Last updated on April 23rd, 2026
Are you thinking about going on one of the Royal Caribbean cruises from Los Angeles?
I am here to help you plan a great vacation with some expert insight! We live in Southern California and have taken numerous cruises out of Los Angeles, and Royal Caribbean is my favorite cruise line.
Depending on when you are planning to travel, there are a few options to consider. Four Royal Caribbean cruise ships currently depart from the Port of Los Angeles throughout the year (though typically only two at a time). I am excited to share how the different ships compare and help you decide which one might be best for your cruise vacation.
Royal Caribbean Cruises from Los Angeles: Ships & Itineraries
This year marked a big expansion in Royal Caribbean’s presence in California, with the arrival of two newer, bigger ships adding itineraries from L.A. to Mexico. Ovation of the Seas, launched in 2016, and Quantum of the Seas, launched in 2014, swap out turns cruising from Los Angeles to several different ports of call – meaning you won’t see them both on the West Coast at the same time. Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas are both Quantum class ships and can hold approximately 4900 passengers. They are mostly identical to each other with only slight differences.
Navigator of Seas, launched in 2002 and refurbished in 2019, is a smaller ship offering primarily three- and four-night itineraries. You will also see L.A. to Mexico itineraries on Voyager of the Seas, which is the oldest ship of the bunch (launched in 1999) and very similar to Navigator.
All the ships offer various three to seven day itineraries, with stops that include combinations of Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and Catalina Island. On many sailings, Cabo is an overnight stop, allowing you to enjoy a little nightlife in town which is not something you find on many cruises!
We cruised on both Quantum of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas in recent months. And to my surprise, I liked the smaller, older ship much better.
Keep reading for a closer look at how these ships compare, and find out why – spoiler alert! – I think Navigator of the Seas is the best choice for families cruising from L.A.
First Impressions: Built for Different Travelers
One thing to know about Quantum of the Seas is that it was designed for the Asian market, and you can tell. The ship is big, but we found the design and onboard experiences felt very different from most other Royal Caribbean vessels.
Quantum of the Seas spent its early years sailing from Shanghai, China, with itineraries to Japan, South Korea, and other Asian ports. All signage throughout the ship is bilingual, and the layout emphasizes indoor spaces a bit more than outdoor fun in the sun.
In addition to an outdoor pool and hot tubs, you’ll find a large indoor family pool, plus a covered adults-only Solarium (which we loved, more on that below!). Quantum of the Seas also has SeaPlex — a huge indoor recreation space that hosts activities like bumper cars, basketball, and even roller skating.
These are great features if you’re cruising in cooler weather, but when you’re sailing from Los Angeles to sunny Mexico, you might wish there were more outdoor spaces to soak up the sun.
In fact, one of the biggest surprises for many families is that Quantum of the Seas has no water slides — a big contrast to Navigator of the Seas, which has two large slides that are among the highlights of the top deck.
When we sailed on Navigator of the Seas it was summertime and my son and his friend were with us, so these outdoor features were used daily. I can’t imagine they would have had nearly as much fun on the Quantum or Ovation.
Navigator of the Seas vs. Quantum of the Seas: Dining Differences
Dining is another area where the smaller ship wins for me.
To my surprise, the Main Dining Room on Navigator was a heck of a lot nicer, with a soaring three-story open concept and lots of tables on the second and third floor balconies to enjoy the ambiance. Quantum has several separate dining rooms, each with a different theme, but I found them to be crowded and the ceilings felt low.
Service was exceptional on both ships, and the food was also similar and very good.
On Quantum, we appreciated the second buffet in the Solarium Bistro, which offers breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a more intimate, upscale setting than the bustling Windjammer. We had dinner there twice and found it a nice combination of fancy dining room setting and individual small plates at the buffet so you can try multiple things. Reservations are needed for dinner, but breakfast and lunch are open seating.
Navigator’s recent upgrades brought in Hooked Seafood and El Loco Fresh, two great options for casual meals that still feel special. Both ships offer numerous specialty dining restaurants if you want to spring for a night out, but we prefer to spend our money on other fun experiences and excursions rather than meals.
Remember when I said Quantum of the Seas was more focused on indoor spaces? That extends to dining options, too. While Navigator of the Seas (and frankly every other ship I’ve every sailed on) has a casual dining spot on the pool deck, there is no such outdoor option on Quantum. We loved grabbing Mexican food at El Loco Fresh on Navigator of the Seas. The endless guacamole all day long was literally one of my favorite things!
Want chips and salsa on Quantum? Off to the buffet you go to get them.
One neat thing that Quantum does have that the smaller ships do not is the Bionic Bar. You order drinks and watch as two robotic arms mix your cocktail. Fun to watch, but the options are pretty limited.
