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Icon of the Seas: 12 Big Things to Know About the New Ship

Icon of the Seas — the latest ship from Royal Caribbean — is no doubt the biggest story in cruising in years. It’s the new largest cruise ship in the world… offers a full waterpark at sea… seven swimming pools… and it simply looks like nothing else on the ocean.

It’s likely that you’ve seen images of the ship already as it’s gotten lots of conversation on social media and Royal Caribbean has heavily marketed Icon.

But what you might not get from a Facebook post or a 30-second TV commercial are many of the details behind the ship. As Icon of the Seas makes its debut, here are a dozen things you should know about this wild new cruise ship…

Icon of the Seas Is the Biggest Cruise Ship in the World

First and foremost, one of the main reasons you’ve no doubt heard of Icon of the Seas is that it sets the mark as the new biggest cruise ship on the planet.

For years, Royal Caribbean ships have already held this crown with the line’s Oasis-class ships coming in as the largest in the world. Icon of the Seas — the first of the new Icon class — are about 6% larger than the Oasis-class ships.

Icon comes in at 250,800 gross tons. For comparison, Wonder of the Seas, the now second-largest cruise ship in the world, measures 235,600 gross tons. That size means more of everything from things to do, to places to eat, to the fun you can have onboard.

The Ship Can Hold Nearly 10,000 People

As you might imagine, the world’s largest cruise ship can also carry a lot of people. It’s literally a small city at sea. At double occupancy (meaning two passengers to every cabin), it has a capacity of 5,610 passengers. But at maximum capacity (meaning those cabins able to hold more passengers are completely full) that figure rises to a reported 7,600 passengers .

In addition, the ship is staffed with 2,350 crew members. All told, that means up to 9,950 people can be onboard at any moment .

No doubt that’s a lot, but given the size of the ship, there should still be plenty of elbow room. The gross tonnage divided by double occupancy gives a space ratio (a measure of amount of space per passenger) of 44.7. That’s actually the largest ratio in the entire fleet. For comparison, Wonder of the Seas has a ratio of 41.1.

Icon Is Sailing From Miami

It only makes sense that the biggest and newest cruise ship would sail from the cruise capital of the world. That’s exactly what Icon of the Seas is doing.

The ship homeports in Miami, sailing 7-day cruises all around the Caribbean from Mexico to The Bahamas. This schedule goes until at least the end of 2025, the latest that Royal Caribbean has bookable on their website.

Can’t make it to Miami? Another Icon-class ship will sail from Port Canaveral soon (more on this below).

The Cruise Fare Is Considerably Higher Than Other Ships

With any new cruise ship you normally find prices that are at a premium to older ships. This makes sense. With the latest and greatest ships, there’s more for passengers to see and do, leading to more demand.

But what’s surprising is just how much of a premium Icon of the Seas is able to charge. Cruzely analyzed prices back in April and found an average starting fare of $1,884 per person for an interior cabin in 2024 aboard Icon of the Seas.

Wonder of the Seas — the next newest ship in the fleet — had an average interior cabin price of $1,034 per person. That means Icon ran about $850 more per person, or about 82%.

In other words, if you want to sail the biggest, be ready to open up the wallet.

Icon of the Seas Is the Only Ship With the Category 6 Waterpark

One reason that the ship can command higher prices? There’s a lot more to do. The best example of this is the brand-new Category 6 waterpark, found only on Icon of the Seas.

While other ships might have waterslides, no one has an experience like this. All told there are six different waterslides, ranging from drop slides to family raft slides for passengers to enjoy. There’s no charge for the slides, so expect it to be a popular place for kids (and adults!) to play.

The waterpark is actually just one part of Icon’s “Thrill Island” neighborhood that’s complete with everything from the classic Flowrider surf simulator to mini-golf, sport court, and more.

The Ship Offers 7 Pools… Including the Largest Pool at Sea

Hanging poolside is a classic staple of any Caribbean cruise. As you might guess, the largest cruise ship in the world takes that idea and puts it on steroids.

All told there are seven swimming pools aboard Icon. This includes the cruise line’s first pool with a swim-up bar (Swim & Tonic) and the largest pool on a cruise ship (Royal Bay) at 40,000 gallons.

There is also a suspended pool across the back of the ship that provides a spot high up on the ship with sweeping views of the horizon.

So no matter the pool vibe that you’re looking for, you’ll find something that fits the bill.

The Introduction of the AquaDome

If you see a photo of Icon of the Seas, one of the things that jumps out is a large dome structure that sits atop the front of the ship like a hat. This space is one that’s completely new to the Icon class, and it’s called the AquaDome.

On Oasis-class ships, there is an AquaTheater at the back of the ship where performers put on a water show complete with high dives. Now that’s been moved indoors to the AquaDome, complete with diving area and an indoor waterfall. But during the day, this is a lounge area with sweeping ocean views while still being indoors and comfortable.

If there’s one thing some people will miss, the Solarium, which normally occupied this area on Oasis ships, is no longer there.

Larger Balcony Rooms Mean More Space

We mentioned the space ratio of Icon of the Seas being extremely generous despite the large number of passengers the ship can carry. One area that you might notice the extra space the most is in the cabin.

If sailing in a balcony cabin aboard Wonder of the Seas (the last ship before Icon), the standard balcony was 182 square feet with a 50 square foot balcony. Icon of the Seas has a standard balcony of 204 square feet with the same 50 square foot balcony. In other words, the room is about 12% larger.

You should note that the interior cabins seem slightly smaller. Our search saw standard interior cabins of 172 square feet on Wonder of the Seas but only 156 square feet on Icon.

Three Different Places to Watch a Show

One thing that will never happen on Icon of the Seas is passengers being bored. Of course there are all the traditional venues and things to do on a cruise ship. Gamble in the casino, have drink in the bar, go swimming, or lounge poolside. Have a meal, listen to live music, play trivia, or just sit on the balcony with a glass of wine.

But if you want to be actively entertained, Icon has you covered. In all, there are three different venues where the performance crew will put on a show. Icon has a traditional theater as seen on every cruise ship. And as mentioned there is the AquaDome where water-based shows will take place. The ship also has Absolute Zero, an ice-skating rink with ice shows during the cruise.

So no matter the day and whether you want water, ice, or a stage show, there will be something to see.

The Most Famous ‘Godfather’ Ever? 

Instead of a “godfather” or “godmother” of the ship, Royal Caribbean has gone a slightly different route. Instead, the cruise line named an “Icon” of Icon of the Seas . In this case, it also happens to be one of the most famous figures on the planet.

World-famous soccer star Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest soccer player in history, has been tapped to be the “Icon” for the ship. Given that the star has recently moved to the United States to play for Inter Miami CF in the MLS — of which Royal Caribbean is a major partner — the naming of Messi as the “Icon” of Icon of the Seas seems like a perfect match.

A Sister Ship Already in Works

You might think that with the introduction of this new ship, Royal Caribbean might take a moment to rest before continuing the growth of its fleet. That’s not the case at all. Already another Oasis-class ship, Utopia of the Seas, is set to debut in 2024.

But Icon of the Seas will have a sister ship in summer 2025 that’s already been announced as well. Star of the Seas is currently under construction. While we don’t know tons of details, we do know that it will homeport in Port Canaveral, putting two Icon-class ships in Florida.

More on Icon of the Seas:

• The $3.4 Million PER DAY Cruise Ship? Estimating How Much Icon of the Seas Earns
• Is Icon of the Seas Worth It? How Much More You’ll Pay to Sail Royal Caribbean’s Amazing New Ship

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All about the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas is a fairly new ship, being built in 2024. It's considered an extra large size ship. Coming in at 1,198 ft long and 216 ft wide, it's roughly the length of 3.3 football fields, as wide as 4.1 tractor trailers, and the same height as a 18-story building. Icon of the Seas is the first in a whole new class of ships by Royal Caribbean that's designed to provide the "ultimate family vacation." It is currently the largest cruise ship in the world.

Icon of the Seas Overview

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Cruise Costs

• Onboard Costs

Icon of the Seas Size and Passengers

The Icon of the Seas can hold 5,610 based on double occupancy (two people per room) and more when you take into account 3rd and 4th passengers. When you compare the total tonnage of the ship to the number of passengers, the Icon of the Seas has a space ratio of 45. Depending on the ship, this number can range from 30 to 52 (with a bigger number meaning more space per person) so this ship's space-to-person ratio is about average. The Icon of the Seas uses a neighborhood layout to break up large crowds across the ship, often making it feel less crowded.

The Icon of the Seas is one of two Icon-class ships currently sailing with Royal Caribbean. The Icon-class is an evolution of the Oasis-class and has tons of superlatives like the largest ships in the world, largest pool at sea, the biggest swim-up bar at sea, the largest water park at sea, and more. It also has unique features like a huge kid's water play area, a beautiful architectural feature called the Pearl, and a new enclosed performance space called the AquaDome. The Icon of the Seas is very similar to its sister-ships; Star of the Seas, although each ship may have some differences.

Icon of the Seas Food and Restaurants

Food is a big part of any cruise, and there will plenty on the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas. You have 23 different dining options to choose from. Of those options, 9 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 14 options have an additional fee. Some of those options are a set price and some have a la cart menu pricing. Only 39% of the dining options are included meaning you might spend more while on the ship due to the additional fees.

Icon of the Seas Bars and Drinks

Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas has 24 different bars and lounges where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail. It also has 1 other bars that are available for select guests.

Alcohol is not included in the base price of this cruise ship. To see if you would save money with a drink package, try our Drink Package Calculator.

Royal Caribbean also serves the Coca-cola family of products. That means Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship. Most Royal Caribbean ships also have Coke Freestyle machines where you can make 100 different flavor combinations.

Pools and Hot Tubs on Icon of the Seas

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day in a pool, a cruise might not be the right choice. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas has a total of 7 pools and 9 hot tubs.

Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools and 1 of the hot tubs are adults only. 1 of the pools and 1 of the hot tubs are exclusive access, which means there's either an extra charge to access them or you need to book a certain class of cabin to have access to them.

Cruise Coloring and Activity Books for Kids Get your kids ready for their cruise or keep them entertained while on board with our custom made coloring and activity books. These are the Royal Caribbean editions with places like Studio B and Sorrento's featured.

Cruise Ship Coloring Book for Kids 3-5 - Royal Caribbean Edition

Let's Get Cruising Activity Book for Kids 6-8 - Royal Caribbean Edition

Icon of the Seas Features and Activities

There are quite a few things to do on the Icon of the Seas. These are the main amenities that are available. Some are included in the cost of the cruise, while others have an additional charge.

Royal Caribbean is a mainstream cruise line. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. Typically newer ships cost more, so a cruise on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas will likely cost more than other ships in the fleet.

Icon of the Seas Onboard Costs

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, which means the pricing for many things will vary per sailing. The daily gratuities and tip are consistent across the fleet, but the pricing for the drink package, internet, and excursions will change. The only way to know your price is to consult the Royal Caribbean cruise planner once you're booked.

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The World's Largest Cruise Ship Explained: Royal Caribbean's Icon Of The Seas

People that cruise frequently can't imagine traveling any other way. They love everything about seeing the world — and its rippling waters — by boat. It's easy to see why: the ease of hopping from port to port, the opportunity to meet new, like-minded travelers, the endless food and entertainment, and (here's the big one) the simple pleasure of only having to unpack (and re-pack) their suitcase one time despite multiple destinations. Cruising is certainly a beloved pastime, one that seems to be getting more popular — according to a report by the Cruise Line Industry Association in 2023, cruise line passenger volume bounced back from the pandemic faster than overall international tourism arrivals.

The market for cruisers is rife with competition, and operators are constantly tweaking and upgrading their products to pull in new customers. An example of this is the Icon of the Seas, the latest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet — a behemoth that is redefining what is possible at sea and on board. The largest cruise ship ever constructed, it recently sailed on its maiden voyage. At 250,800 tons and nearly 1,200 feet in length (comparable to the height of the Empire State Building), the giant cruise ship did indeed float. Carrying hundreds of technicians over four days, the ship sailed for hundreds of miles on its first sea trial, with another sea trial due before its debut passenger sailing date from Miami in January 2024.

What is Royal Caribbean?

A cruise conglomerate that dates back to the late 1960s, Royal Caribbean Group started as a one-ship venture in Florida, with some of its founders having shipping backgrounds in Norway. The owners of the company added the word "royal" to the name as a way to convey the polished service that passengers could expect while on board. The group now runs a number of cruise lines, including Silversea, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International (which is widely referred to as Royal Caribbean and will be the focus of this story). 

With its headquarters in Miami, the organization now has ships that sail to all corners of the globe. Royal Caribbean has longed carved out a name for its megaships — the top five biggest cruise ships in the world are all part of this line. With 40 dining and entertainment options across eight distinct "neighborhoods," the Icon of the Seas sets a new standard for the term "megaship," with variety that extends beyond just adults-only or family-friendly.

Is the ship's name appropriate?

This might depend on your interpretation of the word icon, but the Icon of the Seas is certainly not something that travelers are likely to forget, either when looking at its magnitude online or in person. For starters, just survey some of the statistics. The ship was put together in Finland, utilizing the strong tradition of Nordic shipbuilding prowess, with its keel (the equivalent of a boat's spine) laid in April 2022. As the industry looks towards more sustainable practices, this ship marks a defining achievement, as it will be Royal Caribbean's first vessel to run on liquified natural gas, which is the cleanest fossil fuel available to cruise ships today. The top of the ship will feature a huge glass and steel structure, called the AquaDome, which weighs 363 tons and measures more than 160 feet across. 

AquaDome will serve many purposes — a lounge, a nightclub, an entertainment venue, and a great observation spot, allowing passengers to look through its 220-degree span of glass to marvel at the endless ocean. Elsewhere, visitors can anticipate 18 passenger decks, eight different neighborhoods, seven pools, nine whirlpools, and space for more than 7,500 guests at max capacity — all served by an international crew that is 2,350 strong. Even if you don't think that makes it iconic, it's certainly incredible.

How big is it?

In most measurable metrics, the Icon of the Seas is a record-breaking vessel, creating a new Icon-class of future ships for Royal Caribbean. The Icon of the Seas features 20 decks (two of those are set aside for the crew) with a total of 2,805 staterooms spanning over 28 unique cabin categories. When it starts sailing into the Caribbean early next year, the cruise ship will be able to carry a staggering 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, and thousands more if each room is pushed to its capacity limit. 

The ship's gross tonnage is just a shade above 250,000 tons — to put that in perspective, the Titanic had a gross tonnage 46,329, making Icon of the Seas more than five times larger. But as record-breakingly big as the Icon of the Seas is, Royal Caribbean seems to be trying something even more ambitious — to appeal to all different types of cruise passengers. There are options squarely aimed at adults, others that will delight kids, and things that will really excite everyone.

What does it look like?

Since the ship is still not ready to accept passengers, images of it are limited, and much of the content available online is either renderings, computer-generated video, or a few select images released by the cruise line itself. But, taken together, they provide enough material to get a sense of what the ship will actually look like when the curtain rises early next year. As with most megaships, the vessel appears a little like a wedding cake, with layer upon layer stacked up in a precarious configuration, ready to topple over at the slightest touch (passengers should not fret, these ships are completely stable and thoroughly safe on the sea). 

At a first glance of the images online, often of the stern of the boat and taken from above, one thing immediately comes to mind — Candy Land. The jumble of bright, poppy colors on the top deck of the ship, from the curling waterslides to the outdoor water and play areas, recalls the snaking pathway of that beloved board game. The ship's port and starboard are a warren of small openings, owing to the windows and balconies of the cabins in long, seemingly never-ending rows, running from bow to stern. Public spaces will vary in look and feel among the different neighborhoods and different room styles, though many will be in soothing tones and tastefully designed.

Where does it go?

True to the name of the cruise line, the ship will start its life by sailing on seven-night itineraries in the western and eastern parts of the Caribbean.  (It's important to note, though, that Royal Caribbean ships do sail all over the world, not just around the Caribbean). Like the parent company Royal Caribbean Group, the ship will be based in Miami, and initial sailings, at least for all of 2024, will depart from that port. 

