It's safe to say Royal Caribbean is more than happy with the big reveal of Icon of the Seas just a few weeks ago.

"It was fastest we ever sold a ship, the best booked position by a ship at this point from a social media and media buzz, it's been the best product launch we've ever had. So it's been a home run success," is what Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider shared when reflecting on the Icon of the Seas announcement.

After months of speculation and barely any information, Royal Caribbean provided information on what Icon of the Seas will look like, where it will sail from, and important information about what guests can expect in terms of fun things to do.

To the surprise of some, Icon of the Seas will be the the new standard for the largest cruise ship in the world, coming in at 6% bigger than the Oasis Class ships that currently hold the title.

"As we went public with it, the response has been overwhelming," said Mr. Schneider.

Why was the response so positive? "I think that's part and parcel of the way we did the reveal, how far we held it back, and then how amazing the product is."

How it all started

Keeping Icon of the Seas a secret was six years in the making.

In talking about the fact Icon of the Seas is a "white paper" ship, Mr. Schneider described the design process as, "never ending."

"You go through a great design process. We've got in our new build organization excellent architects and designers, with partners in the yard who really are focused on the kind of nautical marine side of some of the innovation that we're trying to do."

While the global health crisis may have been a hindrance, it didn't stop the process, "you're going back in time about six years. The pandemic didn't stop the work. It slowed it a bit and created certain challenges."

Mr. Schneider called the whole approach a very iterative process, with some decisions being made years ago, and still more that have yet to be set.

The master plan, the kind of where the major venues are, get locked in very early in that process. We reserve a lot to iterate, so Thrill Island came together in the last two years, including the water park.

"If you think of like steel structure locking early, that still gives you a lot to iterate on and ideate on."

"We also keep certain venues, what we call those white spaces, and white spaces allow us to iterate even further into the process. And so there's a couple of white space restaurants that we just finished design of maybe maybe a month ago, and then that we'll they'll flow into the development process."

The benefit of keeping certain venues flexible, is Royal Caribbean can pivot an experience to provide greater flexibility.

"The best family vacation on the planet"

Royal Caribbean hasn't shied away from making a very bold prediction that Icon of the Seas will be the best family vacation option, and that isn't hyperbole.

Mr. Schneider did not walk back that assertion at all, "we believe we have created the best family vacation in the world that could compete with anything else you're going to go do."

"And notice we didn't say cruise in the world. I said vacation."

Royal Caribbean has said it wants Icon of the Seas to compete with any land vacation, especially Orlando, Florida vacations.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said earlier this month at the company's earnings call with investors that Orlando attractions are the competition Icon of the Seas is designed to bypass, "The Icon product, along with Perfect Day, with the kind of experiences that we're offering, with the kind of new accommodations that we have on Icon and the experiences that we have for young families, older families and of course couples and singles and what have you, is really squarely standing shoulder to shoulder with Orlando and those kind of destinations."

He was also quick to say that Icon will not be an attempt to mimic or takeaway from an Orlando trip.  Instead, he hopes it offers something different but equally impressive, "I don't want to take away that moment my kid gets to see Mickey Mouse for the first time. I want parents to go experience it, do that. I worked there. That's a moment that everybody who has kids should go do."

"Besides that moment that we don't want to steal or replicate, I would say that as you think of the total vacation experience and you look at the product that we've been showing folks, when you look at the totality of that and you look at the destinations, we're going to visit the product on board the ship, it will absolutely be the best family vacation on the planet.

Why no Solarium on Icon of the Seas?

One change Icon of the Seas will have is there is not a traditional enclosed adults-only space, known as the Solarium. This has irked some cruise traditionalists.

"It's not missing, it's purposely not there," said Mr. Schneider. 

"We felt really good that as we looked at the needs that guests have from a Solarium perspective, we researched that."

"We actually brought in both qualitative and quantitatively guests from a blind survey, as well as actually guests under NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to really understand their basic needs in the Solarium to make sure that as we design new spaces and as we program spaces that we were delivering and or over delivering their needs."

The result Royal Caribbean came up with is a combination of a new adults-only area, as well as other areas of the ship that would appeal to adults.

The team came up with three venues that together will offer a superior adult-only experience:

• Cloud 17
• The Hideaway
• Overlook Lounge inside the AquaDome

"The three of those together far over index what we think kind of an equivalent solarium experience would be."

Mr. Schneider also pointed out that Royal Caribbean ships are not designed to all be the same, "All of our ships and classes of ships are not the same. We do that for very purposeful reason. We want you to sail Icon of the Seas. We also want you to sail Oasis of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas."

"The diversity of product for us is really important."

Will the Icon class ship names be closely related?

Royal Caribbean has ordered 3 Icon Class ships so far, and more could be ordered in the future, so will their names be close in matching?

"Naming a ship is is terribly hard," admitted Mr. Schneider.

"It's hard for a couple of reasons. One, there's lots of words in the English dictionary."

"There's lots of legalese that has to get wrapped into the right word. There's a lot of history, in certain words, both positive and negative. There's future negative and words that we have to think about. And so we go through a really exhaustive filtering process."

"We also need to save names for future vessels. So if we ever build an Oasis seven, it will need a name. And so we're also thoughtful about blocking for future vessels as well."

"When we went to Utopia, we were thinking about future Oasis class. We're thinking about the evolution of Icon two and three. If we build future classes of ships, we may be reserving certain names for future classes of ships that we're dreaming up."

It appears a name for Icon 2 and 3 are somewhat set, "we also look back at former names we've had on vessels that we think are kind of live up to. So we've looked at literally everything."

"I'm still taking ideas on Icon two and Icon three. I feel really confident in the name we have for Icon three, it's actually two that we're still working on."

I asked if a former ship name would ever be considered, such as Empress of the Seas or Sovereign of the Seas.

"I don't know that any name that is in our past is off limits, at least for me."

