Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships are the world's largest cruise ships, offering more amenities, dining options, and entertainment than any other vessels at sea.
The class's namesake ship, Icon of the Seas, debuted in January 2024 and set a new standard for family cruise vacations.
From the world's largest waterpark at sea to new Broadway-style productions, family-friendly areas, and dining concepts, every moment aboard Icon Class ships is meant to be unforgettable and unlike any other cruise vacation.
As the largest cruise ships in the world, the massive Icon Class vessels can accommodate over 7,000 passengers at maximum occupancy.
The ships also host 2,350 crew members from all over the world. This means that, at full capacity, Icon Class ships can welcome nearly 10,000 people.
Don't let the crowds intimidate you, though. Royal Caribbean did an impressive job designing these mega-ships.
With expansive public areas, multiple pools, dining venues, and restaurants, it's easy to find ways to relax, play, and eat without feeling cramped and overwhelmed.
Here's everything you need to know to determine if a vacation aboard an Icon Class ship is right for you.
What are the Icon Class ships?
As of November 2025, Royal Caribbean has two Icon Class ships in service:
- Icon of the Seas (2024)
- Star of the Seas (2025)
- Legend of the Seas (not yet in service, expected 2026)
- Icon 4 (not yet in service, expected 2027)
- Icon 5 (not yet in service, expected 2028)
The cruise line is set to welcome the third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, in July 2026. She will be the first to offer European cruises, as Icon and Star of the Seas sail exclusively to the Caribbean from Florida (for now).
Royal Caribbean Icon Class size
Both Icon Class ships in service measure just shy of 250,000 gross registered tons (GRT). In fact, the Icon Class ships come in at 248,663 GRT.
In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, which were the largest in the world until Icon launched in 2024, measure anywhere from 225,282 to 236,473 GRT.
In terms of length, Icon and Star of the Seas stretch 1,194 feet from bow to stern. Moreover, they're 219 feet wide.
Icon Class ship highlights
There's more to do, see, and eat on Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships than on any other vessel at sea.
Starting with entertainment, each ship has different shows in the Absolute Zero ice rink, Royal Theater, and AquaTheater.
Icon of the Seas
- Royal Theater: "The Wizard of Oz," "The Effectors: The Origin Story," "Showband! Live. Music Now."
- Absolute Zero: "Starburst: Elemental Beauty," "Once Upon a Time: The King's Royal Ball"
- AquaTheater: "AQUA ACTION!"
Star of the Seas
- Royal Theater: "Back to the Future: The Musical," "Create," "Showband! Live. Music Now."
- Absolute Zero: "SOL"
- AquaTheater: "Torque"
Additionally, each ship hosts a variety of game shows, including the famous "Love and Marriage Show," where three lucky couples go head-to-head to see just how well they know each other, as well as dance parties and parades.
The ships also bring on rotating headliner acts, musicians, and comedians. All the shows are available free of charge since they're included in Royal Caribbean's cruise fare.
Pro tip: don't miss the Dueling Pianos show! It's exclusive to Icon Class ships and pits two talented pianists against each other in a high-energy, interactive performance where guests request songs and sing along. The venue fills up fast, so you will want to secure seats early!
Moving on to amenities, Icon Class ships are packed with options for every type of traveler, from young kids to grandparents — think waterparks, sports courts, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, mini-golf, and more.
Many activities aren't exclusive to Icon Class ships. Rather, they're upgraded to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
For example, many Royal Caribbean ships have a miniature golf course. However, the courses on Icon and Star of the Seas were creatively themed to match the vibe of the "Thrill Island" neighborhood.
Similarly, the rock climbing wall was reimaged and renamed. "Adrenaline Peak" had different courses for all skill levels and offers the "ultimate rock climbing expedition and [the line's] highest vantage point yet."
Next, like Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis Class ships, Icon Class vessels have an ice skating rink. Not only do the talented skaters put on jaw-dropping shows, but guests can also sign up for complimentary skating sessions.
