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Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade: What you'll find on this major cruise ship thoroughfare

Sept. 23, 2023
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5 min read
2Photo Jul 27 2023, 2 20 28 PM
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When it first debuted on Voyager of the Seas in 1999, the Royal Promenade was groundbreaking. Royal Caribbean took its central atrium area and expanded it into an indoor passenger artery, complete with bars, restaurants and entertainment. The concept was so successful that other cruise brands have since copied it.

The line retained the Royal Promenade for its subsequent vessels, even turning the area into one of the seven key neighborhoods on Oasis-class ships. It will make a comeback on Royal Caribbean's new Icon-class ships debuting in January 2024.

The Royal Promenade on Allure of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Here's a guide to everything you need to know about the Royal Promenade.

What is the Royal Caribbean promenade?

The outside of a cruise ship karaoke bar with tables and chairs near the entrance, a sign that says "On-Air" and song lyrics scrolling by on LED screens
The On Air Bar along the Royal Promenade on Allure of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

The Royal Promenade is an indoor promenade space that resembles a shopping mall. It's a thoroughfare lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and bars.

The establishments vary by ship, but you might find outposts like Sorrento's, which offers free pizza; Cafe Promenade and Starbucks, which serve specialty coffee and small treats, some for a fee; an English pub, a Champagne Bar or the Bionic Bar, which is manned by a robot; and clubs that host karaoke, trivia and Latin dancing.

On Oasis-class ships, there's also the Rising Tide Bar, another huge innovation for Royal Caribbean when it was first introduced on Oasis of the Seas in 2009. It's an oval-shaped bar that passengers can board before it slowly rises on hydraulics to travel between the promenade on Deck 5 and Central Park on Deck 8. Underneath the bar, a water feature and dancing fountains create an exceptional amount of noise.

The facade of a cruise ship pub called Bow & Stern
The outside of Bow & Stern, a pub along the Royal Promenade on Allure of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Near the Royal Promenade, Royal Caribbean has also stationed the popular Schooner Bar, as well as a photo gallery. Several interior-facing cabins look down over the space.

In general, the Royal Promenade is the main public artery of each ship that has it. In addition to serving as a social hub, it also houses the guest services, shore excursion, future cruise and Wi-Fi assistance desks.

On many ships, it connects key venues, allowing passengers to walk from one end of the ship to the other to reach places like dining rooms and theaters. On Oasis-class vessels, it also serves as a jumping-off point to reach the Entertainment Place neighborhood, where you'll find the onboard casino, art gallery, comedy club and ice skating rink.

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Parades and dance parties take place along the Royal Promenade, often with balloon drops. Events vary by cruise ship.

Related: The best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for every type of traveler

Does it cost anything to visit the Royal Promenade?

There is no cost to check out the Royal Promenade. However, if you'd like to purchase drinks, specialty coffee or snacks from Starbucks or other bars, you'll have to swipe your card.

Which Royal Caribbean ships have the Royal Promenade?

A brick pizza restaurant on a cruise ship with large red sign on the front that says "Sorrento's"
Sorrento's pizzeria in the Royal Promenade on Allure of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Royal Caribbean's Voyager-, Freedom-, Oasis- and Icon-class vessels have the Royal Promenade:

  • Voyager of the Seas
  • Explorer of the Seas
  • Adventure of the Seas
  • Navigator of the Seas
  • Mariner of the Seas
  • Freedom of the Seas
  • Liberty of the Seas
  • Independence of the Seas
  • Oasis of the Seas
  • Allure of the Seas
  • Harmony of the Seas
  • Symphony of the Seas
  • Wonder of the Seas
  • Utopia of the Seas
  • Icon of the Seas

Have cruise questions? TPG has answers:

Featured image by ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.