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ROYAL CARIBBEAN ARABIA

• Destinations
• Brochure 23-24

MEET THE ICON OF VACATIONS

Icon of the seas, arrives 2024, this is more than a vacation upgrade. it’s the best family vacation in the world — where you’ll have the time of your life, multiple times a day. introducing the new icon of the seas℠, arriving early 2024., set sail for a first-of-its-kind royal caribbean® adventure onboard icon of the seas℠. brace yourself for the largest waterpark at sea, category 6. or choose from seven pools including royal bay℠, the largest swimming pool on a cruise. and in between, fuel bolder bonding with tons to do for everyone in your crew at the ultimate stay-all-day family destination right onboard, surfside℠. plus, discover dishes to delight every appetite, with 40 dining redefining concepts. only on royal caribbean®..

ALL NEW WAYS TO AMAZE

Icon of the seas℠ brings on thrills never imagined, next-level chill never dreamed possible and a fusion of art and innovation never expected..

DIAL UP THE DARING

Take your best-ever vacation and crank it up — way up. This is a whole new kind of adventure with new thrills that change the way you play for good. Like six record-breaking waterslides and an all-out test of courage dangling high above the ocean.

POOL HOP NONSTOP

Save room for some extra splash. Pick from seven different pools, plus nine whirlpools to satisfy any mood you're in. Or cool off with refreshing cocktails at The Lime and Coconut® bar spanning multiple levels of chill beach vibes.

EVERYTHING BUT THE EXPECTED

Technology and artistry merge on the new Icon of the Seas℠, inspiring awe on a grand scale. From performances that push the bounds of bravery to mixology magic against a background of wraparound ocean views — icons don’t just steal the show, they change the way you see it forever.

STAND OUT NIGHTLIFE

There’s never been a night out like going all out onboard the new Icon of the Seas℠ with over 15 spirit-sipping spots and vibrant live music venues to choose from. When the sun goes down, your night lights up with possibilities.

Or Contact our Reservations Team Middle East: +971 4 331 4299 Saudi Arabia Toll Free: 800 897 1419 Email: [email protected]

Set your sight, on paradise, miami is your gateway to the world’s best family vacation. dial up action-packed adventures or unplug and chill while you explore some the most sought-after eastern and western caribbean islands on the planet. do it all — your way — on the new icon of the seas℠..

WESTERN CARIBBEAN GEMS

Turn up bold adventures at some of the most beautiful destinations in the Western Caribbean. Marvel at lush tropical jungles in Roatán, trek through Mayan ruins in Cozumel — and brave the tallest waterslide in North America at our gamechanging private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

EASTERN CARIBBEAN WONDERS

Unlock the shores of the Eastern Caribbean and max out memories like never before on 7-night getaways. Discover all-out adventure in the tropics on every sailing with stops at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Voted Best Private Island by Travel Weekly readers, it’s a place unlike any other.

RELATED DESTINATIONS

Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. these may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice..

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Icon of the seas: the best dining, amenities and more on royal caribbean's new ship.

This family-friendly megaship features plenty of activities, entertainment and restaurants.

Icon of the Seas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Key Takeaways

• Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, with 18 passenger-accessible decks, eight different neighborhoods and 2,805 staterooms.
• Think of Icon of the Seas as an all-in-one adventure vacation contained on a ship. Young families and energetic travelers will enjoy it most.
• Itineraries originate from Miami , sail to destinations around the Caribbean and include a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island , Perfect Day at CocoCay.

If you have any degree of interest in traveling or cruising, chances are you've heard the buzz around Icon of the Seas. Another record-breaking ship by Royal Caribbean International , Icon of the Seas debuted on Jan. 27, 2024, as the largest cruise ship in the world. It is epic in every sense, featuring 18 cruiser-accessible decks and stretching 1,196 feet from bow to stern.

With greatest-of-all-time soccer player Lionel Messi as the ship's godfather, the Icon of the Seas is truly iconic. Messi brought the entire Inter Miami team along for the opening ceremony and the big reveal of the team's new Royal Caribbean-sponsored jerseys. I was fortunate enough to attend this star-studded ceremony as part of the press preview sailing in the days leading up to the ship's grand debut to the public. It was everything I thought it would be and more, and nobody could have been more appropriate than Messi to send this ship on her maiden voyage.

Boarding a ship of this size can seem overwhelming, but not when you understand the layout. Icon of the Seas is broken up into eight distinct neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Suite Neighborhood and Surfside, a neighborhood built for young families looking for nonstop fun and kid-approved eats and treats.

In addition to these public areas, there are 2,805 staterooms spread across 12 decks. Icon of the Seas' capacity maxes out at 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members, but with the plethora of public spaces and variety of things to do and see, you can choose your own adventure without encountering more crowds than you want to.

Find your perfect cruise

Skye Sherman

Icon of the Seas itinerary

During its inaugural 2024-2025 cruising season, Icon of the Seas offers seven-night eastern or western Caribbean adventures from Miami, stopping at a variety of tropical destinations. All sailings include a stop at Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas . Other destinations include Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis ; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico .

During the 2025-2026 cruising season, new destinations will include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic ; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Labadee, Haiti; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands ). All sailings will originate from Miami.

No matter your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you'll visit beautiful places – but you can expect to feel torn about spending any time off the ship, because it's just that jampacked with things to do.

Who should sail on Icon of the Seas?

Icon of the Seas appeals not so much to a demographic as to a psychographic; you're going to need to be someone who likes to live life in all caps. Royal Caribbean set out to create "the world's best vacation" contained on a ship, so Icon of the Seas is for anyone who would enjoy the combination of a beach trip, a resort stay, a water park adventure and island-hopping.

Fun-loving travelers and families with kids of varying ages will do best on this ship; it feels a little bit like Disney World with over-the-top everything and a truly massive sprawl. Older travelers who prefer a more quiet, refined experience may want to opt for a less kid-friendly ship. Still, even couples without children will find plenty of fun adult-friendly things to do and romantic places to tuck in.

The Royal Promenade can be quite loud and buzzy, but simply relocating to another onboard neighborhood can completely shift the vibe. Also, keep in mind that the ship really is huge, and walking from end to end can be a hike, so those with limited mobility or endurance might want to look into a smaller ship.

Icon of the Seas prices are high in its opening season, but cruisers with big dreams and small budgets can expect rates to drop by the time the next ship in the series debuts.

The stateroom

With a ship this overstimulating, it's imperative that your stateroom is a haven. Luckily, Icon of the Seas offers peaceful rooms, many of which feature ocean or Central Park neighborhood views. Cruise ship accommodations are stereotypically compact – even cramped – but the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in Icon of the Seas' cabins (with the exception of the windowless interior rooms) lend an airy, open feel. The cabin layouts are also optimized to provide the maximum amount of storage, floor space and comfort.

Stateroom decor is mildly nautical- and tropical-themed, with calming hues that mimic the scenery outside your window (think blues, beiges and whites). High-tech elements include smart TVs, LED mirrors and the ability to control many aspects of your room from an app.

My husband and I stayed in an Ocean View Large Balcony Stateroom, a 204-square-foot refuge from the hustle and bustle of the ship (the balcony adds another 65 to 70 square feet). This room type can sleep up to four people with a sofa bed for one or two; the room also features twin beds that convert to a king bed for couples.

My husband is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and we were comfortable in our room, even though our quarters included a large bed, a bathroom, a sofa and a desk. We loved sitting on our private balcony and watching the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean flow by.

If money is no object, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – an over-the-top eight-guest, three-story pad with a private whirlpool on the balcony, three bathrooms, a slide that connects the second and main levels, an in-suite cinema, a dining room and a kitchenette – looks epic. But keep in mind, it costs nearly $100,000 for the week.

The Sunset Corner Suites (about one-fifth of the cost of the Ultimate Family Townhouse, but still expensive) are also pretty sweet, with a wraparound balcony and a bed facing the sea.

Luckily, not all rooms break the bank; with four main stateroom categories (suite, balcony, ocean view and inside) and 28 subcategories, there's something for everyone.

Best amenities on Icon of the Seas

It's almost impossible to run out of things to do aboard Icon of the Seas.

For thrill-seekers, the largest water park at sea – Category 6 – features the Frightening Bolt (the tallest waterslide on a ship) and the Pressure Drop (the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise vessel).

If you've tired of the seven swimming pools, six waterslides, laser tag, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, escape room, sports courts, outdoor decks, theater, spa and all-day programming, simply take a stroll down the Royal Promenade for Las Vegas -style people-watching. The Royal Promenade has 15 restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as a Starbucks that seems to have a line no matter what time you go. The neighborhood feels a bit like a shopping mall … if a shopping mall had floor-to-ceiling ocean views made possible by the world's largest kinetic art sculpture.

The Pearl, a feat of engineering, is one of the most unique aspects of the ship's design. This art piece is actually a load-bearing structure supporting three decks, but it looks and feels like an interactive art experience designed solely for the enjoyment of guests. The multisensory immersive structure has 3,000 kinetic panels and moody ever-changing lighting. It is one of the first things guests will see when they walk on board, as it stretches from the Royal Promenade up to Central Park.

My husband and I spent most of our time at the FlowRider surf simulator – his favorite amenity – but we made sure to leave time for Taylor Swift trivia at Spotlight Karaoke and the superhuman stunts of the Aqua Theater show, a must on any Icon of the Seas voyage. The ship even has a massive ice arena called Absolute Zero for ice skating (the 20-minute sessions are complimentary) and impressive shows.

We also loved lounging in The Overlook Bar & Pods, an area at the very front of the ship (behind the AquaDome) that features two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows. It felt airy and open, which can't be said about many cruise ship interiors.

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Best dining venues on Icon of the Seas

There are more dining options aboard Icon of the Seas than you can fit in on a seven-night cruise – but you can give it the old college try. Thirteen of the dining venues are complimentary, while 14 are specialty restaurants (which cost extra; fees vary). There are also 18 bars and lounges.

The best meal we experienced on the ship was at the Chops Grille specialty eatery. When we spotted Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty and a group of bigwigs at a table next to us, we knew we were in the right place. We loved sitting outside and enjoying the breezes of Central Park while we chowed down, but you can eat indoors for an elegant steakhouse experience and a view of the open kitchen and butcher's display, which shows off specialty cuts like high-grade wagyu and bone-in tomahawks.

While I'd never turn down a swanky steak dinner, grabbing quick poolside bites at El Loco Fresh and indulging in some food hall-style grazing at AquaDome Market were equally enjoyable. We also had no complaints eating several meals at Windjammer, the classic complimentary cruise ship buffet.

Even though we don't have children, we stopped into Surfside Bites for a very kid-friendly meal, complete with soft serve ice cream cones from Sprinkles (because no cruise is complete without soft serve). We didn't try anything from the open-air, lemonade stand-inspired Lemon Post bar, but its menu of cocktails and mocktails looked delicious.

And since you're on vacation, be sure to check out the milkshake bar Desserted, where the sugary creations are as photo-worthy as they are decadent. They're worth the upcharge.

Best excursions on Icon of the Seas

Depending on what's on your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you may be able to book activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, tropical jungle adventures, visits to Mayan ruins, volcano hikes, rainforest zip lining, relaxing beach days or cultural immersion tours.

Note that Royal Caribbean features the same options on many of its other Caribbean cruises; none of the excursions on offer are exclusive to Icon of the Seas.

Because our press preview sailing only visited Perfect Day at CocoCay, we did not experience any of the shore excursions. Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas was plenty of fun, even though we didn't plan anything in advance.

If we had made plans, we would have liked to check out the Up, Up and Away tethered hot air balloon, which wasn't running that day, and the overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club, which were all booked. Thrill Waterpark (which features the tallest waterslide in North America), Oasis Lagoon (the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean) and the adults-only Hideaway Beach are other highlights of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Overall impressions of Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean seems to be focused on superlatives. It has the biggest, best, tallest, largest and most of everything – especially when it comes to Icon of the Seas. If you like jampacked, adventurous vacations that squeeze a lot of adventure and relaxation into one memorable week, Icon of the Seas is probably for you.

While I love seeing Royal Caribbean push the limits of what cruises can be, the ship may almost be too big for some. It's an all-out Vegas-esque vessel that feels more like a floating city; you will probably forget (more than once) that you're not on dry land.

That's not necessarily a bad thing – if Icon of the Seas looks fun to you, it probably will be – but my husband and I tend to gravitate more toward authentic, immersive, on-the-ground cultural experiences when we travel. While Icon of the Seas is a lot of things, it's not that. We had a fantastic time and have already started planning a future Royal Caribbean cruise with a group of friends and family, but we also sympathize with the anticruisers of the world. Vacationing does not a traveler make.

Still, the shows are entertaining, the service is attentive, the music is jamming, and the architecture and design are incredibly impressive. I have no real complaints and suspect that most cruisers will have the time of their lives on Icon of the Seas – exactly as the minds at Royal Caribbean envisioned when they dreamed up this iconic ship.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Skye Sherman has been cruising since childhood, when her parents took her on her first cruise through the Caribbean. She has sailed various ocean cruise lines, gone off the grid for a six-day riverboat expedition deep into the Amazon River and even planned a European river cruise with 48 of her closest family and friends. She's a fourth-generation Floridian and hopes to visit every country in the world during her lifetime. She covers travel and lifestyle topics for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships
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• The Largest Cruise Ships in the World
• The Best New Cruise Ships
• The Best Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Royal Caribbean Cruises

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Icon of the Seas cruise ship guide: Pricing, itineraries and what to expect on board

Editor's Note

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas will make waves when it debuts in January 2024. The ship will carry a number of superlatives: It will be the largest cruise ship in the world, at 250,800 gross tons, with the capacity to carry nearly 10,000 passengers and crew members. It will also be the cruise line's most sustainable ship and the first Royal Caribbean ship powered by liquefied natural gas and equipped with fuel cell technology. It will feature eight neighborhoods (including five new ones) and the largest number of family-focused accommodations in the fleet.

Icon of the Seas will offer many cool attractions, from the largest water park at sea to a high-tech indoor entertainment space for the line's popular acrobatic and diving shows. Passengers may have a tough time choosing between exploring in port and staying on board to experience everything the ship has to offer.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here's everything we know so far about Icon of the Seas' itineraries, cabins and suites, dining, neighborhoods, pricing and more.

Icon of the Seas size

How big is Icon of the Seas? The ship will be 20 decks high and 1,198 feet long and measure 250,800 gross tons when completed. It will carry 5,610 passengers at double occupancy (two passengers per cabin) or up to 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy, plus 2,350 crew members. These stats will make it the largest ship in the world when it debuts.

That's larger than fleetmate Wonder of the Seas, the current record holder for the world's largest cruise ship. To compare, Wonder of the Seas measures 235,600 tons and carries 7,084 passengers at maximum occupancy.

However, Wonder of the Seas beats Icon of the Seas in one specific area: cabins. Wonder of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, while Icon of the Seas will only have 2,805. That's because Royal Caribbean is styling Icon of the Seas to attract more families, with more cabins designed to accommodate more than two guests.

Related: What are the largest cruise ships in the world?

Icon of the Seas itinerary

Icon of the Seas will sail weekly from the port of Miami. Its itineraries will include weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries , beginning with the ship's maiden voyage on Jan. 27, 2024. Travelers can book one of four routings available from January 2024 through April 2025:

• Seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyages with stops at St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay . There are 17 such departures.
• Seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyages with stops at St. Maarten (the Dutch side of the island of St. Martin), St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. There are 16 such departures.
• Seven-night Western Caribbean voyages with stops at Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. There are 31 such departures.
• Seven-night Western Caribbean voyages with stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. There are two such departures.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship

Icon of the Seas pricing

Cruises on Royal Caribbean's newest and largest ship won't come cheap. Expect premium pricing for what is sure to be a highly sought-after ship.

On Aug. 30, the lowest price for an Icon of the Seas sailing was $2,058 per person, based on double occupancy, for an inside cabin. The cheapest balcony cabins started at $2,559 per person.

The most expensive sailing at present is the New Year's cruise, departing Dec. 28, 2024, with inside cabins starting at $3,571 and balconies at $4,646 per person. The inaugural cruise on Jan. 27 is actually more expensive, but inside and ocean-view cabins are sold out. Balcony cabins start at $4,793 and suites at $7,121 per person.

You might wonder if Icon of the Seas' fares are all-inclusive — they are not. The fares include meals in the main dining room, buffet and a handful of other complimentary restaurants; most entertainment and activities; use of the kids club; and basic drinks like standard coffee and tea, milk and select juices at breakfast. You will pay extra for soda and alcoholic beverages, specialty restaurants, spa treatments and select activities.

Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts — and what you can do about them

Icon of the Seas dining

Icon of the Seas will showcase new dining venues and updated spins on guest favorites. From an elevated dining experience to quick bites, here is what you can expect on board.

New Icon of the Seas restaurants

Surfside Eatery: This new family-friendly buffet venue will be in the Surfside neighborhood, next to the ship's play area for young kids and their families. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it'll serve up kid-friendly casual fare, meaning families don't need to trek up to the Windjammer buffet for meals, and parents can grab a quick bite when their kids aren't ready to get out of the water.

Pier 7: Also in Surfside, Pier 7 will offer an all-day brunch menu of California-inspired dishes (think: seafood-forward dishes like smoked salmon benedict and surf-and-turf tacos). It will serve all meals to accommodate both kids and adults.

Surfside Bites: This walk-up window eatery makes it easy to grab quick snacks like burgers, popcorn chicken and cinnamon-sugar doughnut holes.

Empire Supper Club: Designed to evoke an atmosphere of New York City in the 1930s, this new venue offers an upscale experience. Guests can savor an extravagant eight-course meal (think: caviar and wagyu). Each dish is paired with a cocktail created by celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim specifically for Royal Caribbean.

AquaDome Market: The line's first food hall will feature five dining options — Feta Mediterranean (fresh pitas and bowls), Toast and Garden (sandwiches, salads and light fare), Mac's (macaroni and cheese with varied toppings like slow-roasted pulled pork and barbecue sauce), GNGR (Asian dishes like Korean beef and broccoli) and Creme de la Crepe (both sweet and savory options).

Celebration Table: The new private 12-seat dining experience provides an ideal backdrop for celebrating milestone events. Choose from exclusive American, Italian, Asian and seafood menus and enjoy AquaDome's fantastic ocean views.

Izumi in the Park: In Central Park, this walk-up offshoot of the line's Izumi restaurant is ideal for a quick sushi roll snack between activities.

Desserted: Thrill-seekers can enjoy a different kind of rush at this milkshake bar in the Thrill Island neighborhood. You'll find sugary options for kids and spiked versions for grown-ups.

The Grove: Icon's expanded Suite neighborhood will include the new casual Mediterranean restaurant and a multideck outdoor area with a pool and a hot tub, reserved for suite guests.

Pearl Cafe: This new restaurant in the Royal Promenade is your day or night spot for fresh sandwiches or salads.

Returning Royal Caribbean restaurants

The Dining Room: The three-level main dining venue will offer three courses of globally inspired dishes, such as escargot and spaghetti Bolognese, as well as the cruise line's signature dishes.

Windjammer Marketplace: It wouldn't be a Royal Caribbean ship without an enormous pool deck buffet, and Icon of the Seas will have its version on Deck 15.

Sorrento's Pizza: The popular complimentary late-night pizza parlor on the Royal Promenade returns on Icon of the Seas.

Starbucks: You'll be able to get all your favorite coffee drinks, including the seasonal offerings (pumpkin spice latte, anyone?), for a fee at the Royal Promenade outpost.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar: The extra-fee purveyor of pizza, pasta, meatballs and more Italian specialties returns to Icon of the Seas but in a new location. Wonder of the Seas and the other Oasis-class ships feature the restaurant and its wine bar in Central Park, but Icon will house its version on the upper level of the Royal Promenade.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade: Bite into a juicy burger or an outrageous dessert at this extra-fee bar and grill. You can even order signature cocktails that come in football helmets. Icon of the Seas doesn't have a Boardwalk, so Playmakers has been repositioned to Deck 6 in an interior location across from Adventure Ocean and Social020 at the far end of the second level of the Royal Promenade.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi: Another relocated venue, Izumi takes its rolls, sashimi and juggling hibachi chefs to a new and larger Central Park location with more hibachi tables. It will also feature a Royal Caribbean first: Izumi in the Park, an all-day grab-and-go window for sushi takeout.

Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean's steakhouse returns to Central Park on Icon but with a twist. Guests can now choose their own cut of meat from the butcher's display. Also, an open window provides diners with a view of chefs preparing their selected cut.

Park Cafe: This casual favorite for breakfast, lunch and snacks also returns to Central Park on Icon of the Seas.

Vitality Cafe: Icon of the Seas' spa area will again be home to a healthy cafe for breakfast and lunch. Smoothies and fresh juices cost extra.

Hooked Seafood: Found in the new AquaDome neighborhood, this New England-style seafood venue hits the spot when you're craving oysters, crabcakes and lobster rolls after staring at the waves all day long.

Sprinkles: Help yourself to ice cream at this Chill Island poolside lineup of soft-serve machines.

El Loco Fresh: Fast-casual Mexican hits the spot after a day in the sun. Pick up a quick breakfast or lunch at this Chill Island outpost.

Coastal Kitchen: This restaurant, exclusive to suite guests and Royal Caribbean's top-tier loyalty program members, will feature a new two-story layout. It will be in the Suite neighborhood.

Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Royal Caribbean cruisers will have 14 new cabin and suite types to choose from out of 28 total accommodation types. Many of these are family-friendly rooms that sleep four guests; some can accommodate six or eight guests. In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed specifically as family-focused accommodations, though many regular room types can sleep more than two guests.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Inside cabins

The most affordable rooms on Icon of the Seas will be inside cabins . In addition to standard 156-square-foot inside cabins and 178-square-foot spacious interior cabins, Icon of the Seas will offer new 187-square-foot Surfside Family View Interior cabins (replacing Boardwalk View cabins), as well as similarly sized Central Park View Interior cabins. New 157-square-foot Interior Plus rooms feature extra-large walk-in closets.

No rooms on Icon of the Seas are listed as offering the "virtual balconies" found on select Royal Caribbean ships.

Ocean-view cabins

Icon of the Seas will only have two types of ocean-view rooms with a window but no balcony. Its new Panoramic Ocean View rooms are within the AquaDome, offering floor-to-ceiling windows rather than the standard picture window. They will also be larger than the standard balcony cabin at 258 square feet (compared to 160 to 187 square feet).

Balcony cabins

The majority of Icon of the Seas' cabins will be balcony rooms , ranging from 196 to 285 square feet in indoor space, with private verandas of 50 to 70 square feet. The ship introduces four new types of balcony cabins to the fleet.

The Infinite Ocean View Balcony cabin design takes an idea from Royal Caribbean sister line Celebrity Cruises , where instead of a standard balcony external to the ship, the room features a glass wall with a window that can roll down halfway (like a car window) to allow fresh air in. There are also curtains to close off that area from the rest of the cabin to create a veranda-like space.

Additionally, Icon will have an extra-long family version of this room type. The Family Infinite Balcony cabin can sleep up to six people, with an alcove featuring upper and lower beds for kids, a separate sleeping area for grown-ups, a living area and a split bathroom (toilet and sink in one room and shower and sink in the other).

Also new to Icon are smaller Surfside Family View Balcony cabins and Infinite Central Park View Balcony cabins. Central Park balcony rooms, which look out over the interior's open-to-the-sky neighborhood, come in regular balcony versions as well. Icon also features hundreds of standard balcony cabins looking out to sea.

Related: Which cruise ship cabin category should your family book?

Royal Caribbean offers three tiers of suites , and each subsequent tier comes with increasing Royal Suite-class perks and amenities .

Icon's Sea-tier suites include Junior Suites and four new Sunset Junior Suites with expansive balconies.

The Sky tier includes several new suite types, starting with the Surfside Family Suites. These 269-square-foot suites sleep four with a glassed-in living area that can turn into a kids bedroom at night, plus a real 53-square-foot balcony overlooking the Surfside neighborhood.

Sky Junior Suites have the same layout as regular Junior Suites but are high up on the ship's top decks. Guests in these suites receive additional Sky-tier perks (such as access to all the Suite neighborhood amenities), whereas regular Junior Suites come with more limited amenities. Sunset Suites and Sunset Corner Suites feature extra-large balconies and beds that face the ocean rather than a wall.

Panoramic Suites are within the ship's iconic AquaDome structure, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. You won't miss the balcony when you're gazing out to sea while reclining on a chaise lounge placed in front of your glass wall.

The Infinite Grand Suite offers the new convertible balcony design in conjunction with a larger space that sleeps four and includes a split bathroom, useful when multiple guests need to get ready at the same time.

Of the nine top Star-tier suites, only one, the Royal Loft, is on other Royal Caribbean ships. Seven of these top accommodations are new Icon Loft Suites, two-deck-high accommodations with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large balcony with a private dining area and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The creme de la creme of suites on board is the three-deck-high Ultimate Family Townhouse, an evolution of the Ultimate Family Suite that wowed guests on Oasis-class ships. In addition to kid and adult sleeping areas, this 1,772-square-foot top-level suite features an in-suite slide, a movie-viewing room, a karaoke machine and spacious indoor living spaces. It also offers 751 square feet of outdoor space divided among two balconies and a "backyard" with a pingpong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to all the Surfside neighborhood attractions. It can sleep up to eight guests.

Icon of the Seas neighborhoods

Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships feature multiple "neighborhoods" — themed areas of the ship with a mix of attractions and dining, drinking and shopping venues. Icon of the Seas takes that concept to the next level with eight neighborhoods, including three returning areas from its sister ships and five that are exclusive to its new class of ships.

From the lowest deck to the highest, here are the eight neighborhoods and what you can expect to find on board.

Royal Promenade

The Royal Promenade is a Royal Caribbean staple found on all Voyager-, Freedom- and Oasis-class ships. Icon of the Seas will offer a two-deck version of this indoor mall-like space with multiple shopping, dining and drinking establishments.

The area will be home to Royal Caribbean's first double-pianist bar, Dueling Pianos. The two performers will take requests and involve guests in all the musical fun.

On Deck 5, you'll find Sorrento's Pizza, Starbucks, Spotlight Karaoke and the Point & Feather pub. You'll also find The Pearl, the ship's iconic indoor sphere that functions as an artistic stairway, and the outdoor running track encircling it all.

On Deck 6, Royal Caribbean has finally created a second-story Promenade that you can circle completely; on other ships, you run into dead ends. Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, the nautical-themed Schooner Bar and Boleros (a bar and lounge for Latin music and dancing) are here.

Surrounding the Royal Promenade are many of Icon of the Seas' entertainment venues. The ship's Royal Theater is forward of the promenade, and the Absolute Zero ice rink is aft. The Music Hall and Casino Royale are just below on Deck 4, and the Escape Room, Diamond Club elite lounge, The Attic comedy club and fitness center are forward of the promenade on decks 5 and 6. (Note that the fitness center is not attached to the Vitality Spa but is on decks 12 and 14.)

Just above the Royal Promenade, on Deck 7 aft is Surfside, a neighborhood dedicated to young families . It will replace the Boardwalk found on Oasis-class ships. A slide will lead from Deck 8 down to Surfside, and stairs will take guests directly from Surfside to the Adventure Ocean kids club on Deck 6 (as well as the Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade).

Like the Boardwalk, Surfside will be open to the sky and the back of the ship. The stay-all-day destination for kids under 7 and their adult caregivers will feature family-friendly eateries (including a candy store), the Lemon Post bar with a menu of matching kid-and-adult mocktails and cocktails, a carousel, an arcade, a splash area with slides aimed at the youngest splashers and an infinity pool for grown-ups.

The neighborhood is flanked by family-friendly cabins, many of which have windows or balconies overlooking the Deck 7 entertainment area. The epic Ultimate Family Townhouse will even have a fenced-in "backyard" with direct access to the Surfside neighborhood.

Despite its name, Surfside will not be home to Royal Caribbean's surf simulator, the FlowRider.

Central Park

Another open-to-the-sky neighborhood, the greenery-filled Central Park makes a return on Icon. On Deck 8, it will lure adult cruisers to its bars and restaurants for a romantic date night or walk in its onboard park, featuring live trees and plants.

Chops Grille, Izumi Sushi, the Park Cafe and the Trellis Bar will call Central Park home. The area will also feature the Empire Supper Club, the line's new upscale restaurant with a 1930s Big Apple vibe.

Here, guests will also find the new jazz club Lou's Jazz 'n Blues, with cocktails themed to the biggest jazz cities around the world, plus the walk-up Champagne venue, Bubbles, featuring mimosas, bellinis and other bubbly-based drinks.

Additional shopping venues are sketched in on the ship's deck plans, but Royal Caribbean has yet to reveal what stores will set up shop along the park's winding paths.

As on Oasis-class ships, cabins with inward-facing windows and balconies will overlook Icon's Central Park.

Icon of the Seas may not have a Boardwalk, but it will offer its own version of that neighborhood's popular AquaTheater. The AquaTheater — which hosts acrobatic and diving shows in a high-tech stage/pool — will be moved from its outdoor, lower-deck, back-of-ship location on Oasis-class ships to an indoor, upper-deck, front-of-ship spot on Icon.

The theater will be the marquee attraction within the ship's Deck 15 AquaDome neighborhood — if the draw is not the dome itself. The giant 363-ton glass-and-steel dome will offer guests 220-degree ocean views, while the theater will have fountain shows and high-tech features, including robotic arms and computerized winches and lifts for 3D flying (where dancers are flown across the stage as they flip and twirl). Fans of Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships will recognize some similarities to those ships' Two70 high-tech performance venue.

As a neighborhood, the AquaDome will offer dining and drinking venues, as well as cozy seating areas for daytime and evening hangouts. One such spot, the Overlook, is an elevated lounge featuring special nooks (Overlook Pods) and wraparound windows providing fantastic ocean views and easy viewing of the line's marquee aqua shows. Order its signature drink, the AquaDome Spritz, exclusive to this ship and venue. The new coffee shop Rye & Bean will offer morning caffeine hits and evening espresso cocktails.

AquaDome will be home to the previously mentioned AquaDome Market food hall, with five different dining venues. Other dining venues include Hooked Seafood and the intimate Celebration Table, a new private 12-seat dining experience perfect for celebrating special occasions. The ship's unique glass dome has also created several Panoramic Ocean View cabins and Panoramic suites with floor-to-ceiling windows within the dome but no balconies.

Chill Island

Aft of the AquaDome is Chill Island, Icon's main pool area featuring four of the ship's seven pools among its three decks. It will include the line's first swim-up bar, Swim and Tonic, and what Royal Caribbean is claiming is the largest pool at sea. Additional attractions include an adults-only pool, an infinity pool and hot tubs sprinkled throughout the area. The pools and hot tubs are positioned along the edges of the ship, so guests can take in the sea views while soaking in the water.

Cabanas will be available to rent in this neighborhood, but there'll be plenty of free lounge space. Food and beverage destinations in Chill Island include a multistory Lime and Coconut Bar (now with frozen cocktail machines), Sprinkles ice cream, Cantina Fresca (serving margaritas) and El Loco Fresh. The Windjammer Marketplace buffet is located aft of Chill Island on Deck 15.

The Hideaway

High above Surfside, at the back of Deck 15, is The Hideaway — Royal Caribbean's take on a beach club. The main attraction here is the first suspended infinity pool at sea. It's flanked by tiered lounge space, hot tubs and a bar specializing in Champagne and Champagne-based cocktails.

Thrill Island

Icon's go-to neighborhood for adrenaline-pumping activities will be Thrill Island. Found on decks 16 and 17, it's home to all the wild top-deck attractions Royal Caribbean is known for — as well as some new thrills.

The FlowRider surf simulator, Lost Dunes miniature golf, the Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall and the sports court are all Thrill Island staples. Category 6 will be the largest water park at sea, featuring an open free-fall slide, the tallest drop slide at sea, family raft slides that accommodate four riders at once and two mat-racing slides. The Crown's Edge is a ropes course-style attraction based around a giant version of the ship's crown-and-anchor logo.

When passengers are ready to recharge after all those heart-pounding activities, they can grab a drink or bite at Desserted, a restaurant serving epic milkshakes (including alcoholic versions for the 21-plus crowd), and Basecamp, with a walk-up ordering window and bar.

Suite neighborhood

The ship's final neighborhood spans decks 16 to 19. The Suite neighborhood is a mix of many of the ship's top suites plus restaurants, lounges and outdoor areas exclusive to suite guests and some of Royal Caribbean's most loyal travelers. It will be Royal Caribbean's largest restricted-access enclave for suite guests, a la Norwegian's The Haven.

Related: Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society cruise loyalty program: The ultimate guide

The Coastal Kitchen restaurant returns, but it will be two decks high on Icon of the Seas. The line is also expanding its suite sun deck concept into the multistory The Grove, with lounge space, a pool and a hot tub.