The western Caribbean voyage will focus on Mexico and Central America, with stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and Roatan in Honduras, an island that has exquisite diving. For the trips that venture out to the eastern Caribbean, passengers can expect port time on St. Maarten and the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas. Both sets of routes, however, stop for a day at CocoCay, an island in The Bahamas that is used solely by Royal Caribbean. It's a cross between a water park and a traditional land-based resort, but without the overnight accommodations. On CocoCay, passengers will find beach clubs, large swimming pools, a whole network of water slides, a zip line, balloon rides, places to eat, and more.

What can I do on it?

The more appropriate question might be, what can't you do on it? In essence, the ship is a like a floating city, and guests will never find themselves lacking for things to keep them entertained. The eight distinct neighborhoods offer passengers a variety of themes and experiences. Thrill Island, for instance, is where families can line up to ride the bright, winding waterslides on the top, open deck of the ship; while Surfside, set in an central atrium in the thorax of the vessel, emulates the feeling of a beach retreat, and even features a marine animal-themed carousel ride. 

AquaDome, with spaces that blend inside and outside together, will host night events and also serve as a kind of observatory deck; while Central Park brings greenery and flora to the seafaring voyage. Elsewhere on the ship, travelers will find a surf simulator, a climbing wall, mini-golf, basketball and pickleball courts, a water park specifically designed for children, restaurants and places to get a drink, and of course, plenty of spots where passengers can just grab a seat and watch the world sail by.

Who will it be good for?

Cruises lead many to envision families, honeymooning couples, and older vacationers, and different cruise lines tend to cater to different crowds. For example, Carnival is known as the budget-friendly "fun" ship, whereas those that like luxury in the cruising experience might opt for Crystal Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Disney Cruise Line caters mostly to families, while Princess Cruises often attract retirees and older cruisers. 

These are just generalizations, but they tend to be true, and the cruises often market themselves as such. Historically and comparatively, young adults just don't go on many cruises. But this is starting to change, and Royal Caribbean, which has typically attracted active families and travelers in the 30-50 age range, seems to be taking note. Among the 28 different types of cabins, the Icon of the Sea offers rooms catering to group travel, which you could surmise is intended to appeal to younger friend groups, though are equally suited to multi-generational trips.

Let's start with the words "largest waterpark on the sea." Most land-based water parks don't have six different water slides, but to have that many on a ship as it slices through the Caribbean Sea, what's not to love? The sheer immensity of the Icon of the Seas is impressive. Called Category 6, due to the ship's record-breaking six waterslides, the waterpark also features raft slides (a first among cruise ships), which are hundreds of feet long, as well as drop slides and body slides. The waterpark also features a 40,000-gallon pool, the largest at sea, a suspended infinity pool (first among cruise ships), and a swim-up bar. In addition, the ship offers a separate kid's waterpark for families. 

In all, Icon of the Seas features seven pools and nine whirlpools. So, whether you want to ride the 425-foot Hurricane Hunter on a four-person raft, listen to live DJs with cocktails at the infinity Hideaway Pool, or watch the kids play in Splashaway Bay from the parent-friendly Surfside Water's Edge area, you can. By offering a variety of experiences and atmospheres at the waterpark, it seems to represent a larger goal of the ship. The rooms also incorporate some exciting features, such as an in-room slide and cinema in the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse and a kid's alcove area in the Family Infinite Balcony that lets youngsters feel like they have their own space.

Will I get enough to eat?

Don't plan on boarding the ship if you want to diet because the choices are overpowering — with over 20 different places where a guest can have a bite to eat. At the Dining Room, set under a towering chandelier, diners can take a tour of the world's cuisines, with meals that celebrate the tastes of the Caribbean, flavors from the continent of Asia, and many places in between. Three-course meals change nightly, ensuring variety remains the one constant of the experience. 

Lobster rolls and crab cakes are the lures at the New England-style Hooked Seafood, while at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, pappardelle with cream sauce and fresh pizzas can be paired with wines selected from a deep list. Burgers, Japanese food, leafy cafés, spots that specialize in desserts, and even a food hall (another Royal Caribbean first) with five different food stands ensure that nobody will feel left out. Given the sheer volume of passengers, however, knowing how long you will have to wait for a table might be another matter entirely.

What can I do at the destinations?

Shore excursions are not usually available to see before booking a trip, but ships typically dock long enough in ports to let passengers explore each spot for at least most of the day. CocoCay is a self-contained getaway, and for kids that want to blow off some steam but can't wander off too far, this is one stop that families will really welcome. Excursions can be booked directly through Royal Caribbean, but, while they are the most convenient option, they might not be the most cost-effective, nor the most unique. 

Passengers are always advised to do some research before deciding whether to arrange a shore excursion directly with the cruise line or engage directly with an independent provider. Regardless of where you book activities, there is tons to do. In Cozumel, an island south of Cancún, for instance, passengers can take a snorkeling trip, tour a Mayan ruin, or hit the jungles aboard an ATV. On St. Thomas, travelers can book a kayaking trip, food tour, or beach excursion. Much is possible, all governed by the limits of time and money.

What has the reaction been?

Whether all of this together — DJs, infinity pools, group cabins, and eight distinct neighborhoods with different vibes — will work or not remains to be seen. But the Icon of the Seas has broken one more record for Royal Caribbean: advanced sales. The public reaction is clearly already positive; and with a ship this large, there may be enough space for everyone. But any review depends on perspective. Some art lovers prefer the precise, angular lines of Piet Mondrian, while others love the chaos of the drips and splatters that made Jackson Pollock famous. Social media, not surprisingly, has commentators on both sides of the fence when it comes to this mammoth undertaking. 

One user of Twitter remarked on how her son saw a photo of the ship and referred to it as "human lasagne,"  another likened the boat to a chaotic painting by the Dutch religious artist Hieronymus Bosch, and someone else called it "tacky and vulgar."  On the other hand, a user of TikTok called the ship "epic," and comments on a YouTube  post  are mostly glowing in their praise, calling Icon of the Seas amazing and extolling the swim-up bar. The true public test, of course, is yet to come — that will be revealed when the first passengers complete the maiden journey in 2024.

Where do I sign up?

As mentioned earlier, sales have certainly been swift, and some dates have already sold out. When news of this ship broke, it led to the biggest number of bookings in one day in the company's history — a clear signal of the interest in the ship. That said, at press time, there was still availability early next year. Sailings can be booked through a travel agent or cruise specialist, but it's just as easy to organize the trip directly on the Royal Caribbean website. The website sometimes has sporadic sales, limited-time offers of discounted rates, or special promotions. Though, as with any offer, exclusions always apply. 

The Western Caribbean & Perfect Day itinerary has more than 30 dates available at the time of writing (some of them for 2025), with choices including an interior stateroom (interior cabins usually don't have any windows), rooms with a balcony, and even some suites. Fans of this ship will also be excited to hear about Royal Caribbean's next Icon ship, already under construction, and planned for a debut in 2025.

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MEET THE ICON OF VACATIONS

Icon of the seas, arrives 2024, this is more than a vacation upgrade. it’s the best family vacation in the world — where you’ll have the time of your life, multiple times a day. introducing the new icon of the seas℠, arriving early 2024., set sail for a first-of-its-kind royal caribbean® adventure onboard icon of the seas℠. brace yourself for the largest waterpark at sea, category 6. or choose from seven pools including royal bay℠, the largest swimming pool on a cruise. and in between, fuel bolder bonding with tons to do for everyone in your crew at the ultimate stay-all-day family destination right onboard, surfside℠. plus, discover dishes to delight every appetite, with 40 dining redefining concepts. only on royal caribbean®..

ALL NEW WAYS TO AMAZE

Icon of the seas℠ brings on thrills never imagined, next-level chill never dreamed possible and a fusion of art and innovation never expected..

DIAL UP THE DARING

Take your best-ever vacation and crank it up — way up. This is a whole new kind of adventure with new thrills that change the way you play for good. Like six record-breaking waterslides and an all-out test of courage dangling high above the ocean.

POOL HOP NONSTOP

Save room for some extra splash. Pick from seven different pools, plus nine whirlpools to satisfy any mood you're in. Or cool off with refreshing cocktails at The Lime and Coconut® bar spanning multiple levels of chill beach vibes.

EVERYTHING BUT THE EXPECTED

Technology and artistry merge on the new Icon of the Seas℠, inspiring awe on a grand scale. From performances that push the bounds of bravery to mixology magic against a background of wraparound ocean views — icons don’t just steal the show, they change the way you see it forever.

STAND OUT NIGHTLIFE

There’s never been a night out like going all out onboard the new Icon of the Seas℠ with over 15 spirit-sipping spots and vibrant live music venues to choose from. When the sun goes down, your night lights up with possibilities.

Or Contact our Reservations Team Middle East: +971 4 331 4299 Saudi Arabia Toll Free: 800 897 1419 Email: [email protected]

Set your sight, on paradise, miami is your gateway to the world’s best family vacation. dial up action-packed adventures or unplug and chill while you explore some the most sought-after eastern and western caribbean islands on the planet. do it all — your way — on the new icon of the seas℠..

WESTERN CARIBBEAN GEMS

Turn up bold adventures at some of the most beautiful destinations in the Western Caribbean. Marvel at lush tropical jungles in Roatán, trek through Mayan ruins in Cozumel — and brave the tallest waterslide in North America at our gamechanging private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

EASTERN CARIBBEAN WONDERS

Unlock the shores of the Eastern Caribbean and max out memories like never before on 7-night getaways. Discover all-out adventure in the tropics on every sailing with stops at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Voted Best Private Island by Travel Weekly readers, it’s a place unlike any other.

RELATED DESTINATIONS

Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. these may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice..

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What's So Special About Icon of the Seas? We Sailed to Find Out

From pricing to activities, here's everything you need to know about the world’s largest cruise ship from Royal Caribbean.

In advance of its highly anticipated inaugural cruise, we were able to explore the ship during its pre-inaugural preview sailings, and we’re sharing everything you need to know (along with plenty of insider photos!) to help you plan.

What’s so special about the Icon of the Seas?

Neighborhoods and activities, entertainment and nightlife, cruise itinerary, bottom line: is sailing on icon of the seas worth it.

Picture this: Twenty stories, more than 50 dining experiences, seven pools, over 2,800 staterooms and a capacity of 5,610 guests (plus staff!). Add to this an expansive two-level shopping promenade and a reimagined Central Park (complete with 30,000 living plants and trees), and you'll very quickly forget you’re on a boat once you board the Icon of the Seas. The ship itself is 1,198 feet long and 250,800 GT (gross tonnage; or the internal volume), making it over five times as large as the Titanic (which was 46,328 GT).

In fact, Icon of the Seas is so big that it’s broken up into eight different "neighborhoods." It has just started sailing and will depart from Port Miami in Miami with seven-day cruises through the Eastern Caribbean or the Western Caribbean. Regardless of which trip you take, you’ll stop at Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island, “Perfect Day at CocoCay.”

It turns out that bigger really is better. Not only is it the biggest cruise ship in the world, but it’s also home to many “biggests” and “firsts” at sea. It has the largest water park at sea (including the first family raft slide), the first (and only) suspended infinity pool at sea and the biggest swim-up bar at sea — plus, there are six thrilling water slides and a 50-foot-tall waterfall. It even has the first dog at sea — a golden retriever named Rover who lives on board to bring joy to guests and the crew.

And while family fun is front and center on Icon of the Seas, it is thoughtfully designed to cater to every type of traveler. There’s something for every age group and trip preference, and it does a great job of separating these offerings into distinct neighborhoods (e.g., adult-only travelers and families with young kids can have little to no interaction with one another if they choose). From a variety of new room choices to seemingly endless dining and entertainment options, the offerings of the Icon of the Seas have raised the bar for cruise vacations.

A significant aspect in which Icon stands out from other cruise ships is in its having a whopping 28 different room types. Many staterooms are similar to those on other large ships and sleep from two to four people, but there are a variety of more spacious rooms available to make your stay more comfortable, especially if you’re traveling as a family .

Rooms are outfitted with tons of USB-A ports and electrical outlets in all the right places (and some even with USB-C ports by the vanity). Our team was impressed with the amount of storage in every room, including drawers and multiple closets (complete with a good number of hangers) and nooks to stash your things. Royal Caribbean has even made sure the space under the beds is perfectly sized for tucking away carry-on luggage . Rooms come in two categories, Staterooms and Suites, and below are the most common types for each class:

Staterooms are the more affordable way to experience the ship. They come in various sizes and each is outfitted with a mini beverage fridge, but no other food or beverage amenities. All come with basic bathroom amenities, meaning standard bar soap and a shower with a single wall-mounted dispenser with hair and body wash but no conditioner lotion. “I’m not a regular cruiser, so I was very surprised to discover there wasn’t any conditioner in the room — and I regretted not bringing my own,” said one guest. (Of course, there’s an easy solution: If you stay in a stateroom, consider yourself warned and bring some!) Here’s what else you should know before choosing your stateroom.

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It’s the smallest class and has no windows, but it’s also the cheapest way to experience the ship’s grandeur. This type of room is not recommended for anyone who is prone to feeling claustrophobic.

You get a window, but not fresh air from a balcony.

Neighborhood Balcony

These rooms have an outdoor balcony that faces an interior neighborhood (such as Central Park or Surfside).

Ocean View Balcony

As the name implies, this room’s exterior balcony gives you views of the ocean while the ship is sailing.

Ocean View Infinite Balcony

Unlike a regular balcony room with a separate outdoor space, this type of room has a large window that opens wide enough to feel like a balcony. When the window is open, you feel exactly as if you’re on a balcony, but you gain valuable interior living space when the window is closed.

Family Ocean View Infinite Balcony

Giving families more space to spread out, these have a bed and a pullout sofa in the main area, along with a separate nook with bunk beds. They are designed for groups of four to six people. The main living and sleeping area feels very comfortable and spacious (like a regular hotel room), but the kids’ nook is smaller in person than it appears in photos. One standout plus: the split bathroom, one part with a toilet and a sink, the other with a sink and a shower. It’s a huge bonus and almost feels like two full bathrooms instead of one divided into two. The kids’ nook can also come in handy as a changing room for everyone, thanks to its curtain “door.”

For more space, added in-room amenities in Icon’s suites such as a Lavazza espresso coffee machine and soft drinks, luxury bathroom amenities from Malin+Goetz (including conditioner and lotion), plush bathrobes and access to other exclusive offerings deliver a more elevated ship experience. These rooms are available in three classes:

Rooms in this category include  Junior Suites , which give you a bit more space than regular staterooms and can sleep up to four on a pullout sofa. You get access to the suite-exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant (for dinner only).

  Sky Class

You get everything in Sea Class as well as concierge service, full access to the suite-exclusive neighborhood and priority boarding and departure. A variety of suites are available that sleep up to four or five, many of which are newly available on Icon. The most common suite in this class is the Surfside Family Suite, which we got to experience with two adults and two children during our preview. Although the shared pullout sofa bed was on the smaller side, it was great to have the separate space for kids and all the perks that came with the suite class.

This top tier includes everything in Sky Class along with premium seats for entertainment, complimentary dining packages and more. You even get a “genie” – i.e., a personal concierge. Only nine suites in this class are available, including seven Icon Lofts, one Royal Loft and one Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-level paradise that even has an in-suite slide, gaming area, movie room, patio and more. It can cost over $80,000 for a week — and it is already sold out for all of 2024.

The Icon is so big that it’s broken up into eight distinct neighborhoods:

Thrill Island

Located at the back of the ship, this is the home of all of the action and adventure on board. Its Category 6 waterpark has six large water slides, including ones with big drops, zero-gravity suspensions and even the first family raft slide at sea. There’s also the Crown’s Edge , a daring adventure course that leaves you dangling 154 feet above the ocean. (Just note that there's an added fee for Crown’s Edge.)

Other highlights include the Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall, the Flowrider surf simulator, the Lost Dunes mini golf course and a sports court.

Chill Island

This is where you can find four of the seven pools, which are spread out over three separate decks. It is home to Swim &Tonic, the biggest swim-up bar at sea (and the first for Royal Caribbean) as well as Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea.

