Royal Caribbean Ships By Age: Newest To Oldest Complete List

Being a frequent cruiser since 2013, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the evolution of Royal Caribbean’s fleet over the years. I know its exciting to learn about the older and newer ships and exploring their respective amenities.

Currently, Royal Caribbean boasts a fleet of 26 cruise ships, with two more planned to be launched in 2024. Each ship has its own charm, amenities, and unique appeal, to satisfy guest’s preferences based on their age and design. 

As Royal Caribbean plans to launch some modern ships next year, I know it’s hard to keep track of which ship is the newest. But don’t worry.

Grab a coffee and sit back because I’ll be discussing each and everything about the Royal Caribbean ships by age.

So let’s get started.

List of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships By Age

I’ve compiled a list of Royal Caribbean ships from newest to oldest. Also, for you ease and better understanding, the class category of each ship is included.

Note: The ships marked with an asterisk (*) indicate those that are yet to make their maiden voyages. These include Star of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Icon of the Seas.

Ship Name	Class	Year Built
Star of the Seas*	Icon	Due 2025
Utopia of the Seas*	Oasis	Due 2024
Icon of the Seas*	Icon	Due 2024
Wonder of the Seas	Oasis	2022
Odyssey of the Seas	Quantum Ultra	2021
Spectrum of the Seas	Quantum Ultra	2019
Symphony of the Seas	Oasis	2018
Harmony of the Seas	Oasis	2016
Ovation of the Seas	Quantum	2016
Anthem of the Seas	Quantum	2015
Quantum of the Seas	Quantum	2014
Allure of the Seas	Oasis	2010
Oasis of the Seas	Oasis	2009
Independence of the Seas	Freedom	2008
Liberty of the Seas	Freedom	2007
Freedom of the Seas	Freedom	2006
Jewel of the Seas	Radiance	2004
Mariner of the Seas	Voyager	2003
Serenade of the Seas	Radiance	2003
Navigator of the Seas	Voyager	2002
Brilliance of the Seas	Radiance	2002
Adventure of the Seas	Voyager	2001
Radiance of the Seas	Radiance	2001
Explorer of the Seas	Voyager	2000
Voyager of the Seas	Voyager	1999
Vision of the Seas	Vision	1998
Enchantment of the Seas	Vision	1997
Rhapsody of the Seas	Vision	1997
Grandeur of the Seas	Vision	1996

1. Wonder Of The Seas

The Wonder of the Seas holds the flagship title for Royal Caribbean, being the boldest and biggest cruise ship to ever grace the ocean waves.

As the fifth Oasis-class vessel in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, it’s more than just a mere attraction. This mega-ship boasts 16 guest decks, 20 restaurants, four pools, and 2,867 cabins.

Setting itself apart from other Oasis-Class ships, it stands as the sole vessel featuring onboard Central Park with more than 10,000 plants and flowers

This mega-ship costs $1,350,000,000 to build, and it features eight distinct neighborhoods, including the new and exclusive Suite Neighbourhood.

The Wonder of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s top ships, sailing in the Mediterranean from Barcelona and Rome and in the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida.

2. Odyssey Of The Seas 

The Odyssey of the Seas proudly stands as the first Quantum Ultra-class cruise ship to sail in the US. It’s the second newest addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, and best ship for couples.

Having personally experienced this cruise, I can confidently say that this ship is a hub of non-stop action, offering the Suite accommodation options and a huge variety of activities and venues.

It’s perfect in every aspect, catering to comfort, convenience, and entertainment seekers alike. Despite being slightly smaller than Oasis-class ships, the Odyssey of the Seas is sure to appeal to all sorts of tastes.

The Odyssey of the Seas explores the Mediterranean from Rome and also sails the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

I love the elevated approach this ship takes to the cruise line’s Royal Promenade. For instance, designing a stylish area that looks fantastic yet remains thrilling.

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Royal Caribbean Ships From The 2010s

Now, in this section, I’ll discuss the ships launched between 2010 and 2019. These are all fairly new but not from the above ones.

1. Spectrum Of The Seas

The Spectrum of the Seas stands as the pioneering vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Ultra Class. It’s the award-winning Quantum Class, known for its adventurous offerings.

