Royal Caribbean launched its first ship in 1970. Today, it operates the largest cruise ships ever built. That's more than 50 years of evolution happening simultaneously across one fleet — and choosing between an older and a newer ship matters more than most travelers realize.
At a Glance
- Royal Caribbean's oldest active ship is Grandeur of the Seas (1996), sailing mostly short Caribbean itineraries
- The newest ships are the Icon Class — Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024, followed by Star of the Seas debuting in 2025
- Older ships offer quieter, more port-focused sailings; newer ships are destination-in-themselves experiences
- Price points differ significantly — older ships often cost less and attract a different cruising style
- Both eras deliver Royal Caribbean's core strengths: solid dining, active programming, and Caribbean itineraries
What Ships Are We Actually Talking About?
Royal Caribbean's fleet is grouped into classes. On the older end, Grandeur of the Seas is a Vision Class ship — carrying roughly 1,950 passengers at double occupancy. It's small by today's standards. The onboard experience is classic cruise: Broadway-style shows, a central atrium, a Viking Crown Lounge, and a handful of dining venues.
Enchantment of the Seas (1997, also Vision Class) rounds out the older tier of active ships. Both sail shorter itineraries — three- to five-night Bahamas and Caribbean routes — which suits a specific kind of traveler perfectly.
On the newer end, Icon of the Seas debuted in early 2024 as the largest cruise ship ever built. It carries up to 7,600 guests and features eight distinct neighborhoods, including an adults-only Chill Island, the Category 6 waterpark, and Surfside — a dedicated family zone with its own pool, splash area, and casual dining. Star of the Seas, the second Icon Class ship, is expected to begin sailing in 2025 from Port Canaveral.
How the Onboard Experience Actually Differs
Size and Scale
The gap here isn't just numbers. Walking from one end of Icon of the Seas to the other is a genuine expedition. It spans 1,198 feet — longer than four football fields. Grandeur of the Seas, by comparison, is 916 feet and feels intimate by modern standards.
That size difference shapes everything. On Icon, you can spend a full sea day without retracing a single step. On Grandeur, you know the ship within a day and settle into a rhythm quickly. Neither is wrong. They're just different holidays.
Dining and Entertainment
Icon of the Seas carries 40-plus dining and bar options. That includes Empire Supper Club (a theatrical dining experience), Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. The Main Dining Room still exists — and it's still included in your fare — but the specialty options are plentiful.
Grandeur has far fewer choices: the main dining room, Windjammer Café, Chops Grille, and a handful of casual options. For travelers who want simple, predictable, and social, that's plenty.
Entertainment follows the same pattern. Icon has an AquaTheater, a full ice skating rink, a FlowRider surf simulator, and the Category 6 waterpark. Grandeur has a show lounge, a pool deck, and a casino. Still fun — just a different register.
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Who Should Book an Older Royal Caribbean Ship?
The case for an older ship is stronger than many people assume.
First-time cruisers often do better on a smaller vessel. There's less to navigate, less pressure to optimize every hour, and more bandwidth to simply relax and see how cruising feels. If you're not sure you'll love it, a shorter sailing on Grandeur is a lower-stakes entry point than a seven-night Icon sailing.
For families comparing cruise lines, the older ships also work well for grandparent-age travelers who prefer quieter pool decks and less sensory intensity. If you're planning a multigenerational trip with mixed ages and energy levels, it's worth asking which ship actually fits the whole group.
Shorter itineraries on older ships also tend to attract a lively, social crowd — particularly on Bahamas runs out of Baltimore or Tampa.
Who Should Book Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas is genuinely in a category of its own. If your family includes young kids who want waterslides, teens who want energy and variety, and adults who want multiple dining experiences and a proper cocktail bar — this ship delivers all of it simultaneously.
Surfside, the dedicated family neighborhood, keeps toddlers and younger kids in a contained, manageable zone. That's a real design improvement over older ships, where families and adults-only spaces weren't as clearly defined.
That said, Icon sailings carry premium pricing. Seven-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries start meaningfully higher than comparable sailings on older Royal Caribbean ships. You're paying for the hardware — and most passengers feel it's worth it.
If you're curious how Royal Caribbean stacks up against other major lines on a family-focused trip, the Royal Caribbean vs. NCL comparison is worth a read before you commit.
Itineraries: Does the Ship's Age Affect Where You Go?
Generally, yes. Older, smaller ships access ports that newer megaships can't. Grandeur of the Seas can dock in ports where Icon would need tender service or skip entirely. That's a practical advantage on itineraries with smaller Caribbean or Bahamian stops.
Icon and Star of the Seas are built for Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas — where the line has invested heavily in infrastructure scaled for its largest ships. The experience there is designed around the Icon Class. It shows.
Why Talking to an Advisor Makes a Difference Here
Royal Caribbean's fleet pricing is genuinely complex. Early booking discounts, kids-sail-free promotions, and category-specific sales move constantly. An older ship at the right time and itinerary can outperform a newer ship on value — but only if you're watching the right windows.
Beyond price, cabin selection on a ship like Icon of the Seas is its own project. The eight neighborhoods have different cabin types attached to them. Booking the wrong category for your group's needs is an easy mistake without someone who knows the ship layout. Working with a travel advisor in Denver — or anywhere — means you're getting fleet-specific knowledge, not just a booking confirmation.
When you're ready to figure out which Royal Caribbean ship fits your group, reach out to Ohana Cruises. Jeffrey Lazo works with Royal Caribbean regularly and can help you match the right ship, sailing, and cabin to exactly what your trip needs to be.
