The world’s largest cruise ship has arrived in Miami from a shipyard in Turku, Finland, ready for a Southern welcome. Cruise fans are eager to see Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, which is smashing records from bow to stern due to her size and amenities.
In January 2024, family-friendly Icon of the Seas sailed into Miami and made her debut on January 27. The initial sailing sold out in less than 24 hours (breaking records!), but there are still plenty of 2024 and 2025 sailings to enjoy this ship’s massive size and remarkable offerings.
Read on to learn what makes Icon stand out above other impressive ships and what to expect on a cruise.
Larger than three football fields
The Icon of the Seas is 11 feet longer than Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship. Imagine a football field—this ship is more than three times that long. It has 20 decks, two more than Wonder.
It can accommodate 7,600 visitors every voyage and requires 2,350 crew members. At full capacity, 9,950 people will board.
Schedule: Roundtrip Eastern and Western Caribbean routes
The Icon of the Seas only offers round-trip Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, which will please vacationers. Eastern Caribbean itineraries visit St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten; Western Caribbean itineraries visit Honduras, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.
Royal Caribbean’s own Bahamas island CocoCay will offer a full day of fun and sun on all routes. A huge freshwater pool, swim-up bar, 1,600-foot zip line, wave pool, and sandy beaches are here. Eat chicken wings and Caribbean jerk at Captain Jack’s, burgers and desserts at Skipper’s Grill, or the buffet at Chill Grill. The food and certain activities are included in your cruise fee.
40 food and drink options for everyone
Worried about getting bored with the ship’s few restaurants? Impossible with 40 eateries and bars onboard to satisfy your desires. Linken D’Souza, vice president, Food & Beverage Operations, at Royal Caribbean International, says, “Everything we’ve put into Icon of the Seas aims to offer travelers more ways to make memories without compromise, and dining is a big part of “Memories are made around the table, breaking bread and sharing stories, experiences of the day—that makes the job so important.”
Icon will open AquaDome Market, the first food hall with something for everyone. D’Souza says customers can order breakfast, lunch, and supper from five concepts and a range of wine and beer, including Asian, Mediterranean, French crepes, and American comfort foods like enhanced mac & cheese, sandwiches, and salads.
The Lemon Post serves unusual cocktails for adults and kids, Surfside Eatery is a family-focused buffet, and Pier 7 is a casual West Coast beach restaurant.
D’Souza thinks Empire Supper Club is the most unique dining experience because it involves all the senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste—with upscale surroundings, an eight-course meal, handmade cocktails, wine, and live music. Caviar and wagyu are served in a classic New York dinner club-inspired menu.
After dinner, D’Souza recommends Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues, which serves two New Orleans-inspired drinks and hosts live soulful and jazz-pop acts surrounded by thousands of plants and greenery.
Most amazing feature: World’s largest seawater park
Unlike most cruise ships, Icon of the Seas has made its pool decks a family-friendly hub with entertaining firsts. This ship has the largest water park at sea, with seven pools and nine whirlpools, the cruise line’s first swim-up bar (Swim & Tonic), Royal Bay, a suspended infinity pool (Hideaway Pool), two adults-only pools (Cloud 17 and Cove Pool), and a kid’s pool. There are both dry and in-water loungers and covered spots to escape the Caribbean sun.
A cool feature is the Category 6 WaterPark, with six record-breaking waterslides:
- A 46-foot drop makes Frightening Bolt the tallest sea slide.
- Storm Chasers are the first duo mat-racing slides at sea. Grab a mat and race a friend to the bottom.
- Hurricane Hunter is the first four-rider family raft slide at sea.
- First seaborne suspended family raft slide is Storm Surge.
- A near-vertical slide with a spectacular splashdown is Pressure Drop.
- 28 cabin room types for any configuration
- With 2,805 staterooms, the Icon of the Seas can accommodate all passengers. The fact that there are 28 stateroom and suite classifications is impressive.
The brand’s first Infinite Balcony apartments turn your balcony into extra living space with a button. Family Infinite Balcony rooms feature a bunk bed alcove for youngsters and a split bathroom for convenience. The three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, which sleeps eight and has kid-friendly decor, and Panoramic Ocean View Rooms and Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and 220-degree ocean views are also noteworthy.