The 10 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World

There's something about mega-ships, those floating skyscrapers laid sideways. So here lies our list of the world's largest cruise vessels, ranked in order of gross tonnage, a measure of volume (and not weight). You'll also find stats on passenger capacity (both double occupancy, the industry standard, and max occupancy, which accounts for all third and fourth beds), length and beam (the width at the widest point). 

01 Allure of the Seas

The 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship -- by five centimeters. (5,400 is double occupancy -- the full load is 6,360.) It also has a famous near-twin, Oasis of the Seas, with which it shares roughly 95 percent of its DNA -- including a novel neighborhood concept, which divides the ship into seven distinct spaces that range from the foliage-filled Central Park to the Boardwalk, with its handmade wooden carousel, burger joint and candy shop. Like its sister, Allure also boasts the best kids program in cruising.

But "sister ship" doesn't mean "carbon copy," and there's little that's ho-hum about this second of two groundbreaking Oasis-class ships. Scattered throughout the mass of steel, glass, wood and trees are variations that inform Allure's unique personality, including new retail options (a Guess store), dining venues (a hot dog stand), shows ("Chicago") and a recognizable green ogre, donkey and penguins culled from the DreamWorks stable. The line has also added 3D viewing capabilities to its movie offerings, iPod docks in every cabin and guest kiosks from which you can print boarding passes and keep tabs on escalating on-board bills.

02 Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, the 5,400-passenger ship that gave new meaning to the term "mega-ship" when it launched in 2008, underwent a fairly substantial overhaul in late 2014.

The purpose of Oasis' two-week dry dock was to bring the world's largest cruise ship up to date with the latest dining and technology innovations being rolled out on Royal Caribbean's newest ships. The biggest of these innovations is the line's Dynamic Dining concept, which will see the classic cruise ship main dining room abandoned in favor of a bevy of restaurants -- both free and for-fee. However, the date for implementing Dynamic Dining has not yet been decided.

The restaurants that are already open include: Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar: A Mexican restaurant, which was first introduced on Navigator of the Seas, is alfresco on The Boardwalk -- making it well suited for a Caribbean sailing; and Coastal Kitchen, which is only available to suite passengers.

The big change involves carving out space in the Opus Dining Room -- a single dining room laid out over three decks and serving the same menu -- with the launch of three completely different restaurants: American Icon Grill, Silk and The Grande. The three-deck space is still joined by a three-story atrium, but the line has worked hard to achieve separation -- adding sheer curtains to Silk and landscape-paneled dividers to American Icon Grill

Other changes/debuts include: The for-fee Izumi, the teppanyaki and sushi joint, is in the process of being moved and expanded; and Wonderland, an Avant grade restaurant which debuted on Quantum of the Seas.

Internet. Oasis had its Internet service upgraded as part of Royal's partnership with O3B, which purports to offer passengers Internet speeds comparable to those available on shore. The Royal iQ app is part of the new technology package, as well, and will allow passengers to book reservations for restaurants, shore excursions and spa appointments directly from a smartphone or tablet.

Suites. The Oasis refurbishment also saw 10 new suites added to the ship overlooking the Aqua Theater and Boardwalk "neighborhood." What's more, suite passengers will be able to enjoy a couple of exclusive new spaces on Deck 17 -- the Suite Lounge, the Sun Deck and the Coastal Kitchen suite-only restaurant.

Although it's been more than five years since Oasis launched, the ship has aged well, and its original industry-changing design touches -- such as the first-ever Boardwalk and Central Park at sea, which uniquely occupy space that's carved out of the middle of the ship -- are still legendary.

Also amidships, Entertainment Place, a hub for night owls, offers ice skating and disco, comedy and jazz, and a three-tiered theater that features "Cats," the multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway show. Particularly dazzling is the ship's AquaTheater, with its "deepest pool at sea," which serves as a platform for performers such as divers and synchronized swimmers.

