When you’re planning a family vacation, it’s easy to feel like you’re juggling a hundred different needs at once—adults want relaxation, kids want action, and everyone needs food (ideally without a meltdown involved). That’s exactly why we love cruising with Royal Caribbean. They’ve figured out the family formula, offering something for every age, stage, and personality—whether your crew includes toddlers, tweens, or teens.

Here’s why Royal Caribbean gets a gold star in my family’s vacation playbook:

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🚼 Infants (Ages 6 months – 36 months)

Traveling with babies and toddlers can be overwhelming, but Royal Caribbean makes it smoother than you’d expect.

Image Sources: Royal Caribbean International

Why Royal Caribbean does it right:

• Royal Babies & Tots Nursery – Drop-off care in a safe, supervised space where little ones can play with age-appropriate toys so parents can sneak away for dinner, a spa break, or (let’s be honest) just a nap. (On some ships this service is called Adventure Babies).
  *Before 6:00 PM, nursery drop-off costs $6 per hour, per child; after 6:00 PM, nursery care is $8 per hour, per child. There are 3 ships that do not have Royal Tots and those are listed below.
  
• Toy Lending Program – Borrow age-appropriate toys for use in your stateroom—fewer bulky items to pack.
  
• Stroller-Friendly Decks & Promenades – Wide, open spaces for cruising with your little cruiser.
  
• Splashaway Baby Zone – Most ships have a diapered splash pad for infants and toddlers to enjoy. There are some that don’t, and those are listed below.

Parent Tips:

• Pack swim diapers—they’re required for splash zones.
• Book nursery time early; spots fill up quickly. I recommend you do this right after checking in at your muster station!
• Choose shore excursions with minimal travel time (beach breaks are usually easiest), but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something more if your kiddo will nap on the go!

‼️ NOTES: There are 3 Royal Caribbean ships that do not offer Royal Tots. Those are:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas

Ships without diapered splash pads – swim diapers are not allowed in the main pools!

• All Vision Class Ships:
  • Vision of the Seas
  • Grandeur of the Seas
  • Rhapsody of the Seas
  • Enchantment of the Seas
• All Radiance Class Ships:
  • Serenade of the Seas
  • Brilliance of the Seas
  • Radiance of the Seas
  • Jewel of the Seas
• (Most of) Voyager Class Ships:
  • Voyager of the Seas
  • Explorer of the Seas
  • Mariner of the Seas

Best Ships for Infants: 

• Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas (Icon Class) – Surfside neighborhood + large nursery = paradise for parents with strollers. Great diapered splash pad!
  
• Wonder of the Seas (Oasis Class) – Large family staterooms, nurseries and diapered splash pad.
  
• Liberty of the Seas (Freedom Class) – Slightly smaller ship, easier to navigate, nursery available, and more intimate atmosphere while still offering a diapered splash pad.
  
• Adventure of the Seas (Voyager Class) – Great option for parents who want a quieter ship without sacrificing childcare and diapered splash pad options.

🎨 Preschoolers (Ages 3–5)

Preschoolers love imagination, play, and big colors—and Royal Caribbean delivers.

Image Sources: Royal Caribbean International

Why Royal Caribbean Does it Right:

• Adventure Ocean (Aquanauts, ages 3–5) – Crafts, storytime, and group games. Adventure Ocean is included in your cruise fare!
  *Adventure Ocean is included in your cruise fare during the day, and it’s $7 per hour per child from 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
  
• Splashaway Bay – Kid-sized slides, fountains, and spray zones.
  
• Stroller-Friendly Decks & Promenades – Wide, open spaces for cruising with your little cruiser.
  
• Carousel (on Oasis & Icon) – A can’t-miss for little ones.

Best Ships for Preschoolers:

• Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas (Icon Class) – Surfside neighborhood was built for this age.
  
• Utopia of the Seas (Oasis Class) – Splashaway Bay + Boardwalk carousel right by dining = parent win.
  
• Independence of the Seas (Freedom Class) – Still has Splashaway Bay but in a more manageable size.
  
• Grandeur of the Seas (Voyager Class) – Perfect smaller-size ship with Adventure Ocean and its own kids pool. Not every kiddo loves to be splashed, so this is a great alternative for those who want a more chill pool vibe. Remember, no swim diapers in the pools, so kiddos MUST be potty trained to use!