Designed as a family-friendly area (especially for younger kids), this neighborhood is intended to be used as a spot where families can spend their entire day. There’s a carousel (with whimsical motifs instead of horses), a dry climbing area, a splash park (including smaller water slides) and an arcade.

There’s also a lounge area for grown-ups to hang out near their kids. The kids’ club and kid-friendly dining options are also located in this area.

This is a breathtaking indoor space at the front of the ship. During the day it’s meant to be a “tranquil oasis” with ocean views and a picturesque waterfall. At night, it’s a buzzing hot spot with restaurants, bars and entertainment in the AquaTheater.

The Hideaway

An adults-only area at the back of the ship, it has the first suspended infinity pool at sea, offering stunning views of the water and beach club vibes.

Royal Promenade

Located in the middle of the ship, this is the indoor entry point when passengers embark, and it serves as a central hub. You’ll find many of the restaurants in this area as well as shops, guest services, a shore excursions desk and more. There’s a Royal Promenade on many Royal Caribbean ships, but it’s elevated on the Icon thanks to The Pearl, a massive orb structure that’s just as functional in the ship’s architecture as it is a piece of art.

Central Park

An open-air area in the middle of the ship, this neighborhood features trees and living plant walls that make you feel as if you’re in an actual park while at sea. There are Central Parks on other Royal Caribbean ships too, and like the others, this one has several restaurants and bars.

Suite Neighborhood

For guests staying in the Sky and Star Class suites, this area is toward the front of the ship (near the AquaDome) and offers amenities like a private pool, a sun deck, a lounge, a restaurant and more.

As on other Royal Caribbean ships, there’s also an ice-skating rink (which converts into a laser tag arena), a spa, a fitness center and more activities available, including an escape room.

The Icon has over 20 places to eat and boasts more than 50 dining experiences, some of which are included in the main charge and others of which cost extra. There’s a three-floor main dining room and a buffet (the Windjammer) available at no charge.

Other complimentary options include the Aquadome Market (the first ever food hall on a Royal Caribbean ship), Sorrento’s (a pizza place), El Loco Fresh (Mexican fare), Park Café (a deli), Surfside Eatery (a kid-friendly buffet) and more. “We loved the grab-and-go and serve-yourself options at El Loco Fresh,” said one guest. “I could eat those quesadillas all day long.” In the main buffet, the Indian counter was also exceptionally delicious.

Then there are specialty restaurants you have to pay for such as Chops Grille (a steakhouse with out-of-this world crab cakes), Giovanni’s (Italian), Izumi (hibachi and sushi) and Hooked (seafood). For fancier options, there’s the Empire Supper Club (with an extravagant eight-course menu with a ritzy New York theme) and Celebration Table (a VIP experience for 12 people).

There are plenty of other places to grab snacks (including ice cream!) throughout the day as well as quick-service spots (Izumi in the Park has out-of-this-world bubble waffle creations) and even a Starbucks on board the ship. For a great place to start your morning, the Pearl Cafe is a comfortable and centrally located cafe on Deck 6. Head over to the Vitality Spa on Deck 14 for juices and smoothies.

Royal Caribbean stands out from other cruise lines for its shows, and the Icon takes it to another level. It has The Wizard of Oz as a Broadway-style show and Aqua Action, which features water-based stunts in its signature AquaTheater. There’s also an ice skating show called Starburst: Elemental Beauty and live music (including rock, blues and a DJ), dueling pianos, karaoke and comedy shows. All shows are included as part of the cruise.

Beyond the shows, there are a casino (called Casino Royale) and plenty of bars, from sports bars to more swanky venues.

The Icon of the Seas is sailing from and to Miami and currently offers two itineraries:

• 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
• 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Both itineraries include stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay (which previously won a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award ). It offers water parks, beaches, pools and more – and the best part is that it's all just steps from the ship. For the other stops, you can book shore excursions directly through Royal Caribbean.

A 7-day sailing on the Icon of the Seas typically costs around $2,000 per person.

However, you can often find promotions from Royal Caribbean, and we even discovered some options in 2025 that let you book for around $1,000 per person. The pricing varies based on room type, dates and availability, but Icon is considered more of a luxury cruise than a budget option. That said, the price covers much of the food, amenities and experiences throughout your week-long vacation.

Yes. While it's certainly not for everyone because of its size and price, we were impressed by the innovation this cruise delivers. The highlights compared with other cruises were the family-friendly room layouts, the next-level activities and the design of the neighborhoods.

For instance, on other Royal Caribbean ships you'll find the carousel for kids located next to the sports bar and in the same neighborhood as the AquaTheater, which gets congested around showtimes. With this new layout, there’s less overlap and it’s easier to navigate the experiences.

Meet Your Icon of the Seas Guides

• Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she oversees travel content ranging from the best luggage to Good Housekeeping’s Family Travel Awards . Lexie has been on eight cruise ships from a range of cruise lines (including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival) and has sailed through Alaska, the U.S. East coast, the Caribbean, Bermuda, South America and Europe. She attended a preview sailing on the Icon of the Seas with her husband and two daughters.
• Laurie Jennings is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s general manager and lead consumer tester across categories like travel, home, automotive and more. This was Laurie’s first overnight cruise experience. Her multigenerational group included her mother, a seasoned cruiser (who raved, “Everything about this ship is perfect! It will blow you away,”) as well as her daughter, 9, and her nephew, 11. During her sailing, Laurie visited all 28 room classes as well as every neighborhood and restaurant available for viewing.

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Icon of the Seas: Setting Sail as the World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Zoe wallace.

• February 22, 2024
• 3 minute read

The Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship ever built as it embarks on its maiden voyage. Explore its unique features and luxurious amenities.

Majestic Launch from Miami

The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s “Icon of the Seas,” embarked on its maiden voyage from the Port of Miami just before sunset on Saturday, January 27, 2024 . This event marked a significant milestone in the cruise industry, as the ship is the largest of its kind to date, both in size and passenger capacity.

A New Benchmark in Size and Luxury

The Icon of the Seas stretches nearly 1,200 feet in length and weighs a colossal 250,800 gross tons . It surpasses Royal Caribbean’s “Wonder of the Seas,” the previous record holder. The Icon of the Seas can accommodate a staggering 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.

Innovative Design and Features

The ship boasts an array of impressive features, including:

• Category 6 Water Park: The largest at sea, covering 17,000 square feet with six slides.
• Cantilevered Infinity Pool: The first of its kind at sea.
• Royal Bay Pool: The largest swimming pool at sea.
• Zero Ice Arena: The largest ice arena at sea.
• 16-Piece Orchestra: The largest at sea, providing entertainment alongside 50 musicians and comedians.
• “The Wizard of Oz” Performance: A first at sea featuring flying monkeys.
• Chief Dog Officer: A resident golden retriever puppy named Rover.

Environmental Considerations

While the ship sets a new standard in luxury , it also raises concerns regarding its environmental impact . The Icon of the Seas is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a decision criticized by some environmental groups. However, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson highlighted that the ship is 24% more energy efficient than required for ships designed today, and the company plans to introduce a net-zero ship by 2035.

A New Class of Ships

Icon of the Seas is the first in a new class of ships by Royal Caribbean. The next in line, “Star of the Seas,” is currently under construction and set to debut in August 2025.

Diverse Onboard Experience

The ship features different onboard neighborhoods catering to various interests, from families with young kids to adult-only travelers. These include:

• Swim & Tonic: The first swim-up bar at sea.
• Surfside: A family-focused neighborhood with a whimsical carousel and family-friendly dining options.
• The Hideaway: Inspired by international beach clubs, it boasts a multilevel terrace and the first suspended infinity pool at sea.

Luxury Accommodations

The ship offers 28 different types of accommodations , ranging from 157-square-foot interior cabins to the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, which includes a cinema, outdoor hot tub, and a slide between decks.

A Marvel of Engineering

Icon of the Seas showcases impressive engineering feats , such as the 82-foot-tall AquaDome with a theater for high-diver performances and the Pearl, a three-deck-high sphere on the World Promenade.

Aiming Beyond Cruising

Royal Caribbean International is positioning the Icon of the Seas to compete not just with other cruise ships but with all kinds of family vacations globally. The company emphasizes its focus on creating memorable experiences and offering a vast array of options for relaxation and adventure.

Zoe Wallace is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and contributing Travel Author of Culture.org. She is a leading expert in recruitment and a renowned travel influencer who journeys across the globe, capturing and sharing her extraordinary experiences. She uses her expertise to help people land jobs and advance their careers. Aside from that, her vibrant visuals and engaging storytelling immerse her followers in diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes. Zoe's passion for exploration and commitment to responsible and sustainable traveling inspires many to embark on their own adventures and appreciate the world's myriad wonders.

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Icon of the Seas

Introducing Icon of the Seas

A first-of-its-kind Royal Caribbean Adventure

It's thrills you never dared to imagine

And next-level chill you never dreamed possible

The largest waterpark at sea

Brace yourself for Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides. Like the Frightening Bolt, the tallest waterslide to sail. And the Pressure Drop, the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise.

Category 6 waterpark

6 record-breaking waterslides at sea

A new stay-all-day neighborhood just for families

Discover adventure for the ages — all the ages — at Surfside SM . With a kid-approved sprawling aquapark, a pool just for grownups, plus plenty of bites to fuel up for bolder bonding — your whole crew will never want to leave.

First for families

7 pools for every mood.

Choose a different pool for every day of the week, including Royal Bay — the largest pool at sea. Next-level views are never far away, with an array of infinity edges to keep you connected to the ocean.

The largest pool at sea

What Makes It Iconic

Make the most of every moment onboard. Dial up the daring. Unwind like never before. Bond over new bites 
and toast to next-level nightlife. And catch showstopping spectaculars that will leave you in awe. This is your week to enjoy everything you’ve ever loved about every vacation — all rolled into one.

Perfect day the western way

Icon of the Seas ℠ brings on the most thrilling Western Caribbean adventures for the whole family. From lush tropical jungles in Roatán to Mayan ruins in Cozumel — plus the tallest waterslide in North America at our game-changing private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay — there’s never been more exciting opportunities for bolder bonding.

Eastern adventures to perfect day

Max out memories like never before on 7-night adventures to the Eastern Caribbean onboard Icon of the Seas ℠ . Every sailing on our newest, thrill-packed ship stops at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Voted Best Private Island by Travel Weekly readers, it’s a place unlike any other where you can turn up the thrills or unplug and chill.

Iconic Stays

Make room for awesome

On the new Icon of the Seas℠, where you stay is just as thrilling as how you play. From expansive balconies that invite the sea breeze to our most over-the-top family accommodations — our range of spacious rooms is designed with family comfort in mind.  Use the arrows to explore more.

Family rooms redefined

Finding your crew’s just-right space is easy, with more rooms designed for families.

Family infinite ocean view balcony

Surfside family suites

Over the top just got topped

A family vacation doesn’t get any more VIP than in the first-ever Ultimate Family Townhouse — a sprawling adventure-filled pad with three levels of incredible surprises.

Ultimate family townhouse

Private patio to surfside

Three incredible levels

Stays with views for days

There’s no shortage of ways to score unbelievable ocean views from your room. With spacious balconies, extended ocean side escapes, and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, there’s so much to see at sea.

Spacious Infinite ocean view balcony

Panoramic suites

Sunset corner suites

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Guide to what's included

Perfect day at Cococay

Making an Icon

7 wild facts about the world’s biggest cruise ship

The icon of the seas has more than five times the tonnage of the titanic.

Is it a dream vacation or nightmare scenario? Depictions of the world’s largest cruise ship — the Icon of the Seas , setting sail in January — have the internet in an uproar.

One image especially seems to have captured the public’s imagination: a rear-end view that looks like a towering layer cake topped with silly string.

“The physical manifestation of Barbenheimer,” wrote one Twitter user, referring to the releases of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” about the development of the atomic bomb, on the same day. “Nightmare clown lasagna,” wrote another.

Many invoked the Northern European painter Hieronymus Bosch , Dante’s “Inferno ” and hamster cages . A smattering said it looked like actual fun .

The "Icon Of The Seas" sets sail in January 2024. 5610 passengers, 2350 crew members, 5 times larger and heavier than the Titanic, 19 floors with more than 40 bars, restaurants and bowling alleys. What a monstrosity! pic.twitter.com/igoQRUZ3nP — Ray Monk (@Raymodraco) July 9, 2023

Tanner Callais, founder and editor of cruise information site Cruzely , said in an email that it’s no surprise the behemoth is creating buzz.

“Looking at those renderings, I think the ship almost looks like a cartoon with the huge water park at the back,” he said. “It’s just unreal that something like that can be built to sail the ocean.”

Whatever the impression it’s leaving, cruise line Royal Caribbean International says Icon, which completed initial sea trials in June, is selling like mad. The company reported its single largest booking day when reservations opened in October; sales have since set two more records.

The Miami-based company is no stranger to setting records: Royal Caribbean has brought several “world’s largest” ships to market, notably the Oasis of the Seas in 2009, which dwarfed all others in its wake. Additional iterations have been slightly larger than the original, and even Icon of the Seas will only be 10 feet longer than its closest runner-up.

Travel adviser Danny Genung, CEO of Harr Travel , said he was up in the middle of the night booking trips for clients when reservations opened. He snagged a spot on the inaugural voyage for himself.

“There’s never been a ship launch like this in the industry,” he said.

Here are seven standout stats about the ship.

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It can hold 5,610 passengers.

That’s not including crew. That’s a few hundred more people than the population of Bar Harbor, Maine, which is U.S. News & World Report’s top small town in the United States to visit this year.

Crew adds another 2,350 to the total. And because ships are designed to accommodate more than two people per room with additional beds for families or groups, the total guest capacity is actually a whopping 7,600. When Oasis of the Seas was introduced as the biggest ship in the world in 2009, its capacity at double occupancy was 5,400 guests.

The average capacity for the 44 ships being introduced between this year and 2028 is 2,749 passengers, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.

It’s nearly 1,200 feet long.

The ship is only 10 feet longer than previous biggest-ship record-holders, at 1,198 feet. That’s the equivalent of more than three football fields or nearly four Statues of Liberty, pedestals included.

To visualize another way, the ship’s length is just 52 feet shorter than the height of the Empire State Building , not including the spire.

every time I see a picture of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship I am filled with an intense dread — Kylie Noele (@KylieNoele) July 11, 2023

It has more than five times the tonnage of the Titanic.

Cruise ships are ranked according to gross tonnage, the measure of internal volume. This is where Icon of the Seas really outshines the competition, at 250,800 gross tons. The next-closest is Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, which comes in at 235,600.

To compare, the Titanic was 46,329 gross tons.

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It has more than a dozen decks.

Icon of the Seas will feature 20 decks, 18 of which are for guest use. Those decks encompass eight “neighborhoods,” including a Central Park packed with live plants; a massive water park; a three-deck cluster of pools; a massive dome featuring a waterfall and performances; and an area for families with young kids to play and eat.

The next-largest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Wonder of the Seas, has 18 decks, all but two of which are for guests.

There’s a pool for every day of the week.

There will be seven pools on the ship, including a swim-up bar, suspended infinity pool and what Royal Caribbean describes as the “largest pool at sea.”

Voyager of the Seas , which was the world’s largest in 1999 when it launched, has three pools.

It has the biggest water park on the water.

Royal Caribbean is boasting that Icon will have the “largest waterpark at sea,” called Category 6. That refers to hurricane strength (which tops out at Category 5) but also the six slides on board. There’s an open free-fall slide, a 46-foot drop slide, family raft slides and a pair of mat-racing slides.

“Everybody now has a waterslide or two but having a water park with six slides that would be as good on land as they are on sea, it’s really unheard of,” Genung said.

In a 2022 roundup of best cruise ship water parks, Cruise Critic highlights Carnival. Many of its ships offer a trio of slides. MSC Cruises comes close to Icon’s number on some of its recent ships, offering four or five slides, and the cruise site notes that some of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships have up to five waterslides.

Love that cheap cruise price? Don’t forget the boatload of fees.

