Royal Caribbean reveals first details on largest ship Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International has revealed the first details about its upcoming cruise ship Icon of the Seas, the first in a new series called the Icon class, which will be the largest in the world.

Icon of the Seas and her two planned sister ships will be the largest class of ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet at 250,000-gross tons and with a passenger capacity of 5,100.

The ship is due for delivery in late 2023 and will enter service out of Miami in January, 2024, sailing roundtrip Caribbean itineraries.

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According to a press release issued by Royal Caribbean, Icon of the Seas will have the largest waterpark at sea, as well as an on-board theme park, beach retreat and resort, with 28 cabin categories available and more than 40 bars and restaurants.

The ship will feature eight distinct neighbourhoods, building on the zoned layout of the Oasis-class ships, which feature 6 to 7 such areas, and has been designed to provide an ideal cruise holiday for every type of passenger, from couples to families and inter-generational groupings.

“With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love,” said Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “From the moment they step on board, 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,” he said.

Royal Caribbean has announced the eight neighbourhoods aboard Icon of the Seas, with five brand-new ones and three returning favorites. Each is intended to be a destination in and of itself filled with an array of experiences, live entertainment and dining options and bars.

The three returning neighbourhoods are the Royal Promenade, which has been made grander with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges; Central Park, with more ways to dine and be entertained; and the Suite Neighborhood, which has been expanded to four and features a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove, complete with a private pool, whirlpool and two-story Coastal Kitchen.

There are five new neighbourhoods that will debut aboard Icon of the Seas: Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, The Hideaway and AquaDome.

Thrill Island is the ship’s theme park, home to highlights like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides, and Crown’s Edge, a skywalk, ropes course and thrill ride that culminates in a swing out over the ocean 154 feet below.

Chill Island is home to four of the ship’s seven pools, including Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea, Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea, and Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat. Chill Island will also feature one of four Lime & Coconut bars available on-board.

Surfside is the family zone, with a Water’s Edge pool where parents can keep an eye on the kids at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Only steps away are dining options, places to lounge, a bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and Social020 for teens.

The Hideaway is a beach club zone with the first suspended infinity pool at sea at the center of it all, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.

AquaDome will be a multipurpose space at the very top of the ship where guests can relax by day with wraparound ocean views and a waterfall, while at night, it becomes a night out zone with restaurants, bars and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the AquaTheater.

Bookings for the first cruises aboard Icon of the Seas will open on Royal Caribbean’s website on Tuesday, October 25th for the public, while Crown & Anchor loyalty members can look out for special access on Monday, October 24th.