Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship will have one of the most famous soccer players of all time to name the ship.

Royal Caribbean announced that Lionel Messi will be the "official icon of Icon of the Seas". This appears to be a role similar to a ship's Godmother.

As part of a longstanding maritime tradition, Messi will take part in the iconic naming celebration for Icon in January 2024 in Miami. The Icon of Icon will have the honor of bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew and the millions of families who will create memories of a lifetime on board in the years to come.

This means he will welcome the new ship at an exclusive naming celebration in Miami. The naming ceremony will take place on January 23, 2024.

"I’m thrilled and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas," said Lionel Messi, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of Icon. 

"Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family vacations, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together."

Royal Caribbean's choice seems to have been in the making for a few months.

In July 2023, the cruise line invited the soccer star onto the bridge of a cruise ship to meet cruise line President and CEO, Michael Bayley.

The next month, Royal Caribbean announced an advertising agreement with Inter Miami CF, which is the club Messi plays for. More details are forthcoming related to Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF celebration of the arrival of Icon with the next phase of the partnership.

Who is Lionel Messi?

Photo © Chbm89 | Dreamstime.com

In case you're not familiar with Lionel Messi, he's one of the most well-known soccer stars today and arguably one of the best of all time.

Born in Argentina, he spent most of his career playing for FC Barcelona, where he made a name for himself as one of the top goal scorers.

He rose to fame for his playmaking skills and has won numerous individual awards, including the FIFA Ballon d'Or, which he has won multiple times.

Changing the status quo

As part of the announcement, Mr. Bayley said the choice of Messi to be the ship's Icon was based on the fact that his career matches that of the new ship.

"It’s that ability to make such a widespread impact and change the status quo that the Icon of Icon must personify, and Lionel Messi has proven to be the perfect example of that for years in the world of sports and most recently in introducing a new era of excitement and passion for fútbol in Miami and the U.S."

Icon of the Seas is built with far more family-focused activities than other cruise ships, and it's a brand new type of cruise ship.

Scheduled to begin sailing in January 2024 and already available to book, will feature a water park, kids club, entire portion of the ship for young families, and more dining and entertainment than on any other ship since.

Icon of the Seas will have more cabins to cater to families with higher capacities, thanks in large part to new room designs.

Adults aren't being left out either.  While the kids are busy with all of their activities, there's a jazz club, elevated supper club, adults-only pool and bar, dueling piano bar, and lots more.

What is a cruise ship godmother?

Every cruise ship has a godmother, and it appears Messi will be serve that role.

It's a ceremonial position that is traditionally held by a woman, but in recent years that has changed.  Symphony of the Seas had a Godfamily, and Norwegian Cruise Line had a Godfather for one of its ships.

Other ships have had women hold the role, including renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

The Icon's job is to give the ship a blessing for the safety of the crew members and passengers who will sail onboard it. 

Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel and recently attended an event in Las Vegas with Royal Caribbean to sample new drinks coming to Icon of the Seas.

As we eagerly await the debut of Icon of the Seas debut from Miami in January 2024, we have been watching for all the details about this new ship. Not only is Icon of the Seas a brand new ship, but it’s a brand new ship class, which means new concepts.

I had the pleasure of attending a very exclusive Royal Caribbean event that included a preview of the cocktails coming to Icon of the Seas when she sets sail.

Our group was escorted to Libertine Social in Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Once we arrived, it made sense why we were there for this preview; Royal Caribbean, Sr. Director of Beverage Operations Ed Eiswirth, tasked his mentor, Tony Abou-Ganim, to help with some of the Icon of the Seas cocktail menus.

Tony is a worldwide name in the beverage industry and a managing partner of Libertine Social. He welcomed us to his establishment with open arms to proudly show off the cocktails he has created. 

Mr. Eiswirth shared that his team embarked on a journey of experimentation, testing 150 drinks to curate a selection that would elevate the onboard experience.

Out of this rigorous testing process emerged a collection of 60 brand-new cocktails, each designed to tantalize the taste buds and reflect the diversity of the passengers. From classic concoctions with modern twists to innovative creations that push the boundaries of mixology, these cocktails are like nothing at sea. 

The Iconic G&T

We were greeted with this not-so-standard gin & tonic as we arrived. Made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Iconic tonic syrup, and soda water, this cocktail made my tastebuds question what I was drinking.

It's different from your standard gin & tonic, as the Iconic tonic syrup is made specifically for the Icon of the Seas and cannot be found anywhere else. 

The Big Bobbo

I wasn’t sure about this, as I am not usually a bubble tea drinker - but it is the perfect flavor combination. This eclectic cocktail is made with Mount Gay rum, Hard Truth Toasted CoConut Rum, cold brewed Earl Grey tea, simple syrup, and boba pearls. 