"it has to feel like it fits with the ship that we're creating. It shouldn't just be that it's part of our history. Some things part of a history should stay part of our history. Some things that are part of our history, maybe exited the fleet in a certain way should stay that way."

"In other cases, it it may fit where we want to go. And so old names are never off."

Will Icon 2 be bigger than Icon of the Seas?

Since Icon of the Seas is going to be the new largest cruise ship in the world, and since each Oasis Class ship always came out just a little larger than the previous one, I wanted to know if we can expect the Icon Class ships to continue that trend of each new ship becoming the largest in the world.

"I don't know yet."

"In the case of Icon Two, we're doing construction in some ways already started."

"Blocks haven't been fully started yet. And so you'll have to wait and see if two and three get bigger a little bit more."

Does the Icon Class leave older ships behind?

With the arrival of the Icon Class ships, and the already impressive Oasis and Quantum Class ships, does this create an experience gap for the smaller, older ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet?

"You'll notice they're not competing on a seven night Caribbean with Icon or Utopia or one of those ships."

"Great destination rich itinerary ships. That's why we use them in the Mediterranean, Alaska and the Baltics, in the South Pacific."

"The Vision and Radiance class are great ships doing great itineraries. They're very profitable for us. They rate really well and we're really thoughtful about how they age. Now, that may not be a full amplification for them, but they serve a kind of very specific purpose for us in our in our our brand."

As for ship upgrades, Mr. Schneider hopes to resume that process in the future, "We stopped that program. We hope to pick that program back up. It's just a priority of how we've restarted our business, we will eventually get back to amplification of ships."

What about the adults-only area at Perfect Day at CocoCay?

A new expansion to Perfect Day at CocoCay will bring an adults-only area to the private island. So when will it open?

"Our target is still the end of '23. Construction has started. We've got our environmental clearance with the Bahamian government a couple of weeks ago."

"We've talked about it being an adult only experience, that has been the second most requested thing that people want from us on the island."

"We haven't really shared what it is going to be yet or what the designs of it are and the experiences that will be there....but feeling really good about it because we're not it's not like it's questionable. We got clearance. Construction is actually started."

"As guests sail in the coming kind of months, they'll see that ramp up of construction pretty fast."

"We'll hit a tipping point sometime, and I'll call it first half of 2023, and then we'll have to start sharing."

Ever since Royal Caribbean revealed the first details about Icon of the Seas, there has been an incredible amount of excitement for the new ship.

With any new cruise ship, Royal Caribbean likes to sprinkle updates leading up to the ship's launch.

While on Allure of the Seas this week, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider talked to travel agents about Icon of the Seas.

Most of the talk was going over information that was already announced, but in the process, Mr. Schneider revealed a few new details previously not disclosed.

If you're like me, you can't get enough Icon of the Seas details and updates, so here's 7 new things about Icon of the Seas you should know about.

1400 Bar

There's a new bar coming to Icon of the Seas, known as the 1400 Bar.

Located on the Royal Promenade, this is a bar that will be right when you walk onto the ship.

If you're wondering about the name, it's actually a reference to the ship's build number at the Meyer Turku shipyard.

Each cruise ship is given a number at a shipyard because the yard constructs cruise ships for multiple cruise lines and they may not yet know the ship's name when construction begins.

Royal Caribbean decided to pay homage to Icon's build number by naming it the 1400 bar.

Royal Promenade

Mr. Schneider talked about the Royal Promenade and talked about a few interesting facts.

First, the Royal Promenade will be two levels high, with an upper and lower Promenade.

In addition, the Promenade will loop around, meaning there will be no "dead ends".

We also got a few screenshots of dining venues that Royal Caribbean hasn't talked about yet.

• Sorrentos
• Boleros
• Giovanni's Italian Table
• Spotlight Karaoke

There will be a staircase that leads directly from the Royal Promenade up to Central Park.

We also got a look at a rendering of the Playmakers Bar, which will be located off the Royal Promenade.

Sushi to go option

While we knew already there would be an Izumi sushi restaurant in Central Park, there will be a new way to get sushi on Icon of the Seas.

Izumi will have a "sushi to go" window, where you can order a bento box of sushi and take it elsewhere on the ship to enjoy.

Celebration Table

Icon of the Seas will have the next evolution of the Chef's Table experience.

Known as Celebration Table, this will be similar to Chef's Table, but it will be a new take on what you can expect.

Celebration Table will be located in the AquaDome.

Supper Club

We don't know what it is exactly, but one of many new dining concepts on Icon of the Seas will be the Supper Club.

Mr. Schneider didn't talk about it, but tried to move past what this venue is while going through areas of the ship.

Based on some later screenshots in his presentation, it appears this venue will be called the Supper Club.

Crown's Edge will cost money

While the Category 6 water park will be included in your cruise fare, the Crown's Edge adrenaline experience will cost extra.

Crown’s Edge is a brand new activity coming to Icon of the Seas, combining a skywalk, ropes course, and thrill ride all in one.

Mr. Schneider didn't disclose exactly how much it would cost, only saying it would have a "nominal fee" to go on it.

Eco mode

In an effort to help save energy, Icon of the Seas will employ a new approach to air conditioning in your stateroom.

When you leave your cabin and walk off the ship for a shore excursion, the ship's computer will detect when the last person scans their SeaPass card upon disembarkation and at that point, the air conditioning will go into eco mode since no one is on the ship to need it maintained.

As soon as the first person booked in the cabin scans their SeaPass card coming back onboard the ship, eco mode turns off, and the air conditioning turns back on to the previous setting.

It's been a few weeks since our last construction photo update of Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship.

Icon of the Seas is being constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and RoyalCaribbeanBlog commissioned a new set of drone photos to share with all of you what the ship looks like.

Since these are exclusive photos, please do not redistribute these photos. Feel free to share a link to this article instead.

These photos were taken earlier today from near the shipyard.

Last time we shared a photo update, we did not know what features Royal Caribbean had planned for the ship as details were still under wraps.  Since then, Royal Caribbean has revealed what the ship looks like, as well as many of the notable fun things to do onboard.  

