If you’re cruising with Royal Caribbean for the first time, you probably want to know how many Royal Caribbean ships are there.

After all, it’s good to know your options.

And with so many new ships being added to the roster, the number keeps changing.

As of 2025, Royal Caribbean currently has 28 cruise ships in its fleet. 

More ships are being built and added to their lineup every year.

Each ship is part of a class, and each class has something special to offer.

So let’s break it all down in a way that’s easy to understand.

 

A Quick Look at Royal Caribbean’s Fleet

 

Royal Caribbean groups its ships into seven different classes.

Each class offers different features, activities, and layouts.

Some are made for adventure.

Some are made for relaxing with family.

So, when you ask how many Royal Caribbean ships are there, it also helps to ask what kinds of ships there are.

 

Icon Class Ships

 

Royal Caribbean’s Icon Classis its newest and biggest class of ships.

So far, there are three Icon Class ships that are confirmed.

But only one is currently public and operational: Icon of the Seas.

Here’s the full list: 

  • Icon of the Seas– launched in 2024
  • Star of the Seas– coming in August 2025
  • Legend of the Seas– expected in 2026

A fourth Icon Class ship is planned for 2027, and possibly two more after that.

That could bring the total up to six Icon Class ships in the future.

The most notable thing about these Royal Caribbean cruise ships is that they’re made for families.

They have fun zones for kids, quiet places for adults, and waterparks with giant slides.

There are even over 40 places to eat and drink on board.

 

Oasis Class Ships

 

The Oasis Class shipsare some of the largest in the world.

Right now, there are six operational Oasis Class ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet:

  • Oasis of the Seas (2009)
  • Allure of the Seas (2010)
  • Harmony of the Seas (2016)
  • Symphony of the Seas (2018)
  • Wonder of the Seas (2022)
  • Utopia of the Seas (2024)

A seventh Oasis Class ship is said to be on the way in 2028.

Each of these ships holdsmore than 5,400 passengersat double occupancy.

Given their size, they’re pretty packed with fun things to do.

Guests have access to zip lines, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, and more.

If you want a big ship with plenty of adrenaline-fueled fun, this class is a great choice.

When asking how many Royal Caribbean shipsare there, many people want to compare the biggest ones.

Icon Class ships are newer and just a bit bigger than Oasis Class ones. 

 

Quantum Class Ships

 

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships aren’t as big as the ones in Icon or Oasis, but they’re still fairly roomy.

These ships have meeting rooms and guest rooms, for those mixing business with pleasure.

The largest meeting room on a Quantum Class ship can hold about 1,394 people.

So there’s plenty of space to move around!

The ships classified as Quantum Class currently are:

  • Quantum of the Seas (2014)
  • Anthem of the Seas (2015)
  • Ovation of the Seas (2016)
  • Spectrum of the Seas (2018)
  • Odyssey of the Seas (2019)

Freedom Class Ships

 

The Freedom Class contains three cruise ships:

  • Freedom of the Seas (2006)
  • Liberty of the Seas (2007)
  • Independence of the Seas (2008)

These ships have a lot of cool community features: giant ice skating rinks, cantilevered whirlpools, FlowRider surf simulators, and the popular Royal Promenade.

Design-wise, they’re pretty similar to ships in the Voyager Class (which we’ll cover in a minute).

As the first ship of this class, Freedom of the Seas was also reportedly the biggest passenger ship in the world when it was built in 2006. 

And it held that record until Oasis of the Seas came along in 2009.

 

Voyager Class Ships

 

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Classis actually split into two generations of different designs.

The first generation covers ships launched from 1999 to 2001.

The second generation started with ships from 2002 to 2003.

These ships also held some cruise ship world records when they came out.

For instance, they were some of the first commercial ships to feature rock climbing walls at sea.

Under the Voyager Class are the following:

  • Voyager of the Seas – first generation, launched 1999
  • Explorer of the Seas – first generation, launched 2000
  • Adventure of the Seas – first generation, launched 2001
  • Navigator of the Seas – second generation, launched 2002
  • Mariner of the Seas – second generation, launched 2003

It’s also worth noting that Voyager of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature its iconic Royal Promenade.

