Construction of Icon of the Seas has reached a new milestone with one of the signature areas added to the ship.

Royal Caribbean has designed Icon of the Seas to have many new features that stand out from the rest of the fleet, as well as just about every other cruise ship out there.

The AquaDome is a new neighborhood concept that will take the AquaTheater concept from Oasis Class cruise ships to a new level.

On Sunday, the Meyer Turku shipyard installed the 363-ton dome, which has over 600 glass panels and was installed using more than 1,600 feet of cables. The length of cables is longer than the height of the Empire State Building.

The process of lifting the massive dome is a large-scale, complex process.

Up until now, the AquaDome was located next to Icon of the Seas at the shipyard.

The dome had been constructed on its own in tandem with ship construction. This is a common strategy in cruise ship building, as it allows multiple facets of the cruise ship construction process to be done simultaneously.

Cruise ship cabins, ship blocks, and other features are built elsewhere and then assembled together later at the shipyard.

What is the AquaDome?

Once complete, the AquaDome is located at the very top of Icon of the Seas.

It will be home to restaurants, retail, bars, lounge spaces, and–most importantly–Royal Caribbean’s next-level AquaTheater.

By day, passengers can relax in one of the AquaDome’s comfortable seating areas with expansive, 220 degree views of the ocean. Based on the ship’s deck plans, the AquaDome also features several dining venues including Hooked Seafood.

The show has the tallest waterfall at sea (55 feet tall), along with flying artists and divers.

Royal Caribbean is also promising guests will see a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projection, and more.

Other notable new neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas

Besides AquaDome, there will be a few other new areas added to Icon of the Seas that are new to Royal Caribbean.

Thrill Island is a new water park at the top of Icon of the Seas, which has 6 waterslides to choose from.

If you prefer relaxation over excitement, then Chill Island neighborhood is for you, with seven pools to choose from, along with whirlpools, in-water loungers and breathtaking views. 

The Surfside neighborhood is another new concept designed with young families in mind, where adults and kids ages six and under can stay and play all day.

There will also be a revamped adults-only area, known as Cloud 17. For guests age 16+ years old, it overlooks the ocean with dedicated Lime &
Coconut bar and whirlpool.

The Hideaway has a multilevel terrace and first suspended infinity pool at sea.

Icon of the Seas launches in 2024

Icon of the Seas will debut in January 2024 from her homeport of Miami.

The first sailing of Icon of the Seas, a seven-night voyage out of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean, is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2024.

The ship will alternate between Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Royal Caribbean wants families to look no further than a vacation on Icon of the Seas.

In order to appeal to families, Royal Caribbean went beyond the amenities it had dedicated to children and their parents on other cruises by creating an entire section of the ship for young families to enjoy all day, every day.

Royal Caribbean hopes Icon of the Seas will appeal to families that prefer a land-based vacation because there are so many elements of a land trip on this ship.

The thought of taking your kiddos on vacation can be daunting, but Royal Caribbean is making waves in family travel by creating an immersive, expansive area for seaside adventures with the Surfside Neighborhood.

I dug through what Royal Caribbean revealed recently about Surfside to give you the splash-tastic fun you’ll find in the very first Surfside Neighborhood.

Splash

The Surfside Neighborhood was inspired by young families - encouraging exciting play and ultimate relaxation in the same beautiful space.

Kiddos ages 6 and under can swim to their hearts content in Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, loaded with a myriad of ways to play. Adults can keep a watchful eye on their little ones from the comfort of the adjacent adult infinity pool, Water’s Edge. It is located at the aft of the ship, complete with in pool lounge chairs and gorgeous views of the ocean.

This pool area is not just a place to swim, it’s a full blown family experience with exciting slides and engaging water play areas.

Play

While the name Surfside is synonymous with aquatic adventures, there’s also plenty of dry fun to be had as well.

Right by the three pool areas is a uniquely imagined carousel, arcade for all ages, and a thematic play place with a dry slide.

Also located in this neighborhood are Adventure Ocean and Social020. Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s young cruisers club filled with games, crafts, and even party time that’s supervised by skilled staff your kiddos will love.

Social020 is the teen space on deck where your older kids can make new friends while enjoying a place all their own (but heavily supervised by ship staff, of course).

If you happen to be headed to Surfside from Central Park, don’t take the stairs, drop on down using the slide that connects the two areas!

Dining

No neighborhood is complete without delicious places to drink and eat!

The first bar announced in the Surfside neighborhood is The Lemon Post, a bar located adjacent to Splashaway Bay, aimed at quenching the thirst of sailors of all ages.

This colorful hangout will have its own unique drink menu with mouth-watering mixes like Watermelon Hibiscus Lemonade - fresh-squeezed lemonade, watermelon juice, pineapple hibiscus syrup, Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose, and soda water.

Early ship renderings also hint at quick-service dining areas: Bites – a grab-and-go food station similar to Wipeout Café or Mini Bites found on your favorite Oasis-class ships, Surfside Eatery, Sugar Beach – an ice cream, candy and treat shop, and another unnamed location near the arcade.

Cabins

Surfside aims to be a neighborhood you and your family can enjoy throughout your entire vacation, which includes newly-imagined, Surfside adjacent staterooms for families both large and small.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a mind-blowingly epic, 3-story stateroom extraordinaire that features its own back yard with a private entrance into Splashaway Bay. You heard that right, this stateroom has a back yard.

You’ll enjoy private balconies on the 2nd and 3rd levels, and a slide that transports you in the most awesome way possible from top to bottom. Inside this ship-tastic mini mansion, there are tons upon tons of ways for your family to make incredible memories, including a cinema room for late-night movie marathons, an interactive dining table for dinner time fun, and even a whirlpool for when you want to soak it up in the solitude of your stateroom.

This amazing accommodation is 1772 sq. ft., sleeps 8 guests, and enjoys all of the benefits of Star Class suites, including the private genie service for making your cruise wishes come true.

The Surfside Family Suites are also a new suite style that overlook the Surfside neighborhood. This luxurious accommodation is a 1.5 bedroom suite that sleeps up to 4, complete with a bedroom and special kids’ nook space with a pullout couch.