The Royal Promenade could get ridiculously congested during parades, and you could wait a while for an elevator. But there were plenty of places to get away from fellow passengers -- such as the wrap-around promenade on Deck 5, and the aforementioned Central Park, which was quiet most of the time. There also are a couple of open-to-all balconies overlooking the AquaTheater (one's on Deck 11, starboard); there's another off-beat spot, all the way forward and above the solarium, which most people miss.

Sure, the ship is large, but it doesn't feel as massive as you'd expect it to and that's a credit to its design. The neighborhood concept really does work -- Central Park with its thousands of living plants is wonderful and there are reasons to be there day (Park Cafe for freshly made salads, sandwiches and breakfast fare; fun tours of art and foliage; and lots of comfortable chairs in which to read) and night (noshing at the outdoor tables at Vintages, the wine bar, and at Giovanni's, the ship's Italian restaurant). After dinner, the Entertainment Zone is a magnet. On sunny days, congregating on the pool deck is a typical activity -- and while it can be crowded, you can always find a lounge chair.

03 Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas dares its passengers not to have fun. It's a bold ship that screams for your attention via its innovative features. It's got a London Eye-inspired gondola attached to a mechanical arm that allows passengers to sail 300 feet above sea level and get a bird's-eye view of the sea and ports. Cruisers can go skydiving at sea, crash into each other in bumper cars, fly on a trapeze at circus school or jog on a large track that breezes by the legs of a giant magenta polar bear sculpture. And Two70, a completely interactive entertainment venue, is hands-down the most technologically advanced space of its kind at sea.

As a company, Royal Caribbean took a big leap with Quantum of the Seas, especially in the realms of dining and technology. On the food front, the line is setting traditional cruise ship dining on its ear by eliminating the large-scale main dining room concept and replacing it with several small venues that offer the same menu options each night. Calling its concept "Dynamic Dining," Royal Caribbean is banking on passengers embracing the idea of exploring new culinary experiences and not minding a bit of planning to do so. Passengers who want to get the most out of Dynamic Dining -- those who want to ensure they get to eat where they want, when they want and with whom they want -- will be best served by making reservations ahead of their cruises, rather than playing it by ear.

On the technology side, Royal Caribbean has made Quantum its "Smart Ship," getting hi-tech, from communications to kitsch, to give modern cruisers the online tools they expect in their daily lives, as well as a bit of whimsy. For example, the company has made a huge investment in satellite Internet, promising speeds that rival those you'd get on land; that's a huge deal, as cruise ship Internet is generally quite slow. Indeed, surfing speeds on Quantum are fast enough that you can stream video and even Skype with loved ones on land.

Also making its debut is Royal iQ, an interactive scheduling service that lets passengers make reservations for dining, entertainment and activities (like skydiving or the North Star) and keep track of their schedules with a calendar feature. It's available as an app for your mobile device or via kiosks and tablets throughout the ship. (Kiosks are located by elevators throughout the ship; tablets are in the guest services area.) The app can only be used on the ship, though you can download it ahead of your trip. Other techie tweaks include robot bartenders at the Bionic Bar, interactive photo kiosks, USB ports for in-cabin charging and RFID bands instead of key cards.

Another way the ship stands out is with its design. The 3,000-piece, $5 million art installation on-board is all about fun. Its boldest piece is a 30-foot-tall magenta bear (nicknamed "Felicia" by the crew), but its most breathtaking is probably "Waves of Light," a gorgeous free-form mirror and glass sculpture that sits outside of Vintages and Jamie's Italian restaurant.

As for the layout of the ship, virtually all of the action at night takes place around the Royal Esplanade, Royal Caribbean's name for Quantum's two-deck promenade, featuring most of the ship's alternative restaurants, shops and bars. Adjacent to the Esplanade is The Via, a small area that has funky cone-shaped pods for seating, watercolor art and a contemporary vibe. The indoor promenade is a hallmark of Royal Caribbean ships. Even with a few design tweaks, Quantum of the Seas will feel decidedly familiar to fans of the line. There's no question: It's a Royal Caribbean ship.

