Icon of the Seas: Exploring What Sets This Nearly 10,000-Passenger Cruise Ship Apart

Royal Caribbean’s latest addition to its fleet, the Icon of the Seas, has made a grand entrance into the world of cruising. Setting sail from the Port of Miami on its maiden cruise, this nearly 1,200-foot-long, 250,800 gross ton vessel is a true marvel of engineering and luxury.

The ship’s exterior is a sight to behold, resembling a multilayered birthday cake with seven swimming pools, a whimsical striped carousel, lush greenery, and vibrant waterslides in various colors. The $2 billion Icon of the Seas, officially the world’s largest cruise ship, surpasses even Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas in size, measuring 1,188 feet long and 235,600 gross tons.

The ship’s maiden voyage is a sold-out, seven-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, offering passengers an array of next-level experiences at sea. Boasting a capacity for 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members, the Icon of the Seas introduces several superlatives and first-of-their-kind attractions.

Category 6, the ship’s expansive 17,000-square-foot water park sprawled across Decks 16 and 17, features six slides, including the Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea at 46 feet. Other highlights include the first cantilevered infinity pool at sea, the largest swimming pool at sea (Royal Bay), and the largest ice arena at sea (Absolute Zero).

Entertainment options are abundant, with 50 musicians and comedians, including the largest orchestra at sea and the first at-sea performance of “The Wizard of Oz.” Adding to the ship’s allure is Rover, a golden retriever dubbed the Chief Dog Officer, who makes appearances alongside a dedicated handler.

However, the Icon of the Seas has not been without controversy. Social media images of the ship generated polarized opinions, with concerns raised about the potential environmental impact of such a large vessel. Royal Caribbean asserts that the ship is 24% more energy-efficient than required for contemporary ship designs and plans to introduce a net-zero ship by 2035. The Icon of the Seas is the cruise line’s first ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a choice that has faced criticism from some environmental experts.

Despite the environmental concerns, the massive ship has garnered significant interest among cruise enthusiasts. According to Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, the Icon of the Seas is the most researched topic on the cruising website in 2024. The ship’s appeal lies not only in its size but also in its innovative features, making it the first in a new class of ships for Royal Caribbean.

Icon of the Seas offers eight distinct onboard neighborhoods, catering to diverse demographics and interests. From the family-focused Surfside with a Seussian-looking carousel to the adults-only area, The Hideaway, featuring the first suspended infinity pool at sea, the ship aims to compete directly with land-based resorts.

The ship’s extensive offerings include over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges, with 21 options new to the Icon of the Seas. Accommodations range from 157-square-foot interior cabins to the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, accommodating eight people and costing around $100,000 per week.

The ship’s impressive engineering is evident in its AquaDome, an 82-foot-tall steel and glass structure housing a theater, water curtain feature, bar, and food hall. Another architectural marvel is the sphere-shaped Pearl, cycling through colorful vignettes on the World Promenade.

Royal Caribbean International positions the Icon of the Seas as a groundbreaking addition to the cruising industry, designed to compete with any family vacation worldwide. The ship’s success has led to the early opening of bookings for its sister ship, Star of the Seas, set to debut in August 2025.

While environmental concerns persist, the Icon of the Seas represents a bold move by Royal Caribbean to redefine the cruise experience and attract a broader market beyond traditional cruise enthusiasts. Only time will tell if this ambitious endeavor pays off for the cruise giant.