The Icon of the Seas - Way more than a vacation upgrade...

For just over a year now Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has been in regular passenger service. As the largest cruise ship in the world, this vessel is not just a ship, but a floating wonderland of innovation and luxury. With a length of 1,198 feet, a gross tonnage of 250,800, and a passenger capacity of nearly 7,600, The Icon of the Seas is a marvel of modern engineering that sets a new standard for cruising experiences.

Among the many onboard attractions, The Icon of the Seas boasts the largest waterslide park ever featured on a cruise ship. This aquatic wonderland is a reimagined playground for both thrill-seekers and families alike, offering a wide array of slides and water attractions that cater to all ages. But the innovation doesn’t stop there; The Icon of the Seas introduces the first swim-up bar at sea, aptly named Swim & Tonic. Here, guests can enjoy their favorite gin inspired cocktails without ever leaving the pool, merging relaxation with refreshment.

The Icon of the Seas builds upon the success of its forbearers in the Oasis class, combining all that has been learned from these iconic ships and taking it to new heights. It reimagines what a cruise can be, Where the Oasis class has 7 neighbourhoods, the Icon has 8, including 5 completely new ones that create a sense of community and variety on board. They flow effortlessly in to each other, distributing the passengers over the ship in such a way that you do not have the impression that the ship actually carries that many passengers. Each neighbourhood offers a unique atmosphere and set of experiences:

• Central Park: An open-air garden with lush plants and serene walkways, perfect for leisurely strolls or intimate dinners.

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• Royal Promenade: The bustling heart of the ship, featuring shops, dining options, lively entertainment. a fabulous cafe and the Pearl, the structural centrepiece of the promenade.

  

• Surfside: The Family Oriented neighbourhood with the splash zone for the younger kids , with Family friendly dining options all in a beach themed setting. This has moved to where the boardwalk is on the Oasis class, thereby moving the youngest cruisers and their families way from the pool deck. 

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• Aquadome:  This truly stunning venue houses the overlook, the weirdly wonderful overlook pods, the aquatheater and several eateries.

  

  

• Thrill Island: The adventure seeker's paradise, complete with a six slide waterpark, zip lines, rock climbing, and the Crown's Edge, where you can “walk the plank” to then safely zipline back to the ship.
• The Hideaway: Home to the only suspended infinity pool at sea, this adults only area has relaxing loungers and wake-facing sea views all to the beats of a live DJ.
• Suite Neigbourhood: This exclusive zone is reserved for suite guests (sky-level and above). Includes private dining options, plunge pool, hot tubs and a dedicated sun deck.

• Chill Island: A serene retreat featuring multiple pools on multiple levels, the swim up bar,  Designed specifically for a relaxing, pool-hopping day at sea.

  

With approximately 2,350 crew members, the crew to passenger ratio is in the 1:2.5 range assuming not every single berth is sold. What we find impressive with Royal Caribbean crew in general is their dedication to the guests' vacation experience - it is consistent across the fleet and the Icon of the Seas is no exception.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas boasts a diverse array of dining venues, ensuring guests enjoy a wide range of culinary experiences. All the Royal Caribbean standards are there of course;  The Main Dining room, Windjammer marketplace, Chops Grille, Izumi etc; all to their usual high standard. New to the Icon class is the Empire supper club, a luxurious dining venue where reservations are recommended. This venue offers an upscale, intimate dining experience reminiscent of classic supper clubs. It features a sophisticated atmosphere with elegant décor, live entertainment and and 8 course menu. Also new is the Aquadome market which hosts several made to order grab and go options - our fave was Crème de la Crêpe - serving up some of the most delicious fruit and chocolate filled crêpes at sea.

In an exciting development for cruise enthusiasts, The Icon of the Seas will soon be joined by her sister ship, Star of the Seas. Set to debut in the summer of 2025, Star of the Seas will offer 7-day cruises departing from Port Canaveral. This addition promises even more opportunities for travelers to experience groundbreaking innovation on the high seas. Royal Caribbean is bullish about the Icon class - they have two more currently on order and are planning for a fleet of six.

Refreshing too are the many new room categories - 28 in fact. This ship is geared towards families and there are many options for them - including the Surfside Family Suites and the Family Infinite Oceanview balcony. Both these cabins feature dedicated spaces for the kids, with little hideaways just for them. For those guests wanting more pampering and access to the Suite class, a new entry level has become available with the Sky Jr Suite - same cabin as the Jr suite but with the amenities and privileges of Sky Class.

One of the most remarkable features of The Icon of the Seas is its cutting-edge technical design. This ship is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships afloat. LNG is known for significantly reducing emissions compared to traditional marine fuels, ensuring that your journey is not only luxurious but also sustainable. Those of you familiar with the Oasis class of ships will have seen the support structures holding up Central park in the Royal Promenade. As that role is now filled by the Pearl on the Icon class, the Royal Promenade is now presents as a much larger space even though it isn't much larger than the Promenade on the Oasis class.

So who is this ship for?  With a diverse range of accommodations from interior staterooms to opulent suites with private balconies and expansive ocean views, there is a perfect room for every type of traveler. Offering something for everyone on board and getting it right is what Royal Caribbean is so good at. 

For more details on the Icon of the Seas, visit our microsite here. She currently sails 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean 7 night cruises. All voyages include a stop at Royal Caribbean's private Island Coco Cay

At Gin & Tonic Travel, we specialize in turning your dream cruise into reality. Our expert team can assist you in planning your unforgettable journey aboard The Icon of the Seas, ensuring every detail is taken care of for a seamless travel experience.