Read time: about 4 minutes. Published 2026-04-01

So far, my absolute favorite cruise line has been Royal Caribbean! Their ships are amazing, and their people who work hard every day to make your vacation memorable are incredible! One of the things that helps set them apart is all the things you can do on board. With everyone having their own speed and style, there’s enough variety and options to check all the boxes.

The Neighborhoods

Depending on the class and exact ship you’re sailing on, there are a number of decks on a Royal ship that serve as their own neighborhood, with a look and feel that separates it from the rest of the ship.

There’s the Royal Promenade, which serves as a sort of “downtown” for the ship. You’ll typically find the café, Sorrento’s Pizza, and a few bars, pubs, and clubs to choose from, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Personally, I enjoy relaxing with a cool drink at Boleros, watching other sailors dance to the live music. There are also a few duty-free shops if you’re looking for a deal on merch or gifts to bring back home. On Quantum-class ships, there is the Royal Esplanade instead, which has a more boutique, high-end feel to it.

On some ships, there’s an entire deck converted into an open-air park! Central Park is beautiful with thousands of live plants and small trees. You’re likely to find some of my good friends flying around there from time to time. There are specialty dining venues and a few shops here, as well as an area to sit and enjoy some relaxing live music in the evening. You can even get a balcony room that overlooks the park on some ships!

The Boardwalk is a neighborhood area found exclusively on Oasis-class ships. This has a feel of a classic boardwalk, with festive music, vibrant colors, and a hand-carved carousel free for everyone to enjoy. The selection differs from ship to ship, but this is where you can find the 50’s style diner Johnny Rockets, Boardwalk Dog, or Boardwalk Donut Shop. At the end of the Boardwalk is the AquaTheater, where incredible shows take place – you don’t want to miss this! There are balcony staterooms above the Boardwalk that have a great view of the Aqua shows!

The Shows

Specific ships have full Broadway-style musicals, and they are fantastic! Like the Aqua shows, these are included for everyone and definitely worth seeing. The cast and crew are super talented and put on a great show! I recommend planning around these shows and flying into the theater early for a good seat.

A lot of the ships across multiple classes have Studio B, an ice rink on board a cruise ship! During the day, you can enjoy skating around on it yourself – an extra challenge while the ship is moving. It certainly gives you even more appreciation for the skill of the skaters who put on spectacular shows at night. The sets, costumes, and pageantry of it all – it’s really impressive and amazing to behold! And on some ships, they convert Studio B into a laser tag arena with inflatable obstacles.

The Thrills

If you’re looking for something to really get your blood pumping, Royal has you covered! There are a lot of activities geared towards the adrenaline junkies who come aboard.

Most of the modern ships have the FlowRider Surf Simulation. Brave souls of any skill level can test their balance while surfing in place. There’s sometimes a competition held to see who can stay upright the longest, and watching people wipe out is pretty entertaining, even if you aren’t down for trying it yourself.

If you’re lucky enough to have booked a cruise on an Icon-class ship, there’s an amazing water park with record-breaking slides to race down, and the first ever open free-fall slide at sea! Other classes typically feature the Perfect Storm waterslides, with clear sections that twist and turn out over the side of the ship, giving you a view of the ocean below.

If water isn’t your thing, Oasis-class ships feature The Ultimate Abyss, a 10-story dry slide the plunges you down several decks on the ship. The slide is a sensory experience with sound and light effects on the way down.

There’s also RipCord by iFLY, the skydiving simulator for those who want the thrill of a freefall without having to worry about a faulty parachute (for those of you not blessed with wings). This is available on Quantum-class ships.

And if heights are your thing, the North Star is a glass observation capsule that lifts you 300 feet above sea level for stunning 360-degree views. This is on Quantum-class and some Icon-class ships.

The Relaxed Vibe

If you’re looking to give your heart a rest and just mellow out, there’s plenty of space for that too! The Solarium is an adults-only area of the ship with a bistro for a quick bite, lounge areas, and a pool and/or hot tub to relax in a quieter space.

The Vitality at Sea Spa is the ultimate in relaxation indulgence. You can get a mani, pedi, hair styling, shave, massage, or even hit the steam room or sauna. Services vary by ship, but you will be well-pampered with whatever options are available. However, of all the things I love to do on Royal ships (not counting drinks and dining), this is the only one mentioned here that always costs extra. So, if you can score some Onboard Credit (OBC), this might be a good way to use it.

There’s also a small Park West art gallery with pieces ranging from new up-and-coming artists to works by Picasso. There are a few art auctions on board, and even if you have no intention of bidding on anything, you can go to see it in action and enjoy free champagne or mimosas. Plus they do free giveaways, so you might win some art, a spa treatment, a bottle of champagne, or a fun beach bag. “Wings of Hope” by Michael Godard is a particular piece I have my eyes on.

Other Activities

On top of all that, there are activities staff members holding all kinds of fun sessions like trivia, charades, name that tune, etc. at various times and places throughout the ship. And if you’re looking for something a little more risqué, look for the adults only “Crazy Quest” (or sometimes “The Quest”) activity. But be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart (and certainly not for kids)!

Speaking of kids, Royal offers a complimentary kids’ club that is a double whammy – the kids have a blast with their fun-filled activities and new friends, while the parents get to have some quality alone time.

There are also themed nights like “70s Disco” and “Formal Night” where you can optionally dress for the occasion, parades and welcome aboard parties, late night dance parties, and more – all part of an amazing Royal Caribbean cruise!