A new era of vacations begins. Royal Caribbean International has unveiled the first look at the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas. The first ship of the Icon Class, which will see the light of day in late 2023 before debuting in January 2024, will be the first to combine the best of vacations in the travel industry. From beach retreat to resort getaway and theme park adventure, with Icon, every type of family and adventurer can take their version of the ultimate family vacation. Travelers can book their iconic adventure on the Royal Caribbean website on Tuesday, October 25. Members of the Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program will have special access on Monday, October 24.
"With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry, while improving what our guests know and love," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. "From the moment you step on board, each experience is specifically designed to offer you the best vacation anywhere on land and sea. With Icon of the Seas, we have taken this to a new level and created the ultimate family vacation."
Whether "family vacation" means a getaway as a family, as a couple or with friends, Icon's full range of experiences includes a variety of firsts and favorites for everyone. There are adrenaline-pumping activities, including the largest water park at sea, and unrivaled ways to relax with more sea views and pools – one for every day of the week – than ever before. Plus a mix of more than 40 new and existing restaurant, bar and nightlife options and cutting-edge entertainment.
"Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love vacations," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can come together and enjoy adventures together or on their own. We set out to create a vacation that would make all of that possible in one place for thrill seekers, enthusiasts of relaxation and everything in between, without compromise. This first-of-its-kind combination makes Icon the future of family vacations, and that future is already here.”
Royal Caribbean begins to highlight what's in store with the first look at eight neighborhoods that come to life day and night, including five all-new adventures and three returning favorites. Each is a destination in itself filled with experiences, live entertainment and ways to snack and drink, so everyone can make memories in their own way every day.
Ways to play in five new neighborhoods
Thrill Island – Vacationers can test their limits, scale new heights and reach top speeds in the center of excitement. This lost island adventure is home to highlights such as Category 6, the largest water park 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 14-meter-high Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first offshore family slides with four passengers per raft; and Storm Chasers, the cruise's first mat racing duo. Living on the edge takes on new meaning with Crown's Edge, which, from catwalk, part ropes course, to attraction, culminates in a surprising, jaw-dropping moment where travelers glide 150 feet above the ocean.
Surfside – Introducing a neighborhood made for young families from end to end, where adults and children six years old and younger will want to stay all day. Adults can enjoy the endless views at Water's Edge Pool, while keeping an eye on the kids at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Just steps away are dining options, places to rest, a bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and Social020 for teens.
The Hideaway – This neighborhood 40 meters above the ocean combines the good vibes of beach clubs around the world and the uninterrupted ocean views that only a cruise ship can offer. The first infinity pool suspended in the sea is at the center of it all, and is surrounded by a multi-level sun terrace with hot tubs, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.
AquaDome – Located atop Icon awaits a transformative venue like no other. During the day, in an oasis of tranquility, guests can enjoy views of the ocean and a stunning waterfall while enjoying a bite to eat or a drink. At night, it becomes a vibrant place to go out, with restaurants, bars and the cruise line's water shows at the AquaTheater. This iconic entertainment venue takes art and cutting-edge technology to new levels, with a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projections and much more.
Ways to play through three familiar and favorite neighborhoods
The cruise company raises the bar even higher with each of its iconic neighborhoods: The largest Royal Promenade features its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges ; the more lush and lively Central Park has more ways to dine and be entertained; and the largest Suite Neighborhood has four luxurious decks and offers a multi-level sun deck – The Grove – with private pool, hot tub and dining area, and a two-story coastal kitchen. Other returning favorites include experiences like new mini-golf adaptations at Lost Dunes, climbing at Adrenaline Peak, and Absolute Zero, Royal Caribbean's largest ice rink, and restaurants like Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on the Royal Promenade and the Asian-inspired Izumi in Central Park.
With 28 ways to stay, the staterooms are also diligently designed for each type of guest. With more options, sea views and space. There are new designs for families of three, four, five and more, such as the Family Infinite Balcony and the Surfside Family Suite – with spaces for children separated from the adults – and the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, with its own fence and mailbox. As for the views, the best are those of the first Sunset Corner Suites and the Panoramic Ocean Views of AquaDome.
The debut of the Icon Class also presents new developments and Royal Caribbean's next step towards a clean energy future. Icon will be the cruise line's first ship with fuel cell technology and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest marine fuel. Along with other measures such as shore-based grid connection and waste heat recovery systems, the new ship will be Royal Caribbean's most sustainable to date.
The bold new vacation standard also extends to the second home of those who make up the heart of Icon: the crew. The place where they live and work has been reimagined with a more intuitive layout, amenities, rooms and activities, including a new patented stateroom created by the crew for the crew.
Icon will sail year-round on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Each cruise will visit Royal Caribbean's top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day in CocoCay, Bahamas, where adventurers can create their ideal vacation day. There are all kinds of thrills and sensations on the cruise, from the 13 slides at Thrill Waterpark, including the tallest in North America, to the Coco Beach Club, which features the first overwater cabanas in the Bahamas, and Up, Up & Away, a helium balloon adventure. When Icon arrives, the cruise line will debut the island's adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach, with an expansive pool, private pool cabanas and unparalleled views of the hues of the ocean. Vacationers will also visit Caribbean gems such as Cozumel (Mexico), Philipsburg (San Martín) and Roatán (Honduras).