Royal Caribbean 2021 & 2022 Member Review Highlights

Royal Caribbean is back cruising again from the United States! The line resumed operations on July 2, 2021, offering a series of Caribbean cruises from Miami on Freedom of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has since begun sailing numerous ships from various ports all across the country.  

When it comes to cruising, one of the most common questions on everyone’s mind right now is what is it like to sail right now? To help answer this question and provide you with some insight on what the ‘new world’ of cruising looks like, Cruiseline.com rounded up some of our top tips from members who have sailed with Royal Caribbean in 2021. Reviews are separated by the ships that have resumed cruising, so you can better understand what to expect for embarkation, new health protocols, as well as onboard. 

Check back here often - we will continually be making updates as more Royal Caribbean ships return to the seas! 

Freedom of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on July 2, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.2 out of 5 Stars 

Considering the ship was 2/3 capacity there was plenty of room that you didn’t feel suffocated. Overall awesome vacation. - mcycan on Overall Experience

Staggered everyone to maintain social distancing took 15 minutes to walk from my cabin to the curb for pickup, amazing. - Tiredofsnow on Disembarkation

Everything was well planned. The ship was clean, clean, clean, and the small crowds were a welcome change! - FaithfulCalebTN on Overall Experience 

Check schedules and start times of events. For example, the gym has cleaning times when it's unavailable. - Ship Tip by Phildd

This cruise was perfect, no complaints. The staff did exceptionally well in keeping the ship clean. Food and service were by far the best I've experienced. - jenniferdperez8 on Overall Experience

Read more Freedom of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Freedom of the Seas

Serenade of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on July 19, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.0 out of 5 Stars 

I can't say enough about the staff, they thanked us all the time for returning to cruising. They were very happy to serve and went the extra mile every time. - jamesnemeth on Service and Staff

This ship sailed at drastically reduced capacity. It was nice in some ways, but also seemed very empty at times (especially after 10:00 pm.) If you are a "party late-night person" you will be with a very small group of night owls. Also, there is only dancing in the Vortex nightclub, not the usual dancing in the other venues. - Ship Tip by kristenchavez

Overall a nice cruise. They were sailing at reduced capacity due to covid which made it more enjoyable. The staff was very helpful and happy to be working. I liked the safety precautions they are taking now. - laurietmarx on Overall Experience

There were a little less onboard activities, but plenty of sightseeing. - Jamesnemeth on Onboard Activities 

Read more Serenade of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Serenade of the Seas

Odyssey of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on July 31, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.8 out of 5 Stars 

920 passengers with a double capacity of 4800 and full capacity of 5000+ resulted in no crowds, special attention from the crew, and a very unusual but great experience. - bornonthebayou5 on Overall Experience

If you did pre-cruise sign-up, embarkation went very smoothly. - franorphal on Embarkation 

Everything was safe, sanitized, clean, and delicious. Staff was super friendly and caring. - celebrating27thanniversary on Food and Dining Loved the Odyssey of the Seas. It is very modern, with loads of onboard activity options and restaurants. Staff is exceptional, sailing with 1500 passengers seems like the ship is empty. No lines for elevators! This is the cleanest ship I have ever sailed. They are very strict with Covid protocols, masks are required in all indoor public areas except when eating or drinking. It was a great 6-night cruise. - ttrrbb on Overall Experience

Read more Odyssey of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Odyssey of the Seas

Allure of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on August 8, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.3 out of 5 Stars 

This was by far the best cruise I've ever had. The staff went above and beyond and were so excited to have us on board. Embarking and debarkation were smooth and easy, and the health protocols on board made me feel completely safe. The entertainment was fantastic and the reduced capacity was great. - jordananita5 on Overall Experience

Very clean. Full buffet served by staff. Not as much variety as we are used to, but I am sure it's because of the smaller capacity. - buhundsrus on Food and Dining

Smoothest disembarkation that I have ever experienced. - cbg01 on Disembarkation 

I highly recommend cruising right now. I felt very safe, and the low passenger numbers made everything about it very easy. - danlashoutlookcom on Overall Experience

