Royal Caribbean Caribbean cruises

Where do Royal Caribbean Caribbean cruises go?

The Caribbean is the heart of Royal Caribbean's itinerary programme, and the choice of routes is broad. The Caribbean and Western Caribbean account for the largest share of sailings, with the Southern Caribbean and the East Coast of America rounding out the mix. Most voyages run as round trips, returning to the same port they left from, so planning your trip is straightforward. A handful of sailings are one-way, ending at a different port — when that's the case, a short domestic connection gets you home, and Cruise1st can book that leg along with the rest of your holiday.

Which ports do Royal Caribbean Caribbean cruises sail from?

All the departures leave from the United States or Puerto Rico, which means a flight from Australia is part of the trip for every sailing. The main embarkation ports are:

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
• Miami, Florida
• Port Canaveral, Florida
• Tampa, Florida
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Galveston, Texas

Fort Lauderdale and Miami are worth comparing side by side — Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) and Miami are about half an hour apart, so a Florida trip can sail from either, and checking both often turns up a better date or price. Cruise1st can book your international and any connecting flights, pre-cruise hotels, transfers and tours as one bundle, so you arrive at the ship ready to go.

Which ships sail Royal Caribbean's Caribbean routes?

Royal Caribbean sends several of its best-known ships into the Caribbean. Here is a closer look at the vessels you'll find on these sailings.

Adventure of the Seas

Adventure of the Seas is a favourite for families who want action built into the cruise. There's a large climbing wall and a water slide on deck, an ice-skating rink and a roller-skating track — you can literally skate at sea. Figure-skating shows run in the evenings for those who'd rather watch than slide. When you're ready to choose a cabin, Adventure of the Seas cabin grades and deck plans are a good place to start:

• Inside cabin with Promenade view (2T) — 15.5 m²: a window onto the Royal Promenade puts the lively heart of the ship right outside your cabin, with no sea-view surcharge, sleeping up to 4 guests.
• Ultra-spacious Ocean-view cabin (1K) — 30.5 m²: twice the size of a standard ocean-view, with a dedicated bunk area that works well for families of up to 6.
• Balcony cabin with connecting door (CB) — 18.4 m²: the connecting door means you can open into the adjoining cabin and double your living space, while keeping your own private balcony.
• Royal Suite (RS) — 117.1 m²: at 117.1 m², the largest accommodation on the ship, sleeping up to 5 guests.

Independence of the Seas

Independence of the Seas suits guests who like their evenings as well as their days to feel special. The "Vintage" wine bar carries a broad selection of fine wines; the surf simulator keeps the adrenaline up during daylight hours; and the skating rink and mini golf give you options whatever the weather. See the Independence of the Seas cabin grades and deck plans for the full picture:

• Large Inside cabin with Promenade view (1Q) — 31.6 m²: a promenade-facing window in a generously sized inside cabin, sleeping up to 6 guests.
• Extra large Ocean-view cabin (1K) — 27.2 m²: noticeably more space than a standard ocean-view, giving families or groups real room to move, sleeping up to 6.
• Balcony cabin (1B) — 19.2 m²: approximately 1.7 m² more than a standard balcony cabin, with the same sea-view balcony experience, sleeping up to 4.
• Royal Suite (RS) — 130.1 m²: the largest suite on Independence of the Seas at 130.1 m², roughly 5 times the size of a standard balcony cabin, sleeping up to 4 guests.

Explorer of the Seas

Explorer of the Seas was refurbished in 2025 and came back with a FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm dual waterslides and the iconic Royal Promenade boulevard. It also has an ice-skating rink where professional shows and open passenger sessions both run — one of very few cruise ships where you can actually skate at sea. Dining spans 10 venues including Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table and Izumi Japanese. For cabins, see the Explorer of the Seas cabin grades and deck plans:

• Inside cabin with Promenade view (2T) — 15.5 m²: ship life on the Royal Promenade is right outside your window, with no sea-view premium, sleeping 2.
• Extra large Ocean-view cabin (1K) — 30.5 m²: nearly twice as spacious as a standard ocean-view, sleeping up to 6 guests.
• Balcony cabin with sea view (1B) — 18.9 m²: 4–5 m² more than a standard balcony cabin, with the same private balcony and sea view, sleeping up to 4.
• Royal Suite (RS) — 117.1 m²: the largest suite on board, almost 3 times the size of a standard balcony cabin, sleeping up to 4 guests.

Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas is built around the idea that a ship can feel like a destination in itself. Seven distinct neighbourhoods spread across the vessel, each with its own character, and 20 dining options mean you could eat somewhere different every night of a week-long voyage. Parties and parades along the Royal Promenade keep the energy up between port days. Check the Harmony of the Seas cabin grades and deck plans when you're ready to choose your stateroom.

Jewel of the Seas

Jewel of the Seas takes a more relaxed approach. The ShipShape Day Spa offers a full menu of relaxation treatments, 16 bars give you plenty of choice for an evening drink, and the 10-storey Centrum atrium is one of the most striking spaces in the Royal Caribbean fleet. See the Jewel of the Seas cabin grades and deck plans for stateroom options.

Freedom of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas combines a 3D cinema and an open-air cinema screen with an ice-skating rink and the Tropics bar's exotic cocktail menu — a useful mix on longer sea days. See the Freedom of the Seas cabin grades and deck plans for stateroom details.

What fare types does Royal Caribbean offer?

Royal Caribbean sailings come in several fare types. The standard Cruise Fare covers your accommodation and access to the ship's main dining rooms and public spaces. A Solo/Single Fare is available for guests taking a stateroom on their own. Promotional fare types — such as last-minute offers and third- and fourth-guest promotions — appear on select sailings; Cruise1st's Australian cruise experts can tell you which are available on a specific departure when you call. Savings vary: some sailings carry a reduction of up to 47% from the price previously listed for that cabin grade, though that maximum applies to one departure — most reduced sailings sit around 15% off.

Planning your trip with Cruise1st

Every Royal Caribbean Caribbean sailing departs from the United States or Puerto Rico, so your international flights are part of the planning from day one. Cruise1st can put everything together — flights from any Australian city, pre-cruise and post-cruise hotels, transfers between airport and port, tours, and travel insurance — as a single Cruise1st Package or a fully custom itinerary built around your schedule. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week, and every booking is backed by our Best Price Guarantee.

You may also want to look at what Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have sailing in the Caribbean — or explore the Princess 2027–2028 season if you'd like to compare itineraries across lines. For something closer to home, Carnival Cruises to Australia and Norwegian Cruise Line Australia cruises are worth a look if you'd prefer a shorter hop from an Australian port.

If you're interested in a specific Royal Caribbean destination, the Royal Beach Club Lelepa sailings page covers that itinerary in detail.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.