Ultimately, it's not just big-ticket items or new concepts that make Quantum of the Seas a fantastic ship. Royal Caribbean really thought about the small touches. It's most evident in cabins, where things like environmentally efficient lighting, bathroom night lights and bedside outlets are standard. Cabins and balconies are sizable by industry standards, and there's more storage than most people could fill during any weeklong sailing. Bathrooms are small but smartly designed, and small features like in-shower hooks, shaving bars, and shower and vanity shelves and hooks make really efficient and comfortable use of the space.

Service onboard Quantum of the Seas is exceptional at every turn, from waiters and room stewards to customer service representatives and activities staff. It's personal and quick, and we felt pampered. Smiles from crewmembers felt genuine, and ship staff cheerfully handled even difficult issues with grace and aplomb.

Quantum of the Seas is audacious, employing bold features (mostly successfully) designed to appeal to the modern cruiser who expects the creature comforts and whiz-bang elements available on land. The blend is pitch-perfect, and passengers of all ages will find plenty to love on-board.

04 Freedom of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas has an identity crisis. The 155,000-ton, 3,634-passenger vessel launched in May 2006 as the world's biggest cruise ship at the time, dwarfing the Voyager-class ships that influenced its design and introducing a new class of ship for Royal Caribbean. (Siblings Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas debuted in 2007 and 2008, respectively). But in 2009, it was forced to hand over its "world's largest" title to sister Oasis of the Seas (and later to Allure of the Seas), Royal Caribbean's massive 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger mega-ship. 

So where does that leave Freedom? The ship -- which made waves when it launched with cruising's first surf simulator, a regulation-sized boxing ring and an interactive water park for kids -- received a makeover in 2011 to keep it current with Royal Caribbean's newest innovations and favorite features from the Oasis-class ships. Part of the first wave of the line's fleetwide revitalization program, Freedom got upgrades like a new nursery, an LCD Wayfinder system, a huge video screen over the family pool, a cupcake shop and DreamWorks characters roaming the ship, much to the delight of the youngest cruisers.

Plus, it retains Royal Caribbean hallmarks, such as the promenade and Promenade Cafe, rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, Johnny Rockets and Ben & Jerry's. 

We weren't sure how Freedom would feel post-refurb and post-Oasis. Would it feel daunting and crowded, as it's still a huge mega-ship -- now with even more going on -- or would it feel just big enough after the immensity of Oasis? 

The cruise didn't start off well. Embarkation took more than two hours from curb to cabin, with some frustrating lines and congestion, and cranky passengers-to-be. 

Yet, surprisingly, in terms of lines and congestion, this was the first and last time the ship felt crowded. Crowds elsewhere -- at the pool, waiting for elevators -- were equal to if not lighter than what we'd experienced on Oasis. That's not to say that the ship felt empty or small. There will almost always be a half-hour or so wait to eat at Johnny Rockets on a sea day. You'll wait in a line (a short line, but a line nonetheless) to disembark at tender ports, and dinnertime can be a bit noisy with hundreds of others chowing down around you. At the same time, it's never hard to find quiet, private nooks. Cafe Promenade, Vintages wine bar and even the Solarium pool are great for getting-away-from-it-all moments, particularly on port days.

In general, service is very personal, since there are so many spaces in which you can become a "regular." Baristas at Cafe Promenade (now serving Starbucks coffee drinks) remember complicated beverage orders; the bartenders at Boleros, Royal Caribbean's Latin-themed bar, remember names and poisons; and even the waitstaff in Windjammer, the casual buffet, treat kids as the highest-order V.I.P.'s.