In this suite, you’ll also find a split bathroom and a private balcony accessible via a convertible partition in the bedroom. Guests residing in this suite enjoy the benefits of Sky Class.

The Surfside Family View Balcony is reminiscent of the beloved Promenade Balcony rooms you might be familiar with on sister ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, as it has a private balcony overlooking the Surfside fun and festivities. This lovely room is 196 sq. ft. with a seating area and sofa bed, perfect for up to 4 guests wanting a view of the pool and play areas they’ll be conquering during their cruise adventures. 

Lastly, we have the Surfside Family Interior stateroom with a window overlooking the Surfside fun below. Inside, you’ll find a quaint seating area next to the bed, which can either be a royal king bed or split into two beds that sleep up to 4 within the 187 sq. ft. dimensions.

When you’re ready for some seaside fun in the sun, the Surfside neighborhood is ready to welcome your entire family for splashes and giggles galore on the boldest ship to hit the high seas – Icon of the Seas.

A lot of people want to sail on Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship. So much so, it broke the cruise line's high water mark.

Royal Caribbean just set a record for how many cruises people booked in a single day when it put Icon of the Seas on sale.

The cruise line reported the single largest booking day in its entire history when reservations opened for the the first Icon Class ship.

As of the publishing of this article on Thursday, all of Icon's inside, balcony, and suite cabins were all listed as sold out for the inaugural sailing. The only category left was ocean view cabins, and I could only find one cabin to choose from.

The inaugural Icon of the Seas sailing is a seven-night cruise from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on January 27, 2024.

Royal Caribbean has been riding a wave of excitement for its new ship ever since they revealed what Icon of the Seas will look like and what sort of features guests can enjoy onboard.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley was astonished by the high demand, "The enthusiasm and excitement for Icon are undeniable in more ways than one."

"The incredible response we have received from our loyal guests, vacationers new to cruising, crew members and travel partners continues to come in, and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to share more of what Icon has in store in the coming months."

Royal Caribbean wants to lure families away from land vacations

Icon of the Seas is more than just the new biggest cruise ship in the world: it's a shot across the bow to all the typical family vacation destinations on land.

Icon of the Seas will be the first in a new class of cruise ship that has placed a greater emphasis on family travelers.

The ship will break records along the way with its 250,600 gross ton size, making it larger than the current holder of that record, Wonder of the Seas.

Part of why Icon will be bigger is to allow more families to enjoy the ship. You'll find more cabins that have extra capacity to accommodate third or fourth passengers in the room so that parents with children can sail together.

Moreover, the ship has an entire neighborhood dedicated to young families with the Surfside neighborhood, which is an outdoor pool and splash area.

Royal Caribbean wants Surfside to be a destination for families that they can spend most of their day at, with splash areas for babies and kids, pools and lounge spaces for parents, family-friendly eateries and shops, and a bar with "mommy and me" matching mocktails for kids and cocktails for grownups.

While speaking to reporters last week, Mr. Bayley said the ship is all about moving deeper into the family market, "We’re really focused on family and as you move into Icon, our focus on family is probably at the highest level it’s ever been."

"We know that every single week, throughout the whole year, we have a significant percentage of young families that sail with Royal Caribbean. It skews on the big Caribbean cruises and it skews on products that are connected to a drive-in home market, but that market is quite powerful."

"Young families is a big market and we think it’s an under-served market."

To that point, Icon of the Seas is a move to attract people who like to take the kind of family vacation where everyone of all ages can have a good time while being together.

Mr. Bayley talked about this importance when designing the ship, "The beauty of Icon is that its size, scale and the totality of the combination of the neighborhoods and the experiences that we offer fit all of our demographics within what we call the multi-generational family space."

Big spaces and new features

While the Surfside family neighborhood has garnered a lot of attention, Royal Caribbean did not spare on innovation.

There are eight neighborhoods across the ship, which Royal Caribbean thinks will offer something for guests of all ages.

Chill Island has a variety of pools to consider, including the first swim-up pool and bar at sea.

Nearby Thrill Island features the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six waterslides.

Adults can find solace in the new Cloud 17 area reserved just for guests 16 and older.

And then there's The Hideaway, which has a suspended infinity pool that aims to offer a resort pool vibe.

Launching in January 2024

Whether you were part of the record setting day or are considering booking now, you're still going to need to wait a while before Icon of the Seas enters service.

Icon of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

She is expected to be delivered to Royal Caribbean sometime in late 2023, and then engage in a series of trials before prepping the ship to welcome customers onboard.

Royal Caribbean will base the new ship in Miami until at least mid-2025.

Looking for more information on Icon of the Seas? Check out our latest articles on this new cruise ship:

• Ultimate guide to Icon of the Seas cabins & suites
• Royal Caribbean reveals spectacular design for new Icon of the Seas cruise ship
• 7 of the most cutting-edge features coming to Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s innovative cruise ship designs never fail to amaze me, but Icon of the Seas has my mind blown. A 6-slide waterpark, indoor AquaTheater, and suspended infinity pool on a cruise ship? It’s ingenious.

Icon of the Seas is the first Icon Class cruise ship, and a new class of ships means Royal Caribbean will bring new activities, amenities, and venues to the table.

She will be the biggest cruise ship in the world with a maximum capacity of 7,600 guests, and has a focus on family-friendly activities while still offering amenities for every age and cruising style.

Here are 7 of the most cutting-edge features coming to Icon of the Seas.

Crown’s Edge

While Royal Caribbean ships are packed with activities like water slides, bumper cars, and zip lining, perhaps no other activity is as adrenaline-pumping as Crown’s Edge.

Crown’s Edge is a brand new activity coming to Icon of the Seas, combining a skywalk, ropes course, and thrill ride all in one.

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.

I consider myself a thrill seeker, but I’ll admit that Crown’s Edge will surely push my bravery to the limit!

Category 6 waterpark

Waterslides on a cruise ship? Been there, done that. But a waterpark on a cruise ship? Now that’s something new.

