There is something exciting about a new cruise ship. Ok, sometimes, old cruise ships are just as impressive. But cruising on a new cruise ship is something to be excited about, and today, we look at Icon of the Seas and 15 photos that will make you want to book a cruise on the biggest cruise ship in the world.
Icon of the Seas: One of the Biggest Cruise Ship in the World
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Icon of the Seas is HUGE, at 250,800 GT, which also makes Icon of the Seas the heaviest passenger cruise ship in the world. Additionally, she holds over 7,000 passengers. But what’s it like in a mega ship of this size?
1. A Carousel On The Surfside
In Surfside, the neighbourhood dedicated to families with young kids on Icon of the Seas, little ones can set their sights on new twists to favourites like the beach-themed carousel. More experiences in-store include dedicated family activities like the neighbourhood-wide Larger-than-life Family Festival.
2. More About Surfside On Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s first neighbourhood designed for families, Surfside, is where grownups with kids can stay and play all day on Icon of the Seas. It has three water experiences, including a pool for grownups. Steps away are spots for food and drinks, like The Lemon Post bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and more.
3. Playmakers Sports Bar
With a menu of game-day bar bites and ice-cold beers, the popular Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade makes its way to the lively Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas. The staple is the ultimate hangout for adventurers to catch their home team on dozens of screens and challenge each other in some friendly competition at the arcade.
4. Cocktails From The 1400 Lobby Bar
The 1400 cocktail is a favourite from the 1400 Lobby Bar’s unique menu of daytime and evening cocktails developed with renowned mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. The bar and meetup spot on Icon of the Seas is inspired by the history of shipbuilding, and it is the first venue to open up the signature Royal Promenade to the outdoors with an ocean-facing terrace.
5. Swim And Tonic Swim Up Pool Bar
On Icon of the Seas, Swim & Tonic in Chill Island is Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea. Vacationers can have a sip while they take a dip and sit back at this vibrant spot, with in-water loungers and tables and a whirlpool.
6. The Open Air Central Park
Central Park is more lush and livelier than ever on Icon of the Seas. The open-air neighbourhood with more than 33,500 real plants welcomes vacationers to enjoy experiences like the debut of a live music venue and bar, Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues; the new, convenient Izumi in the Park pickup window and the Bubbles walkup champagne bar.
7. The Royal Promenade with the Pearl
The Royal Promenade is the heartbeat of Icon of the Seas and features more than 15 restaurants, bars and lounges, including favourites with a twist like Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Starbucks and more. This signature neighbourhood also debuts its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, an engineering feat made possible by The Pearl, the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture.
8. The Pearl Cafe
The Pearl Cafe on Icon of the Seas, a spot for bites like freshly toasted sandwiches and ready-made salads, sits between The Pearl and the Royal Promenade’s first floor-to-ceiling ocean views.
9. The Hideaway Neighbourhood
Tucked away on the Icon of the Seas, The Hideaway neighbourhood combines the good vibes of beach club scenes worldwide and uninterrupted ocean views. At the centre of it, all is the first suspended infinity pool at sea, surrounded by a multilevel terrace, whirlpools, a dedicated bar and a DJ.
10. The Playscape Neighbourhood
Kids on Icon of the Seas can enjoy the Playscape in Surfside, Royal Caribbean’s first neighbourhood designed for families with young kids to stay and play all day.
11. The Wizard of Oz at Sea
Icon of the Seas features the first rendition of The Wizard of Oz at sea, with modern Royal Caribbean twists. The favourite across generations features the beloved characters soaring above the audience, a revolutionary set design with never-before-seen stage effects, more than 600 costume elements and an original score performed by the first 16-piece orchestra.
12. The AquaDome
Perched at the top of Icon of the Seas is AquaDome, a tranquil oasis by day and a vibrant hot spot by night. The transformational neighbourhood is where vacationers can enjoy wraparound ocean views, a 55-foot-tall water curtain, restaurants, bars and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater – home to the first cast of robots, skateboarders, high divers and aerialists.
13. The Overlook in the AquaDome
Taking nights out and hangouts to a new level on Icon of the Seas is The Overlook in AquaDome. By day and night, vacationers can enjoy wraparound ocean views, The Overlook Pods – the first of their kind at sea – bites and drinks at spots like the first AquaDome Market and the Rye & Bean coffee bar, as well as Royal Caribbean’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater.
14. Thrill Island
The adventure is next level on Icon of the Seas, with new thrills and reimagined favourites in Thrill Island. Highlights include Lost Dunes, a new take on Royal Caribbean’s signature mini golf, where the whole family can play their way around a course with a lost island theme of fallen palms, beached planes and ships.
15. Adventure Ocean
Adventure Ocean packs more adventure on the Icon of the Seas. With a seamless connection to Surfside, the stay-all-day neighbourhood for young families, the dedicated program and spaces for kids six months to 12 years old include Adventure Ocean Juniors – a place with play structures, puzzles, an interactive storybook screen and more for 3- to 5-year-olds.
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