The upgrades on Freedom definitely help -- our favorites were the family pool movies and the easy LCD Wayfinder system -- but those who have enjoyed the neighborhood feel of the tree-lined Central Park on Oasis and Allure, where you can escape the madding crowds, will miss it if they really want some private time on sea days. As one of the main inside hangout places on Freedom, Cafe Promenade felt a little too small to accommodate all the people who just wanted to relax with a coffee and pastry out of the beating rays.

05 Liberty of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas is offspring of the Freedom-class family, a litter of vessels that began with Freedom of the Seas in 2006 and ended with Independence of the Seas in 2008. The ship, the second-largest cruise ship in the world behind the Oasis-class twins, boasts all the Freedom-class favorites, including popular onshore brands like Johnny Rockets and Ben & Jerry's, cruising's only ice rink, a rock-climbing wall, the novel "Promenade" concept and Boleros Latin lounge. 

Those acquainted with RCI's Voyager-class ships will also feel at home on the Freedom-class trio, though the larger size of the latter has afforded the line more space to play. Freedom-class features include the FlowRider surf simulator, the H20 Zone water park and the Everlast boxing ring. But, Liberty and company's overall concept -- both in terms of design and choices -- actually emerged some time ago. Introduced back in 1999, Voyager of the Seas is the ship responsible for the majority of the above-mentioned features, which are now staples of the Royal Caribbean fleet. (In fact, Johnny Rockets and Boleros have proven so successful they were added to the older Sovereign-class vessels during that class' extensive refurbishment.) 

And so, through a culmination of Voyager- and Freedom-class innovations, Royal Caribbean has introduced a ship in Liberty of the Seas that offers infinite options in the areas of fitness, recreation and entertainment. With the sheer number of options onboard (especially if the seas are calm), you may find yourself forgetting that you're actually on a massive floating object, gliding quickly through the Caribbean Sea. 

In early 2011, Liberty went under the knife for its first dry dock. During the multimillion dollar refurbishment, the ship gained several features that debuted on Oasis of the Seas, including a cupcake bakery, big-name stage show ("Saturday Night Fever" in this case), a nursery for the youngest cruisers and an outdoor movie screen. New technology knowhow is paraded in the form of interactive in-cabin televisions and the addition of digital deck plan systems, which are located throughout the ship to help passengers navigate with the use of LCD touch-screens that offer customized directions and routing, real time updates and ship factoids.

06 Independence of the Seas

In April 2013, the ship underwent a $7 million upgrade as part of Royal Caribbean's larger $300 million investment in its fleet. The new features included a cupcake shop, an Italian trattoria called Giovanni's Table and a Royal Babies & Tots Nursery. On the technology side, the ship got new digital signage, bow-to-stern Wi-Fi and a poolside movie screen.

The digital way finding systems are an excellent addition -- especially for new-to-cruisers who get lost on huge ships such as this. They offer maps and directions to everywhere on the ship using a board with a number keypad on which a passenger can enter their room number to find their way to their room. There are also features that display the menus for the ship's restaurants, lists of entertainment options and other on-board facilities. The large writing and quick responsive touch screen makes navigation around the ship so much easier than squinting at a laminated map.

"I thought we should take a Disney cruise," said a mom I met on-board Independence of the Seas. "But the kids wanted Royal Caribbean." It was an enlightening comment since her kids were 8 and 10, prime ages for Disney. Independence of the Seas, the third and final of Royal Caribbean's Freedom-class ships, may not have Mickey Mouse on tap, but there's so much offered for youngsters -- from kid-oriented entertainment and enrichment to recreational options that range from surfing and body boarding to ice skating -- that it's a superb choice for family travelers.

For all the emphasis on wholesome, family activities, as an adult without kids on-board, passengers will still find plenty of space for more mature pursuits. The fitness facility, complete with boxing ring, is excellent and always busy. Adults-only spots beyond bars and the casino ranged from the Solarium pool and boutique restaurants (which have a set age limit of 15) to a rather racy late-night comedy show. Travelers of many different stripes coexisted comfortably. (The ship even has outstanding facilities for disabled passengers.)

