Cruise Lines Owned by Royal Caribbean
Three global brands and two partner brands.
Ask Which Line Fits YouCruise Lines Owned by Royal Caribbean
The cruise lines owned by Royal Caribbean span almost the whole market, from the busiest family resorts at sea to small, all-inclusive luxury ships. In its annual report the Royal Caribbean Group describes three global brands — Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea — plus partner brands run through its 50% joint venture, TUI Cruises GmbH.
Because they share an owner, these brands share some benefits. Loyalty programs have offered status matching between sister brands, and Royal Caribbean’s private destinations are part of many of its Caribbean itineraries. Yet each line is built for a different traveler, which is why it pays to read them separately.
Royal Caribbean: The Resort at Sea
Royal Caribbean is the group’s namesake and its biggest brand. Its newest ships are among the largest afloat, with neighborhoods, water parks, surf simulators, ice shows and Broadway-style productions. Its private island in the Bahamas features on many short Caribbean sailings from Florida.
Suits: families with children of every age, friends who want a packed program, first-timers who worry about being bored.
May not suit: travelers who dislike crowds, lines for attractions or loud pool decks, and anyone who wants a small-ship feel.
Celebrity Cruises: Modern Premium
Celebrity aims a notch above the mainstream. Its Edge-series ships emphasize contemporary design, a wide range of restaurants and spa space, and Celebrity also runs small expedition ships in the Galapagos. Kids are welcome, but the overall mood is more adult than on Royal Caribbean.
Suits: couples and adult friends who want good food and stylish spaces without the formality of luxury lines; travelers stepping up from a mainstream brand.
May not suit: families who need water slides and nonstop children’s entertainment, or travelers who want everything included in the fare.
Silversea: Small-Ship Luxury and Expedition
Silversea is the group’s luxury line, with all-suite ships, a high ratio of crew to guests and an expedition fleet that reaches places such as Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galapagos. Its fares typically bundle much of what mainstream lines charge for.
Suits: experienced travelers, couples celebrating milestones, and anyone who values space, quiet and destination depth.
May not suit: families looking for kids’ clubs, or budget-minded travelers, since the price of entry is far higher than on the group’s other brands.
Partner Brands: TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Through its joint venture the group also has a stake in TUI Cruises, whose Mein Schiff ships are marketed mainly to German-speaking guests, and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a German luxury and expedition line. Most North American travelers will not book these, but they are part of the family picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cruise lines are owned by Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean Group owns three global brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. It also holds a 50% stake in TUI Cruises, the German company behind the TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff) and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brands, which it calls partner brands.
Does Royal Caribbean still own Azamara?
No. Azamara was part of the group until it was sold in 2021 and now operates independently. You will find it in our luxury and independent lines profile.
Is Celebrity just a quieter Royal Caribbean?
They share an owner and some back-office systems, but Celebrity is designed as a premium brand: more emphasis on dining, spa and design, fewer big-ticket thrill attractions, and a generally older, more adult crowd.
Compare Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea
Tell us your dates and who is coming. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will price the same week across the group’s brands so you can see the trade-offs.
Compare the Brands