Royal Caribbean swaps adults-only venues on Icon of the Seas

In:
14 Jan 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has made a last-minute change to which part of Icon of the Seas will be exclusively for adults.

The Hideaway is now adults-only

Ever since Royal Caribbean revealed details on its newest cruise ship, Cloud 17 was to be the adults-only area. Icon does not have a Solarium, which has traditionally been the adults-only area on its cruise ships.

As first reported by Cruise Critic, the plan has changed.

Instead of Cloud 17 (located in Chill Island), The Hideaway neighborhood will become the adults-only area for guests 18 years old or older.

The Hideaway

In speaking with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider, the change was made in just the last week.

Adults only sign at The Hideaway

When passengers board Icon of the Seas for the first revenue sailing on January 27, they can find a kid-free zone at The Hideaway. Cloud 17 will be open to guests of all ages.

Why the change was made

The Hideaway

Making the swap of venue rules just weeks before the new cruise ship was to set sail had a few reasons for it.

First, Mr. Schneider indicated that since Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay was going to be an adults-only area, having a very similar named venue on Icon of the Seas made more logical sense to have the same policy.

In addition, Cruise Critic reported that Royal Caribbean felt Cloud 17 was in "prime real estate" and did not make sense to have the area closed off to families.

About The Hideaway

The Hideaway neighborhood

One of the new neighborhood ideas on Icon of the Seas is The Hideaway. 

It's at the very back of the ship on deck 15, and it's Royal Caribbean's first ever pool at the back of a ship.

The Hideaway neighborhood

The pool is perched 135 feet above the ocean, offering 180 degree views.

The Hideaway

From its conceptualization, The Hideaway was meant to have a Las Vegas pool party vibe.  It has the first suspended infinity pool at sea, day beds, loungers, and an expansive bar area.

The Hideaway

There's also a multilevel terrace, whirlpools, a variety of seating. The daybeds have an additional cost to them.

Fan reaction

Hideaway Neighborhood

News of the change seems to be have been so far with favorable reaction.

Comments on Reddit showed cruisers think there's more logic to having The Hideaway be for only adults.

"That is a huge improvement, Cloud 17 looked like it would suck whenever it’s windy," wrote Kvalri.

Hideaway Bar

shanham wrote, "I was surprised that hideaway wasn’t the adult area because I saw they were selling the hideaway “pool beds” for $500 on my sailing. I told my husband I couldn’t imagine paying $500 to be on a bed in a pool full of kids."

Hideaway pool

illuminated0ne thinks making The Hideaway adults-only is sensible, but not changing Cloud 17 as well, "I always assumed they would turn The Hideaway into adults only eventually because of the expensive day beds in the area, but I didn't think they'd take away the other adults-only place they've been advertising for a year."

"The Hideaway looks so much smaller. It's even more puzzling they're doing it before trying it out once."

About Cloud 17

Cloud 17

If making Cloud 17 suddenly changes your pool deck plans, here's what to know about the area.

You'll find an infinity-edge pool at Cloud 17 (the same is true at the Cove Pool) that overlooks the ocean. There's also a whirlpool.

It also has its own Lime & Coconut Bar.

Hideaway bar menu

Hideaway drink menu

As mentioned, there is a bar in The Hideaway and it has a special menu.

The menu is simply a starting point, and you can order other cocktails, beers, or mixed drinks.  

Here's a look at the drink menu.

Hideaway drink menu
Hideaway drink menu
Hideaway drink menu
Hideaway drink menu
Hideaway drink menu

Royal Caribbean News Round-up January 14, 2024

In:
14 Jan 2024
By: 
Calista Kiper

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

The Pearl

It was all about Icon of the Seas this week, as the new ship arrived in Miami and we got our first look all around the new ship!

New features on the ship include a more open Royal Promenade spanning two levels, The Pearl experience, Hideaway infinity pool, a revamped casino layout, and so much more.

Icon of the Seas has a design unlike any other cruise ship and is sure to keep guests engaged all throughout her eight neighborhoods.

Royal Caribbean News

Video: First Look INSIDE Icon of the Seas: Sneak Peak!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — First Look INSIDE Icon of the Seas: Sneak Peak — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

World's largest cruise ship will have a family dog that lives on the ship

icon-rover

Royal Caribbean has innovated more than just the design of Icon of the Seas.

In addition to a host of other ‘firsts,’ the ship will also have a family dog living onboard.

Rover is the resident Mascot of Icon of the Seas and will permanently live onboard.

As a nod to Rover’s unique presence, the Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas also features a large statue of a dog. This statue takes the place of the classic car that is traditionally placed in the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean ships.

First steel cut for Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class cruise ship

icon-class-steel-cutting-turku

In addition to preparations on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has begun constructing a third Icon Class Ship.

As of yet, this ship is unnamed, and few details have been released. We do know that it is set to be completed in 2026.

The steel-cutting ceremony for the ship’s initial construction was held on January 12 at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Representatives from both Royal Caribbean Group and Meyer Turku attended. 

Royal Caribbean menus 2024: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more

What meals can you expect to be offered on your cruises this year?

We’ve compiled all available menus to share with you.

Royal Caribbean ships have various dining options, from complimentary venues to specialty dining. Each venue has varying menus, and meals can also change from ship to ship.

However, we’ve done our best to provide a complete look at the food available on Royal Caribbean ships in 2024.

Why you need to cruise the Mediterranean in winter with Royal Caribbean

Mediterranean cruises have a well-known charm, but few people take advantage of the itineraries in early winter.

Winter is the off-season for Mediterranean cruises and tourist spots as crowds flock to the Caribbean during the cold winter months. 