New York Sour

Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim crafted a signature drink and used out-of-the-box flavors to bring it to life.

Featuring Bulleit Bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and Claret wine, it will surely elevate your experience. 

Sunsplash

The Sunsplash is a classic cruise cocktail but without the rum.

Made with Grapefruit vodka, Aperol, honey syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, and sour mix- this is hands down my new favorite Royal Caribbean cocktail. 

The Pearl 

While we haven’t heard much about The Pearl, we know it will be a focal point on the Icon of the Seas. Therefore, a cocktail must be named after it. It’s a fancy margarita; at least, I felt it was. But this isn’t about the flavors- maybe a little- but it’s the presentation.

Shaken with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Italicus liquor, lemon juice, sour mix, pearl shimmer syrup, and a Flavour Blaster citrus pearl, this is an insta-worthy cocktail! 

Royal Caribbeans beverage team looked at cocktail trends to develop unique and exciting offerings for their newest ship in the fleet. They said they wanted a combination of evolutionary and revolutionary to cater to everyone aboard the “ultimate family vacation.”

With only 75 days until Icon of the Seas sets sail on her Inaugural Voyage from Miami, we are all eager for more details. If this indicates what is coming, we are all in for an iconic vacation! 

15 Bars & 60 new cocktails

When Icon of the Seas launches, Royal Caribbean has plenty of new choices beyond even what was featured at the tasting event.

Icon of the Seas will have more than 15 bars and lounges, and there will be 60 new cocktail choices for the cruise line that will be exclusive to Icon.

There will be a blend of well-known fan favorite bars, such as the Schooner Bar, Trellis Bar, and Boleros.  And there will be new choices, such as Lou’s Jazz’n Blues, and Bubbles – a Champagne window in Central Park.

Royal Caribbean is also experimenting with a new family centric bar, where parents and their kids can enjoy a drink together.  The Lemon Post will have a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

In the AquaDome neighborhood, you'll find The Overlook.  This is a hip bar that has pods you can sit in to enjoy a drink with a view through the AquaDome.

If you prefer to drink your dessert, Desserted is what you'll want. It's a milkshake bar with over-the-top toppings.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals new restaurants, bars, and activities on Icon of the Seas

On November 28, 2023, the new world's largest cruise ship was finally delivered to Royal Caribbean after spending over 900 days under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. 

Shortly after, Icon of the Seas, which measures an astonishing 250,800 gross registered tons, began sailing to Cadiz, Spain, where she's set to receive some final touches before officially entering service. 

While en route to Cadiz, Icon of the Seas had to pass under Denmark's 11-mile Great Belt Bridge. 

According to a video posted on Royal Caribbean's YouTube page, "The entire crew contributed their expertise in innovation and engineering to ensure the ship cleared the bridge safely."

Those who work in anything from operators to meteorology were assisted in this endeavor. 

Related: Royal Caribbean takes delivery of the new world’s largest cruise ship

Thanks to Icon's retractable funnels, she was able to pass underneath the Great Belt Bridge with only feet to spare

To barely squeeze past the 11-mile Great Belt Bridge on December 1, the 20-deck high mega-ship had to have her funnels retracted. This feature isn't brand-new and is also found on Oasis and Quantum Class ships. 

Icon of the Seas' time in Cadiz is one of the final steps before she's able to begin sailing from Miami, Flordia in January 2024.

Upon her arrival in North America, she'll offer 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, all of which include a scheduled stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. 

The last Oasis Class ship to pass underneath the Great Belt Bridge was Allure of the Seas in 2010

In October 2010, Allure of the Seas sailed underneath the Great Belt Bridge with less than 20 inches of clearance while en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for her maiden season. 

According to Captain Hernan Zini in a video posted to Cruise Guy's YouTube channel, the normal height of a cruise ship is roughly 73 meters. In order to safely pass underneath the bridge, the entire height of the ship from the water level can be no more the 65 meters, or 213 feet. 

Like Icon of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, along with all other Oasis and Quantum Class ships, were all built with retractable funnels. 

The crew also had to ensure that Allure's draft was 9.14 meters by placing 4,000 tons of weight on the ship. 

While Odyssey of the Seas did not have to sail past the Great Belt Bridge, she did make her way down the Ems River backwards while sailing from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenberg, Germany to the North Sea

This 20-mile journey took Odyssey of the Seas over 10 hours to complete, as she could only sail 2-3 knots per hour. The faster Odyssey sailed, the deeper the hull pushed into the water. 

Not only did Odyssey have to clear the Weener Bridge, but further down the river, she also had to successfully clear the Leer Bridge. Neither bridge were of the same size as the Great Belt Bridge, though. 

For a ship of Odyssey's size, the Ems River can be considered both narrow and shallow. To help safely manuevur her to sea, Odyssey of the Seas was pulled backwards by two tugboats, each with 9,000 horsepower. 

The conveyance was precisely planned around weather and time, meaning that she could only be moved during a full or new moon with wind speeds at 20 knots or less without guests.

Icon of the Seas' early legacy on the cruising industry

Despite not having welcomed any guests onboard, there's no denying the impact that Icon of the Seas has already had. 

From numerous brand-new innovations, such as the largest waterpark at sea with six recording-breaking slides to the family-oriented Surfside Neighborhood, Icon is poised to offer one-of-a-kind vacations that rival the experience you might have at a theme park or other active land-based trip. 

While her construction story is nearing the end, there's a lot to look forward to with Star of the Seas. 

Construction on the second Icon Class vessel began in February 2023 when the keel was laid at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Once completed, she will sail from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Flordia starting in August 2025. 

It's been seven years in the making, but the world’s biggest cruise ship is making its debut.

Measuring a staggering 1,198 feet, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas was delivered today at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland and is on schedule for her maiden voyage from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean on January 27, 2024.

Delivery of the ship signifies transfer of ownership of a new cruise ship.

The 20-deck cruise ship has a maximum capacity for 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.

Icon of the Seas is delivered

Executives from Royal Caribbean took delivery of the ship at a ceremony at the shipyard.

Construction took over 900 days, and the momentous occasion was met with celebration by both the shipyard and the cruise line.

In attendance at the celebration were more than 1,200 crew members and workers, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.

Mr. Liberty shared his thoughts on the significance of the delivery, "Today, we are celebrating more than a new ship; it’s also the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and dreaming at Royal Caribbean to create the ultimate vacation experience."

"Delivering Icon of the Seas represents all that can be accomplished with strong partnerships and a commitment to delivering memorable vacations responsibly, and we thank Meyer Turku and an incredible village of skilled partners for joining us on this journey. The memories millions of families and vacationers will make on Icon will be our greatest accomplishment yet."

Mr. Bayley also shared why Icon of the Seas will be a big deal for the cruise line for many years to come, "Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers

"Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024."

Icon of the Seas is now on her way to Cadiz, Spain, where it will receive its finishing touches before heading to its year-round home in Miami.

A long journey

Royal Caribbean placed the order for Icon of the Seas in October 2016, but conceptual work for it likely went even further back.

The cruise line has referred to Icon as a "white paper" ship, meaning they started with a blank slate in terms of ideas for this ship.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider described the design process for a new ship 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."

The ship was originally scheduled for delivery in early 2022, but that was pushed back due to delays brought about by the global health crisis.

Royal Caribbean wasn't alone in facing disruptions in those years, as the entire cruise industry was shutdown for almost two years. Nonetheless, work on Icon of the Seas continued and while the original delivery date may have been pushed back, the revised date held firm and there were no other issues.

While the global health crisis may have been a hindrance, it didn't stop the process according to Mr. Schneider, "The pandemic didn't stop the work. It slowed it a bit and created certain challenges."

Innovations aplenty

Icon of the Seas is two months away from beginning her first cruise, and the ship is primed with lots for families to enjoy.

The ship will begin operating 7-night cruises from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean in late January.

Icon of the Seas comprises eight neighborhoods, one of which is specifically designed for families with young children.  Royal Caribbean is doubling down on the family vacation market, not only trying to attract families that cruise other lines, but land vacationers who never considered a cruise vacation.

Cruise line executives have spoken on how they believe Icon of the Seas will go after the land vacation market that typically goes to a theme park or resort in Orlando, Florida.

The ship will have new types of cabins, a water park, new neighborhoods, and plenty of activities inbetween. It will also offer a bigger array of dining venues, bars and deck-top attractions than any cruise vessel ever built.

You'll find more than 40 restaurants and bars, industry-leading entertainment across the cruise line’s four signature stages and more.

There's 28 different kinds of cabins, including the new three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse. The townhouse comes at a hefty price, with families paying $80,000 for a week to stay in it.

A floating city

Not only is she big, but Royal Caribbean is loading her up with all sorts of new offerings.

There are 8 neighborhoods (one more than the Oasis Class ships), with three of the neighborhoods being an all new concept.

• AquaDome is at the front of the ship, offering 220-degree views and a 55-foot waterfall
• Suite Neighborhood has a Mediterranean restaurant and two-floor sundeck
• Central Park is a five deck open-air park that has living plant walls
• Chill Island has four pools and a swim-up bar
• Thrill Island is where you'll find the Category 6 waterpark, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, mini-golf course and more.
• Surfside neighborhood designed for young families
• Royal Promenade shopping and entertainment district
• The Hideaway at he back of the ship offering 180-degree views and an infinity pool

Icon is also the cruise line’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a transitional fuel. The dual-fuel engines will work alongside a lineup of energy efficiency initiatives and industry-leading environmental programs on board, like the first waste-to-energy plant at sea. Twenty-four percent more energy efficient than the standards required for ships being designed today, the cruise line’s most sustainable ship yet will mark the next step in parent company Royal Caribbean Group's journey to introduce a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

When will Icon of the Seas sail?

Now that Icon of the Seas is part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, preparations are underway to make sure she is ready to welcome the first guests.

The inaugural sailing will take place on January 27, 2024 from Miami, Florida when Icon of the Seas will sail to the Eastern Caribbean and Royal Caribbean’s private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

She'll be based in South Florida though at least April 2026. By then, however, they'll be another Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, in service, although it's currently unknown where she will sail from. 

The ship isn't quite ready to welcome passengers onboard.  While construction is complete, the ship needs to be supplied, staffed up, and filled with various amenities to finish the ship.

Icon of the Seas will become the biggest cruise ship in the world when she launches in 2024, but how does that stack up against other ships?

When Royal Caribbean announced it would build a new class of cruise ship, the Icon Class wasn't set to be the biggest in the world.  But those plans changed along the way, and Icon of the Seas will overtake the Oasis Class ships for rank of the biggest ships.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer said it wasn't their intention to build a giant ship, it just organically happened, "We didn’t start with the world’s largest ship. The ship was actually smaller in its initial design. But as we went through the creative journey, we did more research with our guests, and we found that this is what they want."

That might lead you to wonder how much bigger will Icon of the Seas be, and how does she rank compared to other Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size

How big is Icon of the Seas?

Icon of the Seas is indeed really big.   The new ship measures 1,198 feet long with 250,800 gross tonnage and is capable of carrying 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members. The ship is encompasses 20 decks, has seven pools, and six waterslides that make up an entire waterpark.

If you were to stand Icon of the Seas up on its end, it would be taller than the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas and the Chrysler Building in New York City.

Icon of the Seas is divided into 8 neighborhoods, which are distinct areas of the ship meant to make it easier to navigate.

• AquaDome is at the front of the ship, offering 220-degree views and a 55-foot waterfall
• Suite Neighborhood has a Mediterranean restaurant and two-floor sundeck
• Central Park is a five deck open-air park that has living plant walls
• Chill Island has four pools and a swim-up bar
• Thrill Island is where you'll find the Category 6 waterpark, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, mini-golf course and more.
• Surfside neighborhood designed for young families
• Royal Promenade shopping and entertainment district
• The Hideaway at he back of the ship offering 180-degree views and an infinity pool

There are over 2,800 staterooms on Icon of the Seas, as well as over 40 bars and restaurants onboard (23 of them are completely new to Royal Caribbean).

Is Icon of the Seas the biggest cruise ship in the world?

Icon of the Seas will become the biggest cruise ship in the world, overtaking Wonder of the Seas by gross tonnage, passenger capacity, and length. 

It's unlikely any other cruise ship will overtake Icon of the Seas, until Star of the Seas debuts in 2025.

Royal Caribbean hasn't confirmed that Star of the Seas will be bigger than icon, but it's been Royal Caribbean's tradition to build slightly bigger ships than the previous one in the class.

How much bigger is Icon of the Seas compared to other ships?

Let's look at Icon of the Seas' specs to see how she measures up to Royal Caribbean's other big ships.

Gross tonnage

1. Icon of the Seas: 250,800
2. Utopia of the Seas: 236,860
3. Wonder of the Seas: 236,857

Length

1. Icon of the Seas: 1,198
2. Utopia of the Seas: 1,188
3. Wonder of the Seas: 1,188

Total decks

1. Icon of the Seas: 20
2. Utopia of the Seas: 18
3. Wonder of the Seas: 18

Maximum passengers

1. Icon of the Seas: 7,600
2. Wonder of the Seas: 6,988
3. Symphony of the Seas: 6,680

Crew capacity

1. Icon of the Seas: 2,350
2. Utopia of the Seas: 2,300
3. Wonder of the Seas: 1,551

How about other cruise lines? Here's how Icon of the Seas compares to the biggest cruise ships of the major cruise lines.

Gross tonnage

1. Icon of the Seas: 250,800
2. MSC World Europa: 215,863
3. Carnival Jubilee: 183,521

Length

1. Icon of the Seas: 1,198
2. Carnival Jubilee: 1,130
3. MSC World Europa: 1,093

Total decks

1. MSC World Europa: 22
2. Icon of the Seas: 20
3. Carnival Jubilee: 18

Maximum passengers

1. Icon of the Seas: 7,600
2. MSC World Europa: 6,762
3. Carnival Jubilee: 6,631

Crew capacity

1. Icon of the Seas: 2,350
2. MSC World Europa: 2,138
3. Carnival Celebration: 1,735

It can be confusing how to measure a cruise ship, because gross tonnage is a nonlinear measure of a ship's overall internal volume.

What this means in layman's terms is that cruise ships are measured by volume and not weight.  This is because their designs can vary greatly, so it makes more sense to measure a ship in this manner.

At 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas will measure 6% bigger than Utopia of the Seas, which amounts to a difference of 13,940 GT. 

As you can see, the difference in size between Icon and the Oasis Class ships isn't enormous, but it's enough to call it the biggest cruise ship in the world.

When Royal Caribbean set out to design Icon of the Seas, they didn't have a particular tonnage in mind.  According to Mr. Schneider, they had a completely different goal in mind, "We’ve been working on Icon since 2016–2017, if you go back to our original memo that starts off a new class of ship. Typically, that process is about aspiration. It doesn’t detail things like we want a ship that weighs 250,000 tons."

"Instead, it’s aspirational and rooted in what we would say as a headline. This ship’s headline is: this is the best family vacation on the planet."

And in case you're wondering, Icon of the Seas is about 5 times bigger than Titanic.

All the new features are a bigger difference maker

While Icon of the Seas might not be substantially larger than Utopia of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas, what Royal Caribbean is adding to Icon is more notable.

Royal Caribbean wants this ship to offer more for families to see and do with additional attractions and amenities that the line hopes will attract customers away from land resorts.

The cruise ship's water park, family neighborhood, and staterooms designed for families with five and six passengers are at the heart of this drive.

So far, the demand for a cruise ship this big and with this much to do for families has been a mega hit for the cruise line. It's broken sales records and forced the company to release more sailings earlier than planned in order to meet demand for new bookings.

If you're brave enough to try the most challenging thrill attraction Royal Caribbean has ever conjured up, you can book it now.

The first Icon of the Seas cruise is just two months away, and the ship is full of all sorts of thrills to entice its passengers, including an entire water park, surf simulator, and ropes course that goes over the side of the ship.

Bookings for the Crown's Edge opened on Tuesday for guests to reserve a spot.

Crown's Edge is part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride, and an all-out test of courage.  It's a ropes course-style attraction that goes around the ship's Crown and Anchor logo.

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.

Royal Caribbean thinks it will be the ultimate aerial adventure and a new test of bravery.

The cruise line says the ride experience is approximately 90 seconds and may vary by rider. The full experience will be approximately 15 minutes long, which includes time for gearing up.

To try this thrill, you'll need to pay $89.99 per guest for a spot.

It should come as no surprise that Royal Caribbean is charging for Crown's Edge, as the line confirmed it would be an extra-cost activity back in November 2022.

The Crown's Edge is not the first signature attraction Royal Caribbean has charged extra for.

The cruise line started charging for pool deck casitas, the escape rooms, and North Star observation pod once demand began to exceed available times, and so the cruise line used nominal pricing to help ensure it was easier to get a spot.

Crown's Edge ride requirements

In order to try the Crown's Edge, you need to be at least 6 years old, weigh at least 44 pounds, and be 49 inches tall.

You cannot be taller than 83 inches and weigh no more than 297 pounds.

Planning Crown's Edge

Before it was built, Royal Caribbean was planning out how this thrill attraction would work from it's Miami headquarters.

In their Innovation Lab, Royal Caribbean first built out the safety briefing area where guests will gear up and learn what they need to do to enjoy the experience in a proper manner.

Royal Caribbean Senior Product Owner, Emily Rodriguez, talked about what they get from designing this space in the real world, "in building out this space, I think it helped us understand what that flow would look like, and how to think through all of the small details to how we brand the jumpsuits, how we brand the helmets, and what the photo and video experience would be like."

Royal Caribbean then used tape in their headquarters parking lot to map out to provide the scale of the experience, "We wanted to do here is tape out the experience to understand scale."

The climax of the experience is a drop through portion, which Royal Caribbean described as "pretty scary" when they tested out the drop harnesses with just a 4 foot drop in a warehouse in Bulgaria. 

More thrills coming

Whether you try the Crown's Edge or not, there are lots of other hair-raising thrills waiting for you on Icon of the Seas.

There's an entire neighborhood of the ship called Thrill Neighborhood to house them all.

The Category 6 waterpark has 6 record-breaking slides, that include slides that can boomerang you off a slide’s “lotus leaf wall” over the ship’s edge, or have you wait anxiously for the free fall slide’s “floor” to drop beneath you:

• 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

The waterpark slides are complimentary.

Icon of the Seas will also have a FlowRider surf simulator, Lost Dunes miniature golf, the Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall and a sports court.

No cost for these activities either, although there are private sessions you can pay for at the FlowRider.

Read more: I learned how to surf on a weekend cruise

If you're ready to dine in elegance and style, Royal Caribbean has the perfect new restaurant for you.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is set to debut in early 2024, and among the many new concepts is a high-end supper club.

The Empire Supper Club was announced months ago, but reservations were not available.  Today, Royal Caribbean opened up reservations to the general public.

Prices across multiple Icon of the Seas sailings list it at $200 per person. Bookings are available immediately from the Cruise Planner website.

If you have the Unlimited Dining Package, you can pay an additional charge of $130 to eat at the restaurant.

Deluxe Beverage Packages, Crown and Anchor coupons or Star Class guests, can enjoy this experience at the standard cover price.

It's arguably Royal Caribbean's most elegant restaurant to date, and will serve multiple courses while music is played. The cruise line says you can expect an evening of, "evening of glitz and glamour" with your meal.

Step into the sophisticated style of this intimate space and embark on an eight-course journey. Traditional American fare like oysters Rockefeller and modern renditions like Wagyu New York strip topped with shaved fresh truffle transcend eras and expectations. Each musical number and every libation is carefully curated and perfectly paired to complement each course, from upbeat "Beyond the Sea" to a bittersweet Campari spritz. 

The combination of live music with the jazz band, along with the premium menu is what's going to distinguish this restaurant from other specialty restaurants.

Tony Abou-Ganim has worked with James Beard Award-winning chefs, Bellagio and more to come up with the meals and cocktails.

It's an intimate dinner experience, where table sizes are limited to parties of 2 to 4. If your party is larger than 4 people, you'll be seated at separate tables.

What's included with Empire Supper Club

For the price, you might be curious what you get.

Each meal is an eight-course experience, where you'll enjoy a cocktail paired with the music being played by the jazz band. Non-alcoholic options are available upon request.

There will be a three-piece band playing to provide entertainment.

There will be appetizers such as oysters Rockefeller deliciously dressed with chorizo béarnaise, sundried Roma tomatoes and micro basil.

Royal Caribbean's lists an entree as Wagyu New York strip, topped with fresh truffle and coupled with fondant potatoes, sautéed morels and green peppercorn sauce.

When you get to dessert, you can look forward to the Chocolate Beehive, comprised of a trio of ganache layers, salted caramel toffee and mango sauce.

Gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian options available.

Special rules for the Empire Supper Club

There's also a set of expectations if you choose to dine at the Empire Supper Club, which are important to consider before booking.

Timing

Doors open 10 minutes prior to the start of the meal, and the cruise line implores guests to be on time to ensure the programming is set correctly.

Royal Caribbean says the meal will last 2-3 hours, and to plan your evening accordingly.  In my opinion, that means don't ask for a quick meal to make a show.

Dress Code

Formal wear is required to dine at Empire Supper Club.

Suggested attire include suit jackets, slacks, cocktail dresses, formal pantsuits, and formal jumpsuits.

An array of suit jacket sizes will be available for guests who may need to borrow one.

Age restrictions

There is no age limit or restriction to dine at Empire Supper Club, but Royal Caribbean says the experience is designed for adults.

Pricing remains the same for guests opting for non-alcoholic beverages.

A different dining experience, and a different price

If you're quick to compare the price of the Empire Supper Club to other Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants, the cruise line would tell you that this is unlike anything else offered.

The price of $200 per person is more than double many other specialty dining venues on Icon of the Seas, but those restaurants are not in the same league as Empire Supper Club.

The combination of premium food, paired cocktails, and live music, put Empire Supper Club in a different category of dining. It's intimate nature, dress code requirements, and inflexibility with changes to the menu are indications that this is not just another dining experience.

Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, said this restaurant is something completely different from what we may have seen in the past, "Empire Supper Club is what I would say is the most elevated dining experience we've created at Royal Caribbean."

He referred to it as a, "full immersive dining experience".

"It really is an elevated food experience that's tied together with a really elevated beverage experience."

The AquaDome's completion was one of the biggest milestones of Icon of the Seas' construction. 

"I think it's been an amazing journey for so many of the engineers and architects and designers that we were able to produce this...I think it's testimony to the innovation and creativity of the teams," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO. 

Encompassing more than 33,000 square meters and extending from Deck 14 to 20, the AquaDome neighborhood is truly one-of-a-kind. 

It took the team eight months to assemble the dome. Rather than work on it at the Meyer Turku shipyard, the dome was built off-site, so the forward of the ship could be completed simultaneously. 

The 367-ton AquaDome is comprised of 12 different modules that are made of steel, glass, and aluminum panels and took eight months to finish. 

54 cables were required to lift and attach the AquaDome to the spreader and an additional 12 to attach the dome back up to the crane. It was imperative that the crane operator place the dome in the precise location. 

Part of the process was also assigning an entire team just to monitor the weather! 

"All that hard work just came together," said Ellinoora Leino-Richert, AquaDome Project Manager at Meyer Turku.

"That's why all the tears [are] in my eyes and the incredible feeling that, 'Wow, we did it together.'"

The AquaDome is not only the jewel of the front of the ship, it's also a dedicated neighborhood for guests onboard to explore

The AquaDome won't just be home to the largest AquaTheater and waterfall at sea. During the day, it will be a relaxed place where guests can grab a bite to eat at the AquaDome Market, Royal Caribbean's first-ever food hall, or take in the 220-degree, wraparound ocean views.

You can also splurge on a specialty dining experience at Hooked Seafood or sip on a hand-crafted cocktail from Rye & Bean. 

At night, it will transform into a vibrant entertainment hub. There will be two different shows offers at the AquaTheater: Aqua Action! and Pirates vs. Mermaids.

You can think of Aqua Action! like an extreme sports show that will be action-packed. According to Nick Weir, Senior Vice President of Royal Entertainment & Royal Caribbean Productions, it's as close as you can get to a multi-million dollar action movie done live. 

It will incorporate Olympic-level high divers, skateboarders, aerialists, slackliners and synchronized swimmers. Additionally, the AquaTheater will feature brand-new technology, such as a double 3D flying system and robots doubling as diving boards and set creators.

Pirates vs. Mermaids is exactly what it sounds like. This family-friendly show will feature fun costumes and jokes for the parents. 

Related: Royal Caribbean unveils blockbuster show and entertainment lineup for Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas just finished her second round of sea trials, meaning she is one step closer to being delivered to Royal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas departed from Meyer Turku on October 29 for an eight-day stint at sea where the ship's noise, vibration, speed, fin stabilizers, automation, and main engine adjustments were formally tested.

"Building this ship is a challenging project, but I am proud of the shipyard workers and the fact that it is possible to build such a ship here at the Turku shipyard," said Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku in an interview given to YLE, Finland's national public broadcasting company.  

Even though Icon of the Seas is over 90% complete, there are some fome final touches that need to be made before she can be officially handed over to Royal Caribbean. 

Royal Caribbean will offer its best lineup of shows and entertainment when Icon of the Seas debuts in January 2024.

Icon of the Seas is poised to become not only a popular new cruise ship, but the new standard within the cruise industry that all other new ships are judged against. The gangbuster demand Royal Caribbean has seen already is a strong indication that its new class of cruise ship is a home run.

As the ship wraps up construction, we have a look at the new shows you can expect to find onboard.

Royal Caribbean has traditionally been known for being a leader in the cruise industry from an entertainment standpoint.  Original productions are nothing new for Royal Caribbean, and the company continuously strives to ensure their entertainment is on par with Las Vegas.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Entertainment Nick Weir previewed the new shows coming to the ship, "If you’re a fan of full-scale productions on Broadway and the West End or live music and comedy in hot spots like Las Vegas, Icon has it all for every mood and style in one vacation – alongside never-before-seen twists only found on Royal Caribbean."

Here's a breakdown of all the new shows Royal Caribbean has planned for Icon of the Seas.

AquaDome

Within the AquaDome are two new shows.

More than 75 world-class performers are featured in the AquaDome, which is home to the next generation of AquaTheater.

The first is Aqua Action!, which is meant to indulge audiences with a lot high-energy.

This show incorporates Olympic-level high divers, skateboarders, aerialists, slackliners and synchronized swimmers. Plus, the cruise line is excited to introduce new technology, such as a double 3D flying system and robots doubling as diving boards and set creators.

The hope is it will, "blur the lines between live-action movie and theatrical experience."

The second show is Pirates vs. Mermaids, and it's a show geared towards the family that brings fairytale characters to the stage.

You can expect a lighthearted story that appeals to parents and children.

Royal Theater

The signature show on Icon of the Seas is arguably an original stage production of The Wizard of Oz.

Not to be confused with the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, this is Royal Caribbean's take on the classic story with a modern twist to it.

You can expect to see characters in the show "soaring above the audience", along with a revolutionary set design with never-before-seen stage effects, more than 600 costume elements and an original score performed by a new 16-piece orchestra.

Royal Caribbean is also incorporating a show for music lovers, called SHOWBAND! Live. Music. Now.

A total of 16 musicians will take to the stage to offer, "an all-out sensory experience." 

Expect string, woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists to perform in this show.

Absolute Zero

The ice skating rink on Icon of the Seas will be the largest ice rink at sea.  It will have over 2,850 square feet of ice, and two shows in this space.

Starburst: Elemental Beauty is a performance that is an artistic interpretation of the periodic table of elements. The Olympic-level ice cast will dazzle the audience with high-speed choreography and tricks.

Expect bigger tricks because of the new oval-shaped ice arena. Along with the tricks will be digitally mapped backdrops and vibrant lighting displays.

Another ice show is the Once Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball, and similar to Pirates vs. Mermaids, is designed for families to enjoy.

"Timeless tales will take everyone on a nostalgic ride through their childhood with twists and surprising new details not part of the originals."

More entertainment

There is also more entertainment on Icon of the Seas in other areas of the ship.  Royal Caribbean is well-known for offering live music in many bars and lounges.

50 live musicians and comedians will perform throughout Icon and in more venues, including the new Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues and Dueling Pianos, along with the Schooner Bar and the Point & Feather English pub.

The Comedy Club on Icon will have three comedians a night for adults to enjoy.

The Royal Promenade will feature a reimagined parade for families, Ships Ahoy!. 

Delivery is right around the corner

Icon of the Seas is nearing the finish line for physical construction.

In speaking with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider last week, he estimated the ship is right between 92-94% complete, and delivery of the ship is, "right around the corner."

Delivery doesn't mean the ship is ready, however. 

Once Icon of the Seas is delivered, the ship will head to Cadiz, Spain, where post-delivery work will commence.  This is when aesthetic elements of the ship are added, such as art work, furniture and more.

Speaking of art, Icon of the Seas will feature a "significant art implementation" that is about double the amount of art found on Wonder of the Seas, which is the world's biggest cruise ship today.

After spending eight days at sea, Icon of the Seas returned from her second round of sea trials. 

She departed from the shipyard early on October 29 after a short delay. Icon of the Seas was scheduled to depart the evening prior. 

"We're getting close to the finish line, and during Icon's final weeks at the shipyard, the ship will be getting her finishing touches before delivery, when it will be time for Icon to cross the Atlantic for her new home in the Caribbean," read a post published to Meyer Turku's Facebook page.  

An "extensive" test of every system

Icon of the Seas was pushed to her limits during the second round of sea trials. 

When she first sailed through open waters in June, she traveled hundreds of miles and had informal tests and certifications completed.

This time, however, the ship's noise, vibration, speed, fin stabilizers, automation, and main engine adjustments were formally tested to make sure everything was in working order and ready to welcome guests. In total, hundreds of tests and inspections were completed. 

"Building this ship is a challenging project, but I am proud of the shipyard workers and the fact that it is possible to build such a ship here at the Turku shipyard," said Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku in a recent interview given to YLE, Finland's national public broadcasting company. 

During the sea trials, Royal Caribbean learned that the ship is lighter and faster than they expected her to be.

Icon of the Seas is not quite ready to be delivered 

Even though Icon of the Seas is over 90% complete, Some final touches need to be made before she can be handed over to Royal Caribbean. 

According to Nick Weir's X page, Icon's carousel in Surfside was turned on and rotated for the first time on November 5. The video shows that, while it is functioning, there is still more work that needs to be done.  

Another post revealed an update on the largest ice rink at sea, Absolute Zero, which will be home to two different original productions: Starburst and Once Upon a Time. Additionally, guests can check the Cruise Compass to see when free skate sessions are offered. 

While the area has taken shape, some chairs still need to be moved into place.

An official delivery date has yet to be announced; however, there is post-delivery work that will have to happen. This will be completed in Cádiz, Spain. Things like art won't be brought in until the last minute. 

"This is a..significant art implement for us in comparison to size of vessel and quantity," remarked Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider. He estimated that it has close to double the amount of art onboard as Wonder of the Seas. 

Nearing two months until Icon's first-ever cruise

As 2023 draws to an end, we get closer and closer to Icon's debut month! She's scheduled to depart from Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024 after over two years under construction. 

She'll be based in South Florida though at least April 2026. By then, however, they'll be another Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, in service, although it's currently unknown where she will sail from. 

Onboard the 250,800 gross ton vessel, passengers will find 40 dining venues and bars, a water park, the largest ice skating rink at sea, an indoor ice skating rink, and seven pools.