One major change you're likely to notice is the addition of the AquaDome to the front of the ship.

The AquaDome will be a new neighborhood on Icon of the Seas that doubles as dining venue and evening theater.

The AquaDome was lifted from its former location behind the ship to its current position at the front of the ship.

You'll also notice the bow of the ship is fully installed, featuring the parabolic bow.

This is a functional design element that creates a curved indentation in the bottom of the vessel’s hull. 

Moving to the side of the ship, we can see a good look at the progress being made across the ship.

While none of the water slides are added yet, we can see the support structures for them.

The Royal Caribbean logo is also on the side of the ship, which is where you can try the Crown’s Edge aerial adventure.

It’s part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride, and the floor can fall away leaving you dangling high over the ocean. 

Let's move to the aft of the ship and see the progress being made on the back half of the ship.

Where the AquaDome was located before, we still see something in its place.

Icon of the Seas is scheduled to be delivered in late 2023 and begin sailing in January 2024.

Icon of the Seas is the first of three Icon Class cruise ships, although more could be ordered. The other two Icon Class ships will be in service by 2026.

Construction of Icon of the Seas has reached a new milestone with one of the signature areas added to the ship.

Royal Caribbean has designed Icon of the Seas to have many new features that stand out from the rest of the fleet, as well as just about every other cruise ship out there.

The AquaDome is a new neighborhood concept that will take the AquaTheater concept from Oasis Class cruise ships to a new level.

On Sunday, the Meyer Turku shipyard installed the 363-ton dome, which has over 600 glass panels and was installed using more than 1,600 feet of cables. The length of cables is longer than the height of the Empire State Building.

The process of lifting the massive dome is a large-scale, complex process.

Up until now, the AquaDome was located next to Icon of the Seas at the shipyard.

The dome had been constructed on its own in tandem with ship construction. This is a common strategy in cruise ship building, as it allows multiple facets of the cruise ship construction process to be done simultaneously.

Cruise ship cabins, ship blocks, and other features are built elsewhere and then assembled together later at the shipyard.

What is the AquaDome?

Once complete, the AquaDome is located at the very top of Icon of the Seas.

It will be home to restaurants, retail, bars, lounge spaces, and–most importantly–Royal Caribbean’s next-level AquaTheater.

By day, passengers can relax in one of the AquaDome’s comfortable seating areas with expansive, 220 degree views of the ocean. Based on the ship’s deck plans, the AquaDome also features several dining venues including Hooked Seafood.

The show has the tallest waterfall at sea (55 feet tall), along with flying artists and divers.

Royal Caribbean is also promising guests will see a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projection, and more.

Other notable new neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas

Besides AquaDome, there will be a few other new areas added to Icon of the Seas that are new to Royal Caribbean.

Thrill Island is a new water park at the top of Icon of the Seas, which has 6 waterslides to choose from.

If you prefer relaxation over excitement, then Chill Island neighborhood is for you, with seven pools to choose from, along with whirlpools, in-water loungers and breathtaking views. 

The Surfside neighborhood is another new concept designed with young families in mind, where adults and kids ages six and under can stay and play all day.

There will also be a revamped adults-only area, known as Cloud 17. For guests age 16+ years old, it overlooks the ocean with dedicated Lime &
Coconut bar and whirlpool.

The Hideaway has a multilevel terrace and first suspended infinity pool at sea.

Icon of the Seas launches in 2024

Icon of the Seas will debut in January 2024 from her homeport of Miami.

The first sailing of Icon of the Seas, a seven-night voyage out of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean, is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2024.

The ship will alternate between Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Royal Caribbean wants families to look no further than a vacation on Icon of the Seas.

In order to appeal to families, Royal Caribbean went beyond the amenities it had dedicated to children and their parents on other cruises by creating an entire section of the ship for young families to enjoy all day, every day.

Royal Caribbean hopes Icon of the Seas will appeal to families that prefer a land-based vacation because there are so many elements of a land trip on this ship.

The thought of taking your kiddos on vacation can be daunting, but Royal Caribbean is making waves in family travel by creating an immersive, expansive area for seaside adventures with the Surfside Neighborhood.

I dug through what Royal Caribbean revealed recently about Surfside to give you the splash-tastic fun you’ll find in the very first Surfside Neighborhood.

Splash

The Surfside Neighborhood was inspired by young families - encouraging exciting play and ultimate relaxation in the same beautiful space.

Kiddos ages 6 and under can swim to their hearts content in Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, loaded with a myriad of ways to play. Adults can keep a watchful eye on their little ones from the comfort of the adjacent adult infinity pool, Water’s Edge. It is located at the aft of the ship, complete with in pool lounge chairs and gorgeous views of the ocean.

This pool area is not just a place to swim, it’s a full blown family experience with exciting slides and engaging water play areas.

Play

While the name Surfside is synonymous with aquatic adventures, there’s also plenty of dry fun to be had as well.

Right by the three pool areas is a uniquely imagined carousel, arcade for all ages, and a thematic play place with a dry slide.

Also located in this neighborhood are Adventure Ocean and Social020. Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s young cruisers club filled with games, crafts, and even party time that’s supervised by skilled staff your kiddos will love.

Social020 is the teen space on deck where your older kids can make new friends while enjoying a place all their own (but heavily supervised by ship staff, of course).

If you happen to be headed to Surfside from Central Park, don’t take the stairs, drop on down using the slide that connects the two areas!

Dining

No neighborhood is complete without delicious places to drink and eat!

The first bar announced in the Surfside neighborhood is The Lemon Post, a bar located adjacent to Splashaway Bay, aimed at quenching the thirst of sailors of all ages.

This colorful hangout will have its own unique drink menu with mouth-watering mixes like Watermelon Hibiscus Lemonade - fresh-squeezed lemonade, watermelon juice, pineapple hibiscus syrup, Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose, and soda water.