On Icon Class ships, the ice rink is the line's largest yet and is conveniently located near the Royal Promenade.
While Icon and Star of the Seas have plenty of amenities that are familiar to long-time cruisers, the ships also have entirely new experiences that set them apart.
The Crown's Edge, for example, is a new extra-charge attraction that's part ropes course and part zip line. Brave guests will make their way across suspended platforms to a platform that dangles off the edge of the ship. Then, they will experience a sudden drop and zip over the ocean back to safety.
Next, the Category 6 Waterpark is the largest waterpark at sea and is home to six record-breaking waterslides:
- Pressure Drop
- Hurricane Hunter
- Storm Chasers
- Storm Surge
- Frightening Bolt
Other water-based amenities include the Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay aqua park for kids and babies, and seven pools — each with a unique vibe and atmosphere.
- Royal Bay (largest pool at sea with over 40,000 gallons of water)
- Hideaway (adults-only infinity pool)
- Swim & Tonic (adults-only pool with swim-up bar)
- Water's Edge (family-friendly pool in the Surfside neighborhood)
- The Cove (a smaller pool located near the Royal Bay pool)
- Cloud 17 (infinity-edge pool near the Lime & Coconut Bar)
- Suite pool (suite-only pool located in the Grove)
If that doesn't seem like enough to keep you busy, Icon Class ships also feature an escape room, laser tag course, casino, jogging track, and carousel.
Finally, kids will love the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth programming on Icon Class ships. The daytime activities are included in the cruise fare. However, late-night programming costs $15 per hour from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Icon Class ships also feature the Royal Babies & Tots nursery program for children between the ages of 6-36 months. As of November 2025, the Royal Babies & Tots nursery fees are $9 per hour until 6:00 p.m. and $12 per hour after 6:00 p.m.
Icon Class dining options
Icon Class ships have more dining venues onboard than any other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. This means that, regardless of your craving or vacation style, you're bound to find something to satisfy every appetite.
There are 13 complimentary (or included) restaurants on Icon Class ships. Many are available fleetwide, including the Windjammer Marketplace and Main Dining Room. However, five are brand-new concepts that are exclusive to Icon and Star of the Seas.
- Park Cafe
- Windjammer Marketplace
- Sorrento's
- Main Dining Room
- El Loco Fresh
- Sprinkles
- Vitality Cafe
- Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests only)
- Pearl Cafe
- Surfside Bites
- Surfside Eatery
- AquaDome Market
- Basecamp
Diving into the new dining venues, the Pearl Cafe is essentially a next-gen Cafe Promenade. There are a lot of grab-and-go food options, such as pasta or veggie trays, that make snack time easier than ever. However, this is also where guests can order specialty Starbucks drinks for an extra cost.
Surfside Bites is a fast-casual spot in the Surfside neighborhood, perfect for busy families who need to fuel up between activities. The options aren't anything fancy, but they're definitely kid-approved: popcorn chicken, French fries, cheeseburgers, etc.
Families who want more variety can head to the Surfside Eatery. Think of this like an extended version of the Windjammer buffet. However, rather than having to haul children up to Deck 15, it's located in the heart of the Surfside neighborhood.
The AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean's first food-hall concept. The stalls on Icon and Star of the Seas are different, but both offer a mix of international flavors, fresh ingredients, and quick-service options.
AquaDome Market options on Icon of the Seas
- Crème de la Crèpe (Crèpes)
- GNGR (Asian)
- Mac's (Mac and cheese)
- Feta (Mediterranean)
- Toast & Garden (Sandwiches and salads)
AquaDome Market options on Star of the Seas
- Feta (Mediterranean)
- Crème de la Crèpe (Crèpes)
- Mai Thai (Thai and Southeast Asian dishes)
- Pig Out BBQ (American BBQ)
- La Cocinita (South American-inspired street food)
Finally, there's Basecamp. Basecamp can be found in the Thrill Island neighborhood and was designed to be a spot to relax between activities. Food options include warm pretzels, tater tots, and chicken tenders. There's also a bar nearby for those who need to quench their thirst with a tasty cocktail.