Another pleasant surprise is that the essentials of a good cruise experience, such as personal service and excellent food, were very much in place in spite of the size of the ship, which was at 100 percent occupancy on my trip. I didn't anticipate luxury cuisine or service, but quite pleasantly, my expectations were exceeded by consistently good meals in both for-fee eateries and the buffet venue, as well as very personal service.

Several crew members particularly stood out on my trip. One was a cabin stewardess who had served on numerous RCI ships and who had such a cheerful, positive and maternal disposition that she lifted my spirits with every encounter. Another was a bar waiter who pleasantly poured me a Diet Coke even though his bar wasn't yet open. The next day, as I filed into the Alhambra Theater with a couple thousand other passengers, the same waiter spotted me in the crowd and delivered a Diet Coke to my seat. I'd never even asked! You expect that kind of intuitive service on a small, luxury ship with just a few hundred passengers, but with 4,000-plus travelers on-board, that was genuinely a "wow" moment.

However, not everything is perfect on Independence of the Seas, and there's room for improvement in some areas. As a traveler who likes to connect with the ports I visit, I was disappointed with Royal Caribbean's lack of bond with any of the places on our itinerary -- at least via anything more than the banal shopping talks that highlight retailers who pay for the privilege. Sea days could feature a bit more substance in the lackluster enrichment department. (The chief workshop was advanced napkin folding.) The ship's vast sun deck, divided into three "neighborhoods," is colorful, whimsical and joyful -- but there's not enough effort to create events there after the sun sets.

Ultimately, Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas offers a wholesome cruise experience that deftly balances cruise traditions with contemporary innovations. The ship is best for cruise travelers interested in a low-key, ship-as-destination kind of vacation.

07 Queen Mary 2

Perhaps no ship currently at sea excites a lover of maritime history like the Queen Mary 2. The flagship of the Cunard line and successor to the much-missed QE2 does its best to echo the company's storied past, evoking as much traditional 'Britishness' as possible, despite being part of US-owned Carnival Corp. Launched in 2004 with a christening featuring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Mary 2 attempts to conjure the traditional charm of ocean voyages with classic afternoon tea, elegant decor and dressy eveningwear, along with an outstanding outdoor Promenade ringing Deck 7. No neon, no PA announcements and no vendors enticing you to buy things all contribute to a refreshingly adult cruising experience. QM2 is also the world's only purpose-built liner, as opposed to a ship, designed especially for transatlantic crossings.

In 2014 the ship marked its 10-year anniversary with another suitably royal occasion -- a tour by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was by his wife's side when she christened the ship 10 years previously. Yet for a ship that's so formal, a cruise on QM2 doesn't always deliver the level of luxury that you might expect. The sprawling Kings Court buffet on Deck 7 can be a zoo at peak hours, with passengers jostling for prime window seats, and service in the shops can be indifferent. Even within the sanctuary of the vessel's upper echelons -- the Princess and Queens Grills Restaurants and Lounge -- some staff can still be stiff and unhelpful.

Thanks to its size (at 1,130 feet, Queen Mary 2 is longer than three football fields, and one of the longest passenger ships afloat) the ship can seem surprisingly quiet in spots -- despite carrying 2,600 passengers. Indeed, it has the highest passenger to space ratio in the industry, and as we prowled the corridors reading the delightful historical placards, we found ourselves alone in some hallways. Part of the appeal of this ship is just these nooks and crannies where you can read, play cards or simply stare out to sea. 

And in an era of noisy cruise ship bells and whistles, this throwback to quieter values is exactly what Cunard's passengers crave. There is just one announcement a day -- at noon, by the Captain -- telling us our progress, and that's it. Otherwise silence. The daily program, along with Canyon Ranch's on-board spa and fitness facilities, provides plenty of diversions, but they're more sedate than rock-climbing competitions and waterslide races. Plus there is something to be said for a rigorous dress code; donning sport coats and cocktail dresses does prompt you to sit a little straighter (even if wearing heels gets old after a few days). If you're looking to add a little elegance to your life, a crossing on Queen Mary 2 will certainly fit the bill.