One of the most thrilling features found on Icon of the Seas is the Category 6 waterpark, located fittingly in the ship’s Thrill Island Neighborhood.

Unlike other Royal Caribbean ships which may have 2-3 waterslides onboard, Icon of the Seas has a whopping 6 record-breaking slides:

• 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

From boomeranging off a slide’s “lotus leaf wall” over the ship’s edge to waiting anxiously for the free fall slide’s “floor” to drop beneath you, Category 6 is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

I’ll admit that I don’t typically use the water slides when I cruise. However, with a waterpark so impressive, I’ll definitely have to try each slide at least once. While I’m always impressed with the amenities Royal Caribbean manages to fit on a floating vessel, I am flabbergasted by how incredibly fun Category 6 looks to be.

AquaDome Neighborhood

When Royal Caribbean introduced the AquaTheater–a high diving, acrobatic performance space on its Oasis Class cruise ships–it was a mind-blowing entertainment venue in the cruise industry.

With the new Icon Class, Royal Caribbean aims to take the AquaTheater to the next level in the AquaDome neighborhood.

Located at the very top of Icon of the Seas is the AquaDome, which features restaurants, retail, bars, lounge spaces, and–most importantly–Royal Caribbean’s next-level AquaTheater.

The AquaTheater has been moved indoors on Icon of the Seas to allow for complete control over the venue’s weather, lighting, and sound. This helps ensure the AquaTheater shows are not affected by outside elements and allows Royal Caribbean to enhance the performances like we’ve never seen before.

Beyond the shows, however, are other ways to enjoy the AquaDome’s amenities.

By day, passengers can relax in one of the AquaDome’s comfortable seating areas with expansive, 220 degree views of the ocean. Based on the ship’s deck plans, the AquaDome also features several dining venues including Hooked Seafood.

The AquaDome is one of the features I’m most looking forward to on Icon of the Seas, not only for the incredible entertainment aspect, but also to kick back and relax with gorgeous ocean views.

Family-focused neighborhood at sea

Royal Caribbean always strives to make its ships as family-friendly as possible, but Icon of the Seas goes above and beyond with the new Surfside neighborhood.

Somewhat similar to the Boardwalk neighborhood on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships, the Surfside neighborhood is located in the ship’s aft and focuses on family fun.

The neighborhood features the Water’s Edge Pool and Splashaway Bay aquapark, a carousel, arcade, and children’s play place. You'll also find kid-friendly dining venues which includes, of course, an unlimited soft service ice cream station.

Not only that, but Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean kids programming and Social 020 teen club are located in the neighborhood as well. The goal of this neighborhood is to combine the best of Royal Caribbean’s family-friendly activities in one convenient location, and they certainly hit that goal!

While I don't have kids myself, this neighborhood looks so fun that I might just have to book my nephews on this cruise with me!

Expanded suites-only areas

Royal Caribbean is following in the footsteps of other cruise lines by introducing more of a “ship within a ship” concept in the fleet’s newest vessels.

The fleet’s newest ship, Wonder of the Seas, made headlines by introducing a suites-only neighborhood complete with a private deck, bar, plunge pool, lounge, and restaurant. Icon of the Seas, however, takes this concept one step further.

Related: Wonder of the Seas neighborhoods tour

The Suite Neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is the largest suite neighborhood to date. The neighborhood spans three decks and includes a two-level suite sun deck with a private pool, whirlpool, and outdoor lounge spaces.

A new restaurant, The Grove, is available for suite guests on Icon of the Seas as well. This casual Mediterranean restaurant is located outdoors on the suite sun deck and provides a more laid-back yet still exclusive dining option for suite guests.

The Grove is in addition to the sit-down restaurant for suite guests, Coastal Kitchen. Coastal Kitchen has been expanded to a two-story venue with views into the AquaDome.

Swim-up Bar

Royal Caribbean’s swim-up bar at Perfect Day at CocoCay has been a huge hit, and they brought this concept onboard Icon of the Seas with the new Swim & Tonic swim-up bar.

Swim & Tonic is located in the Chill Island neighborhood of Icon of the Seas (the pool deck), and it’s a spot where passengers can soak up the sun with a drink in hand.

Long gone are the days of walking to a bar on the other side of the pool deck. Hanging out at Swim & Tonic means your drink is only a short swim away, and I have a feeling this spot is going to be the place to party.

First suspended pool at sea

Las Vegas pool vibes meet a Royal Caribbean cruise ship? That’s what you’ll find at the Hideaway Pool on Icon of the Seas.

The Hideaway is another of Royal Caribbean’s new neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas, and it is located in the very aft of the ship. The neighborhood features a multilevel terrace with comfy seating, whirlpools, and a bar, but what really makes it stand out is the Hideaway Pool.

The Hideaway Pool is the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Suspended eight decks above the Surfside neighborhood and offering infinity views of the horizon, it might be the most unique pool concept Royal Caribbean has designed yet.

Not only can you relax in the pool’s full-size daybeds surrounded by water, but you can party the day away with the neighborhood’s own resident DJ.

The Hideaway has to be one of the coolest features coming to Icon of the Seas for adults. Sipping a mojito in an infinity pool at sunset? What more could you ask for on a cruise ship?

Looking for more Icon of the Seas information? Watch our YouTube video on everything you need to know about Icon of the Seas:

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You can now book a room on the world's next largest cruise ship in the world.

Icon of the Seas sailings from Miami are now available for booking on Royal Caribbean's website, beginning with January 2024 sailings.

The inaugural sailing is listed as January 27, 2024 and sailings are available to book from January 2024 through April 2025.

Icon of the Seas will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean International President & CEO Michael Bayley talked about the significance Icon of the Seas represents to both Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry, "Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation."

"Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures. We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise. It’s this first-of-its-kind combination that makes Icon the future of family vacations, and that future is here."

Royal Caribbean not only has cabins to book on Icon of the Seas that follow the traditional four types of categories (inside, oceanview, balcony and suite), but there are 28 unique categories, offering some of the most spacious rooms Royal Caribbean has ever designed.