However–despite colder weather and occasional wind—a winter cruise is a perfect opportunity to explore the Mediterranean for the first time.

There are many reasons why you should consider Mediterranean sailing in the winter, from cruise deals to calmer crowds in tourist destinations.

The 1-item upgrade for a better cruise ship cabin experience (it’s already in your house)

In:
13 Jan 2024
By: 
Elizabeth Wright

Cruise ship cabins are smaller than traditional land-based hotel rooms, and while they may try and pack as many essentials and conveniences into the limited space, there's a chance that they will fall short of meeting all of your needs.

Inside cabin bed

Whether you are staying in an inside cabin or splurging on a suite, there's one common household item that you should bring to upgrade your stateroom experience: a night light. 

Even if you have an expansive suite or balcony, the ocean is pitch-black at night, and you won't be able to rely on any natural light to guide you from your bed to the ensuite bathroom. 

While you can leave the bathroom light on, this sometimes emits more brightness than some would prefer when trying to sleep. 

A night light is a great workaround since it will illuminate your stateroom without potentially waking any sleeping cabinmates. Plus, some children (and adults) might not be fans of sleeping in total darkness. 

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Bringing a night light on your cruise means you will not have to worry about tripping over a stray cord or pair of shoes in the middle of the night

night-light

If you are staying in an ocean view room or above, your stateroom will slowly brighten up as the sun rises in the morning, meaning that you'll only have to worry about having minimal light at night. Inside rooms, however, go dark as soon as you turn off the lights, even if that's at 12:00pm. 

Night lights will ensure that even these windowless rooms are never pitch-black. As someone who travels in inside cabins more often than not, it can be pretty disorientating to wake up to a completely dark room, even if it's in the middle of the night to use the restroom. 

I've found myself relying on my phone's flashlight to avoid accidentally stubbing my toe or running into the vanity. While this is not a bad option, the light can be pretty bright, so this is not ideal when I am sharing the room with someone else. 

tea-light

Battery-powered tea lights work, too, as they can be placed next to your bed on the nightstand, on the vanity, or in the bathroom without having to worry about using a plug to illuminate the room. Since a single tea light is so small, it's easy to carry with you to the bathroom, too. 

Depending on which night light you have, tea lights might take up less space in your luggage, giving you more room for souvenirs, toiletries, etc. 

One drawback of traditional night lights is that they will take up one of your outlets at the vanity

motion-sensor-nightlight

The majority of cruise ship bathrooms don't have standard plugs in them, so you'll have to use the outlets at the vanity for your hairdryer, straightener, curler, etc. With some older rooms only having two American plugs, you might not want to sacrifice your phone's health for a night light. Navigator of the Seas, for instance, only has two standard American plugs, in addition to a single European one. 

While newer ships tend to have more charging options, they usually come in the form of USB ports, rather than extra outlets. If you are like me and only have USB-C chargers, these are not too useful; I rely on the actual outlets to charge all of my devices. 

Thankfully, there are night lights out there that are battery-powered. For less than $25, you can purchase one that is also motion sensored! With over 2,000 four- and five-star reviews, it's a great investment for your next cruise that you can also use when you return home. 

motion-sensor-light

It can be stuck anywhere in the cabin, so you aren't limited to using it just at the vanity. This means that you can place it in your stateroom's bathroom, so you do not have to turn the light on at night. Coming from a pitch-black room, the bathroom's light can be pretty blinding, even if you're prepared for it. 

Please note that we’ve linked items on Amazon in the article, which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Read more: The clever reason to bring a European power adapter on your cruise ship

What are some other cruise cabin hacks to make your stateroom more functional?

over-the-door-storage-amazon

While a night light is a must-have on cruise ships to help better the cabin experience, there are some other items you may want to consider purchasing ahead of time to help make your stateroom as comfortable as possible, even if you only plan on using it as a base to rest and recharge for the next day. 

A shoe organizer, for instance, will help you organize toiletries, shoes, jewelry, and more. If you're going on a short weekend cruise, you might not find this too useful; however, those on longer voyages will appreciate the additional storage space. 

Plus, it's easy for staterooms to get messy a few days into the trip. An organizer will help ensure that everyone keeps their belongings in the correct place. 

wrinkle-release-spray

Wrinkle-release spray is another must for me, especially since steamers and irons are prohibited onboard Royal Caribbean ships. Note that if you try to bring either of these items with you, it'll be confiscated on embarkation day. You will be able to retrieve it once you disembark. 

I hate walking around in wrinkled clothing, so I travel with a travel-sized bottle to help get out some of the bigger wrinkles. A small bottle is key, as I do not want to take up too much storage space. 

After spraying the item down, I'll usually place the article of clothing that I want to wear in the bathroom while I shower to help de-wrinkle it as much as possible. 

Packing cubes

Finally, packing cubes are a great investment for your upcoming cruise if you don't already have them. They are truly the packing tool that keeps on giving since you can reuse them for future vacations, whether it's a weekend trip to the beach or an extended European holiday. 

Not only will they help keep your suitcase organized, but packing cubes will also help reduce the amount of time you spend unpacking. Upon receiving your luggage, simply pull the cubes out and place them inside of drawers or on the racks in the closet. 

The less time you spend unpacking, the more time you get to spend enjoying all of the embarkation day festivities! 

First steel cut for Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class cruise ship

In:
12 Jan 2024
By: 
Elizabeth Wright

Royal Caribbean has officially begun the third Icon Class ship's construction process. The unnamed ship is set to be completed in 2026, one year after Star of the Seas

Pool aerial on Icon of the Seas

The steel-cutting ceremony was held on January 12 at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and representatives from both Royal Caribbean Group and Meyer Turku were present. 

"With Icon III, we are further strengthening our role as the builder of the world's most advanced cruise ships," said Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku. 

icon-class-steel-cutting-turku

"Meyer Turku's and Royal Caribbean Group's long-term goals are becoming concrete, and with that we are able to set new standards to strengthen our leadership in the green transition of the maritime industry."

Royal Caribbean hasn't revealed much about the third ship in the groundbreaking Icon Class

icon-iii-steel-cutting

Despite not having too many details about the ship itself, we know that Star of the Seas will sail out of Port Canaveral to the Caribbean during its inaugural season. The same cannot be said for the third Icon Class ship. 

Additionally, we do not know how different the third ship will be from Icon of the Seas. It is not uncommon for cruise lines to make tweaks to the ship's designs for later incarnations in any given class. 

Harmony of the Seas, for instance, was the first Oasis Class ship to feature the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. While it was later added to Oasis of the Seas, the first ship in the class, it was not a feature that was present onboard for roughly ten years. 

Ultimate Abyss slide

As Royal Caribbean hasn't talked much about the design of Star of the Seas, we assume it will be a while before we get any specifics about the third Icon Class ship. Even when all of the excitement about Icon's launch dies down, there's still a lot to look forward to in the coming years! 

What is a steel-cutting ceremony?

icon-iii-steel-cutting-ceremony-2

The steel-cutting ceremony is a maritime tradition and a major milestone in a ship's construction process, as it indicates that the groundwork has been set.

The next milestone is the keel-laying ceremony, which marks the official beginning of the ship's construction.

During both events, it's common for executives from the cruise line and shipyard personnel to be present.

Read more: How long does it take to build a cruise ship

Icon of the Seas, the first-ever Icon Class ship, is set to embark on its inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024

Icon of the Seas aerial at night concept art

It's been over seven years in the making; however, Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, is less than one month away from finally setting sail. 

As with all new ship classes, there are tons of experiences that you will only be able to enjoy onboard Icon of the Seas. 

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

surfside-icon-21

From the record-breaking Category 6 water park to the first-ever Izumi to-go window, family-friendly Surfside Neighborhood, Pearl superstructure, enclosed AquaTheater, and more, Icon of the Seas was designed to be the ultimate family vacation. 

Sailing onboard this new ship during its inaugural season will cost you a pretty penny, though, as the lowest rate at the time of writing was $2,440 per person for an interior room in March 2024. 

Star of the Seas' pricing is not as outrageous, with numerous sailings during its first year at sea starting at around $1,800 per person. 

Top deck on Icon of the Seas

The third Icon Class ship is not open for booking yet, so it will be interesting to see how pricing compares when itineraries are eventually released. 

Read more: First look Inside the World's Biggest Cruise Marvel, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

First look Inside the World's Biggest Cruise Marvel, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

In:
12 Jan 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

We knew Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship was going to be impressive, but it's pretty darn incredible how they can push the boundaries of what we expect on a ship.

The Pearl

The words, "wow", "I can't believe it", and "amazing" were swirling through my head as I had a brief day visit tour of the biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas.

The 20-deck high ship comes in at 250,800 tons, winning the title of biggest cruise ship in the world from sister vessel, Wonder of the Seas.  In fact, it will be the first time in about 5 years that an Oasis Class ship hasn't been the biggest in the world.

The ship appeals to a wide range of cruisers, with a growing focus on the family cruise market. Like a new bride, it borrow the traditions of the past, while forging its own destiny. All new cruise ships build on the progress made by ships of the past, but it is clear to me that Icon of the Seas takes a jump ahead. If there's one thing apparent about Royal Caribbean's new ship, it's that it's anything but ordinary.

Surfside seats

With just weeks to go until the first paying passengers board the ship, I had a day to run around and explore as much of Icon of the Seas as I could squeeze in and share with you what this new ship is all about.

Icon is a brand new class of ship, so that means Royal Caribbean started from scratch. They incorporated ideas from existing ships while creating new ideas and reworking others. Don't be surprised when you see something that is similar to an existing ship. While they may have borrowed the concept, they've also built upon it and iterated it as well.

icon-of-the-seas-royal-promenade-hero

A great example is when you walk onboard the Royal Promenade.  Icon is not the first ship to have a Royal Promenade, but it is the first one to have a wide-open Royal Promenade that has windows, shops, and certain venues. 

The Pearl

There's sunlight, new restaurants and The Pearl. Much was made of The Pearl at a time when we knew next to nothing about Icon, and it might have been overinflated in terms of significance, but it delivers on making your jaw drop when you first walk onto the ship and that's the first thing you see.

It's three decks high, has a beautiful interior made up of kinetic tiles, and I'm told there will be certain events that occur in there related to sound and sight. You might not want to visit The Pearl every day, but I challenge you not to go there at least once and marvel at it.

Pearl Cafe

Another step up for Royal Caribbean is behind The Pearl with Pearl Cafe.  The replacement to Cafe Promenade on other ships, Pearl Cafe has grab-and-go snacks for guests on the run, as well as specialty coffees.  Best of all, it has many tables and large windows.  It reminds me a lot of Cafe al bacio in some ways, and I would love to sit and people watch from there.

Schooner Bar

Throughout the Promenade you'll find familiar places with fresh looks. Giovanni's Table has a home here, while Schooner Bar has a beautiful nautical motif. 

Dueling Pianos

The new Dueling Pianos bar has the potential to be one of the top nightlife locations, and I really like the seating arrangements in the Point & Feather pub.

