For the first time since announcing the construction of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has revealed a comprehensive look of its new megaship. Arriving in late 2023 ahead of its January 2024 debut, the first Icon Class ship will become the biggest ship to ever set sail.
The largest cruise ship on Earth
A new class means this cruise liner will have a new design, size (approximately 6% bigger than the current champion Wonder of the Seas), and look compared to other ships that came before her.
Based on the renders shared by Royal Caribbean, Icon will be a blend of the Oasis, Quantum and Radiance class ships. Moreover, Icon will also be the company’s first ship with fuel cell technology and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest-burning marine fuel. Along with other proven applications, such as shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems, Icon will be the cruise line’s most sustainable to date.
At nearly 365m long and 20 decks high Icon of the Seas will boast eight activity sections which Royal Caribbean calls neighbourhoods, including five all-new concepts.
Big family focus in the design
A grander Royal Promenade features its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges; a more lush and livelier Central Park has more ways to dine and be entertained; and the largest Suite Neighborhood is four decks of luxury, offering a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove – that has a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and a two-story Coastal Kitchen.
More returning favourites include experiences like new takes on mini golf at Lost Dunes, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, and Absolute Zero, Royal Caribbean’s largest ice arena, and dining venues such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on the Royal Promenade and the Asian-inspired Izumi in Central Park.
New neighborhoods will include Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside AquaDome and The Hideaway. AquaDome is a reimagined version of the AquaTheater, located forward on deck 15. This space will feature a climate controlled dome with 673 glass panels that encapsulate the solarium area with spots to lounge, dine and drink during the day and be memorized with an all-new aqua show format at night
First suspended infinity pool at sea
The Hideaway features an infinity pool suspended 8 decks above Surfside – a beach club themed venue that has its own resident DJ, full-service bar and some of the best views onboard. The infinity pool is the first of its kind aboard any cruise ship.
Debuts in early 2024
Icon of the Seas will begin sailing from Miami to Eastern and Western Caribbean in January 2024. Each itinerary will have a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas as well as Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Roatan, Honduras, among others.
Royal Caribbean has not announced plans yet for where the ship will sail from beyond April 2025. More details about Icon can be found here.
Image credits: © Royal Caribbean International
