Royal Caribbean

My recent cruise proved the days of finding last-minute deals aren't gone yet. 

A few weeks ago, I was browsing Royal Caribbean's "Going, Going, Gone" sale and found an affordable 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships. The fare, including gratuities, was just $834.36 for two people in a standard interior cabin, or around $417 per person. 

Patty Vognild and her daughter, Angie, recently went on a 5-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. She is sharing her experience with us in this guest post.

After cruising for over 30 years, I changed things up and had a great cruise experience!

As a fan of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, I eagerly anticipated my cruise on Utopia of the Seas. The cruise line's newest Oasis Class vessel—and second-largest ship in the fleet—launched this summer.

Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line are two of the most family-friendly cruise lines at sea. From included youth programming to state-of-the-art amenities and spacious cabins, both lines are ideal for families looking to create lasting memories at sea. 

That said, there are some stark differences between the two. Royal Caribbean, for example, features a variety of activities for children, teens, and adults alike—including ice skating, water parks, rock climbing walls, and more. 

Within the past week, two ships crossing the Atlantic have encountered unprecedented weather, with one ship dramatically tilting and causing extensive damage onboard. 

Explorer of the Seas was the first to report sailing through a sudden, powerful squall. The 137,308 gross registered ton ship was en route from Barcelona to Miami when they were hit by a rogue storm with winds exceeding 50mph. The violent gusts of wind and rough sea conditions caused Explorer to dramatically list, leaving the ship in shambles and injuring several passengers onboard. 

Cruisers either love or hate windowless, inside cabins. I fall somewhere in between—they aren't my favorite stateroom category, but if I find a good enough deal, I won't consider upgrading to a cabin with a view. 

Recently, I sailed in an interior stateroom on one of Royal Caribbean's oldest ships. My 5-night voyage on Vision of the Seas departed from Baltimore, Maryland, and took us to Bermuda for an overnight stay. 

At the start of 2024, Icon of the Seas beat out Wonder of the Seas as the largest ship in the world. Royal Caribbean's mega-ships continue to break records, and just a few months later, Utopia of the Seas debuted as the second-largest ship in the world. 

Determined to compare the industry's biggest cruise ships, I sailed on both Icon and Utopia this year. How different are the two largest ships in the world?

Cruise ships, regardless of size, are like floating cities, packed with amenities and activities catering to diverse travelers. Having sailed on some of the world's newest and largest ships, I've recently begun to explore older ships to see why they remain popular among many cruisers. 

Welcome guest writer Sydney Wall! Sydney graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a degree in English and a concentration in creative writing in 2021. She has always been passionate about traveling and never stops looking for adventure. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's in Accounting from UNC-Chapel Hill and continues to write every opportunity she gets.

I had never been on a cruise before my friend and I decided to journey across the Atlantic from Baltimore to Bermuda. The 5-night stay was rocky, but the fun was never-ending.