Pub
Pub
Pub

The AquaDome

AquaDome

I wasn't sure where to go first once I boarded, but I really wanted to the AquaDome neighborhood. 

The AquaDome is one of those staggering places that you can't help but revel in the magnitude of the space. From the theater in the middle, to the Overlook seating in front, to the food hall, I never thought I would want to spend as much time here as I did once I walked it.

If you've been on the Oasis Class ships, then you know how cool the shows are and I didn't see any of them. Even without its signature attraction on the day I visited, I loved being in this space more than I thought I would.

The giant glass dome encompasses places to chill, eat, and be entertained. Plus, there are cabins within this neighborhood too.

When I get back onboard, I'll look forward to the shows that are performed in the AquaDome. "Aqua Nation!" and "Pirates vs Mermaids" are the two shows you can see.

Overlook
Overlook
Overlook

The Overlook is a sleeper hit of the ship because it has fantastic seating, especially in the pods. It's first-come, first-seated, and I think a lot of people will love to hang out here on a sea day, especially with bar service.

My favorite spot for a bite to eat is easily the AquaDome Market. Royal Caribbean incorporated its first food hall concept, and I want to eat here every day.

Aquadome market
Aquadome Market

Greek, Asian, French, and... whatever Mac and Cheese constitutes is found here. It's complimentary, freshly made, and I could eat it every day. I'm curious to see how it handles rush hour at lunch, but I love the concept.

Top deck looks really fun

Pool deck on Icon

There's still plenty of work to do on Icon of the Seas before the first revenue sailing, and that was the case with the pool deck.

Not to worry, Royal Caribbean says it will all be good to by the time paying guests get onboard. On the day I visited, there was work being done to set everything up. No construction, just finishing touches and deliveries and set up of furnishings.

Even with some areas inaccessible, I think this pool deck is going to be a real winner for the line. 

Swim and Tonic
Swim and Tonic

The Swim & Tonic pool is easily going to be the most popular pool on the ship with its swim-up bar and in-pool seating.

Royal Bay Pool is slated to be the largest pool at sea, and all the hot tubs strewn around the deck should find plenty of customers. Royal Bay is enormous and looks like it takes up half the length of the deck.

Chill Island

But the Category 6 looks like it will deliver a true waterpark experience on a cruise ship.  There's so many slides, and I know it's where my kids will want to go on a sea day.

It will have a drop slide, the tallest drop slide at sea, family raft slides and two mat-racing slides.

I used to think three slides was a big deal, but six seems to be what I always needed but never knew I did.

Hideaway

The weather was overcast and slightly drizzly and hardly worthy of a Miami television commercial, but the one place I really regretted not bringing my bathing suit was The Hideaway.

Hideaway chairs
Hideaway hot tub

Located on the back of the ship, it's the first suspended infinity pool at sea and I wanted to go right in. I had a great plan to tell all of you my camera "died" and I had no other way to capture content as an excuse to go spend the afternoon in the infinity pool. Alas, my sense of responsibility (and the fact I didn't pack a bathing suit) won out.

Hideaway pool

I like variety in my cruise ships, because one day I might prefer one pool and another day a different one. There's plenty of choices with the pools on Icon.

Central Park

icon-central-park-5

Central Park isn't a new concept at all, but it's amazing what a few tweaks, additions, and restructuring can do to dramatically improve an area.

icon-central-park-4

I was ready to walk through Central Park and write off the place as a copy of the Oasis Class, but I found it beautiful and the changes the perfect blend of old and new.

icon-izumi-6
icon-izumi-1

I've always been a big fan of Izumi, and what Royal Caribbean has done with this specialty restaurant on Icon is astonishing. It's been given the necessary space to house all of Royal Caribbean's best ideas in one. There are lots of hibachi tables, sushi tables, a VIP hibachi table, and even a walk-up window where you can get sushi as late as 10pm.

icon-central-park-2

Walking around the park, the colors of the balcony shutters above you combined with the flora and color choices of the park really stood out as a lovely area to be in. 

Bubbles champagne bar

The new champagne window, Bubbles, wasn't open on my visit, but I think it will be popular with the mimosa and Bellini crowd.

Yes, I met Rover

Rover

I couldn't believe how much attention the family dog Royal Caribbean is introducing on Icon of the Seas received when it was announced, but it makes total sense once you see Rover in action.

I was on Icon for about 7 hours, and I relegated myself to the fact I wouldn't see Rover until I saw her on the Royal Promenade playing fetch.

Alison is Rover's Chief of Staff and it's her job to take care of Rover while onboard.

ALison

If you're wondering if Rover can be as cute as the photos show, you'd be correct. She is adorable and you will wish there was a sign up program to have the dog sleep in your cabin for just one night.

Rover is a symbol for the fun and family-centric nature Icon of the Seas was designed to deliver. Obviously no one is booking a cruise just to see a dog, but it's a really nice touch.

icon-rover-dog-mascot-1

In case you're wondering, no, Rover serves no other function.  She's not a drug sniffing dog and she's not a service animal either.  So Rover isn't allowed in the restaurants.

Family, family, family

surfside-icon-23

I've always thought of Royal Caribbean as the best family cruise line already, but I wish we had Surfside when my kids were under the age of 10.

Imagine the Boardwalk neighborhood layout from the Oasis Class ships completely re-designed to provide family fun for the six and under crowd, along with their parents. Royal Caribbean says 6 and under is the ideal age, but I could see 8 and 9 year olds enjoying some of the spaces too.

Carousel
surfside-icon-24

Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, and the adults pool look great and I think parents will appreciate having a place to bring the kids that's more contained than the pool deck without compromising on what there is for the parents.