At time of writing (May 2014), the ship has completed 215 Atlantic crossings and sailed some 1.5 million nautical miles, 420 voyages and called at 177 ports in 60 countries.

08 Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line long has been a pioneer in creating a contemporary cruising experience, most notably with its Freestyle philosophy, which deconstructs the traditional style of cruising (set dining times, fewer dining options, set schedules and relatively limited entertainment options). Instead, Breakaway offers resort-like, rather than ship-like, entertainment and dining. While other cruise lines have been catching on to this style, Norwegian Breakaway -- the largest ship in Norwegian's fleet, along with nearly identical sister Norwegian Getaway -- outpaces its competitors with sheer number of restaurants, shows and entertainment venues. Our experience on-board a seven-night cruise felt so much like a jam-packed stay at a really good Las Vegas resort that we only remembered we were on a ship when looking out to sea.

This is a good thing. Our time on Breakaway was a fantastic experience with so much to do that the only downside was we simply didn't have time to try everything.

That said, Norwegian Breakaway is not for everyone, especially those on either extreme of the traditional cruising spectrum. Norwegian claims Freestyle means "what you want when you want it," an appealing concept for those who wish to be spontaneous and in control of their vacation experience. However, to make the most of your time on-board, you really must plan ahead and make reservations before your trip (or early in the cruise), especially when it comes to dining in specialty restaurants or booking spa treatments. While you can take your chances and walk in, you need to give up some flexibility so as not to miss out.

On the flip side, Breakaway is also not a ship for those who prefer cruise traditions. The only old-school elements are singles gatherings, a small library (best to bring your own books) and mainstream ports. There's little true enrichment, and it can be hard to mingle with other passengers.

Anyone who cruises Breakaway should know the cruise fare is a starter price. While many restaurants and activities are included in the cruise fare, it's really the extras that create a special experience. You have the choice to spend extra on exclusive spaces such as the Vibe Beach Club and the spa's thermal suite, on a handful of entertainment offerings or on specialty restaurants. For a more traditional cruise traveler, that approach can seem like nickel and diming, but for those accustomed to resort stays, it's quite similar.

The beauty of Breakaway is you can opt not to pay extra and still enjoy great outdoor spaces like Spice H2O and The Waterfront, all of the ship's marquee entertainment, and dining at the lovely, casual Uptown Grill buffet and O'Sheehans pub, not to mention delicious menus at Taste and Savor, two sit-down restaurants. No matter your cruising style, Breakaway offers a terrific experience.

09 Norwegian Getaway

Getaway simply oozes Miami, and that's exactly what Norwegian Cruise Line was going for when it built the ship. It starts with the hull, with art designed by Miami artist David "LEBO" Le Batard. It's impossible to miss the painting, which features a mermaid and pelicans and employs the colors of the sea. Inside, the overall color palate successfully melds bright purples and turquoises with more muted browns and gleaming silvers. Even the public spaces feel like Miami. Passengers can grab a variety of signature cocktails at Sugarcane Mojito Bar and eat rice and beans and other Latin-inspired cuisine at the Flamingo Grill. Then there's The Waterfront, an outdoor space that encircles Deck 8, where passengers can sip drinks or dine alfresco. While the innovation debuted on twin sister Norwegian Breakaway, it just really works on Getaway, which sails year-round from Miami, where the weather is always ideal for spending time enjoying dinner, drinks and uninterrupted ocean views.

Getaway scores huge points for entertainment options with 28 restaurants, more than a dozen bars, Broadway-caliber theater and a large sports complex that boasts a ropes course, climbing wall and zip line. Passengers on Getaway would have to go out of their way to squeeze in everything. It's almost impossible to be bored. Highlights include Howl at the Moon, an outrageous sing-along dueling piano show; musical "Legally Blonde"; dinner theater production The Illusionarium; and five multistory waterslides, including the scream-inducing Free Fall.

