Love cruise ship solariums? Try these Royal Caribbean ships
Resort-style pools are a big part of the onboard experience on most any cruise ship, especially if you're sailing with Royal Caribbean. The cruise line's Icon Class cruise ships feature seven pools for different vibes, with an even bigger selection of pool areas coming to Hero of the Seas, launching from Miami in 2027.
Although Icon Class ships feature maximum swim space across family pools, sprawling swim-up bars, and adults-only infinity pools overlooking the ocean, they don't offer one type of fan-favorite cruise ship pool area - a solarium.
When Royal Caribbean introduced infinity pools on the Icon Class, it redefined the vibe of its adults-only pool area from a solarium, a relaxing, glass-canopied oasis, to a suspended infinity pool with a beach club feel. Despite the unique experience that the Icon Class infinity pool offers, the traditional solarium appeals more to some cruisers seeking a tranquil, adults-only cruise ship retreat.
Which cruise ships offer the best experience for those who want to enjoy the serenity of a solarium at sea? Royal Caribbean cruisers recently shared their opinions on that in a discussion in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit.
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Royal Caribbean cruisers say Quantum Class ships have the best solariums
If spending time in the solarium is one of your favorite things to do on a cruise, you may want to book one of Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class ships - which include Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas. Many Royal Caribbean cruisers say Quantum Class cruise ships offer the ultimate solarium experience.
"Quantum class ships have a solarium like no other. Tiered pools, lots of space for lounging, multiple whirlpools, and the Solarium Bistro is one of the tastiest free restaurants on the ship," honestyseasy commented in the Reddit discussion.
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Along with the layout and spacious feel, the solarium on Quantum Class ships offers an atmosphere that cruisers love because it's fully enclosed to provide protection from wind, rain, and chilly weather - making it ideal for Alaska cruises especially. Not only can passengers enjoy a comfortable, relaxed pool experience in the solarium, they can take in scenic views through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
"The ride from Skagway down to Juneau from the front row of loungers was simply breathtaking for us. And it was too cold for the outdoor pools anyway," AugustWest14 shared about sailing through Alaska on a Quantum Class ship.
Most Oasis Class cruise ships offer semi-enclosed solariums
Royal Caribbean's popular Oasis Class cruise ships are also known for their serene solariums offering fantastic views, but unlike Quantum Class ships, most Oasis Class ships have semi-enclosed solariums that don't provide full protection from the weather.
However, the newest Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, do feature fully enclosed solariums.
Related: Why you should book a Royal Caribbean Oasis or Icon class ship
"The Wonder of the Seas solarium is my favorite. Its fully enclosed so is nice and warm all the time regardless of being in port or at sea. I went on the Allure recently and didn't like the solarium as much because it was semi open it got quite breezy when we were sailing," sjw_7 commented.
While Wonder and Utopia also stand out as excellent choices for solarium lovers, some Royal Caribbean cruisers say the Quantum Class still reigns supreme for overall solarium design and ambiance.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 10:09 AM.