Meet the World’s Largest Cruise Ship: Icon of the Seas

March 27, 2023

When it debuts in 2024, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas, will be the largest ship in the world and will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, taking vacationing on the water to a new level.

How big is this “biggest cruise ship in the world?

Icon of the Seas measures an impressive 1,198 feet long, boasting 18 passenger decks (20 in total), seven pools, nine whirlpools, six record-breaking waterslides, up to 2,350 crew members, 2,805 state rooms and the ability to hold up to 7,600 passengers at complete capacity. As part of the new Icon Class, this remarkable ship is Royal Caribbean’s first new type of vessel since 2014.

Where will the Icon of the Seas sail from?

Beginning in January 2024 and through at least April 2025, Icon of the Seas will begin offering cruises from Miami, the ship’s homeport. Royal Caribbean has not announced plans yet for where the ship will sail from beyond April 2025.

What makes this ship so spectacular and different?

Icon takes everything that Royal Caribbean does best and amplifies it. Some of the features seen on other Royal Caribbean ships are brought back for the Icon, but with a twist. The beloved AquaTheater makes its return on the Icon, now as the centerpiece of the new AquaDome neighborhood, where guests can do everything from watch dancers fly across the stage in high-tech 3D shows to relax in the glass dome with unmatched 220-degree views of the ocean.

Never-seen-before activities include Pressure Drop, the first open freefall waterslide on a ship. What also sets the Icon apart is its ability to be a true crowd pleaser. Areas such as Surfside offer kid-approved aquaparks and include adults-only pools with bars that serve both cocktail and mocktail options.

What are all these “neighborhoods” about?

Icon will have eight neighborhoods, five of which are brand new. These distinct sections center around a shared theme and cater to a variety of interests. All neighborhoods are complete with restaurants, shopping, bars and activities.

Stroll through Central Park, which opens to the sky. This lush and balmy hideaway offers peaceful pathways that wind through flower gardens and exotic trees, with quiet reading nooks as well as world class dining and drinking and upscale shopping options. Excitement seekers can head to Thrill Island, complete with wrecked ships and crashed planes, to face the wrath of Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides, including Crown’s Edge, where only the brave dare to dangle high above the ocean. Adrenaline Peak delivers a high-scoring new twist on the rock-climbing wall, and Lost Dunes showcases a mind-bending mini-golf course “on steroids.”

What does the itinerary look like on the Icon of the Seas?

Guests can choose from one of four, week-long itineraries around the Western or Eastern Caribbean. The two Western Caribbean routes include stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, with one route including Roatan, Honduras. Eastern Caribbean sailings include stops at St. Thomas and either St. Kitts or St. Maarten. All itineraries also include a visit to CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.

There seem to be a lot of pools! How do they differ?

With Royal Caribbean, a pool isn’t just a pool. Icon has seven distinct pools, meaning you can have a totally different experience each day of the week. FlowRider, the surf simulator in the Category 6 waterpark, lets you tackle 30,000 gallons of waves. Icon even has the first suspended infinity pool at sea in The Hideaway neighborhood.

How are the cabins and suites different on this ship?

Of the 28 accommodation options available, 14 are exclusive to the Icon, including four new types of balcony cabins and several new suite categories. The Infinite Ocean View Balcony cabin features a glass wall with a window that rolls halfway down and curtains to close the area off from the rest of the cabin. The new Panoramic Suites are located within the AquaDome structure with remarkable floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There is even a three-story townhouse available for those seeking a suite with utmost luxury.

Is there a place for adults to “get away” to on the Icon of the Seas?

Adult passengers can bar hop between the neighborhoods to enjoy their drinks in a variety of different settings. Other spaces exclusive to adults include a casino, the adults-only pool, as well as a swim-up bar in Chill Island and Cloud 17, a retreat complete with its own Lime & Coconut bar.

What are the dining options?

One thing is for certain: no one will go hungry aboard Icon. With expansive kid-friendly offerings, light bites on the go and gourmet specialty restaurants, Icon’s mouthwatering dining options are almost limitless!

Icon will have all your cravings covered. Passengers can nosh on gourmet pizza or enjoy authentic Italian, hibachi, sushi and seafood creations. There is even and a boozy milkshake bar for adults! The littles onboard will surely delight in Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade’s Campfire Cookie, a skillet chocolate chip cookie topped with toasted marshmallows. Chops Grille, the cruise line’s chic signature steakhouse, can be found in the Central Park neighborhood, complete with both indoor and outdoor seating.

How great are the bars, nightlife and entertainment on this cruise?

If you’re looking to keep the fun going after the sun sets, Icon’s nightlife is vibrant. Dueling Pianos, a first-of-its-kind bar for Royal Caribbean, entertains passengers as they enjoy libations while watching two baby grand pianos battle it out. Guests can also enjoy friendly competition while playing billiards, darts or classic arcade games. If you prefer a more low-key setting, you can grab handcrafted cocktails before attending a live comedy show or head to the Monte Carlo style casino.

Ready to book your adventure voyage on the world’s largest cruise ship?