Royal Caribbean is an American cruise line founded in 1969, known for its very large ships (Icon and Oasis classes) and its private island Perfect Day CocoCay in the Bahamas. It says it operates 30 ships. No French embarkation port is listed on its French-language site; in Europe, most sailings start from Barcelona or Rome (Civitavecchia). If you want to stay in the Bahamas beyond that port call, our guide covers the best time to visit the Bahamas month by month.
This guide covers the fleet, the main embarkation ports, drinks packages and the points to check before booking. The information comes from Royal Caribbean’s official French-language site (prices in euros), checked 14 October 2026; we have not sailed on board and do not publish passenger reviews.
Royal Caribbean at a glance
- Founded 1969
- Fleet 30 ships according to the company, including the Icon, Oasis and Quantum classes
- Specialty very large, activity-packed ships; family audience
- Private destinations Perfect Day CocoCay (Bahamas), Labadee, and Royal Beach Clubs
- Embarkation in Europe Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Southampton, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Lisbon and others; no French port listed
- Port calls in France including Cannes, Ajaccio, Brest, Cherbourg and Bordeaux (La Rochelle)
About the cruise line
Founded in 1969, Royal Caribbean says it operates 30 ships, calls at more than 200 ports worldwide and has carried more than 100 million passengers. It belongs to the Royal Caribbean Group. Its positioning is very large ships that are a destination in themselves, with attractions, many restaurants and children’s areas. It complements its Caribbean itineraries with private destinations: Perfect Day CocoCay in the Bahamas, Labadee in Haiti, and Royal Beach Clubs (Paradise Island in Nassau, Cozumel, Santorini, Lelepa in Vanuatu).
The fleet: Icon and Oasis classes
| Class | Ships listed on the French-language site |
|---|---|
| Icon | Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Hero of the Seas |
| Oasis | Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas |
| Quantum and others | Classes mentioned by the company, with no detailed list on the page we read |
In the Mediterranean, the site highlighted Legend of the Seas (Icon class) on 7-night cruises from Rome or Barcelona, and Odyssey of the Seas from Rome. Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas were offered from Miami. If you embark in Miami, plan a few days there: our guide to visiting Miami covers neighborhoods and beaches.
Embarkation ports
The ports page of the French-language site lists no embarkation port in France. The most convenient European ports are Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) for the Mediterranean, Southampton, Amsterdam or Copenhagen for Northern Europe, and Lisbon. French ports appear instead as ports of call: Cannes, Ajaccio, Brest, Cherbourg or Bordeaux (La Rochelle), according to the list we viewed.
| Itinerary noted | Ship | Departure | “From” price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 nights, western Mediterranean | Legend of the Seas | Rome (Civitavecchia), 30 September 2027 | €1,412 |
| 7 nights, western Mediterranean | Legend of the Seas | Barcelona, 10 October 2027 | €1,462 |
| 7 nights, western Mediterranean | Legend of the Seas | Barcelona, 4 July 2027 | €1,731 |
Packages and onboard spending
- Drinks packages: Deluxe (unlimited drinks including alcohol and premium wines), Classic Soda, Refreshment (non-alcoholic); can be bought up to 72 hours before departure or on the first day on board; all adults in a cabin must take the Deluxe package if one of them does.
- Gratuity on drinks packages: 18% added automatically, according to the official FAQ.
- Other packages: onboard internet and specialty dining, sold separately.
- To check: daily service charges, excursions, travel documents for each port of call; the official FAQ details them by topic.
Our guide to choosing a cruise explains how to compare these costs between cruise lines.
Main destinations
The Caribbean and the Bahamas remain the core of the offer, with Perfect Day CocoCay: see our pages on Caribbean cruises and Bahamas cruises. In Europe, the line mainly offers the western Mediterranean from Barcelona and Rome; see Mediterranean cruises.
Who is it for?
- Families: ships designed for children and teenagers, many activities.
- Travelers who want a “ship as destination”: attractions, shows, restaurants.
- Less suitable: if you want to embark in France, travel quietly on a small ship or prioritize long port stays.
Strengths and points to watch
- Strengths: some of the largest ships in the world, strong family offer, private island in the Bahamas, many ports in Europe and the United States.
- Points to watch: no departures from France (plan a flight or train to Barcelona or Rome); packages and gratuities cost extra; prices on the French-language site are shown in euros and sometimes in dollars, so check the currency before comparing; ships carry several thousand passengers.
Royal Caribbean or MSC?
Both lines run large family ships. MSC Cruises has the advantage of departures from Marseille and Le Havre; Royal Caribbean focuses on the largest ships and the Caribbean, with European departures from Barcelona or Rome. See also Costa Cruises and our cruise line comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does Royal Caribbean sail from France?
No, the French-language site lists no embarkation port in France. In the Mediterranean, departures are mostly from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia). French ports such as Cannes or Ajaccio appear among the ports of call.
How many ships does Royal Caribbean have?
30 ships according to the company, split into classes including Icon and Oasis, which cover its largest vessels.
How much does a Royal Caribbean cruise cost?
On 14 October 2026, the French-language site showed 7-night western Mediterranean cruises from about €1,400 per person, departing from Rome or Barcelona in 2027. Prices vary widely by date and cabin.
What is Perfect Day CocoCay?
It is Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, included in many Caribbean itineraries.
Are drinks included?
Not in the base fare. Royal Caribbean sells drinks packages (Deluxe, Classic Soda, Refreshment), to which an 18% gratuity is added automatically.
Our sources
- Royal Caribbean, official French-language site royalcaribbean.com/fra/fr: home page and offers, “about”, “ships”, “ports”, and the “drinks packages” FAQ, viewed 14 October 2026
- Search volumes: Ahrefs (France), viewed 14 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