Early ship renderings also hint at quick-service dining areas: Bites – a grab-and-go food station similar to Wipeout Café or Mini Bites found on your favorite Oasis-class ships, Surfside Eatery, Sugar Beach – an ice cream, candy and treat shop, and another unnamed location near the arcade.

Cabins

Surfside aims to be a neighborhood you and your family can enjoy throughout your entire vacation, which includes newly-imagined, Surfside adjacent staterooms for families both large and small.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a mind-blowingly epic, 3-story stateroom extraordinaire that features its own back yard with a private entrance into Splashaway Bay. You heard that right, this stateroom has a back yard.

You’ll enjoy private balconies on the 2nd and 3rd levels, and a slide that transports you in the most awesome way possible from top to bottom. Inside this ship-tastic mini mansion, there are tons upon tons of ways for your family to make incredible memories, including a cinema room for late-night movie marathons, an interactive dining table for dinner time fun, and even a whirlpool for when you want to soak it up in the solitude of your stateroom.

This amazing accommodation is 1772 sq. ft., sleeps 8 guests, and enjoys all of the benefits of Star Class suites, including the private genie service for making your cruise wishes come true.

The Surfside Family Suites are also a new suite style that overlook the Surfside neighborhood. This luxurious accommodation is a 1.5 bedroom suite that sleeps up to 4, complete with a bedroom and special kids’ nook space with a pullout couch.

In this suite, you’ll also find a split bathroom and a private balcony accessible via a convertible partition in the bedroom. Guests residing in this suite enjoy the benefits of Sky Class.

The Surfside Family View Balcony is reminiscent of the beloved Promenade Balcony rooms you might be familiar with on sister ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, as it has a private balcony overlooking the Surfside fun and festivities. This lovely room is 196 sq. ft. with a seating area and sofa bed, perfect for up to 4 guests wanting a view of the pool and play areas they’ll be conquering during their cruise adventures. 

Lastly, we have the Surfside Family Interior stateroom with a window overlooking the Surfside fun below. Inside, you’ll find a quaint seating area next to the bed, which can either be a royal king bed or split into two beds that sleep up to 4 within the 187 sq. ft. dimensions.

When you’re ready for some seaside fun in the sun, the Surfside neighborhood is ready to welcome your entire family for splashes and giggles galore on the boldest ship to hit the high seas – Icon of the Seas.

A lot of people want to sail on Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship. So much so, it broke the cruise line's high water mark.

Royal Caribbean just set a record for how many cruises people booked in a single day when it put Icon of the Seas on sale.

The cruise line reported the single largest booking day in its entire history when reservations opened for the the first Icon Class ship.

As of the publishing of this article on Thursday, all of Icon's inside, balcony, and suite cabins were all listed as sold out for the inaugural sailing. The only category left was ocean view cabins, and I could only find one cabin to choose from.

The inaugural Icon of the Seas sailing is a seven-night cruise from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on January 27, 2024.

Royal Caribbean has been riding a wave of excitement for its new ship ever since they revealed what Icon of the Seas will look like and what sort of features guests can enjoy onboard.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley was astonished by the high demand, "The enthusiasm and excitement for Icon are undeniable in more ways than one."

"The incredible response we have received from our loyal guests, vacationers new to cruising, crew members and travel partners continues to come in, and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to share more of what Icon has in store in the coming months."

Royal Caribbean wants to lure families away from land vacations

Icon of the Seas is more than just the new biggest cruise ship in the world: it's a shot across the bow to all the typical family vacation destinations on land.

Icon of the Seas will be the first in a new class of cruise ship that has placed a greater emphasis on family travelers.

The ship will break records along the way with its 250,600 gross ton size, making it larger than the current holder of that record, Wonder of the Seas.

Part of why Icon will be bigger is to allow more families to enjoy the ship. You'll find more cabins that have extra capacity to accommodate third or fourth passengers in the room so that parents with children can sail together.

Moreover, the ship has an entire neighborhood dedicated to young families with the Surfside neighborhood, which is an outdoor pool and splash area.

Royal Caribbean wants Surfside to be a destination for families that they can spend most of their day at, with splash areas for babies and kids, pools and lounge spaces for parents, family-friendly eateries and shops, and a bar with "mommy and me" matching mocktails for kids and cocktails for grownups.

While speaking to reporters last week, Mr. Bayley said the ship is all about moving deeper into the family market, "We’re really focused on family and as you move into Icon, our focus on family is probably at the highest level it’s ever been."

"We know that every single week, throughout the whole year, we have a significant percentage of young families that sail with Royal Caribbean. It skews on the big Caribbean cruises and it skews on products that are connected to a drive-in home market, but that market is quite powerful."

"Young families is a big market and we think it’s an under-served market."

To that point, Icon of the Seas is a move to attract people who like to take the kind of family vacation where everyone of all ages can have a good time while being together.

Mr. Bayley talked about this importance when designing the ship, "The beauty of Icon is that its size, scale and the totality of the combination of the neighborhoods and the experiences that we offer fit all of our demographics within what we call the multi-generational family space."

Big spaces and new features

While the Surfside family neighborhood has garnered a lot of attention, Royal Caribbean did not spare on innovation.

There are eight neighborhoods across the ship, which Royal Caribbean thinks will offer something for guests of all ages.

Chill Island has a variety of pools to consider, including the first swim-up pool and bar at sea.

Nearby Thrill Island features the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six waterslides.

Adults can find solace in the new Cloud 17 area reserved just for guests 16 and older.

And then there's The Hideaway, which has a suspended infinity pool that aims to offer a resort pool vibe.

Launching in January 2024

Whether you were part of the record setting day or are considering booking now, you're still going to need to wait a while before Icon of the Seas enters service.

Icon of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

She is expected to be delivered to Royal Caribbean sometime in late 2023, and then engage in a series of trials before prepping the ship to welcome customers onboard.

Royal Caribbean will base the new ship in Miami until at least mid-2025.