‼️ NOTE: Swim diapers are not allowed in Splashaway Bay, even in the fountain area – kiddos must be fully potty trained to use!

🛝 Young Kiddos (Ages 6–8)

At this age, kids are curious, adventurous, and ready to try everything.

Image Sources: Royal Caribbean International

Why Royal Caribbean Does it Right:

• Adventure Ocean (Explorers Room, ages 6–8) – Science projects, themed nights, scavenger hunts, movie nights, group games, and more!
  *Adventure Ocean is included in your cruise fare during the day, and it’s $7 per hour per child from 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
  
• Waterslides & Pools – Big thrills without being too overwhelming.
  
• Ice Skating (Voyager & Oasis Class) – Unique, memorable activity.
  
• Mini Golf, Arcades, Laser Tag and Bumper Cars – Great family downtime. Plus a little family competition. Note: If your kiddos are short like mine, they may need the age requirement for laser tag and bumper cars, but not the height requirement!

Best Ships for Young Kiddos:

• Odyssey of the Seas (Quantum Ultra Class) – SeaPlex (bumper cars, VR, trapeze) + great pools.
  
• Wonder of the Seas (Oasis Class) – Big waterslides, climbing walls, and expansive Adventure Ocean.
  
• Freedom of the Seas (Freedom Class) – Mid-sized, with Splashaway Bay, mini golf, and waterslides.
  
• Voyager of the Seas (Voyager Class) – Classic Royal fun with skating, climbing, and kid-approved activities.

🎯 Tweens (Ages 9–11)

Tweens want freedom, action, and a taste of independence (with some supervision 😉).

Why Royal Caribbean Does it Right:

• Adventure Ocean (Voyagers Room, ages 9–11) – Talent shows, team games, science experiments, video games, and movie nights.
  *Adventure Ocean is included in your cruise fare during the day, and it’s $7 per hour per child from 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
  
• Laser Tag – Perfect tween activity.
  
• Rock Climbing Walls – Challenging and fun – several levels of difficulty to choose from.
  
• FlowRider Surf Simulator – Learn to surf = Instant tween favorite.
  
• iFly (select ships) – Experience what it’s like to skydive (if you’re brave enough!)

Best Ships for Tweens:

• Utopia of the Seas (Oasis Class) – Big thrills without feeling unmanageable.
  
• Odyssey of the Seas (Quantum Ultra Class) – SeaPlex + laser tag = tween paradise.
  
• Navigator of the Seas (Voyager Class) – Waterslides, climbing walls, ice skating, and not too massive.
  
• Freedom of the Seas (Freedom Class) – Great balance of thrills and manageable size.

🎵 Teens (Ages 13–17)

Teens want cool hangouts, social vibes, and brag-worthy activities.

Why Royal Caribbean Does it Right:

• Teen Lounges & Nightclubs – No parents allowed, just supervised independence. Teen clubs are included in your cruise fare!
  *The Teen Club is included in your cruise fare during the day, and it’s $7 per hour per child from 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
  
• Sports Courts & SeaPlex – Basketball, roller skating, bumper cars, and ping pong.
  
• Laser Tag, Escape Rooms, & VR – Group-friendly fun that’s sure to keep them entertained.
  
• The Ultimate Abyss Slide (Oasis Class) – Instagram-worthy thrill!
  
• Late-Night Eats – Pizza and ice cream fuel the social scene.

Best Ships for Teens:

• Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas (Icon Class) – Teen lounge feels like a trendy hangout; massive thrills onboard.
  
• Wonder of the Seas (Oasis Class) – Huge spaces, big teen club, endless activities.
  
• Odyssey of the Seas (Quantum Ultra Class) – SeaPlex + sports + VR = teen-approved.
  
• Freedom of the Seas (Freedom Class) – More compact, still packed with FlowRider, laser tag, and chill spaces.
  
• Serenade of the Seas (Radiance Class) – Smaller ship = more independence, great for teens who don’t want “babysitting.”

✨ The bottom line: If you love mega-ships with all the bells and whistles, Oasis and Icon Class are unbeatable. If you want balance, Freedom and Voyager Class are fantastic family-friendly midsize choices. And if you’d rather sail smaller ships with less hustle, Radiance Class is a hidden gem.

Ready to book your next (or first!) family cruise? Fill out an inquiry form and let’s get started! PS. We love sailing the Caribbean, but you know what else we love? Cruising EUROPE. 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇮🇹🇬🇷