With a gross tonnage of 250,800 gross tons, the ship is 365 meters long, and it features a total of 20 decks and 2,805 staterooms to accommodate up to 5,610 guests at double occupancy.

ou will find 82% of rooms have a high occupancy of 3 or more guests, which is more than double the Oasis Class ships.

Icon of the Seas will be home to seven pools, a 55-foot indoor waterfall, the largest waterpark at sea and much more.

New neighborhoods

Similar to the Oasis Class ships, Icon of the Seas will have eight distinct neighborhoods that have unique experiences that will draw you to each one, such as entertainment, dining choices, or activities.

Thrill Island – Vacationers can test their limits, scale new heights and reach top speeds at the center of thrill. This lost island adventure is home to highlights like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides: Pressure Drop and its 66-degree incline make it the industry’s first open free-fall slide; the 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo. Living on the edge takes new meaning with Crown’s Edge. Part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride, it culminates in a surprising, shocking moment that will see travelers swing 154 feet above the ocean.

Chill Island – Among the seven pools on board, four are in this three-deck slice of paradise. There’s a pool for every mood, each with prime ocean views: the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool. Plus, The Lime & Coconut returns with four locations, including Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar.

Surfside – Introducing a neighborhood made for young families from end to end, where adults and kids ages six and under will want to stay and play all day. Grownups can soak up the endless views at Water’s Edge pool, as they keep an eye on the kids at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Only steps away are dining options, places to lounge, a bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and Social020 for teens.  

The Hideaway – Tucked away, this neighborhood 135 feet above the ocean combines the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world and the uninterrupted ocean views only a cruise can offer. The first suspended infinity pool at sea is at the center of it all, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.

AquaDome – Perched at the top of Icon, what’s in store is a transformational place unlike any other. In a tranquil oasis by day, guests can take in wraparound ocean views and an awe-inspiring waterfall as they enjoy a bite or drink. By night, it becomes a vibrant place great for a night out, complete with restaurants, bars and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater. The signature entertainment venue takes artistry and cutting-edge technology to new heights, with a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projection and more.

A grander Royal Promenade features its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges.

A more lush and livelier Central Park has more ways to dine and be entertained.

The largest Suite Neighborhood is four decks of luxury, offering a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove – that has a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and a two-story Coastal Kitchen.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals spectacular design for new Icon of the Seas cruise ship

Icon of the Seas is under construction at the Meyer Turku Shipyard shipyard in southwestern Finland.

This is the first of the Icon Class ships, with two other Icon Class ships on order.

Her delivery was pushed back from 2022 to 2023 due to the global health crisis. 

Royal Caribbean expects to take delivery of the ship in late 2023 and then put the ship through a series of tests before she is ready for paying passengers.

Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, offers guests a variety of room options spanning 28 unique categories, offering some of the most spacious rooms Royal Caribbean has ever designed. 

There are new categories of cabins, new neighborhoods, and views never offered before on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Over 50% of Icon’s room types are new to the cruise line, including 8 new Suite categories and rooms designed specifically with families in mind. 

Plus, more than 82% of all rooms onboard Icon of the Seas will accommodate 3 or more guests, opening a broad array of accommodation options for families, and more than 70% of all rooms will have balconies.

There are 2,805 staterooms on Icon of the Seas:

• 179 suites
• 1,815 balcony staterooms
• 276 ocean view staterooms
• 535 interior staterooms

Within each of those categories, there are numerous sub-categories. The 535 interior rooms encompass more than just standard interior rooms, as there are also Interior Plus, Spacious Interior, Central Park View, and Surfside Family View cabins. 

Icon of the Seas cabin guide

When planning your vacation on the largest ship in the world, you must consider what stateroom you'd like to make your home away from home for the week. 

Your budget may simplify the decision and force you to confine your search to standard staterooms instead of suites. Similarly, you may know off the bat that you're a balcony person, effectively eliminating any interior or ocean view rooms. 

To help you select your cabin on Icon of the Seas, we've created a guide that tells you how large each stateroom is, as well as the cabin's occupancy and any fun facts. 

Speaking of fun facts, Royal Caribbean increased the size of the shower in every stateroom onboard Icon. They also added an integrated bench to every standard shower, which means it's part of the shower and does not fold up or down.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (IB) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 6
Room size: 285 square feet
Convertible balcony size: 50 square feet
Bedrooms: 1.5
Number of cabins: 78

The Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony stateroom is a brand new concept that combines families' need for additional space, as well as the new infinite balcony. 

In the cabin, you will find a Scrabble game on the wall for family fun, a split-compartment bathroom, and a separate alcove with bunk beds for kids. 

In fact, there are two televisions for each bunk bed, which means no fighting over who controls the remote! 

Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony (I1, I3) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: I1, I3 = 4
Room size: 200 square feet
Convertible balcony size: 50 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 419

This cabin has a private ocean view infinite balcony that allows you to expand your indoor living space or invite in the sea breeze with the touch of a button. 

Note this design strays from the traditional concept of a balcony, so you will not be able to physically step outside. 

Ocean View Large Balcony (C3, C5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: C3 = 4; C5 = 3
Room size: 204 square feet
Balcony size: 65-70 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 84

Connecting Ocean View Balcony (CB)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 204 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 86

These rooms connect via a private foyer in front of both rooms.

Ocean View Balcony (D1,D2,D3,D4,D5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 

• D1, D3 = 4
• D2, D4 = 2
• D5 = 3

Room size: 204 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 738

Infinite Central Park View Balcony (IF) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Central Park View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 200 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 196

This infinite balcony cabin allows you to expand your indoor living space or let fresh air inside at the touch of a button. When you press the button, the upper panel slides down below the lower panel creating a balcony, with the top open and the lower glass remaining.

