Icon of the Seas is a new cruise ship for US-based cruise line Royal Caribbean International. It is the first of three LNG (liquefied natural gas)-powered Icon-class ships ordered by the cruise line.
The steel-cutting ceremony for the ship was held in June 2021 at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, while the keel-laying ceremony was held in April 2022.
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The vessel floated out of the dry dock in December 2022 and departed on its maiden voyage in January 2024.
Icon of the Seas cruise ship design and features
Icon of the Seas measures 364m in length with a width of 43m and a gross tonnage of 2480,663t. It features 20 decks, of which 18 are passenger decks, and can accommodate a total of 5,610 guests in double occupancy and an international crew of 2,350.
The vessel features five new and three recurring areas/neighbourhoods named AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Hideaway, Royal Promenade, Surfside, Suite and Thrill Island. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities and expansive hangout areas in the neighbourhoods.
The ship includes six waterslides, seven pools and nine whirlpools, including the largest pool at sea.
Accommodation aboard Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas has 2,805 staterooms offering a range of intuitive layouts, with more space and accessible options. Its 28 types of accommodation include 14 new categories ranging from standard rooms to suites, providing additional options for families.
Family Infinite Oceanview Balconies accommodate up to six guests. The stateroom has a secluded bunk alcove for kids and is equipped with TVs, beds and free space. The split-design bathroom has a shower and a sink on one side and a sink and toilet on the other. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are also available.
The Surfside Family View Interiors, Balconies and Suites in the Surfside neighbourhood accommodate up to four guests. Surfside Family Suites offers an elevated suite experience, along with a private balcony and a child’s room that can be used as a living space.
The newly introduced Ultimate Family Townhouse that debuted on Icon of the Seas has a three-storey suite designed for families of up to eight. Features include an in-suite slide, space for karaoke and movies, two private balconies and a private entrance to the Surfside neighbourhood.
The Panoramic Oceanviews and Suites category provides accommodation for up to four guests and is located in the AquaDome neighbourhood. Features include wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Sunset Suites, Junior Suites and Corner Suites feature expansive balconies, with the Sunset Corner Suites featuring a wraparound balcony. This new accommodation line-up includes the Infinite balconies in Central Park, with a birds-eye view of the open-air neighbourhood, and the Sky Junior Suites and Infinite Grand Suites.
Entertainment and dining venues
The AquaDome neighbourhood offers wraparound ocean views, a waterfall and a vibrant evening venue, with restaurants, bars and marquee aqua shows at the AquaTheater. The venue features a cutting-edge transforming pool, four robotic arms and state-of-the-art projection.
The Chill Island neighbourhood is spread across three decks and features four of the seven pools onboard, including the Royal Bay pool which is the largest pool at sea. The neighbourhood also features the Swim & Tonic, the cruise line’s first swim-up bar at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the infinity-edge Cove Pool. The neighbourhood is home to the Lime & Coconut café and Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar.
The Thrill Island neighbourhood features the largest Category 6 waterpark at sea with six slides, which include Pressure Drop, the first open free-fall slide, and the 46ft-tall Frightening Bolt, which is the tallest drop slide at sea. The neighbourhood is home to the Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slide at sea with four riders per raft and Storm Chasers, a mat-racing duo. Guests can indulge in more thrills at Crown’s Edge, featuring a skywalk, ropes course and a thrill ride, culminating in a 154ft swing above the ocean.
The Surfside neighbourhood focussed on activities for young families with kids aged six and under. Adults can relax at the Water’s Edge pool, while kids can have fun at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. The neighbourhood offers dining and lounge, a bar, a carousel, an arcade and Social020, a meeting place for teenagers.
The Hideaway neighbourhood, located 135ft above the ocean, has a beach club design with uninterrupted ocean views. It has the first suspended infinity pool at the sea centre, surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools and a dedicated bar.
Among the recurring themes, the Royal Promenade neighbourhood, with its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, features 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges. The Central Park neighbourhood offers more dining and entertainment options. The largest of them, the Suite Neighbourhood, spanning four decks, features a multilevel suite sun deck. The Grove has a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and the two-storey Coastal Kitchen.
Other venues on the vessel include Lost Dunes mini golf, Adrenaline Peak, which offers rock climbing, and Absolute Zero, Royal Caribbean’s largest ice arena.
Propulsion
The vessel is equipped with six LNG-fuelled engines that generate 67,500kW of energy. The use of LNG results in close to zero sulphur dioxides and particulate emissions, while also significantly reducing the production of nitrogen oxides. Shore power connection facilities are also incorporated to further reduce emissions while the ship is docked.
Sustainable features
Icon of the Seas features environmentally friendly designs for energy efficiency and reduced emissions. It includes technologies such as air lubrication, and advanced waste heat recovery systems to turn waste heat into up to 3MW of extra energy. Up to 90% of the required freshwater will be produced onboard by a reverse osmosis/desalination plant.
Itineraries
Icon of the Seas will sail year-round trips for seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami, Florida. The vessel will call at ports at Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the Bahamas, Cozumel in Mexico, Philipsburg in St Maarten and Basseterre, St Kitts.
