Voyager of the Seas cruise ship review: A guide to Royal Caribbean’s first megaship

At a glance

• The OG Royal Caribbean ship that debuted the line’s signature Royal Promenade, with bars, cafes and shops clustered in one indoor space
• Exciting onboard attractions like a rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink
• A good selection of free and specialty dining options, including Italian, Asian and steakhouse fare

Voyager of the Seas overview

You’d like to dip your toe into the world of Royal Caribbean‘s top-deck-attraction-infused ships, but the line’s newer behemoth vessels intimidate you. Let me introduce you to Voyager of the Seas.

When Voyager debuted in 1999, the 14-deck, 3,602-passenger vessel was the world’s biggest ship. Today, it doesn’t even crack the top 50, as a steady stream of larger vessels carrying double the number of passengers has hit the seas over the years.

Voyager might be smaller than Royal Caribbean’s newest vessels (I’m looking at you, Utopia and Icon), but it’s stocked with amusements. In fact, it debuted many of the line’s signature attractions, including a towering rock-climbing wall and an ice-skating rink.

Voyager was also the line’s first vessel to feature a Royal Promenade, an indoor thoroughfare lined with cafes, bars and shops. (While Voyager features a promenade area, it does not have themed neighborhoods, as found on Oasis Class ships.)

Fast forward a few years. Newer classes of ships began to eclipse Voyager, and renovations were inevitable. A $97 million refurbishment in 2019 brought forth a slew of upgrades, including a new pair of three-story waterslides (dubbed Perfect Storm), an exclusive outdoor patio space for teens and 72 additional inside and balcony cabins. The ship’s kids club, Adventure Ocean, also received a glow-up, which included a new nursery space for babies and tots.

That said, Voyager is once again starting to show its age, and that’s especially noticeable when it’s docked beside shiny new vessels like Icon and Utopia.

However, Voyager of the Seas is a manageable ship, and it’s the ideal sampler for families who seek a scaled-back but action-packed cruise vacation. Beyond the onboard attractions, passengers have plenty of ways to stay busy during their cruise, including daily activities, live music and nightly productions.

Families aren’t the only vacationers who will feel at home on Voyager. Singles, couples and older passengers will also enjoy their time on board. Lots of fun-loving cruisers ages 60-plus were on my sailing, including three ladies I overheard discussing plans to hit the waterslides later that day.

Our sailing was fully booked, but apart from occasional bottlenecks along the Royal Promenade and a few queues during peak meal and show times, crowds were well-controlled. Traffic along the Royal Promenade flowed smoothly most days. However, when shops lined tables brimming with merchandise down the center, passengers flocked like moths to a flame, making the area feel cramped.

Additionally, the Cafe Promenade seating area felt tight, with little room between tables. Some of the tables were butted up against the full-size prop car and British-style phone booth. It gave the impression that tables and chairs were shoved together to provide space for a special event and were never put back where they belonged. Still, I never felt claustrophobic during our sailing.

Voyager of the Seas cabins and suites

Cruisers have a bevy of options on Voyager when it comes to accommodations. Four main varieties include inside windowless cabins, outside or ocean-view rooms, balcony cabins with sliding glass doors that lead to a semiprivate outdoor area and spacious suites.

Beyond traditional inside cabin offerings, the ship features inside Promenade View cabins, which look out over the Royal Promenade (ideal for people-watching). Additionally, more than 100 connecting cabins are available on Voyager — great for larger families or groups traveling together.

Do you need room to spread out, or are you seeking an exclusive cruise vacation experience? You have lots of choices for extra-spacious accommodations on this ship. These include a 277-square-foot Junior Suite, a 381- to 547-square-foot Grand Suite (one or two bedrooms), a 406-square-foot Ocean View Panoramic Suite (no balcony), a 506-square-foot Owner’s Suite and a commodious 1,260-square-foot Royal Suite.

Most suites sleep up to four guests. However, the Ocean View Panoramic Suite sleeps up to six guests, and the two-bedroom Grand Suite can accommodate up to eight people.

Suite guests enjoy perks such as priority check-in, boarding and departure, reserved seating at onboard shows and VIP main pool deck seating. Passengers in Grand Suites and above can also access the exclusive Suite Lounge on Deck 14 with daily complimentary continental breakfast and beverages, plus a private outdoor area. Voyager does not have Coastal Kitchen, the exclusive included-in-fare restaurant for suite guests.

