The Royal Caribbean Voyager Class comprises five mid-sized cruise ships built between 1999-2003, including Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas. These vessels carry 3,100-4,300 passengers with gross tonnage ranging from 137,276 to 139,999 GT and uniform length of approximately 1,020 feet. The class pioneered revolutionary cruise attractions including the first Royal Promenade indoor boulevard, rock climbing walls, and ice skating rinks across all ships. Additional features vary by vessel but include waterslides, FlowRider surf simulators, laser tag, specialty restaurants, and multiple pools with mini-golf courses.
Voyager Class ships operate globally with diverse itineraries covering the Caribbean, Europe, New England, Canada, and Mexico from major ports including Miami, Barcelona, Los Angeles, and Port Canaveral. Despite being over 20 years old, these vessels remain popular for their balanced size—larger than older ships but more manageable than massive Oasis Class vessels. They offer comprehensive amenities including specialty dining like Chops Grille steakhouse, multiple entertainment options, and active cruise experiences. The class represents Royal Caribbean's successful mid-sized ship concept, providing well-rounded cruising suitable for both short getaways and extended voyages.
Ships in the Class
Frequenty Asked Questions
What is the Royal Caribbean Voyager Class?
The Royal Caribbean Voyager Class represents a collection of five mid-sized cruise ships that revolutionized ocean cruising when they launched between 1999 and 2003. These vessels struck the perfect balance—big enough to pack in serious amenities and entertainment, yet not so massive that you feel lost wandering endless corridors.
The fleet includes Voyager of the Seas (1999), Explorer of the Seas (2000), Adventure of the Seas (2001), Navigator of the Seas (2002), and Mariner of the Seas (2003). Each ship carries between 3,100 and 4,300 passengers when filled to double occupancy, making them significantly more intimate than Royal Caribbean's newer mega-ships.
What made these ships groundbreaking was their introduction of the Royal Promenade—an indoor boulevard lined with shops, bars, and cafes that became Royal Caribbean's signature feature. They also pioneered attractions that seem standard now but were revolutionary then, like rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks at sea.
How big are Voyager Class ships?
Voyager Class ships measure about 1,020 feet in length and weigh between 137,276 and 139,999 gross tons. That's roughly three football fields long and tall enough to rival a 15-story building.
The passenger capacity varies slightly across the fleet. Voyager of the Seas, being the first, accommodates around 3,114 guests, while Explorer of the Seas can handle up to 4,290 passengers. This size difference comes from refinements and modifications made during construction of each successive ship.
These dimensions place Voyager Class ships in the "mid-sized" category by modern cruise standards. They're considerably smaller than Royal Caribbean's Freedom, Voyager, and Oasis classes that followed, but they still dwarf most cruise ships from other lines.
What amenities and features do Voyager Class ships offer?
Every Voyager Class ship comes loaded with amenities that were cutting-edge for their time and remain impressive today. The signature Royal Promenade serves as the ship's main street, though it's shorter than the promenades found on newer Royal Caribbean vessels.
All five ships feature rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks—attractions that were practically unheard of on cruise ships before the Voyager Class arrived. You'll also find multiple swimming pools, whirlpools, mini-golf courses, and specialty restaurants including Chops Grille steakhouse and various Italian dining options.
Each ship has unique features too. Navigator of the Seas boasts The Blaster, which holds the record as the longest waterslide at sea. Adventure of the Seas includes a dedicated kiddie splash zone that families love. Several ships in the class offer laser tag and FlowRider surf simulators, though not every vessel has identical attractions.
The variety of dining options extends well beyond the main dining rooms. You'll find casual eateries, specialty restaurants, and grab-and-go options scattered throughout each ship, ensuring you never go hungry or get bored with your meal choices.
Where do Voyager Class ships sail?
Royal Caribbean deploys these ships globally, taking advantage of their versatility and appealing size. The itineraries span multiple continents and cater to different seasonal preferences.
Voyager of the Seas operates from diverse homeports including Stockholm, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Boston, and San Juan. This flexibility allows the ship to offer European cruises during summer months and Caribbean or New England itineraries at other times.
Explorer of the Seas primarily sails from Miami, San Juan, Venice, and Rome, focusing heavily on Caribbean and Mediterranean routes. The ship's deployment strategy maximizes year-round sailing opportunities in warm-weather destinations.
Adventure of the Seas calls Galveston and Cape Liberty home, serving passengers who prefer Caribbean escapes and New England coastal cruises. Navigator of the Seas takes a different approach, sailing from Los Angeles to explore Baja California and Mexican ports along the Pacific coast.
Mariner of the Seas operates from Port Canaveral, offering convenient access to Caribbean destinations for guests visiting from Central Florida or combining their cruise with theme park vacations.
How do Voyager Class ships compare to newer Royal Caribbean vessels?
Despite being over 20 years old, Voyager Class ships maintain a devoted following among cruisers who appreciate their balanced approach to size and amenities. They offer enough activities and dining options to keep most passengers happy without the overwhelming scale of Oasis Class ships.
The passenger-to-space ratio feels more comfortable on Voyager Class vessels. You're less likely to encounter crushing crowds at popular venues, and the ships retain a more intimate atmosphere while still providing the "wow factor" that Royal Caribbean is known for.
These ships work particularly well for first-time cruisers who want to experience Royal Caribbean's signature features without committing to a massive vessel. They're also perfect for shorter cruises where you want quality amenities without spending your entire vacation exploring the ship.
The trade-off comes in fewer dining venues and entertainment options compared to newer ships. However, many passengers find this simplification refreshing rather than limiting.
Are Voyager Class ships still worth sailing?
Absolutely. While they may not have the latest bells and whistles found on Royal Caribbean's newest ships, Voyager Class vessels offer a refined cruising experience that many passengers prefer.
The ships have undergone regular refurbishments to keep facilities fresh and add select modern amenities. The core attractions that made them famous—the Royal Promenade, rock climbing walls, and ice skating rinks—remain as appealing as ever.
For families, these ships provide plenty of activities without the sensory overload that can come with massive vessels. Parents often find them easier to navigate, and kids still get excited about unique features like ice skating and rock climbing at sea.
The global deployment of Voyager Class ships also means you can experience Royal Caribbean's cruise style in destinations worldwide, often with itineraries that work better for mid-sized vessels than enormous ships that face port restrictions.