As of July 2016, Royal Caribbean's fleet comprises 25 ships, divided into seven classes of ship. The Quantum, Oasis and Freedom classes offer the line's newest and most active ships.
While there are subtle differences within classes, here's what you need to know when it comes to choosing between classes.
The line's newest and largest ships are in the Quantum, Oasis and Freedom classes. They feature virtually everything you could want in a cruise ship. The active set can enjoy ice skating, rock climbing, surfing, mini-golf and more (like skydiving on the Quantum-class ships). Other amenities include multiple alternative restaurants, an indoor promenade with parades and more, and an array of bars and lounges catering to every taste. They also carry the highest price tag.
Each of the three classes currently has three ships in it: Oasis, Allure and Harmony of the Seas make up the Oasis class and are the largest cruise ships in the world. Quantum, Ovation and Anthem of the Seas make up the Quantum class, with both Quantum and Ovation sailing only in Australasia. The Freedom class comprises Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.
Slightly smaller, but still with many of the line's most popular attractions (FlowRider, Royal Promenade, ice-skating) is the Voyager class of ships, built between 1999 and 2003. These ships inhabit the space between ships that many consider too big and those that others say are too small and don't have enough to do. Included in this class are Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas.
The line's biggest and newest midsize ships are the Radiance class. The 90,000-ton, 2,500-passenger Radiance, Brilliance, Jewel and Serenade of the Seas were built between 2001 and 2003, and are the biggest Royal Caribbean ships that can fit through the Panama Canal. They lack the indoor promenade, ice rink and some other Voyager/Freedom-class features, but offer some of the most elegant interiors at sea. Unique features include the Colony Club, an elegant, British Colonial-themed nightclub that includes the world's first stabilized, seagoing billiard tables.
Somewhat smaller than the Radiance-class ships are the Vision-class ships. The Legend of the Seas was built in 1995. Carrying 2,076 passengers, this ship is almost intimate by Royal Caribbean standards. Grandeur and Enchantment of the Seas were built in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Grandeur remains in its original 74,000-ton, 2,446 passenger configuration, while Enchantment was "stretched" -- adding a new, midsection -- in 2005 and is 80,000 tons and carries 2,446 passengers. Finally, Rhapsody of the Seas and Vision of the Seas were built in 1997 and 1998 respectively, and carry 2,435 passengers. While they have fewer balconies and dining options than the newer ships, they remain excellent modern cruise ships for Royal Caribbean's less-popular routes, often from secondary homeports.
Royal Caribbean's fleet also includes two other ships, Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas, which are each in a class of their own. Empress is the oldest in the Royal Caribbean fleet, having launched in 1990. Majesty of the Seas is only two years younger. Both have some of the fewest amenities and alternative restaurants of any Royal Caribbean ship, though both were refurbed most recently in 2016.