1st construction milestone completed

Icon of the Seas successfully completed its first round of sea trials in June. Undertaken in the final months of a cruise ship's construction, sea trials are designed to test a ship's navigation systems, engines, maneuverability, steering, speed and safety systems. Cruise ships must pass sea trials before they can go into service.

Bottom line

Icon of the Seas will be a groundbreaking ship for Royal Caribbean, introducing new venues, attractions and accommodation styles while returning or evolving fan favorites from past ships. Though the ship will be the line's largest, it will employ proven strategies to minimize crowding, though passengers will need to book quickly to obtain their preferred restaurant and show reservations.

The ship has put special emphasis on catering to young families. However, its myriad attractions will provide entertainment for cruisers of all ages and interests.

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• Royal Caribbean

Icon Of The Seas

Former names: icon1, mayer turku nb-1400.

Cruise line Royal Caribbean

• Miami (Florida)

Icon Of The Seas current position

Icon Of The Seas current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 17.28789 N / -62.72581 W) cruising en route to KN BAS. The AIS position was reported 9 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Icon Of The Seas

Icon Of The Seas current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day . The itinerary starts on 18 May, 2024 and ends on 25 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Icon Of The Seas

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Icon Of The Seas Itineraries

Icon of the seas review, review of icon of the seas.

The 2024-built Icon of the Seas cruise ship is RCI-Royal Caribbean's first ICON-Class vessel scheduled for delivery and inauguration in 2024 January, being postponed from 2022-Q2 and 2023-Q3 due to the COVID crisis. The liner is currently the world's largest by volume/GT-tons (~6% bigger than Wonder OTS ) and has two same-designed sisterships - Star Of The Seas (2025-Q2) and TBN of the Seas (2026-Q2).

"Project Icon" is the name for a passenger ship class ordered by RCG-Royal Caribbean Group/shipowner to Meyer Merf's Shipyard in Turku Finland .

The vessel (IMO number 9829930) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001178) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US company, trademarked brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

Each vessel from the ICON series has passenger capacity 5610 (lower berths) and GT tonnage/volume 250800 tons, making the design Royal Caribbean's/world's largest.

On May 5, 2022, an RCI spokesperson announced that the ICON class will be bigger (in both passenger capacity and volume) than the OASIS class, which makes Icon of the Seas currently the world's largest passenger ship ever constructed. On October 20th, RCI revealed more details, including the vessel's exact volume (250800 GT-tons) and max capacity (9950/7600 passengers + 2350 crew). For comparison, the previously largest passenger ships (OASIS PLUS class) have GT ~227000 tons and max capacity 8800 (6410 pax + 2390 crew).

Initially, the ICON ship design was announced with passenger capacity ~5200 and GT tonnage ~200K.

Decks and Cabins

Of all Icon of the Seas staterooms (2805 total, in 28 grades), ~70% are balconies and over 80% accommodate 3 or more people. The ship has 179x suites, 1815x balconies, 276x oceanviews (including 12x Panoramic) and 744x inside cabins (534x Standard plus 214x Interior-Facing/Promenade View Balcony). Infinite Balconies are 693 (615x Standard plus 78x Family). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 50.

Icon OTS has 14 new for RCI cabin categories - Inside Plus, Panoramic Ocean View (redesigned/both cabins and suites), Infinite Balcony, Family Infinite Balcony, Surfside Family Suite, Sky Junior Suite, Sunset Suite, Sunset Corner Suite, Icon Loft Suite, and the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

"Panoramic Ocean View" cabins and suites are in the AquaDome Neighborhood and all are with floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows.

"Infinite Balcony" are "French Balcony" cabins with drop-down panoramic/wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows enclosing the terrace. These accommodations are designed as convertible, transforming the veranda into an indoor space (within the cabin/separated by accordion doors) at the push of a button. This category (as Edge Veranda Infinity) debuted on Celebrity Cruises ' EDGE-class ships.

"Family Infinite Balcony" cabins accommodate 6 people and are with split bathrooms, a separate kids' bedroom (with bunk beds), and an infinite balcony.

"Surfside Family Suite" is in the Surfside Neighborhood, accommodates 4 people, has a separate kids' bedroom (convertible into a lounge room) and its occupants receive Royal Suite Class perks.

"Sunset Corner Suite" (fleet's first) represents aft-facing staterooms (located at the stern) featuring large wraparound terraces.

The "Ultimate Family Townhouse" is a 3-deck/level suite designed for families. The stateroom is with private access to Surfside Neighborhood and features an indoor dry slide, media room/cinema, karaoke room, huge terrace.

The 3-deck Suite Neighborhood houses all the top-tier staterooms. It features an exclusive 2-deck Sundeck and an expanded Coastal Kitchen (suite-only restaurant on 2 levels, overlooking the AquaTheater). There is a larger exclusive sundeck (accessed only by Star Class and Sky Class suites) with its own swimming pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi, plus a new, suite-only casual dining venue (The Grove) offering traditional Mediterranean cuisine specialties.

The suites are in categories (high to low grade) Family Townhouse, Royal Loft, Icon Loft, Owner's, Infinite Grand, Grand, Sunset Corner, Surfside Family, Sunset, Junior, and Panoramic (with windows).

ICON ships also have a new (patented design) crew cabin type with an L-shaped bed layout.

The boat has 19 decks , of which 18 are passenger-accessible and 12 with cabins.

RCI's ICON-class vessels have 40+ F&B concepts (including 23 fleet-firsts) and 26 fleet-firsts (features, amenities, technologies) including 15 water activities.

For detailed information on the RCI's ICON ships as technologies see the ship's Wiki page .

Shipboard facilities and amenities

RCI's ICON class features the OASIS class' Central Park Neighborhood - an inside-the-ship, open-air, multi-deck space whose base level is fitted with live vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers). The design also includes the fore-located Solarium - a 2-decks spanning adults-only relaxation complex (covered by a glass rooftop) with its own cafe/bistro, bar, thalassotherapy pool, large Jacuzzies, indoor sunbathing area (deckchairs, loungers, daybeds), an outdoor sundeck.

The Sun Deck (positioned midship) is on two levels and fitted with a large swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing area. A series of columns (midship-aft) support the waterslides and the Ropes Course (costs US$90 per person).

The stern (like on the OASIS liners) is open-deck and with cascading suite terraces.

Like all RCI boats, Icon also has a FlowRider (surfing simulator positioned aft-starboard on top deck), an island-themed Mini-Golf Course (Lost Dunes) and Rock-Climbing Walls (at Adrenaline Peak), Ice-Rink Arena (Absolute Zero/fleet's largest).

Icon OTS has 10x new for RCI dining concepts out of 20x total different venues, of which 11x are complimentary and 9x are at fee.

Icon ship's retail shopping complex spreads across four floors (decks 5-6-8-15) and groups a total of 14 retail shops. The onboard stores sell duty- and tax-free priced products like perfumes, cosmetics, fashion clothing and accessories, watches, jewelry, liquor and tobacco, confectionery, games and toys. Additionally, a dedicated Tech Shop sells electronics, gadgets, batteries, headphones, walkie-talkies, Nintendo 3DS gaming consoles. The Splash Store sells sunscreens, skincare products, swim accessories. The Health Essentials Store sells toiletries and medicines.

Neighborhoods

Icon OTS has 7x swimming pools (scattered across 5 decks), 9x outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpools, and the fleet's largest waterpark with 6x waterslides (including the largest at sea).

Next are listed pools' operational/opening hours.

• (Chill Island Neighborhood/Deck 15) Royal Bay Pool (starboard, with 2x Jacuzzies) and Cove Pool (portside infinity pool/adults-only), Hideaway Pool (aft/beach club-themed) are open between 9 am and 10 pm.
• (Chill Island Neighborhood/Deck 17) Cloud 17 Pool (adults-only solarium/sundeck, max 250 people, starboard-positioned, with a whirlpool) is open between 8 am and 7 pm.

Like the OASIS and OASIS PLUS ships, the ICON ships have 8x neighborhoods (themed decks) which are named AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Thrill Island, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Surfside, and Suite Neighborhood.

( Deck 5 and Deck 6 ) Royal Promenade Neighborhood is on two levels and houses staterooms plus 15x F&B venues (bars, lounges, cafes, restaurants) including Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Pearl Cafe (similar to Cafe Promenade/open 24-hours, offers complimentary grab-and-go food/sandwiches, fresh-baked croissants, packaged salads, sweets, beverages/tea, sodas, specialty coffees), Campfire Cookie (patisserie), Sorrento's Pizzeria (pizza by the slice, fresh-baked specialty pies/different each day, also selling draft beers on tap), Point & Feather (104-seat English pub hosting dart tournaments and live acoustic guitar performances in the evenings, serves a selection gin-based cocktails), Boleros (Latin-themed bar lounge with live music performances/85 seats), 1400 Bar (named after the ship's hull number/offering live piano music in the evenings/capacity 67 indoor + 18 outdoor seats), Spotlight Karaoke Bar (106 seats), The Attic (comedy club lounge/159 seats), Starbucks (coffee shop), Crown Lounge (fka Diamind Lounge ^ Bar /exclusive venue for Diamond and above members), Dueling Pianos Bar (with 2x Baby Grand pianos), Music Hall (on 2 floors/decks 3-4). On Royal Promenade are also the 4-deck-high The Pearl (sphere-shaped structure positioned midship on decks 5-6-7-8) and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade (107 seats).

The Pearl is a unique kinetic art sculpture providing multi-sensory experiences and housing special "sound and sight" events. It has height 14 m (45 ft), diameter 16 m (52 ft), and is constructed from ~3000 computer-driven kinetic tiles. At this unique facility can be emulated natural occurrences like rolling waves, gentle breezes, shooting stars, and the dynamic ocean surface. The tiles' arrangement follows a Fibonacci sequence, mirroring patterns observed in marine life. The Pearl's movements are interactive and influenced by real-time data (tidal and wind) from the sea, allowing it to continually transform, mirroring the current environmental conditions.

Icon's Royal Promenade has length 110 m/362 ft, and unlike RCI's previous Royal Promenade design has floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed ocean views. Also, on the lower level (in the Embarkation Area starboard on Deck 5) is the "1400 Lobby Bar" (with indoor/outdoor seating, serves juice-based beverages and cocktails). The Lobby Bar's name has the ship's hull number (1400).

( Deck 8 ) Central Park Neighborhood is 1/5th larger than on the OASIS ships (with thousands of live plants and live music performances) and houses several dining venues - Izumi Hibachi & Sushi (Asian/Japanese restaurant also offering Teppanyaki - food cooked on an iron griddle), Izumi in the Park (sushi to-go, sweets), Chops Grille (steakhouse), Park Cafe (casual restaurant for breakfast/lunch/dinner, and also for late-night snacks/open 5:30-10 pm), Empire Supper Club (8-course-meal food hall), Trellis Bar (12 seats), Schooner Bar, Desserted (milkshake bar also serving Cinnamon Toast Crunch Milkshake), Lou's Jazz 'n Blues (71 indoor + 16 outdoor seats/live performances nightly, classic and crafted cocktails), Bubbles (walk-up champagne bar with live music). Central Park is an outdoor relaxation zone (within the ship's interior).

Central Park's garden houses 21000+ live plants and features multi-deck-high metal columns and green walls (covered in vines and ferns), several pathways, recordings of various species (birds, insects, animals) played, live seasonal plants (flowers, shrubs, trees). Signage boards provide detailed information on all Central Park's trees and plants.

Central Park's Empire Supper Club is a 1930s NYC-themed restaurant with two evening seatings (at 6 and 8:30 pm) and an 8-course menu. The cuisine is American and each course is paired with a beverage (wines by the glass or cocktails/created exclusively for RCI by Tony Abou-Ganim). Empire Supper Club is RCI's "most elegant restaurant" and the first dining venue combining food with music. The resident 3-piece band performs a different song during each course. The Supper Club has 38 seats (max capacity/one seating per night) and costs ~US$200 per person.

Part of Central Park, on ICON-class ships was introduced "Izumi in the Park" - Izumi's sushi-to-go/takeaway food bar with a pick-up window. Open between 11:30 am -10:30 pm, the venue offers sushi, spicy beef gyoza, sweets (bubble waffles, ice cream cones). A sushi bento box can be ordered and eaten elsewhere onboard.

Suite Neighborhood spans 3 floors (forward on decks 16-17-18) and features a 2-floor exclusive sundeck (with swimming pool and Jacuzzi/on deck 18) and two exclusive restaurants (for Star- and Sky Suite passengers-only) - The Grove (38-seat alfresco buffet restaurant serving popular Mediterranean dishes/on deck 18) and Coastal Kitchen (capacity 154 seats, fleet's first on 2 levels/on decks 16-17).

( Deck 15 /aft) The Hideaway Neighborhood is a beach club-themed pool deck with a suspended infinity pool (the first at sea), and a surrounding 2-deck terrace/tiered outdoor lounge with Jacuzzies, a dedicated poolside bar (Hideaway Bar) and a variety of seating. Here is also the Windjammer Marketplace (complimentary Lido buffet restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, dinner/has 2 indoor bars). Two types of daybeds (in-pool and oceanview, each for 2-4 people) can be reserved for The Hideaway Pool. Daybed amenities include 4x bottled waters, 4x towels, 1x bottle of champagne (in an ice bucket, with 4x souvenir glasses), a side table, and beverage service by dedicated staff. For season 2024, The Hideaway's In-Pool Daybeds cost US$250/350 (port day/sea day) while the Oceanview Daybeds cost US$200/300 (port day/sea day).

( Deck 15 /forward) AquaDome Neighborhood is fully covered by a glass dome (transparent roof with unobstructed 220-degree outside views via floor-ceiling/wall-to-wall windows). AquaDome features the largest-at-sea waterfall (transforming in the evenings into AquaTheater) which waters fall right from the ceiling. During the day, AquaDome serves as a relaxation complex with a serene ambiance and various food and beverage options (restaurants and bars). In the evening, AquaDome transforms into a "nightlife zone" housing RCI's signature entertainment venue AquaTheater (redesigned, smaller-sized and indoor/glass-covered on ICON ships) hosting high-diving aquatic and aerial acrobatic shows. The AquaTheater has a transforming deepwater swimming pool and is fitted with modern technologies including multi-media equipment (superior light-sound-smoke effects, 3D flying projections), stage lifts, 4x robotic arms. A new for RCI venue in the AquaDome is Rye & Bean (coffee shop/bar).

AquaDome Market is a complimentary food hall with 5x different stands - Feta Mediterranean (Greek cuisine/fresh-baked pitas and Mediterranean bowls, with a separate bar for beverages/including beers and wine by the glass), Mac's (fresh-baked macaroni and cheese pizza, with toppings like smoked gouda, BBQ sauce, slow-roasted pulled pork), Toast & Garden (light fare/salads, sandwiches), GNGR (Asian dishes), and Creme de la Crepe (sweet and savory French crepes/thin pancakes), with made-to-order choices. AquaDome Market is open for breakfast (7 am), lunch (11:30 am) and dinner. Extra cost beers and wines by the glass (table service).

Near Aquatheater's entrance is Royal Bling (Retail Shop) selling Royal Caribbean-logoed/RCI-branded merchandise (keepsakes/jewelry rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc). Among the store's merchandise is a US$100,000 gold-adorned chalice, the owner of which will enjoy unlimited onboard beverages for life.

Note: OASIS liners' outdoor AquaTheater (positioned at the stern) is replaced on the ICON boats with a family-themed activity deck. AquaDome has two dining venues - Hooked Seafood (seafood restaurant) and Celebration Table (an upgraded Chef's Table/VIP dining experience/12-seats, floor-ceiling windows, 4x different menus - American, Italian, Asian, Seafood) plus the bow-facing Overlook Lounge (in front of the AquaTheater) that provides 160-degree ocean views. The 2-floor Overlook Lounge (decks 14-15) is an indoor observation lounge with capacity 164 seats (112 chairs + 52 pods).

