Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines for kids and offers many kid-friendly attractions like pools, outdoor movie screens, Seaplex and Adventure Ocean. But not all Royal Caribbean Ships are equally good for kids of all ages and interests.
Let’s explore the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids, so you can have a great time on board with your family.
Freedom of the Seas for Babies and Toddlers (6 months to 3 years)
The Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas is a good choice when passengers are going on a family cruise with babies or toddlers because there are activities for all ages, making it suitable for multigenerational groups. It has a nursery, water play area, different dining options, fun activities, and kid-friendly places to visit, ensuring everyone has a great holiday.
Freedom of the Seas ship offers short cruises to the Bahamas, with stops at Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. CocoCay has beaches, a play area, splash park, and a pool for babies and toddlers. There are also barbecues and tram services to help parents manage a day at the beach with their kids.
Why Freedom of the Seas is Best Royal Caribbean Ship for Babies
Freedom of the Seas, a ship from 2006 with a recent $116 million update in 2020, has both the nursery and the splash zone, along with a new pool deck.
- Royal Babies & Tots Nursery
Royal Babies & Tots Nursery is for kids aged 6 to 36 months (about 3 years). Parents can leave their little ones at the Royal Babies and Royal Tots clubs with trained childcare staff while they have fun. Parents can use this nursery for a fee of $6 per hour during the day and $8 per hour in the evening.
- Baby Splash Zones
Freedom of the Seas has a special area for young kids called the Baby Splash Zone. It has gentle water sprays, colorful features, and interactive sculptures for kids to play with. Swim diapers are not allowed in swimming pools on Royal Caribbean ships to prevent disease spread. Some ships have Baby Splash Zones with shallow water, water fountains, and spray jets for babies to play in. These zones are in Splashaway Bay or the H2O Zone.
Icon of the Seas for Little Kids Aged 3 to 8
Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024 is designed specifically for families with young children. Icon of the Seas is ideal for families with kids aged 3 to 8, with many activities designed for young children.
Icon of the Seas ship features a special area called Surfside at the back, with a splash area for kids, an infinity pool for adults, a carousel, playground, arcade, family-friendly restaurants, and a mocktail bar. Families can enjoy activities like ice skating, diving shows, dining options, pools, and mini-golf.
Icon of the Seas sails weeklong trips to the Caribbean from Miami, stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Icon of the Seas is great for families with younger kids, offering family-friendly amenities, a convenient kids club, exciting entertainment, and Caribbean trips for a memorable holiday.
Why Icon of the Seas is Best Royal Caribbean Ship for Kids
Let’s see why Icon of the Seas is the top choice for little kids on Royal Caribbean.
- Splashaway Bay
Splashaway Bay water park has water slides, cannons, pools, and whirlpools for young children and preteens. Children must be potty trained and not wearing a diaper to go on the slide. The maximum weight allowed is 300 lbs. and the minimum height required is 42 inches. Swimming wear is required.
- Thrill Island
Thrill Island is one of the new neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas. It offers many outdoor activities, including Category 6, the biggest water park at sea. The waterpark has six slides, such as Pressure Drop, the first open free-fall slide on a cruise ship, and Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea. Other slides include Store Surge, Hurricane Hunter, and Storm Chasers. Crown’s Edge is a unique combination of a skywalk, ropes course, and thrill ride.
- Ripcord® By Ifly®
Royal Caribbean has a skydiving simulator called RipCord by iFLY. It is safe for children as young as three years old and weighs less than 230 lbs if under 6 feet tall, or less than 250 lbs if 6 feet or taller.
- Surfside
Surfside is a new neighborhood designed for young families at the back of the ship. It has a splash area with waterslides for kids and an infinity pool for adults. There is also a beach-themed carousel, playground, arcade, and several family-friendly restaurants.
- Mini Golf
Mini golf is a fun game for families on Royal Caribbean ships. It is free and kids can play as much as they want without needing a reservation. Kids as young as four or five can play without any age requirement. They can hit the balls and practice math while keeping score.
- Ice Skating
Ice skating is a fun activity for families to enjoy together. There is no age limit for ice skating on Royal Caribbean ships. Children under 6 can skate with a parent or guardian who is on the ice with them. Kids and adults who haven’t skated before may find it a bit challenging since there are no skating aids.
Wonder of the Seas for Older Kids Aged 8 to 12
The Wonder of the Seas, along with other Oasis Class cruise ships, is the biggest cruise ship globally and offers fun activities for kids, teens, and grandparents. It is the best cruise ship for kids aged 8 to 12. This Royal Caribbean ship has lots of fun activities and things to do for this age group. It has adventure, entertainment, and good food.
