What the World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is Really Like, from a Passenger Aboard Its First Voyage (Exclusive)

Calling all cruisers! Royal Caribbean’s awesome new ship, Icon of the seait’s finally ready for its official debut.

PEOPLE got their first glimpse of the world’s largest cruise ship in a preview before its official maiden voyage on Jan. 27 and spent days exploring the ship to see if it really is the perfect combination of “excitement and relaxation” like the cruise says. After experiencing a journey through a small floating city (really, there are eight neighborhoods including Central Park!), we can confirm that Icon it has everything cruise fans could want on vacation, and then some.

Here’s everything you need to know about breaking the record icon of the sea, including what you can learn just by sailing it.

The basics

The ship will depart from Port Miami next week on its first seven-night voyage, heading to numerous destinations throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Ports will include Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, Cozumel in Mexico, Basseterre in St. Kitts & Nevis, Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas and Royal Caribbean’s private island retreat Perfect Day on CocoCay in the Bahamas.

Prices for both trips currently range from $3,600 to $100,000 per week depending on the route and type of accommodation.

Superlatives

Icon of the sea breaks records in more ways than one. It boasts the world’s largest water park at sea (category 6) and swimming pool at sea (Royal Bay). It is also only slightly longer than Royal Caribbean and has a larger passenger and crew capacity The miracle of the seawhich previously held the title of the largest cruise ship in the world.

After completing a series of sea trials in June 2023 and naming soccer star Lionel Messi as its official icon in December, the ship is finally ready to begin bringing cruisers on incredible vacations through the Caribbean.

Lionel Messi was declared the official “icon” of the ship.

Royal Caribbean

It is actually a floating city

Cruisers can spend hours exploring each of the ship’s eight neighborhoods, all of which strive to create a unique travel experience based on specific vacation styles. Central Park’s outdoor oasis is a lush oasis that surrounds travelers with four walls of living plants and offers numerous restaurants and bars for dinner — including a strolling bubbly and an eight-course dining experience at the Empire Supper Club. Guests can even kick back and rock out to live music at Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues.

The Royal Promenade boasts stunning ocean views through the first floor-to-ceiling window on a connecting deck cruise ship. The neighborhood also offers more than 15 restaurants (the ship offers a total of more than 40 ways to dine and drink) that families and independent adult travelers can enjoy. Additional restaurants, bars, and cafes can be found in the AquaDome, which features a 55-foot waterfall display as well as panoramic ocean views.

For those who want to lounge by the pool and relax, The Hideaway offers a hanging infinity pool overlooking the sparkling sea, while Chill Island has the largest pool at sea at 5,813 square feet. Adjacent is the swim-up bar, Swim & Tonic, where cruisers can enjoy refreshing frozen drinks while wading in the water. However, since the ship can accommodate up to 7,600 guests at maximum capacity, the bar fills up quite quickly, so you’ll need to claim your spot early.

‘Icon of the Seas’ boasts the largest water park at sea.

Royal Caribbean

For adventurers and families, Thrill Island and Surfside are the places to be. Thrill Island is in Category 6, along with additional daring excursions such as the pressure drop slide, FlowRider surf simulator and rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak. Thrill-seekers can also try their hand at Crown’s Edge, where they will float 154 feet above sea level.

Meanwhile at Surfside, Royal Caribbean’s first neighborhood designed specifically for families, parents and children can enjoy their own little adventures through a beach-themed carousel, a family festival and more fun activities. Parents can even have the chance to relax in the Water’s Edge pool while watching their children play in nearby Splashaway Bay or Baby Bay.

Last but not least, in the Suite Neighborhood, guests can experience the multi-level sundeck at The Grove, enjoy a luxurious private pool and dine at the Coastal Kitchen on two decks.

A view of various swimming pools and a category 6 water park on board.

Royal Caribbean

Accommodation for all types

With 2,805 cabins and more than 28 different room types, Icon of the sea offers a unique cruise lifestyle. Guests can enjoy the view in Royal Caribbean’s first Infinite Balcony Room, which can accommodate up to four people. The room’s private terrace allows cruisers to escape for a while and breathe in the fresh, salty air.