There are 40-plus places to eat and drink yourself silly.

Cruise ships have expanded their food and beverage options in recent years far beyond just a buffet, main dining room and pool bar. Icon will offer more than 40 ways to “drink, dine and be entertained,” including 15 bars and nightlife experiences and more than 20 dining options.

Restaurants on board run the gamut, with an eight-course supper club experience, an all-day brunch spot, sushi, street food, a steakhouse and, yes, buffets. Reflecting cruise passengers’ appetite for variety, this total is actually on par with the current record-holder, Wonder of the Seas.

For a land-based comparison, Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas says on its website that it offers 21 restaurants and 19 bars and lounges.

Genung, the travel agency CEO, said he has clients who say the ship looks amazing but seems too big for them.

“You get all the scope of reactions: ‘That’s cool, that’s crazy; I can’t wait to do it, I would never want to do that,’” he said. But he said that, especially for multigenerational families who want to travel together, it’s a great fit.

“The thing with this is it’s a perfect cruise for lots at different people at different times in life,” he said.

More cruise news

Living at sea: Travelers on a 9-month world cruise are going viral on social media. For some travelers, not even nine months was enough time on a ship; they sold cars, moved out of their homes and prepared to set sail for three years . That plan fell apart, but a 3.5-year version is waiting in the wings.

Passengers beware: It’s not all buffets and dance contests. Crime data reported by cruise lines show that the number of sex crimes has increased compared to previous years. And though man-overboard cases are rare, they are usually deadly .

The more you know: If you’re cruise-curious, here are six tips from a newcomer. Remember that in most cases, extra fees and add-ons will increase the seemingly cheap price of a sailing. And if you happen to get sick , know what to expect on board.

Crying Myself to Sleep on the Biggest Cruise Ship Ever

Seven agonizing nights aboard the Icon of the Seas

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Updated at 2:44 p.m. ET on April 6, 2024.

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MY FIRST GLIMPSE of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, from the window of an approaching Miami cab, brings on a feeling of vertigo, nausea, amazement, and distress. I shut my eyes in defense, as my brain tells my optic nerve to try again.

The ship makes no sense, vertically or horizontally. It makes no sense on sea, or on land, or in outer space. It looks like a hodgepodge of domes and minarets, tubes and canopies, like Istanbul had it been designed by idiots. Vibrant, oversignifying colors are stacked upon other such colors, decks perched over still more decks; the only comfort is a row of lifeboats ringing its perimeter. There is no imposed order, no cogent thought, and, for those who do not harbor a totalitarian sense of gigantomania, no visual mercy. This is the biggest cruise ship ever built, and I have been tasked with witnessing its inaugural voyage.

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“Author embarks on their first cruise-ship voyage” has been a staple of American essay writing for almost three decades, beginning with David Foster Wallace’s “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again,” which was first published in 1996 under the title “Shipping Out.” Since then, many admirable writers have widened and diversified the genre. Usually the essayist commissioned to take to the sea is in their first or second flush of youth and is ready to sharpen their wit against the hull of the offending vessel. I am 51, old and tired, having seen much of the world as a former travel journalist, and mostly what I do in both life and prose is shrug while muttering to my imaginary dachshund, “This too shall pass.” But the Icon of the Seas will not countenance a shrug. The Icon of the Seas is the Linda Loman of cruise ships, exclaiming that attention must be paid. And here I am in late January with my one piece of luggage and useless gray winter jacket and passport, zipping through the Port of Miami en route to the gangway that will separate me from the bulk of North America for more than seven days, ready to pay it in full.

The aforementioned gangway opens up directly onto a thriving mall (I will soon learn it is imperiously called the “Royal Promenade”), presently filled with yapping passengers beneath a ceiling studded with balloons ready to drop. Crew members from every part of the global South, as well as a few Balkans, are shepherding us along while pressing flutes of champagne into our hands. By a humming Starbucks, I drink as many of these as I can and prepare to find my cabin. I show my blue Suite Sky SeaPass Card (more on this later, much more) to a smiling woman from the Philippines, and she tells me to go “aft.” Which is where, now? As someone who has rarely sailed on a vessel grander than the Staten Island Ferry, I am confused. It turns out that the aft is the stern of the ship, or, for those of us who don’t know what a stern or an aft are, its ass. The nose of the ship, responsible for separating the waves before it, is also called a bow, and is marked for passengers as the FWD , or forward. The part of the contemporary sailing vessel where the malls are clustered is called the midship. I trust that you have enjoyed this nautical lesson.

I ascend via elevator to my suite on Deck 11. This is where I encounter my first terrible surprise. My suite windows and balcony do not face the ocean. Instead, they look out onto another shopping mall. This mall is the one that’s called Central Park, perhaps in homage to the Olmsted-designed bit of greenery in the middle of my hometown. Although on land I would be delighted to own a suite with Central Park views, here I am deeply depressed. To sail on a ship and not wake up to a vast blue carpet of ocean? Unthinkable.

Allow me a brief preamble here. The story you are reading was commissioned at a moment when most staterooms on the Icon were sold out. In fact, so enthralled by the prospect of this voyage were hard-core mariners that the ship’s entire inventory of guest rooms (the Icon can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers, but its inaugural journey was reduced to 5,000 or so for a less crowded experience) was almost immediately sold out. Hence, this publication was faced with the shocking prospect of paying nearly $19,000 to procure for this solitary passenger an entire suite—not including drinking expenses—all for the privilege of bringing you this article. But the suite in question doesn’t even have a view of the ocean! I sit down hard on my soft bed. Nineteen thousand dollars for this .

The viewless suite does have its pluses. In addition to all the Malin+Goetz products in my dual bathrooms, I am granted use of a dedicated Suite Deck lounge; access to Coastal Kitchen, a superior restaurant for Suites passengers; complimentary VOOM SM Surf & Stream (“the fastest Internet at Sea”) “for one device per person for the whole cruise duration”; a pair of bathrobes (one of which comes prestained with what looks like a large expectoration by the greenest lizard on Earth); and use of the Grove Suite Sun, an area on Decks 18 and 19 with food and deck chairs reserved exclusively for Suite passengers. I also get reserved seating for a performance of The Wizard of Oz , an ice-skating tribute to the periodic table, and similar provocations. The very color of my Suite Sky SeaPass Card, an oceanic blue as opposed to the cloying royal purple of the standard non-Suite passenger, will soon provoke envy and admiration. But as high as my status may be, there are those on board who have much higher status still, and I will soon learn to bow before them.

In preparation for sailing, I have “priced in,” as they say on Wall Street, the possibility that I may come from a somewhat different monde than many of the other cruisers. Without falling into stereotypes or preconceptions, I prepare myself for a friendly outspokenness on the part of my fellow seafarers that may not comply with modern DEI standards. I believe in meeting people halfway, and so the day before flying down to Miami, I visited what remains of Little Italy to purchase a popular T-shirt that reads DADDY’S LITTLE MEATBALL across the breast in the colors of the Italian flag. My wife recommended that I bring one of my many T-shirts featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, as all Americans love the beagle and his friends. But I naively thought that my meatball T-shirt would be more suitable for conversation-starting. “Oh, and who is your ‘daddy’?” some might ask upon seeing it. “And how long have you been his ‘little meatball’?” And so on.

I put on my meatball T-shirt and head for one of the dining rooms to get a late lunch. In the elevator, I stick out my chest for all to read the funny legend upon it, but soon I realize that despite its burnished tricolor letters, no one takes note. More to the point, no one takes note of me. Despite my attempts at bridge building, the very sight of me (small, ethnic, without a cap bearing the name of a football team) elicits no reaction from other passengers. Most often, they will small-talk over me as if I don’t exist. This brings to mind the travails of David Foster Wallace , who felt so ostracized by his fellow passengers that he retreated to his cabin for much of his voyage. And Wallace was raised primarily in the Midwest and was a much larger, more American-looking meatball than I am. If he couldn’t talk to these people, how will I? What if I leave this ship without making any friends at all, despite my T-shirt? I am a social creature, and the prospect of seven days alone and apart is saddening. Wallace’s stateroom, at least, had a view of the ocean, a kind of cheap eternity.

Worse awaits me in the dining room. This is a large, multichandeliered room where I attended my safety training (I was shown how to put on a flotation vest; it is a very simple procedure). But the maître d’ politely refuses me entry in an English that seems to verge on another language. “I’m sorry, this is only for pendejos ,” he seems to be saying. I push back politely and he repeats himself. Pendejos ? Piranhas? There’s some kind of P-word to which I am not attuned. Meanwhile elderly passengers stream right past, powered by their limbs, walkers, and electric wheelchairs. “It is only pendejo dining today, sir.” “But I have a suite!” I say, already starting to catch on to the ship’s class system. He examines my card again. “But you are not a pendejo ,” he confirms. I am wearing a DADDY’S LITTLE MEATBALL T-shirt, I want to say to him. I am the essence of pendejo .

Eventually, I give up and head to the plebeian buffet on Deck 15, which has an aquatic-styled name I have now forgotten. Before gaining entry to this endless cornucopia of reheated food, one passes a washing station of many sinks and soap dispensers, and perhaps the most intriguing character on the entire ship. He is Mr. Washy Washy—or, according to his name tag, Nielbert of the Philippines—and he is dressed as a taco (on other occasions, I’ll see him dressed as a burger). Mr. Washy Washy performs an eponymous song in spirited, indeed flamboyant English: “Washy, washy, wash your hands, WASHY WASHY!” The dangers of norovirus and COVID on a cruise ship this size (a giant fellow ship was stricken with the former right after my voyage) makes Mr. Washy Washy an essential member of the crew. The problem lies with the food at the end of Washy’s rainbow. The buffet is groaning with what sounds like sophisticated dishes—marinated octopus, boiled egg with anchovy, chorizo, lobster claws—but every animal tastes tragically the same, as if there was only one creature available at the market, a “cruisipus” bred specifically for Royal Caribbean dining. The “vegetables” are no better. I pick up a tomato slice and look right through it. It tastes like cellophane. I sit alone, apart from the couples and parents with gaggles of children, as “We Are Family” echoes across the buffet space.

I may have failed to mention that all this time, the Icon of the Seas has not left port. As the fiery mango of the subtropical setting sun makes Miami’s condo skyline even more apocalyptic, the ship shoves off beneath a perfunctory display of fireworks. After the sun sets, in the far, dark distance, another circus-lit cruise ship ruptures the waves before us. We glance at it with pity, because it is by definition a smaller ship than our own. I am on Deck 15, outside the buffet and overlooking a bunch of pools (the Icon has seven of them), drinking a frilly drink that I got from one of the bars (the Icon has 15 of them), still too shy to speak to anyone, despite Sister Sledge’s assertion that all on the ship are somehow related.

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The ship’s passage away from Ron DeSantis’s Florida provides no frisson, no sense of developing “sea legs,” as the ship is too large to register the presence of waves unless a mighty wind adds significant chop. It is time for me to register the presence of the 5,000 passengers around me, even if they refuse to register mine. My fellow travelers have prepared for this trip with personally decorated T-shirts celebrating the importance of this voyage. The simplest ones say ICON INAUGURAL ’24 on the back and the family name on the front. Others attest to an over-the-top love of cruise ships: WARNING! MAY START TALKING ABOUT CRUISING . Still others are artisanally designed and celebrate lifetimes spent married while cruising (on ships, of course). A couple possibly in their 90s are wearing shirts whose backs feature a drawing of a cruise liner, two flamingos with ostensibly male and female characteristics, and the legend “ HUSBAND AND WIFE Cruising Partners FOR LIFE WE MAY NOT HAVE IT All Together BUT TOGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL .” (The words not in all caps have been written in cursive.) A real journalist or a more intrepid conversationalist would have gone up to the couple and asked them to explain the longevity of their marriage vis-à-vis their love of cruising. But instead I head to my mall suite, take off my meatball T-shirt, and allow the first tears of the cruise to roll down my cheeks slowly enough that I briefly fall asleep amid the moisture and salt.

I WAKE UP with a hangover. Oh God. Right. I cannot believe all of that happened last night. A name floats into my cobwebbed, nauseated brain: “Ayn Rand.” Jesus Christ.

I breakfast alone at the Coastal Kitchen. The coffee tastes fine and the eggs came out of a bird. The ship rolls slightly this morning; I can feel it in my thighs and my schlong, the parts of me that are most receptive to danger.

I had a dangerous conversation last night. After the sun set and we were at least 50 miles from shore (most modern cruise ships sail at about 23 miles an hour), I lay in bed softly hiccupping, my arms stretched out exactly like Jesus on the cross, the sound of the distant waves missing from my mall-facing suite, replaced by the hum of air-conditioning and children shouting in Spanish through the vents of my two bathrooms. I decided this passivity was unacceptable. As an immigrant, I feel duty-bound to complete the tasks I am paid for, which means reaching out and trying to understand my fellow cruisers. So I put on a normal James Perse T-shirt and headed for one of the bars on the Royal Promenade—the Schooner Bar, it was called, if memory serves correctly.

I sat at the bar for a martini and two Negronis. An old man with thick, hairy forearms drank next to me, very silent and Hemingwaylike, while a dreadlocked piano player tinkled out a series of excellent Elton John covers. To my right, a young white couple—he in floral shorts, she in a light, summery miniskirt with a fearsome diamond ring, neither of them in football regalia—chatted with an elderly couple. Do it , I commanded myself. Open your mouth. Speak! Speak without being spoken to. Initiate. A sentence fragment caught my ear from the young woman, “Cherry Hill.” This is a suburb of Philadelphia in New Jersey, and I had once been there for a reading at a synagogue. “Excuse me,” I said gently to her. “Did you just mention Cherry Hill? It’s a lovely place.”

As it turned out, the couple now lived in Fort Lauderdale (the number of Floridians on the cruise surprised me, given that Southern Florida is itself a kind of cruise ship, albeit one slowly sinking), but soon they were talking with me exclusively—the man potbellied, with a chin like a hard-boiled egg; the woman as svelte as if she were one of the many Ukrainian members of the crew—the elderly couple next to them forgotten. This felt as groundbreaking as the first time I dared to address an American in his native tongue, as a child on a bus in Queens (“On my foot you are standing, Mister”).

“I don’t want to talk politics,” the man said. “But they’re going to eighty-six Biden and put Michelle in.”

I considered the contradictions of his opening conversational gambit, but decided to play along. “People like Michelle,” I said, testing the waters. The husband sneered, but the wife charitably put forward that the former first lady was “more personable” than Joe Biden. “They’re gonna eighty-six Biden,” the husband repeated. “He can’t put a sentence together.”

After I mentioned that I was a writer—though I presented myself as a writer of teleplays instead of novels and articles such as this one—the husband told me his favorite writer was Ayn Rand. “Ayn Rand, she came here with nothing,” the husband said. “I work with a lot of Cubans, so …” I wondered if I should mention what I usually do to ingratiate myself with Republicans or libertarians: the fact that my finances improved after pass-through corporations were taxed differently under Donald Trump. Instead, I ordered another drink and the couple did the same, and I told him that Rand and I were born in the same city, St. Petersburg/Leningrad, and that my family also came here with nothing. Now the bonding and drinking began in earnest, and several more rounds appeared. Until it all fell apart.