Amazingly, it boasts slightly larger dimensions than her sister ships and has been designed specifically for the China and Asia Markets.

The primary language on board is Mandarin, and signage is in simplified Chinese, followed by English.

Cruising from Shanghai and Singapore, the Spectrum of the Seas primarily offers short trips to Malaysia and Thailand, along with some week-long voyages to Japan.

The Spectrum of the Seas doesn’t seem to present a significant upgrade compared to previous Quantum-class ships like the Anthem of the Seas. 

This might be why this class was dubbed Quantum Ultra rather than receiving an entirely new name.

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2. Symphony Of The Seas

Symphony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s fourth huge Oasis-Class ship, made in 2018. When it first set sail, everyone was like, “Whoa, that’s huge!”

It’s like five times bigger than the Titanic! And they’ve got these fancy Suites that come with amazing perks.

There’s a lot to do on there, like lots of pools, a surfing thing called FlowRider, a zip line, walls for rock climbing, and the crazy slide, the Ultimate Abyss!

The symphony features numerous food spots and different rooms for everyone. It’s like a whole city on the water!

Starting from Miami, Florida, the Symphony of the Seas takes you around the Caribbean. It’s a real adventure!

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3. Harmony Of The Seas

Harmony of the Seas was the first Oasis-Class ship to launch in six years and the company’s third one. Most amazingly, it was named after the Harmony Module on the International Space Station. 

This ship also held the title of the largest cruise ship in the world until her sister, Symphony of the Seas, launched. 

Some of the features on Harmony of the Seas had only been available on Quantum-class ships before, such as Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland.

And guess what? Harmony of the Seas was the first ship in the fleet to introduce the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea at that time. In addition, it offers Junior and Grand Suites.

With all the entertainment options you need, the Deck plans of this ship also offer Serene and Adult-Only spots.

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4. Ovation Of The Seas

Ovation of the Seas is one of the coolest ships worldwide, being the third in the Quantum-class series. Its name was announced on September 18, 2014, when they started building it. 

Similar to its sibling ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, it offers fun stuff like the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, the North Star capsule, bumper cars, and trapeze classes. 

The ship’s deck plans have both family-friendly and adults-only areas, ensuring there’s something for everyone when it comes to entertainment. 

In short, it’s a fantastic mega-ship with high-tech fun, but sometimes, it can get crowded in the dining and entertainment spots.

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5. Anthem Of The Seas

Anthem of the Seas is the second big ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class. It’s exciting and feels like a fun Las Vegas hotel. 

What’s great about it is that it’s modern, but also really fun. Similar to its other ship buddies, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, it has cool stuff like a skydiving simulator, a big capsule you can ride, bumper cars, and trapeze classes. 

It’s made for families and adults, so everyone can find something fun to do. In short, it’s a super fun and modern ship, but sometimes the places to eat and have fun might be a bit crowded.

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6. Quantum Of The Seas

Quantum of the Seas is a Quantum-Class cruise ship. When it was made in 2014, it was the third biggest in the world. 

Right now, it sails in Alaska and Australia. It’s different because Royal Caribbean didn’t want to make the biggest ship in about 10 years. The outside of the ship is attention-grabbing, and inside, there’s a lot of fun stuff to do, too.
 

The cabins on this ship are pretty cool and surprising. Overall, it’s great for cruising in places where indoor spaces matter more. But the food quality isn’t consistent. You might find some good stuff, but it takes effort to find the best.

7. Allure Of The Seas

The allure of the Seas is an Oasis-class cruise ship that holds the title of the World’s largest passenger ship upon its launch in November 2009 for six years. 

What I like most about Allure of the Seas is that she is breathtaking both in scale and ambition, yet it never feels overwhelming.

Inspired by Coney Island, the outdoor Boardwalk neighborhood features ships, a carousel, and the AquaTheater.

She was set to receive major upgrades, including new features like Ultimate Abyss slide and Perfect Storm waterslides. Unfortunately, due to the global shutdown, these plans were canceled.

Each area on board offers a distinct ambiance and atmosphere, almost like experiencing seven different ships in one. In short, this ship caters to every type of cruiser.

Allure of the Seas sails out of Orlando and Miami on Bahamas cruises, typically for 3 or 4 nights.