Note that these cabins overlook the redesigned Central Park, which is home to the cruise line's first-ever walk-up Izumi window and indulgent Empire Supper Club. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas Central Park: What to expect

Central Park View Balcony (F1, F5)

View: Central Park View
Occupancy: F1 = 4, F5 = 3
Room size: 196 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 42

Surfside Family View Balcony (H3, H5) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Surfside View
Occupancy: H3 = 4, H5 = 3
Room size: 196 square feet
Balcony size: 50 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 172

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

Panoramic Ocean View (L5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 3
Room size: 258 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 12

Ocean View (N1, N4, N5)

View: Ocean view
Occupancy: 

• N1 = 4
• N4 = 2
• N5 = 3

Room size: 160-187 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 264

Central Park View Interior (U5)

View: Central Park View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 187 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 45

These staterooms are located mid-ship on Deck 9. 

Surfside Family View Interior (T5) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Surfside View
Occupancy: H3 = 4, H5 = 3
Room size: 187 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 20

These staterooms are located on Deck 8 in the aft of the ship. 

Spacious Interior (R3, R4)

View: Interior
Occupancy: R3 = 4, R4 = 2
Room size: 178 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 192

Interior Plus (Q2) [NEW CABIN ONBOARD ICON]

View: Interior
Occupancy: 2
Room size: 157 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 203

This is the perfect room for someone who prefers an interior room but wants more storage space.

Interior (V4)

View: Interior
Occupancy: 2
Room size: 156 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 75

Icon of the Seas Suites

Icon of the Seas offers the Royal Suite Program. This upgraded suite experience is broken down into three tiers based on which suite you book. 

The Sea Tier suites (i.e., Sunset Junior Suites and standard Junior Suites) are the most exclusive, meaning you won't have access to The Grove Sun Deck or Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch. 

If you're looking for the "ship-within-a-ship" feel, you'll want to consider splurging on a Sky or Star Tier suite, such as the brand-new Infinite Grand Suite, Surfside Family Suite, Icon Loft, or Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

Star Class

Ultimate Family Townhouse (UL) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View + Surfside View
Occupancy: 8
Room size: 1,772 square feet
Balcony size: 751 square feet

• Balcony (main level): 410 sq. ft. 
• Balcony (second level): 90 sq. ft. 
• Backyard: 251 sq. ft.

Bedrooms: 2
Number of cabins: 1

Royal Loft (RL)

View: Ocean View + Chill Island View (Deck 17)
Occupancy: 6
Room size: 1482 square feet
Balcony size: 705 square feet
Bedrooms: 2
Number of cabins: 1

Two-deck-high stateroom with panoramic ocean views of Icon and the ocean. Dining area with wet bar and piano.  

The private balcony features a whirlpool and dining area with a bar and sink.

Icon Loft (IL) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 656 square feet
Balcony size: 151-183  square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 7

Two decks high with panoramic views. The master bedroom is on the second level. The bathroom includes a shower for two people. 

You'll find a balcony with a dining area.

Sky Class

Owner's Suite (OS)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 658 square feet
Balcony size: 190  square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 8

The Owner's Suite has a dedicated bedroom area with a door. Stone entry bathroom with tub, shower, and two sinks.

Living room with table and a sofa that converts to a double bed.

There is a private balcony with a table and chairs.

Sunset Corner Suite (SN) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View & Surfside View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 380-480 square feet
Balcony size: 280-360  square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 10

Royal Caribbean's internal research revealed that guests wanted to see the ship's wake, so this type of cabin was created. Wrap-around balcony with endless views from the aft of the ship.

Stone entry bathroom with tub and shower with two sinks.

Living area with table and sofa that converts to a double bed.

Sunset Suite (SS) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View & Surfside View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 390 square feet
Balcony size: 96-120 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 6

The draw of this suite is the floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to the balcony. As the name suggests, this suite guarantees some epic sunset views. 

There's a full bathroom with a tub and two sinks. The living area has a sofa that converts to a double bed.

Infinite Grand Suite (IG) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 431 square feet
Convertible balcony size: 102 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 6

This is the only suite with an infinite balcony that extends into the interior living space.

This cabin also has a split-compartment bath.

Grand Suite (GS)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 431 square feet
Balcony size: 108 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 10

You'll find floor-to-ceiling views, with the living room that has a sofa bed that converts to a double bed.

Panoramic Suite (VP)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 370-440 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 10

These suites are located within the AquaDome and feature a full bathroom with a tub, a seating area with a sofa, and panoramic views with an extended seating area.

Sky Junior Suite (JY) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 322 square feet
Balcony size: 80 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 8

This is the first Junior Suite that has Sky Class benefits and is located within the Suite Neighborhood. You'll enjoy perks like all-day access to The Grove and Coastal Kitchen, exclusive Concierge access, and priority departure and dining reservations. 

There are floor-to-ceiling benefits, with a dressing area in the bedroom and a full bathroom with a tub.

Surfside Family Suite (SF) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Surfside View
Occupancy: 4 (2 Adults & 2 Kids)
Room size: 269 square feet
Balcony size: 53 square feet
Bedrooms: 1.5
Number of cabins: 42

This suite was designed with families in mind so everyone has their own space. You'll find a kids' nook with a pullout sofa. 

There is a split bathroom and a private balcony that overlooks the brand-new Surfside Neighborhood, where families are encouraged to stay and play all day. 

Sea Class

Sunset Junior Suite (JT) [NEW SUITE ONBOARD ICON]

View: Ocean View & Surfside View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 320-330 square feet
Balcony size: 115-130 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 4

The Sunset Junior Suite has panoramic views and a corner balcony. At over seven feet tall, the ceiling is the tallest of all the Junior Suites. 

Compared to standard Junior Suites, these staterooms have a much larger balcony, perfect for soaking up as much of that fresh Caribbean air as possible. 

Junior Suite (JS)

View: Ocean View
Occupancy: 4
Room size: 322 square feet
Balcony size: 80 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Number of cabins: 66

Floor-to-ceiling ocean views are available in this Junior Suite. You'll find these staterooms located at the forward of the ship on Decks 9, 10, and 11.  

Suite neighborhood benefits

Suite guests can experience Royal Caribbean's largest Suite neighborhood yet, including The Grove Suite Sun Deck, Suite Lounge, and exclusive dining options.