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My new friend, whom I will refer to as Ayn, called out to a buddy of his across the bar, and suddenly a young couple, both covered in tattoos, appeared next to us. “He fucking punked me,” Ayn’s frat-boy-like friend called out as he put his arm around Ayn, while his sizable partner sizzled up to Mrs. Rand. Both of them had a look I have never seen on land—their eyes projecting absence and enmity in equal measure. In the ’90s, I drank with Russian soldiers fresh from Chechnya and wandered the streets of wartime Zagreb, but I have never seen such undisguised hostility toward both me and perhaps the universe at large. I was briefly introduced to this psychopathic pair, but neither of them wanted to have anything to do with me, and the tattooed woman would not even reveal her Christian name to me (she pretended to have the same first name as Mrs. Rand). To impress his tattooed friends, Ayn made fun of the fact that as a television writer, I’d worked on the series Succession (which, it would turn out, practically nobody on the ship had watched), instead of the far more palatable, in his eyes, zombie drama of last year. And then my new friends drifted away from me into an angry private conversation—“He punked me!”—as I ordered another drink for myself, scared of the dead-eyed arrivals whose gaze never registered in the dim wattage of the Schooner Bar, whose terrifying voices and hollow laughs grated like unoiled gears against the crooning of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”

But today is a new day for me and my hangover. After breakfast, I explore the ship’s so-called neighborhoods . There’s the AquaDome, where one can find a food hall and an acrobatic sound-and-light aquatic show. Central Park has a premium steak house, a sushi joint, and a used Rolex that can be bought for $8,000 on land here proudly offered at $17,000. There’s the aforementioned Royal Promenade, where I had drunk with the Rands, and where a pair of dueling pianos duel well into the night. There’s Surfside, a kids’ neighborhood full of sugary garbage, which looks out onto the frothy trail that the behemoth leaves behind itself. Thrill Island refers to the collection of tubes that clutter the ass of the ship and offer passengers six waterslides and a surfing simulation. There’s the Hideaway, an adult zone that plays music from a vomit-slathered, Brit-filled Alicante nightclub circa 1996 and proves a big favorite with groups of young Latin American customers. And, most hurtfully, there’s the Suite Neighborhood.

I say hurtfully because as a Suite passenger I should be here, though my particular suite is far from the others. Whereas I am stuck amid the riffraff of Deck 11, this section is on the highborn Decks 16 and 17, and in passing, I peek into the spacious, tall-ceilinged staterooms from the hallway, dazzled by the glint of the waves and sun. For $75,000, one multifloor suite even comes with its own slide between floors, so that a family may enjoy this particular terror in private. There is a quiet splendor to the Suite Neighborhood. I see fewer stickers and signs and drawings than in my own neighborhood—for example, MIKE AND DIANA PROUDLY SERVED U.S. MARINE CORPS RETIRED . No one here needs to announce their branch of service or rank; they are simply Suites, and this is where they belong. Once again, despite my hard work and perseverance, I have been disallowed from the true American elite. Once again, I am “Not our class, dear.” I am reminded of watching The Love Boat on my grandmother’s Zenith, which either was given to her or we found in the trash (I get our many malfunctioning Zeniths confused) and whose tube got so hot, I would put little chunks of government cheese on a thin tissue atop it to give our welfare treat a pleasant, Reagan-era gooeyness. I could not understand English well enough then to catch the nuances of that seafaring program, but I knew that there were differences in the status of the passengers, and that sometimes those differences made them sad. Still, this ship, this plenty—every few steps, there are complimentary nachos or milkshakes or gyros on offer—was the fatty fuel of my childhood dreams. If only I had remained a child.

I walk around the outdoor decks looking for company. There is a middle-aged African American couple who always seem to be asleep in each other’s arms, probably exhausted from the late capitalism they regularly encounter on land. There is far more diversity on this ship than I expected. Many couples are a testament to Loving v. Virginia , and there is a large group of folks whose T-shirts read MELANIN AT SEA / IT’S THE MELANIN FOR ME . I smile when I see them, but then some young kids from the group makes Mr. Washy Washy do a cruel, caricatured “Burger Dance” (today he is in his burger getup), and I think, Well, so much for intersectionality .

At the infinity pool on Deck 17, I spot some elderly women who could be ethnic and from my part of the world, and so I jump in. I am proved correct! Many of them seem to be originally from Queens (“Corona was still great when it was all Italian”), though they are now spread across the tristate area. We bond over the way “Ron-kon-koma” sounds when announced in Penn Station.

“Everyone is here for a different reason,” one of them tells me. She and her ex-husband last sailed together four years ago to prove to themselves that their marriage was truly over. Her 15-year-old son lost his virginity to “an Irish young lady” while their ship was moored in Ravenna, Italy. The gaggle of old-timers competes to tell me their favorite cruising stories and tips. “A guy proposed in Central Park a couple of years ago”—many Royal Caribbean ships apparently have this ridiculous communal area—“and she ran away screaming!” “If you’re diamond-class, you get four drinks for free.” “A different kind of passenger sails out of Bayonne.” (This, perhaps, is racially coded.) “Sometimes, if you tip the bartender $5, your next drink will be free.”

“Everyone’s here for a different reason,” the woman whose marriage ended on a cruise tells me again. “Some people are here for bad reasons—the drinkers and the gamblers. Some people are here for medical reasons.” I have seen more than a few oxygen tanks and at least one woman clearly undergoing very serious chemo. Some T-shirts celebrate good news about a cancer diagnosis. This might be someone’s last cruise or week on Earth. For these women, who have spent months, if not years, at sea, cruising is a ritual as well as a life cycle: first love, last love, marriage, divorce, death.

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I have talked with these women for so long, tonight I promise myself that after a sad solitary dinner I will not try to seek out company at the bars in the mall or the adult-themed Hideaway. I have enough material to fulfill my duties to this publication. As I approach my orphaned suite, I run into the aggro young people who stole Mr. and Mrs. Rand away from me the night before. The tattooed apparitions pass me without a glance. She is singing something violent about “Stuttering Stanley” (a character in a popular horror movie, as I discover with my complimentary VOOM SM Surf & Stream Internet at Sea) and he’s loudly shouting about “all the money I’ve lost,” presumably at the casino in the bowels of the ship.

So these bent psychos out of a Cormac McCarthy novel are angrily inhabiting my deck. As I mewl myself to sleep, I envision a limited series for HBO or some other streamer, a kind of low-rent White Lotus , where several aggressive couples conspire to throw a shy intellectual interloper overboard. I type the scenario into my phone. As I fall asleep, I think of what the woman who recently divorced her husband and whose son became a man through the good offices of the Irish Republic told me while I was hoisting myself out of the infinity pool. “I’m here because I’m an explorer. I’m here because I’m trying something new.” What if I allowed myself to believe in her fantasy?

“YOU REALLY STARTED AT THE TOP,” they tell me. I’m at the Coastal Kitchen for my eggs and corned-beef hash, and the maître d’ has slotted me in between two couples. Fueled by coffee or perhaps intrigued by my relative youth, they strike up a conversation with me. As always, people are shocked that this is my first cruise. They contrast the Icon favorably with all the preceding liners in the Royal Caribbean fleet, usually commenting on the efficiency of the elevators that hurl us from deck to deck (as in many large corporate buildings, the elevators ask you to choose a floor and then direct you to one of many lifts). The couple to my right, from Palo Alto—he refers to his “porn mustache” and calls his wife “my cougar” because she is two years older—tell me they are “Pandemic Pinnacles.”

This is the day that my eyes will be opened. Pinnacles , it is explained to me over translucent cantaloupe, have sailed with Royal Caribbean for 700 ungodly nights. Pandemic Pinnacles took advantage of the two-for-one accrual rate of Pinnacle points during the pandemic, when sailing on a cruise ship was even more ill-advised, to catapult themselves into Pinnacle status.

Because of the importance of the inaugural voyage of the world’s largest cruise liner, more than 200 Pinnacles are on this ship, a startling number, it seems. Mrs. Palo Alto takes out a golden badge that I have seen affixed over many a breast, which reads CROWN AND ANCHOR SOCIETY along with her name. This is the coveted badge of the Pinnacle. “You should hear all the whining in Guest Services,” her husband tells me. Apparently, the Pinnacles who are not also Suites like us are all trying to use their status to get into Coastal Kitchen, our elite restaurant. Even a Pinnacle needs to be a Suite to access this level of corned-beef hash.

“We’re just baby Pinnacles,” Mrs. Palo Alto tells me, describing a kind of internal class struggle among the Pinnacle elite for ever higher status.

And now I understand what the maître d’ was saying to me on the first day of my cruise. He wasn’t saying “ pendejo .” He was saying “Pinnacle.” The dining room was for Pinnacles only, all those older people rolling in like the tide on their motorized scooters.

And now I understand something else: This whole thing is a cult. And like most cults, it can’t help but mirror the endless American fight for status. Like Keith Raniere’s NXIVM, where different-colored sashes were given out to connote rank among Raniere’s branded acolytes, this is an endless competition among Pinnacles, Suites, Diamond-Plusers, and facing-the-mall, no-balcony purple SeaPass Card peasants, not to mention the many distinctions within each category. The more you cruise, the higher your status. No wonder a section of the Royal Promenade is devoted to getting passengers to book their next cruise during the one they should be enjoying now. No wonder desperate Royal Caribbean offers (“FINAL HOURS”) crowded my email account weeks before I set sail. No wonder the ship’s jewelry store, the Royal Bling, is selling a $100,000 golden chalice that will entitle its owner to drink free on Royal Caribbean cruises for life. (One passenger was already gaming out whether her 28-year-old son was young enough to “just about earn out” on the chalice or if that ship had sailed.) No wonder this ship was sold out months before departure , and we had to pay $19,000 for a horrid suite away from the Suite Neighborhood. No wonder the most mythical hero of Royal Caribbean lore is someone named Super Mario, who has cruised so often, he now has his own working desk on many ships. This whole experience is part cult, part nautical pyramid scheme.

From the June 2014 issue: Ship of wonks

“The toilets are amazing,” the Palo Altos are telling me. “One flush and you’re done.” “They don’t understand how energy-efficient these ships are,” the husband of the other couple is telling me. “They got the LNG”—liquefied natural gas, which is supposed to make the Icon a boon to the environment (a concept widely disputed and sometimes ridiculed by environmentalists).

But I’m thinking along a different line of attack as I spear my last pallid slice of melon. For my streaming limited series, a Pinnacle would have to get killed by either an outright peasant or a Suite without an ocean view. I tell my breakfast companions my idea.

“Oh, for sure a Pinnacle would have to be killed,” Mr. Palo Alto, the Pandemic Pinnacle, says, touching his porn mustache thoughtfully as his wife nods.

“THAT’S RIGHT, IT’S your time, buddy!” Hubert, my fun-loving Panamanian cabin attendant, shouts as I step out of my suite in a robe. “Take it easy, buddy!”

I have come up with a new dressing strategy. Instead of trying to impress with my choice of T-shirts, I have decided to start wearing a robe, as one does at a resort property on land, with a proper spa and hammam. The response among my fellow cruisers has been ecstatic. “Look at you in the robe!” Mr. Rand cries out as we pass each other by the Thrill Island aqua park. “You’re living the cruise life! You know, you really drank me under the table that night.” I laugh as we part ways, but my soul cries out, Please spend more time with me, Mr. and Mrs. Rand; I so need the company .

In my white robe, I am a stately presence, a refugee from a better limited series, a one-man crossover episode. (Only Suites are granted these robes to begin with.) Today, I will try many of the activities these ships have on offer to provide their clientele with a sense of never-ceasing motion. Because I am already at Thrill Island, I decide to climb the staircase to what looks like a mast on an old-fashioned ship (terrified, because I am afraid of heights) to try a ride called “Storm Chasers,” which is part of the “Category 6” water park, named in honor of one of the storms that may someday do away with the Port of Miami entirely. Storm Chasers consists of falling from the “mast” down a long, twisting neon tube filled with water, like being the camera inside your own colonoscopy, as you hold on to the handles of a mat, hoping not to die. The tube then flops you down headfirst into a trough of water, a Royal Caribbean baptism. It both knocks my breath out and makes me sad.

In keeping with the aquatic theme, I attend a show at the AquaDome. To the sound of “Live and Let Die,” a man in a harness gyrates to and fro in the sultry air. I saw something very similar in the back rooms of the famed Berghain club in early-aughts Berlin. Soon another harnessed man is gyrating next to the first. Ja , I think to myself, I know how this ends. Now will come the fisting , natürlich . But the show soon devolves into the usual Marvel-film-grade nonsense, with too much light and sound signifying nichts . If any fisting is happening, it is probably in the Suite Neighborhood, inside a cabin marked with an upside-down pineapple, which I understand means a couple are ready to swing, and I will see none of it.

I go to the ice show, which is a kind of homage—if that’s possible—to the periodic table, done with the style and pomp and masterful precision that would please the likes of Kim Jong Un, if only he could afford Royal Caribbean talent. At one point, the dancers skate to the theme song of Succession . “See that!” I want to say to my fellow Suites—at “cultural” events, we have a special section reserved for us away from the commoners—“ Succession ! It’s even better than the zombie show! Open your minds!”

Finally, I visit a comedy revue in an enormous and too brightly lit version of an “intimate,” per Royal Caribbean literature, “Manhattan comedy club.” Many of the jokes are about the cruising life. “I’ve lived on ships for 20 years,” one of the middle-aged comedians says. “I can only see so many Filipino homosexuals dressed as a taco.” He pauses while the audience laughs. “I am so fired tonight,” he says. He segues into a Trump impression and then Biden falling asleep at the microphone, which gets the most laughs. “Anyone here from Fort Leonard Wood?” another comedian asks. Half the crowd seems to cheer. As I fall asleep that night, I realize another connection I have failed to make, and one that may explain some of the diversity on this vessel—many of its passengers have served in the military.

As a coddled passenger with a suite, I feel like I am starting to understand what it means to have a rank and be constantly reminded of it. There are many espresso makers , I think as I look across the expanse of my officer-grade quarters before closing my eyes, but this one is mine .

A shocking sight greets me beyond the pools of Deck 17 as I saunter over to the Coastal Kitchen for my morning intake of slightly sour Americanos. A tiny city beneath a series of perfectly pressed green mountains. Land! We have docked for a brief respite in Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis. I wolf down my egg scramble to be one of the first passengers off the ship. Once past the gangway, I barely refrain from kissing the ground. I rush into the sights and sounds of this scruffy island city, sampling incredible conch curry and buckets of non-Starbucks coffee. How wonderful it is to be where God intended humans to be: on land. After all, I am neither a fish nor a mall rat. This is my natural environment. Basseterre may not be Havana, but there are signs of human ingenuity and desire everywhere you look. The Black Table Grill Has been Relocated to Soho Village, Market Street, Directly Behind of, Gary’s Fruits and Flower Shop. Signed. THE PORK MAN reads a sign stuck to a wall. Now, that is how you write a sign. A real sign, not the come-ons for overpriced Rolexes that blink across the screens of the Royal Promenade.

“Hey, tie your shoestring!” a pair of laughing ladies shout to me across the street.

“Thank you!” I shout back. Shoestring! “Thank you very much.”

A man in Independence Square Park comes by and asks if I want to play with his monkey. I haven’t heard that pickup line since the Penn Station of the 1980s. But then he pulls a real monkey out of a bag. The monkey is wearing a diaper and looks insane. Wonderful , I think, just wonderful! There is so much life here. I email my editor asking if I can remain on St. Kitts and allow the Icon to sail off into the horizon without me. I have even priced a flight home at less than $300, and I have enough material from the first four days on the cruise to write the entire story. “It would be funny …” my editor replies. “Now get on the boat.”

As I slink back to the ship after my brief jailbreak, the locals stand under umbrellas to gaze at and photograph the boat that towers over their small capital city. The limousines of the prime minister and his lackeys are parked beside the gangway. St. Kitts, I’ve been told, is one of the few islands that would allow a ship of this size to dock.

“We hear about all the waterslides,” a sweet young server in one of the cafés told me. “We wish we could go on the ship, but we have to work.”

“I want to stay on your island,” I replied. “I love it here.”

But she didn’t understand how I could possibly mean that.

“WASHY, WASHY, so you don’t get stinky, stinky!” kids are singing outside the AquaDome, while their adult minders look on in disapproval, perhaps worried that Mr. Washy Washy is grooming them into a life of gayness. I heard a southern couple skip the buffet entirely out of fear of Mr. Washy Washy.

Meanwhile, I have found a new watering hole for myself, the Swim & Tonic, the biggest swim-up bar on any cruise ship in the world. Drinking next to full-size, nearly naked Americans takes away one’s own self-consciousness. The men have curvaceous mom bodies. The women are equally un-shy about their sprawling physiques.

Today I’ve befriended a bald man with many children who tells me that all of the little trinkets that Royal Caribbean has left us in our staterooms and suites are worth a fortune on eBay. “Eighty dollars for the water bottle, 60 for the lanyard,” the man says. “This is a cult.”