(aft on Deck 7 ) Surfside Neighborhood (fleet-first) is specifically designed for young families - adults and kids aged under six. Surfside houses family-type staterooms as well as a swimming pool (Water's Edge/infinity pool), a carousel, Splashaway Bay (kids' aquapark with a slide), Baby Bay (waterpark for toddlers, with a splash pool), Adventure Ocean (children's clubs/indoor facilities for age-appropriate supervised activities), Social020 (teen-only complex hosting activities like playing video games, watching movies, dancing, various classes, fun contests), Challenger's Arcade (classic and new games), The Lemon Post Bar (family bar with a great selection of both alcoholic cocktails and mocktails), soft ice cream station (complimentary), Sugar Beach (candy shop, gourmet ice cream), plus three dining venues - Surfside Bites (open 11 am-5 pm/takeaway food bar with a pick-up window; offers grab-and-go burgers, popcorn chicken, cinnamon sugar donuts), Surfside Eatery (family buffet for breakfast and lunch, buffet+sit-down venue in the evening/ offers pancakes with chocolate chips, fun cookies, fresh fruits, pasta with various sauces) and Pier 7 (Supper Club/specialty restaurant but kids eat for free).

(aft on Deck 16 ) Thrill Island Neighborhood is adventure-themed and dedicated to outdoor activities. It houses Crown's Edge (activity zone at fee/costs extra) and "Category 6" (aquapark, currently the largest at sea/covering a total area of 1580 m2/17010 ft2) and is served by the Basecamp Bar. The water park groups 6x slides - ranked the industry's tallest (Frightening Bolt/height 46 ft / 14 m), longest (Storm Chasers), and fastest (Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter). The slides are named "Pressure Drop" (free-fall slide/incline 66-degrees), Storm Chasers (dual mat-racing slide) and "Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter" (suspended dual raft-racing slides/max capacity 4x riders per raft). Crown's Edge zone (another fleet-first) combines a glass-bottomed skywalk (positioned off the superstructure's midship-portside), a ropes course, zip-line, bumper cars, water slides, and a thrill ride as in a surprising moment the skywalk's floor drops and guests start swinging 154 ft / 47 m above the sea.

The outdoor Basecamp Bar offers complimentary food plus premium a la carte-priced items and beverages. The venue is open between 11 am and 10 pm, while its bar for beverages opens at 9 am. Fast food choices include smash burgers, fried chicken nugget waffles with honey, crispy shrimp bao buns.

Deck 20 is Category 6 Waterpark's entry level for the slides. The waterslides' min-height/max-weight requirements are as follows: Frightening Bolt and Pressure Drop (55 inches/265 lbs), Storm Chasers (42 inches/265 lbs), Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter (48 inches without parents, 55 inches with parents/595 lbs).

The midship-positioned Chill Island Neighborhood spans 3 decks (15-16-17) and houses 4x (of the ship's 7x) swimming pools and is served by the poolside bar "Swim & Tonic". Chill Island has the largest on-a-cruise liner swimming pool (Royal Bay Pool), Cove Pool (infinity-edge), Sprinkles (complimentary ice cream bar), the Cloud 17 (adults-only sundeck with a Smoking Area and a Jacuzzi), and is served by The Lime & Coconut Bar Lounge (with four locations, including the fleet-first frozen cocktail bar) and Swim & Tonic.

Swim & Tonic is RCI's first shipboard swim-up bar (capacity 12 people). It is in a shallow swimming pool (with floating loungers) and adjacent to a hot tub and a sunbathing area (with loungers).

The following dining venues serve both adventure-themed top decks - El Loco Fresh (complimentary grab-and-go Mexican food/open 11 am - 7 pm), Cantina Fresca (complimentary Mexican-themed bar/food and beverages), AquaDome Market (complimentary food hall) and Hooked Seafood (specialty restaurant) positioned below Sports Court (deck 16).

Besides the 22x lifts/"destination elevators" (positioned in the forward and aft atriums) and all staircases, an escalator interconnects decks 2-4-5. An indoor staircase (positioned midship-aft) directly connects three neighborhoods - Royal Promenade (decks 5-6), Surfside (deck 7) and Central Park (deck 8).

Destination elevators allow passengers to move more efficiently between decks for reduced crowding and better passenger flow. In front of the lifts, there are digital panels to select which floor to go to and which lift to take. Inside the elevators there are no panels/buttons to push, meaning fewer stops on every deck.

The Main Dining Room/MDR is on 3 levels (decks 3-4-5) and is traditionally positioned aft. The MDR has a different 3-course menu each night of the voyage (with differently-themed cuisine) and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Royal Theater is the main show lounge spreading over 3 floors (forward on decks 3-4-5). The venue doubles as a cinema and also hosts daily scheduled activities (like trivia games, bingo, enrichment lectures) while in the evenings are presented Broadway-style, grand-scale music, dance and show productions, as well as aerial acrobatic performances. The theater presents nightly 2 grand shows - early (at 8 pm) and late (at 10 pm) to match the assigned dining room sittings. Both are full-length production shows with professional performances (singing, dancing, acting, live band music) by the ship's resident entertainment staff. Signature shows are "Hairspray" (musical comedy / original Broadway production themed on humor and commentaries on early 1960's race relations) and "Flight" (themed on the history of flying). Specifically for Icon OTS was developed "The Wizard of Oz" (2011-created musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber) presented on the ship 3-4 times weekly. Other theater entertainment options are the rotating Headliners (tribute band show) and popular game shows (like "Love and Marriage"). Royal Theater has its own bar for refreshments (waiter service during the shows).

Absolute Zero (decks 4-5) is an Ice-Rink Arena and RCI fleet's largest ice-skating stadium (complimentary show lounge/theater). Daily, Absolute Zero is operated with 45-min sessions (max 50 guests per session) for ice-skating, ice games, hockey, demonstrations, adult scavenger hunts. In the evenings, there is a live RCI original production show (professional ice show). Absolute Zero is a complimentary venue (equipment is provided) and reservations are not required but tickets must be obtained in advance. Here is also played "The Fight for Atlantis" (laser tag game).

Traditionally for RCI, Icon OTS has the Royal Escape Room that provides adventure gaming experiences (team-building exercises). Gaming at the Royal Escape Room involves a group of players who must solve a series of puzzles by using clues, hints and group strategy. The team is given a set time limit to solve the secret plot hidden within the room.

The 2-level wellness complex (decks 12-14) consists of Vitality Spa, Vitality Cafe (open for breakfast and lunch), and To Dry For (blow-dry bar for quick beauty fixes/hairstyling, with a beverage service). Vitality Spa groups ShipShape Spa, YSPA (teen spa), Beauty Salon, treatment rooms (for massages and treatments), Razul Room (mud treatments), Medispa (botox treatments), Jacuzzi Room, Thermal Suites (heated ceramic beds, saunas, steam rooms, rainforest showers).

The 2-level Fitness Center (decks 5-6) consists of a Gymnasium (complimentary, with Life Fitness equipment for cardio/resistance training), Aerobics Studio (for classes), and private training rooms. The Gym has modern bodybuilding and training exercise equipment (free weights, weight machines, treadmills, steppers, ellipticals, stationary bikes, Kinesis wall). In the mornings/afternoons are scheduled health seminars and wellness presentations (free of charge/timeshare events).

The Music Hall (dance lounge/disco nightclub introduced on QUANTUM-class RCI boats) is a 2-level venue (decks 3-4) and provides live music entertainment (band performances daily and DJs in the evenings).

Signature RCI restaurants available on Icon OTS are also Wonderland, Celebration Table (Chef's Table/Deck 15), and Johnny Rockets.

Icon OTS' venues hosting grand shows are three - Royal Theater, AquaDome, and Absolute Zero (Ice-Skating Arena).

AquaDome's shows are titled "Aqua Nation!" and "Pirates vs Mermaids".

Absolute Zero's ice-skating shows are titled "Starburst" and "Once Upon A Time".

Royal Theater's grand productions (90-min evening shows) are titled "Effectors" (themed on superheroes), "Wizard of Oz" (musical) and "SHOWBAND! Live. Music. Now." (stage performances by 16 musicians/string, woodwind, brass, percussion).

On the Royal Promenade is hosted RCI's traditional family-themed parade "Ships Ahoy!". Unlike on all previous RCI ships with a Royal Promenade, Icon OTS' Royal Promenade has a dog statue instead of a classic car/vintage automobile.

On the ICON ship, RCI introduced 60 cocktails (new for the company).

Family-themed activities

Icon OTS is Royal Caribbean's first liner to have a dedicated "family ambassador".

Called "Admiral Awesome", the professional employee hosts different family-themed events. Among these events are Surfside Neigborhood's "Larger-than-Life Family Festival" (live music, dancing, supersized/giant outdoor games - dart-throwing, ring tossing, dicing, bowling), the "Steel Pan Family Jam" (playing on instructional instruments), the Big Shark Block Party (dancing to popular kids songs like "Baby Shark" and "Baby Beluga") and Once Upon a Bedtime Story (reading outdoor/on open deck of original bedtime stories).

The "family neighborhood" has two complimentary dining venues open throughout the day - "Surfside Bites" (grab-and-go) and "Surfside Eatery" (buffet restaurant/Windjammer's alternative), while the casual "Pier 7" (Surfside's specialty restaurant) serves a-la-carte-priced food for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The Lemon Post Bar has an impressive selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails/mocktails. While the Soft Ice Cream station is complimentary, the candy shop Sugar Beach sells gourmet ice cream and sweets.

The Surfside Neighborhood also houses two outdoor water playgrounds - Splashaway Bay (kids' aquapark with a slide), and Baby Bay (waterpark for toddlers, with a splash pool), as well as the ship's Adventure Ocean complex (children's clubs/indoor facilities for age-appropriate supervised activities), Social020 complex (for teenagers), Challenger's Arcade (coin-operated machine games).

Curiously, Icon OTS is RCI's first vessel with a Chief Dog Officer - the "family dog" Rover (5-month-old female golden retriever) who boarded the ship in Ponce (Puerto Rico) with Alison Hubble (Chief of Staff).

Crew Neighborhood (staff and crew cabins and facilities)

RCI's ICON ships have a 4-deck Crew Neighborhood (housing 2350 people) featuring redesigned (new/patented) crew cabins with an L-shaped bed layout. Crew staterooms are all with double occupancy (each accommodates max two persons) and fitted with TV, a writing table, electric sockets (with USB ports), storage spaces, privacy curtains, fixed lower and upper beds (the latter is accessed via stairs), and laminate flooring.

Another novelty is The Clubhouse - forward located crew lounge with full bar service, fitted with massage chairs, ping pong and foosball tables, and billiards, as well as 4x LCD Virtual Windows providing real-time outside views.

Also new are the crew-only Beauty Salon (hairstyling and barber services), Store, Game Room, and Gym. The Crew Buffet Restaurant has porthole windows and, along with the traditional cold and hot food stations, also has live cooking stations.

There is also a Messhall (multipurpose room/entertainment venue) where can be hosted crew training sessions as well as celebrations and dance parties.

Each ICON-class ship has 23 galleys/kitchens (serving 27 dining venues) and 425 chefs. Most food/beverage supplies are sourced from the homeport, the rest are locally sourced (in call ports). The stored supplies are enough for 3 consecutive voyages (21 days).

Itineraries

Icon Of The Seas itinerary program was officially revealed on October 20, 2022, and RCI opened Icon OTS' cruises for booking on Oct 24th (for loyalty program members) and Oct 25th (to the general public).

Icon OTS' Maiden Voyage departs from homeport Miami Florida on January 27, 2024.

The ship is currently scheduled to operate alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries (7-day roundtrips from Miami), all visiting CocoCay Bahamas . The voyages' call ports include Philipsburg (St. Maarten) , Basseterre (St Kitts) , Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas, US Virgin Islands) , Coxen Hole (Isla Roatan, Honduras) , Mexico's Cozumel and Costa Maya .

In September 2023 were opened for booking the ship's 2025-2026 voyages. The 7-day roundtrip Miami itineraries included "Eastern Caribbean & CocoCay" (Puerto Plata Dominicana, San Juan Puerto Rico, Philipsburg St Maarten, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas) and "Western Caribbean & CocoCay" (Costa Maya and Cozumel Mexico, Isla Roatan Honduras).

Icon Of The Seas - user reviews and comments

Photos of icon of the seas.

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Other Royal Caribbean cruise ships

• Adventure Of The Seas
• Allure Of The Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance Of The Seas
• Enchantment Of The Seas
• Explorer Of The Seas
• Freedom Of The Seas
• Grandeur Of The Seas
• Harmony Of The Seas
• Independence Of The Seas
• Jewel Of The Seas
• Liberty Of The Seas
• Mariner Of The Seas
• Navigator Of The Seas
• Oasis Of The Seas
• Odyssey Of The Seas
• Ovation Of The Seas
• Quantum Of The Seas
• Radiance Of The Seas
• Rhapsody Of The Seas
• Serenade Of The Seas
• Spectrum Of The Seas
• Star Of The Seas
• Symphony Of The Seas
• Utopia Of The Seas
• Vision Of The Seas
• Voyager Of The Seas
• Wonder Of The Seas

Icon Of The Seas Wiki

On October 10, 2016, Meyer Turku Oy (Finland) and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group signed the MoU agreement (memorandum of understanding) and officially announced the building order for two vessels under the project name "ICON". The units are LNG-powered (by liquified natural gas), employ fuel cell technology, and are classified by DNV GL (Hovik Norway-headquartered international ship registrar and classification society). The MoU ceremony was attended by Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO), Jan Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO) and Harri Kulovaara (Finnish naval architect, RCCL's Maritime and Newbulding's Executive Vice President).

The ICON shipbuilding order with Meyer Werft Turku was contingent upon the completion of contractual conditions, including documentation and financing.

Royal Caribbean also trademarked the name "Icon of the Seas", which has been suggested as the indication to the name of the first unit from this series. On October 17, 2016, the company filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the "Icon of the Seas" ship name.

On June 27, 2017, Royal Caribbean filed for new trademarks on "Joy of the Seas" (serial number 87507232) and "Apex of the Seas" (serial number 87507244). The cruise company registered the trademarks in September 2014. However, both were abandoned one year later, on September 14, 2015. The registration came days after trademarking Spectrum of the Seas .

On July 2, 2019, was ordered the third ICON unit, scheduled for delivery in 2025. The signing ceremony was signed by Richard Fain (RCCL's Chairman and CEO), Jan Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO), and Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO).

In 2019, the Finnish shipbuilder Mayer Turku had an order book listing the following cruise ships planned for deliveries in:

• 2019 ( Costa Smeralda /GT 180K)
• 2020 ( Carnival Mardi Gras /GT 180K)
• 2021 ( Costa Toscana /GT 180K)
• 2022 ( Carnival Celebration /GT 180K, ICON 1/GT250K)
• 2023 ( TUI Mein Schiff 7 /GT 110K)
• 2024 (ICON 2/GT 250K)
• 2025 (ICON 3/GT 250K)

ICON ships have volume ~250800 GT-tons and DWT deadweight ~13500 tons. ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD is registered as the shipowner and management company.

Liquefied natural gas was envisioned as the primary fuel for the ICON-class ships, which decreases CO2 (carbon dioxide) and completely eliminates soot particles, nitrogen oxide (NOX), and sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions. On Royal Caribbean's ICON ships was introduced fuel cell technology, which combined with hull air lubrication means the vessels are among the most fuel-efficient ever built.

RCI's ICON liners run primarily on LNG but also on distillate fuel (MDO/marine diesel oil), in order to accommodate itineraries with call ports without LNG-support infrastructure. The design includes shoreside power capabilities allowing the main engines to be shut down while the boats are docked/berthed in ports fitted with such equipment. During the port stay, all the electricity needed for onboard operations/hotel services is provided by the city's power grid.

Before the new ships' debut, testing of fuel cell technology began on the existing OASIS-class vessels, while larger fuel cell projects were tested on QUANTUM-class units (while under construction).

ICON is the first new ship class/design by RCG since 2018 - when debuted Celebrity Cruises ' new EDGE class with Celebrity Edge . RCG continued to expand RCI's fleet with newbuilds from the existing and popular OASIS- and QUANTUM-class liners.

The vessel's construction officially started on June 14, 2021, with the steel-cutting ceremony (yard/hull number 1400) held at Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku Finland . The ceremony was attended by Richard Fain (RCG's Chairman and CEO), Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO), and Tim Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO). The same yard also built RCI's first two OASIS-class boats - Oasis OTS (2009) and Allure OTS (2010).

All blocks (hull+superstructure sections/201 total) were made in Germany (at Neptun Werft in Rostock ), then transported/tugged on heavy-lift barges to Finland for assembly.

The keel-laying for the first Icon-class ship (hull/Mayer Turku yard number NB-1400) was initially planned for October 2019. For the sisterships were allocated the following IMOs/hull numbers - "Apex of the Seas" (9829942/NB-1401) and "Joy of the Seas" (9888560/NB-1402).

