All about Voyager Class cruise ships

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class cruise ships can be a nice choice for first-time or seasoned cruisers. They come with plenty to do, see, eat, and drink onboard, and offer a diverse range of itineraries around the world.

In addition, many Voyager Class ships have recently been amplified and are filled with Royal Caribbean’s newest features and amenities. Let’s take a deep dive into the Voyager Class to see what these five impressive ships have to offer.

Voyager Class cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has five Voyager Class ships:

• Voyager of the Seas is the first ship of the class, and she sails from Stockholm, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Boston, and San Juan, offering cruises to New England, Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe.
• Explorer of the Seas is the second ship of the class, and she sails from Miami, San Juan, Venice (Ravenna), and Rome, offering cruises to Europe and the Caribbean.
• Adventure of the Seas is the third ship of the class, and she sails from Galveston and Cape Liberty, offering cruises to New England, Canada, and the Caribbean.
• Navigator of the Seas is the fourth ship of the class, and she sails from Los Angeles, offering cruises to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera.
• Mariner of the Seas is the fifth ship of the class, and she sails from Port Canaveral, offering cruises to the Caribbean.

Amplified ships

The Voyager Class debuted in 1999. At the time, the features, amenities, and size of the Voyager Class were top-notch. In fact, Voyager, Explorer, and Navigator of the Seas were considered the largest cruise ships in the world when they were built.

Over time, though, Royal Caribbean realized the ships could use some updates. Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas have all recently been amplified through Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified program.

Royal Amplified is Royal Caribbean’s program that updates ships’ amenities, staterooms, dining and lounge choices, activities, and more. Because three Voyager Class ships have been updated, you will find many of Royal Caribbean’s newest attractions and activities onboard.

Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas were set to be amplified in 2020 and 2021, but amplification has been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Because of this, these two ships have some notable differences in onboard activities and dining offerings.

Voyager Class size

The Voyager Class ships are all of a similar length, gross tonnage (GT), and capacity (at double capacity):

• Voyager of the Seas: capacity of 4,269 guests, 1,020’ long, 137,276 GT
• Explorer of the Seas: capacity of 4,290 guests, 1,020’ long, 137,308 GT
• Adventure of the Seas: capacity of 3,807 guests, 1,020’ long, 137,276 GT
• Navigator of the Seas: capacity of 4,000 guests, 1,020’ long, 139,999 GT
• Mariner of the Seas: capacity of 4,000 guests, 1,020’ long, 139,863 GT

Activities and things to do

A Royal Caribbean cruise on a Voyager Class ship will certainly not be boring. These ships pack plenty of activities every day of the cruise for guests of all ages.

Waterslides

All Voyager Class ships with the exception of Explorer of the Seas have waterslides onboard. Voyager, Adventure, and Mariner have The Perfect Storm waterslides, a set of racing slides that jet off the side of the ship. They even have clear sections so you can see the water below you!

Navigator of the Seas is home to two slides: The Blaster and Riptide. The Blaster is an aqua coaster where two passengers slide on a raft up, down, and around the ship. It is the longest water slide at sea. Riptide is a mat racer waterslide which curves around Navigator of the Seas.

Ice skating

All Voyager Class ships have Studio B, an ice skating rink, onboard. In addition to ice skating shows performed throughout the cruise, there are set times available where guests can ice skate. Ice skates and helmets are provided for this complimentary activity.

Laser tag

Guests sailing on Voyager, Navigator, and Mariner of the Seas can play laser tag onboard. Also held in Studio B, Battle for Planet Z is a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience. Guests wear electronic vests and break up into teams to face off in the laser tag arena.

Puzzle Break Center

On Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas you will find the Puzzle Break Center. Here, guests can complete a timed puzzle challenge to try and break out of the escape room in time.

Other sports activities and things to do

All Voyager Class ships have both a rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, and mini golf. Each ship has a Sports Court as well, where games like pickleball, basketball, and soccer are complimentary. Other activities such as ping pong and shuffleboard are also available to guests.

Like other ships, activities including trivia, crafts, guest lectures, and live bands are offered on Voyager Class ships.

Pool Deck

The pool deck on Voyager Class ships consists of two side-by-side main pools and several jacuzzis. Each ship also has a Solarium with a pool and two jacuzzis. The Solarium is not totally enclosed, so the pool is in the sunlight and the jacuzzis are in the shade. The pool chairs in the Solarium are padded for extra comfort.

Each ship’s pool deck also has a bar in the main pool area and another  bar on the running track deck which offers nice views of the pool and ocean.

Adventure of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas both have a kids area on the pool deck. On Adventure, you will find Splashaway Bay, an aqua park complete with waterslides and splash areas. On Navigator there is a splash pad area with water sprayers.

