Is Royal Caribbean the best cruise line for first-time cruisers?

Cruising for the first time can be daunting. We investigate if Royal Caribbean will make your maiden voyage a memorable experience, for all the right reasons.

You can do a short cruise to try before you buy

It’s no secret that cruising is not for everyone. But it has appeals that may surprise and delight more people than give it credit. In other words, cruising could be just your ticket.

Probably the most nerve-racking part of joining a cruise for the first time is the thought of being ‘stuck’ on a ship if you’re not enjoying yourself. Royal Caribbean’s sampler cruises are just the ticket to discovering if you’re a cruiser or not. Departing from Sydney, these two- and three-night cruises simply head out into the South Pacific Ocean and back to Sydney, giving you a couple of days to explore the ship and see what cruise life is all about. And if it doesn’t, er, float your boat, then you are back on land in no time. But for many, it’s the start of a whole new world of exploration and three nights is simply not enough! It’s important to remember that it gives you a taste of the experience but not the entire experience – it only gets better from these starter cruises when you get to explore different destinations and have more time to enjoy the entire ship experience.

You are never going to be bored when on board

Aerial view of Anthem of the Seas out at sea — *Anthem of the Seas* will be making its debut in Australian waters in 2025. (Image: Supplied)

Royal Caribbean’s fleet is the biggest in the world and has been at the forefront of turning the ship experience into a resort destination in its own right… and no, we’re not talking just bingo and buffets. In Australian waters, cruisers will get to travel on board Anthem of the Seas or Voyager of the Seas.

Anthem of the Seas debuts in Sydney in November 2025, offering 24 holidays from short getaways to longer journeys to New Zealand, South Pacific islands and beyond. It will be the largest ship in the Southern Hemisphere during the season. It is part of Royal Caribbean’s newest class of ships (Quantum Class), which takes the entertainment to an even higher level of wonder. The rock climbing wall, kid-friendly water park and FlowRider surf simulator are just the start. The North Star observation pod soars 90 metres into the sky, and then there’s the skydiving simulator RipCord by iFly. In the full-size indoor basketball court, you can jump into bumper cars, roller skating and trapeze circus school. Plus the tranquil adults-only Solarium, luxury spa facilities, the ‘We Will Rock You’ musical, and extensive dining and activity options. Bored? We think not.

The North Star observation pod provides breathtaking views of the ocean.

Voyager of the Seas returns Down Under in December, sailing from Brisbane with 20 different itineraries. The ship underwent a US$97 million refurbishment in 2019, adding several new features, including the Perfect Storm duo of racer waterslides – Typhoon and Cyclone – that is sure to keep kids entertained for hours. The reinvigorated Vitality Spa and redesigned kids and teens spaces, and 72 new inside and balcony staterooms, a Suite Lounge and outdoor area – exclusively for guests in Grand Suites and above.

Perfect Storm — The perfect storm is new to Royal Caribbean’s *Voyager of the Seas*.

You don’t have to cook and clean

In a world where holiday home rentals are all the rage, it’s nice to have a (real) holiday where all the boring day-to-day chores (i.e. cooking and cleaning) are done for you. Royal Caribbean prides itself on award-winning service. From the moment you board to the moment you disembark, you’ll be well looked after by your stateroom attendant who does a daily housekeeping and turndown service and your dedicated waiter in the main dining room who will know your dietary requirements and preferences. Of course, there are hundreds of other staff members onboard who are there to help you with any questions or needs during your cruise.

You will bond as a family

Bumper cars, Ovation of the Seas — *Anthem of the Seas* has a bumper car track, a full-size basketball court and a trapeze circus school space in one.

This is at the heart of the Royal Caribbean experience: giving families the time and choice of activities to have fun together. You are spoilt for choice with family-friendly activities onboard – and it’s all designed to make sure big kids and little kids will have fun.

Spend time splashing about in the different pools onboard; watch a film together in the dive-in movie theatre; let the kids burn energy at H2O Zone water park (Anthem of the Seas only); challenge each other on the rock climbing wall; play a round of mini golf; have fun with old-school arcade games; enjoy a Broadway-style show together; see who can stay standing the longest on the FlowRider; or partake in a number of fun classes such as jewellery making, cupcake baking, and the art of folding towels (into goofy-looking animals, not Marie Kondo-style).

You won’t have to worry about the kids

Ovation of the Seas Wave Rider — The wave rider onboard Anthem of the Seas.

Happy kids, happy everyone, right? And let’s be honest, the kids want to do their own things without Mum or Dad from time to time. And if that can be guilt-free for mums and dads then that’s even better (if not the Holy Grail). Royal Caribbean’s kids’ programs are designed to give Mum and Dad a break while entertaining the offspring with fun and immersive activities.