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Royal Caribbean Ships from the 2000s

1. Oasis Of The Seas

 

Oasis of the Seas was a real game-changer for Royal Caribbean, which was the first ship to launch a c revolution. It introduces even more new thrills for couples and kids of all games.

Surpassing the Freedom Class cruise ships, it claimed the title of the largest cruise ship in the world at that time.

The ship’s Royal Promenade, lacking outside windows, can give off a mall-like vibe as you step on board. It entirely redefined the concept of a cruise ship and essentially pioneered the idea of a super ship.

Packed with eateries, shops selling designer items, logo apparel, and even a Starbucks, it creates an impression more akin to a shopping district than a traditional cruise ship.

Another amazing thing about this ship is its decks, which are laid out, allowing easy access to tons of amenities without the need to spend all day on the elevator.

In short, Oasis of the Seas is packed with amenities, restaurants, and bars and is manageable despite its size. However, you should expect lines at popular venues.

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2. Independence Of The Seas

 
This third and last Freedom-class ship has always been of great importance in the fleet. It gave Royal Caribbean an injection of new adventures on gateways.

It was also with the British cruisers, but before the Anthem of the Seas took over, Independence of the Seas was the Royal Caribbean ship for cruises out of Southampton.

In May 2018, the ship, affectionately known as Indy among its numerous fans, underwent an extensive refurbishment that introduced a range of new features onboard.

Independence of the Seas really excels in its kid-friendly offerings along with the extraordinary amount on offer for youngsters.

However, many cruisers complain as the Food quality varies considerably, upcharging for certain activities.

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3. Liberty Of The Seas

Liberty of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s second Freedom-Class cruise ship, which entered the fleet in May 2007. It was initially announced that she would be called Endeavour of the Seas, but later, this name was changed.

The ship’s main area is the Royal Promenade. It’s four decks tall, featuring glass staircases and lit-up bridges in cool colors like purple and blue. Here, you’ll find lots of people looking for deals and fun character parades.

There are tons of family-friendly amenities on the Liberty of the Seas Deck Plan.

Even though it launched in 2007, Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas still feels modern and up-to-date in its public spaces.

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4. Freedom Of The Seas

Freedom of the Seas was launched in May 2006 and became the largest ever passenger ship to be built at that time, taking the title from Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

Proudly, she is the namesake of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class.

While it’s not the largest in Royal Caribbean anymore (that title goes to the newer Oasis-class ships), its public areas still feel fresh and modern. 

One of its standout features is the FlowRider surf simulator, introduced first on this ship and later added to all Royal Caribbean vessels, with some older ships retrofitted to include it as well.

The Freedom of the Seas sails from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, offering cruises on both sides of the Caribbean. It includes shorter itineraries along with week-long sailings.

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5. Jewel Of The Seas

Jewel of the Seas is a Radiance class ship that made its debut in the spring of 2004. Carrying a maximum of 2700 plus passengers, it was the fourth and last limb on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance-class family tree.

Arguably, it’s also the last mid-sized ship to ever be built for the cruise line. It’s perfect for those cruisers who prefer a traditional cruising experience rather than bells and whistles.

It’s a laid-back ship, where guests savor unhurried meals and a couple of G&Ts in the evening and enjoy nostalgic entertainment.

It caters to three different cruising areas, attracting younger crowds on shorter Caribbean trips and appealing to slightly older passengers on scenic, longer voyages to Northern Europe and New England-Canada.

She offers exciting onboard activities like the Royal Theater, a climbing wall, a sports court, an arcade, and more.

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6. Mariner Of The Sea

Mariner of the Seas is the fifth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class, starting its journey in 2004. She was already a fun-packed ship over 20 years ago, but her recent Amplification added even more awesome features.

Mariner of the Seas offers an affordable Caribbean cruise experience with the right amount of excitement to make your short cruise vacation more memorable.

Its deck plans are so intelligently designed that make this small Royal Caribbean ship feel just the right size.

Guests can move about almost anywhere without crowds, and elevators zip up and down to pools, the gym, and the spa, and access other amenities.

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7. Serenade Of The Seas

Serenade of the Seas is the third Radiance-class ship for Royal Caribbean, which is famous for its plenty of amenities despite being a mid-sized ship. It’s a good choice for a wide range of travelers, including couples, singles, families, and groups.