My husband and I booked a balcony “guarantee” cabin, which means we selected the type of room we wanted (a balcony) but let Royal Caribbean decide where on the ship it would be. We were completely satisfied with our aft cabin (near the back of the ship) on Deck 6. I had prepared myself for a fully obstructed view, but I was pleasantly surprised. While our balcony overlooked one of the lifeboats below, we had a clear view of the open sea and beyond.

Our balcony was a bit more enclosed than a traditional balcony, but I actually enjoyed it. The thicker dividing walls provided a bit of privacy you don’t generally have with typical balconies. Often, noise and loud conversations from my cabin neighbors cause me to curb my time spent on my cruise balcony.

Our cabin was outfitted with one king-size bed that you could separate into two twin beds. (Some balcony cabins feature a fold-down Pullman bed that can sleep up to three people.) The mattress was extremely firm. At first blush, I feared it would be too hard for me to be comfortable, but I slept well every night and woke up refreshed.

Our living area had a three-seat couch positioned opposite the vanity and cabinet area. Several drawers and additional shelves in the closet provided ample storage for all our clothes, shoes and camera equipment (chargers, tripod, zoom lens, etc.).

The bathroom included an enclosed shower, mirrored medicine cabinet-style storage, bar soap and a trial-size version of Royal Caribbean-branded toiletries (lotion, shower gel, shampoo and an amenity kit). A dispenser filled with all-in-one hair and body wash was mounted in the shower.

Our cabin did show signs of its age — bits of peeling paint, a few dings on the wall and a wonky cabinet door. These imperfections were easy to overlook, thanks to our amiable and efficient cabin steward, Jennifer, who meticulously maintained our room.

Additionally, Voyager of the Seas offers 26 accessible rooms in various cabin configurations, which are more spacious and have wider doorways and entryway ramps. The cabins also feature amenities such as roll-in showers with benches, lower toilets and sinks, plus lower closet bars.

Voyager of the Seas restaurants

Complimentary dining options on Voyager of the Seas include the main dining room, which serves breakfast, dinner and lunch on sea days; the Windjammer Marketplace buffet (breakfast, lunch and dinner); pastries, mini sandwiches and pizza served at the Cafe Promenade; and free ice cream at Sprinkles on Deck 11. Overall, the food was fine — the main dining room dishes and buffet offerings were hit or miss, but the pizza was consistently delicious.

The main dining room menu included a variety of dishes for every palate, even offering at least one vegan dish each night. We ate two meals here — one dinner and one breakfast. (I had planned to have dinner in the main dining room our last night, but I ended up not feeling well and had to skip dinner altogether.)

My dinner (Caesar salad, escargots and herb-crusted salmon) was a bit of a mixed bag. The escargots appetizer was on point, but my salmon was overly salty and a bit dry. Service was stellar, though, thanks to Vince and Ronnie. During our meal, a pianist serenaded us with live classical music (offered most nights), which elevated our dining experience.

Breakfast in the main dining room was a lovely alternative to the buffet at Windjammer Marketplace. It was quieter and less crowded, and my coffee cup stayed filled without my having to move an inch. Both our main dining room breakfast dishes — made-to-order omelets and eggs Benedict — were tasty.

Windjammer Marketplace offered standard buffet fare across several stations — salads, sandwiches, chicken, seafood and the like. A selection of international cuisine was also available (curries, pasta, fried rice and other items). I tried several different items over two lunches, with varying degrees of success.

Grilled vegetables and fish were solid, but my made-to-order veggie burger lacked flavor. My husband raved about the chicken strips. He also sampled the lasagna and a few different pastas at dinner and reported favorably. Windjammer on Voyager closes shop at 9 p.m., so if you get the munchies after that, your only option is a mini sandwich or slice of pizza at Cafe Promenade (open 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.)

Voyager is home to three specialty restaurants serving dinner nightly, with lunch seating on sea days. We sampled all three and had consistently fantastic meals.

Izumi was our first dinner on board, setting our expectations pretty high for the remainder of the cruise. It was tucked away on a corner of Deck 14 opposite the Suite Lounge, providing an intimate atmosphere. We shared the dining room with only a handful of other guests, adding to the serene vibe.

This sushi and Asian-fusion restaurant was hands-down one of the best sushi meals I’ve had on land or sea. The rolls were fresh and flavorful, and our server, Mary, ensured we lacked nothing for a fantastic dining experience. Cruisers can purchase menu items a la carte or opt for the prix fixe menu ($40 per person). The prix fixe option comes with one small plate (salads, soups and appetizers), two large plates (sushi, sashimi rolls, ramen and poke bowls) and one dessert.