Looking for more information on Icon of the Seas? Check out our latest articles on this new cruise ship:

• Ultimate guide to Icon of the Seas cabins & suites
• Royal Caribbean reveals spectacular design for new Icon of the Seas cruise ship
• 7 of the most cutting-edge features coming to Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s innovative cruise ship designs never fail to amaze me, but Icon of the Seas has my mind blown. A 6-slide waterpark, indoor AquaTheater, and suspended infinity pool on a cruise ship? It’s ingenious.

Icon of the Seas is the first Icon Class cruise ship, and a new class of ships means Royal Caribbean will bring new activities, amenities, and venues to the table.

She will be the biggest cruise ship in the world with a maximum capacity of 7,600 guests, and has a focus on family-friendly activities while still offering amenities for every age and cruising style.

Here are 7 of the most cutting-edge features coming to Icon of the Seas.

Crown’s Edge

While Royal Caribbean ships are packed with activities like water slides, bumper cars, and zip lining, perhaps no other activity is as adrenaline-pumping as Crown’s Edge.

Crown’s Edge is a brand new activity coming to Icon of the Seas, combining a skywalk, ropes course, and thrill ride all in one.

This activity first takes passengers on a ropes course as they walk and balance on different shapes and pathways. Sounds easy? Here’s the catch: you’re walking off the side of the ship with nothing but the ocean below you.

If that doesn’t sound thrilling enough, the walkway drops for the second part of the ride, and you suddenly find yourself swinging 154 feet above the ocean back to safety.

I consider myself a thrill seeker, but I’ll admit that Crown’s Edge will surely push my bravery to the limit!

Category 6 waterpark

Waterslides on a cruise ship? Been there, done that. But a waterpark on a cruise ship? Now that’s something new.

One of the most thrilling features found on Icon of the Seas is the Category 6 waterpark, located fittingly in the ship’s Thrill Island Neighborhood.

Unlike other Royal Caribbean ships which may have 2-3 waterslides onboard, Icon of the Seas has a whopping 6 record-breaking slides:

• Pressure Drop: the industry’s first open free-fall slide
• Frightening Bolt: the tallest drop slide at sea
• Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter: family raft slides which can fit 4 riders per raft
• Storm Chasers: the cruise industry’s first mat-racing duo

From boomeranging off a slide’s “lotus leaf wall” over the ship’s edge to waiting anxiously for the free fall slide’s “floor” to drop beneath you, Category 6 is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

I’ll admit that I don’t typically use the water slides when I cruise. However, with a waterpark so impressive, I’ll definitely have to try each slide at least once. While I’m always impressed with the amenities Royal Caribbean manages to fit on a floating vessel, I am flabbergasted by how incredibly fun Category 6 looks to be.

AquaDome Neighborhood

When Royal Caribbean introduced the AquaTheater–a high diving, acrobatic performance space on its Oasis Class cruise ships–it was a mind-blowing entertainment venue in the cruise industry.

With the new Icon Class, Royal Caribbean aims to take the AquaTheater to the next level in the AquaDome neighborhood.

Located at the very top of Icon of the Seas is the AquaDome, which features restaurants, retail, bars, lounge spaces, and–most importantly–Royal Caribbean’s next-level AquaTheater.

The AquaTheater has been moved indoors on Icon of the Seas to allow for complete control over the venue’s weather, lighting, and sound. This helps ensure the AquaTheater shows are not affected by outside elements and allows Royal Caribbean to enhance the performances like we’ve never seen before.

Beyond the shows, however, are other ways to enjoy the AquaDome’s amenities.

By day, passengers can relax in one of the AquaDome’s comfortable seating areas with expansive, 220 degree views of the ocean. Based on the ship’s deck plans, the AquaDome also features several dining venues including Hooked Seafood.

The AquaDome is one of the features I’m most looking forward to on Icon of the Seas, not only for the incredible entertainment aspect, but also to kick back and relax with gorgeous ocean views.

Family-focused neighborhood at sea

Royal Caribbean always strives to make its ships as family-friendly as possible, but Icon of the Seas goes above and beyond with the new Surfside neighborhood.

Somewhat similar to the Boardwalk neighborhood on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships, the Surfside neighborhood is located in the ship’s aft and focuses on family fun.

The neighborhood features the Water’s Edge Pool and Splashaway Bay aquapark, a carousel, arcade, and children’s play place. You'll also find kid-friendly dining venues which includes, of course, an unlimited soft service ice cream station.

Not only that, but Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean kids programming and Social 020 teen club are located in the neighborhood as well. The goal of this neighborhood is to combine the best of Royal Caribbean’s family-friendly activities in one convenient location, and they certainly hit that goal!

While I don't have kids myself, this neighborhood looks so fun that I might just have to book my nephews on this cruise with me!

Expanded suites-only areas

Royal Caribbean is following in the footsteps of other cruise lines by introducing more of a “ship within a ship” concept in the fleet’s newest vessels.

The fleet’s newest ship, Wonder of the Seas, made headlines by introducing a suites-only neighborhood complete with a private deck, bar, plunge pool, lounge, and restaurant. Icon of the Seas, however, takes this concept one step further.

Related: Wonder of the Seas neighborhoods tour

The Suite Neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is the largest suite neighborhood to date. The neighborhood spans three decks and includes a two-level suite sun deck with a private pool, whirlpool, and outdoor lounge spaces.

A new restaurant, The Grove, is available for suite guests on Icon of the Seas as well. This casual Mediterranean restaurant is located outdoors on the suite sun deck and provides a more laid-back yet still exclusive dining option for suite guests.

The Grove is in addition to the sit-down restaurant for suite guests, Coastal Kitchen. Coastal Kitchen has been expanded to a two-story venue with views into the AquaDome.

Swim-up Bar

Royal Caribbean’s swim-up bar at Perfect Day at CocoCay has been a huge hit, and they brought this concept onboard Icon of the Seas with the new Swim & Tonic swim-up bar.