“Tell me about it,” I say. There is, however, a clientele for whom this cruise makes perfect sense. For a large middle-class family (he works in “supply chains”), seven days in a lower-tier cabin—which starts at $1,800 a person—allow the parents to drop off their children in Surfside, where I imagine many young Filipina crew members will take care of them, while the parents are free to get drunk at a swim-up bar and maybe even get intimate in their cabin. Cruise ships have become, for a certain kind of hardworking family, a form of subsidized child care.

There is another man I would like to befriend at the Swim & Tonic, a tall, bald fellow who is perpetually inebriated and who wears a necklace studded with little rubber duckies in sunglasses, which, I am told, is a sort of secret handshake for cruise aficionados. Tomorrow, I will spend more time with him, but first the ship docks at St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Charlotte Amalie, the capital, is more charming in name than in presence, but I still all but jump off the ship to score a juicy oxtail and plantains at the well-known Petite Pump Room, overlooking the harbor. From one of the highest points in the small city, the Icon of the Seas appears bigger than the surrounding hills.

I usually tan very evenly, but something about the discombobulation of life at sea makes me forget the regular application of sunscreen. As I walk down the streets of Charlotte Amalie in my fluorescent Icon of the Seas cap, an old Rastafarian stares me down. “Redneck,” he hisses.

“No,” I want to tell him, as I bring a hand up to my red neck, “that’s not who I am at all. On my island, Mannahatta, as Whitman would have it, I am an interesting person living within an engaging artistic milieu. I do not wish to use the Caribbean as a dumping ground for the cruise-ship industry. I love the work of Derek Walcott. You don’t understand. I am not a redneck. And if I am, they did this to me.” They meaning Royal Caribbean? Its passengers? The Rands?

“They did this to me!”

Back on the Icon, some older matrons are muttering about a run-in with passengers from the Celebrity cruise ship docked next to us, the Celebrity Apex. Although Celebrity Cruises is also owned by Royal Caribbean, I am made to understand that there is a deep fratricidal beef between passengers of the two lines. “We met a woman from the Apex,” one matron says, “and she says it was a small ship and there was nothing to do. Her face was as tight as a 19-year-old’s, she had so much surgery.” With those words, and beneath a cloudy sky, humidity shrouding our weathered faces and red necks, we set sail once again, hopefully in the direction of home.

THERE ARE BARELY 48 HOURS LEFT to the cruise, and the Icon of the Seas’ passengers are salty. They know how to work the elevators. They know the Washy Washy song by heart. They understand that the chicken gyro at “Feta Mediterranean,” in the AquaDome Market, is the least problematic form of chicken on the ship.

The passengers have shed their INAUGURAL CRUISE T-shirts and are now starting to evince political opinions. There are caps pledging to make America great again and T-shirts that celebrate words sometimes attributed to Patrick Henry: “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people; it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.” With their preponderance of FAMILY FLAG FAITH FRIENDS FIREARMS T-shirts, the tables by the crepe station sometimes resemble the Capitol Rotunda on January 6. The Real Anthony Fauci , by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appears to be a popular form of literature, especially among young men with very complicated versions of the American flag on their T-shirts. Other opinions blend the personal and the political. “Someone needs to kill Washy guy, right?” a well-dressed man in the elevator tells me, his gray eyes radiating nothing. “Just beat him to death. Am I right?” I overhear the male member of a young couple whisper, “There goes that freak” as I saunter by in my white spa robe, and I decide to retire it for the rest of the cruise.

I visit the Royal Bling to see up close the $100,000 golden chalice that entitles you to free drinks on Royal Caribbean forever. The pleasant Serbian saleslady explains that the chalice is actually gold-plated and covered in white zirconia instead of diamonds, as it would otherwise cost $1 million. “If you already have everything,” she explains, “this is one more thing you can get.”

I believe that anyone who works for Royal Caribbean should be entitled to immediate American citizenship. They already speak English better than most of the passengers and, per the Serbian lady’s sales pitch above, better understand what America is as well. Crew members like my Panamanian cabin attendant seem to work 24 hours a day. A waiter from New Delhi tells me that his contract is six months and three weeks long. After a cruise ends, he says, “in a few hours, we start again for the next cruise.” At the end of the half a year at sea, he is allowed a two-to-three-month stay at home with his family. As of 2019, the median income for crew members was somewhere in the vicinity of $20,000, according to a major business publication. Royal Caribbean would not share the current median salary for its crew members, but I am certain that it amounts to a fraction of the cost of a Royal Bling gold-plated, zirconia-studded chalice.

And because most of the Icon’s hyper-sanitized spaces are just a frittata away from being a Delta lounge, one forgets that there are actual sailors on this ship, charged with the herculean task of docking it in port. “Having driven 100,000-ton aircraft carriers throughout my career,” retired Admiral James G. Stavridis, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, writes to me, “I’m not sure I would even know where to begin with trying to control a sea monster like this one nearly three times the size.” (I first met Stavridis while touring Army bases in Germany more than a decade ago.)

Today, I decide to head to the hot tub near Swim & Tonic, where some of the ship’s drunkest reprobates seem to gather (the other tubs are filled with families and couples). The talk here, like everywhere else on the ship, concerns football, a sport about which I know nothing. It is apparent that four teams have recently competed in some kind of finals for the year, and that two of them will now face off in the championship. Often when people on the Icon speak, I will try to repeat the last thing they said with a laugh or a nod of disbelief. “Yes, 20-yard line! Ha!” “Oh my God, of course, scrimmage.”

Soon we are joined in the hot tub by the late-middle-age drunk guy with the duck necklace. He is wearing a bucket hat with the legend HAWKEYES , which, I soon gather, is yet another football team. “All right, who turned me in?” Duck Necklace says as he plops into the tub beside us. “I get a call in the morning,” he says. “It’s security. Can you come down to the dining room by 10 a.m.? You need to stay away from the members of this religious family.” Apparently, the gregarious Duck Necklace had photobombed the wrong people. There are several families who present as evangelical Christians or practicing Muslims on the ship. One man, evidently, was not happy that Duck Necklace had made contact with his relatives. “It’s because of religious stuff; he was offended. I put my arm around 20 people a day.”

Everyone laughs. “They asked me three times if I needed medication,” he says of the security people who apparently interrogated him in full view of others having breakfast.

Another hot-tub denizen suggests that he should have asked for fentanyl. After a few more drinks, Duck Necklace begins to muse about what it would be like to fall off the ship. “I’m 62 and I’m ready to go,” he says. “I just don’t want a shark to eat me. I’m a huge God guy. I’m a Bible guy. There’s some Mayan theory squaring science stuff with religion. There is so much more to life on Earth.” We all nod into our Red Stripes.

“I never get off the ship when we dock,” he says. He tells us he lost $6,000 in the casino the other day. Later, I look him up, and it appears that on land, he’s a financial adviser in a crisp gray suit, probably a pillar of his North Chicago community.

THE OCEAN IS TEEMING with fascinating life, but on the surface it has little to teach us. The waves come and go. The horizon remains ever far away.

I am constantly told by my fellow passengers that “everybody here has a story.” Yes, I want to reply, but everybody everywhere has a story. You, the reader of this essay, have a story, and yet you’re not inclined to jump on a cruise ship and, like Duck Necklace, tell your story to others at great pitch and volume. Maybe what they’re saying is that everybody on this ship wants to have a bigger, more coherent, more interesting story than the one they’ve been given. Maybe that’s why there’s so much signage on the doors around me attesting to marriages spent on the sea. Maybe that’s why the Royal Caribbean newsletter slipped under my door tells me that “this isn’t a vacation day spent—it’s bragging rights earned.” Maybe that’s why I’m so lonely.

Today is a big day for Icon passengers. Today the ship docks at Royal Caribbean’s own Bahamian island, the Perfect Day at CocoCay. (This appears to be the actual name of the island.) A comedian at the nightclub opined on what his perfect day at CocoCay would look like—receiving oral sex while learning that his ex-wife had been killed in a car crash (big laughter). But the reality of the island is far less humorous than that.

One of the ethnic tristate ladies in the infinity pool told me that she loved CocoCay because it had exactly the same things that could be found on the ship itself. This proves to be correct. It is like the Icon, but with sand. The same tired burgers, the same colorful tubes conveying children and water from Point A to B. The same swim-up bar at its Hideaway ($140 for admittance, no children allowed; Royal Caribbean must be printing money off its clientele). “There was almost a fight at The Wizard of Oz ,” I overhear an elderly woman tell her companion on a chaise lounge. Apparently one of the passengers began recording Royal Caribbean’s intellectual property and “three guys came after him.”

I walk down a pathway to the center of the island, where a sign reads DO NOT ENTER: YOU HAVE REACHED THE BOUNDARY OF ADVENTURE . I hear an animal scampering in the bushes. A Royal Caribbean worker in an enormous golf cart soon chases me down and takes me back to the Hideaway, where I run into Mrs. Rand in a bikini. She becomes livid telling me about an altercation she had the other day with a woman over a towel and a deck chair. We Suites have special towel privileges; we do not have to hand over our SeaPass Card to score a towel. But the Rands are not Suites. “People are so entitled here,” Mrs. Rand says. “It’s like the airport with all its classes.” “You see,” I want to say, “this is where your husband’s love of Ayn Rand runs into the cruelties and arbitrary indignities of unbridled capitalism.” Instead we make plans to meet for a final drink in the Schooner Bar tonight (the Rands will stand me up).

Back on the ship, I try to do laps, but the pool (the largest on any cruise ship, naturally) is fully trashed with the detritus of American life: candy wrappers, a slowly dissolving tortilla chip, napkins. I take an extra-long shower in my suite, then walk around the perimeter of the ship on a kind of exercise track, past all the alluring lifeboats in their yellow-and-white livery. Maybe there is a dystopian angle to the HBO series that I will surely end up pitching, one with shades of WALL-E or Snowpiercer . In a collapsed world, a Royal Caribbean–like cruise liner sails from port to port, collecting new shipmates and supplies in exchange for the precious energy it has on board. (The actual Icon features a new technology that converts passengers’ poop into enough energy to power the waterslides . In the series, this shitty technology would be greatly expanded.) A very young woman (18? 19?), smart and lonely, who has only known life on the ship, walks along the same track as I do now, contemplating jumping off into the surf left by its wake. I picture reusing Duck Necklace’s words in the opening shot of the pilot. The girl is walking around the track, her eyes on the horizon; maybe she’s highborn—a Suite—and we hear the voice-over: “I’m 19 and I’m ready to go. I just don’t want a shark to eat me.”

Before the cruise is finished, I talk to Mr. Washy Washy, or Nielbert of the Philippines. He is a sweet, gentle man, and I thank him for the earworm of a song he has given me and for keeping us safe from the dreaded norovirus. “This is very important to me, getting people to wash their hands,” he tells me in his burger getup. He has dreams, as an artist and a performer, but they are limited in scope. One day he wants to dress up as a piece of bacon for the morning shift.

THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE TITANIC (the Icon of the Seas is five times as large as that doomed vessel) at least offered its passengers an exciting ending to their cruise, but when I wake up on the eighth day, all I see are the gray ghosts that populate Miami’s condo skyline. Throughout my voyage, my writer friends wrote in to commiserate with me. Sloane Crosley, who once covered a three-day spa mini-cruise for Vogue , tells me she felt “so very alone … I found it very untethering.” Gideon Lewis-Kraus writes in an Instagram comment: “When Gary is done I think it’s time this genre was taken out back and shot.” And he is right. To badly paraphrase Adorno: After this, no more cruise stories. It is unfair to put a thinking person on a cruise ship. Writers typically have difficult childhoods, and it is cruel to remind them of the inherent loneliness that drove them to writing in the first place. It is also unseemly to write about the kind of people who go on cruises. Our country does not provide the education and upbringing that allow its citizens an interior life. For the creative class to point fingers at the large, breasty gentlemen adrift in tortilla-chip-laden pools of water is to gather a sour harvest of low-hanging fruit.

A day or two before I got off the ship, I decided to make use of my balcony, which I had avoided because I thought the view would only depress me further. What I found shocked me. My suite did not look out on Central Park after all. This entire time, I had been living in the ship’s Disneyland, Surfside, the neighborhood full of screaming toddlers consuming milkshakes and candy. And as I leaned out over my balcony, I beheld a slight vista of the sea and surf that I thought I had been missing. It had been there all along. The sea was frothy and infinite and blue-green beneath the span of a seagull’s wing. And though it had been trod hard by the world’s largest cruise ship, it remained.

This article appears in the May 2024 print edition with the headline “A Meatball at Sea.” When you buy a book using a link on this page, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic.

Ultrawealthy cruising: See inside Royal Caribbean's most extravagant upgrades and a $100,000-a-week cabin on its Icon of the Seas

• Cruise giants are putting more "pay-to-play" amenities on their new ships.
• Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has high-end upcharge options like a $200-per-person dinner. 
• See what a vacation on the world's largest cruise ship is like for affluent travelers.

Are you looking to ball out on your weeklong vacation aboard the world's largest cruise ship ? Get ready to pay $200 for dinner and $100,000 for a cabin.

Vacations-at-sea can be a fairly affordable vacation option. With most cruise lines, your base fare already includes accommodations, unlimited food, endless activities, and the opportunity to see several destinations in one go.

But as more " pay-to-play " amenities show up on board, the more pricey these floating vacations could become. And there's likely no better example of this than Royal Caribbean's new world's largest cruise ship.

Forget tiny interior cabins and dinners at the buffet. On the 9,950-person Icon of the Seas, affluent travelers could have a vacation that rivals even the most luxurious small-ship cruise .

Guests interested in luxuriating in one of Icon’s 179 suites will be paying a minimum of $4,614 per person for a weeklong sailing.

The mega-ship's high-end suites range from 402 to 2,523 square feet, balconies included.

Some come with sweeping views of the AquaTheater . No need to scramble for the best seats when you can watch the show's divers, synchronized swimmers, and aerialists from your couch.

Others, like the floor-to-ceiling window-lined Icon Loft, are spread across two floors.

Guests in the most luxurious suites also get Starlink WiFi, laundry services, the best seats for on board shows, and a "Royal Genie" to help plan their trip.

But few compare to Icon’s most expensive cabin, the 2,523-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Guests in the three-floor floating mansion get to wake up to sweeping ocean views and coffee on one of the three balconies.

The bottom floor has an open-air patio that opens into Icon's Surfside neighborhood.

The two bedrooms — one with a bunk bed — are back inside on the top floor.

Looking to watch a movie or flex your karaoke skills? Slide down to the second floor, where you can do just that at one of the several lounges.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told Business Insider that travelers have been 'quickly' reserving the giant cabin for an average of $100,000 a week.

But a cruise ship worker stationed at the Ultimate Family Townhouse in January told BI that some guests have been snatching up the multilevel townhouse for a whopping $200,000 a week, noting that the playground-like cabin was mostly booked for 2024.

The keycards to these plush suites also open up another exclusive side of the ship: the Suite Neighborhood.

Only guests staying in suites can access the 60,924-square-foot retreat and its two restaurants, sundeck, hot tub, pool, and bar.

The list of exclusive restaurants doesn’t end there, of course.

More than half of the Icon of the Seas' 28 eateries come at an extra cost.

Some are more affordable, like Izumi at the Park's grab-and-go sushi window. For $10, hungry travelers can pick between seaweed salad and edamame, plus two choices of sashimi, nigiri, and rolls.

Cruisers craving a formal, upscale dinner could instead reserve the rabbit-slinging $200-per-person Empire Supper Club.

The price is comparable to high-end, on-land Michelin-starred restaurants.

Empire Supper Club's American fare dinner flexes eight courses, a cocktail pairing, and live jazz. Appetizer options include butter-poached langoustine with Osetra caviar. For the main course, the aforementioned rabbit leg and loin could be a bun-tastic choice.

The latter will be paired with a New York Sour — not a hoppy beer.

There are 18 other places to drink on the ship. As usual, none are complimentary.

