Royal Caribbean Cruises - anyone done one??

[SoozyWoozy5]

Considering this for our holiday - hit me with your experiences, good & bad?
thanks!

I realise that this won’t be particularly helpful, but I’d rather sit in a tank of eels.

Yes. Anthem of the Seas last year.
Loved it. Kids loved it.
Booked two weeks for this summer.

Nope, not helpful

Thank you.. we are looking at Oasis of the Seas. Me, DH and DS12, are the activities as good as they look?

We have been on two - we went as an extended group, us, MIL, FIL , BIL, SIL & allots of DC.

I was v cynical before we went and would never have chosen it.

however -

the food is first class. The cocktails are incredible. The entertainment is excellent. The pools are lovely. It is all just lovely. Kids and elderly catered for. I could sit and read a book or sim or sunbathe. It was great.

we are all going again for a week this summer. Flying to the shop this time to do a cruise with better weather. It’s a great multi generational holiday.

Yes, I also went with kids plus elderly parent and everyone loved it. Going again in a few weeks' time.

Unfortunately cruising is one of those topics where you'll be inundated with inane replies from people who have never been on one.

I think it pays to put in a bit of research about what to expect from a cruise and how to get the best out of one. There's a plethora of facebook groups for cruising including down to individual ships and probably the sailing you are looking at.

My boys are 12 to 17.
We had two connecting cabins which was ideal.
Boys enjoyed shows, dodgems, xbox room and pools. We felt happy to let them wonder off but meet at a certain place at a certain time.
Food was amazing. Either a dress to impress formal evening or trackies and trainers in the buffet.
We got the drinks package so they just showed their seapass at a bar for a drink.
Entertainment catered for those who wanted karaoke, quiz, live show, magic, singing or just a quiet night with a beer.
We often spent evenings by the pool watching the stars, and random boats go by.
Honestly you'll love it.

Drinks package definitely worth it if you fancy a few cocktails, the costs rack up alarmingly quickly if you pay as you go. (I believe all RC ships trade in USD and there is tax and tips added, all up about $15-18 per drink.) With food, IMO there is plenty included in your fare so upcharge restaurants are an unnecessary expense.

Most activities are free, but being such big ships they can get very busy or even booked out, especially in school holidays. You can get priority access to the popular things either by choosing a more expensive suite cabin (which is kind of like business class perks on a flight) or buying a VIP pass.

The other big expense is excursions if you are wanting to do tours in port. Excursions bought through the cruise line are typically about double what you'd pay if you booked directly.

Done several. Go for it, Oasis as a first cruise will be fabulous. A total wow from the first minute you see how big it is.
Guaranteed to get lost on this ship. It is huge. You will never ever be bored there are more things to do, places to visit, entertainment to watch than you will ever be able to do.
For the evening I recommend you book the aqua show at the back of the ship and the ice skating show. Both world class.
And daytime, get off the ship and plan your excursions well.

A cruise is not a time for doing nothing. Every day is precious, plan everything. Clip board essential 😋

A cruise is not a time for doing nothing.

Excuse me, I am very good at doing nothing on cruise ships
Hours and hours snoozing on a deck chair, watching the waves, listening to a book, sipping on a cocktail. While the rest of the family group can go off and do as much or as little as they like.

Meant to bold your comment @notangelinajolie

Thanks everyone, reassuring to hear those positive comments.. going to book!