Meyer Werft Turku works with 1000+ suppliers from various countries. Cruise ships' cabins are modular (prefabricated and later assembled at the shipyard) and made by the subsidiary Piikkio Works Oy, which has a factory in Piikkio Finland (approx 20 km / 13 mi to the east of Turku City). Cruise ships' public spaces are also prefabricated (and later drydock-assembled) and made by the subsidiary Shipbuilding Completion Oy (in Turku). Technology design and engineering services are provided by the company ENGnD Oy ( Rauma Finland ).

In May 2021, the first hull blocks of Icon OTS (fabricated at Neptun Werft Shipyard, Rostock Germany ) were loaded onto barges and shipped to Finland for drydock assembly (welded together). Meyer Turku also constructed RCI's mega-liners Oasis OTS (2009) and Allure OTS (2010).

In late-December 2021, to Meyer Turku were towed/barged by 4x tugboats the first pre-assembled in Poland (at Gdansk Shipyard ) hull blocks, with weights 37-67 tons. Their assembly/the ship's physical construction officially started with the keel-laying ceremony held on April 5, 2022. The special event was attended by Jason Liberty (RCG's new President and CEO), Richard Fain (RCG's Chairman), Bernard Meyer (Meyer Group's Chairman), Tim Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO), Olli Jantunen (Meyer Turku's Head of Department and ICON-class Project Manager).

The DOBEL Film Laminated Steel used for the vessel's construction (approx 350,000 m2/~3,8 million ft2) was delivered by Metalcolour Group (1974-founded company specializing in the production of high-quality, film-laminated and pre-coated/painted steel and aluminum plates). Metalcolour Group has subsidiaries/production plants in Sweden, Denmark and Singapore.

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock on December 9, 2022. The construction process in Finland involved ~2600 workers from 20+ different nationalities, including shipyard employees and subcontractors,

The Baltic Sea trials were successfully completed in the period June 18-22, 2023. Conducted by 450+ people (crew, shipyard- and contract workers) the 4-day sea trials were to assess the hull, to evaluate all technologies and equipment (engines, propulsion/thrusters, navigation system/full-stop, steering), various machinery, electronics, lifeboats, as well as noise and vibration levels. The second sea trials are planned for December 2023, for pushing the vessel to its limits before the official delivery to RCI in January 2024.

Icon OTS' Master is Captain Henrik Loy ( Bergen Norway -born, with RCI since 1997).

In September 2023, RCI signed a partnership with Gebr. Heinemann SE & Co KG (1879-founded, Hamburg -based company) for managing the retail shopping venues on Icon OTS. The ship's shopping complex spreads across four floors (decks 5-6-8-15) and groups a total of 14 retail shops. The onboard stores sell duty- and tax-free priced products like perfumes, cosmetics, fashion clothing and accessories, watches, jewelry, liquor and tobacco, confectionery, games and toys. A dedicated Tech Shop sells electronics, gadgets, batteries, headphones, walkie-talkies, Nintendo 3DS gaming consoles. The Splash Store sells sunscreens, skincare products, swim accessories, while the Health Essentials Store sells toiletries and medicines. In 2023, besides Icon OTS, RCI had contracts with the German company for the retail venues onboard the fleetmates Wonder OTS , Odyssey OTS and Independence OTS .

In October 2023 was extended the 2019-signed contract with SOMEC Group's subsidiary SOMEC Navale(1995-founded, Italian company). The EUR 19,4 million contract was for the supply and installation of all glass structures (including windows and railings on open decks and balconies, and motorized blinds embedded in all sliding windows) for both ICON ships (Icon OTS and Star OTS).

Icon OTS was officially delivered to RCI from Meyer Turku on November 27, 2023. The delivery documents were signed by Jason Liberty (RCG's President and CEO), Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO) and Tim Meyer (Meyer Turku Oy's CEO).

In December 2023, RCI announced that Icon OTS' christening ceremony (in PortMiami) will be led by Lionel Andres Messi (aka Leo Messi/1987-born Argentine footballer) serving as the ship's godfather.

Each of RCI's ICON ships has a powerplant based on six Wartsila marine engines (dual fuel) running on both diesel and LNG/liquified natural gas. The powerplant's total output is 67,5 MW (90520 hp). The ship also has installed hydrogen-based fuel cell technology using seawater to generate electricity and fresh water. Icon OTS became RCI's first vessel to use the new technology.

Icon OTS' first engine (No 2) was powered for the first time on March 15, 2023, at 11 am (10 am UTC). Also in March was published the "The Top Deck Challenge" video about the construction works related to open deck and water installations, including the top deck's facilities (waterpark/slides and the swimming pools).

The next "teaser" video was YouTubed by RCI on September 22, 2022.

ICON-class are LNG-powered ships, each having two LNG fuel tanks (for storing liquefied natural gas, manufactured at Meyer Neptune) each with capacity 307 tons and length 27,4 m (90 ft). Fuel tanks, like the engines and other large machinery, are installed into the hull blocks assembled at Meyer Turku.

RCI's ICON-class ship technologies also include shore power connectivity (using the port's/city's power grid electricity for onboard services while berthed) and an advanced WHRS (waste heat recovery system) that generates power using waste heat from the main engines and the output gases. Cold temperatures from the LNG tanks are utilized by the onboard cooling systems. The lighting is entirely LED. The underwater hull's exterior is with a specialized coating (anti-fouling paint) to slow the growth of and facilitate the detachment of marine organisms.

The ICON ships debut the Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis technology - an innovative (the first-at-sea) waste-to-energy plant. The technology turns solid waste (food/bio) into fuel (used to power the desalinization plant) while the remaining by-product (pelletized carbon) is supplied to farmers as fertilizer.

These RCI vessels are also outfitted with bigger-capacity water treatment systems (evaporators and reverse osmosis plants) to support the increased freshwater consumption (for the hotel operations and at all water facilities/pools, slides, etc). Curiously, ~93% of the needed freshwater is produced onboard.

RCI's Icon OTS construction update teaser (released in May 2022) showed a huge white sphere installed midship on top deck. The spherical object weighs 175 tonnes, has diameter 50 ft (15,2 m), height 46 ft (14 m) and consists of 578 aluminum panels. In late-June RCI's President (Michael Bayley) called the big white ball "The Pearl".

In early-June 2022, RCI trademarked 6x names for facilities/venues on Icon OTS - The Orb, The Oyster, The Gem, The Jewel, The Pearl, The Star. In September was trademarked "Icon of Vacations".

On June 15, 2022, RCG signed with Eagle LNG Partners LLC (Eagle LNG) a contract for providing LNG (liquefied natural gas) and bunkering services to RCI liners, the first of which is Icon OTS. The gas supply is sourced from Eagle LNG's facilities in JAXPORT-Jacksonville Florida , shipped throughout the Caribbean and bunkered by Eagle LNG-owned newbuild vessels.

Another fleet-first facility is the "AquaDome". Positioned above the Wheelhouse, this is an AquaTheater (redesigned concept but) similar to OASIS- and QUANTUM ships' Solarium. The glass roof structure/dome weighs 367 tons and is comprised of 12 modules made of different materials (glass, steel, aluminum panels).

Icon OTS also has a hull (painted in baby blue) with a parabolic bow and vertical stern (also fleet's firsts) both creating a curved indentation in the hull's bottom. The parabolic bow design increases the vessel's overall stability (by shifting the gravity center forward) and also makes it less prone to heeling or capsizing. Like on all large newbuild cruisers, the hull is fitted with Wartsila's air lubrication system that reduces frictional resistance by creating a coating of microbubbles on the flat bottom.

For the vessel's construction were used ~14,5 km / 9 mi of electric cables.

In the period March 10 - April 4, 2023, RCI launched the new "Artist Discovery Program" allowing artists from around the world to submit original works to be later displayed on Icon OTS. RCI also commissioned Caribbean artists to create 9x large-scale murals displayed within 3x locations: Suite Neighborhood, Royal Promenade Neighborhood, and at the main ship entrance. Each mural received an RCI grant varying between USD 20K-100K.

During the drydocking in Cadiz Spain (Dec 5-23, 2023), the Central Park received 10,000+ live plants. The drydocking was also for final adjustments and technical works, including on the boxcoolers (heat exchangers) and sea chests (recesses in the hull), as well as repairs to the propulsion system (an ABB Azipod).

Inaugural cruise itineraries (2024)

Icon Of The Seas cruises (as itineraries) were officially revealed on October 20, 2022, and opened for booking on Oct 24th (for loyalty program members) and Oct 25th (to the general public).

Icon OTS left Europe (departed from Cadiz Spain ) on December 22, 2023, repositioning to the Caribbean. The liner was carrying only service staff (crew members, shipyard workers, contractors, RCI shore teams.  The 7-day Transatlantic crossing included an overnight in Algeciras (Dec 23-24) and a technical stop in Ponce Puerto Rico (arriving January 2, 2024) for passing regulatory inspections and crewing, as well as bunkering/fueling and provisioning, and loading and offloading of equipment. In Ponce, the yard workers were disembarked and flown back home. Icon OTS stopped overnight at CocoCay (Jan 8-9th) to allow the startup crew to rest and party before the arrival in PortMiami (Jan 10th, at 12:08 UTC).

Leaving roundtrip out of Miami, before the official inaugural sailing (Jan 27th), Icon OTS had several shakedown/test cruises. During the passenger-free voyages, company employees (crew and service staff) acted as guests, to test/adjust the onboard procedures. The last test cruise (Jan 20-23) was attended also by Royal Caribbean executives, VIP guests, travel agents and media representatives. The voyage ended with the naming ceremony (Jan 23rd, in PortMiami) led by the ship's godfather Lionel Messi.

The next tables show the Maiden Voyage and the inaugural season's itineraries in the Caribbean, with homeporting in Miami (Florida USA) .

(MAIDEN VOYAGE) 7-day "Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day Cruise" (with St Kitts Island) - prices started at USD 2260 per person with double occupancy

(inaugural) 7-day "Western Caribbean & Perfect Day Cruise" - from US$ 1560 pp

(inaugural) 7-day Eastern Caribbean with St Maarten Island (from U$1320 pp)

(inaugural) 7-day Western Caribbean with Roatan Island - from US$1190 pp

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Icon of the Seas

Iconic thrills and next-level chill..

Set sail on Icon of the Seas for a first-of-its-kind adventure, featuring everything but the expected. Where technology and artistry merge, inspiring awe on a grand scale. Brace yourself for Category 6; the largest waterpark at sea, discover adventure for all ages at Surfside℠, take in ocean views from an array of infinity-edge pools, and so much more. Images of ship are an artist rendering.

Onboard the Icon of the Seas

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2022

Double Occupancy Capacity: 5610

Icon of the Seas℠ brings on thrilling adventures for the whole family. From expansive balconies that invite the sea breeze to over-the-top family accommodations — a range of spacious rooms is designed with family comfort in mind. Enjoy all new Neighborhoods and the all new Thrill Island Waterpark. Enjoy 7 all new pools, a brand new Ice skating rink and well as a the brand new Aquadome.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

Thrill Island

• Game Arcade
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Ice Skating
• Miniature Golf
• Pool - Outdoor
• Pool - Indoor/Covered
• Rock-Climbing Wall
• Sports Facilities
• Water Slide
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Aquadome/Aquatheater
• Carousel/Merry-Go Round
• Flowrider® Surf Simulator
• Spotlight Karaoke
• Escape Room
• Suite Neighborhood
• Art Gallery
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Programs
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa
• Bars/Lounges
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Dining Room

Main Dining

Dining Room:  Share your favorite moments of the day over your favorite meal in the Dining Room. Each night onboard brings a delectably different three-course theme to taste your way around the world together — with rotating flavors from Jamaica to Jaipur and signature Royal Caribbean® recipes loved by all. Expand your palate with dishes like buttery escargot or fill up on familiar faves like spaghetti Bolognese. Or, dress up any evening with options like Maine lobster tail and filet mignon.

Empire Supper Club

Specialty Dining

Empire Supper Club℠:  Delve into decadence at Empire Supper Club — a new Central Park® restaurant that's putting on the ritz with a taste of old New York right onboard. Indulge in an evening of extravagance with an eight-course menu of premium American cuisine, carefully curated with expertly prepared plates from caviar to wagyu. Each dish is exquisitely paired with a beverage that will elevate your experience to next-level nouveau. Every detail is carefully crafted to provide you with an unforgettable night of lavish luxury that begins with thoughtful touches before you even take your seat.

Celebration Table:  Special occasions get the VIP treatment at Celebration Table — an all-new exclusive dining experience for you and 11 of your closest crew in AquaDome℠. Get the festivities started in your own personal lounge before sitting down for your meal. With sweeping ocean views, every seat is a window seat. Choose from American, Italian, Asian and seafood prix fixe menus — all served family-style along with a signature cocktail. Put your own personal spin on the evening with your choice of ambient touches and menu upgrades. Whether you're commemorating a major milestone or just want to treat your family to something unique, your celebration is customized to your taste.

Chops Grille℠:  Located in Central Park®, this signature American steakhouse is slicing up all-new ways to elevate your meal. On Icon of the Seas℠, the hallmark Chops Grille presents a new butcher's display with mouthwatering specialty cuts like high-grade wagyu beef and bone-in tomahawks. Watch through the open kitchen as seasoned chefs perfectly prepare your premium selection to your liking and serve it alongside your choice of savory sides — just be sure to save room for dessert.

Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar:  Sunday supper is served every day at the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. The menu highlights old world classics, including veal meatballs in sauce like they make in Sardinia and pappardelle served with rich radicchio cream. Save room for one of the hand-tossed pizzas delivered straight from the oven, and ask a sommelier on staff to suggest the perfect pairing from a wine list that ranges from Sangiovese to Super Tuscan.

Hooked Seafood℠:  If you want to snag a real taste of New England-style seafood, Hooked Seafood is the spot. Find your favorite coastal flavors like crispy golden Maryland crab cakes, melt-in-your-mouth Maine lobster rolls or just-shucked oysters and other raw bar favorites. And don't miss sweet dessert treats that beg to be savored for a decadent taste of summer.

Pier 7℠:  Pop on over to Pier 7 any time of day for beachside bites with a laid-back vibe. You'll find casual California cuisine to hook everyone in your crew. From surf and turf tacos to crispy, crunchy mango lime shrimp tostadas piled high, and even shareable platters. Plus, get your brunch on all day every day with indulgent dishes like smoked salmon benedict or a fluffy buttermilk pancake platter. Pier 7 packs all the flavors you crave and keeps you coming back for more.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi℠:  With fresh sushi selections and tempting teppanyaki prepared tableside, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi continues to dial up the Asian-inspired dining experience onboard. For the first time ever, the feast goes al fresco in the open-air Central Park®. Share bites from an extensive menu of maki and delight in the showmanship of an expert chef working right at your table. Sushi artists craft complex rolls and hibachi masters put on a high-energy spectacle of sharp knives — and sharper wit — that will have you laughing all night long. If you're on the go, the premier Izumi in the Park℠ window has a selection of signature rolls, nigiri, and Japanese sweets to enjoy anytime and anywhere.

Izumi in the Park℠:  Picture this: you're strolling through the open-air of Central Park®, craving a savory snack. There's Izumi in the Park — an all-day window for sushi and snap-worthy street foods inspired by Japan. Sample a selection of fresh nigiri, sashimi, seaweed salad and more, packed up in a portable box. You're already planning your return trip for the most photogenic ice cream onboard — a Taiyaki vanilla ice cream with strawberry drizzle and rainbow sprinkles served in an airy bubble cone. Whether it's a pre-dinner sweet treat or a mid-day sushi snack, this is your destination for fresh eats in the fresh air.

Basecamp℠:  Right in the middle of all the Thrill Island action, Basecamp is your family's headquarters to refuel between adventures. Choose from a variety of complimentary snacks like soft pretzel bites with cheese sauce, or splurge on next-level noshes like crispy shrimp bao buns. Tee up a round of drinks before putting around the mini-golf course. And with so many ways to fuel up between waterpark splashdowns, consider this your home base for bites you won't want to share.

Desserted℠:  Between all the adventures of Thrill Island, reward your whole crew for their bravery with over-the-top milkshake concoctions at Desserted. Towering with toppings and drizzled with deliciousness, these monstrous mashups are as snappable as they are sippable. And the cherry on top — adults-only options bring boozy milkshakes to the mix.

Casual Dining

Surfside Eatery℠:  Whatever your little ones are into right now, the Surfside Eatery has it — steps away from all the action. During the day, satisfy your breakfast and lunch cravings with a buffet of options from pancakes with chocolate chips and fruit toppings to colorful, fun-shaped pasta with marinara and cheese sauces. In the evening, bond over bites without ever having to leave your favorite part of the ship. And grownups can delight in delectable with elevated options that put a contemporary twist on all the kid's classics — so you can share memories without having to share plates.

