Is Cruising Back in Full Swing? A New, 7,600-Passenger Ship Confirms It

For those who have questioned whether the cruising industry has bounced back from its COVID-19 pandemic pause and the subsequent slow recovery, there may be no reason to doubt any longer. Royal Caribbean recently announced the launch of the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, set to debut in late January 2024. This vessel, part of a new class, will have the capacity to accommodate nearly 10,000 passengers and crew. On October 25, the day reservations opened, the cruise line celebrated its highest single booking day in its 53-year history (exact figures were not disclosed).

Clearly, many travelers are eager to board a massive 250,800-gross-ton ship and socialize with up to 7,599 other guests while enjoying features like a fully equipped water park with six slides, a 55-foot waterfall, and a different pool for each day of the week.

Those who prefer the charm of smaller, intimate ships might want to look elsewhere. However, for those drawn to the ambiance of a Miami beach club, the excitement of Vegas attractions, the ease of all-inclusive resorts, and the exhilaration of theme parks all combined, there will be much to enjoy.

The cruise line is so confident that Icon of the Seas, which is currently being built in Finland, will be a hit, that it is marketing the ship as the ultimate family vacation experience.

“Icon of the Seas is the embodiment of dreams,” says Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, in an interview with Dinogo. “It’s a place where every kind of family and family member—parents, grandparents, and children alike—can create lasting memories without compromise.”

Exploring Different Neighborhoods

Similar to the ship it will surpass to become the world’s largest cruise ship (Royal Caribbean’s newly launched Wonder of the Seas, which accommodates a maximum of 7,084 passengers), Icon of the Seas is organized into eight distinct neighborhoods. The new names suggest exciting new features.

At Thrill Island, guests can experience the excitement of six waterslides, including Pressure Drop, which boasts a steep 66-degree incline and is touted as the industry's first open free-fall slide. The 46-foot Frightening Bolt claims the title of the tallest drop slide at sea, while two family-friendly slides feature four-person rafts. Additionally, an attraction will allow guests to swing off the ship while securely harnessed, soaring above the ocean 154 feet below.

Chill Island will feature four of the ship's seven pools, including one with a swim-up bar named Swim & Tonic, and another that is promoted as the largest pool at sea. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, the Hideaway neighborhood offers a beach club vibe with the ship's first suspended infinity pool at sea at its center.

Surfside, equipped with pool and splash areas, a carousel, and an arcade, is designed to be an all-day retreat for families with young children, particularly those aged 6 and under. Family-oriented dining options will be available (details to be announced), along with a bar for adults. Close by, the indoor, supervised Adventure Ocean club will cater to ages 3 to 12, while teens can enjoy the Social020 club.

High atop the ship, the AquaDome neighborhood will provide a serene poolside oasis featuring a 55-foot waterfall. At night, the AquaTheater will come alive with performances from high divers, synchronized swimmers, and aerialists.

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Promenade, a beloved thoroughfare found on the line's Oasis-class ships like the Wonder, will also be present on the Icon of the Seas, enhanced by stunning ocean views through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. This main street will house 15 restaurants, cafés, bars, and lounges. Additionally, more dining and entertainment options will be located in the ship's Central Park area, which features real plants and trees and will be approximately 20 percent larger on the Icon compared to previous vessels.

The Icon will feature the largest ice-skating rink in the fleet, allowing guests to enjoy free skating and watch shows performed by professional skaters.

Abundant options for cabins and suites

With its vast size, the Icon offers an extensive selection of accommodations. Guests can choose from 28 different cabin categories, including an entire Suite Neighborhood that features private sun decks, a pool, a restaurant, and a lounge spread across four decks at the rear of the ship. Additionally, there are fourteen new categories that include cabins with "infinite balconies," a concept first introduced on Celebrity Cruises' latest ships, where guests can open the top section of a floor-to-ceiling window to transform their room into an open-air space.

Family accommodations are designed with groups of three to six in mind. The budget-friendly Family Infinite Oceanview Balconies will feature a bunk alcove with a TV for kids at one end of the room, along with a split bathroom layout (a shower and sink on one side, and a sink and toilet on the other). These rooms can accommodate up to six guests. On the luxurious side, the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse will offer areas for karaoke and movie watching, two private balconies, a separate entrance to the Surfside neighborhood, and its own charming white picket fence with a mailbox.

Embracing sustainability

While large cruise ships and sustainability often seem at odds, Royal Caribbean claims that Icon of the Seas will be its most eco-friendly ship yet. It will be the first in the fleet to use liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is currently the cleanest burning marine fuel available. Additionally, the ship will feature an ecomode for all accommodations that automatically reduces energy consumption while guests are on land, reactivating as soon as they board again. Furthermore, the ship will have the capability to connect to shore power (when available) and will include waste-heat recovery systems.

Set sail

The Icon of the Seas will depart from Miami, offering seven-night itineraries through the eastern and western Caribbean. Each cruise will include a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which features its own lavish water park. Prices for cruises start at $981 per person.