Royal Caribbean reveals 15 bars, cafes and lounges aboard Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled more than 15 of the 40-plus bars, dining and nightlife experiences that will be available aboard its new largest ship Icon of the Seas.

The cruise line said in a release that the new and returning hotspots have been designed for parents, couples and friends to find something for every type of adventurer, from live music, bar hopping and take-away champagne to intricate cocktails and coffee creations.

These 15 venues are just some of the more than 40-plus ways to dine, drink and be entertained aboard Icon of the Seas, but Royal Caribbean says further details will be released in the coming months.

“We’ve set out to introduce a new kind of vacation in every sense and taken a blank slate to create an unparalleled blend of ways vacationers can celebrate and make memories whatever their mood, vibe and style,” said Linken D’Souza, Vice President, Food & Beverage, Royal Caribbean International.

“From all-new venues and bolder favorites to new iconic drinks on every menu, zero-proof cocktails and twists to classics, there’s something for everyone to make the most of their nights out on Icon of the Seas,” D’Souza added.

Brand firsts aboard the new ship will include Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues in Central Park and Dueling Pianos in Royal Promenade offering a range of live music styles, and spots to grab a drink and mingle before a show like the Rye & Bean coffee bar in AquaDome and the Bubbles champagne bar in Central Park.

Returning favourites aboard the ship include a larger Trellis Bar, serving food for the first time, as well as Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, and the Schooner Bar piano lounge. In terms of returning entertainment venues, there’ll be a Music Hall, to rock out to the house tribute band, Boleros, the lively club that brings the heat with Latin flavor; and The Attic, inspired by Manhattan’s dark and intimate comedy clubs with adults-only live shows.

New venues aboard Icon of the Seas:

Dueling Pianos – In Royal Caribbean’s first dueling pianos bar, two pianists will take song requests and then battle against one another on the Royal Promenade.

Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues – The new spot fills the open-air Central Park with live performances of soulful classics and jazz pop tunes.

Rye & Bean – This new coffee shop offers everything from classic americanos to espresso cocktails, with endless ocean views by day and views of the entertainment in the AquaTheater by night.

The Overlook and Overlook Pods – These first-of-their-kind elevated nooks at sea will feature ocean views through wraparound windows in the AquaDome during the day, and at night, the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows are just a few steps away.

The next-level pods are where friends can lounge with a drink, play classic boardgames and kick back to live music, too.

1400 Lobby Bar – The ships’s classic lobby cafe and bar is inspired by the history of shipbuilding and will offer a mix of daytime and evening beverages developed with renowned mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. The venue’s also the first to open the vibrant Royal Promenade to the outdoors with an ocean-facing terrace.

Bubbles – Is a new walkup champagne window in Central Park, where glasses of mimosas, prosecco, Bellini and even bottles of bubbly are on tap morning, noon and night.

Royal Caribbean classics that have been adapted for Icon of the Seas:

Point & Feather – The neighborhood English pub on Royal Promenade has a new open layout, as well as new games and tournaments of darts and sips joining the signature lineup of pints and the live guitarist at the center of it all.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade – The returning favorite, serving up gameday bar fare and ice-cold beers, is where vacationers can catch their home teams on dozens of screens and play arcade and tabletop games.

Spotlight Karaoke – Aspiring singers take the stage in front of the crowd or in a private room with their friends and family at this fan-favorite karaoke spot on Royal Promenade.

Icon will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami year-round from January 2024. Every itinerary will visit Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay private island destination in the Bahamas.

The Thrill Waterpark on the island offers 13 waterslides, the beach offers the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas, and the wider itinerary will also visit idyllic Caribbean destinations like Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Roatan, Honduras.