 

 

Radiance Class Ships

 

There are four commercial cruise ships in the Radiance Class.

These are:

  • Radiance of the Seas (2001)
  • Brilliance of the Seas (2002)
  • Serenade of the Seas (2003)
  • Jewel of the Seas (2004)

Ships in these class are smaller than Voyager class ships, but that’s not the most notable difference in their design.

Radiance Class ships were built for cruising in cooler climates. 

They’re more environmentally friendly, are covered in over three acres of glass, and have glass exterior viewing elevators.

When the sun hits them just right, you can truly call them radiant!

 

Vision Class Ships

 

Last, but certainly not the least, is Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class.

And, unlike the other classes, the first ship in this category was not the Vision of the Seas.

In fact, Vision of the Seas was the lastship in this class to be built.

The order goes:

  • Grandeur of the Seas (1996)
  • Rhapsody of the Seas (1997)
  • Enchantment of the Seas (1997)
  • Vision of the Seas (1998)

Icon Class vs. Oasis Class

 

So what’s the difference?

When asking how many Royal Caribbean ships are there, many people often want to compare the biggest or newest ones.

So Icon Class ships are often weighed against those in Oasis. 

Icon Class ships are newer and just a bit bigger.

For example, Icon of the Seas can carry around 7,600 passengers at full capacity.

Oasis Class ships, on the other hand, hold up to about 7,000 passengers.

Icon ships also have more decks; 20 total compared to 18 decks on Oasis ships.

They include cool features like Crown’s Edge,which is part rope course, part zipline.

Meanwhile, Oasis Class ships have unique thrill activities like the Ultimate Abyss— a dry slide that drops 10 decks.

Both ship types are fun, but the Icon Class brings some exciting new features.

 

What Ships Are Coming Soon?

Royal Caribbean is always building something new.

So when you’re keeping track of how many Royal Caribbean ships are there, you also have to count the ones under construction.

Here are some ships coming soon:

  • Star of the Seas (2025) – Icon Class
  • Legend of the Seas (2026) – Icon Class
  • Icon IV (2027) – Icon Class
  • Oasis VII (2028) – Oasis Class

That means at least six more ships are coming in the next few years.

By 2030, the fleet could grow to 34 ships or more.

 

The Newest Ships Right Now

 

If you’re planning a cruise soon, you might want to know which ships are the newest.

Here are the most recent ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet:

  • Utopia of the Seas – launched in 2024
  • Icon of the Seas – launched in 2024
    Star of the Seas – arriving in 2025

These ships have the latest features, the best dining options, and the most up-to-date designs.

If you want the newest experience, start with one of these.

 

New Ships Are Greener Too

 

The nice thing about Royal Caribbean’s newer ships is that they’re more eco-friendly.

The newest ships like Icon of the Seasuse LNG, a cleaner fuel than the older ones.

They also use special systems to turn waste into energy, cut down on water use, and connect to power at the dock to reduce emissions.

This makes cruising a bit easier on the environment.

 

which royal caribbean ship is the biggest

 

What to Expect on Star of the Seas

 

If you’re thinking about booking a trip on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, this is what you can expect:

  • The largest waterpark at sea
  • Over 40 restaurantsand bars
  • An adults-only area called The Hideaway
  • A new entertainment space called the AquaDome
  • Infinity pools and wide ocean views

The ship will leave from Port Canaveral and sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

And yes, every trip will include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.

 

So, How Many Royal Caribbean Ships Are There?

 

There are 28 ships in service today.

And at least six more are planned or under construction.

That means you’ll have more options than ever.

Whether you want thrills, quiet time, or something in between, Royal Caribbean has a ship that fits your trip.

Each one has its own personality.

 

Ready to Choose the Right Ship?

 

Now that you know how many Royal Caribbean ships are there, you can start planning with confidence.

At RSC Vacations, we’ll help you match the perfect ship to your vacation style.

Want something new and exciting likeIcon of the Seas?

Prefer a proven favorite like Oasis of the Seas?

Need something fun for the whole family?

We take care of all the planning—from the cruise to the excursions to your flights and more.

So you can just show up and enjoy.

Let RSC Vacationshelp you find your perfect cruise.