaurant.
Internet can be purchased on board with packages ranging from $9.99
This varies depending cruise and the ship that you are sailing on.
As will all other mainstream cruise lines excursions are not included in the price of your cruise
There will be a wide range available for your cruise and these have different price points.
Gratuities are not included also. At the time of filming these cost $13.50 per person per day
for those not staying in a suite category room.
$16.50 per day per person for those staying in a suite.
OK! Next we will look at what we liked and did not like.
OK! Some of the things we liked, and some of the think we didn't like on Royal Caribbean...
So for you what was one of the things that you liked...
The thing that I loved was the the flexibility of these ships.
There was no set dining if you did not want it.
You can eat whenever you like and was not stuck to doing things as a certain time.
So if you wanted to spend a little longer getting ready or didn't fancy eating at that
time you could go a bit earlier or later.
Thinking about what i would have thought cruising was before I went on a cruise.
I thought it was so regimented and everyone was posh and dressed up.
But it's nothing like that at all!
It's so laid back, its hard to explain if you have not experienced a cruise before.
The thing I like is that there is so much to do.
I am not a person who likes to lay beside the pool all day.
If you are, that's fine. The pool areas are fantastic!
Yes we have been on cruises where we have had two or three sea days in a row and there
would be one activity a day.
But with Royal Caribbean you look at there cruise guide and there are things going on all day.
You have quizzes, activities, game shows, comedy shows, live music.
There is so much to do you can't get bored.
The staff are always very friendly.
Some of the things we did not like... the food in the main dining rooms.
Yes, we don't think the food in the main dining rooms was as good quality as some other liners.
But that is probability because they have so many speciality dining options on-board
and they want to push passengers to eat in them.
Yes, and they are not all expensive. You can get a burger for $5 which is reasonable.
You are not paying the full price you would pay on land. You would probably pay a lot more.
On my god! You take 'Wonderland', the crazy restaurant with the "magical" food, you would
pay hundreds of pounds on land.
When you are only paying a small amount it really is worth it.
Yes, just the décor in that restaurant is awesome.
But another downside is that you need to have reservations.
So if you want to eat in somewhere like 'Wonderland' you will need to have that booked.
You need to be well prepared if you want to enjoy the restaurants you have chosen.
Yes, when we was on the Ovation of the Seas, you have to have a reservation for the main
dining rooms.
And we could not get any because it was a three night cruise and we booked last minute.
So we struggled to get reservations for a lot of stuff.
But again, that was because we where badly organised and was not expecting to go on that cruise.
So, if you are organised and prepared it will not be a problem.
As with other cruise lines, if you don't have a reservation just ask.
Turn up before as there may be cancellations or go to customer services.
But the biggest thing overall was the range of people on these cruises.
We have been on a few cruises now, and there is a wide range of people.
So you do not feel out of place, there are people from every background and place in
the world...
and every age range, you feel comfortable.
What people think about cruising.. "The newly wed and the nearly dead".. is completely wrong.
Cruising now is modern and we where sceptical about going on our first cruise.
And now we are hooked!
And Royal Caribbean has all types of people and something for everyone.
OK so David is going to do some comparisons with other cruise liners
and see how Royal Caribbean compares with them.
So who do we think Royal Caribbean is for?
Well it is hard to say because they offer such a wide range of ships.
So depending on the type of ship, and the itinerary, you could attract a different crowd.
But we have put together a comparison chart, just to give you an idea of what you can expect
on-board.
So, in terms of where it is between active and relaxing.
They are really an all rounder.
The newer ships are a much more active cruise, but if you still like to lounge around the
pool, these still have the facilities for that also.
Royal Caribbean are really a modern cruise liner. They push the boundaries with technology
and the general atmosphere on-board is a modern feel.
The type of people on-board, again is a all rounder.
Some of the older ships are the longer sailings tend to draw a more mature crowd.
But the bigger, newer ships and sailings such as the Caribbean tend to draw a younger crowd.
They are also great for families. The bigger ships in are suited for kids of all ages.
They have great kids clubs and are enjoyed by teens and tweens.
So lets compare this to Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
So we think NCL is the most similar to Royal Caribbean. They are a more active cruise liner.
Where as Celebrity is much more relaxing.
NCL is very modern and Celebrity is much more traditional atmosphere.
That is not to say that there ships are not modern.
NCL draw a much younger crowd. You get a lot of younger couples and groups on-board.
Celebrity Cruises are a much more traditional and mature crowd. They have more couples on-board.
And for families, we day NCL are not as good for families as Royal Caribbean.
Particularly for the younger kids but are great for teens and tweens.
Celebrity Cruises you will get a much more adult crowd on-board.
But during the school holidays they do attract multi generational families and they do still
have kids clubs.
So, overall who would we recommend Royal Caribbean to?
It’s an all rounder, the older, smaller and more traditional ships are great for couples and older travellers.
Where as the newer, bigger ships on shorter sailings we think are great for families and
more active travellers.
OK! That's it this week for our video about Royal Caribbean.
Yeah! Thanks for watching and join us next time when we are going to be telling you what
to pack and what not to pack.
In the meantime if you have and comments or questions please pop them in the comments section below
And please don't forget to subscribe.
Until next time...
~~~~~ HAPPY CRUISING! ~~~~~~