Royal Caribbean reveals first look at its Icon of the Seas ship
Royal Caribbean revealed the first look at its highly anticipated ship Icon of the Seas, "the Icon of Vacations." Emerging in late 2023 ahead of her January 2024 debut, the first Icon Class cruise ship will be the industry’s first-of-its-kind combination. The cruise line begins to spotlight what’s in store with the first look at 8 neighbourhoods that come alive day and night, including 5 new adventures and 3 bold, returning favourites.
Thrill Island is home to highlights like Category 6, the biggest waterpark at sea, with 6 record-breaking slides: Pressure Drop and its 66-degree incline; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with 4 riders per raft; Storm Chasers, the first mat-racing duo; and the 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, which is the tallest drop slide at sea. Crown’s Edge is part skywalk, part ropes course, and part thrill ride, swinging 154 feet above the ocean.
Chill Island is 3-deck, with 4 of the 7 pools onboard. There is a pool for every mood, including the vibrant Swim & Tonic, Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea; Royal Bay Pool, the biggest at sea; adults-only Cloud 17; and the infinity-edge Cove Pool. The Lime & Coconut returns with 4 locations, including the line’s first frozen cocktail bar.
Surfside is a neighborhood made for young families, where adults and kids ages 6 and under want to stay and play all day. Parents can soak up the views at Water’s Edge pool, while the kids are at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Steps away are places to lounge, a bar, dining options, the signature carousel, Adventure Ocean, and Social 020 for teens.
The Hideaway is 135 feet above the ocean and combines the good vibes of beach club scenes and the uninterrupted ocean views. At the center of it all is the first suspended infinity pool at sea, surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a dedicated bar, and a variety of seating.
AquaDome, at the top of Icon, provides wraparound ocean views and a waterfall. By night, it is a vibrant place for a night out, complete with bars, restaurants, and the line’s marquee aqua shows at the AquaTheater. The venue boasts a transforming pool, 4 robotic arms, and state-of-the-art projection.
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Royal Caribbean raised the bar even further with each of the line's signature neighborhoods: a grander Royal Promenade with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus 15+ cafes, restaurants, bars and lounges; a livelier Central Park has more ways to be entertained; and the largest Suite Neighborhood is 3 decks of luxury, featuring a multilevel suite sun deck, The Grove, with a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and a 2-story Coastal Kitchen.
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More returning favourites include experiences like rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, mini golf at Lost Dunes, and Absolute Zero, the line’s largest ice arena, and dining venues like the Asian-inspired Izumi in Central Park and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on the Royal Promenade.
With a total of 28 ways to stay, even the staterooms are thoughtfully designed for every type of cruiser. There are new layouts specially made for families of 3, 4, 5, and more, like the Surfside Family Suite and Family Infinite Balcony, as well as the 3-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, complete with a white picket fence and mailbox.
The Icon Class' debut will also mark firsts and the next step in the line’s journey towards a clean-energy future. Icon OTS will be the line’s first ship with fuel cell technology and powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas) and the most sustainable to date.
The new standard of vacations extends to the home away from home for the crew. Where they live and work has been reimagined with intuitive design, amenities, rooms, and activities, including a brand new, patented stateroom created by the crew for the crew.
Icon OTS will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern & Western Caribbean cruises from PortMiami FL. Every cruise will call at Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas. Travelers will also visit Caribbean gems like Philipsburg (St. Maarten), Roatan (Honduras), and Cozumel (Mexico).
VIDEO Making an Icon | Episode 3: Introducing the Icon of Vacations