Activities & Atmosphere: Outdoor Fun vs. Indoor Energy
Quantum of the Seas excels in high-tech and indoor entertainment. Between the SeaPlex, the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, and the North Star observation pod, you’ll never run out of things to do — especially if you love active, high-energy vacations.
But on a sunny itinerary like Los Angeles to Mexico, Navigator of the Seas simply feels more aligned with the destination. You get more open deck space, more sunshine, and those two huge Perfect Storm water slides that are endlessly fun for kids and adults alike. This ship also has a mini golf course on the top deck, and most of its games and sports are outside, too.
Quantum does have an outdoor pool, but on a sunny day it can get super crowded and hard to find a spot to sit since there are so many more people on board and fewer outdoor recreational spaces overall.
Both ships have rock walls to climb, shuffleboard, a spa, fitness center, kids clubs, game shows and entertainment, a casino, arcade, and lots of cool activities.
On Quantum, SeaPlex offered a myriad of fun activities. SeaPlex is a huge indoor activity space, offering things like a full-size basketball court that transforms into a roller rink, bumper cars ride, and even an archery range. It also has an Xbox Lounge and games like air hockey and foosball.
While you won’t find SeaPlex on the smaller ships, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas both have an ice skating rink. Here you can not only enjoy complimentary open skate sessions on sea days, but also professional ice shows as part of the nightly entertainment. When we sailed on Navigator, the ice skating show was truly our favorite show of the trip!
Cabins
Standard rooms on all Royal Caribbean ships are very similar, but the newer boats tend to be a little bigger. It is nice having a couch in addition to the bed (or beds) in your cabin, even if you just use them to spread out rather than sit. Bathrooms were tight but designed to maximize space.
One cool thing you’ll find on the smaller ships is some of the inside rooms actually have big windows overlooking the Royal Promenade. This might make for a more interesting view than no windows at all, but remember to close the curtains before you get undressed! Also, although I’ve never stayed in one, I have to wonder how noisy it gets when there’s music and live entertainment happening on deck.
If your budget allows, I always recommend opting for a balcony room. They are usually not much more money than an inside cabin, but the extra space, fresh air, and views make it totally worthwhile.
Smooth Sailing from Los Angeles
Los Angeles embarkation days can be chaotic, but I found both ships handled crowds pretty well and we were onboard within minutes.
But on disembarkation day, it felt like it took forever to get off the ship when we sailed on Quantum. With so many more people on board, there were more groups waiting to be called and the public spaces got very crowded.
Similarly, if your ship calls on a port where tenders are needed to transport passengers to land, you’re going to have a longer wait both coming and going on a bigger ship. When we went to Cabo on Quantum, the line to board the tenders snaked through the casino and down a flight of stairs even after our group number was called.
It’s a small thing, but those smooth transitions make a big difference — especially at the start and end of your trip.
Value for Money
Big ships like Quantum tend to cost more, but that doesn’t automatically make them a better value. Unless you’re planning to take full advantage of the ship’s signature attractions (some of which come with an added cost), you might find yourself paying more for experiences you don’t use.
With Navigator of the Seas, you get a slightly lower price point and a ship that feels tailor-made for warm-weather fun. You can enjoy the pools, water slides, live shows, and restaurants without worrying about reservations or upcharges at every turn.
When Quantum of the Seas Might Be the Better Pick
To be fair, Quantum of the Seas isn’t without its strengths. It’s the right choice if you:
- Want the latest tech – like the North Star pod, iFLY simulator, and Bionic Bar
- Prefer lots of indoor activities
- Love the idea of an expansive adults-only Solarium
- Don’t mind navigating crowds for high-energy entertainment
- Are cruising in cooler seasons when the indoor spaces are a major plus
But for a sunny Mexican Riviera cruise out of Los Angeles, Navigator of the Seas delivers a more relaxed, outdoor-oriented, and overall smoother experience.
► If you’re thinking about a cruise to the Bahamas, be sure to check out our guide to free things to do on CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.
Final Thoughts: Royal Caribbean Cruises from Los Angeles to Mexico
Quantum of the Seas may be newer and flashier, but Navigator of the Seas just feels right for sailings departing from Los Angeles. The ship’s smaller size, friendlier vibe, and sun-drenched outdoor spaces make it the better match for warm-weather itineraries.
While Quantum is packed with cutting-edge technology and modern features, it can feel more like a floating resort city. The crowds are larger, the layout more complex, and the onboard attractions sometimes lead to long lines and reservation juggling.
Navigator of the Seas, by comparison, feels wonderfully easy to navigate. On a shorter Mexican Riviera cruise, that convenience matters. You spend less time figuring things out and making reservations and more time actually relaxing.
Sometimes, the best vacation isn’t about the biggest ship — it’s about the right one.
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