What Is Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean is a global cruise line known for building some of the largest cruise ships in the world, featuring waterparks, ice rinks, theaters, and family‑focused neighborhoods.[3] It operates under Royal Caribbean Group and sails a wide range of itineraries across the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, and other regions.[3][7]
The brand’s strategy centers on resort‑style ships that pack in activities, dining choices, and headline entertainment, often paired with exclusive access to private destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay.[3] This focus on scale and innovation has made Royal Caribbean a reference point for mainstream, family‑oriented cruising.[3][5]
New Ships and Experiences in 2025
In 2025, the biggest development is Star of the Seas, the latest Icon Class ship and Royal Caribbean’s newest flagship for families.[3] The ship features the AquaDome entertainment space, the Category 6 waterpark, expansive pool and suite decks, and multiple signature shows, including a new Aqua Show and a full Broadway‑style staging of Back to the Future.[2][3]
Star of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral on Caribbean itineraries that include Perfect Day at CocoCay, layering a high‑energy onboard product with a private‑island beach day.[2][3] Across the fleet, Royal Caribbean continues to upgrade older ships with refreshed pool decks, additional water slides, new dining venues, and enhanced kids’ and teens’ areas to align them more closely with Icon‑class standards.[1][5]
Tech, Sustainability and Future Impact
Royal Caribbean Group is using robotics and digital technology to support its growing fleet and sustainability goals.[7] A notable example announced in 2025 is a robot system that cleans ship hulls to reduce drag, cutting fuel consumption and emissions while helping maintain performance between drydocks.[7]
Looking toward 2026, Legend of the Seas is set to become the first Icon Class ship based in Europe and the Southern Caribbean, introducing the Icon concept and the Royal Railway – Legend Station dining experience to new regions.[6][8] Together with continued investment in efficiency technologies and app‑driven guest services, these moves suggest that Royal Caribbean’s influence on how large‑ship cruising is designed and delivered will keep expanding in the years ahead.[3][7][8]