Voyager of the Seas

Voyager of the Seas is a staple when it comes to Royal Caribbean, being their first-ever megaship, launched back in 1999, that paved the way for the stars and icons we see today. This was the first ship to move beyond just casinos and pools, as Voyager introduced multiple waterslides, a laser tag arena, and even an ice-skating rink - a first in the world of cruising. At the time it launched, it was the biggest cruise ship in the world. It has since lost that title, but is a ship from the late ’90s still a good option for a vacation today? Let’s find out.

What we like about Voyager of the Seas

Voyager of the Seas holds many “firsts” when it comes to Royal Caribbean. It was the first ship to feature a rock-climbing wall, the first to bring an ice-skating rink to sea, and, most importantly, the first to introduce the Royal Promenade, a lively area filled with cafés, restaurants, and shops. In many ways, this ship was the beta version of the mega-resorts at sea we have today. And while it was the biggest cruise ship in the world back in 1999, it doesn’t even crack the top 50 now, showing just how much the theme-park-meets-cruise-ship concept has grown over the past two decades.

Voyager is great for children, families, and those sailing from Los Angeles on a Pacific Coast cruise, or from Seattle if you’re looking for an Alaska itinerary. It offers plenty to do for the price: a simple 3-night cruise from Los Angeles starts at $390, while a 4-night cruise starts at $440. It’s a perfect way to test the waters of the mega-resort experience and see if you enjoy the typical Royal Caribbean vibe before trying the newer ships that have launched in the past five years.

There’s plenty of cool entertainment onboard for families, much of it thanks to a 2019 update that added a dual slide called the Perfect Storm, a special patio for kids to play, new cabins, and an overhauled Kids Club. Add to that the Laser Tag arena, sports court, FlowRider, ice-skating rink, arcade, mini-golf, and rock-climbing wall, and there’s no shortage of activities. Voyager of the Seas may not have a full-scale waterpark, but what it does have is more than enough to keep kids and families entertained for about a week.

Kids will especially enjoy the new Kids Club, which features an outdoor area with chairs and couches for socializing, plus a revamped Adventure Ocean area with a dedicated gaming room. The nursery also received a complete update in 2019 and often earns high praise from parents traveling with toddlers. All in all, Voyager of the Seas is a fantastic ship for kids, not just because of the many activities onboard, but also for the excellent attention to detail aimed at the little ones.

What we don’t like about Voyager of the Seas

Voyager of the Seas was once the biggest cruise ship in the world, but that was nearly thirty years ago. It doesn’t have the same amenities as the newest ships in the fleet, and some areas do feel dated. Staterooms are generally fine, but keep in mind that inside, oceanview, and balcony cabins typically have only about two outlets, so if you need to charge multiple devices, bringing an adapter is a good idea.

Another point that doesn’t get mentioned enough is the lack of specialty dining onboard. Despite being a large ship, Voyager of the Seas only has four specialty restaurants for about 4,000 guests: Chef’s Table, Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille, and Izumi. If you’ve read some of our other reviews, you’ll know these are the same restaurants offered on Vision of the Seas, a ship from a previous class. I believe Royal Caribbean could have added a new restaurant in the 2019 update, especially to set Voyager even more apart from the Vision-class ships.

Conclusion

Voyager of the Seas is a classic and introduced the concept of a mega-resort at sea. For the price, it offers plenty to do and is an excellent ship for families and children. Dining options are somewhat limited, but that’s a minor issue. Chances are you’ll be too busy riding waterslides and fragging your friends in laser tag to worry much about your stomach.