I was blown away by how many dining venues there are: Lemon Post, Pier 7, Sugar Beach, and Surfside Eatery provide plenty of choices and they're all right there in one area. 

surfside-icon-15
surfside-icon-10
surfside-icon-1

Good luck convincing those kids it's time to leave when there's pools, a carousel, mac and cheese, and Shirley Temples all around you.

Adventure Ocean
Adventure Ocean
Adventure Ocean

The really smart choice here was putting Adventure Ocean just one staircase away. On every other Royal Caribbean ship, the kids club is on a top deck and feels like diametrically opposed from everything else going on onboard. Having Adventure Ocean adjacent to Surfside is brilliant.

Teen club
Teen club
Teen club
Teen club

As usual, I was envious of the teen club because of how chill this place looks. There's lots of space to spread out and enjoy TV, games, and more.

Familiar and new dining

icon-empire-supper-club-2

Royal Caribbean has always said they wanted to embrace their past while forging ahead to the future, and that is definitely the case with its dining.

There's a good array of specialty and complimentary food on Icon, with new restaurants mixed in with returning favorites.  But don't overlook the restaurants you may have dined at on other ships, because many of them have new looks.

icon-izumi-4

Starting with Izumi, Royal Caribbean has outdone itself with the revamp of this Japanese specialty restaurant. It's expansive and beautiful.

icon-empire-supper-club-2

The new Empire Supper Club is a high-end dinner experience where the phrase, "going out" really has a new meaning.  It's not cheap ($200 per person), but Royal Caribbean wants to offer a truly elevated and distinguished meal for those seeking more than just another specialty restaurant.

surfside-icon-12-lemon-post-bar

I was equally impressed by how many dining venues there are in Surfside. Surfside Eatery, Pier 7, and Surfside Bites all look good and I think it's going to be a boon for families to have so many family-friendly (read: picky eater) choices in close proximity.

aquadome-icon-3

The restaurant I was most excited to try while on Icon was the AquaDome Market. When lunch came around, this was the restaurant I wanted to try first.  

aquadome-icon-1

The food hall delivered exactly what I hoped for: quick and casual food from a variety of cuisines. I'll be curious to see how it works with a full guest load onboard, but the food quality won't be a problem.

Speaking of grab and go, I managed to stop by Basecamp in Thrill Island for an early dinner before disembarking the ship.

Chicken sandwich
Pretzel bites

Basecamp has a mix of complimentary and extra-cost food. I went with the grilled chicken sandwich ($9) and warm pretzel bites (complimentary). 

I think the idea here is to have something convenient when you're riding water slides and don't want to go all the way back to the Windjammer for something to eat.  Convenience is king on cruise ships.

Windjammer
icon-chops-2
aquadome-icon-17

Then there's Giovanni's, Chops, Hooked, and other grab-and-go restaurants. I'm excited to try these when I sail on Icon, but suffice to say, there's no shortage of dining.

The best ship casino yet?

Casino on Icon

Cruise ship casinos tend to be an afterthought in terms of design. Cram as many tables and slot machines into a space and you're done, right?

The casino on Icon really seems to more spread out and I like the flow a lot more than on other ships.

Casino on Icon

In speaking with the casino hosts onboard (Hi Chris), they indicated Icon's casino is about the same square footage as Wonder of the Seas, but the layout is more rectangular than square. 

It felt like a bigger space to me, and I just liked the flow a lot more.

Just a glimpse with more to come

Main Dining Room

I can't encapsulate everything Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve in just one post. Heck, I didn't have enough time to experience it all either. But I'm more excited than ever to get back onboard.

My father's favorite movie might be "Family Man" starring Nicholas Cage, where the central figure is magically transported to a new life that he falls in love with and pleads with the angel at the end of the film not to return him back to his regular life.  I kind of felt that way when my time on Icon came to a close, because I didn't want to get off the ship yet.

Top deck on Icon of the Seas

There's plenty of takeaways from Icon, but one I really think is just how much there is to do to keep guests moving.  When you hear there as many as 7,000 guests onboard, it can sound like that's a lot, but when I think about all the activities on the pool deck, Surfside, Royal Promenade, and AquaDome, I think crowd management won't be a problem for this ship.

When you're onboard, the scale of Royal Caribbean's ambitions becomes apparent, and I think there's lots of space to handle all the people Royal Caribbean hopes will sail with them every week.

Overlooking Central Park

With every neighborhood I walked through, I thought "This is where I want to spend my day". Until I got to the next neighborhood, and then thought the same thing.  

Coastal Kitchen

I think part of the design process for Icon was to create compelling spaces that draw guests to them for different reasons. I'm certainly not suggesting there won't be lines or a crowd on Icon, but I do think there's enough happening around the ship to keep everyone from congregating in one area.

In my brief day visit to Icon, I saw as much as I could. I can summarize it best by paraphrasing Anthony Bourdain: I write, I walked all over Icon, and I'm hungry for more.

Icon of the Seas Central Park: What to expect

In:
11 Jan 2024
By: 
Elizabeth Wright

Central Park has been a beloved neighborhood onboard Royal Caribbean ships since Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009. 

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On Oasis Class ships, Central Park is pretty standardized. If you have seen one, the rest are relatively similar. 

Central Park on Icon
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While Central Park on Icon of the Seas is still a hub for live plants, restaurants, and shops, it is unlike any reiteration done before, though it's still located midship on Deck 8. 

