Innovative ships and first-at-sea attractions are a hallmark of this family-friendly line, sailing to 300-plus destinations worldwide
Royal Caribbean International, part of Royal Caribbean Group, has been offering cruises for more than 50 years. Over the past two decades it has been recognised as ‘Best Cruise Line Overall’ for 22 consecutive years by Travel Weekly. The line’s game-changing ships provide a wide range of experiences, from high-adrenaline activities to varied dining and entertainment, catering to different types of travellers and families.
The ships visit more than 300 destinations in 80 countries across all seven continents, offering itineraries that include both famous ports of call and exclusive stops, such as its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, a resort-style experience featuring beaches, water attractions and activities designed for all ages.
The fleet comprises 30 ships, with the latest five launches listed below. Room categories are Interior Staterooms, Ocean View Staterooms, Balcony Staterooms, and Suites, including Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Owner’s Suites and the luxurious Royal Suite Class featuring Star, Sky and Sea Tier accommodations.
Launched in 2026, Legend of the Seas is the newest ship with capacity for 5,610 guests. There are 2,805 staterooms. Star of the Seas (2025) has capacity for 5,610 guests with 2,805 staterooms. Utopia of the Seas (2024) comes with a capacity for 5,668 travellers and 2,834 staterooms, while Icon of the Seas (2024) can carry up to 5,610 passengers. It has 2,805 staterooms. Finally, Wonder of the Seas (2022) has a capacity for 5,734 guests, with a total count of 2,867 staterooms.
Dining
Royal Caribbean offers a wide variety of dining experiences to suit every palate, with international flavours ranging from Mexican and Indian to Mediterranean and classic American-style diners. Guests can choose from complimentary venues such as the main dining room, Marketplace and Windjammer, where global dishes are served buffet-style, as well as casual favourites such as Sorrento’s Pizza and Café Promenade.
For a more elevated experience, speciality restaurants include the Asian-inspired Izumi, where teppanyaki is prepared tableside, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, serving hand‑tossed pizzas fresh from the oven. Steak lovers can indulge in high‑grade wagyu beef and bone‑in tomahawks at the line’s signature American steakhouse Chops Grille, while Wonderland offers a molecular gastronomy adventure. With flexible dining times, family-friendly menus and options to suit all dietary needs – alongside the convenience of 24/7 room service – every guest is catered for.
Entertainment
Royal Caribbean delivers world-class entertainment that rivals the best land-based venues, with Broadway-style productions such as Hairspray and Mamma Mia! sharing the stage with ice‑skating spectaculars, high‑energy aqua theatre performances, live music, comedy and interactive game shows. The newest ship in the fleet, Star of the Seas, raises the bar further with revolutionary venues that host everything from Olympic‑level stunt shows in a futuristic ice arena to immersive productions performed against a 55‑foot waterfall backdrop.
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Additional spaces, including Lou’s Jazz ’n Blues, Absolute Zero and the Lincoln Park Supper Club, feature nightly entertainment. Designed for guests of all ages and interests, the cruise line’s entertainment spans dedicated kids’ and teens’ programmes to adults‑only lounges and late‑night parties. Whether it’s a piano bar session, karaoke singalong, silent disco or dancing until the early hours, there’s something to suit every mood. Innovative venues such as Two70° push the boundaries even further, blending robotics, projection mapping and live performance to create a multi‑sensory experience at sea.
Wellness
Royal Caribbean offers a wide selection of wellness options for relaxation, rejuvenation and fitness at sea. The adults‑only Solarium provides a calm environment with pools and whirlpools, while healthy dining choices are available throughout the ship. The Vitality Spa features treatments such as massages, facials, body wraps and advanced medi‑spa services, delivered by trained professionals. Fitness facilities include a fully equipped gym with state‑of‑the‑art machines, free weights and classes ranging from yoga and Pilates to spin and stretching. Many ships also feature jogging tracks, outdoor sports courts and curated wellness seminars.
Adults-only Solarium
Excursions
Royal Caribbean offers a diverse range of shore excursions to suit a variety of interests and activity levels, with an emphasis on quality, safety and enjoyment. Options span from zip‑lining through forest canopies and hiking scenic trails to immersive culinary and cultural city tours, available in more than 300 destinations worldwide. A notable highlight is Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas, which features the tallest waterslide in North America, a helium balloon attraction and overwater cabanas. For a more customised experience, Private Journeys provide guided tours tailored to individual interests.
Royal Caribbean is positioned as one of the world’s most innovative cruise lines, operating a fleet of 30 ships that sail to more than 300 destinations in 61 countries. Known for its industry‑first attractions such as surf simulators, skydiving experiences and the tallest water slide at sea, the line combines adventure, entertainment and relaxation in a single holiday experience. In the Middle East, Royal Caribbean is recognised as a premium, family‑friendly cruise brand, popular with families and multi‑generational travellers seeking all‑inclusive experiences with global standards of service, dining and entertainment. Growing interest in cruise holidays across the region continues to attract new‑to‑cruise guests, with the brand offering multi‑destination itineraries designed to create memorable journeys for a wide range of travellers.
Key Differentiators
Groundbreaking ships featuring first-at-sea experiences, including surf simulators, skydiving attractions, robotic bartenders and neighbourhood‑style ship layouts
Exclusive private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, offering both high‑adrenaline attractions and relaxing beach environments in the Caribbean
Award‑winning kids’ and teens’ programmes providing age‑specific activities and supervision across fleets
Cutting‑edge entertainment options, from Broadway‑style productions to ice shows, aqua theatre performances to live music venues
Diverse dining portfolio spanning casual, complimentary venues to speciality restaurants with globally inspired cuisine
Consistently high guest satisfaction ratings across global markets
Cancellations
Royal Caribbean provides both refundable and non‑refundable deposit fare options, giving guests flexibility when booking in advance – typically three months or more before departure. The applicable cancellation policies vary by fare type, cruise length and timing of cancellation, with standard terms in place for all bookings. Full terms can be found in the booking conditions on the website.
Travel insurance
Royal Caribbean does not provide any insurance programme in the Middle East. Prior to sailing, it strongly recommends that all guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance that can cover them for any losses due to unforeseen events, such as last-minute trip cancellation, medical emergencies and baggage loss.
Crowns Edge adventureAs the latest addition to the Icon Class, Royal Caribbean’s newest and largest ship, Legend of the Seas, is set to launch in 2026 with record-breaking features, such as the largest water park at sea, seven neighbourhoods and world-class entertainment. Perfect for families and multi-generational groups, Legend of the Seas delivers the ultimate holiday experience, making it a powerful closing point at the time of sale.
Best for…
Families with kids | Multi-generational groups | Friendship groups | Couples and honeymooners | Luxury travellers | Solo travellers | Adventure and expedition cruisers
For more information, call +971 4 331 4299, email: book@rccl.ae or visit club-royal-emea for trade tools or www.royalcaribbean.ae
Supporting the growth of the cruise industry, Connections Cruise Arabia will return to Dubai in the UAE in 2026, following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025. The two-day event, taking place from 28 to 29 September, will welcome more than 500 travel trade professionals from across the global cruise ecosystem. To register your interest in attending, contact Connections.