The Grove Suite Sun Deck is an exclusive outdoor deck dedicated to Sky and Star Class Suite guests which features a pool, whirlpool, and al fresco restaurant: The Grove.

Star Class Benefits

• Complimentary gratuities
• Complimentary internet
• Expedited boarding and departure
• Reserved premium seats in select entertainment venues
• Priority entrance to many onboard activities
• Suite Lounge access
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Exclusive access to Royal Genie Service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove
• Complimentary specialty restaurants
• Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package
• Complimentary Refreshment Package
• Still and sparkling water replenished Daily
• Complimentary minibar stocked with Coca-Cola, beverages, and water
• Complimentary laundry and pressing services
• Luxury mattresses and pillows
• Frette linens
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sky Class Benefits

• Concierge service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove
• Specialty bottled water upon arrival
• Complimentary internet 
• Priority boarding and departure
• Priority dining reservations
• Suite Lounge access
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sea Class Benefits

• Dinner at Coastal Kitchen
• Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Suite neighborhood

Royal Caribbean has dedicated space on Icon of the Seas specifically for suite guests with its Suite Neighborhood.

Reserved for those staying in a suite, the Suite Neighborhood has special amenities unavailable to other guests onboard.

The Grove Suite Sun Deck is an upgraded pool deck exclusively for Star & Sky Class Suite guests. Of course, there's also a suite lounge with suite concierge services available.

Icon of the Seas will have two dining venues just for suite guests. Coastal Kitchen has been expanded to two stories, and a brand new casual dining venue called The Grove has been added, featuring Mediterranean cuisine.

Ultimate Family Townhouse

For the most over-the-top VIP stay, the Ultimate Family Townhouse takes family vacations to the max – spanning across three different levels with an in-suite slide, cinema, and patio with exclusive entrance to Surfside Neighborhood.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a sprawling adventure-filled pad with three levels of incredible surprises. Guests of all ages can plunge down the slide into the coolest living room ever, where hidden nooks wait to be explored.

The cinema room sets the stage for unrivaled movie nights and karaoke sing-offs with a popcorn machine and monster-themed daybed. The private patio level is sure to be the new favorite hang spot for table tennis competitions, with all the fun and splash of Surfside just steps away.

The whole family enjoys Royal Suite Class Star status that unlocks exclusive experiences, like a personal Royal Genie, priority access everywhere onboard, and so much more.

This room is 1,772 square feet with a wrap-around balcony on the second level and a private balcony off the main bedroom The main bedroom and kids’ bedroom reside on the second level.

Accessible Suites and Staterooms

There are 10 accessible categories on Icon of the Seas, totaling 50 accessible cabins.

Accessible Categories

• Icon Loft (922 square feet, up to four guests)
• Surfside Family Suite (386 square feet, up to four guests, 2 adults and 2 kids)
• Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (616 square feet, up to six guests)
• Spacious Infinite Central Park View Balcony (374 square feet, up to four guests)
• Ocean View Balcony (381 square feet, up to four guests)
• Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony (374 square feet, up to four guests)
• Surfside Family View Balcony (365 square feet, up to four guests)
• Ocean View (278 square feet, up to three guests)
• Interior (285 square feet, up to three guests)
• Junior Suite

Amenities for Accessible Staterooms

• Elevator in 2-level Icon Loft
• 5-foot wheelchair turning radius
• Roll-in Showers
• Showers offer a handheld showerhead and a bench
• Wider doors

Cabin technology

All cabins on Icon of the Seas will have several amenities that enhance the experience with technology.

The Royal Caribbean app on Icon of the Seas will have a digital key feature, which allows you to open your cabin door with your phone instead of a SeaPass card. You can also control the television with the app, as well as the cabin lights and temperature.

You'll find mood lighting in all cabins, with lights being able to be set to:

• All on
• 50% on
• All off
• Set to morning (lights on gradually)
• Evening (low lights)
• Movie or night (lights turn off gradually)

When Royal Caribbean launches Icon of the Seas in late 2023, it intends to deliver, "the most transformational ship the world has ever seen."

After years of speculation, Royal Caribbean revealed details about what its next-gen cruise ship will offer onboard, including our first look at the ship itself.

Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the new Icon Class, which means the design is a fresh start compared to ships the preceded it.

Let's meet Icon of the Seas!

Where will Icon of the Seas be sailing?

Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami beginning January 27, 2024 and offer alternative Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, with every single itinerary visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The ship itself will be delivered at the end of October or early November 2023 and since it is the first ship of a new class, extra testing and adjusting will be required before she can enter service. Combined with the holidays at the end of the year, the first revenue sailing won't take place until late January.

When asked about previous plans for Icon to sail initially from Southampton, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said that was the plan, but things have changed.

How big will Icon of the Seas be?

Icon of the Seas is big!

She has 20 decks and has a capacity at double occupancy of 5,610 passengers, and up to 7,600 passengers if every cabin is maxed out.

She's 1197 feet long.

• 20 total decks (18 guest decks)
• 5,610 guests @ double capacity and 7,600 max guests
• 2,350 crew (bringing ULTIMATE total to 9,950 guests)
• 7 pools, 9 whirlpools
• 6 record-breaking waterslides
• 250,800 GT
• 1,198 feet long

That makes her bigger than the Oasis Class ships, in the sense that Wonder of the Seas measures 1,188 feet in length and has 18 decks.

Eight neighborhoods

Similar to how the Oasis Class ships introduced the concept of neighborhoods to break up the layout of the cruise ship, Icon of the Seas will have neighborhoods too.

There are eight neighborhoods in total:

AquaDome

Located at the top and front of the ship, the AquaDome is an area that is more than just a theater.

The AquaDome has unbeatable ocean views and is fully enclosed, which means the weather plays less of a factor in impeding shows. In the past, the AquaTheater was in the open. Not anymore. Now they can control the weather, lighting, production values, and smoke effects.

The show has the tallest waterfall at sea (55 feet tall), along with flying artists and divers.