This ship differentiates from other Radiance-class ships due to its three acres of exterior glass employed in its design, including glass elevators with ocean views.

There are remarkable views from nearly every public room, and the ship is also very easy to navigate.

Guests can enjoy great food at various restaurants and plenty of fun activities, including sports and spa treatments.

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8. Navigator Of The Seas

 
Navigator of the Seas is an Amplified Voyager-class ship with tons of things to do onboard, from enjoying dinner to sipping sunset drinks with views.

Most amazingly, Navigator of the Seas boasts plenty of quiet cabins as they are designed very smartly. A large percentage of cabins are far away from the busiest public and entertainment areas, allowing for quiet nights.

Navigator of the Seas underwent a refurbishment in 2019, upgrading the pool area, adding new nightlife and dining spots, and introducing additional waterslides.

In short, this ship caters to all tastes and budgets, but the new enhancements, like Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, do extra charge.

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9. Brilliance Of The Seas

Brilliance of the Seas is the second Radiance-class ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The ship’s medium size, along with the ample activities and attentive service, makes it famous among the cruisers.

With the Radiance series, cruisers never miss a view: the ship’s stunning, nice-story central atrium is surrounded by glass for amazing views.

Most amazingly, the plethora of outdoor features at this ship, like the rock climbing wall, are easy to find, and no reservations are required.

Although ship venues are generally not congested, some passengers complained about the smoky air quality throughout the ship despite smoking restrictions.

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10. Adventure Of The Seas

 
Adventure of the Seas debuted in 2001 as the third in the series of Royal Caribbean’s game-changing Voyager-class vessels.

While Adventure of the Seas is not as large or equipped with as many amenities as the Quantum-class, Oasis-class, or Freedom-class ships, it still ranks among the world’s larger vessels.

It offers a variety of venues that set it apart from the traditional cruise experiences, which include an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, a shopping mall, bars, and cafes.
 
The Adventure of the Seas deck plan is similar to its sister ships, with a number of rooms that provide a quiet environment while few rooms share the deck with public spaces.

Its ambiance is really good, but the only thing that’s not good is that it has a relatively small portion of rooms with balconies.

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11. Radiance Of The Seas

 
Radiance of the Seas was a different kind of ship for Royal Caribbean as Voyager-class ships were very popular; Royal Caribbean thought there was still a demand for “Mid-sized” ships. So they introduce Radiance of the Seas.

In Australia, Radiance of the Seas is known as Royal Caribbean’s “Dining Ship” as it has such a large number of free and paid dining options.

Although this ship doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as larger ships in the fleet, instead, it is more focused on adults who want some fun and a relaxed dining environment.

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12. Explorer Of The Seas

Explorer of the Seas is the second of five in the revolutionary Voyager-Class series, which can accommodate 4290 passengers.

This ship follows the floating resort concept, with a diverse range of entertainment, facilities, and activities that will appeal to the taste of every age group.

Its most famous and exciting attractions include the retrofitted Perfect Storm duo of water slides (Cyclone and Typhoon), each with stories of twists and turns.

Despite the numerous onboard activities, the ship has been surpassed in size and features by Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class and Oasis-class ships. But it still has many appealing features.

However, the high passenger capacity means queuing is inevitable.

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The Oldest Royal Caribbean Ships

Now, in this section of the guide, I’ll discuss the ships launched in the 1990s. These are the oldest and smallest ships in the Royal Caribbean family that have fewer facilities as compared to the newer ships.

1. Voyager Of The Seas

Voyager of the Seas is the first Voyager class ship of Royal Caribbean which gave the cruise line the largest cruise ship in the world.

At that time, it was an honor for this ship to have dozens of exciting things to enjoy onboard. Furthermore, it underwent a $97-million refurbishment in 2019, and many enhanced amenities were included 20 years after her debut.

Voyager of the Seas is ideally suited for families with superb children’s facilities catering to youngsters.

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2. Vision Of The Seas

Vision of the Seas is the final Vision Class ship, which is why it shares its name with the class itself.

It is famous for its stunning glass exterior; more than 2 acres of glass were used in its construction back when it launched in 1998.

It’s a mid-sized ship holding 2514 passengers at double occupancy.