Here's what's included and what costs extra in Central Park:

RestaurantIncludedSpecialty
Empire Supper Club ✔️
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi ✔️
Izumi in the Park ✔️
Chops Grille ✔️
Park Cafe✔️ 
Bubbles ✔️
Trellis Bar ✔️
Lou's Jazz 'n Blues ✔️

Read more: The flourishing garden on Symphony of the Seas has over 20,000 plants, and it's my favorite spot onboard

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For the first time ever, Royal Caribbean has relocated the popular Izumi Sushi and Hibachi to Central Park. 

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On older ships, the location of Izumi greatly varies, if it is even present onboard. It could be located in the Royal Promenade, adjacent to Casino Royale, or on a higher deck. Some don't even have teppanyaki tables, just sushi. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas Royal Promenade: What to expect

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Royal Caribbean also added a walk-up window that serves sushi and other Japanese-inspired snacks. Whether you are craving some sushi to-go or want a sweet treat, you do not have to worry about making dining reservations and sitting down for a lengthy meal. 

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Like onboard Oasis Class ships, Chops Grille will remain in Central Park. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean previews all the restaurant and dining choices coming to the world's largest cruise ship

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For the first time, however, you will be able to hand-select your cut of meat at the butcher's display. 

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Another fan-favorite returning to this neighborhood is Park Cafe. 

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The legendary Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich will be available here, as well as other breakfast and lunch sandwiches and salads. Plus, Park Cafe will be open for dinner on Icon. 

If you aren't feeling the Windjammer crowds on embarkation day, this is a great place to go! 

Read more: 15 Royal Caribbean boarding process tips for a fast embarkation

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There's also a walk-up champagne bar, Bubbles, which serves champagne and champagne cocktails by the glass.

Bubbles champagne bar

Empire Supper Club is a new specialty restaurant that, as of January 2024, can only be found onboard Icon of the Seas

The venue was designed to be reminiscent of the 1930s in New York City. This upscale restaurant will have two seatings for guests each night: 6:00pm and 8:30pm. 

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The eight-course menu will feature premium American cuisine with dishes like caviar and wagyu. 

Additionally, this dining experience will combine food and music. There will be a three-piece band playing a different song during each course. 

This premium dining experience costs $200 per person. If you have the Unlimited Dining Package, you can pay a $130 upcharge to eat at Empire Supper Club. 

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Finally, Lou's Jazz N' Blues, another new venue, is the perfect place to either pop in before dinner or afterward for a nightcap. 

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

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If you're seeking a to-go beverage, Trellis Bar, another Oasis Class favorite, will be right across the way in Central Park. 

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Don't forget to check out the light snacks menu! You can enjoy small treats like mac and cheese poppers, crab cake fritters, crispy truffle fries, and more. 

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Icon of the Seas AquaDome: What to expect

In:
11 Jan 2024
By: 
Elizabeth Wright

Perched atop Decks 14 and 15 is Icon of the Seas' AquaDome Neighborhood. 

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In addition to being home to the ship's next-level AquaTheater, this is also where you'll find other Royal Caribbean firsts, including the AquaDome Market. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

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AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean's first-ever food hall venue. Food halls are a relatively new concept in the cruise industry, and Icon of the Seas will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to offer one.

Since it's located in the front of the ship, the goal is to help disperse crowds, as the Windjammer and El Loco Fresh and located towards the aft (back) of Icon. 

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There are five different food stalls that guests can choose from. Starting with Crème de la Crèpe, this is where you will find both sweet and savory crèpes. You can order anything from a ham and swiss crèpe to one with hazelnut and bananas! 

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GNGR will serve Asian dishes, while Mac's will have a set menu of different mac and cheese options. Nobody is stopping you from ordering traditional mac and cheese, but you can (and should) try something a little more unique, like pepperoni pizza mac! 

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Feta Mediterranean's focus will be traditional-style Greek pitas, which is different from what you can find in other venues on the ship. 

Additionally, you can create your own Mediterranean-inspired bowl. With three different protein options and numerous different toppings and sauces, you're sure to come up with the perfect creation! 

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The fifth option is Toast & Garden. Here, you'll be able to get lighter options, such as sandwiches and salads. 

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

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Also found within the AquaDome Neighborhood is the Overlook. 

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If you're looking for some incredible sea views, this is the place to be, as the Overlook's outfitted with two stories of floor-to-ceiling windows. 

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Overlook Bar

During the day, you can nuzzle into a cozy pod and catch up on your reading or play a card game with friends and family. 

Overlook
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If you get a little thirsty, there's a conveniently located bar. It's also a great place to grab a pre-show cocktail before heading into the AquaTheater. 

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Rye & Bean is perfect for those who might not be ready for a strong cocktail at 1:00pm. While you can certainly get a coffee-infused cocktail, you're also able to order a classic cup of coffee to give you enough energy for the evening ahead. 

And yes, Royal Caribbean drink packages can be used at both!

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Finally, Hooked Seafood, as well as the brand-new Celebration Table, can also be found in the AquaDome Neighborhood. 

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If you haven't caught on, there's no shortage of places to eat on Icon, especially within the AquaDome, where you can enjoy a delicious salad for lunch and New England-style seafood for dinner. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas Royal Promenade: What to expect

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Icon of the Seas Surfside neighborhood: What to expect

In:
11 Jan 2024
By: 
Elizabeth Wright

Icon of the Seas is full of brand-new experiences at sea, including the family-family Surfside Neighborhood. 

Surfside neighborhood

Replacing what was the Boardwalk on Oasis Class ships, Surfside is where families can stay and play all day. With an arcade, kids splash zone, aft pool, carousel, and both complimentary and specialty venues, there's enough to keep everyone satisfied! 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is building the best cruise ship for young families on Icon of the Seas with a new purpose-built area

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With younger families making up a significant portion of Royal Caribbean guests, the cruise line wanted to create a space just for them. 

