Sail on Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas, sets sail this weekend! This is the world’s largest cruise ship and it will be sailing cruises to the Caribbean starting this weekend.
Related – Everything we Know About the New ICON of the Seas
The ship boasts a diverse array of attractions suitable for every family member.
The ship is divided into eight unique neighborhoods, with five of them being newly introduced, each presenting its own unique offerings.
One such area, aptly named Thrill Island, showcases the Category 6 water park, hailed by the cruise line as the largest at sea. Additionally, Crown’s Edge offers guests the opportunity to stroll 154 feet above the ocean along the expansive logo of the brand. Other attractions in this neighborhood include the FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf, and rock climbing.
The three-deck Chill Island, on the other hand, houses four of Icon’s seven pools, along with plenty of loungers for soaking up the sun or relaxing in the shade.
Surfside, the line’s inaugural neighborhood tailored for young families, welcomes visitors with a towering pink flamingo statue at its entrance. Parents can unwind at the Water’s Edge Pool while keeping an eye on their kids enjoying Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. The neighborhood also features an arcade, a carousel (with figurines selected with input from kids consulted by the line), and more. If your feet need a break, you can take a slide down from another neighborhood, Central Park, located one deck above.
In contrast, the Hideaway on Deck 15 is designated as an adults-only zone, mirroring the CocoCay area with a similar name. Guests aged 18 and over can enjoy panoramic views from a suspended infinity pool at the ship’s aft or unwind in whirlpools while a DJ provides a vibrant soundtrack.
The AquaTheater, situated within the impressive new AquaDome—an enclosed structure of steel and glass located at the front of the ship—will be the venue for the “Aqua Action!: Range of Emotion” show. This captivating performance blends high diving with aerial dance, skateboarding, and various other elements. Additional shows on board include a rendition of “The Wizard of Oz” in the Royal Theater and “Starburst: Elemental Beauty” in the Absolute Zero ice arena.
The Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world. So, just how big is it? The ship is 20 decks high, nearly 1,200 feet long, and 250,800 gross tons. The ship can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy.
The vessel is set to embark on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries departing from Miami, Florida. Each cruise will include a visit to the cruise line’s exclusive island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, now featuring a newly added adults-only section called Hideaway Beach.
There are 28 different types of rooms on Icon, including all-new categories like those with prime views of every sunset and those that have layouts designed just for families. We got a look at an Infinite Balcony Stateroom.
Infinite Balconies are new to Royal Caribbean, and their claim to fame is their flexibility. You can maximize your space with a single push of a button, which will transform part of your interior living area into a breezy outdoor balcony. And if you’d rather cool off with the air from your AC, you can simply push the button again to close up the balcony and enjoy that extra room indoors. Another perk? You have more than one view to choose from. Pick from ocean views or Central Park views, where you’ll be able to overlook the open-air neighborhood filled with thousands of real plants, walking paths, restaurants and more.
The ship features over 40 dining options, bars, and lounges, with approximately half being additions to the cruise line’s offerings. Among the new establishments are AquaDome Market, the cruise line’s inaugural food hall specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, sweet and savory crepes, and more; Izumi in the Park, a walk-up window offering sushi and street food; and Empire Supper Club, a 38-seat venue offering a multi-course dining experience, cocktail pairings, and live jazz.
Visitors can discover a variety of new cocktails and mocktails across the ship, introduced at locations such as the 1400 Lobby Bar on the Royal Promenade, Rye & Bean, where coffee and coffee-infused cocktails are served, and Swim & Tonic, the cruise line’s inaugural swim-up bar at sea.
Are you ready to experience the new Icon of the Seas? Contact me today and let’s get your cruise planned! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a wonderful vacation!
Photo Credit: Shannon B.
