Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas: The World’s Largest Cruise Ship, Hosting Over 7,000 Guests
Have you ever dreamed of sailing on the world’s largest cruise ship? To make that dream a reality, you’ll need to book a trip on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, currently holding the title of the largest cruise ship in the world.
Icon of the Seas was constructed at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, according to Royal Caribbean’s Press Center Fact Sheet, and embarked on its inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024.
The ship boasts 20 decks, 18 of which are accessible to passengers, with a crew of 2,350 members, 2,805 staterooms, and the capacity to accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy per trip, based on the fact sheet. At its maximum capacity, the cruise ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers, according to the Economic Times.
The Royal Caribbean vessel weighs 248,663 gross tons and measures 1,196 feet in length, as per the fact sheet.
Icon of the Seas offers both Western and Eastern Caribbean seven-night vacations for guests.
There is one Western Caribbean option for guests seeking to sail on Icon of the Seas. The itinerary for this vacation involves a departure from Miami, a day at sea, followed by the first stop in Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, immediately followed by Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel, Mexico. The sixth day of the vacation is spent at sea, and then the ship stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, Royal Caribbean’s private island.
Five different Eastern Caribbean options are available for guests to choose from, each with slight variations in the stops made.
Stops on the Eastern Caribbean Icon of the Seas cruise include Labadee, Haiti, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.
Not all Eastern Caribbean cruises visit all these destinations. Some itineraries might feature fewer stops, while others include more days spent at sea.
For those full days at sea and hours spent on the ship after exploring a destination, there are numerous activities for guests to enjoy.
Guests won’t go hungry during their journey, with 13 dining options included in the price of your vacation.
These options include Royal Caribbean favorites like Windjammer for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sprinkles for a soft-serve ice cream cone whenever you desire, and Sorrento’s for a late-night slice of pizza.
New complementary dining options are also available on Icon of the Seas, such as Aquadome Market, The Pearl, Basecamp, Surfside Bites, and The Grove.
If you prefer specialty dining while on board, there are, once again, Royal Caribbean staples like Izumi and Chops Grille, along with new dining venues like Celebration Table and Pier 7.
For days spent relaxing in the sun, guests can unwind at one of Icon of the Sea’s seven pools, including Royal Bay, the largest at sea, containing over 40,000 gallons of water, according to Royal Caribbean’s website.
Icon of the Sea’s also set a record for the first swim-up bar at sea with Swim & Tonic, as per Royal Caribbean’s website, which is the only swim-up bar on any Royal Caribbean ship.
The Hideaway Pool is an adults-only area featuring the first-ever infinity pool at sea, according to Royal Caribbean.
Cloud 17 is another adults-only area, featuring a more secluded pool overlooking the ocean on the top deck of the ship.
The Cove Pool is another option for guests to spend time in, with an abundance of loungers and daybeds to ensure a relaxing experience.
For children, there’s an aqua park, as well as record-breaking waterslides that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike.
Among the six waterslides on Icon of the Seas are Frightening Bolt, the tallest at sea, according to Royal Caribbean’s website, and Pressure Drop, the first freefall waterslide on a cruise ship.
Throughout the day, there is live music and other entertainment at the pools for guests to enjoy.
After a day in the sun, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained until late at night with over 15 bars and lounges for guests to visit while onboard Icon of the Seas, like Boleros, Schooner Bar, and Spotlight Karaoke. New bars and lounges on Icon of the Seas include Bubbles, Dueling Pianos, and The Lemon Post.
Additionally, there are several different shows, including ice shows in the Absolute Zero rink, as well as water shows in the Aquadome (Icon of the Seas’ version of Royal Caribbean’s popular AquaTheater), that guests can enjoy during their vacation.
As for accommodations, there are numerous options to choose from, including interior staterooms, ocean view rooms, balcony rooms, and large family suites, such as the two-bedroom, three-level Ultimate Family Townhome, perfect for eight cruisers.