Royal Caribbean’s New Ship – Icon of the Seas!

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean revealed the name of its newest ship, Icon of the Seas, introducing a brand-new class of ship, Icon-Class, the first new class of cruise ship from the cruise line since 2014. Holding up to 7,514 passengers, 2,805 staterooms, 20 decks and weighing 250,800 tonnes, this new ship has got us all on the edge of our seats and will be arriving in 2024!

Here’s what we know about Icon of the Seas so far!

What we know so far!

Executives within Royal Caribbean have described this new class of ship as a ‘game changer’ for the cruising industry whilst also saying the following surrounding the ship’s name:

‘Icons aren’t born – they’re made. They shatter all limits and raise the stakes. They break new ground and reach new heights.’

“It’s going to be a very family-focused ship,” said Senior VP Vicki Freed to Cruise Week. “Icon is going to be the family-friendly vacation experience. It’s going to be the wow of all wows.”

Thrill Island Neighbourhood

Icon of the Seas will be introducing Thrill Island, which is home to Category 6, the largest water park at sea, with record-breaking waterslides such as Pressure Drop, a near-vertical, open free-fall slide, the first of its kind at sea! Whilst also providing guests with 7 complimentary pools on-board including Royal Bay, the largest pool on a ship, with raised whirlpools offering breathtaking views!

Or why not show off your bravery by taking on Crown’s Edge in Thrill Island? This fear challenge is part walkway, part obstacle course, suspended 154 feet in the air over the ocean, and when you least expect it the floor drops, leaving you suspended with the best ocean view!

In addition to enjoying Thrill Island on-board , guests can enjoy a newly launched partnership with Fortnite- one of the world’s most-played video games! Together they have created the first digital interpretation of Icon of the Seas in Royal Caribbean: Hide ‘N’ Sea.
Built using Fortnite Creative, the new addition to the metaverse is the first, one-of-a-kind adventure players can experience on Icon of the Seas ahead of its debut in January 2024. The challenge? To hide or seek in Thrill Island and The Hideaway, two revolutionary new neighbourhoods only on Icon of the Seas. Play the game for free on desktop, console, smartphone and table devices.

Surfside Neighbourhood

The new stay-all-day neighbourhood, Surfside, focuses on children under the age of 6 years within Baby Bay, a walkabout aqua park called Splashaway Bay, an adult pool and a number of dining locations, allowing the whole family to enjoy an area on-board they’ll never want to leave! This provides a new space, similar to the Boardwalk on earlier ships.

Splashaway Bay allows guests to stroll around a spacious aqua park whilst being drenched by massive buckets, flowing fountains and many sprayers, as well as fun slides for all to enjoy. This is definitely one for the kids to release some energy! Nearby, enjoy infinite ocean views at the new Water’s Edge Pool where adults have the best seat on the ship!

The Hideaway Neighbourhood

Take time to unwind and enjoy beach-club vibes at the new Hideaway. The first suspended infinity pool at sea will ensure guests will witness iconic sunsets and views from all destinations/ports visited. you may also require a tipple to enjoy this moment even more so why not try Swim & Tonic, the largest swim-up bar at sea and a Royal Caribbean first! In need of another option? Cloud17 is an adults-only pool and bar area for you to let off steam with your favourite tipple with access to the past favourite, Lime and Coconut Bar.

Accommodation

Focusing on accommodation Icon of the Seas is said to be featuring more choices for families, more suites and more balconies, more than double Oasis Class ships! The Ultimate VIP Family Retreat provides an incredible 3-level townhouse experience including astonishing amenities such as an in-suite slide, wrap-around terrace, hot-tub, cinema room and useful direct access to Surfside from your room’s private patio!

“Typically, a door inside the stateroom connects our connecting staterooms,” said Brittany Briggs Dafnos, director of revenue, strategy, operations and service for RCI. “However on Icon they connect through a small foyer at the front of the staterooms. So you open the door and then each stateroom will have its own separate door.”

However, incredible views can also be experienced from many of the cabin types on-board such as Infinite Ocean View Balcony rooms, Panoramic Suites, Sunset Corner Suites and the Family Infinite Balcony category sleeping up to six people. Spacious balconies, floor to ceiling glass windows and extended ocean side views, there’s not a ‘bad view’ on-board.

This ship will be the cruise lines’ first ship powered by LNG (Liquified Natural Gas), providing a more environmentally friendly energy usage and a reduction in carbon footprint.

Suite Neighbourhood

For all Suite guests Icon of the Seas introduces the Suite Neighbourhood. A two-story retreat area exclusively for suite guests to chill out in private pools and hot tubs or have a bite to eat in upscale dining at Coastal Kitchen or Mediterranean eats at The Grove.

Alongside these fantastic firsts to the Royal Caribbean fleet, there are also some past favourites featured on-board such as the Flowrider, a 30,000 gallon surf-simulator at sea, Adrenaline Peak climbing wall, and a New York Central Park Neighbourhood .

Updated 07/03/2023