Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas: Our Honest Review

Have you ever wondered if a cruise is actually the right choice for you? We decided to find it out! In January 2026, it was time for us to say “anchors aweigh” for the first time aboard Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas. Between the excitement and a healthy dose of skepticism, we weren’t quite sure what to expect on this floating giant. In this review we want to give you an inside look at what you can expect when sailing on the Spectrum of the Seas.

We spent a total of five nights on board, following a route that took us from Hong Kong to the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Ishigaki. The itinerary consisted of two port days and two sea days – a perfect balance to explore the ship at our own pace.

The Giant on the Water: Facts review about Spectrum of the Seas

Before we dive into our personal review, here are a few impressive numbers. The Spectrum of the Seas isn’t just a ship; it’s a massive “Quantum Ultra Class” project built in Germany at the Meyer Werft.

To give you an idea of the dimensions:

• Size: At 347 meters long and 41 meters wide, she is actually slightly larger than the US Navy’s newest aircraft carriers.
• Capacity: She can hold up to 4,905 passengers at full occupancy. In our experience, however, it never felt overcrowded.
• Crew: Around 1,550 crew members from all over the world ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Cost: Construction cost a staggering $940 million and was completed in 2019.
• Main Port: Specifically designed for the Asian market, her main port is Shanghai, though she often sails from Hong Kong, as she did for our trip.

Our Experience and Detailed Rating

You want to read more about our experience? Then also have a look on our detailed travel report.

Room & Comfort: A floating home (5/5)
We booked a balcony cabin and were absolutely thrilled. The room was modern, sparkling clean, and surprisingly spacious. We were especially impressed by the clever design and storage space. Thanks to the exterior balcony, we had a large window with a direct view of the ocean and a bed so comfortable we almost forgot to get up in the morning.

Service: Hospitality in English and Chinese (4.5/5)
The service on board was great. The staff was consistently friendly, proactive, and fluent in both English and Chinese. We felt well-cared for and welcome at all times.

Dining: Room for Improvement (3/5)
To be honest, we expected a bit more from the culinary side. While breakfast was quite good, we found dinner in the Main Dining Room to be only mediocre. Surprisingly, the Windjammer Buffet was often the better choice in the evening. The quality of the many snacks available around the ship was also fairly average.

Drinks & Bars: Quality Comes at a Price (5/5)
The cocktails were excellently mixed and of high quality. There are numerous themed bars, including an autonomous robot mixing drinks at the Bionic Bar. However, our favorite was the cozy, nautical-themed Schooner Bar. While prices are a bit higher, you get great quality drinks, often accompanied by fantastic live music.

Activities on Board: A Floating Theme Park (5/5)
If you think a cruise is just about lounging in the sun, you’re mistaken – at least on the Spectrum of the Seas. The range of activities is incredibly diverse. For the active types, there’s a running track on the top deck, as well as table tennis, badminton, and basketball. If you’re looking for something unique, you can try bodyflying (for an extra fee) or hit the bumper cars at the SeaPlex. Of course, they also offer classic group activities like trivia and bingo. The ship features three pools and several whirlpools.
Our only critiques: The pools are a bit small if you actually want to swim laps, and the on-board gym was far too small and practically unusable.

Shore Excursions: (3.5/5)
Okinawa and Ishigaki are scenically beautiful, though the cities themselves are less spectacular. Unfortunately, with the limited time we had, we didn’t get to see much beyond the port cities on our own. We found the tours offered by Royal Caribbean to be significantly overpriced, and even the shuttle buses into the city centers were much more expensive than a self-organized taxi. However, that’s where the challenge lies: in Okinawa, it was extremely difficult to catch a taxi from the port. In Ishigaki, taxis were also rare, but the center was at least reachable within a 30-minute walk.
Tip: Be smarter than us and look into booking a private tour with a local organization in advance!

Entertainment: Broadway Vibes at Sea (6/5)
Yes, you read right: 6 out of 5 points! We were speechless. Every night there were shows that completely blew us away and in fact we didn’t miss a single one. The ship has two theaters equipped with state-of-the-art stage technology. The performers are absolutely professional, and the live bands in the lounges were fantastic.

Our Personal Conclusion

We started as cruise newbies and returned as fans. Despite the minor drawbacks in our review regarding the food and shore excursions, the overall package of the Spectrum of the Seas absolutely won us over. We are actually already looking for our next route!

For us, the days spent cruising were ideal for relaxing. Since we have traveled through Asia many times before, our focus wasn’t on exploring the ports, but rather on enjoying the comfort and downtime on board. For that exact purpose, the Spectrum of the Seas was the ideal choice. However, if you are considering a cruise primarily for the shore excursions, you should think twice whether this specific concept is the right one for you.

Have we sparked your interest? Then take a look at our tips and packing list for your first cruise or get more information on Royal Caribbean’s official website (external link).

Have you ever planned a cruise in Asia, or do you have questions about how things work on board? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to chat with you and hope our experience helps with your next travel decision!