Vision is not comparable to the newest ships in tech and amenities, but still, it offers all the basics and a few extra amenities for fun and relaxing vacations.

However, some cabins s howing age have fewer options for food and entertainment than larger ships.

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3. Enhancement Of The Seas

Enhancement of the Seas is a Vision-Class cruise ship focused on a quieter cruise experience as compared to the other larger ships in the fleet.

She might not have all the jaw-dropping features of newer Royal Caribbean ships, but its fun, friendly onboard atmosphere makes it an ideal choice among the cruisers.

With a capacity of 2700, passengers can share their contagious excitement about all the daily activities, and it provides the best ambiance and time to know your shipmates.

Most amazingly, its consistent food and few extra-fee venues make mealtime a pleasure onboard.

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4. Rhapsody Of The Seas

Rhapsody of the Seas is a second ship of the Vision Class. Although it’s not the biggest or flashiest ship in the fleet, it does have a lot to offer on a more manageable scale.

There are good-quality kids’ clubs and plenty of space for adults to enjoy their vacations. It also offers plenty of places onboard for those who admire ocean views.

In short, you’ll get personalized service and consistent quality in the main dining room and buffet. 

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5. Grandeur Of The Seas

Grandeur of the Seas is the oldest and smallest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Due to the maintenance of public areas, it still retains the classic charm of a 20th-century cruise ship.

Obviously, you won’t get any modern amenities or decor as it’s the oldest ship, but the deck plan flows smoothly.

Most amazing, its main dining room goes beyond what I experienced on larger ships in both service and execution of the menu.

In short, this first Royal Caribbean ship is an ideal option to cater to both new and seasoned cruisers taste who are looking for a simplified and lower-cost cruising option on Royal Caribbean.

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The Next Royal Caribbean Ships To Launch

The Royal Caribbean has planned to launch the four iconic and modern ships in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Below is the list of those ships with their features:

1. Icon Of The Seas (To Be Launched In Jan 2024)

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2. Utopia Of The Seas (To Be Launched In May 2024)

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3. Star Of The Seas (To Be Launched In 2025)

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4. Unnamed Ship (To Be Launched In 2026)

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Royal Caribbean plans to construct three Icon-class ships, with the third one to launch in 2026. 

The agreement for the third ship was signed in July 2019, but its arrival in 2026 isn’t certain due to financing uncertainties arising from recent events. However, the cruise industry’s future seems promising at present.

What Is The Newest Royal Caribbean Ship Available For Booking?

Icon of the Seas is the newest ship you can book with Royal Caribbean. Even though it hasn’t started sailing, you can book trips from January 2024 to April 2026.

Utopia of the Seas, another new ship, is also available for booking. It’s part of the Oasis Class ship and will start voyages in July 2024, with bookings open until April 2025.

The other two Royal Caribbean ships that are on the way aren’t available for booking just yet.

What Is The Newest Class Of Royal Caribbean Ships?

The Icon Class is Royal Caribbean’s newest ship type, with at least three ships planned. The first one, Icon of the Seas, will start sailing in January 2024. 

Icon of the Seas will be huge, about 6% larger than the current biggest Royal Caribbean ships. It’ll carry up to 7,600 passengers, which is 7% more than the largest ship now, Wonder of the Seas. 

This new ship will focus more on families. There will be more cabins for families with extra beds and a special outdoor area called Surfside, just for families with young kids.

What’s The Difference Between Newer And Older Royal Caribbean Ships?

Newer Royal Caribbean International ships are huge compared to the older ones, and they’ve got way more stuff to do. Think of multiple pools, mini-golf, basketball courts, and even zip lines on the top decks. 

Inside, there are a bunch of restaurants, bars, shops, big casinos, spas, and theaters with fantastic shows. Some even have ice skating rinks. They’re basically like giant floating resorts, ideal for people who love a big resort vibe.

What Makes the Newer Royal Caribbean Ships Stand Out?

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Final Words

Hopefully, now you must have a clear understanding of all the Royal Caribbean ships and their amenities.

So, if you’re looking for a modern cruising experience, I recommend you choose the exciting new ships of Royal Caribbean.

And if you’re cruising on a budget, old ships are recommended as they do offer a lot of things.