Surfside Bites℠:  With tasty twists to pique new interests, Surfside Bites is your quick stop for sweet and salty noshes to refuel on the run. Snack on popcorn chicken and hot dogs before even drying off from Splashaway Bay℠. Power up after Playscape℠ fun with a burger and a side of mac and cheese. Treat the top scorer from the Arcade to chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon-sugar donut holes. And round out your time on the carousel with the neighborhood's very own Sprinkles putting its twist on vanilla, chocolate and strawberry soft serve.

Windjammer:  Windjammer is your complimentary go-to restaurant for tantalizing global flavors. Just-pressed panini packed with all your favorite meats and cheeses, flaky pastries fresh from the oven and omelets any way you like them. And hearty mains that run the gamut from crispy buttermilk fried chicken to braised Ho Chi Minh pork.

Pearl Café℠:  Nestled beside expansive windows with sweeping ocean views is Pearl Café. Stop by for a quick bite around the clock and settle into the scenery. You'll find a selection of freshly toasted sandwiches, ready-made salads, sweet treats and more to nosh on. Plus, cozy nooks where you can thumb through your latest page-turner.

Sorrento's:  There's nothing more satisfying than a great slice of pizza — and Royal Caribbean® has spent years perfecting the recipe at Sorrento's. Onboard the all-new Icon of the Seas℠, choose from signature pies piled high with toppings and oozing with melty goodness. Plus, a specialty pizza that's different every day of your vacation. And for the first time ever, pair your fresh-baked pizza with your favorite drafts on tap. Whether you're stopping by on your way through the Royal Promenade or refueling after breaking it down on the dance floor, Sorrento's serves up perfection in every slice.

El Loco Fresh®:  Give your taste buds something to go wild over. El Loco Fresh serves up Mexican fare that's insanely delicious. With classic mole sauce and tangy salsa verde topping beef burritos, carnitas and more, it's a fiesta of flavor from south of the border. The craziest thing about it is just how good it is.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

• Inside Stateroom
• Ocean View Stateroom
• Balcony Stateroom
• Suite Stateroom

Interior staterooms include a wide array of amenities for your whole family to enjoy.

Interior (Category: V4)

Category: V4

Interior Plus (Category: Q2)

Category: Q2

Spacious Interior (Category: R3)

Category: R3

Spacious Interior (Category: R4)

Category: R4

Central Park Interior (Category: U5)

Category: U5

Surfside Family Interior (Category: T5)

Category: T5

Guarantee - Inside (Category: ZI)

Category: ZI This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Guarantee - Quad Interior Stateroom (Category: ZQ)

Category: ZQ This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Spectacular sights and amazing views from the comfort of your stateroom.

Guarantee - Oceanview (Category: YO)

Category: YO This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Ocean View (Category: N4)

Category: N4

Ocean View (Category: N5)

Category: N5

Ocean View (Category: N1)

Category: N1

Panoramic Ocean View (Category: L5)

Category: L5

Guarantee - Quad Oceanview Stateroom (Category: YQ)

Category: YQ This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Enjoy the ambiance of our neighborhood balcony staterooms that overlook the neighborhoods or take in breathtaking views from your Ocean View balcony stateroom.

Guarantee - Neighborhood Balcony Stateroom (Category: XN)

Category: XN This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Guarantee - Balcony (Category: XB)

Category: XB This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Surfside Family View Balcony (Category: H5)

Category: H5

Surfside Family View Balcony (Category: H3)

Category: H3

Central Park View Balcony (Category: F5)

Category: F5

Central Park View Balcony (Category: F1)

Category: F1

Infinite Central Park View Balcony (Category: IF)

Category: IF

Ocean View Balcony (Category: D1)

Category: D1

Ocean View Balcony (Category: D2)

Category: D2

Ocean View Balcony (Category: D3)

Category: D3

Ocean View Balcony (Category: D4)

Category: D4

Ocean View Balcony (Category: D5)

Category: D5

Connecting Ocean View Balcony (Category: CB)

Category: CB

Ocean View Large Balcony (Category: C5)

Category: C5

Ocean View Large Balcony (Category: C3)

Category: C3

Infinite Ocean View Balcony (Category: I3)

Category: I3

Infinite Ocean View Balcony (Category: I1)

Category: I1

Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (Category: IB)

Category: IB

Guarantee - Quad Neighborhood Balcony Stateroom (Category: NQ)

Category: NQ This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Guarantee - Quad Balcony Stateroom (Category: XQ)

Category: XQ This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Exclusive experiences, inclusive amenities, luxury accommodations and more.

Guarantee - Suite (Category: WS)

Category: WS This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Junior Suite (Category: JS)

Category: JS

Sunset Junior Suite (Category: JT)

Category: JT

Surfside Family Suite (Category: SF)

Category: SF

Sky Junior Suite (Category: JY)

Category: JY

Panoramic Suite (Category: VP)

Category: VP

Grand Suite (Category: GS)

Category: GS

Infinite Grand Suite (Category: IG)

Category: IG

Sunset Suite (Category: SS)

Category: SS

Sunset Corner Suite (Category: SN)

Category: SN

Owner's Suite (Category: OS)

Category: OS

Icon Loft (Category: IL)

Category: IL

Royal Loft (Category: RL)

Category: RL

Ultimate Family Townhouse (Category: UL)

Category: UL

• Ship Name: Icon of the Seas
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2024
• Ship Class: Icon
• Maximum Capacity: 7,514
• Number of Passenger Decks: 20
• Officers' Nationality: International
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 276
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 1,815
• Total Inside Staterooms: 535
• Tonnage (GRT): 250,800
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 5,610
• Country of Registry: The Bahamas
• Total Staterooms: 2,805
• Suites with Balcony: 169
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

More Royal Caribbean® Ships

Adventure of the Seas

There’s something for every kind of seeker onboard Adventure of the Seas. You can get your adrenaline fix with a whip-splashing ride on The Perfect Storm twin racer slides or go with the flow on the FlowRider® surf simulator. Even the smallest explorers will have buckets of fun at Splashaway Bay aqua park. With so many fan favorite onboard activities, the hardest part is fitting them all into one sea day.

Allure of the Seas

Discover next-level thrills on every deck of Allure of the Seas®, from white-knuckle zip line rides ten decks up to totally splashworthy spaces for kids, like the interactive H20 Zone(SM) Water Park. Get down after dark with more bars than any ship out there and savor a world of possibilities right onboard.

Anthem of the Seas

No matter what side of the Atlantic you’re on, you’re guaranteed to find unbelievable adventure onboard Anthem of the Seas. If you sail from New York, expect sun-soaked tropical shores like Bermuda, St. Kitts, and the reimagined Royal Caribbean® private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. If you sail from Southampton, get ready for Mediterranean marvels, Iberian isles and the rugged coasts of the Canaries.

Brilliance of the Seas

If you love next-level thrills, world-class dining and stellar entertainment — you’ll love a vacation getaway onboard Brilliance of the Seas®. This headliner brings fleet favorites, like rock climbing 40 feet above deck, a rotating bar with spectacular views and the Adventure Ocean® youth program. Plus, with stops at snow-capped spots across Alaska, you can add a once-in-a-lifetime to the itinerary for your wildest week ever. Or unlock the shores of the western Caribbean and max out memories like never before.

Enchantment of the Seas

Adventurers, relaxation seekers and cruisers young and old - Enchantment of the Seas is the perfect ship for your clients. It boasts bungee trampolines, a Rock Climbing Wall, and an interactive Splash Pool - along with plenty of spaces that soothe, like the Vitality(SM) Spa and the adults-only Solarium pool. When the night heats up, guests can follow dinner with a Broadway-style show, and salsa moments at Boleros Latin-themed lounge.

Explorer of the Seas

Discover endless ways to max out memories on Explorer of the Seas® with fleet favorites like the FlowRider® surf simulator, award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program and the coolest ice skating rink at sea. Plus you’ll find jaw-dropping views and once-in-a-lifetime adventures on unique itineraries. Sail on your most legendary journey.

Freedom of the Seas

The best of both worlds combine for an all-in-one adventure on the Amplified Freedom of the Seas®. Wherever you choose to wander, you’ll find plenty of unparalleled thrills onboard in between adventures ashore. Like adrenaline-pumping slides and rides right on deck. A new pool scene designed to level up your time in the sun. And fresh, authentic flavors that will satisfy any craving.

Grandeur of the Seas

From winter getaways and coastal escapes filled with fall foliage, to the most exotic shores and cities in the Caribbean, Grandeur of the Seas is the ultimate east coast adventure, sailing from Baltimore. It’s the perfect blend of unique experiences onboard and unbelievable shores, like the lush islands of the Southern Caribbean, Bermuda’s unspoiled beaches, Canada’s picturesque ports and New England’s iconic coastlines that make Grandeur of the Seas one of the best intimate cruise ships for families and couples.

Harmony of the Seas

What do you get when you combine one of the biggest ships in the world with thrills at sea? A gravity-defying, status-quo-denying, electrifying expedition onboard Harmony of the Seas® that will set a new standard for family vacations. From first-at-sea feats to the favorites you know and love, you’ll find so many ways to make memories onboard — like the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss(SM), deck-defying stunts at the AquaTheater, and the robot-helmed Bionic Bar. Not to mention dazzling Broadway performances and globetrotting gastronomic experiences that go from Asia to the Mediterranean, and beyond.

Independence of the Seas

Independence of the Seas® is giving the Caribbean an injection of new adventures on getaways. Hang ten on our Flowrider® surf simulator. Go head to head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Battle for Planet Z(SM). Score an awesome time and game-changing grub at Playmakers(SM) Sports Bar & Arcade. Come Seek the Royal Caribbean®.

Jewel of the Seas

Between scenery scoping and memory-making, you’ll have the time of your life while sailing from one breathtaking location to another. Reach new heights with thrilling rock climbing. Watch show-stopping entertainment and stellar Broadway musical productions. And treat your taste buds to an epicurean feast ranging from Italian specialties to delicious teppanyaki prepared tableside.

Liberty of the Seas

The Liberty of the Seas® is packed with all the phenomenal onboard experiences. From supercharged slides and adrenaline-amping rides to delicious dishes, action-packed nightlife and jaw-dropping entertainment. No matter what kind of thrills you’re after, this is one unforgettable cruise getaway you’ll be bragging about for years to come.

Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas® is packed with more ways to play on the most maxed-out short getaway ever. Hang ten on the added FlowRider® surf simulator or race down The Perfect Storm(SM) waterslides. Bond over family-style Tuscan eats at Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, or kick off date night at The Bamboo Room. Ditch the road trip for an action-packed cruise ship, with quick cruises sailing from Orlando.

Navigator of the Seas

The amped Navigator of the Seas® delivers a maxed-out adventure in just a few short days. Take on record-breaking thrills, like the longest waterslide at sea. Soak up bigger, bolder, splashier pool days. Swap going out for going all out with next-level nightlife and new dining for every craving.

Oasis of the Seas

Beyond the first of its class, Oasis of the Seas® was also the ship that launched a vacation revolution. And now this Oasis Class favorite will introduce even more new thrills for couples and kids of all ages, upgraded ways to soak up the sun or enjoy the shade, more delicious dining options than ever to elevate date night, and buzz-worthy new spots to light up every evening.

Odyssey of the Seas

It’s time to see how far adventure can take you. Introducing the newest Royal Caribbean® gamechanger, and the first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship to sail in the U.S – Odyssey of the Seas(SM). Cue the thrills with unforgettable experiences onboard the cruise ship, dig in to delicious dining from around the world, or soak up the sun at a newly designed resort-style pool deck that brings the island vibes poolside.

Ovation of the Seas

Go scenery scoping from the unrivaled perspective of the North Star®, the highest vantage point on any cruise ship. Gaze at brilliant blue glaciers and majestic waterfalls from the pool deck as you sail through Endicott Arm. Then refuel with delicious, globally inspired dishes and robot-crafted cocktails as fresh as the crisp mountain air outside. And in between adventures onshore, fill each sea day with thrilling activities like surf sessions on the FlowRider®, simulated skydiving on RipCord®by iFLY®, and so much more.

Quantum of the Seas

From the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship to the RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator and the robotic bartenders of the Bionic Bar®, Quantum of the Seas® has endless ways to fill your days between scenery scoping and wilderness wandering across spectacular shores.

Radiance of the Seas

Linger longer in iconic destinations onboard a ship designed for exploration. Dazzling with the most glass of any Royal Caribbean® ship, Radiance of the Seas® is perfect for glacier gazing in Alaska and soaking up the sun in the tropics. When you aren’t chasing adventure onshore, unwind poolside while taking in the views, stretch your muscles on the Rock Climbing Wall, and sing along to show-stopping performances onboard.

Rhapsody of the Seas

Rhapsody of the Seas® features dramatic walls of glass, a retractable canopy, a soothing Day Spa, two pools, a whirlpool and eight lounges.

Serenade of the Seas

No matter where in the world you’re sailing, Serenade of the Seas® keeps you close to all the natural splendor. Once onboard, panoramic views and acres of glass ensure you’ll never miss a moment of the surrounding scenery. In between adventures onshore, you can soak up the sun poolside, tee off on the mini golf green, and dig into world-class flavors that will take you from Tuscany to Tokyo.

Spectrum of the Seas

Marvel at the fourth ship in the Quantum Class, Spectrum of the Seas. Featuring the same groundbreaking venues as its sister ships, Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, this ship is continuing to take cruisers to new heights. Spectrum will offer guests a variety of activities, entertainment and dining options.

Star of the Seas

Second ship in the Royal Caribbean Icon Class

Symphony of the Seas

Get ready for a perception remixing, memory-maxing mic drop — Symphony of the Seas® is all that and more. It’s your favorite onboard hits, including the ten-story test of courage, Ultimate Abyss(SM) and twin FlowRider® surf simulators, plus revolutionary new firsts, like glow-in-the-dark laser tag. And deck-defying attractions aren’t the only things to look forward to when you sail onboard the Oasis Class. Symphony of the Seas® is also loaded with delicious new ways to tempt your taste buds — like the gameday game-changing Playmakers(SM) Sports Bar & Arcade — and larger-than-life ways to stay, like the Ultimate Family Suite. Go get your thrill on.

Utopia of the Seas

What happens here is too big to stay here. Introducing Utopia of the Seas(SM) — the ship that’s totally transforming weekends for good. Royal Caribbean is talking bigger flavors. Bolder play. And better chill days than you’ve ever imagined. No craving goes unsatisfied with over 40 ways to dine and drink. New chart-topping showstoppers blow your mind on stage, ice, water and air. You’ll earn bragging rights daily with seventeen adrenaline-pumping slides, and pool hop till you drop with countless ways to make a splash — onboard and onshore at our award-winning private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. This is not a routine recharge. This is the World’s Biggest Weekend — arriving in Port Canaveral July 2024

Vision of the Seas

On the beautiful Vision of the Seas, your clients will never lose sight of why they came onboard - thanks to endless windows that immerse them in the coastal scenery and wide-open sea. More relaxing moments can be had at the Vitality(SM) Spa, boasting treatments from massages to acupuncture, or at the sunlit Solarium pool.

Voyager of the Seas

Take on three stories of twisting, turning adventure on two high-speed waterslides in The Perfect Storm(SM) or go head to head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Battle for Planet Z(SM). Hang ten on the FlowRider® surf simulator or recharge and reinvigorate at the spa and adults-only solarium. Plus enjoy Voyager Dunes, ice-skating, rock-climbing wall, and totally reimagined spaces for every kid and teen.

Wonder of the Seas

Everything is a big deal on Wonder of the Seas(SM). This is a larger-than-life, island-hopping adventure with epic thrills for all ages. Kids can revel in next-level playtime. Adrenaline chasers meet their match at Ultimate Abys(SM). And everyone savors delicious dining options from homespun Southern classics with a twist to rustic Italian favorites. Get ready to launch from the Space Coast to Royal's private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay and discover the eastern and western shores of the Caribbean. Only on Royal Caribbean®.

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• Royal Caribbean International

Icon pricing

By cusematt4 , December 27, 2023 in Royal Caribbean International

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Hi all - icon pricing for next year understandably seems to be 2-4x the price of other ships for the same week, regardless of what week.

Based on prior new ship and class launches, is it likely it’ll remain 2-4x more expensive than all other ships and sailings throughout the first year?  At what point does it become more in line with other large new ships?

