After hinting that the upcoming Icon of the Seas would likely be smaller than the existing Oasis class, Royal Caribbean International has announced in a surprise move that its new ship will be even bigger — once again making it the next largest cruise ship in the world, at least as currently scheduled for January 2024. Originally anticipated at around 200,000 or so gross registered tons, Icon will actually be 250,800 tons, surpassing the current biggest vessel, Wonder of the Seas, at 235,600 tons.
At double occupancy, Icon will carry 5,610 passengers (7,600 max) in 2,805 cabins, all supported by 2,350 crew members. Its overall form will resemble the Oasis class with a significant width to accommodate another open-air Central Park, complete with 20% more trees, and an alfresco courtyard at the stern. But everything from there has been embellished in an effort to be what the line calls “the Icon of Vacations,” serving as a beach retreat, resort escape and theme park all in one.
“With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “From the moment they step onboard, every experience is specifically designed to give them the best vacation anywhere on land and at sea. With Icon of the Seas, we’ve taken this to a new level and made the ultimate family vacation.”
New Neighborhoods and Returning Favorites Onboard Icon of the Seas
Surfside: This sea-view courtyard, known as the Boardwalk on preceding ships, will be dubbed Surfside on Icon. With the AquaTheater relocated, the aft of the ship will be all about family fun with the Water’s Edge pool — one of seven across the entire ship — Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. The Adventure Ocean kids’ facility and Social020 teens’ club will also be nearby.
AquaDome: Fans of the AquaTheater, fear not; this entertainment highlight will be reprised under the AquaDome at the opposite forward top of the ship. In place of a solarium on other ships, the space will serve as a tranquil relaxation and observation zone with a central 55-foot-tall waterfall during the day, and transform into a new district for dining and entertainment at night. The fresh AquaTheater will showcase the return of a kinetic pool plus projection effects, as well as four robotic arms as first introduced on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class of ships.
Chill Island: Tucked behind the AquaDome on the upper three decks, guests will find Chill Island, with another four pools, including Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar; Royal Bay Pool, said to be the largest at sea; Cloud 17 for adults only; and the infinity-edge Cove Pool. Four locations of The Lime & Coconut bar will further serve the pools.
Thrill Island: This neighborhood will include the appropriately titled Crown’s Edge. Described by the line as “part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride,” its finale will consist of swinging travelers 154 feet out above the sea.
Meanwhile, Category 6 is promised to be the largest waterpark at sea, highlighting half a dozen waterslides. The Ultimate Abyss dry slide is nowhere to be found on Icon, but other variants will include Pressure Drop (an open free-fall slide with a 66-degree incline), Frightening Bolt (a 46-foot-tall drop slide), Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter (family raft slides for four riders at a time) and Storm Chasers (a mat-racing duo).
The Hideaway: High above the stern with Surfside below will be The Hideaway beach club, anchored by a suspended infinity pool, whirlpools, a dedicated bar and a terraced sun deck with loungers facing the soothing wake.
Royal Promenade: The Royal Promenade will be reprised on Icon, but this time with more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges and, for the first time, floor-to-ceiling ocean vistas. Radiating out from the central ship feature will be a signature ice arena, a FlowRider, mini golf, rock climbing and popular restaurants such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Izumi and likely more that are yet to be announced.
Icon of the Seas Rooms and Suites
Twenty-eight varieties of private accommodations will attract clients, including Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in the AquaDome, plus the likes of Family Infinite Balcony accommodations, the Surfside Family Suite and the triple-decker Ultimate Family Townhouse, surrounded by a white picket fence and mailbox right off Surfside. The Grove, just for suite guests, will encompass a two-level sun deck with an exclusive pool, a whirlpool and the Coastal Kitchen restaurant.
“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures. We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise. It’s this first-of-its-kind combination that makes Icon the future of family vacations, and that future is here.”
Icon of the Seas — which will be the first vessel from the line to utilize fuel cell technology and liquefied natural gas power — will sail on weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings year-round from Miami, always visiting Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay private island in the Bahamas. The destination will newly tout an adults-only Hideaway Beach, pool and private cabanas in time for the ship’s arrival.