Swim & Tonic is located in the Chill Island neighborhood of Icon of the Seas (the pool deck), and it’s a spot where passengers can soak up the sun with a drink in hand.

Long gone are the days of walking to a bar on the other side of the pool deck. Hanging out at Swim & Tonic means your drink is only a short swim away, and I have a feeling this spot is going to be the place to party.

First suspended pool at sea

Las Vegas pool vibes meet a Royal Caribbean cruise ship? That’s what you’ll find at the Hideaway Pool on Icon of the Seas.

The Hideaway is another of Royal Caribbean’s new neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas, and it is located in the very aft of the ship. The neighborhood features a multilevel terrace with comfy seating, whirlpools, and a bar, but what really makes it stand out is the Hideaway Pool.

The Hideaway Pool is the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Suspended eight decks above the Surfside neighborhood and offering infinity views of the horizon, it might be the most unique pool concept Royal Caribbean has designed yet.

Not only can you relax in the pool’s full-size daybeds surrounded by water, but you can party the day away with the neighborhood’s own resident DJ.

The Hideaway has to be one of the coolest features coming to Icon of the Seas for adults. Sipping a mojito in an infinity pool at sunset? What more could you ask for on a cruise ship?

Looking for more Icon of the Seas information? Watch our YouTube video on everything you need to know about Icon of the Seas:

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You can now book a room on the world's next largest cruise ship in the world.

Icon of the Seas sailings from Miami are now available for booking on Royal Caribbean's website, beginning with January 2024 sailings.

The inaugural sailing is listed as January 27, 2024 and sailings are available to book from January 2024 through April 2025.

Icon of the Seas will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean International President & CEO Michael Bayley talked about the significance Icon of the Seas represents to both Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry, "Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation."

"Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures. We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise. It’s this first-of-its-kind combination that makes Icon the future of family vacations, and that future is here."

Royal Caribbean not only has cabins to book on Icon of the Seas that follow the traditional four types of categories (inside, oceanview, balcony and suite), but there are 28 unique categories, offering some of the most spacious rooms Royal Caribbean has ever designed.

With a gross tonnage of 250,800 gross tons, the ship is 365 meters long, and it features a total of 20 decks and 2,805 staterooms to accommodate up to 5,610 guests at double occupancy.

ou will find 82% of rooms have a high occupancy of 3 or more guests, which is more than double the Oasis Class ships.

Icon of the Seas will be home to seven pools, a 55-foot indoor waterfall, the largest waterpark at sea and much more.

New neighborhoods

Similar to the Oasis Class ships, Icon of the Seas will have eight distinct neighborhoods that have unique experiences that will draw you to each one, such as entertainment, dining choices, or activities.

Thrill Island – Vacationers can test their limits, scale new heights and reach top speeds at the center of thrill. This lost island adventure is home to highlights like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides: Pressure Drop and its 66-degree incline make it the industry’s first open free-fall slide; the 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo. Living on the edge takes new meaning with Crown’s Edge. Part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride, it culminates in a surprising, shocking moment that will see travelers swing 154 feet above the ocean.

Chill Island – Among the seven pools on board, four are in this three-deck slice of paradise. There’s a pool for every mood, each with prime ocean views: the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool. Plus, The Lime & Coconut returns with four locations, including Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar.

Surfside – Introducing a neighborhood made for young families from end to end, where adults and kids ages six and under will want to stay and play all day. Grownups can soak up the endless views at Water’s Edge pool, as they keep an eye on the kids at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Only steps away are dining options, places to lounge, a bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and Social020 for teens.  

The Hideaway – Tucked away, this neighborhood 135 feet above the ocean combines the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world and the uninterrupted ocean views only a cruise can offer. The first suspended infinity pool at sea is at the center of it all, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.

AquaDome – Perched at the top of Icon, what’s in store is a transformational place unlike any other. In a tranquil oasis by day, guests can take in wraparound ocean views and an awe-inspiring waterfall as they enjoy a bite or drink. By night, it becomes a vibrant place great for a night out, complete with restaurants, bars and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater. The signature entertainment venue takes artistry and cutting-edge technology to new heights, with a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projection and more.

A grander Royal Promenade features its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges.

A more lush and livelier Central Park has more ways to dine and be entertained.

The largest Suite Neighborhood is four decks of luxury, offering a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove – that has a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and a two-story Coastal Kitchen.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals spectacular design for new Icon of the Seas cruise ship

Icon of the Seas is under construction at the Meyer Turku Shipyard shipyard in southwestern Finland.

This is the first of the Icon Class ships, with two other Icon Class ships on order.

Her delivery was pushed back from 2022 to 2023 due to the global health crisis. 

Royal Caribbean expects to take delivery of the ship in late 2023 and then put the ship through a series of tests before she is ready for paying passengers.

Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, offers guests a variety of room options spanning 28 unique categories, offering some of the most spacious rooms Royal Caribbean has ever designed. 

There are new categories of cabins, new neighborhoods, and views never offered before on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Over 50% of Icon’s room types are new to the cruise line, including 8 new Suite categories and rooms designed specifically with families in mind. 

Plus, more than 82% of all rooms onboard Icon of the Seas will accommodate 3 or more guests, opening a broad array of accommodation options for families, and more than 70% of all rooms will have balconies.

There are 2,805 staterooms on Icon of the Seas:

• 179 suites
• 1,815 balcony staterooms
• 276 ocean view staterooms
• 535 interior staterooms

Within each of those categories, there are numerous sub-categories. The 535 interior rooms encompass more than just standard interior rooms, as there are also Interior Plus, Spacious Interior, Central Park View, and Surfside Family View cabins. 

Icon of the Seas cabin guide

When planning your vacation on the largest ship in the world, you must consider what stateroom you'd like to make your home away from home for the week. 

Your budget may simplify the decision and force you to confine your search to standard staterooms instead of suites. Similarly, you may know off the bat that you're a balcony person, effectively eliminating any interior or ocean view rooms. 