Surfside Family Apartments can accommodate families of four and are conveniently located in the heart of Surfside making it easy for kids to jump right into the action. They offer a private balcony overlooking the neighborhood so families can always see the fun.

For the ultimate family getaway, cruisers can consider booking the 2,523-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse that sleeps up to eight people. The three-story space has an indoor slide, a balcony with a hot tub, an outdoor terrace with table tennis and direct access to Surfside.

This accommodation is so packed with activities and extra space that it costs $100,000 for the entire seven-night sailing. and it is already booked for next year.

Another apartment worth noting is the two-story Icon Loft, which costs approximately $64,000 for a week. Includes a private hot tub, wraparound balcony, piano and master bedroom with freestanding bath. Both Icon Loft and Ultimate Family Townhouse offer complimentary specialty restaurants, special beverage packages, and unlimited wifi.

Meanwhile, all Sea Class rooms require guests to purchase separate wifi packages.

The cheapest cabin on Icon of the sea is Interior Plus which costs around $3,600 per week.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse features an indoor slide and three levels of luxury living.

Royal Caribbean

Fun

Being able to enjoy live entertainment is always a plus on any vacation, especially if you want to get away from the chaos happening on the ship’s 20 decks. A good place to start would be the first performance Wizard of Oz on the sea at the Royal Theatre. The production is similar to a Broadway-level show, from actors floating above the audience to fake snow falling from the ceiling and more spectacular special effects in between.

To see the first cast of robots do the unthinkable, guests can head to the AquaTheater at the AquaDome to see performances that blend live theater and film experiences.

If a show isn’t the mood for the night, patrons should head to Boleros Bar and Lounge to hear Travesia bring Latin rhythms to life. After that, Comedy for adults LIVE! show located in The Attic is a good place to laugh all night.

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas now offers an adults-only Hideaway Beach.

Royal Caribbean

A mini paradise awaits at CocoCay and New Hideaway Beach

It wouldn’t be a Royal Caribbean cruise without a perfect day at CocoCay. The company’s private retreat in the Bahamas promises continued adventure at the Thrill Waterpark with 14 water slides to ride.

The island also offers a new adults-only addition called Hideaway Beach — its first private spot where adults can admire the stunning white sand and turquoise water without any interruptions.

While the new addition mimics the laid-back vibe of a beach club with liquid drinks and snacks that you can enjoy all day, it also presents a similar problem to Swim & Tonic in that it packs up very quickly. Be prepared to walk to the other side of the bay and spend a few minutes looking for a lounger before you can sit back and relax.

Keep a few more things in mind

Although this is the largest cruise ship in the world, cruisers should expect to feel the movement of the ship from time to time. Depending on the weather, it can sway to such an extent that guests can lose their balance, and it is certainly more intense towards the front of the ship. For those who get seasick easily, it is best to book a cabin towards the back of the ship where movement is less felt.

This is truly a massive ship. It has a gross tonnage of 250,800, which is about five times that of the Titanic at 46,328, according to CNN. It also takes about six minutes to walk from one end of the ship to the other — and that’s without stopping to chat with the incredibly friendly crew members on board.

And for the biggest cruise geeks, Icons Captain Henrik Loy told guests at the preview that the ship can reach speeds of around 24 knots (28 mph) during an exclusive tour of the ship’s bridge. The ship was cruising at about 11 knots (13 mph) during this voyage, and the captain added that the maximum speed was very high and not necessary for this type of voyage.

Icon of the Seas is just the beginning

Also during the sailing preview, Royal Caribbean shared an exclusive look at the next epic adventure they have up their sleeves. Star of the sea will become the latest ship to join the Icon Class of cruises when it debuts in August 2025. While it won’t be the next largest cruise ship in the world, it will still strive to create an epic cruise vacation through its accommodations, dining, entertainment and more.

The company also confirmed that he was unnamed Icon 3 the ship is currently under construction, but the time and name of the ship have not yet been announced.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education