In the daytime, guests can take in wraparound ocean views and enjoy views of the waterfall as they enjoy a bite or drink. 

Central Park

Icon of the Seas will see its own version of Central Park.

Royal Caribbean designed this Central Park to be more lush and livelier.

The open-air neighborhood with thousands of real plants will have dining and live music.

Chill Island

Borrowing the name from Perfect Day at CocoCay, Chill Island is meant to be a next-level pool deck. There are seven pools on board, which also features whirlpools, in-water loungers and breathtaking views. 

Among the seven pools on board, the four in this three-deck slice of paradise include the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; and Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea.

Royal Bay Pool in the new Chill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is the largest pool at sea.

Swim & Tonic is Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea. 

You'll also find Chill Island’s serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool on Icon of the Seas that has in-water loungers.

Cloud 17 is an adults-only retreat and home to the dedicated bar, the signature Lime & Coconut.

Royal Promenade

Once again, Royal Caribbean has revamped the Royal Promenade concept.

As you walk onto the ship, you'll be greeted by The Pearl, which is a new space that Royal Caribbean will reveal more details about later.

In the meantime, we've been told the inside of the Pearl has special panels that can produce all sorts of effects.

One thing Royal Caribbean wanted to change with the Royal Promenade was provide more ocean views. Guests will find more windows than ever before in this neighborhood.

On Icon of the Seas, you'll find the ice area on the Royal Promenade, which will be the largest ice area they've built. It will feature "Absolute Zero, where cutting-edge technology and Olympic-level ice skaters merge to bring showstopping entertainment to life."

Surfside

Surfside is the ultimate neighborhood for young families, with places to eat, drink, and play all day!

Surfside neighborhood

With the new Water’s Edge Pool and Splashaway Bay aquapark, Adventure Ocean, and the teen space Social 020, Surfside will be an all-day family hangout.

Grownups can hang back at Water’s Edge pool as the kiddos play at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, complete with slides, fountains, water cannons, a drench bucket and more.

Water's Edge is not adults-only, but meant to be an oasis for adults while kids enjoy the other pool areas.

Surfide is the first-ever neighborhood dedicated to young families, with places to eat, drink, and play all day. 

Kids can enjoy Adventure Ocean while teens hit up Social 020.

Surfside will also have Baby Bay, Playscape and a carousel.

Suite Neighborhood

If you want to live the suite life, Icon of the Seas will offer the largest Suite Neighborhood to date with three decks of space, including a two-level suite sun deck.

Coastal Kitchen

The Grove is a new dining venue for suite guests, and that's in addition to an expanded two-story Coastal Kitchen. This upgraded pool deck is exclusively for Star & Sky Class Suite guests.

You'll also find suites-only private pool, whirlpool and a new casual Mediterranean dining venue.

Speaking of suites, if you want the biggest cabin possible for a family, check out the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

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 Surfside neighborhood, and more.

The Hideaway

Royal Caribbean wants The Hideaway to have the same feel of a beach club or Las Vegas pool party, while incorporating beautiful ocean views.

This is also where you'll find the first suspended infinity pool at sea, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel terrace, whirlpools, a variety of seating and dedicated bar.

Thrill Island

How do you outdo having water slides on a cruise ship? You add a water park!

Royal Caribbean wants Icon of the Seas to offer "hair-raising thrills" for guests of all ages onboard.

In Thrill Island, you can discover Category 6 waterpark – the largest waterpark at sea with 6 record-breaking slides – or Crown’s Edge, the ultimate aerial adventure and a new test of bravery.

Category 6 will be the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides featuring the longest, tallest, and fastest slides.

• Frightening Bolt – Tallest waterslide at sea
• Pressure Drop – First free-fall slide at sea
• Storm Chasers – First mat-racing duo at sea
• Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter – First family raft slides at sea

If you're brave enough to try the Crown's Edge. It’s part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride, and an all-out test of courage. At any moment, the floor could collapse and leave you dangling high over the ocean. 

Plus guest favorites like the FlowRider and minigolf return onboard Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas cabins

Icon of the Seas will introduce a number of new cabin types, including a variety of cabins aimed at families.

Surfside Family Suite

Located in the Surfside neighborhood, the Surfside Family Suite can accommodate up to 4 guests.

There’s a cozy kids alcove, which transforms into a living space for all, along with a private balcony and Royal Suite Class perks.

Family Infinite Balcony

Another new type of cabin for families is the Family Infinite Balcony.

With space for up to 6 guests, these are made for larger families.

The spacious room features a separate bunk alcove for kids, a split bathroom design and an infinite balcony – a living space that transforms into an extended open-air escape at the push of a button.

Inside Plus

Royal Caribbean has revamped the interior stateroom with the Inside Plus room.

It features a new intuitive layout and a deluxe closet.

Panoramic Ocean View

Panoramic Ocean View suites and rooms on Icon of the Seas have wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows.

There are also non-suite panoramic ocean view balcony rooms, similar to the infinite verandah concept first introduced on Celebrity Edge.

First LNG powered cruise ship

Icon of the Seas will have the distinction of being the first Royal Caribbean International cruise ship to be powered by a combination of liquified natural gas (LNG) and fuel cell technology.

LNG is the cleanest-burning marine fuel and a substantial improvement over traditional marine heavy fuel.

Icon will also rely on shore-power (where available), fuel cells, and a waste heat capture to repurpose excess engine heat. 

Machine-learning technologies will optimize  the ship's routes for maximum efficiency.

Like other new Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Icon of the Seas will use an air lubrication system that creates microscopic bubbles coating the ship’s hull and reducing friction as the ship sails.

When can you start to book Icon of the Seas?

If you can't wait to book this new ship, mark your calendars for next week.

Icon of the Seas will go on sale to the public on October 25th, and special access on Monday, October 24th for Crown and Anchor members.

It's not quite clear what time, but in past new ship releases, travel agents have had the ability to book cabins before the website. It's a great idea to work with a good travel agent to get everything ready.