Our meal at Chops Grille was another highlight. From the shrimp cocktail and crispy goat cheese salad to the grilled Atlantic salmon and filet mignon — every course was top-notch. (If you’re a botanical-forward cocktail fan, the lavender vodka martini is a must.) The cost for a meal here is $63 per person.

We also had a delectable dinner at Giovanni’s Table ($48 per person), the ship’s specialty Italian restaurant. We enjoyed nearly perfect seafood linguini and pasta Bolognese. Whatever you order, don’t pass up the tiramisu.

You can book a private Chef’s Table experience, which features a six-course meal and wine pairing. It takes place on a mezzanine-type landing between levels 4 and 5 of the main dining room.

Purchase specialty and boozy coffees at Cafe Promenade, which serves Starbucks brand coffee. Unlike at the stand-alone Starbucks outposts on other ships, drinks here fall within beverage package options. Room service is also available, and carries a service fee of $7.95 per order, but continental breakfast (coffee, pastries, cereal and fruit) is free.

For-fee treats are available at Scoops by Sugar Beach (on Deck 5 at Cafe Promenade area). I got confused because the Cupcake Cupboard was listed on both the mobile app and the ship’s deck plans on Royal Caribbean’s website, but was nowhere to be found on the ship. I inquired at guest services and was told it had been removed, but cupcake-decorating classes are sometimes offered in Giovanni’s.

Voyager of the Seas bars and lounges

Voyager of the Seas is chock-full of places to get your drink on. The Pig & Whistle, the line’s British-style pub, was a cozy spot along the Royal Promenade for a pint or a cocktail. Most folks on our sailing seemed to prefer imbibing and people-watching at the tables just outside the pub. Often, those tables were full, while only a couple of tables were taken inside.

I enjoyed the decor in the Pig & Whistle, but the atmosphere would have felt more authentic if they occasionally swapped the loop of pop-rock tunes with some traditional Irish music. A singer-guitarist performed from time to time, which added to a pub-type ambience, even if her repertoire consisted of acoustic versions of pop songs.

The Schooner Bar was the hub for trivia games and other onboard competitions, plus live piano music a few times throughout the day. It was also home to a darn good “Sea & T” (gin, Lagoon Bay liqueur, simple syrup, lemon juice and tonic water).

The Sky Bar and Pool Bar were top-deck options for a poolside rum punch or watermelon margarita, while the R Bar on the Promenade on Deck 5 seemed to be a favorite hangout for many passengers during our cruise. A handful of other bars are located throughout the ship in or near high-traffic venues such as the theater and the casino.

If you have Diamond, Diamond Plus or Pinnacle status with Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program, you can hang out in the exclusive Crown Lounge. Guests can enjoy complimentary light bites throughout the day, a dedicated concierge and other perks. The Crown Lounge is located beside the Star Lounge venue on Deck 5.

In a fun nod to modern trends, every bar menu on the ship included a mocktails section. Schooner Bar’s Berry Press (strawberry and lavender syrup, lemon juice and club soda) was wonderfully refreshing, the perfect balance of sweet and tart.

As with any Royal Caribbean cruise, you can buy your drinks a la carte or purchase one of the line’s drink packages, which can save you money if you plan to drink a lot of sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees or alcohol.

Voyager of the Seas activities

Voyager of the Seas is the ideal ship for passengers who like to stay active, but don’t want to be inundated with options. Ours was a warm-weather sailing, so naturally, the top decks saw a lot of action. On the main deck, two pools were separated by a deck area, which seemed to help manage crowd congestion on busy sea days. Four hot tubs (two large shaded and two smaller ones) offered more ways to enjoy the water.

Nearby, the 18-plus open-air Solarium pool area was home to a decent-size pool, two hot tubs and a bar. Loungers and cabana chairs were plentiful, but most were claimed by 8 a.m.

If you crave more action, head to the back of the ship to jet down the two Perfect Storm waterslides, hit the waves on the FlowRider surf simulator or scale the rock-climbing wall. The sports court is the spot for volleyball, pickleball, basketball and soccer games. Additionally, the ship’s miniature golf course was a popular pastime for families during our sailing.

Related: The wildest attractions you’ll find on a cruise ship

Indoors, Voyager of the Seas’ modest spa houses a hair salon, nail studio and 10 treatment rooms for massages (including a couples massage room). It lacks a thermal suite area (no sauna or steam room), but locker rooms and showers are in the adjoining fitness center.

In the fitness center, passengers can use a variety of cardio equipment (treadmills, Peloton bikes and elliptical machines), plus free weights and exercise balls. Prefer your exercise with a touch of sea air? Hit the jogging track on Deck 12 (six laps equals 1 mile). Portions of the track are flanked by rows of lounge chairs that fill up with sun worshippers oblivious to your running pace. I witnessed a few near crashes.