Icon of the Seas also boasts an impressive number of specialty restaurants, though there are plenty of included options for those who don't want to spend extra money on food:
- Chops Grille
- Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
- Playmakers Sports Bar
- Hooked Seafood
- Starbucks
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
- Izumi in the Park
- Empire/Lincoln Park Supper Club
- Pier 7
- Desserted
- Trellis Bar
- Celebration Table
Izumi in the Park is Royal Caribbean's first-ever to-go sushi window, where you can grab sushi, hot gyoza, or soft-serve bubble cones for a refreshing afternoon sweet treat! It's located in Central Park.
Pier 7 is the all-day brunch restaurant in Surfside that dishes up tasty options like mango lime shrimp tostadas, smoked salmon benedicts, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, and surf & turf tacos.
The supper clubs are perhaps the most unique dining experiences aboard Icon Class ships. The concept is the same on both ships: a $200-per-person, eight-course meal is paired with live music and drinks.
That said, the theming, menu, and presentation differ. On Icon of the Seas, the Empire Supper Club was designed after New York City in the 1930s. The menu focuses on premium American cuisine with dishes like wagyu, oysters, and more.
The supper club takes on a new vibe aboard Star of the Seas. The Lincoln Park Supper Club was themed after Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s. Menu items include kampachi, steak tartare, crab ravioli, and the famous Palmer House brownie that originated in the Windy City.
If you'd prefer a more intimate specialty dining experience, consider booking the Celebration Table. It's kind of like an elevated Chef's Table. However, instead of a set prix fixe menu curated by the chef, you can choose between a few family-style options: American, Seafood, Italian, and Asian.
Moving on, Desserted is the brand-new specialty milkshake bar, while Trellis Bar now offers a small menu of bar bites for an extra charge.
Icon Class cabins and suites
Icon Class ships feature 28 unique categories of staterooms, ranging from spacious inside cabins to multi-story suites.
As some of the world's family-friendliest ships, it should come as no surprise that more than 80% of all the staterooms can accommodate 3 or more guests. Moreover, more than 70% of Icon Class rooms have balconies.
In total, there are 2,805 staterooms on Icon and Star of the Seas, broken down into 179 suites, 1,815 balcony cabins, 276 ocean view rooms, and 535 interior cabins.
All suites aboard Icon Class ships are part of the Royal Suite Class, meaning guests can expect lavish cabins and upscale amenities compared to older vessels.
The exact benefits vary based on the category. For example, Sea Tier suites (i.e., Sunset Junior Suites and standard Junior Suites) are the most restrictive, meaning you won't have access to The Grove Sun Deck or Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch.
If you have a little extra money to burn, consider splurging on a Star Class suite. These are the largest cabins on Icon and Star of the Seas and come with perks like an unlimited drink package, Royal Genie (essentially a butler), and more.
Where do Icon Class ships sail?
As of November 2025, both Icon Class ships in service — Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas — sail from Florida to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Icon offers vacations from Miami, Florida, while Star calls Port Canaveral, Florida, home.
However, when Legend of the Seas debuts in July 2025, she will be the first Icon Class ship to sail in the Mediterranean, with voyages departing from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
Legend will move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025, where she'll alternate between 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises. The shorter voyages will visit the Western Caribbean, while the 8-night cruises will sail to the Southern Caribbean ports of Aruba and Curaçao.
Then, in April 2026, Legend of the Seas will return to Europe for another European season. Once again, the Mediterranean voyages will depart from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
Icon and Star of the Seas will both remain in Florida until August 2027 — when Icon of the Seas will make the move to Galveston, Texas, and offer Western Caribbean cruises to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico and Royal Beach Club Cozumel.