Expect to front New York City prices without a beverage package: The popular Rye and Bean bar serves coffee and tea-infused cocktails ranging from $12 to $14.

Looking for a pampering? Like alcohol, spa treatments are rarely complimentary on cruise ships.

Vacationing can be stressful. At the mega-ship's spa, guests can unwind with an almost $150 25-minute facial or a nearly $180 50-minute Swedish massage.

Or, book one of the exclusive casitas to relax with unobstructed ocean views.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to BI's request for casita pricing on Icon of the Seas. But for context, a casita on the cruise line's older Symphony of the Seas mega-ship can cost about $360 per day during a sea day.

Amenities like the six-slide waterpark and mini-golf course are complimentary to all guests.

But the same can't be said for Crown's Edge , one of the ship's most distinctive amenities.

Travelers must don a bulky jumpsuit and harness before they face their fear of heights at the thrilling agility course.

The half-walking, half-ziplining route, which leaves its sweaty-palmed participants dangling 154 feet above the ocean, could be completed in a minute or so.

That's $49 down the drain in one minute.

And why stop there when you can splurge during port days too?

Icon of the Seas will dock at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island for all 2024 sailings.

As expected, the Caribbean getaway is full of upcharged activities.

Travelers with young children might want to drop $100 per head for an afternoon at the waterpark.

Meanwhile, those without kids can pay between $39 to $89 per person for a boozy day at the adult-only Hideaway Beach .

Nearby, the more exclusive beach club could be almost triple that cost.

A weeklong trip on the new world's largest cruise ship could quickly become an ultra-luxurious vacation.

But even travelers looking to spend modestly might be shocked by the new ship's prices.

Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, told investors in 2023 that Icon's inaugural season had commanded more bookings at "materially higher rates" than any of its previous ship launches.

Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told BI in late 2023 that new cruise liners generally command a 20% to 50% pricing premium.

Three months before Icon of the Seas' launch , he estimated the new vessel was priced at a premium of "at least 50% if not more."

At the time, the least expensive 2024 itinerary had started at $1,820 per person for an interior cabin.

Pricing has since increased by $17. That's $262 per person, per day, for a windowless stateroom.

And no, it doesn't come with access to the Suite Neighborhood.

• Main content

Royal Caribbean quietly fixes 3 big passenger pain points

N obody likes standing in line or waiting for customer service. People generally also don't enjoy sitting around, not entirely sure when doors will open.

Lines on most vacations are a reality. Checking into a hotel room often takes time and picking up a rental car can be a miserable experience. Taking a cruise, however, has quite a few passenger pain points that take time away from your vacation.

Related: Royal Caribbean makes a passenger-friendly technology change

That's something Royal Caribbean ( RCL ) has been actively thinking about and working to improve. Specifically, the cruise line wants to streamline every part of the cruise experience that involves waiting in line.

Icon of the Seas, the cruise line's newest ship, has quietly introduced a number of changes designed to enable passengers to solve problems without having to wait in line. 

Improving the passenger experience is a key focus for the cruise line, according to Royal Caribbean Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

"We spent a lot of time researching with guests what their day-one experience is. And what we've learned in that journey is that there is a lot of heavy lifting that the Royal Promenade today takes that we wish it didn't," he said, according to a report from Royal Caribbean Blog . 

"They want to start their vacation. They don't want to go find a Voom desk."

Icon of the Seas brings onboard improvements

While Icon of the Seas has been celebrated for its elevator system that sends passengers to their floors of choice with limited stops, that's not the only innovation on board. Royal Caribbean has used the ship to launch a number of changes that will be easier to roll out fleetwide.

One change includes a pretty major improvement to its app, which will enable passengers to talk to guest services without waiting in line at the desk. That process starts with an artificial intelligence virtual assistant that can answer simple questions.

Passengers can also opt to speak to a human, Royal Caribbean Blog reported.

Royal Caribbean has also improved its departure process by letting passengers use the app to select how they plan to leave the ship. On disembarkation day they can also track when it's their time to leave, something that was previously available only on state-room and other ship televisions.

Royal Caribbean makes boarding faster (for some)

Passengers who have sailed on Icon of the Seas may have also noticed a slight, but important, tweak Royal Caribbean has made to the boarding process. 

Passengers who scanned their passports, took an identification photo, added a credit card, and completed the health questionnaire in advance were given access to an Express Boarding lane. Passengers who did all those things thus don't have to wait in line behind passengers who need to complete one or more steps before boarding. 

That's a small but welcome change for anyone who has been stuck in line behind someone who has a large group with multiple steps to complete.

All these changes being tested on Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, could easily be added to more ships in the fleet. it's expensive and hard to update elevators on other ships (although it's certainly possible), but app-based changes are relatively easy to implement across the fleet.

Royal Caribbean has generally taken the approach of trying any major onboard changes on a single ship before expanding it to others. The cruise line followed this process for its new dinner menus and it has also been testing allowing people with dining packages to book their meals before they board.

The cruise line has not specified a timetable for rolling out these changes on any other ships.   

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Icon of the Seas installs audio aid solution

The free app and Wi-Fi access will allow passengers to use their own headphones or hearing aids.

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The world’s largest cruise ship has installed a Wi-Fi hearing assistance system to help customers with hearing issues. 

Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas has been fitted with Listen Technology’s audio over Wi-Fi technology, and the cruise line said it planned to add the assistive technology to its full fleet. 

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The system is one of a growing number of ‘Bring Your Own Device’ systems that allow those with hearing issues to use their own hearing aids or headphones, rather than having to use ‘one size fits all’ kit provided by a business or venue. 

Listen Technology’s product is called ‘Listen EVERYWHERE’ and uses an app that can be downloaded to passengers’ phones, tablets, or other mobile device. This allows passengers to use their own headphones, or link the app directly with their Bluetooth enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Through onboard Wi-Fi, audio streams are then available directly from the microphone or speaker meaning the sound is provided directly and clearly, unlike older systems which amplified ambient noise meaning sound quality was often substandard. 

As well as benefiting customers with hearing issues, the technology can also be used by anyone who wants to remove outside or ambient noise from events or cinemas onboard the cruise. This can especially benefit those who require audio description or would like more language options for live or recorded performances. 

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Listen Technology said it could also be utilised for ‘silent disco’ events. 

“Royal Caribbean is renowned for providing outstanding guest experiences with the latest technologies and services that raise the bar on travel and offer next-level vacations,” said Kasey Kaumans of Listen Technologies. 

“Listen Technologies is proud to have Royal Caribbean select our audio over Wi-Fi assistive listening solution to offer guests exceptional hearing and engagement experiences onboard its ships.”  

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Utopia of the Seas guide: Everything we know about Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class cruise ship

Launching July 22, Utopia of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean 's beloved Oasis Class series of ships. The fact that Royal Caribbean is launching an Oasis Class ship on the heels of the much-touted debut of Icon of the Seas — the bigger, newer Icon Class of ships — is a testament to the popularity of Oasis Class vessels.

Larger than its sister ship, Wonder of the Seas, Utopia will be the world's second-largest cruise ship (until the second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, steals that spot in 2025).

Royal Caribbean hopes to draw a new crowd of never-cruised-before travelers by focusing on short three- and four-night itineraries that allow folks to sample cruising without too much of a commitment. It's the first time the line has earmarked a new Oasis Class ship for short-cruise service from its beginning. When it debuts, Utopia of the Seas will be far bigger, newer and more amenity-packed than any other cruise ship sailing short itineraries in North America.

From new restaurants and bars to announced itineraries, here's everything we know so far about Utopia of the Seas.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Overview of Utopia of the Seas

The 237,000-ton Utopia of the Seas will be 18 decks high and is expected to carry up to 6,700 passengers in 2,830 cabins, placing it just behind Icon of the Seas as the world's second-biggest cruise ship.

Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth vessel in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class of ships, which includes Oasis of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas , Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

It will sail a series of three- to four-night cruises to the Bahamas from Florida's Port Canaveral (near Orlando). All of the Utopia of the Seas sailings will include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. Fares for a three-night sailing start from $469 per person (excluding taxes and fees).

Like other Royal Caribbean vessels, Utopia of the Seas will teem with family-focused attractions like multiple pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a zip line and a two-story dry slide called the Ultimate Abyss. And that's just on the top decks.

Inside, you'll find an extensive selection of shops, as well as new and returning favorite restaurants and bars, a massive casino, an indoor ice-skating rink and theaters with Broadway-style shows. It will also feature a designated suite area with an exclusive lounge, restaurant and sun deck. With so much to do on board, your biggest challenge might be hitting all the activities on your to-do list on a three- or four-night sailing.

Related: The 7 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Utopia of the Seas' design and layout will mirror the line's last new Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, launched in 2022. Like other Oasis Class vessels, the ship will feature individual "neighborhoods," each with its unique vibe. The Royal Promenade will be the ship's main thoroughfare, lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and bars. Also, leafy Central Park will be reprised on Utopia.

Entertainment venues like the casino and comedy club will be in the aptly named Entertainment Place, and the vessel will also feature the exclusive Suite Neighborhood for suite passengers.

Other neighborhoods include The Boardwalk — where you'll find the AquaTheater and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade — and the Pool & Sports Zone — complete with an expansive Caribbean-themed pool deck and a three-story Lime and Coconut bar. The Youth Zone (with a for-fee arcade and youth activity programming) and the Vitality Spa & Fitness area round out the list.

Utopia of the Seas cabins and suites

Utopia of the Seas will feature 2,830 cabins and suites, with more than 20 types of accommodations to suit every budget and group size. They include inside (windowless) cabins, ocean-view cabins and balcony cabins. Cruisers can choose from varied suite options, including the new posh Solarium Suites, exclusively on Utopia of the Seas.

The ship will also offer virtual balconies in select inside cabins. These accommodations will include 80-inch LED TVs that provide live views from outside the ship.

Royal Caribbean debuted the concept of interior-facing balconies with its Oasis Class vessels. On Utopia of the Seas, guests will also have the option to book a traditional balcony that faces the ocean or one overlooking the Boardwalk or Central Park.

The line's Royal Suite Class comprises three categories of suites — Star, Sky and Sea. All come with VIP perks such as a dedicated lounge area for suite guests, complimentary drinks and dining, personal concierge services via a Royal Genie, reserved pool deck seating and other amenities. Which perks you get depends on your suite tier.

Within the highest Star tier of suites (and exclusive to Utopia of the Seas), two expansive Solarium Suites will be perched above the ship's navigation bridge, providing spectacular 280-degree top-deck views. Each will feature a huge living room, a dining area and an infinite balcony. The infinite balcony technology, which Royal Caribbean debuted on Icon of the Seas, allows guests to lower a large window at the touch of a button to let fresh air into their room.

Other Royal Suite Class accommodations include the 1,500-square-foot, two-level Royal Loft Suite; it has a lofted master bedroom, a massive living room and a private balcony with an outdoor shower, hot tub, TV and minibar.

Additionally, the three-bedroom Ultimate Family Suite can accommodate up to 10 guests and features a slide from the upper level to the lower one. It has a private cinema and karaoke station, a balcony with a ping pong table and a private hot tub. The two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites allow guests to watch AquaTheater productions from their personal balconies.

Utopia of the Seas restaurants and bars

Utopia of the Seas will offer more than 20 restaurant and bar options, with a solid mix of included-in-fare and extra-fee specialty dining venues. Here is what you can expect on board.

Restaurants

The following dining options are included in your fare:

The Dining Room: The multilevel main dining space will serve multicourse meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Windjammer Cafe: As on other Royal Caribbean ships, the buffet-style restaurant will be the go-to for varied breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

Solarium Bistro: Passengers can opt for healthful, lighter fare like salads, soups and fresh fruit.

The Spare Tire: Debuting on Utopia of the Seas, this food truck-style eatery will be found poolside and feature sandwiches, flatbread and various desserts.

Coastal Kitchen: Suites guests and Royal Caribbean's top-tier Pinnacle loyalty program members will have exclusive access to this space, serving California and Mediterranean fusion dishes.

Sorrento's Pizza: Curb pie cravings day or night at Royal Caribbean's popular pizza parlor .

Other spots to fuel up for free will include El Loco Fresh for fast-casual Mexican fare; Sprinkles for serve-yourself ice cream; Boardwalk Dog House for hotdogs, sausages and brats; and Park Cafe for coffee, tea and pastries.

Here is a rundown of added-fee specialty dining available on Utopia of the Seas.

Royal Railway — Utopia Platform: While full details are still under wraps, the new Royal Railway — Utopia Station restaurant will use technology to virtually transport guests to different places and times. After enjoying pre-dinner drinks on the station platform, guests will "board" the train and enjoy a multicourse dinner.

150 Central Park: This upscale restaurant offers six- to eight-course tasting menus and is only on Oasis Class ships. Dishes here highlight locally sourced ingredients, some prepared tableside.

Chef's Table: This private, five-course wine pairing dinner is hosted by the executive chef and onboard sommelier.

Chops Grille & Trellis Bar: You'll find the same flavorful steaks, fresh seafood and extensive wine selection at this version of Royal Caribbean's marquee steakhouse. On Utopia, the venue will be attached to the signature Trellis Bar, perfect for a convenient pre-dinner cocktail.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar: As on other ships, this popular Italian eatery will feature homemade pasta and fresh seafood, as well as a solid selection of wines. New to Utopia, the venue will span two floors. Guests can opt to dine alfresco on the restaurant's outside terrace overlooking The Boardwalk at the line's first Gio's Terrazza.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and Izumi in the Park: Guests can opt for a multicourse meal and entertainment in a private dining setting or grab fresh sushi and Japanese-inspired sweets at Izumi in the Park's walk-up restaurant.

Hooked Seafood: Serving New England-style seafood, Hooked will be the spot for Maine lobster rolls, crabcakes, oysters and other fresh seafood.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade : Like its predecessors on other Royal Caribbean vessels, this popular sports bar perfectly pairs pub grub with arcade games.

Related: Playmakers: Royal Caribbean's cruise ship sports bar (with menu)

The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar: This popular venue is a returning favorite for Southern comfort food and live music .

Johnny Rockets: This popular added-fee ($12.99) spot is worth its weight in golden french fries (and burgers , onion rings and milkshakes).

Vitality Cafe and Starbucks are other added-fee venues on board.

With more than 20 bars and lounges, passengers on board Utopia of the Seas will have plenty of ways to celebrate a long weekend at sea. Here are some to look forward to.

Pesky Parrot: This new Caribbean-themed bar will replace the Bionic Bar on the Royal Promenade. The low-key venue will serve frozen drinks and fruit-based cocktails.

The Lime and Coconut: This lively Caribbean-themed pool deck bar will expand to a three-deck-high venue.

The Vue: The Vue first debuted on Wonder of the Seas. Adjacent to the ship's solarium, the bar is unique because it's cantilevered over the ship's side.

Add to the list returning venues like the aforementioned Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade for gameday bar favorites and drinks; Schooner Bar, the line's classic piano bar; the English pub, Bell and Barley; Boleros, the line's signature Latin bar where you can enjoy live salsa, samba and merengue music; and the romantic Giovanni's Wine Bar.

Related: Royal Caribbean drink packages: Everything you need to know

Utopia of the Seas activities

With several returning favorites and a few new or updated attractions, the newest Oasis Class vessel will be packed with onboard diversions.

Get your fill of fun in the sun with five onboard pools. Find the vibe you seek, with options ranging from the tranquil adults-only Solarium Pool to the bustling Lido Deck pool area with three pools and 11 whirlpools.

Younger cruisers will have a blast at the Splashaway Bay water park complete with slides, fountains, sprinklers and water cannons.

Out of the water, passengers can test their mettle on Utopia's 259-foot-long Ultimate Abyss slide. It's a Wonder of the Seas holdover — with an upgrade. The slide is 43 feet longer than previous iterations, making it the longest dry slide at sea.

The ship will also feature the signature FlowRider surf simulator, a 10-story-high zip line, a rock climbing wall and Utopia Playscape climbing structure and play area.

On Utopia of the Seas, passengers can choose to play at the main Casino Royale or a separate nonsmoking room. Casino Royale will offer about 30 table games and more than 370 slot machines.

