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Royal Caribbean Introduces Newest Cruise Ship: Icon of the Seas

ByScott Sanfilippo

10/20/2022

Vacationers everywhere, prepare yourselves for a new era in travel with Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas. The Icon of Vacations, set to debut in January 2024, will offer the ultimate family vacation experience, combining the best of every kind of vacation – from beach retreats to resort escapes and theme park adventures. Royal Caribbean is revolutionizing the travel industry with the release of this new ship, making it the first-of-its-kind combination of everything a vacationer could ever want in one place.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation. The first in the Icon Class has an all-encompassing lineup of firsts and next-level favorites for everyone across eight neighborhoods, including the new Thrill Island, Surfside – a neighborhood made for young families – and Icon’s best kept secret, The Hideaway.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation. The first in the Icon Class has an all-encompassing lineup of firsts and next-level favorites for everyone across eight neighborhoods, including the new Thrill Island, Surfside – a neighborhood made for young families – and Icon’s best kept secret, The Hideaway.

This ship will feature a variety of new and returning options for all types of travelers, including adrenaline-pumping thrills, unrivaled ways to relax, and a blend of over 40 dining, bar, and nightlife options. Icon of the Seas will provide a vacation experience unlike any other, with something for everyone – thrill-seekers, relaxers, and everyone in between. With Icon, every traveler will have the opportunity to create the ultimate vacation experience tailored to their preferences.

Royal Caribbean has revealed eight neighborhoods that come alive day and night, each with their own unique experiences and live entertainment options. These neighborhoods include Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, The Hideaway, AquaDome, as well as three bold, returning favorites.

  • Thrill Island – Vacationers can test their limits, scale new heights and reach top speeds at the center of thrill. This lost island adventure is home to highlights like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides: Pressure Drop and its 66-degree incline make it the industry’s first open free-fall slide; the 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo. Living on the edge takes new meaning with Crown’s Edge. Part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride, it culminates in a surprising, shocking moment that will see travelers swing 154 feet above the ocean.
  • Chill Island – Among the seven pools on board, four are in this three-deck slice of paradise. There’s a pool for every mood, each with prime ocean views: the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool. Plus, The Lime & Coconut returns with four locations, including Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar.
  • Surfside – Introducing a neighborhood made for young families from end to end, where adults and kids ages six and under will want to stay and play all day. Grownups can soak up the endless views at Water’s Edge pool, as they keep an eye on the kids at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Only steps away are dining options, places to lounge, a bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and Social020 for teens.
  • The Hideaway – Tucked away, this neighborhood 135 feet above the ocean combines the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world and the uninterrupted ocean views only a cruise can offer. The first suspended infinity pool at sea is at the center of it all, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.
  • AquaDome – Perched at the top of Icon, what’s in store is a transformational place unlike any other. In a tranquil oasis by day, guests can take in wraparound ocean views and an awe-inspiring waterfall as they enjoy a bite or drink. By night, it becomes a vibrant place great for a night out, complete with restaurants, bars and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater. The signature entertainment venue takes artistry and cutting-edge technology to new heights, with a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projection and more.
Surfside, the neighborhood made for young families on Icon of the Seas, is where adults and kids ages six and under can stay and play all day. Grownups can enjoy ocean views at the new Water’s Edge pool, as they keep an eye on the kids at Baby Bay and Splashaway Bay.
Surfside, the neighborhood made for young families on Icon of the Seas, is where adults and kids ages six and under can stay and play all day. Grownups can enjoy ocean views at the new Water’s Edge pool, as they keep an eye on the kids at Baby Bay and Splashaway Bay.
Adventurers on Icon of the Seas are in for the ultimate thrill at the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6. Thrill Island’s six record-breaking slides reach new heights: Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo.
Adventurers on Icon of the Seas are in for the ultimate thrill at the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6. Thrill Island’s six record-breaking slides reach new heights: Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo.
In the new Chill Island on Icon of the Seas, there’s a pool for every mood, each with prime ocean views. Among the seven pools on board, the four in this three-deck slice of paradise include the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; and Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea.
In the new Chill Island on Icon of the Seas, there’s a pool for every mood, each with prime ocean views. Among the seven pools on board, the four in this three-deck slice of paradise include the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; and Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea.

Thrill Island is home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides, and Crown’s Edge, which combines skywalking, ropes courses, and thrill rides. Chill Island features four pools with ocean views, each with its own unique atmosphere. Surfside is the perfect neighborhood for young families, with endless views and endless fun for both adults and kids. The Hideaway is a beach club-inspired neighborhood tucked away for some peace and quiet, with a suspended infinity pool and breathtaking ocean views. AquaDome is a tranquil oasis by day and a vibrant nightlife spot by night, with a variety of dining and entertainment options.

Travelers can book their Icon of the Seas adventure starting on October 25th on Royal Caribbean’s website. Crown & Anchor loyalty members will have special access starting on October 24th. The Icon of the Seas is a culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and a bold commitment to vacationers everywhere. This ship is the future of family vacations and the future is here.

With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is raising the bar in the travel industry and enhancing the vacation experience for everyone. From the moment travelers step on board, every experience will be specifically designed to give them the best vacation anywhere on land and at sea. The Icon of the Seas is a vacation experience unlike any other, and it’s here to revolutionize the way we vacation.

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