Is utopia likely to be more than double other ships for comparable sailings for its first year, or is that less likely since it isn’t a new class?

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I assume some people on this web site can talk about what things cost, I can not comment on this post without getting blasted!

49 minutes ago, cusematt4 said: At what point does it become more in line with other large new ships?

Any post here will be a total guess - way too many variable conditions which determine pricing. 

There were some Icon sailings available in the going going gone sale flyer a few days ago. In the $1800+ range per person if I recall correctly.

58 minutes ago, cusematt4 said: Hi all - icon pricing for next year understandably seems to be 2-4x the price of other ships for the same week, regardless of what week.   Based on prior new ship and class launches, is it likely it’ll remain 2-4x more expensive than all other ships and sailings throughout the first year?  At what point does it become more in line with other large new ships?   Is utopia likely to be more than double other ships for comparable sailings for its first year, or is that less likely since it isn’t a new class?

I'm booked on wonder and utopia and neither is what I'd call inexpensive. Utopia is doing 3 and 4 day cruises so they are less expensive but fewer days. 

Wonder is currently the newest and imo didnt escape the new high prices for a new ship. Look at star pricing  .. 

As far as wishing and hoping prices come down, I'd say I dont see signs that rcl is lowering prices, mostly they go up not down. I wouldn't hold my breath any time soon prices will come down. I doubt icon is 2 to 3 X higher than wonder, maybe you didnt look at the other new ship prices as closely? And star certainly wouldnt be less, its icon II class.

11 hours ago, Jimbo said: I assume some people on this web site can talk about what things cost, I can not comment on this post without getting blasted!

I'm not getting your point at all. What is the problem with you commenting?

I believe, based upon history, the pricing will eventually come down, after all if they could offer the first couple months bookings at the lower price last year, why not next year.  I think it's a case of waiting to see what the market will bear in the coming months.  We could not book ICON now, at almost triple what we paid last October 2022.  Monitoring now to try to get our Grandson and friend an inside so they can go with us in September, just not seeing anything affordable for them.  But hoping that by July after payment due, the prices may come down.  Just a guessing game at this point.

15 hours ago, cusematt4 said:  At what point does it become more in line with other large new ships?

All the newer ships, even with Carnival are outrageous.  Jubilee which just premiered had their insides at $3300+ for 2 peeps, I just priced them hoping they'd be better than RCCL, we haven't paid that pricing except on Celebrity in years.  And our ICON sailing was only $2400.  The general economy is the culprit...and I won't say more about that subject!  Grrrrr. 😡

Looking at Icon pricing makes us thankful we like the smaller older ships.  We can do 4 cruises for the price of one 🙂

41 minutes ago, bouhunter said: Looking at Icon pricing makes us thankful we like the smaller older ships.  We can do 4 cruises for the price of one 🙂  

Agreed!  5 out of 6 cruises I've booked now are all on Voyager class ships.  I don't see myself booking an Icon class for quite some time.

Why are there so many threads complaining about icon pricing but I've never seen any complaints about star pricing. Is star pricing better than icon? I have really looked, I was on harmony for 3 weeks when the star pricing came out, so maybe I missed it. 

Ourusualbeach

1 hour ago, BecciBoo said: I believe, based upon history, the pricing will eventually come down, after all if they could offer the first couple months bookings at the lower price last year, why not next year.  I think it's a case of waiting to see what the market will bear in the coming months.  We could not book ICON now, at almost triple what we paid last October 2022.  Monitoring now to try to get our Grandson and friend an inside so they can go with us in September, just not seeing anything affordable for them.  But hoping that by July after payment due, the prices may come down.  Just a guessing game at this point.

The difference is that when Icon was first released it was November 2022.  Ships were sailing at 50 to 75% capacity.  If you remember, even at the time those prices were at a huge premium over the other ships and many thought the prices at the time were crazy.  They look like a deal now but not back then.  The landscape has changed and it will take another global event if you ever expect to see those low prices again.  

We booked an inside (deck 9) on Icon when the "test" week for November 15, 2025 popped up (intermittently) on-line. We paid $3,875.28 total base price for two and added grats/ins for a grand total of $4,397.28. Pretty pricey for an inside for a week; however, that price has only been going up when I randomly check. If anyone notices a nice drop, please post and let me know (possible finders fee)! We are really looking forward to seeing the Icon up close and personal!

MandyMooToo

It seems like, in our experience, that the earlier you book these ships, the better the pricing.  We are leaving on an 8 night NYE cruise Saturday on Wonder.  An interior cabin (our usual) cost $2958 for the two of us for this cruise.  Our Icon sailing for an interior plus in August 2024 (made the day bookings opened) cost us $2535.  These sailings have doubled now.  Maybe Wonder will come down a bit after Icon launches and so forth.

2 minutes ago, MandyMooToo said: It seems like, in our experience, that the earlier you book these ships, the better the pricing.  We are leaving on an 8 night NYE cruise Saturday on Wonder.  An interior cabin (our usual) cost $2958 for the two of us for this cruise.  Our Icon sailing for an interior plus in August 2024 (made the day bookings opened) cost us $2535.  These sailings have doubled now.  Maybe Wonder will come down a bit after Icon launches and so forth.

Yeah, we should have booked sooner but I really didn't think I'd like the ship but, after following the Icon build, we decided that we wanted to see it in person. We're getting older and can't take $$ with us, so what the h***! Let's cruise on Icon (at least once)! Cheers!

23 minutes ago, MandyMooToo said: Our Icon sailing for an interior plus in August 2024 (made the day bookings opened) cost us $2535.

See post #12.

Did you see what Star cost on release day?

5 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:   See post #12.   Did you see what Star cost on release day?

I did see post #12 and I know what you are saying.  I was just posting what experiences we have had over the years booking new ships (Allure, Wonder, Icon, whichever).  I agree that part of the pricing comes from the changes that have taken pace in the travel industry in general over the last few years, but either way, booking early seems to find the best price.

And no, I did not price Star when it as released.  We have enjoyed the big ships so far but I want to try out Icon before we book anymore.  The older I get, the more I am looking for quiet and chill, not huge and busy, so we shall see!

We booked a March Icon cruise last August.  The group rate was 3500, buying through RCCL was 11,000+.  Now that we're past final payment... I just checked on RCCL and it's 'down' to 4500.  A lot of the extras such as DBP, Hideaway Beach, etc. have been trending down as well.. I guess it's worth a shot to see who pays the outrageous rates and then play the numbers and profit game after final

The way to go is to try to find a travel agency that buys blocks of rooms to get a good price..and of course to remain vigilant and cancel, rebook, reprice as needed... I hate the game, but that's where we are

32 minutes ago, MandyMooToo said: I did not price Star when it as released.

It was nothing like Icon, which was of course my point.

What you experienced over the years is different now.

This probably sounds silly but I noticed that I would be due to receive another crystal block on Oasis (which I already have that CB), a couple of weeks after cruising on the Icon, so, I added another B2B just before the Icon, so I could get an Icon crystal block!! Am I nuts? 🤔  Would any of you done the same?

1 hour ago, SilkySal said: This probably sounds silly but I noticed that I would be due to receive another crystal block on Oasis (which I already have that CB), a couple of weeks after cruising on the Icon, so, I added another B2B just before the Icon, so I could get an Icon crystal block!! Am I nuts? 🤔  Would any of you done the same?

We added an 8 day last month so we could get the Icon block on the inaugural cruise.

6 hours ago, SilkySal said: This probably sounds silly but I noticed that I would be due to receive another crystal block on Oasis (which I already have that CB), a couple of weeks after cruising on the Icon, so, I added another B2B just before the Icon, so I could get an Icon crystal block!! Am I nuts? 🤔  Would any of you done the same?

We will be 5 days short.  Considered it but we are looking at cruising with all our kids and grandkids, so the crystal will be more about the cruise rather than the ship. 

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Icon of the Seas by Wilson Butler Architects and Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest cruise ship

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In 1996, Royal Caribbean and Wilson Butler Architects ( WBA ) embarked on a simple mission: Provide the “best family vacation on the planet.” Since then, the pair have put out into the ocean blue 24 hulking cruise ships that would make Captain Cook blush.

Flash forward to last year, the Boston architecture office and Royal Caribbean hit a major milestone. After over 25 years in business together they can claim the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas . And today, Royal Caribbean International, a Miami-based corporation, controls almost 20 percent of the global cruise market. 

Icon of the Seas made its maiden voyage in January sailing from Miami to Finland, where Royal Caribbean’s ships are assembled. The leviathan has capacity for 5,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members. It’ s almost the same length as the Empire State Building, except it’s turned on its side and, well, can float.   The ship is so big, it weighs five times more than the Titanic. 

“Designing a ship isn’t that different from designing a building on land,” said Scott Butler, WBA founding director. “It’s like designing a building in a constant state of seismic activity. Master planning a ship is just like planning a city.”

Toward this end, Icon of the Seas has “neighborhoods.” T hese uniquely programmed areas of the vessel are titled Aquadome, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, the Hideway, and, last but not least, “Central Park.”

Royal Caribbean currently has 60 ships in its fleet that travel to 800 destinations around the world. Its latest vessel cost $2 billion to build and towers 20 stories. It was assembled at Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland, but was planned in Boston. The design team prides itself for the ship’s green strategies: Icon of the Seas runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel cell technology. This reduces carbon emissions by about 30 percent and sulfur emissions by almost 100 percent.

Certainly, the mammoth which debuted this winter is a far cry from the company’s original fleet.  Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968 in Norway when three companies came together to form a maritime empire: Anders Wilhelmsen & Company, I. M. Skaugen & Company, and Gotaas Larsen.

Its first ship, Song of Norway , was 650 feet long and designed by Meyer Turku, a Finnish ship building company founded in 1795. Royal Caribbean’s second vessel was called Nordic Prince , and then came Sun Viking in 1972. Ten years later, Song of America debuted. In 1988, Sovereign of the Seas launched, followed by Nordic Empress and Viking Serenade in 1990, Monarch of the Seas in 1991, and Majesty of the Seas in 1992.

In the late 1990s, Royal Caribbean went into business with Wilson Butler Architects to pivot into the 21st century. “Decades ago, cruise ships used to be so claustrophobic and congested. Passengers used to feel like they were getting herded like cattle,” Butler offered.

Ideas for building the world’s largest cruise ship sprouted in 2016. That year, after two decades in business, Royal Caribbean’s building and innovation team asked Wilson Butler Architects to plan a ship that could hold 10,000 guests and crew members. Skylab Architecture also collaborated on the ship. The design team’s response was a vessel with, in section, three distinct zones that provided comfort across eight distinct neighborhoods. 

Passengers aboard Icon of the Seas have options indeed. They can enjoy the world’s “first true waterpark at sea,” WBA noted. There’s also an immersive enclosed dome where the Aqua Theater is located. Parts of the ship’s open spaces are so voluminous, they recall Biosphere 2.

Guests enter Icon of the Seas in a greeting area called The Pearl . There, a load bearing kinetic art installation 53-feet in diameter by BREAKFAST Studio , a Brooklyn office, is sited that supports the nine decks above. After The Pearl, passengers have the choice of either entering Aquadome, a 700-seat theater; or Absolute Zero, a 794-seat entertainment venue. There’s also Royal Theater, a 1,220-seat Broadway theater with a four-section orchestra lift.

Icon of the Sea ’s Central Park offers passengers lushness and greenery with more than 33,000 plants. Restaurants, bars, and a jazz club are all within walking distance from the homage to Frederick Law Olmsted.

At the heart of the ship is the Royal Promenade, a two-story area with restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment options. From there, guests flow upwards by a monumental stair to either Surfside or Central Park without ever having to use an elevator.

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean hopes to have three Icon of the Seas out on the open water prior to 2030.

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7 Ways to Help You Choose the Best Royal Caribbean Cruises

R oyal Caribbean cruises are popular for a reason. Whether you want to sail the Caribbean, marvel at Norwegian fjords, or visit Alaska, Royal Caribbean can take you there. And with so many options in the fleet, you can build the vacation you want the way you want.

If you’re overwhelmed by choices, I have a few ways to ensure you choose the right cruise for your next trip. Here are seven things to consider when planning a cruise.

Image Credit: Andrea Updyke

Table of Contents

Decide on your budget, determine your royal caribbean cruises vacation style, research the ships, know your kid-friendly activities, choose your amenities, choose a departure port, perfect day at coco cay, more travel tips.

I have sailed in balcony rooms, ocean-view rooms, interior staterooms, and suites. While the room styles and amenities varied, I had a great time on every single cruise. It never feels good to go over budget, so I recommend deciding what you can afford and sticking to a plan.

Even though Royal Caribbean includes entertainment and food in the price, it can be remarkably easy to overspend.

For those on a tighter budget, don’t feel confined to interior staterooms. By opting for off-season travel, you can often secure great deals on typically more expensive room categories. Months like September and January are known for their discounted offers.

My family has often chosen to cruise in September several times, and we’ve never been disappointed. The water is still invitingly warm, and we relish the opportunity to explore when the crowds are thinner.

What kind of traveler are you? Do you like lots of activities, rest, or something in between? When choosing Royal Caribbean cruises, consider the number of sea days and the itinerary. For instance, some cruises have ports of call each day, while others have a mix of sea days. Still others, like transatlantic cruises, have several sea days back to back.

On our Royal Caribbean Baltic Cruise , my husband and I enjoyed being off the ship daily in ports like Stockholm, Helsinki, and Visby. There was so much to do in each port that we could easily have a full day and still be back onboard in time for dinner.

The occasional sea day was nice, too, especially when we wanted to sleep in. Of course, being in port doesn’t mean you must go ashore. You can always stay on the ship and enjoy the lighter crowds.

The last time my family sailed to the Bahamas, we never even got off the ship . We had a suite on that vacation and had the most relaxing time enjoying our space. 

The choice is yours, with twenty-eight ships currently in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The ships available will depend on where you want to travel and the amenities you wish to experience while onboard.

Royal Caribbean offers different ships in a variety of classes. If you see several ships in the same class, like the Oasis Class, they will be similar in size and offerings. They are typically built within the same timeframe, with the main difference being the ports from which they sail.

Older ships like Voyager of the Seas are smaller and have fewer venues. But because of their size, they may be able to sail to places the larger vessels can’t. For example, you won’t see a mega-ship in the Norweigan fjords. Depending on your travel partners, older ships such as Voyager and Freedom classes have fewer kid-friendly spaces, which can be a blessing or a curse.

On the other hand, they are easy to traverse and still offer excellent entertainment and gorgeous views. They can also be more affordable than the newer Oasis and Icon class ships. If there is an attraction or restaurant you want to experience, you can see what each ship offers on the Royal Caribbean website and choose your favorites.

If family fun is what you’re after, the larger ships will have the most to offer. There is no shortage of fun, from waterslides to surfing to escape rooms. Oasis-class ships and above also have the popular Aqua Theater with thrilling high dives and high-energy water shows. No matter how old you are, you will leave with your jaw dropped.

All ships have kids’ clubs, arcades, and special hang-out areas, but the larger vessels have newer technology and more space for each age group. Pools will also differ between ship classes, so research if something is important to you beforehand. Parents of small children may want to ensure they are sailing on a ship with a splash pad and pools, as not every ship has a splash pad.

Some cruises offer an adults-only solarium, while others do not. Oasis of the Seas offers a boardwalk with a dry slide and a carousel. The Icon of the Seas has been referred to as a theme park at sea because of its amazing options. Odyssey of the Seas is beautiful but lacks the crowd-favorite Viking Crown Lounge. This variety is part of the beauty of Royal Caribbean cruises. You can truly have a different experience each time you sail.

Image Credit: Just is a Four Letter Word

Entertainment offerings and restaurants also vary somewhat, with certain ships having more than others. If you plan to spend a lot of time on board and want to experience the spa, signature dining, and activities like ice skating or surfing, make sure the cruise offers what you want.

Whether you choose the departure port based on how easily you can get there or if you have a specific destination in mind, the departure port matters because not all cruise ships go to every port. If you have decided on the ships you want to sail, you can select them when searching for cruises, then you will see the departure ports they sail from on certain dates.

Keep in mind that cruise ships can also have seasons. So, while they are in one port for the summer, they could be halfway around the world by Christmas. If you know the port you want to sail from, refine your search to that port to see the available cruises.

Some cruises will depart and return to the same port. Others will start at one port and end at another. These will be marked as round-trip or one-way cruises, respectively. If you can sail in the off-season, find some great deals on so-called “repositioning cruises”, which are one-way sailings when a ship changes to a new home port.