To help you select your cabin on Icon of the Seas, we've created a guide that tells you how large each stateroom is, as well as the cabin's occupancy and any fun facts. 

Speaking of fun facts, Royal Caribbean increased the size of the shower in every stateroom onboard Icon. They also added an integrated bench to every standard shower, which means it's part of the shower and does not fold up or down.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (IB) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 6
Room size: 285 square feet
Convertible balcony size: 50 square feet
Bedrooms: 1.5
Number of cabins: 78

The Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony stateroom is a brand new concept that combines families' need for additional space, as well as the new infinite balcony. 

In the cabin, you will find a Scrabble game on the wall for family fun, a split-compartment bathroom, and a separate alcove with bunk beds for kids. 

In fact, there are two televisions for each bunk bed, which means no fighting over who controls the remote! 

Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony (I1, I3) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: I1, I3 = 4
Room size: 200 square feet
Convertible balcony size: 50 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 419

This cabin has a private ocean view infinite balcony that allows you to expand your indoor living space or invite in the sea breeze with the touch of a button. 

Note this design strays from the traditional concept of a balcony, so you will not be able to physically step outside. 

Ocean View Large Balcony (C3, C5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: C3 = 4; C5 = 3
Room size: 204 square feet
Balcony size: 65-70 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 84

Connecting Ocean View Balcony (CB)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 204 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 86

These rooms connect via a private foyer in front of both rooms.

Ocean View Balcony (D1,D2,D3,D4,D5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 

• D1, D3 = 4
• D2, D4 = 2
• D5 = 3

Room size: 204 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 738

Infinite Central Park View Balcony (IF) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Central Park View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 200 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 196

This infinite balcony cabin allows you to expand your indoor living space or let fresh air inside at the touch of a button. When you press the button, the upper panel slides down below the lower panel creating a balcony, with the top open and the lower glass remaining.

Note that these cabins overlook the redesigned Central Park, which is home to the cruise line's first-ever walk-up Izumi window and indulgent Empire Supper Club. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas Central Park: What to expect

Central Park View Balcony (F1, F5)

View: Central Park View
Occupancy: F1 = 4, F5 = 3
Room size: 196 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 42

Surfside Family View Balcony (H3, H5) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Surfside View
Occupancy: H3 = 4, H5 = 3
Room size: 196 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 172

Read more: Icon of the Seas Surfside neighborhood: What to expect

Panoramic Ocean View (L5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 3
Room size: 258 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 12

Ocean View (N1, N4, N5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 

• N1 = 4
• N4 = 2
• N5 = 3

Room size: 160-187 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 264

Central Park View Interior (U5)

View: Central Park View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 187 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 45

These staterooms are located mid-ship on Deck 9. 

Surfside Family View Interior (T5) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Surfside View
Occupancy: H3 = 4, H5 = 3
Room size: 187 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 20

These staterooms are located on Deck 8 in the aft of the ship. 

Spacious Interior (R3, R4)

View: Interior
Occupancy: R3 = 4, R4 = 2
Room size: 178 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 192

Interior Plus (Q2) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Interior
Occupancy: 2
Room size: 157 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 203

This is the perfect room for someone who prefers an interior room but wants more storage space.

Interior (V4)

View: Interior
Occupancy: 2
Room size: 156 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 75

Icon of the Seas Suites

Icon of the Seas offers the Royal Suite Program. This upgraded suite experience is broken down into three tiers based on which suite you book. 

The Sea Tier suites (i.e., Sunset Junior Suites and standard Junior Suites) are the most exclusive, meaning you won't have access to The Grove Sun Deck or Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch. 

If you're looking for the "ship-within-a-ship" feel, you'll want to consider splurging on a Sky or Star Tier suite, such as the brand-new Infinite Grand Suite, Surfside Family Suite, Icon Loft, or Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

Star Class

Ultimate Family Townhouse (UL) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View + Surfside View
Occupancy: 8
Room size: 1,772 square feet
Balcony size: 751 square feet

• Balcony (main level): 410 sq. ft. 
• Balcony (second level): 90 sq. ft. 
• Backyard: 251 sq. ft.

Bedrooms: 2
Number of cabins: 1

Royal Loft (RL)

View: Ocean View + Chill Island View (Deck 17)
Occupancy: 6
Room size: 1482 square feet
Balcony size: 705 square feet
Bedrooms: 2
Number of cabins: 1

Two-deck-high stateroom with panoramic ocean views of Icon and the ocean. Dining area with wet bar and piano.  

The private balcony features a whirlpool and dining area with a bar and sink.

Icon Loft (IL) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 656 square feet
Balcony size: 151-183  square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 7

Two decks high with panoramic views. The master bedroom is on the second level. The bathroom includes a shower for two people. 

You'll find a balcony with a dining area.

Sky Class

Owner's Suite (OS)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 658 square feet
Balcony size: 190  square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 8

The Owner's Suite has a dedicated bedroom area with a door. Stone entry bathroom with tub, shower, and two sinks.

Living room with table and a sofa that converts to a double bed.

There is a private balcony with a table and chairs.

Sunset Corner Suite (SN) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View & Surfside View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 380-480 square feet
Balcony size: 280-360  square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 10

Royal Caribbean's internal research revealed that guests wanted to see the ship's wake, so this type of cabin was created. Wrap-around balcony with endless views from the aft of the ship.

Stone entry bathroom with tub and shower with two sinks.

Living area with table and sofa that converts to a double bed.

Sunset Suite (SS) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View & Surfside View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 390 square feet
Balcony size: 96-120 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 6

The draw of this suite is the floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to the balcony. As the name suggests, this suite guarantees some epic sunset views. 

There's a full bathroom with a tub and two sinks. The living area has a sofa that converts to a double bed.

Infinite Grand Suite (IG) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 431 square feet
Convertible balcony size: 102 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 6

This is the only suite with an infinite balcony that extends into the interior living space.

This cabin also has a split-compartment bath.

Grand Suite (GS)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 431 square feet
Balcony size: 108 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 10

You'll find floor-to-ceiling views, with the living room that has a sofa bed that converts to a double bed.

Panoramic Suite (VP)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 370-440 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 10

These suites are located within the AquaDome and feature a full bathroom with a tub, a seating area with a sofa, and panoramic views with an extended seating area.

Sky Junior Suite (JY) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 322 square feet
Balcony size: 80 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 8

This is the first Junior Suite that has Sky Class benefits and is located within the Suite Neighborhood. You'll enjoy perks like all-day access to The Grove and Coastal Kitchen, exclusive Concierge access, and priority departure and dining reservations. 

There are floor-to-ceiling benefits, with a dressing area in the bedroom and a full bathroom with a tub.

Surfside Family Suite (SF) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Surfside View
Occupancy: 4 (2 Adults & 2 Kids)
Room size: 269 square feet
Balcony size: 53 square feet
Bedrooms: 1.5
Number of cabins: 42

This suite was designed with families in mind so everyone has their own space. You'll find a kids' nook with a pullout sofa. 

There is a split bathroom and a private balcony that overlooks the brand-new Surfside Neighborhood, where families are encouraged to stay and play all day. 

Sea Class

Sunset Junior Suite (JT) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View & Surfside View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 320-330 square feet
Balcony size: 115-130 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 4

The Sunset Junior Suite has panoramic views and a corner balcony. At over seven feet tall, the ceiling is the tallest of all the Junior Suites. 

Compared to standard Junior Suites, these staterooms have a much larger balcony, perfect for soaking up as much of that fresh Caribbean air as possible. 

Junior Suite (JS)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 322 square feet
Balcony size: 80 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 66

Floor-to-ceiling ocean views are available in this Junior Suite. You'll find these staterooms located at the forward of the ship on Decks 9, 10, and 11.  

Suite neighborhood benefits

Suite guests can experience Royal Caribbean's largest Suite neighborhood yet, including The Grove Suite Sun Deck, Suite Lounge, and exclusive dining options.

The Grove Suite Sun Deck is an exclusive outdoor deck dedicated to Sky and Star Class Suite guests which features a pool, whirlpool, and al fresco restaurant: The Grove.

Star Class Benefits

• Complimentary gratuities
• Complimentary internet
• Expedited boarding and departure
• Reserved premium seats in select entertainment venues
• Priority entrance to many onboard activities
• Suite Lounge access
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Exclusive access to Royal Genie Service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove
• Complimentary specialty restaurants
• Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package
• Complimentary Refreshment Package
• Still and sparkling water replenished Daily
• Complimentary minibar stocked with Coca-Cola, beverages, and water
• Complimentary laundry and pressing services
• Luxury mattresses and pillows
• Frette linens
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sky Class Benefits

• Concierge service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove
• Specialty bottled water upon arrival
• Complimentary internet 
• Priority boarding and departure
• Priority dining reservations
• Suite Lounge access
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sea Class Benefits

• Dinner at Coastal Kitchen
• Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Suite neighborhood

Royal Caribbean has dedicated space on Icon of the Seas specifically for suite guests with its Suite Neighborhood.

Reserved for those staying in a suite, the Suite Neighborhood has special amenities unavailable to other guests onboard.

The Grove Suite Sun Deck is an upgraded pool deck exclusively for Star & Sky Class Suite guests. Of course, there's also a suite lounge with suite concierge services available.

Icon of the Seas will have two dining venues just for suite guests. Coastal Kitchen has been expanded to two stories, and a brand new casual dining venue called The Grove has been added, featuring Mediterranean cuisine.

Ultimate Family Townhouse

For the most over-the-top VIP stay, the Ultimate Family Townhouse takes family vacations to the max – spanning across three different levels with an in-suite slide, cinema, and patio with exclusive entrance to Surfside Neighborhood.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a sprawling adventure-filled pad with three levels of incredible surprises. Guests of all ages can plunge down the slide into the coolest living room ever, where hidden nooks wait to be explored.

The cinema room sets the stage for unrivaled movie nights and karaoke sing-offs with a popcorn machine and monster-themed daybed. The private patio level is sure to be the new favorite hang spot for table tennis competitions, with all the fun and splash of Surfside just steps away.

The whole family enjoys Royal Suite Class Star status that unlocks exclusive experiences, like a personal Royal Genie, priority access everywhere onboard, and so much more.

This room is 1,772 square feet with a wrap-around balcony on the second level and a private balcony off the main bedroom The main bedroom and kids’ bedroom reside on the second level.

Accessible Suites and Staterooms

There are 10 accessible categories on Icon of the Seas, totaling 50 accessible cabins.

Accessible Categories

• Icon Loft (922 square feet, up to four guests)
• Surfside Family Suite (386 square feet, up to four guests, 2 adults and 2 kids)
• Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (616 square feet, up to six guests)
• Spacious Infinite Central Park View Balcony (374 square feet, up to four guests)
• Ocean View Balcony (381 square feet, up to four guests)
• Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony (374 square feet, up to four guests)
• Surfside Family View Balcony (365 square feet, up to four guests)
• Ocean View (278 square feet, up to three guests)
• Interior (285 square feet, up to three guests)
• Junior Suite

Amenities for Accessible Staterooms

• Elevator in 2-level Icon Loft
• 5-foot wheelchair turning radius
• Roll-in Showers
• Showers offer a handheld showerhead and a bench
• Wider doors

Cabin technology

All cabins on Icon of the Seas will have several amenities that enhance the experience with technology.

The Royal Caribbean app on Icon of the Seas will have a digital key feature, which allows you to open your cabin door with your phone instead of a SeaPass card. You can also control the television with the app, as well as the cabin lights and temperature.

You'll find mood lighting in all cabins, with lights being able to be set to:

• All on
• 50% on
• All off
• Set to morning (lights on gradually)
• Evening (low lights)
• Movie or night (lights turn off gradually)