The Icon of the Seas during sea trials next to an early rendering of the ship.
Royal Caribbean International
As a travel reporter, I have sailed on four ships each from separate cruise lines.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas could be different from any vessel I've been on.
These are the amenities on the Icon of the Seas that I haven't seen before.
I've sailed on my fair share of cruise ships during my tenure as a travel reporter with Insider. But if Royal Caribbean fulfills everything it has promised with the Icon of the Seas, this upcoming mega vessel could be unlike any ship I've traveled on before.
The soon-to-be world's biggest cruise ship's amenities, long list of dining venues, and new-to-industry staterooms are already making it a standout vessel.
And I think other cruisers might already be agreeing with me: Royal Caribbean saw its largest booking day ever when reservations opened in late 2022 for the ship's upcoming sailings. Michael Bayley, the cruise giant's CEO, later crowned the $2 billion vessel as the "best-selling product in the history of our business" in a call with investors.
Now, the Icon of the Seas maiden voyage in late January is almost sold out with only a handful of accommodations left starting at a little over $4,670 per person, according to Royal Caribbean's booking page.
Here's how the brand's next ship could compare to the four I've sailed on before.
Over the last two years, I've had both the pleasure and displeasure of traveling on the Celebrity Cruises' Apex, Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas, Margaritaville at Sea's Paradise, and Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima.
To preface this, different cruise lines cater to different travelers — so it might not be fair to compare the Icon of the Seas to the Celebrity Apex or Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise's 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Celebrity actively targets Gen X customers while Margaritaville looks for fans of the franchise and Jimmy Buffett. Unfortunately, I can't sugarcoat how I feel: I found both vessels boring.
However, the Apex's modern and fashionably designed spaces made it one of the sleekest ships I've been on.
In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Norwegian's Prima were designed to appeal to families.
The mini-golf course on the Norwegian Prima.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The same goes for Royal Caribbean's next behemoth ship.
The Prima had standouts like a flashy mini-golf course, great food, a go-kart track, and a virtual-reality arcade. The latter two will be the amenities to beat.
The Wonder of the Seas similarly won my heart with its peaceful park, boardwalk, exciting water show, and colorful pool deck.
The Boardwalk neighborhood on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
Brittany Chang/Insider
After cruising on its non-revenue sailing for media and travel agents, I quickly called it the best cruise vessel I've been on so far.
Despite these two high-water marks, I have a feeling the Icon of the Seas will cruise by both to win the hearts of traveling families when it begins revenue cruises in late January 2024.
The Icon of the Seas under construction.
Brittany Chang/Insider
At 1,198 feet long, it'll also be the largest cruise vessel in the world. That's plenty of space to include amenities unavailable on the four ships I've been on.
Both the Wonder of the Seas and the Prima have water slides. But the Icon of the Seas' water park will overshadow any predecessors.
The Icon of the Seas under construction next to an early rendering of the ship.
Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International
Its "Category 6" water park will have six slides, including what the cruise line says will be the tallest at sea.
One of the Prima's most exhilarating activities was its freefall dry slide that drops travelers down 10 decks in just seconds.
The walkway leading up to the Drop dry slide.
Brittany Chang/Insider
While the Icon won't have the exact same "Drop" slide, it could have a more anxiety-inducing activity: the Crown's Edge. This rope-and-obstacle course that could leave its brave participants dangling over 150 feet above the sea.
The Icon of the Seas has the typical pools, surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, and mini-golf course.
An early rendering of the Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean International
These are nothing new to the cruise industry. So to set itself apart, the ship will one-up its pools by including seven of them.
These aren't your typical rectangular swimming pools surrounded by perfectly symmetrical lounge chairs.
A rendering of the infinity pool.
Royal Caribbean International
One will be the largest at sea, according to the cruise line, while the other will be an infinity pool suspended over the lower outdoor decks.
Any drinkers out there? Get excited for the swim-up pool bar.
As for food, all of the ships I've sailed on have the typical buffets and premium steakhouses.
People at the buffet on the Wonder of the Seas
Brittany Chang/Insider
Norwegian's food hall was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had on a ship. Think of it as a more organized buffet. It felt like I had nearly limitless food options.
But I have no doubt the Icon of the Seas will be able to emulate this same feeling: The ship will have 40 restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues.
A rendering of the Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean International
I'm particularly excited for the grab-and-go sushi counter.
And for those who crave the luxury of the Celebrity Apex, the Icon of the Seas will have a few dining venues that could compete with the more adult-friendly cruise line.
A rendering of the Empire Supper Club.
Royal Caribbean International
One the Icon's specialty restaurants will include the art deco-esque Empire Supper Club, an eight-course menu with luxuries like caviar, wagyu, and beverage pairings. Maybe eating caviar at sea will make me feel more connected to the ocean?
Unfortunately, I've been disappointed by Royal Caribbean's accommodations before.
My balcony stateroom aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
Of course, I won't know for sure if the Icon of the Seas will reign supreme over the previous four ships I've sailed on.
The Icon of the Seas during sea trials next to an early rendering of the ship.
Royal Caribbean International
But if the unique swimming pools, exhilarating water park, and diverse dining options live up to their hype, I have a feeling this will become my go-to cruise ship recommendation when it sails in 2024.