Lastly, Coco Cay and the upcoming Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island near Nassau are two jewels in the Bahamian seas, accessible only to Royal Caribbean cruises. These destinations are offered on certain Caribbean and Bahamian cruise itineraries, so if you want to experience one or both, ensure they are included.

Coco Cay offers various free and additional-cost adventures for all ages. From a giant pool with a swim-up bar to beach access to a complete water park and even an adults-only beach, you really can have a perfect day at CocoCay.

Alternatively, the Royal Beach Club is slated to open in 2025 and will offer pools, beach access, bars, and bungalows for rent. This will be a limited-capacity experience with a charge to reserve.

Family Cruise Travel

Family Travel Tips

10 Things I ALWAYS Bring on a Cruise

First time to scandinavia try a royal caribbean baltic cruise, how to handle last-minute cruise itinerary changes.

The best cruise is the cruise that fits your style, and as you can see, there are many ways to customize your sailing to fit your needs. Whatever Royal Caribbean cruise you choose, whether your first or your fifth, the right one is the next one!

If you loved this post, please share and/or comment below! 🌟

The post 7 Ways to Help You Choose the Best Royal Caribbean Cruises appeared first on Just is a Four Letter Word .

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Icon of the Seas Reveal: What Is Included in a Cruise with Royal Caribbean?

Revealing all the best things to do on icon of the seas..

By  Amanda Mesa | Published on December 8, 2022

Icon of the Seas℠ is in the position to be a game changer to vacations. Brimming with complimentary ways to fill every single moment of your cruise getaway with  epic travel thrills , endless relaxing chill vibes , as well as world-class dining and iconic wows that showcase awe-inspiring entertainment including the magnificent AquaDome. With so many exciting things to look forward to, you may be wondering what cruise foods and vacation activities are included in a cruise on the first Icon Class ship. 

For starters, there's the largest water park at sea that's home to six record-breaking waterslides, an aqua park for kiddos that offers buckets of fun, an adults-only pools that goes long on beach-club vibes and never-before-seen culinary concepts across the ship's various neighborhoods. I'm most looking forward to the seven pools onboard, including the largest pool at sea and the largest swim-up bar. And that's barely scratching the surface of what the first-ever Icon Class ship has to offer.

What is (Free) Included in a Cruise on Icon of the Seas?

So, you're excited and ready to book a trip on the biggest ship to ever set sail. First things first: What is included on a cruise vacation on Icon of the Seas℠ ? There are so many wow-worthy things to do on Icon of the Seas from dining to entertainment, many of which are included in your cruise fare. That said, coming up with a game plan on how to fill every moment onboard can be overwhelming. Here's a pro-tip: Start by understanding what is included in the cruise price and what experiences are available for an additional fee. If you're trying to stick to a budget, knowing what's free onboard will simplify your vacation-planning process.

Here's an insider's guide to what is included onboard Icon of the Seas vs. what is considered extra.

Vacations thrills Included in Your Cruise

A cruise vacation is a great opportunity to go outside your comfort zone and try something new with thrilling activities like Category 6 . Located in the Thrill Island neighborhood of the ship, Category 6 is a sprawling water park that encompasses six ground-breaking waterslides, including the tallest waterslide on the seas, the first open free-fall waterslide on a cruise, the first family raft slide on a ship and exhilarating mat racers, just to name a few. The best part? Guests can ride any and all of the slides as many times as they like for free.

If you're like me, then it wouldn't be a vacation without getting your adrenaline pumping. The FlowRider * is a returning favorite to Icon of the Seas℠ . This huge surf simulator funnels 30,000 gallons of rushing water to create the perfect swells all day, every day. It's one of the top free things to do on any ship that has one onboard, including the first Icon Class cruise ship. You can choose to tame the waves — and try to keep your balance — upright on your feet or hit the water boogie-style on your belly. Rides are complimentary for cruise guests, though you can also reserve lessons with an instructor for a fee.

The Rock Climbing Wall is one of my favorite cruise activities. It's known for yielding some of the best views at sea, too. Located on Deck 16 in the Thrill Island neighborhood, Icon of the Seas takes rock climbing to the next level with Adrenaline Peak. It's the ultimate rock climbing experience: a thrilling, pulse-pumping scramble to a vantage point that will wow you. It even has racing for speed climbers. Adrenaline Peak is totally free for cruise guests; anyone ages six years or older is welcome to harness up and head to the top as many times as they like.

Discovering what is included on a Royal Caribbean cruise with Icon of the Seas℠ brings fun family-friendly activities to the next level. For example, the Lost Dunes for example is one of the best mini-golf courses at sea and it's included in your cruise fare. Tee up with your friends or family and putt putt your way across this nine-hole course complete with shipwrecks and fallen palms as obstacles — you'll find it's par none, and it's completely free. Challenge your family to a friendly contest: Whoever shoots a hole-in-one gets treated to ice cream.

There's no better place than the Sports Court to keep your family's competitive side going. Onboard Icon of the Seas℠ , this large play space offers a variety of different team activities, including basketball, volleyball, pickleball and dodgeball. You don't need to make a reservation or pay a fee to enjoy the Sports Court at any point during your cruise — just keep in mind that equipment is subject to availability and is first come, first served.

If you're cruising with your children, there's no shortage of activities and attractions to excite little ones onboard Icon of the Seas℠ . Like Playscape, a place for kids to slide, climb and play. There's also the cruise ship's beach-themed carousel, which doubles as a great photo opp. Both attractions are included in your cruise fare.

On a beautiful sunny day, head to Splashaway Bay, an aqua park for pint-sized cruisers. It's designed exclusively with tots to tweens in mind and offers plenty of cool interactive water features and mini waterslides just for little ones. Think water cannons, fountains, splash pools and more. There's also Baby Bay for your littlest adventure seekers. And of course, admission is included in your cruise fare.

Seven Pools, Endless Ways to Catch Your Rays

That’s right — seven. Each pool has its own unique vibe, and every one is free for cruise guests (though one is exclusively for Suite Guests…more on that later). So let’s take a tour of all the picture-perfect places to plunge. First stop is  the Hideaway Pool — the only suspended infinity pool at sea, you can soak up ocean views surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with its own resident DJ, whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar. Then there's Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea with over 40,000 gallons of water, plenty of in-water loungers and raised whirlpools that offer beautiful ocean views. If you love a swim-up bar — and who doesn’t? — grab a seat at Swim & Tonic, the first swim-up bar in the Royal Caribbean® fleet.  Water's Edge Pool has everything families need to make a splash with the little ones right in the heart of Surfside. And on the flip side, Cloud 17 is a chill adults-only pool you can pair with a poolside drink from The Lime and Coconut. Finally,  the Cove Pool is located portside and directly facing the wide-open sea, offering stunning views and a laid-back vibe perfect for a day spent reading or listening to your favorite podcast.

What is Included on a Cruise for Suites Guests?

What is included on a cruise for suites guests? If you're staying in a Sky or Star suite, you can also access the  Suite Neighborhood for additional perks and activities included with your cruise suite. Or, head to Grove Suite Sun Deck , a casual outdoor venue with its own exclusive pool just for suite guests.

Fun Things to Do on Vacation, the List is Endless

Since Icon of the Seas is the biggest ship to ever set sail, you won't run out of things to do. In fact, any guest can access any neighborhood onboard Icon of the Seas℠ for free, including Thrill Island , Chill Island , the Royal Promenade, Surfside and the Hideaway.

Another of my favorite cruising activities is catching the onboard entertainment, which is always free for cruise guests. Catch scene-stealing original productions that combine high-diving feats and aerial stunts at the AquaTheater, or watch as world-class ice skaters show off their skills at Absolute Zero . I love to make a date night out of it, with a fancy onboard dinner beforehand.

Wondering which restaurants are free on Icon of the Seas?

 Wondering which restaurants are free on Icon of the Seas? There are several dining options where every bite is complimentary. This includes the casual, family-friendly Surfside Eatery buffet and Surfside Eatery, your go-to for sweet and salty snacks. If you're staying in a suite, there's Coastal Kitchen and the Grove.

One of my favorite free restaurants onboard is Sorrento’s, a guest-favorite pizza spot that serves up cheesy goodness by the slice. It’s open late, too, making it a perfect stop after a late-night whirl on the dance floor. For casual, complimentary bites all day, every day, I like Pearl Café. A first for the cruise line, this gorgeous space is open 24 hours a day and serves up great coffee, pastries, snacks and sandwiches with a side of dazzling sea views. Park Café is another great free option if you’re craving deli-style comfort foods, including the signature “Kümmelweck” roast beef sandwich.

Prefer to taste your way around the world? Windjammer Marketplace offers a rotating selection of international fare served buffet-style during breakfast, lunch and dinner. And at Aquadome Market, the fleet’s first-ever food hall, you can choose between global options like Chicken Teriyaki with Snow Peas, fresh pitas and Mediterranean-style faves and more across five different food stands.

Another free guest favorite returning to Icon of the Seas is El Loco Fresh, known for its crazy-good burritos, tacos and other hearty Tex-Mex options. At Basecamp, you can choose from all kinds of crave-worthy, complimentary snacks — though you’ll also see some elevated options available for an additional fee. And of course, I can’t leave out the main dining room. Every night, this expansive, chic venue serves up elaborate multi-course feasts — at no additional cost. With so many incredible free dining options to choose from, you can enjoy literally every meal onboard without spending a dollar over your cruise fare.

What Is Available for an Additional Fee on Icon of the Seas?

Now that you know all of the wonderful entertainment, attractions, dining and more that is complimentary on Icon of the Seas, what is not included in your cruise fare? The following restaurants and attractions are open to guests sailing onboard Icon of the Seas, but you'll have to pay an additional fee to access them.

Special Restaurants that are Worth the Extra Cost

The Surfside and Thrill Island neighborhoods are home to some incredible specialty restaurants. At Basecamp, you can refuel between adventures, choosing among a variety of food windows popping out delicious provisions. At Pier 7, you can look forward to plenty of relaxed vibes paired with beachside bites — think mango shrimp tostadas and surf 'n' turf tacos. Though these restaurants are not complimentary offerings, they are absolutely worth a visit, especially if you're one to crave tacos at any moment.

Perfect for birthdays and celebrations, the menu at Desserted is all about extravagant milkshakes piled high with all your favorite toppings. Here, you can enjoy frothy classics inspired by old-school soda parlors or, for adults, boozy concoctions and spirited sweet treats. Located on Deck 16, it's the perfect spot to indulge à la carte. This decadent menu has me convinced to purchase a Specialty Dining Package to enjoy a discounted rate.

Unique Cruise Experience Extras on Icon of the Seas

Aptly named, Icon of the Seas has some iconic offerings onboard. Be sure to check out Swim & Tonic , the largest swim-up bar at sea. Admission is free if you want to hang out and wade in the water, though alcoholic beverages will cost you extra unless you purchase a Specialty Beverage Package . The package is a great deal, and it includes beers, wines, and other vacation libations at bars such as the Lemon Post.

If you're craving some game time, you can hit up the arcade, located in the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood . It's well-stocked with classic games and some cool new favorites that will delight children and adults alike. Play until your heart's content — just keep in mind that games are not included in your cruise fare.

Now that you know everything that's included in your Icon of the Seas cruise, you can start planning an unforgettable escape on the first-ever Icon Class cruise ship.

Written By AMANDA MESA

Amanda has written for Royal Caribbean since 2017. She also covers travel, lifestyle, food and beverage for Indulge Magazine, the Miami Herald and PureWow. She's traveled extensively around the world, enjoys building unforgettable itineraries and loves introducing readers to lesser-known destinations.

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My Personas

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I tried Princess Cruise's premier package. At just $80 a day, it's one of the best deals at sea.

• I paid about $80 a day for a premier package on a recent Princess Cruise .
• The fee got me unlimited room service, onboard WiFi, premium desserts, and more. 
• The package was an incredible value and it made my trip feel luxurious. 

I've been on 18 cruises and I absolutely love them.

I wake up in a new place every morning and unpack only once. Most of my meals are planned and paid for in advance, and I feel the ocean breeze every time I step out onto my cabin's balcony .

The only letdown is when the bill that arrives the night before each cruise ends contains more charges than I'd kept track of in my head.

I hate the wallet-wrenching surprise of that final invoice, filled with a few more drinks than I remember ordering, the WiFi I couldn't live without, and the specialty dining restaurants I splurged on.

But all that changed the moment I discovered the Premier Cruises' Premier Princess package on Princess Cruises during a family vacation on the Regal Princess in December.

Although my parents, brother, and brother's girlfriend went à la carte with their onboard purchases, my fiancé and I ordered the premier package.

It gave us a huge leg up throughout the trip. Here's why it may be worth considering if you're planning to sail with Princess Cruises.

For just $80 per person per day, we got tons of perks

The premier package costs $80 per day per guest, which amounts to $560 per person on a seven-day sailing (or $1,120 per couple).

At first glance, that sounds like a significant additional line item — but not when you compare the included items to the cruise's à la carte costs.

Princess Cruises' Premier Princess package includes:

• WiFi: Up to four devices per guest
• Beverages: Premium drinks (up to $20 each), bottled water, specialty coffee and juice bar
• Crew appreciation: Mandatory prepaid tips
• Professional photos: Unlimited digital photos and three prints
• Specialty multi-course meals: Two per sailing
• Meals at casual-dining restaurants: Unlimited
• Premium desserts: Unlimited treats from specialty venues
• OceanNow: Fee waived for food and drink delivery anywhere on board
• Room service delivery: Unlimited
• Fitness classes: Unlimited classes by Xpotential (Pure Barre, Yoga Six, and Stretch Lab)
• Reserved theatre seating
• Princess Prizes: Win prizes like wine tasting, onboard credit, and more by opening your door during certain hours

I didn't indulge a ton on my trip but I still saved money with the premier package

Right off the bat, passengers must pay $16/day for crew appreciation (read: gratuities). Crew appreciation is included in my package, so that's $112 of the $560 I paid for the package accounted for.

I'm a light drinker, so I only ordered two alcoholic drinks a day: usually a pre-dinner cocktail ($15 to $20 à la carte) and a glass of wine with dinner ($10).

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I sometimes got a soda with lunch ($2.50) or a specialty coffee ($3 to $4) at breakfast. That totals $27.50 to $34 a day, or $192.50 to $238 a week for a week of drinks if they were à la carte.

For the record, though, the premier package includes 15 alcoholic beverages daily, so you can drink far more than I did and order over $2,000 worth of drinks in a week.

I also saved on onboard WiFi, an essential for me because I'm always working and sharing my adventures in real time on Instagram .

Since I use both a phone and a laptop, I'd need to connect at least two devices. That would typically cost $40 a day, but up to four devices are included with the package. So that's a savings of $280.

If you're keeping tabs, I've now accounted for more than the cost of the premier package with just drinks, gratuities, and WiFi.

With our savings already more than accounted for, everything else was a bonus

For instance, I enjoy breaking up the monotony of eating in the main dining room with visits to such specialty restaurants as Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, Crown Grill, or The Catch by Rudi. Cover charges at these eateries range from $35 to $39 per person. I dined at two during my sailing, which would have totaled $74 without the package.

Because this was our first family vacation in about a decade, getting family photos was also a priority. So most nights before dinner, we visited the various portrait stations around the ship.

With the premier package, I was given an unlimited number of digital images, so we didn't have to make difficult decisions about which photos to keep and which to discard.

We ended up with more than a dozen digital photos and six prints. On the other hand, my brother and his girlfriend bought some of their couples-only photos and paid $191.75 for five digital photos.

Plus, my fiancé and I indulged in a few premium desserts ($10 each à la carte), I took a fitness class to help balance them out ($30 à la carte), and we made use of the OceanNow service that delivers food or drinks to you anywhere on board ($15 one-time fee).

Overall, my package basically paid for itself, and then some

Overall, I'd estimate we saved at least $275 per person by choosing this package — and we used the included perks rather conservatively since we just aren't big drinkers.

But even if you only plan to have two drinks a day like we did, this package basically pays for itself.

It's worth noting that you can only order the package before you board or through the second day of your sailing. Both passengers in a stateroom must sign up for it.

If one of you doesn't drink alcohol or doesn't care to be connected to WiFi, it probably won't make financial sense to purchase this package.

But the best part of having this package was that I never felt nickeled and dimed and was able to just enjoy a week with my family in the Caribbean .

I didn't stress about putting any extras "on my tab" because I knew my final bill would be a fixed cost I'd already made peace with. And by doing so, I certainly came out ahead.

Watch: Why it costs $1 million a day to run one of the world's biggest cruise ships

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