Read more Allure of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Allure of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on August 13, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.4 out of 5 Stars 

Easy. Have your vaccination card and negative Covid test in hand. Arrive at your assigned time and get right on the ship. Cabins are open at 2pm, but Windjammer opened at 11am. Very easy embarkation. - mamastoagie on Embarkation

All dining places were great, at least five onboard this ship, with plenty to choose from and many portions to have anytime. - Pablitto on Food and Dining

We were off the ship very quickly and our luggage was easy to find. - maryhennecke on Disembarkation

This was a wonderful cruise to a beautiful place. The Ovation of the Seas is loaded with things to do and the crew was friendly. This was my 8th cruise and one of the best even with the Covid protocols. - jeffsmith29568 on Overall Experience
Read more Ovation of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Ovation of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on August 14, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.6 out of 5 Stars 

Due to Covid protocols, the process took a bit longer. However, Royal Caribbean had a very organized system/process that moved the line through adequately. - The1Edge on Embarkation

Very spacious and clean promenade. The ship was easy to navigate. The Central Park and Boardwalk area were phenomenal. The Solarium was spacious and relaxing. - kadidadi4u on Ship Quality

You do notice a difference with the COVID-19 protocols and the reduced capacity, however it still had that cruise feel. Typical activities on deck like the belly flop contest and dancing didn’t happen. Also inside shows were limited. We still loved it and are ready to book again. - jconkel on Overall Experience

I felt Royal Caribbean did a fantastic job of cleaning and observing COVID protocols. The crew was constantly cleaning (everywhere) and the boat stayed immaculately clean during the whole trip. - dlmoore7 on Onboard Activities

Read more Symphony of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Symphony of the Seas

Independence of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on August 15, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.1 out of 5 Stars 

Boarding the ship was quite easy and very safely done. The ship itself was very clean and well maintained overall. Our stateroom was clean and comfortable. - wzebrowsk1 on Overall Experience

Everything looked clean and appealing. - tkrohach1 on Ship Quality

The staff seemed so appreciative of us being there. They could not have done more for us. - cspearman19 on Service

Quick and painless IF you completed sign-in on the Royal Caribbean app. - wjtraveler on Embarkation

Read more Independence of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Independence of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on August 23, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.2 out of 5 Stars 

We enjoyed the shows and appreciated the spaces between groups to allow for social distances. I didn't feel claustrophobic at all. - pdig27 on Entertainment

I really liked the disembarkation. It was quick we did not even realize our number had been called to leave the ship. Everyone has to wait in their rooms until your room tag color is called. We did the second early take your bags no assistance time. Once your color or number was called you went to the 4th floor and showed your sea pass to leave the ship. Once off you had to show your passport and then we left. The process may have taken 5 or 10 minutes. - betty12jackson on Disembarkation

We went on this cruise to get back to cruising after COVID and just relax. The staff was amazing. They were so happy we were there and we were so happy to be there. Just happy to be cruising again. - rdthomas1 on Overall Experience

Read more Mariner of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Mariner of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas - Resumed Cruising on September 5, 2021 

Average Return to Cruising Ranking (As of November 2021): 4.3 out of 5 Stars 

Great ship, wonderful staff. Very friendly and helpful, willing to go above and beyond. - pama63 on Overall Experience

This was the best ever, very organized, everyone got a specific time slot. - MADDC on Disembarkation 

I enjoyed participating in the Fitness Dance Class outdoors on the Sports Court. They were conducted on sea days. Because of social distancing, the capacity of the outdoor pools were for 7 or 9 people at a time. - cko on Onboard Activities

My room stewards and main dining waiters and other ship people are very nice and do the best they can. Made us feel welcome! - NYNJCruisers on Service

Read more Oasis of the Seas Reviews

See All Cruises on Oasis of the Seas

Related Articles:

Explore All Return to Cruising Ship Guides

Have You Cruised with Royal Caribbean? Write a Review of Your Cruise 

Booked on a Royal Caribbean sailing? Join a Roll Call

Find Your Dream Vacation with Royal Caribbean