Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas: A comparison of two titanic ships from different eras

When you think of the largest cruise ship, Titanic might come to mind. However, you may be surprised to discover that this legendary vessel is significantly smaller than Icon of the Seas, which currently holds the title of the world's largest ship.

How do these two giants compare? While both are known for breaking size records, they differ greatly in function and the experiences they offer onboard.

In the early 1900s, sea travel for leisure was just beginning, with many passengers choosing ships for both transport and relaxation. Titanic was classified as a Royal Mail Ship, meaning it carried mail and packages in addition to passengers. In contrast, Icon of the Seas operates round trips from a single port, solely catering to vacationers seeking beautiful beaches and exciting excursions before bringing them back to their starting point.

Titanic featured multiple fare classes that varied in price and access to amenities. Similarly, Icon of the Seas provides a diverse range of cabin options, with prices linked to the size of accommodations and included perks, but with fewer restricted areas for those who booked the lower-tier fares compared to Titanic.

In this article, we will explore facts about Titanic and Icon of the Seas that highlight the advancements in the cruise industry and compare these two impressive architectural feats.

Comparing the size of Titanic and Icon of the Seas

The most noticeable distinction between Titanic and Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas lies in their sizes. Titanic boasted a total of 10 decks (seven designated for passengers), whereas Icon of the Seas features 20 decks (18 for passengers)—double the number of Titanic, as noted by Royal Museums Greenwich and the Icon of the Seas fact sheet from Royal Caribbean.

Titanic had the capacity to accommodate 2,435 passengers along with 885 crew members. In contrast, Icon of the Seas can host up to 7,600 passengers—over three times the number Titanic could carry—and boasts a crew size of 2,350, nearly matching Titanic's total guest count.

When it comes to physical dimensions, Icon of the Seas vastly surpasses Titanic in gross registered tonnage, measuring in at 248,663 tons—more than five times Titanic's 46,329 tons.

You might find it surprising that Icon of the Seas isn’t even twice the length of Titanic (1,196 feet compared to 883 feet), yet it is more than twice as wide (219 feet versus 93 feet). This design enhances stability, particularly with Icon's 20 decks compared to Titanic's 10.

Pricing comparison: Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas

When Titanic embarked on its tragic maiden voyage on April 10, 1912, it was set to travel from Southampton, UK, to New York, with a few stops along the way. At that time, passengers could expect to pay 7 British pounds for third class (steerage), 13 pounds for second class, or 30 pounds for first class, as reported by the BBC. Adjusted for today, those fares would equate to approximately $1,067, $2,001, and $4,403, respectively.

For a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Icon of the Seas, departing from Miami on April 11, 2026 (114 years and one day after Titanic's maiden voyage), travelers can expect to pay a minimum of $1,804 per person for an inside or oceanview cabin, $2,247 for a balcony, or $3,360 for a suite.

While the prices might seem similar, it's important to note that Titanic did not offer balcony cabins, and Icon of the Seas lacks the class distinctions that Titanic had. For comparison, I'm loosely equating inside and ocean-view cabins to third class, balcony cabins to second class, and suites to first class.

Additionally, it's crucial to recognize that, despite comparable voyage lengths and seasons, the itineraries differ significantly. Icon of the Seas operates in warm-weather locales and, unlike Titanic, does not undertake transatlantic crossings, which are generally cheaper today.

On Titanic, the fare paid by passengers determined their class, which directly affected their access to various areas of the ship. Different sections provided different amenities.

Passengers who paid higher fares enjoyed better dining options, larger and more elegantly appointed cabins, and a wider array of activities. This structure resembles the pricing models found on modern cruise ships, but regardless of fare, all guests—regardless of how much they paid—typically have access to the same meals and entertainment.

Comparing cabins: Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas

The most notable difference between cabins on Titanic and Icon of the Seas lies in the disparity between third-class and first-class accommodations on Titanic.

Third-class quarters often housed up to 10 people in cramped single bunks. Located below deck, these rooms lacked windows, resulting in no natural light. The furnishings were minimal, typically consisting of bunk beds with basic bedding and a sink.

Second-class cabins were somewhat better appointed, accommodating just two passengers. In addition to twin bunks with more comfortable bedding, these rooms featured a sofa, a larger sink with a mirror, and a wardrobe.

First-class accommodations were opulent, showcasing intricate woodwork, luxurious furniture, and spacious beds with plush bedding. The most exclusive options—Parlour Suites—boasted two separate bedrooms, a living room, closet spaces, a private bathroom, and an enclosed promenade. Typically, the pricier the room, the higher its location on the ship.

In comparison, Icon of the Seas features over 40 distinct cabin types within the categories of inside, outside, balcony, and suites, providing significantly more choices and pricing options than Titanic offered.

Additionally, all guests enjoy access to nearly all public spaces on the ship. Even those in the most basic, budget-friendly rooms can explore just about everything onboard. The only exception is for those in high-end accommodations within the Suite Neighborhood on Icon of the Seas, who gain exclusive entry to a private area with dedicated restaurants, a bar, and a pool. Suite guests also benefit from perks like early boarding, priority disembarkation, and butler service.

The style and decor across cabin types on Icon of the Seas are largely consistent, similar to most modern ships. There may be slight variations in color schemes between decks or categories, with suites offering higher-quality toiletries and bedding, but overall, the ambiance remains similar from the least expensive cabins to the most luxurious. Moreover, Icon integrates different cabin types, placing inside cabins without windows alongside balcony accommodations on higher decks.

In contrast to most cabins on Titanic, those on Icon of the Seas feature individual climate controls and private bathrooms.

A comparison of dining experiences: Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas

With the launch of White Star Line's Olympic Class, which included Titanic as its second ship, leisure cruising introduced one of the earliest specialty restaurants that charged additional fees. This innovation aimed to further distinguish the upper tiers of first-class passengers, as noted by Titanic Belfast. Long-established wealthy patrons, often labeled "old money," were offended by the idea of sharing dining spaces with "new money"—those who had recently risen to wealth from lower social standings.

The Restaurant on Titanic was an independently managed dining establishment onboard. It boasted its own kitchen and café, fine china, and lavish decor, with meals offered à la carte. Additionally, there was the first-class saloon, which provided complimentary meals. First-class dinner menus featured dishes like salmon with mousseline sauce and cucumber, as well as sautéed chicken Lyonnaise.

Second-class passengers had their own dedicated dining area. During the voyage, they could expect to enjoy options such as baked haddock and curried chicken with rice.

Third-class passengers dined in below-deck facilities, where their meals primarily consisted of boiled meats and vegetables served cafeteria-style.

On Icon of the Seas, suite guests have the option to dine at Coastal Kitchen, a restaurant located in the exclusive Suite Neighborhood, accessible only through keycard entry. This area also features a private sundeck known as The Grove, which includes an outdoor restaurant. However, this exclusivity is not the norm for all dining experiences.

For all other cruisers aboard Icon, regardless of their cabin category, there are nearly 30 dining options available. These range from complimentary pizza and buffet meals to premium offerings like Italian, steak, sushi, and pub fare for a fee. Additionally, there are Starbucks and Johnny Rockets outlets among many other choices. The variety of dining venues and cuisine options on Icon of the Seas is truly remarkable.

Entertainment and activities comparison: Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas

While it’s well-known that Titanic was the largest ship in the world at its launch, a lesser-known fact is that it was also the first passenger liner to feature a heated swimming pool on board. Access to the pool, along with the ship’s squash courts, gym, and Turkish bath, was exclusive to first-class passengers. Additionally, first-class travelers could bring their dogs along, as the ship included a kennel. (Today, the only modern cruise ship that allows pets—aside from service animals—is Cunard's Queen Mary 2.)

Passengers in first and second class enjoyed dedicated barber shops, whereas third-class guests had no access to hair-cutting services.

Second-class passengers had their own promenade, smoking room, and library, where tea was served daily with live music.

In third class, entertainment options were extremely limited, featuring only a piano that guests could play themselves. There was also a smoking room available exclusively for men. Otherwise, those booked in below-deck accommodations were left to entertain themselves.

On Icon of the Seas, every passenger can enjoy a wide range of amenities, including a spa, barber shop, salon, fitness center, complimentary nightly theater shows, near-constant live music, daily trivia games, shore excursion options, lively pool deck parties, karaoke, a surf simulator, a carousel, multiple pools and waterslides, high-diving performances, ping pong, miniature golf, rock climbing, a ropes course, shopping opportunities, laser tag, an escape room, an arcade, and even an ice skating rink. While some activities may incur an additional fee, unlike on Titanic, the cabin type you book does not limit your access to these offerings.

Comfort and safety comparison: Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas

Traveling on Titanic was likely far from comfortable. Even with the lavish meals and upscale cabin decor available at premium fares, the indoor plumbing was not up to modern standards.

While flush toilets, bathtubs, and showers were available, these facilities were mostly communal and shared among passengers in each class. (For a ship built to accommodate over 1,000 third-class passengers, only two third-class baths were provided.) Although each cabin featured its own sink, only the two most expensive suites had full ensuite bathrooms.

Moreover, passengers often experienced the ship's movement since stabilizers were not commonly installed on vessels until many years later. Temperature control in cabins was nonexistent; first-class rooms had extra heaters, while other passengers relied solely on the central heating and ventilation system. (Air conditioning was neither available nor necessary for the routes Titanic had planned.)

In contrast, Icon of the Seas provides individual climate controls for both heating and air conditioning, and each cabin includes its own ensuite bathroom complete with a toilet, sink, and either a shower, bathtub, or a combination of both.

Tragically, Titanic carried only enough lifeboats for about a third of its passengers, resulting in the loss of many lives when the ship struck an iceberg and sank on April 14, 1912. In contrast, Icon of the Seas provides more than sufficient lifeboat capacity for every passenger on board, in compliance with international maritime regulations.

During the Titanic era, muster drills were not conducted; today, however, passenger vessels are mandated to carry out safety drills before departure, ensuring passengers are familiar with their lifeboat stations and the proper way to wear life jackets.

Quick Comparison: Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas

Here’s a handy reference to swiftly compare the statistics of these two impressive vessels.

Passenger Capacity

• Titanic: 2,435 (maximum capacity)
• Icon of the Seas: 7,600 (maximum capacity)

Crew Size

• Titanic: 885 crew members
• Icon of the Seas: 2,350 crew members

Number of Decks

• Titanic: 10 decks (seven accessible to passengers)
• Icon of the Seas: 20 decks (18 accessible to passengers)

Ship Dimensions

• Titanic: 883 feet in length, 93 feet in width, 46,329 gross registered tons
• Icon of the Seas: 1,196 feet in length, 219 feet in width, 248,663 gross registered tons

Learn more about Royal Caribbean:

• Your complete guide to Royal Caribbean cruises
• Explaining Royal Caribbean cruise ship classes
• Royal Caribbean cruise ships categorized by size
• Royal Caribbean cruise ships organized by age
• Essential information about Royal Caribbean cabins and suites
• Dining options on Royal Caribbean
• Royal Caribbean beverage packages
• Destinations offered by Royal Caribbean
• How to select the perfect Royal Caribbean ship for your needs
• Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program
• Tips for packing for a Royal Caribbean cruise