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Unlike Royal Caribbean's Boardwalk, Surfside has a vibrant design that's reminiscent of a surfing town that's complete with a beach-theme carousel where you can ride anything from a flamingo pool toy to a "Volkswagon" van. 

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Rather than having to drag kids to the Windjammer, your family can grab a bite to eat at the Surfside Eatery, which is Royal Caribbean's first buffet just for families! 

Read more: Icon of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

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While not as large as the Windjammer, it's the perfect place to fuel up without having to stray from the fun. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will introduce new family fun ambassador on Icon of the Seas

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There's also Surfside Bites, where you will find grab-and-go options, such as popcorn chicken, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, french fries, fruit, and even cinnamon sugar churros!

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The third dining option in Surfside is Pier 7, a specialty restaurant that's exclusive to Icon of the Seas and will serve an all-day brunch with items like surf and turf tacos, mango lime shrimp tostadas, smoked salmon benedict, and fluffy buttermilk pancakes. 

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Parents won't be far from a bar, either. The Lemon Post Bar will serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for everyone in the family. 

While you are enjoying a tropical cocktail, your child can order from a menu of mocktails curated just for them!  

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While Icon of the Seas' food and beverage spots are certainly a highlight of the 250,800 gross registered ton vessel, it is hard to overlook all the fun activities onboard. Surfside is a hub of activity for everyone, starting with the arcade that has over 30 different games inside! 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will offer swanky supper club and food hall on new Icon of the Seas when it launches

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Here, you can challenge your family members to a friendly game of air hockey, work on your claw machine skills, or play skeeball. As with all other Royal Caribbean ships, the arcade isn't included in your cruise fare. 

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At the very end of Surfside, you will find Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, and Water's Edge, a pool pressed against the aft of the ship that's sure to get some impressive ocean views on sea days. 

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Fans of Oasis Class ships will notice that there's no AquaTheater here. Instead, high-diving spectaculars will be held in the brand-new AquaDome

Located at the front of the ship, this is a whole new neighborhood in and of itself where you'll find, of course, the next-level AquaTheater, bars, and tranquil places to relax during the day. 

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While there's so much more of the ship to explore, we have not seen all of Surfside yet! 

In addition to restaurants, splash zones, and more, Surfside is also where you will find Sugar Beach, a candy lover's dream that also serves Royal Caribbean's in-house ice cream, for an extra charge. 

Read more: What's included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

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Once your children have had their sugar fix, they can get some of their energy out while exploring the Playscape area. 

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Surfside will also have its own Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine for those who purchase one of Royal Caribbean's drink packages, making it easy to refill your cup throughout the day. 

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Don't forget to look up, either. You'll see some of the record-breaking waterslides in the Category 6 water park

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Icon of the Seas Royal Promenade: What to expect

In:
11 Jan 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

At the heart of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas remains one of its signature neighborhoods.

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The Royal Promenade is a hub of activity and a place you'll probably spend a lot of time onboard the ship.

On Icon, the Royal Promenade has evolved with more space, light, and options.

You will find a combination of more than 15 new and reimagined restaurants, bars and lounges, and floor-to-ceiling ocean views, a first for Royal Caribbean.

Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas

Here's a sneak peak at the Promenade on Icon of the Seas.

Read more: Icon of the Seas guide

Two levels and views too

Window views from Pearl Cafe

You'll notice two distinguishing factors to the Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas when comparing this neighborhood to other ships.

First are the ocean views, something other ships never had.

Window on the Royal Promenade

Royal Caribbean sought to make the Royal Promenade more connected to the ocean. On Icon, the Royal Promenade has full glass views of the ocean for the first time ever.

The two-deck Royal Promenade makes getting around easier too.

Two decks on the Royal Promenade

This version of the Promenade has what Royal Caribbean calls "seamless connectivity" to make it easier to get around. This means you can easily get between Deck 5 and Deck 6 or head upstairs to Central Park on Deck 8.

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Plus, there's an escalator from the Promenade to get you down to the casino and gangway on port days.

The Pearl

The Pearl

As guests walk aboard Icon of the Seas, they'll first be drawn to The Pearl, which Royal Caribbean calls an "arrival moment."

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The Pearl is an interactive, multi-sensory experience made with kinetic tiles.

The Pearl

The Pearl encompasses four things:

  1. A gorgeous way to introduce the ship as you walk into it
  2. An engineering marvel
  3. It creates gorgeous views
  4. It has an experiential moment inside of it that's different for everyone.

Read more: First look at The Pearl on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

Walking around the Royal Promenade

Boleros on Icon of the Seas

In touring the Royal Promenade, you'll find shopping, dining, and bars to keep you busy every day.

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When you walk onto Icon of the Seas, you'll pass through the 1400 Lobby Bar.

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Royal Caribbean intends for the 1400 Bar to be a focal point. It sets the stage for The Pearl, is adjacent to the escalators going down to the casino, and is at the heart of the ship.

Walking past the Pearl is Pearl Cafe, which is the next generation of Cafe Promenade.

Below the beautiful whale art sculpture is a new grab-and-go venue for elevated bistro food. Most of it is complimentary, but there are some extra-cost options in addition to the food included. 

Pearl Cafe choices
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Food at Pearl Cafe

As an example, there will be Starbucks brewed beverages that you can order but are also covered by a Royal Caribbean drink package or Diamond drink voucher.

Drink station

Something else that has evolved here are the drinks you can get on your own. The complimentary coffee and water station will look different from other ships.

Starbucks is located on one side of the 1400 bar. 

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The Point & Feather pub is on the other side of 1400 as you walk onto the ship.