The other Voyager Class ships do not offer pool activities for children still in diapers.

Entertainment and Venues on Voyager Class ships

The two main entertainment areas on Voyager Class ships are the theater and Studio B, the ice skating rink.

The main entertainment lineup on Voyager Class ships is as follows:

• Voyager of the Seas: Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme and Music in Pictures in the Royal Theater; Ice Odyssey in Studio B
• Explorer of the Seas: Invitation to Dance, Wild, Cool & Swingin’, and Fast Forward in the Palace Theater; Spirits of the Seasons in Studio B
• Adventure of the Seas: Invitation to Dance, Jackpot, and Can’t Stop The Rock in the Lyric Theater; Cool Art, Hot Ice in Studio B
• Navigator of the Seas: Ballroom Fever and Showgirl in the Royal Theater; iSkate in Studio B
• Mariner of the Seas: Gallery of Dreams and Center Stage in the Royal Theater; Ice Under the Big Top in Studio B

Other entertainment options can be found throughout the Voyager Class ships, from live music to comedians and karaoke. 

Differences between the Voyager class cruise ships

Voyager Class ships share the following dining and bar venues:

• Windjammer Marketplace
• Main Dining Room
• Cafe Promenade
• Chef’s Table
• Chops Grille
• Izumi (sushi)
• Johnny Rockets (excluding Voyager of the Seas)
• Ice cream stand (found at Cafe Promenade)
• Schooner Bar
• Solarium Bar
• Viking Crown Lounge
• English-style pub
• Star Lounge (named differently on some ships)
• Pool bars

Voyager of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Voyager of the Seas has Giovanni’s Table, The Tavern bar, and R Bar.

Giovanni’s Table is a classic Italian restaurant on Royal Caribbean’s ships, with menu highlights including grilled lamb chops, gorgonzola gnocchi, and linguini with clams.

The Tavern bar and R Bar are bars that do not have a strong theme, but are a nice place to relax with a drink onboard.

During the recent amplification of Voyager of the Seas, the Vitality Spa & Fitness Center as well as Adventure Ocean areas were refurbished and modernized. There is a new outdoor hangout area for teenagers onboard as well.

Voyager of the Seas has a total of 1,715 staterooms:

• 691 interior
• 228 ocean view
• 673 balcony
• 123 suites

Explorer of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Explorer of the Seas has Giovanni’s Table, The Tavern bar, and the Connoisseur Club.

The Connoisseur Club is a lounge onboard where guests can relax while smoking cigars. It is one of the few designated smoking areas on the ship. There are few Connoisseur Clubs left in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, so this may be replaced once the ship is amplified.

Explorer of the Seas’ amplification has been postponed, but when she is amplified a variety of new features and activities will be added:

• The Perfect Storm water slides
• Caribbean-style pool deck with hammocks, daybeds, and in-pool loungers
• The Lime & Coconut pool bar
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Playmakers, Johnny Rockets Express, and Starbucks
• Laser tag
• Revamped Adventure Ocean and teen area

These additions were announced prior to the coronavirus pandemic, so they may change.

Explorer of the Seas has a total of 1,715 staterooms:

• 691 interior
• 228 ocean view
• 671 balcony
• 125 suites

Adventure of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Adventure of the Seas has Giovanni’s Table, Boleros, Aquarium Bar, and Champagne Bar.

The Champagne Bar is located on the Royal Promenade and is an elegantly-decorated lounge area that has not only champagne, but other cocktails and beverages.

Despite the name, the Aquarium Bar does not have actual aquariums, but does feature aquatic and marine life decor.

While Adventure of the Seas has not undergone a full amplification process, she does have a few features that are usually only seen on newer or amplified ships. The Perfect Storm waterslides and Splashaway Bay were added in 2016, which offer more fun for both kids and adults onboard.

Like Explorer of the Seas, the full amplification of Adventure of the Seas has been delayed. When the Royal Amplified program restarts, though, many of Royal Caribbean's newest dining venues, bars, and activities are expected to be added to the ship.

Adventure of the Seas has a total of 1,672 staterooms:

• 667 interior
• 242 ocean view
• 638 balcony
• 125 suites

Navigator of the Seas

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Navigator of the Seas is perhaps the most modern Voyager Class ship due to her impressive amplification. Navigator differs the most from other Voyager Class ships in regards to her venues, layout, and decor.

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Navigator of the Seas has Jamie’s Italian, Hooked Seafood, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, El Loco Fresh, The Lime & Coconut, Starbucks, R Bar, Boleros, and The Bamboo Room.

The Bamboo Room is a Polynesian-themed tiki bar with a selection of tropical drinks and colorful decor. Playmakers is the signature sports bar on Royal Caribbean, and the location on Navigator of the Seas features a pool table, shuffleboard, arcade games, and a private viewing area to watch sports. Food and drinks at these venues come at an additional cost.

As far as more formal specialty dining options, guests can enjoy Hooked Seafood and Jamie’s Italian. Menu highlights at Hooked include the messy fish sandwich, baked oysters, and Maine lobster roll. Highlights at Jamie’s Italian include the eggplant parmesan, freshly-made pasta, and meat plank.

There are two pool deck food options on Navigator: Johnny Rockets Express and El Loco Fresh. Johnny Rockets Express offers typical American food like hamburgers and fries, and is priced à la carte. El Loco Fresh is a complimentary, grab-and-go Mexican restaurant with burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and a salsa station.

One of the most impressive features of Navigator of the Seas is her pool deck. Navigator of the Seas has a Caribbean style pool deck design complete with colorful decor, art, casita lounge areas, comfy seating, and The Lime & Coconut pool bar.

She is also the only Voyager Class ship to have hot tubs on the running deck which overlook the pool area. In addition, the top deck of The Lime & Coconut was transformed into a lounge area with comfy seating, tables, and lights.

Navigator of the Seas is also the only ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet with To Dry For. This is a blow dry bar and hair styling salon onboard.

The Adventure Ocean programming on Navigator was modernized during the amplification as well, and features a kid's rock climbing wall as wall as an outdoor deck for teens.

Navigator of the Seas has a total of 1,694 staterooms:

• 670 interior
• 232 ocean view
• 671 balcony
• 121 suites

Mariner of the Seas

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Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Mariner of the Seas has Jamie’s Italian, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Dog House, Starbucks, Boleros, and The Bamboo Room.

Mariner of the Seas shares many of the same dining and lounge venues as Navigator of the Seas.

She is the only Voyager Class ship to offer not only Izumi sushi, but hibachi. Guests can reserve a dining time at Izumi Hibachi, where a chef cooks your meal right in front of you.

She is also the only Voyager Class ship with the Dog House. Located on the pool deck, this complimentary dining venue offers a variety of hot dogs and sausages.

Mariner of the Seas has a few activities not found on any other Voyager Class ship. First is the Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee jumping experience. Here, guests can put a VR headset on and jump up and down on the Sky Pad’s trampolines while playing games in a series of virtual reality simulations.

There is also the Sky Climber, a climbing arena for kids to spend their day climbing up, down, and around on the sports deck. In addition, hammocks and other nice seating are found on Mariner of the Seas.

Mariner of the Seas has a total of 1,674 staterooms:

• 669 interior
• 246 ocean view
• 638 balcony
• 121 suites

Who is the Voyager Class best for?

The Voyager Class ships, although considered “smaller” when compared to newer Royal Caribbean ships, are still massive vessels with tons of activities offered onboard. Not too big and not too small, they are an excellent option for first-time cruisers.

The Royal Amplified program has set Voyager Class ships on par with some of the fleet’s newest ships. Voyager Class ships offer waterslides, FlowRiders, mini golf, rock climbing, pools, live music, ice skating shows, and more. 

Voyager Class ships come at a lower cost compared to Oasis or Quantum Class ships, as well, so they can be a more budget-friendly option for travelers while still providing a modern cruise experience.

Voyager Class ships have elegant design integrated throughout the ship, which brings a feeling of sophistication to the cruise experience. A great example of this is in the Main Dining Room, which were inspired by the design and layout of opera houses.

And while Voyager Class ships offer fun-filled activities onboard, they also offer plenty of areas for rest and relaxation. The Promenade Deck on Voyager Class ships is large and circles around the entire ship. Guests may enjoy walking the Promenade Deck during the day to get away from the hustle and bustle elsewhere onboard.

Voyager Class Tips & Secrets

The helicopter pad, or helipad, is accessible to guests on Voyager Class ships. The helipad can be accessed by walking all the way forward to the ship on the Promenade Deck. This will lead to a flight of stairs which brings you to the helipad. This is a fantastic spot to watch sailaway or relax while onboard.

The Izumi location on Navigator, Voyager, and Explorer of the Seas is on Deck 14 and offers dramatic views of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Select Voyager Class ships have a Peek-A-Boo bridge, where guests can peek into the bridge and see what the ship’s captain and officers are up to. To access the Peek-A-Boo bridge, head to the very front of the Solarium and exit through the sliding glass doors. Walk down the pathway until you reach the bridge.

Voyager, Explorer, and Adventure of the Seas do not have an escape room. Instead, this area of the ship is Skylight Chapel, a wedding chapel that can accommodate up to forty people. Church services are conducted here and this space is open throughout the day for guests looking to relax or pray.

Voyager Class ships offer saunas and steam rooms in the fitness area.