In the Royal Theater, don’t miss productions such as “Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme,” which showcases songs from Broadway favorites like “West Side Story,” “Chicago” and “Dreamgirls.” The show-closing duet of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” was so good that it gave me full-body chills.

Other headliner acts on our cruise included a comedian and juggler; these guest performers vary from sailing to sailing. I missed the comedy show but thoroughly enjoyed the juggler, Mr. Edge. Fun fact: He began his career as one of the original jugglers for the inaugural sailing of Voyager of the Seas over 25 years ago. This sailing was his first time returning to a Royal Caribbean ship. Talk about a full-circle moment.

I was also wowed by “Ice Odyssey,” the ice-skating show in Studio B. The costumes, choreography and impressive tricks kept my eyes glued to the ice. In addition to watching impressive ice-skating productions, passengers can take a spin around the ice during all-skate sessions offered a handful of times every day (no fee, but reservations are required).

Additional highlights for me included laser tag, which took place in Studio B. We bobbed and weaved through inflatable obstacles in a battle for world domination. It’s free to play, but you must reserve your spot.

I was surprised at what a hot commodity the card room/library was. Every time I popped in, at least three or four groups were playing board games, cards or working puzzles. On sea days, every table was filled.

Families had many opportunities to have fun together with activities such as selfie scavenger hunts, bingo and family karaoke time (which provided several versions of “Let it Go” for your listening enjoyment). Live music was also available in the Royal Promenade, and in bars and lounges at various times of the day.

Voyager’s for-fee arcade is located near the Adventure Ocean kids club area on Deck 12. If you’re into a different kind of gaming, the ship has a casino, offering poker, blackjack, slot machines and other ways to test your luck.

Other activities that might be on the daily planner include arts and crafts sessions, dance classes, sports competitions, pool games, live music and scavenger hunts. Health and beauty, jewelry and art seminars are also popular, and you can participate without making a purchase in the end. We had a blast testing our trivia skills (we failed), learning how to make adorable towel animals and watching our shipmates channel their inner Beyonce during karaoke in the Star Lounge.

Voyager of the Seas itineraries and pricing

Voyager of the Seas is currently sailing to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from Port Canaveral (Orlando) in Florida.

In May, it will reposition to Europe and sail Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries from several ports in Greece, Italy and Spain through the fall. The ship will then make its way to Brisbane, Australia, via Africa and Asia. It will sail Australia and South Pacific cruises during the winter and into the spring, then reposition to Seattle by way of Hawaii.

In summer 2026, Voyager will swap the Mediterranean for the Last Frontier, sailing seven-night round-trip Alaska itineraries from May through September from Seattle.

At the time of writing, fares started at $617 per person for a five-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. A seven-night Western Mediterranean sailing started at $1,062 per person; seven-night Alaska sailings started at $789 per person. (All rates are for inside cabins and are based on double occupancy.)

Voyager of the Seas for families

Families can have a ball on Voyager of the Seas. Its Adventure Ocean kids club offers free organized activities (games, arts and crafts, etc.) for cruisers ages 6 to 12. The Royal Babies and Tots program provides drop-off childcare (for a fee) for children ages 6 months to 3 years. Additionally, after-hours childcare (from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.) is available for ages 6-12 for $10 per hour, per child.

Teens (ages 13-17) can chill out in their designated area, the Living Room, which features a cool outdoor patio space called the Back Deck.

Voyager of the Seas accessibility

In addition to the accessible rooms mentioned previously, Voyager of the Seas has several features to accommodate passengers with limited mobility. All public spaces on the ship are accessible, with gradual inclines at entrances and wide hallways. Most doors are automatic, and special accessible public restrooms with automatic doors are located throughout the ship (although not all public restrooms are accessible).

While there is no elevator to the Skylight Chapel on Deck 15, a motorized stair lift chair is provided. The main pool and a whirlpool on Deck 11 are both equipped with lifts.

Bottom line

Voyager of the Seas is a great fit for cruisers who want to test the waters of attraction-filled Royal Caribbean ships without being overwhelmed with too many choices.

The ship might not have a skydiving simulator or zip line, but its thrilling dual waterslides, rock-climbing wall and other attractions will keep kids and fun-loving adults entertained. Add to that solid dining options, lively bars, fantastic theater and ice-rink productions and a variety of daily activities, and you likely won’t be missing the extra attractions or the crowds of Royal Caribbean’s more gigantic ships.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories: