7 features that make Royal Caribbean's $2 billion Icon of the Seas cruise ship different from any that has come before

Wed, 07/19/2023 - 05:00

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas — The Icon of the. Seas will have several firsts for Royal Caribbean, like the world's largest water park at sea and the first three-deck Ultimate Family Townhouse accommodation.
Royal Caribbean Press Center

In January 2024, the Icon of the Seas will begin service as the world's largest cruise vessel.
The 20-deck floating resort will have 2,805 rooms to accommodate up to 7,600 guests.
These are the seven features that will make Royal Caribbean's next mega ship different from any current cruise vessel.

In January 2024, Royal Caribbean's world's largest cruise ship will hit the seas. Months ahead of this highly anticipated debut, the internet and travelers are already abuzz with their opinions — both positive and negative — of the 20-deck behemoth.

While some have called it a "monstrosity," other travelers have been scrambling to book a room aboard the ship. Royal Caribbean said it saw its largest booking day in the company's history when reservations opened for the over $2 billion ship in October 2022. Now, its maiden voyage in late January is almost sold out, save for a few balcony staterooms and suites starting at over $4,670 per person.

No matter your opinion, Royal Caribbean's upcoming floating resort will have several features that will set it apart from any current cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas during sea trial collaged with a rendering of the ship — Royal Caribbean International

Let's take a closer look at the seven standout ones, which include several industry and record setting amenities.

1. The mega vessel will set the new world record as the world's largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship under construction — Brittany Chang/Insider

Royal Caribbean is in a competition with itself to build the world's largest cruise ships. At 1,198 feet-long, the Icon of the Seas will inch past the current record holder, Royal Caribbean's 1,188-foot-long Wonder of the Seas.

The ship will have 20 decks — 18 for guests — and a gross tonnage of 250,800.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas under construction. There's a crane. — Brittany Chang/Insider

To compare, the Wonder of the Seas clocks in at 235,600 gross tons while the Titanic was 46,329 gross tons, a little under one-fifth of the Icon of the Seas.

2. The ship can sail with the population size of a town.

A rendering of Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas cruise ship. — Royal Caribbean International

The ship will accommodate up to 9,950 people — 2,350 crew and 7,600 guests.

To accommodate all of these guests, the ship will have 2,805 guest rooms.

An incomplete family infinite balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship. There's an empty bunkbed with stairs. — Brittany Chang/Insider

Ironically, the Wonder of the Seas has more accommodations for fewer guests: 2,867-stateroom for its up to 7,084 travelers.

3. Speaking of accommodations, the ship will have 28 different stateroom options.

Icon of the Seas will debut the first Ultimate Family Townhouse. Spanning three levels, the perfect home away from home for families features an in-suite slide, a cinema space, karaoke, a spacious balcony, a private entrance to the ultimate family neighborhood, Surfside, and more. — Royal Caribbean International

This will range from staples like interior windowless staterooms to new-to-brand accommodations like the infinite balcony cabin with a nook for children and the glamorous $75,000-a-week Ultimate Family Townhouse (shown above).

Crew will also have redesigned cabins.

A rendering of the crew staterooms aboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the seas — Royal Caribbean International

These won't be as glamorous as the three-story townhouse at sea but at least they've been redesigned for more privacy between roommates.

4. Guests won't have to repeat drinks or meals during the ship's first year of seven-night sailings.

A collage of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Central Park neighborhood bar and Royal Caribbean’s rendering of the space. — Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

While this could be contingent on specialty dining and drinks packages, the ship's over 40 dining and drinking venues could mean a different meal for every day of the trip.

This ranges from casual to upscale dining options.

A rendering of Empire Supper Club on the Icon of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International

From a grab-and-go sushi bar to a refined eight-course tasting menu in the swanky restaurant shown above, the ship will have a variety of options for every budget.

Several bars will be reminiscent of on-land favorites.

A collage of the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Aqua Dome under construction compared to renderings of the venue — Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

From the dueling piano bar to a jazz club and a coffee-based cocktail bar (think espresso martinis), the Icon will have a diverse selection of watering holes.

5. Several "neighborhoods" were designed for families.

Families will likely be a big demographic aboard this giant cruise ship.

Surfside will be a go-to for travelers of all ages.

A collage of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas's Surfside eateries and Royal Caribbean’s rendering of the space. — Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

This outdoor neighborhood will have a children's water playground, a pool for adults, an arcade, children's and teen clubs, and a carousel.

If Surfside is a calmer getaway, Thrill Island will be where families can go to break a sweat and get their adrenaline pumping.

A collage of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Thrill Island's Category Crown's Edge and Royal Caribbean’s rendering of the space. — Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

This neighborhood, again outdoors, will be home to a large rock climbing wall, a mini-golf course, and a one-of-a-kind rope and obstacle course 155 feet above the ocean.

6. Thrill Island will also house what Royal Caribbean is calling the world's largest water park at sea.

A collage of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Thrill Island's Category 6 water park and Royal Caribbean’s rendering of the space. — Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

The "Category 6" water park could be one of the most talked about features aboard the cruise vessel.

Of the six water slides, three will be a first for the cruise brand.

The water park at sea will have a family raft, mat racing, and "open freefall" slides, three firsts for the brand. It'll also be home to what the cruise line says will be the tallest water slide at sea.

7. There will be a different pool for every day of the week so long as you book a suite.

The ship will have seven pools including one in the suite neighborhood — an area exclusive for guests who've booked these more luxurious accommodations.

Four of these seven pools will be in the three-deck Chill Island neighborhood.

This includes a "suspended infinity pool" that will function like a pool club with a DJ and what Royal Caribbean is flexing as the largest pool at sea flanked by several lily pad-like elevated hot tubs (shown above).

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7 features that make Royal Caribbean's $2 billion Icon of the Seas cruise ship …