Walking into the back of the biggest cruise ships in the world, you'll be surprised all of the fun Royal Caribbean was able to include.
Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Class ships broke records with their size and amenities. Ships in both classes share a lot of similarities, such as modern accommodations, waterslides, ice skating rinks, and shared venues.
Both Icon and Oasis Class ships also feature distinct neighborhoods, dividing the ships up into themed sections.
The vessels share similar neighborhoods, such as Central Park, the Royal Promenade, and Suite neighborhoods (on Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas).
However, the debut of Icon of the Seas introduced a new neighborhood: Surfside.
Surfside neighborhood was built on the aft of Icon, replacing the location that was the Boardwalk on Oasis-Class ships.
While both neighborhoods take up the aft of these mega-ships, that's where the similarities end.
What are neighborhoods?
One unique aspect of Royal Caribbean's mega-ships is that each vessel is divided into distinct neighborhoods that offer something for everyone.
Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, has stated that neighborhoods make these ships so successful.
"Neighborhoods have been able to pull people together into spaces that they really enjoy," he said. "Everyone has something [they] are excited to do during the day."
Themed areas on a large vessel make it easier for cruisers to find their bearings and to congregate with like-minded individuals who enjoy the same activities.
Read more: Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas
When it comes to booking a cruise ship, it's important to identify which of its neighborhoods interest you.
If you like the sound of a luxuriously exclusive suite neighborhood, booking an Icon Class ship will grant you that experience.
On the other hand, if you love the nostalgia of the Boardwalk, you'll want to sail on an Oasis Class vessel.
Oasis Class ships have the following neighborhoods:
- Boardwalk
- Central Park
- Royal Promenade
- Pool and Sports Zone
- Entertainment Place
- Youth Zone
- Vitality Spa and Fitness
- Suite Neighborhood (on Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas)
Read more: Wonder of the Seas neighborhoods tour
Icon Class ships (Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, thus far) have the following neighborhoods:
- Central Park
- Royal Promenade
- Suite Neighborhood
- AquaDome
- Thrill Island
- The Hideaway
- Chill Island
- Surfside
Boardwalk vs. Surfside
If you've ever walked along a seaside pier or visited an old-fashioned beach boardwalk fair, Boardwalk Neighborhood will instantly invoke those nostalgic sights and smells.
The Boardwalk is decorated in bright colors and centers on the popular Royal Caribbean carousel.
Children and adults alike will enjoy this handcrafted, colorful ride, which is free to ride all day.
Past the carousel, each Oasis-class ship features the exit to the Ultimate Abyss dry slide.
The 10-story dry slide is the tallest at sea and exits right onto the Boardwalk.
The end of the Boardwalk hosts the ship's AquaTheater, an open-air amphitheater overlooking the stern of the ship.
In front of the large pool and diving boards, guests can enjoy the spectacular, awe-inspiring feats of Royal Caribbean's AquaShows in front of a stunning ocean view.
Icon Class ships, on the other hand, completely changed the game by replacing the Boardwalk and AquaTheater with the Surfside Neighborhood.
This neighborhood is a brand-new design intended to cater to families with young children.
The only similarity Surfside holds with Boardwalk is that the classic carousel still stands in the middle—but instead of a classic fair carousel, Surfside's is a beachy, pastel-colored design.
The entire layout of the neighborhood prioritizes kids' comfort, with bright colors and fun patterns.
It is also located close to the ship's Adventure Ocean,
The AquaTheater on Icon of the Seas was moved forward to the AquaDome neighborhood, highlighting the experience.
Dining and Venues
The Boardwalk is lined with several shops and eateries that match the retro theme.
The venues on the Boardwalk vary from ship-to-ship, but usually include:
- Johnny Rockets, a retro 50's diner
- Sugar Beach, the candy and ice cream shop
- Candy Beach, a shop just for candy
- Boardwalk Doghouse, hot dog stand
- Boardwalk Doughnuts, a donut shop
- Playmakers, sports bar and arcade
- Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar, modern Mexican restaurant and bar
- Cups & Scoops, an ice cream stand
- Starbucks, the specialty coffee shop
- Various retail shops
There aren't many common venues between Boardwalk and Surfside—the only similarity is Sugar Beach, a candy and ice cream shop located within both neighborhoods.
Because the AquaTheater is not located inside the Surfside neighborhood, the Icon-Class area has a lot more space for kid's play and water areas.
Guests will find multiple spaces perfect to entertain children of all ages.
The Playscape features soft playground shapes. Splashaway Bay is a kid's splash pad, and Water's Edge Pool and Baby Bay are close by.
Surfside also has a designated arcade, which comes at an extra cost to play.
Icon of the Seas features the following venues within Surfside:
- Surfside Eatery, the family buffet
- Surfside Bites, grab-and-go venue
- Sprinkles, an ice cream shop
- The Lemon Post, a cocktail and mocktail bar
- Pier 7, a specialty eatery
- Sugar Beach, the candy and ice cream shop
- Various retail shops
Read more: I ate at every new restaurant on Icon of the Seas and here's how I would rank them
Star of the Seas, the next iteration in the Icon Class, will also have the Surfside neighborhood, but its venues were not revealed at the time of this article.
Staterooms
Both neighborhoods have unique cabins that include a view facing the neighborhood, such as the Boardwalk View, Boardwalk View Balcony on the Boardwalk, and the Surfside Family View Balcony and Surfside Family View Interior in the Surfside neighborhood.
Both neighborhoods also have unique suite categories that feature a view of the area; The Boardwalk offers the AquaTheater Suite and Surfside has the Surfside Family Suite.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse, the Sunset Suite, the Sunset Corner Suite, the Sunset Junior Suite, on Icon of the Seas all have Surfside views as well.
Icon of the Seas' Surfside neighborhood also adds a new cabin category: infinite balcony staterooms.
Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites
