Photo:Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Calling all cruisers! Royal Caribbean’s shiny new ship,Icon of the Seas, is finally ready to make its official debut.
PEOPLE got a first look at the world’s largest cruise ship on a preview sailing ahead of its official maiden voyage on Jan. 27, and spent days exploring the vessel to see if it’s really the perfect combination of “thrill and chill” like the cruise line says. After experiencing a trip on the floating mini city (really, it has eight neighborhoods including a Central Park!), we can confirm thatIconhas everything cruise lovers could want in a vacation and then some.
The Basics
The ship will depart from Port Miami next week for its first seven-night sailing and head for a number of destinations throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Ports will include Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, Cozumel in Mexico, Basseterre in St. Kitts & Nevis, Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, and Royal Caribbean’s private island retreat Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
Prices for both trips currently range from $3,600 all the way up to $100,000 per week depending on the route and type of accommodation.
The Superlatives
Icon of the Seasis breaking records in more ways than one. It boasts the world’s largest water park at sea (Category 6) and pool at sea (Royal Bay). It’s also just slightly longer than and holds a higher passenger and crew capacity than Royal Caribbean’sWonder of the Seas, which formerly had the title of largest cruise ship in the world.
Aftercompleting a round of sea trialsin June 2023 andnaming soccer star Lionel Messi its official Iconin December, the ship is finally ready to start bringing cruisers on a larger-than-life vacation through the Caribbean.
Lionel Messi was named the ship’s official ‘Icon.'.Royal Caribbean
It’s Basically a Floating City
Cruisers can spend hours exploring each of the eight neighborhoods aboard the ship that all strive to create a unique travel experience based on specific vacation styles. The open-air Central Park is a lush oasis that surrounds passengers with four live plant walls and offers a number of restaurants and bars to dine at — including a walk-up champagne bar and an eight-course dining experience atEmpire Supper Club. Guests can even let loose and sway along to live music atLou’s Jazz ‘n Blues.
‘Icon of the Seas’ boasts the largest waterpark at sea.Royal Caribbean
For adventurers and families,Thrill IslandandSurfsideare the spots to be. Thrill Island is where Category 6, is located, along with additional daring excursions like the free-fall Pressure Drop slide, FlowRider surf simulator and rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak. Thrill-seeking cruisers can also challenge themselves atCrown’s Edgewhere they’ll be suspended 154 feet above sea level.
Last but not least, at theSuite Neighborhood, guests can experience the multilevel sundeck at The Grove, enjoy the luxurious private pool and eat at the two-deck Coastal Kitchen.
A look at the various pools and Category 6 waterpark on the ship.Royal Caribbean
Accommodations for All Kinds
With 2,805 staterooms and more than 28 different types of rooms,Icon of the Seasoffers a unique way of cruise living. Guests can soak in the views in Royal Caribbean’s first-everInfinite Balcony Roomthat can fit up to four people. The room’s private terrace allows cruisers to escape for a while and breathe in the fresh, salty air.
Surfside Family Suites accommodate families of four and are conveniently located in the heart of Surfside making it easy for kids to jump straight into the action. They offer a private balcony that overlooks the neighborhood so families can always have a glimpse of the fun.
To take a family getaway above and beyond, cruisers can consider booking the 2,523 sq. ft. Ultimate Family Townhouse that accommodates up to eight people. The three-story space boasts an indoor slide, a wraparound balcony with a whirlpool, an outdoor patio with table tennis and direct access to Surfside.
This accommodation is so packed with activities and extra space that it costs $100,000 for the whole seven-night sailingandit’s already booked through the next year.
Another noteworthy suite is the two-level Icon Loft which is priced at approximately $64,000 for a week. It includes a private hot tub, a wraparound balcony, a piano and primary bedroom with a freestanding bathtub. Both the Icon Loft and Ultimate Family Townhouse offer complimentary specialty restaurants, special beverage packages and unlimited wifi.
Meanwhile, all Sea Class rooms require guests to purchase separate wifi packages.
The least expensive stateroom onIcon of the Seasis the Interior Plus which costs about $3,600 a week.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse features and indoor slide and three levels of luxury living.Royal Caribbean
Entertainment
The option to enjoy live entertainment is always a plus on any vacation, especially if you’re looking to escape some of the chaos happening throughout the 20 decks on board. A good place to start would be the first rendition ofThe Wizard of Ozat sea in the Royal Theater. The production is similar to a Broadway-level show, from cast members floating over the audience to fake snow falling from the ceiling and more spectacular special effects in between.
To see the first cast of robots perform the unimaginable, guests can head to theAquaTheaterat the AquaDome to see performances that blend together theatrical and live-action movie experiences.
If a show isn’t the vibe for the night, cruisers should head over to Boleros bar and lounge to hear Travesia bring Latin rhythms to life. Afterwards, theAdult Comedy LIVE!show located in The Attic is a good place to laugh the night away.
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas is now offering an adults-only Hideaway Beach.Royal Caribbean
A Mini Paradise Awaits at CocoCay and the New Hideaway Beach
It wouldn’t be a Royal Caribbean cruise without a Perfect Day at CocoCay stop. The company’s private Bahamas island retreat promises to keep the adventure going at Thrill Waterpark with 14 slides to ride.
The island is also offering a new addition for adults only calledHideaway Beach— its first-ever private escape where grownups can admire the stunning white sand and turquoise waters without any interruptions.
While the new addition does imitate a relaxing beach club feel with free-flowing drinks and snacks to enjoy all day long, it also presents a similar issue to Swim & Tonic in that it gets packed really quickly. Be prepared to walk to the other side of the cove and spend a few minutes looking for a lounge chair before you can sit back and relax.
A Few More Things to Keep in Mind
Although this is the largest cruise ship in the world, cruisers should expect to feel the boat moving from time to time. Depending on the weather, it can rock to the point that guests may lose their balance, and it’s definitely more intense towards the front of the ship. For those who get seasick easily, it’s best to book a stateroom towards the middle of the ship where less movement is felt.
This truly is amassiveship. It has a gross tonnage of 250,800 which is about five times more than the Titanic at 46,328, according toCNN. It also takes approximately six minutes to walk from one end of the ship to the other — and that’s without stopping to chat with the incredibly friendly crew members on board.
And for the ultimate cruise nerds,Icon’sCaptain Henrik Loytold preview guests that the ship can reach a speed of about 24 knots (28 mph) during an exclusive tour of the vessel’s bridge. The ship was cruising at about 11 knots (13 mph) during this sailing, and the captain added that the max speed is very fast and not needed for this type of trip.
Icon of the Seas Is Just the Beginning
Also during the preview sailing, Royal Caribbean shared an exclusive look ahead at the next epic adventure they have up their sleeve.Star of the Seaswill become the newest ship to join the cruise line’s Icon Class when it makes its debut in August 2025. While it won’t be the next largest cruise ship in the world, it will still aim to create an epic vacation on board through its accommodations, dining, entertainment and more.
The company also confirmed that an unnamedIcon 3ship is currently in the works, but the timing and name of the ship has not yet been announced.
source: people.com