Wonder of the Seas has many fun activities for kids. They can enjoy rock climbing walls, waterslides, and dry slides. Kids can also try ice skating in Studio B and watch ice skating shows. There are fast casual dining options, including famous brands like Johnny Rockets and El Loco Fresh. Kids can enjoy juicy burgers or tasty Mexican food.
Wonder of the Seas sails seven-night Caribbean cruises, which are great for families with older kids. This length of holiday gives children enough time to enjoy everything the ship offers and explore the fun places the cruise goes to.
Why Wonder of the Seas is Best Royal Caribbean Ship for Kids
Wonder of the Seas is the top Royal Caribbean ship for kids aged 8 to 12. It has lots of activities, exciting entertainment, delicious food, and the right length for a perfect holiday.
- FlowRider
The FlowRider is a 40-foot-long surfing machine where kids can surf standing up or boogie board on their knees. Kids need to be at least 52 inches tall to boogie board and 58 inches tall to stand up and surf. This means the FlowRider is good for kids around 9 years old and older, depending on how tall they are.
Note: FlowRider surfing is a risky sport that can cause serious physical harm or even death.
- Zip Line
The Oasis-class ships have a fun zip line feature. Kids can zip above the Central Park area. To ride the zipline, kids need to weigh between 75 and 275 lbs. and be at least 52 inches tall. This means kids around 10 years old and older can enjoy this activity, depending on their size. The zip line is included in cruise fare and no reservation is needed.
- Ultimate Abyss Slide
The Ultimate Abyss slide is the tallest slide at sea, over 150 feet above sea level. The height limit for this slide is only 44 inches and the maximum weight limit is 300 lbs. It is suitable for kids around five years old and older. Only one person can ride the slide at a time, so children cannot ride with their parents.
- Rock Climbing Wall
The climbing walls on Royal Caribbean ships are 40 ft tall. Children must be at least 6 years old to climb. It’s for all levels of climbers. Kids don’t need a reservation for this free activity. The walls provide a good workout and great views from the top.
- Sports Court
If teenagers enjoy basketball, volleyball, or soccer, they can participate in tournaments or play with friends whenever they want.
Odyssey of the Seas for Tweens and Teens
The Odyssey of the Seas is a great Royal Caribbean ship for tweens and teens, with fun attractions, special areas for teens, and classic Royal Caribbean activities.
Odyssey of the Seas has cool attractions like the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and the North Star. Teens can play basketball, table tennis, bumper cars, arcade games, and virtual reality games at the SeaPlex. The ship also has popular activities like the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, laser tag, and outdoor movies.
Teens can enjoy specialty restaurants like Izumi, Chops Grille, and Giovanni’s, as well as quick bites at El Loco Fresh and Sorrento’s.
Odyssey of the Seas offers weeklong Caribbean sailings, Greek Islands, and Holy Land cruises, giving families more travel options for adventurous trips with teens.
Why Odyssey of the Seas is Best Royal Caribbean Ship for Teens
The Odyssey of the Seas is a great choice for this age group, with lots of fun activities tailored just for them.
- Social 180
Social 180 is a place for tweens and teens on Odyssey of the Seas. It has an indoor lounge and an outdoor patio. This friendly space gives teens their own spot to have fun on the cruise.
- Teen Spaces
Teens onboard have the freedom to choose how they spend their time. There is a new space just for 13 to 17-year-olds. It has a gaming lounge, music, movies, and places to hang out with friends. There is also an outdoor patio to relax.
- Seaplex®
The ship has a SeaPlex area for tweens and teens to enjoy different activities like basketball and table tennis. There is also an arcade where kids can play games and win prizes. For those who like virtual reality, there is a special area in SeaPlex where they can experience different digital worlds with exciting adventures and puzzles.
- North Star®
Royal Caribbean takes adventure to new heights with North Star. This observation glass capsule offers 360-degree views from over 300 ft above the sea, providing amazing views all around. To ride, kids must be at least 42 inches tall (or 48 inches to ride alone) and weigh a maximum of 300 lbs.
- Bumper Cars
Tweens can drive bumper cars and have fun speeding and bumping around. Riders must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall with a guardian, or 8 years old and 48 inches tall to ride alone.
- Laser Tag
In laser tag, players move through a dark course with a laser gun, shooting players from the other team. Kids can join either the robot group or the alien team. It is suitable for children aged 5 and older who are at least 40 inches tall.
FAQs – Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Kids
What is the Best Royal Caribbean Ship for Families?
The Icon of the Seas is the newest and largest ship in the fleet that started sailing in 2024. It is filled with many things to see and do for kids and adults. Every family will have a great time on the Icon of the Seas, no matter what age they are.
Which Royal Caribbean Ship is the Best for Families on a Budget?
Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas is the best ship for families on a budget. This ship was updated in 2020 and offers lots of activities without the high cost of newer ships.
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