Reasons NOT to Choose Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is one of the world’s most popular cruise lines. But that doesn’t mean it’s the perfect choice for everyone.
Some travelers love giant ships packed with attractions. Others prefer a quieter, simpler cruise experience.
If you’re considering booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, there are a few reasons you may want to think twice.
Ironically, they’re also the exact reasons millions of cruisers choose Royal Caribbean every single year.
Deciding which Royal Caribbean ship is right for you? These guides make it easy to compare every ship by size, age, and class so you can book the perfect cruise with confidence.
- Royal Caribbean Ships by Size: Compare every ship from the largest to the smallest and find the perfect fit for your travel style.
- Royal Caribbean Ships by Age: Discover the newest and oldest Royal Caribbean ships, including major refurbishments and upgrades.
- Royal Caribbean Ship Classes: Learn the differences between Icon, Oasis, Quantum, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, and Vision Class ships before you book.
Table of Contents
1. You Will Easily Log 20,000 Steps a Day Just Going to Dinner
Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships are so large that walking from your cabin to dinner can feel like a workout. Everything isn’t just around the corner.
The upside is that these floating cities are designed to be explored. You’ll discover beautiful neighborhoods, ocean views, and hidden spots while burning off a few buffet desserts along the way.
2. You Will Completely Run Out of Time to Try Everything
You can forget about having nothing to do. A single cruise rarely gives you enough time to experience everything onboard.
Between surf simulators, ice skating, zip lines, water slides, Broadway-style shows, and dozens of restaurants, boredom simply doesn’t exist.
3. The Entertainment Is Way Too Loud and Aggressive
If you’re looking for peaceful evenings every night, Royal Caribbean may not be your style.
Its Broadway productions, live music, comedy shows, and spectacular AquaTheater performances on select ships are designed to impress…and many guests consider them the highlight of the cruise.
4. Relaxing All Day Is Almost Impossible
You might plan to spend the entire afternoon by the pool.
Then you’ll stumble across live music, trivia, a diving show, or a surfing competition. Before you know it, your relaxing day has turned into an adventure.
5. The Ships Feel More Like Floating Cities Than Cruise Ships
Some travelers prefer smaller ships where everything feels close together.
Royal Caribbean takes the opposite approach. Its largest ships feature neighborhoods, parks, shopping streets, and countless places to explore, making the ship a destination in itself.
6. Your Kids May Never Want to Leave
Families often joke that getting children off the ship is harder than getting them on.
Adventure Ocean youth clubs, splash areas, thrilling attractions, and family entertainment keep kids busy from morning until bedtime, giving parents a chance to enjoy the vacation too.
7. You’ll Spend Too Much Time Choosing Where to Eat
With so many complimentary restaurants, cafés, quick bites, and specialty dining venues, picking dinner can become surprisingly difficult.
Fortunately, having too many choices is a luxury most cruisers are happy to have.
8. Sea Days Are Busier Than Port Days
Some cruise lines encourage you to slow down.
Royal Caribbean fills sea days with games, sports, entertainment, shopping, demonstrations, and activities from morning until late at night, making every day feel like part of the adventure.
9. Other Cruise Ships May Feel Small Afterwards
After sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, it’s easy to compare every future cruise.
Their innovative attractions, impressive entertainment, and enormous public spaces raise expectations for what a cruise vacation can be.
10. You Might End Up Booking Another Royal Caribbean Cruise
Many guests board expecting a one-time vacation.
Then they discover there’s still a neighborhood they didn’t explore, a restaurant they didn’t try, or a show they missed. That’s why so many travelers return to experience another ship.
Who Should Avoid Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean might not be the best fit if you:
- Prefer small, intimate ships.
- Want a peaceful, adults-only atmosphere.
- Dislike crowds during peak travel seasons.
- Don’t enjoy walking long distances.
- Prefer a slow-paced cruise with fewer activities.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Every cruise line offers a different experience.
Who Will Love Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean is ideal for travelers who:
- Love exciting vacations.
- Enjoy world-class entertainment.
- Travel with children or teenagers.
- Want endless onboard activities.
- Like exploring innovative cruise ships.
- Prefer having lots of dining and entertainment choices.
For these travelers, the ship becomes just as memorable as the destinations.
Final Verdict
There are plenty of reasons NOT to choose Royal Caribbean, but most aren’t really negatives at all.
Its giant ships, energetic atmosphere, and endless attractions won’t suit every traveler. However, if those sound exciting rather than overwhelming, they may be exactly why Royal Caribbean becomes your favorite cruise line.
Sometimes the biggest reason not to book a cruise is the very reason you’ll end up loving it.
Still Not Sure About Royal Caribbean?
Before you decide whether Royal Caribbean is right for you, here are answers to some of the most common questions cruisers ask.
Is Royal Caribbean good for first-time cruisers?
Yes. Royal Caribbean offers a wide variety of ships, itineraries, entertainment, and dining options, making it a great choice for many first-time cruisers.
What is Royal Caribbean famous for?
Royal Caribbean is known for innovative ships featuring attractions like FlowRider surf simulators, rock climbing walls, zip lines, Broadway-style entertainment, and spectacular AquaTheater shows on select ships.
Are Royal Caribbean ships good for families?
Absolutely. Royal Caribbean is considered one of the world’s best family-friendly cruise lines thanks to its youth programs, exciting attractions, and activities for every age.
Is Royal Caribbean worth the money?
Many travelers consider Royal Caribbean excellent value because your cruise fare includes accommodations, entertainment, complimentary dining, and numerous onboard activities.
Which Royal Caribbean ships have the most attractions?
The Oasis Class and Icon Class ships generally offer the widest variety of attractions, restaurants, entertainment venues, and innovative onboard experiences.
Is Royal Caribbean better than Carnival?
Both are excellent cruise lines, but they offer different experiences. Royal Caribbean focuses on innovative ships and large-scale attractions, while Carnival is known for its lively atmosphere and value. The better choice depends on the type of vacation you’re looking for.