Kids aged three to 11 will love the Adventure Ocean program, which blends fun with education through science, art, imaginative play, storytime and more. Teens won’t get bored in their own dedicated area that has a 3D theatre, an arcade with classics such as Pac-Man and table hockey, a lounge and a dance floor. Meanwhile, the Royal Babies and Royal Tots program is an interactive 45-minute session for your littlest loves, aged six to 36 months.

Trapeze, Seaplex, Ovation of the Seas — The trapeze onboard *Anthem of the Seas* in action.

You see a different destination every day without having to do anything

That’s the beauty of cruising. You only have to unpack once while visiting new places almost every day. Stick to the homeland with Australia-based cruises such as the Queensland coast, which stops in Brisbane and Airlie Beach, or head down south on a cruise to Tasmania, visiting Hobart and Melbourne.

Say hello to our neighbour with a cruise to New Zealand and wake up in places such as the picturesque ‘Sounds’ (Milford, Doubtful and Dusky), NZ’s only French settlement Akaroa and the capital Wellington. Or if you have more of a penchant for tropical weather, there are a number of South Pacific cruises, which include ports such as Noumea in New Caledonia, Mystery Island in Vanuatu, and Lifou in the Loyalty Islands.

You don’t have to spend any money on board if you don’t want to

Everything you need onboard is included: meals in the main dining room and the buffet; juice, tea and coffee; entertainment such as Broadway-style shows, live music and comedy, lounge games and contests; activities such as rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf and even the FlowRider; as well as access to the fitness centre and kids’ clubs.

But if you do, it’s really easy to keep track

All onboard expenses are charged to a SeaPass account, which you can monitor on the TV in your stateroom or at the guest services desk. It’s also best to pre-pay for your optional extras (shore excursions, spa treatments, even alcoholic drinks packages) beforehand.

You don’t have to dress up

The general dress code for Royal Caribbean is casual; you’re on holiday, so shirts, shorts and thongs are totally acceptable during the day. For dinner, take it up a notch to smart casual – i.e. no shorts or thongs. There are formal nights on each cruise, but this refers only to the main dining room and is a suggested dress code. Theme nights, such as toga, disco and masquerade, are also optional.

You can digital detox…. or not

Of course, there’s wi-fi onboard all Royal Caribbean ships (at a cost), and it’s considered ‘the fastest at sea’. Or you can go old-school and head to the internet cafe onboard. Alternatively, you can choose to live the life of a seafarer and disconnect completely. Some digital detoxing needs to be done on a cruise, right?

You will get some peace and quiet

Vitality Spa, Voyager of the Seas — The Vitality Spa onboard *Voyager of the Seas.*

Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships may look busy, but there’s definitely some chill-out zones where you can get some peace and quiet. The adults’ only Solarium is positioned at the front of every ship, and comprises swimming pools, whirlpools, a lounge area… and not a whippersnapper in sight. Or set some time aside and pamper yourself with a treatment at Vitality Spa – try a massage, facial, body wrap, or a more intensive medi-spa treatment. If you fancy curling up and reading a good book, head to the ship’s library – perfect for days when the weather’s not so good.

You can stay active while cruising

Your active life doesn’t need to be thrown overboard when you go cruising, and fitness fanatics won’t be disappointed onboard Royal Caribbean. Each ship boasts a fitness centre with a selection of group classes, including yoga and spin, as well as equipment to do your own thing. There’s also a running track on the top deck and rock climbing if you want some fresh air while working out. If you prefer to do something a little more fun, hit up the FlowRider surfing simulator; take a dance lesson; and choose more active shore excursions such as snorkelling, scuba diving, hiking or bike riding.

You don’t have to eat at the buffet

Contrary to popular belief, onboard dining is not just buffets. Royal Caribbean’s dining offering spans different cuisines and styles, from the main dining room where you are served cuisine inspired by the destination you’re visiting to the casual Windjammer Cafe (AKA your buffet) to snacks such as hot dogs, pastries and sandwiches. There are also specialty restaurants (our favourites) where you can dine at an additional cost, including Izumi (Japanese cuisine), Chops Grill (American steakhouse), Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver (Anthem) and 1950s-style diner Johnny Rockets (Voyager).

Jamie's Italian, Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines — Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has opened his Jamie’s Italian restaurant onboard the Quantum class of ship (*Anthem of the Seas* in Australia).

You know your holiday is going to help the oceans

What can be better than cruising with a conscience? Royal Caribbean has partnered with WWF Australia to protect the Hawksbill turtle, a critically endangered species found in the Great Barrier Reef, among other coral reefs around the world. Royal Caribbean is working alongside WWF Australia to educate passengers, as well as working towards other sustainability goals to protect the world’s oceans.

What are you waiting for?

Check out the available itineraries from Royal Caribbean for Aussie cruisers. And make sure you have checked out our advice on how to book your first cruise.

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Is this the best cruise line for first-time cruisers?