Point & Feather pub

NextCruise is where you can go to book a new Royal Caribbean cruise.  It's also where the loyalty ambassador is located.

Next Cruise on Icon of the Seas

Something else new to any Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the destination elevators.

Destination elevator

There are no classic elevators on Icon. Instead, it has destination elevators, where you go to a panel and pick which deck you want to go to. 

Destination elevator panel

It tells you what elevator you should go to instead of waiting for a free-for-all elevator that's crammed with passengers going to different places. 

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Near The Pearl is Royal Caribbean's well-known pizza shop, Sorrentos.

Sorrentos on Icon

If you like singing along to your favorite songs, then Spotlight Karaoke is the spot for you.

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Royal Promenade

Moving up to Deck 6 is the new Dueling Pianos bar.

Dueling Pianos

This is Royal Caribbean's first double-pianist bar where the two performers take requests and involve guests in the musical fun.

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Giovannis entrance area
Giovannis

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar has been moved to the Royal Promenade on Icon. The menu will highlight Old World classics, such as veal meatballs.

Schooner Bar

Of course, no Royal Caribbean ship is complete without the Schooner Bar.

The nautical-themed bar is back on Icon, and it's on the upper level of the Royal Promenade.

Boleros on Icon of the Seas

There's also Boleros, which is the Latin music bar and another fan-favorite place for music and drinks.

The Attic is the comedy club venue onboard. 

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The loyalty lounge for top-tier Crown and Anchor Society members is located at the forward end of the Royal Promenade on Deck 6.

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This is where Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club guests can go to enjoy a private enclave just for them.

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Leading away from the Royal Promenade is where kids and their parents can seek refuge in Adventure Ocean, the teen club, and Playmakers sports bar.

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Logo shop on Icon of the Seas
Shop on Icon of the Seas

And of course, there are places to shop around the Royal Promenade.

There are various shops that sell Royal Caribbean souvenirs, along with designer and name-brand clothing, jewelry, and accessories. 

Photos show world's biggest cruise ship arriving in Florida

In:
10 Jan 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

The most anticipated cruise ship in over a decade has arrived home.

Icon of the Seas sailing into Miami

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sailed into Miami in the early hours of Wednesday morning ahead of her inaugural sailing in just two weeks.

The new 1,198-foot cruise ship will begin offering cruises from Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024.

The marvel of engineering took 900 days to build and has a capacity for up to 5,610 guests and 2,350 crew members.

Icon of the Seas in Miami

Here's a look at the celebration tied to Icon's arrival.

Arrival home

Sailing into Miami

Icon of the Seas sailed into PortMiami right at 7am to a fanfare celebration.

Royal Caribbean welcomed the ship by shuttling over employees from its Miami headquarters to celebrate the Icon's entrance.

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Entrance is the right word, as the new ship came into the turning basin to spin around for onlookers.

Clearly visible are so many of the ship's signature features, from the AquaDome to Surfside neighborhood to the Category 6 water park.

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Zoom in aft of Icon

Onlookers waved ribbons and shouted with excitement for the new ship. Icon had her own deck party going, with music blasted from the ship to match the music heard from the party.

Royal Caribbean's event included a DJ, mini-golf course, snacks, and lots of photo opportunities.

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So many employees on the beach shared their collective euphoria for the new ship's homecoming.

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New cruise ship launches are always a big deal, but Icon represents more to the cruise industry. She's the first of a new class of ship, and she ushers in the post-Covid era of cruising with an industry experiencing unprecedented demand.

Icon of the Seas has not only more to do onboard than other ships, but its Royal Caribbean's play at positioning itself as the preeminent family vacation choice.

Icon of the Seas arrival

Being on the shore of the waterway, you could sense there was a level of excitement for this ship that was different than when Wonder of the Seas or Odyssey of the Seas launched just a couple years ago.

Aft of Icon of the Seas

As Icon finished her turn, she headed to Terminal A. The new ship will conduct a series of shakedown cruises, which is a sort of "dress rehearsal" for the new ship.

Heading to Terminal A

Along the way, there will be opportunity for the media and travel agents to get onboard too. There will be a lot of pomp and circumstance leading up to her maiden voyage at the end of the month.

Highly anticipated launch

Icon of the Seas sailing in 2024

The arrival of Icon of the Seas represents a historical moment for Royal Caribbean, and it ushers in a new kind of cruise ship experience.

The 250,800-ton ship will have eight neighborhoods and never-before-seen advancements, such as a swim-up bar, a new adults-only retreat, and an expanded Royal Promenade. The Promenade has more than 15 restaurants, bars and lounges and floor-to-ceiling ocean views.

Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas

The Promenade will feature an interactive, multi-sensory experience made with kinetic tiles called The Pearl
Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Chief Product Innovation Officer called it “a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit wow."

There are 28 different types of rooms, including Royal Caribbean’s first cabins that can turn the balcony space into an extended indoor living space. They're called infinite balconies, and it's a concept first implemented on sister-brand Celebrity Cruises.

Ultimate Family Townhouse

You won't overlook the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, which measures 2,523 sq. ft.

Record-setting demand

Icon of the Seas sailing away

Icon's arrival coincides with months of excitement leading up to this moment.

Royal Caribbean revealed plans for Icon of the Seas in October 2022, and the hype surrounding the ship has never stopped. Icon of the Seas’ bookings so far have performed better than any other cruise ship launch. 

"I know it's a brand new product and it's stunning, but it's really driving a huge amount of demand and great rate," Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said. 

Icon of the Seas

Over 6 million people took a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023. With the launch of Icon of the Seas and other innovations from the cruise line, these numbers will only grow.