The ship was built for socializing, with most of the action taking place around 678 Ocean Place, the three-deck open space around which many of Getaway's bars are located. Have dinner in Le Bistro on Deck 6, catch a Second City improv comedy show across the way at Headliners, and then climb the stairs to hit the Casino on Deck 7 before finishing the night at Sugarcane Mojito Bar on Deck 8 without missing a beat. The area is packed with activities, which also means it's packed with people. The casino encircles the area on Deck 7, and smoke drifts to restaurants and clubs on the decks above and below. It also leads to some bottlenecking as passengers make their way through. Adding to the chaos is Norwegian's Freestyle dining concept which, while much-adored on the line's smaller ships, can seem onerous on a ship of more than 4,000. A vacation on Getaway requires planning ahead to get seats in the venues that you want.

It also can make avoiding the crowds somewhat of a challenge, though it's entirely possible. Set off from the rest of the ship, the Vibe Beach Club and the Thermal Suite spa lounge provide sanctuary, but you'll pay for the privilege. Of course, luxe-lovers can head off the crowds before boarding by booking a room in the Haven, Norwegian's ship-within-a-ship enclave, which has a small pool, restaurant and lounge exclusively for Haven suite residents.

Generally, cabins are comfortable though snug, with balconies that are small, even at the suite level. Still, Getaway is a perfect option for passengers who consider the ship to be the destination. Options for entertainment are plentiful, and outdoor spaces work in harmony with the Miami theme and Caribbean sunshine.

10 Royal Princess

Princess Cruises doesn't set out to dazzle with gimmickry (no bumper cars at sea, ropes courses or simulated surf pools for this Princess), and it's never wanted (or needed) to. The line opts for a more traditional style of cruising, even as it does occasionally push the bounds in terms of innovation. It's certainly come up with some great ideas -- Movies Under The Stars, the adults-only Sanctuary and the transformation of a functional ship's atrium into the buzzing Piazza -- that are now widely copied by other lines. 
Arguably, what Princess does better than any other mainstream cruise line is embrace innovations and enfold them into an otherwise traditionally minded cruise experience. Royal Princess is no exception. Here, the Piazza has been significantly expanded, Movies Under the Stars is the biggest in the fleet, and the Youth Center has some exciting new features, including a private, outdoor sun deck for teens. New twists onboard Royal Princess include the SeaWalk, a walkway that hangs off one side of the ship 16 decks up and offers vertigo-inducing views through strengthened glass. On the pool deck, a magical fountain -- between the main pool and the upgraded Movies Under the Stars screen -- does a Vegas-like water and light show at night. And there's Princess Live!, the first television studio in cruising, featuring with audience seating and participation. 

A renewed focus on food means that, of the 16 eateries, several are new, including the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar, Pastry Shop and Gelato parlor, as well as pop-up restaurants Crab Shack and the Fondue Dispensary in the Horizon Court buffet area. Old favorites get new twists, including the expanded Alfredo's, the line's stand-out pizzeria, with a few menu additions and a lot more seats. 

Tradition is honored, as well: one dining room is dedicated to set-seating, cocktail lounges have an elegant ambience, lovely classical music performances are mixed in with jazzier tunes, and afternoon tea is still a staple. 

One aspect where Royal Princess does fall down is cabin sizes, which, in certain cases, come in significantly smaller than those found on Grand Princess. It's particularly noticeable with the balconies, which are tiny -- barely enough space for two chairs and a table. 

You could argue that Princess is merely "playing it safe" with Royal Princess and trying to please everyone, but as a prototype -- cruise industry parlance for a new design, rather than the "third ship in a series of" -- the first impression is a simple one. Royal might represent an evolution for Princess, but it's still offering an experience that will feel familiar to fans.