BREAKING: Royal Caribbean’s 2025 playbook is here, and your trip will hinge on one choice, big ship or small ship. I’ve reviewed deployments, onboard updates, and guest feedback across the fleet this season. The takeaway is clear. Pick the right size, and your vacation sings. Pick the wrong one, and you swim against the current.
What’s new for travelers right now
Royal Caribbean is doubling down on a two track strategy in 2025. The biggest ships are focused on headline islands and high energy weeks. Smaller ships are pushing farther into classic ports where the port is the star.
That means megaships circling the Caribbean, with Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee anchoring many runs. It also means more intimate vessels threading old world harbors in the Mediterranean and hitting longer Alaska routes with better glacier time. Onboard, the contrast is growing. Big ships load up on slides, shows, and dining variety. Small ships lean into views, quieter decks, and quick off the ship days.
Along the way, 2025 has delivered a few unscripted moments at sea. Weather detours reminded everyone that flexibility still rules. A handful of splashy onboard incidents drew quick attention, then passed. And yes, the pool deck can still surprise you on a sea day. None of it changes the core experience. It does sharpen the question, what kind of cruise do you actually want?
Big ship or small ship, choose by how you travel
I have sailed both styles this year and studied the tradeoffs. The decision is not about better or worse. It is about fit.
- Big ships fit families and groups who want non stop action, water slides, shows, and lots of dining. Expect crowds at peak times, strong nightlife, and shorter port days that hit private islands.
- Small ships fit explorers who want longer port calls, quieter pools, and easier navigation around the ship. Expect fewer marquee thrills, simpler dining, and more focus on scenery and culture.
If you crave variety on board and can handle lines at breakfast, choose big. If you want to step off into a walkable old town, choose small. If your kids want surf simulators and glow parades, choose big. If your camera wants fjords at dawn, choose small.
Match the ship to your most important moment. If your highlight is Perfect Day, pick the ship with the biggest island time. If your highlight is Santorini at sunset, pick the ship that arrives early and stays late.
Where each ship size shines
Caribbean and Bahamas are the megaship playground. Icon class and Oasis class bring the parks, neighborhoods, and headliner shows. Private islands are built for them, with more loungers, more slides, and smoother crowd flow. Your sea days feel like theme park days, and your evenings hit a steady rhythm of reservations and entertainment.
The Mediterranean favors nimble ships. Think narrow lanes in Dubrovnik, tender ports in the Greek Isles, and quick hops to vineyards outside Marseille. Smaller Royal Caribbean ships slide into these stops with less stress. You spend less time queuing for tenders and more time eating gelato by a fountain.
Alaska rewards the small ship approach as well. Glacier viewing is often better when there are fewer passengers at the rail. Smaller ships can feel closer to the scenery. The vibe is quieter, the lectures run fuller, and the deck blankets come out at dawn. Wildlife moments feel personal when there is room to breathe.
How to book smart and sail comfortably
Locking in the right ship is step one. Getting the most from it is step two. Here is the playbook I use.
- Set the highlight, then pick the ship. Do not chase a sale that puts you on the wrong size.
- Aim for shoulder season for balance. You get lower crowds and steadier prices, especially in May, early June, September, and early December.
- Choose your cabin by motion and noise. Midship and lower decks ride smoother. Avoid cabins under the pool and above the theater if you are a light sleeper.
- Pre book the key items. Specialty dining, show times, and popular excursions fill first on big ships.
On board, load the app before you board and connect to ship Wi Fi once. Plan a morning coffee on a quiet deck. On big ships, use breakfast off peak and slide into lunch right before the rush. On small ships, linger on deck when others head to activities. That is when the scenery shows off.
Safety beats spontaneity. Attend the muster drill, use railings during swells, and lock balcony doors in strong wind. Wash hands often, especially before meals and after shows.
A word on those unexpected onboard moments
You will hear stories. Some are funny, some are awkward, and some are cautionary. Most happen when guests forget they are at sea with thousands of others. Respect quiet hours. Follow crew guidance in rough weather. Give yourself extra time when tendering. The best cruises run on patience and good habits.
The bottom line
Royal Caribbean’s 2025 map is set, and the headline is choice. Big ships deliver a high energy resort at sea with a private island promise. Small ships deliver deeper ports and calmer days with more sky and sea. Decide what you want to feel on day three, then book for that feeling. Do that, and your cruise will match the story you want to tell when you get home. 🌊