The ship's Vitality Spa & Fitness will offer body- and soul-soothing treatments and ample opportunities to up your fitness game.

Related: How I had the busiest 2 days ever on Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship

Utopia of the Seas shows

Like on previous ships, the main Royal Theater will host Broadway-style stage productions, the AquaTheater will feature the line's iconic water and diving shows, and Studio B will feature ice-skating productions. Enjoy live music at various venues throughout the ship, including Boleros and Music Hall (or make your own music at Spotlight Karaoke). The Attic also returns as the go-to place for nightly comedy shows.

When will Utopia of the Seas set sail?

In 2024 and 2025, Utopia of the Seas will sail three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando) to Nassau, Bahamas, stopping at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

How much does it cost to sail Utopia of the Seas?

If you want a spot on the maiden voyage of Utopia of the Seas, fares for the four-night sailing start at $1,049 per person for an inside cabin and $1,180 per person for a balcony cabin (at the time of writing).

Rates for other itineraries start at the following prices:

• $399 per person for an inside cabin or $629 per person for a balcony cabin for a three-night Bahamas & Perfect Day cruise
• $496 per person for an inside cabin or $624 per person for a balcony cabin on four-night Bahamas & Perfect Day cruise
• $619 per person for an inside cabin or $739 per person for a balcony cabin for a three-night Bahamas & Perfect Day cruise

Bottom line

Utopia of the Seas will provide a dizzying array of dining venues, drink options and activities for Royal Caribbean cruisers. From brand-new experiences to evolving fan favorites from previous vessels, the ship offers both seasoned cruisers and new-to-cruising travelers plenty of ways to fill a long "Ultimate Weekend."

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Icon of the Seas Size Comparison: Facts and Stats

Book Your Next Amazing Cruise with Travel Leader, Jeffrey Cleary

In the world of modern cruise ships, size really matters! Some of the most iconic passenger vessels of all time continue to be remembered for how they broke records for size and redefined what a ship could be. 

On this front, a new engineering marvel has emerged that promises to set a new standard for both luxury and physical proportions – Icon of the Seas . Royal Caribbean’s new colossal vessel stands out as the largest cruise ship ever made. 

Today, we will take an in-depth look at just how big Icon of the Seas actually is. We will explore its immense dimensions and look into its passenger and crew capacity, as well as the vast number of onboard amenities it promises to deliver. Beyond the eye-bulging statistics relating to its size and capacity, we will also look into the construction costs of this record-breaking cruise ship, where it will sail, and how its interior is organized. 

If you’re ready to discover everything you need to know about Icon of the Seas , it’s time to get started!

Just How Big Is Icon of the Seas ?

Icon of the Seas is a massive cruise ship and is 250,800 gross tons, making it the largest cruise ship in the world. The ship has a passenger capacity of 5,610 at double occupancy and is 1,196 feet long.

To appreciate the true scale of the Royal Caribbean’s giant cruise ship, you need to look at how each measurement dwarfs the Oasis-class ships that joined the fleet much earlier and one of the largest ships from the rival cruise line, Carnival.

Icon of the Seas Length

In terms of sheer numbers, Icon of the Seas measures a mind-boggling 1,198 feet in length, or 365 meters. This makes it roughly the same length as three-and-a-half full-sized NFL football fields. Even at a reasonable pace and without obstacles, this distance would take the average adult about 10 minutes to walk! 

Icon of the Seas Width

In terms of the massive cruise ship’s width, its maximum beam–or the distance between the most outer sides of the hull–measures 225.5 feet across!

Icon of the Seas Height

With 20 decks, Icon of the Seas also sits an incredibly high 196 feet above the water line. That is roughly the same height as an 18-story apartment building; plus, a huge section of the ship sits  below the water . 

Icon of the Seas Weight

The gargantuan cruise ship tips the scales at 250,800 gross tons, making her the heaviest and largest cruise ship  by gross tonnage  that has ever been built. In fact, Icon of the Seas weighs roughly 5% more than the previous holder of the title of the biggest cruise ship in the world – Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas .

How Does the Icon of the Seas Measure Up to Other Major Cruise Ships?

While the sheer numbers can be impressive, they can also lack context when they are not compared to other cruise ships on the water today. The world’s  next largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas , is still an enormous vessel, but it only measures 1,187 feet to the 1,198 feet of the Icon of the Seas. 

Icon of the Seas Size Comparison

The fact that Icon of the Seas is noticeably bigger and heavier than the previous title holders for the world’s largest cruise ship is truly incredible, but it still makes it difficult to understand just how large it really is.

To have a more informed understanding, you need to compare the Icon of the Seas to the average cruise ship, which tends to come in at  roughly 900 to 1,000 feet in length . 

Is Icon of the Seas Really That Much Bigger Than Other Cruise Ships?

Given that Icon of the Seas is a full 10 feet longer than the next biggest cruise ship, it truly is a larger-than-life vessel. While 10 feet may not sound like too much if you are unfamiliar with ship dimensions, you also have to remember that Icon of the Seas also offers an extra two decks over the next largest ship.

With two extra decks and an enormous length, the Icon of the Seas has the extra room required to outfit her with hundreds of additional cabins and observation decks, plus a much wider range of amenities. It is no wonder that industry experts have been referring to her ambitious design as being bolder than anything ever built. 

Icon of the Seas Capacity – Passengers and Crew

With a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600 guests, Icon of the Seas is almost a floating city. When you consider that the crew capacity of 2,350 takes the total number of people up to a maximum of 9,950, you truly begin to realize just how massive the ship truly is. 

While it may not sound like an overly glamorous record, Icon of the Seas also takes the record for the cruise ship with the highest number of crew members. As you would expect, more crew members are needed to service a larger ship, but the giant cruise ship goes beyond what is purely necessary.

This is because it was intended to be the most luxurious and enjoyable cruise ship on the planet, not just the largest. This immense number of crew and staff ensures that passengers are always attended to and everything about the voyage goes smoothly. 

What About Accommodations on the Icon of the Seas?

The ship’s numerous cabins are designed to offer comfortable accommodations for families and groups of all sizes. With family-specific staterooms and cabins that can accommodate families of three, four, five, and even six people, Icon of the Seas offers options for just about anyone hoping to enjoy a vacation with their whole family.

Read Also: Icon of the Seas Cabins and Suites Guide

This is no surprise when you consider that Royal Caribbean has advertised travel on the massive vessel as the best family vacation in the world.

Not only do guests have plenty of options for choosing how many people their cabin can comfortably accommodate, but there are plenty of options for layout and interior design. In fact, the Icon of the Seas features  28 unique categories of room options , which is only possible thanks to the cruise ship’s immense size! 

As mentioned, Royal Caribbean had families in mind when they came up with the cabin design for the Icon of the Seas. In doing so, they introduced eight new suite categories specifically designed for groups larger than two passengers.

With over 82% of the rooms onboard Icon of the Seas being able to accommodate three or more guests at a time, passengers have more options than ever when it comes to group travel.

Not only are the cabins larger and more capable of handling multiple guests than the accommodations on a typical Royal Caribbean ship, but over 70% of the rooms will feature balconies. 

Breakdown of the Accommodations on the Icon of the Seas

Of the mind-blowing 2,805 passenger cabins and suites on the Icon of the Seas , 179 are classed as luxury suites, 1,815 are listed as staterooms with balconies, 276 are ocean-facing staterooms without balconies, and the remaining 535 are interior-facing staterooms. 

Even within those cabin and suites categories, there is a wide range of sub-categories, so passengers can truly pick the exact type of room they would like to enjoy during their voyage. With so many options, it is easy for passengers to find their own home away from home. This is just one of the many ways Icon of the Seas brings luxury and customization to cruise travel.

While having so many options may seem somewhat overwhelming to first-time cruise vacationers, it is hugely beneficial when it comes to choosing an experience that matches your preferences as well as your personal budget. 

The choice is all yours, whether you are looking for a budget-friendly inside cabin, which will measure the standard 156 square feet, or you want the luxury and spacious interior of a full-sized suite, like the 1,772 square foot  Ultimate Family Townhouse suite . This suite features everything from multiple rooms and floors to in-cabin entertainment, like karaoke machines and movie theater-style projectors.

How Is the Interior of the Ship Divided?

Given the immense scale of Icon of the Seas , Royal Caribbean divided it into eight unique “neighborhoods.” Essentially, these are themed sections of the ship, which feature different types of attractions and dining options, as well as themed stores, décor, and cabin types.

This is not unique to the cruise ship, as Royal Caribbean has a reputation for dividing their larger cruise ships into neighborhoods; however, the sheer number and size of the neighborhoods make you realize just how large the ship is. 

Three of the “neighborhood” themes featured on Icon of the Seas are borrowed from her sister ships, while five are completely new and exclusive to the ship. 

Icon of the Seas Neighborhood Breakdown

Here is a breakdown of the ship’s eight different neighborhoods to help you grasp the scale and layout of the world’s largest cruise ship. To make things easier to visualize, we are starting from the bottom deck and working upwards: 

1. The Royal Promenade

The Royal Promenade has already been featured on numerous Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and it is a staple neighborhood on all of their Oasis-class vessels. Just like this section of the other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, the Royal Promenade will feature a variety of bars, restaurants, food stalls, and a massive staircase; however, this version is much larger in scale. 

Walking through the Royal Promenade, you will find a double-piano bar where guests can make requests or watch rehearsed performances. You will also find an outdoor/indoor running track, bars with full-sized dance floors, a spa, a music hall for concerts, a comedy club, a fully-equipped fitness center, an escape room, an ice rink, and more. 

Considering this is just the first neighborhood, you can really see how it would be nearly impossible to feel bored on the Icon of the Seas! 

2. Surfside Neighborhood

Above the Royal Promenade and towards the back of the ship, you will find the Surfside Neighborhood, dedicated to families with young children.

Guests can take giant slides down from one level to the next. There is also an arcade, daycare for under 7-year-olds, a candy store, and numerous child-friendly themed restaurants. 

You will also find many cabins and suites designed for young families in the neighborhood, a splash area, several pools, and a carousel.

3. Central Park

Like the famous NYC park it is named after, the ship’s Central Park neighborhood is massive in scale. It stretches upwards several floors and has an open-air design in its center. Live trees and other plants help bring the outdoors inside the ship. Guests can wander down the winding paths or take a seat at one of the many restaurant and café patios.

This neighborhood also has numerous themed restaurants, including an upscale restaurant with a retro NYC theme, several bars, and two coffee shops. Jazz clubs, cocktail bars, and upscale shops also help give the neighborhood a real New York City feel. 

One of this neighborhood’s unique features is that it is where you will find many of the ship’s inward-facing cabins, so even those not looking out onto the water feel like they are outdoors. 

4. The AquaDome Neighborhood

The AquaDome is located at the front of the ship, and it takes its name from one of the ship’s central entertainment features, the massive dome that sits above the AquaTheater. This massive dry and wet theater stage will host a variety of shows. From acrobatic shows to pool diving demonstrations, this unique theater will entertain guests of all ages.

The stage of the AquaTheater is also bordered by computerized water fountains, while the ceiling above the stage features an enormous 363-ton glass and steel dome equipped with sprinklers and ceiling-mounted fountains. 

Beyond the theater, the AquaDome Neighborhood also houses a variety of themed restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that will provide views of the ocean and help drive the ‘aqua’ theme home. 

5. Chill Island

Behind the AquaDome towards the aft of the ship, you can find Chill Island, home to four of the ship’s seven major pools. You will also find popular features, like a swim-up bar, an adults-only pool, numerous hot tubs, and plenty of poolside snack bars.

For those just hoping to catch some rays, there are several open-air decks that are dotted with free loungers and paid cabanas. Unsparingly, you will also find several restaurants serving ice creams, frozen cocktails, and other treats that will help you cool off. Chill Island also features a huge buffet restaurant for those who work up an appetite for swimming.

6. The Hideaway Neighborhood

Right at the back of the ship, you will find the Hideaway, designed to replicate a beach resort. With a major infinity pool that looks out onto the horizon, you will forget you are even at sea.

As you would expect, you will also find plenty of lounge space and cocktail and champagne bars. This section of the ship is meant to cater more to adult passengers than those traveling with children.

7. Thrill Island

As the name suggests, you will find some of the ship’s most exciting amenities in this neighborhood. From rock climbing walls and a FlowRider surf simulator to miniature golf courses and multi-purpose sports courts, it is the perfect area for those looking to get a thrill while they are at sea. Plus, there are plenty of walk-up drink and snack bars for when you work up an appetite.

Thrill Island is also where you will find the ship’s most visually striking feature –  the largest waterpark at sea , named Category 6. With a record-breaking six full-sized water slides weaving in and out of each other, you will completely forget that you’re on a cruise ship instead of inside a water park on land.

8. The Suite Neighborhood

The final neighborhood covers decks 16, 17, 18, and 19. These are also the top decks open to passengers, with impressive views. As the name implies, this is where most of the ship’s suites and some of the lower-cost passenger cabins can be found.

In addition to passenger accommodations, there are open-air lounge areas, some smaller pools and hot tubs, and several restaurants and bars that are only accessible to those passengers who have booked suite-style rooms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much did it cost to build icon of the seas .

Given the immense scale of Icon of the Seas , it is no surprise that it is also one of the most expensive ships ever constructed. According to Royal Caribbean, construction costs have totaled approximately $2 billion!

Given that the previous record holder for the most expensive ship was the $1.43 billion Royal Caribbean spent to construct the Allure of the Seas , you can see why there has been so much hype for the Icon of the Seas. 

Will Royal Caribbean introduce other ships the same size as Icon of the Seas ?

Yes! Icon of the Seas isn’t just a new ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet; it is actually considered to be the first in a new class of vessels – the Icon Class. In fact, Royal Caribbean has already announced its intentions to introduce three more ships that will measure up to the Icon of the Seas.  Star of the Seas will arrive in 2025 , a third in the class will arrive in 2026, and a fourth will debut in 2028 .

Given how much time, money, and manpower goes into constructing a ship of this size, it is safe to say that Royal Caribbean anticipates the Icon of the Seas being a complete success. 

Where was the Icon of the Seas built?

Icon of the Seas was constructed in the  Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland , and is powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Royal Caribbean needed to be selective when deciding which shipyard would receive the contract to build Icon of the Seas , as few were equipped to deal with a ship of its complexity and proportions. The Meyer Turku Shipyard is considered to be one of the largest and most reputable in the world, so it was the perfect fit. 

Ultimately, the enormous ship took 900 days to build, and it needed over 2,600 shipbuilders and specialists working around the clock each day. Following its construction, vigorous safety and performance tests were carried out, and lengthy sea trials were conducted to check for noise, vibrations, and any other issues that could impact passengers’ enjoyment. 

What destinations Does Icon of the Seas travel to?

Icon of the Seas operates throughout the entire year with voyages departing from the Port of Miami, and they will last one whole week. The itinerary takes passengers  through the Caribbean , with stops in Cozumel, CocoCay, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. 

Final Words

Icon of the Seas has redefined what a cruise ship can be, but it is important to remember that it is not the first ship to do so. The cruise industry constantly evolves and pushes the boundaries of how large, sophisticated, and luxurious its passenger vessels can be.

Read Also: Icon of the Seas vs Titanic – A Giant Comparison

While the Icon of the Seas might astonish the general public with its record-breaking dimensions and a seemingly endless number of amenities, we won’t be surprised when the cruise industry announces something even bigger and better.

With that said, a week-long cruise on the Icon of the Seas would be an amazing experience. With week-long cruises throughout the Caribbean, the Icon of the Seas offers families a vacation unlike any other.

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Jeffrey Cleary is an experienced travel advisor and cruise specialist with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Caribbean and World cruises. With over a decade of experience in the travel industry, Jeffrey has developed a reputation as a trusted advisor for those seeking unforgettable Caribbean and/or World cruise experiences. "I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in the cruise industry, along with real-world experience on many of the finest ships at sea. I love cruising myself, so I am often sailing (and reachable by clients) and experiencing the cruise lines first hand. I'll get to know you, your style, your ideal vacation and recommend an Amazing Cruise experience."