Ultimate family vacation

If you noticed a lot for parents and their kids to do onboard, that's no coincidence because Royal Caribbean wants Icon of the Seas to be the ultimate family vacation.

Claudia Diaz-Gonzalez, Associate Vice President of Product Development, thinks putting the family vacation first is a major priority, "One of the things that stands out to me the most about the insights that we've received from our guests is that bonding with family, friends, or whoever you're traveling with always comes to the top."

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider went one step further when he recently said, "Simply put, Icon will be the best family vacation in the world."

"Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

"Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures. We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise. It’s this first-of-its-kind combination that makes Icon the future of family vacations, and that future is here."

Delayed by a year

For those keeping score at home, Icon of the Seas was initially set to launch in late 2022 but was delayed due to the global health crisis of 2020.

In early 2021, Royal Caribbean pushed back the delivery dates of a number of cruise ships by effectively delaying them for a year.

Originally the three Icon Class ships were to be delivered in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Delivery of Icon of the Seas shifted to 3rd Quarter 2023, with the other two Icon Class ships to be delivered in 2nd Quarter 2025 and 2026.

Could this finally be the week Royal Caribbean finally pulls back the curtain on its next new cruise ship?

Guests on at least one cruise ship got a tease that Royal Caribbean will provide more information about Icon of the Seas.

Betty Lou posted in an unofficial Icon of the Seas Facebook group a photo of the Monday edition of the Cruise Compass from Anthem of the Seas that indicates more information will be available in just a few days.

"Introducing Icon of the Seas in 3 days" is what the graphic says. Since this is the Monday edition of the Cruise Compass, that would indicate Thursday could be the day.

To be clear, the Cruise Compass makes no promises of anything. It simply teases some sort of information coming in three more days.

There is also a QR code, which brings users to www.royalcaribbean.com/icon. 

Visiting the website, Royal Caribbean says, "On Thursday, October 20th, we’re unveiling our newest class of ship and the world’s greatest vacation — Icon of the Seas".

From here, guests can sign up for an email update when more information is available.

If you look closely, you can also see what appears to be a rendering of the aft of Icon of the Seas in the background of the image.

It's also worth noting the web page's metadata contains the text, "Presenting the largest cruise ship to  ever touch water, Icon of the Seas".

While we don't yet know by which metrics Icon will be the largest, Royal Caribbean has hinted Icon could be larger than the Oasis Class.

Royal Caribbean also posted a new video teaser with new looks at icon of the Seas renderings.

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No matter what is announced later this week, it seems Royal Caribbean is going to share more information of some kind.

Icon: a big secret

To say Royal Caribbean has been tight-lipped about Icon of the Seas would be an understatement.

With the ship set to debut likely little more than a year from now (late 2023 is the target date), Royal Caribbean has provided little details about the ship.

There's been no reveal of what the ship even looks like, let alone what features it will have.  There's no official word where the ship will sail from, itineraries, or any other pertinent information.

Royal Caribbean has been keeping the entire project as secretive as possible up to now in order to maintain a competitive edge, as well as to likely drum up intrigue among cruise fans eager to know more.

Icon of the Seas is the first of its kind for Royal Caribbean and the first of a new class of ships. Royal Caribbean has not released a new ship class in over a decade; instead, the company has continued to expand its Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships, including Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and Odyssey of the Seas in 2021.

When does Icon of the Seas launch?

Icon of the Seas is set to debut in late 2023.

There's about 3,000 people working on the ship every day. At its current pace, Icon of the Seas will be 80% complete in December from a construction perspective.

Icon of the Seas will become the cruise line’s first LNG powered ship in its fleet.

LNG powered cruise ships feature dual engines that utilize liquified natural gas to propel the ship. This makes the ships more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Ready to catch up on all of this week's Royal Caribbean news?

Between all the major headlines, Royal Caribbean is busy with a variety of changes and the goal of this website is to keep everyone up to date with what's happening in all aspects of the cruise line.

We combed the internet to share with you all the latest news from this week.

With a fleet of 26 ships, there are always going to be things happening and in an effort to keep everyone up to date, here's a quick run through of the latest news from this week.

Starlink added to two more ships

It looks like two more Royal Caribbean cruise ships have gotten their onboard wifi upgraded to Starlink.

Based on reader reports, Starlink appears to be working on Liberty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Steve Ritter shared photos of the Starlink receivers onboard, and verified that the ship is now offering the internet service as of a few days ago.

Similarly, Jason Percival shared that Enchantment of the Seas now has Starlink active.

This means at least 4 ships now have Starlink active on them:

• Freedom of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has not provided any timeline of when each ship will get it. They've only said the entire fleet will have it by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

For now, we're reliant on reader reports for confirmation of the switchover.

In case you're wondering, there has not been any update on if the cost of ship internet will change or not. For now, ships with Starlink are still offering the service at the same prices as the older technology.

Royal Caribbean wins Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award

Royal Caribbean won an award in the latest Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

In the "Mega Ships (more than 4,000 passengers)" category, Royal Caribbean edged out MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line for the top honor.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared the news on his Facebook page, "We are so proud to be recognized for the amazing vacations our ships deliver ― they are crafted with all of our guests in mind!"

Galveston construction photo update

Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal is just 26 days from opening, and we have an on-the-ground photo update to share.

Former Royal Caribbean Cruise Director (and now working in their sales department) Abe Hughes shared photos he took of the new terminal on a recent visit.

The $125 million terminal will be the world's first zero-energy cruise terminal.

Icon of the Seas construction photo

Speaking of construction updates, here's a close up photo from a new venue on the Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, tweeted a photo of the ship that shows the front of the ship, with some kind of a venue present.

Mr. Weir's photo seems to point to it being related to entertainment, since the head of the cruise line's entertainment division posted it with the word, "Hmmmm" in the tweet.

New Allure of the Seas walkthrough video tour

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Not necessarily news, but you might be interested to watch our new full walkthrough tour of Allure of the Seas.

Filmed last month, this video tour will show off the entire ship so you can be prepared for it when you board.  Or you can use it as an excuse for a virtual cruise escape!