Icon of the Seas: Full Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Mega Ship

Step aboard Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships! She stands tall with an impressive 20 decks, accommodates 5,610 guests and has a dedicated crew of 2,350. Setting sail from the city of Miami, the Icon's inaugural sail took place on Jan. 27, 2024. Built in Turku, Finland, at the Meye Turku shipyard, this ship spans an incredible 1,198 feet and has a staggering 2,805 staterooms. As we all collectively pick up our jaws, today we're so frogcited to share everything we know so far about the Icon of the Seas. There's no doubt, she is THE MOMENT!

Hop To

• Overview
• Accommodations
• Neighborhoods
• Entertainment & Recreation
• Fun Facts

Overview of the Icon of the Seas

As the first ship in the Icon class, Royal Caribbean plans to add two more ships to this remarkable class by 2030. The second ship in the Icon class, Star of the Seas, made her maiden voyage in August.

In this post, we'll explore the Icon's eight neighborhoods, including The Hideaway, Surfside and Thrill Island, each with its own characteristics. The ship's additional highlights include over 40 different restaurants, bars and lounges, seven pools and nine whirlpools. Currently, the Icon of the Seas itineraries offer seven-night sailings to either the Eastern or Western Caribbean and every sailing visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's very own private island.

Of course, your favorite frogs have some hoppin' Royal Caribbean cruise deals going on for a limited time!

Icon of the Seas Accommodations

There are 28 different room types onboard, from a three-story townhouse to the new Infinity Balcony rooms, each with several subcategories. Here are just the highlights, but there are plenty of room types to accommodate different family sizes and budgets. Many of the room types have the option of connecting rooms and ocean views:

• Ultimate Family Townhouse — is three stories tall and includes two bedrooms, an in-suite slide, a cinema and karaoke space and a private outdoor whirlpool! You'll also have your own private room attendant.
• Family Infinite Balcony — a push of a button transforms the outdoor balcony into an extra living space. There's also a separate space for the kids, complete with bunk beds and TVs. Additionally, there's a split bathroom with a shower and sink on one side and a toilet and sink on the other.
• Infinite Balcony Rooms — with a choice of ocean or Central Park views. The outdoor balcony can be opened up to become an extra room indoors.
• Surfside Family interiors, balconies and suites — located in the family-centric Surfside neighborhood, these rooms are perfect for families. The living room space transforms into a kids' nook that makes bedtime extra special. These rooms also feature a split bathroom design.
• Oceanview Rooms & Suites — these rooms are located in the new AquaDome area. You'll have easy access to a 220-degree ocean view and exciting entertainment at the AquaTheatre. You'll also be surrounded by plenty of nightlife, including the aerial performers at the shapeshifting waterfall.
• Sunset Suites — You guessed it! You'll have the best spot to watch the sunset each day of your trip. The Sunset Corner Suites even feature a wraparound balcony.
• Interior — sleeps up to four and includes standard amenities such as a private bathroom, flat screen TV, iPod docking station, mini-safe and hairdryer.

Icon of the Seas Neighborhoods

Royal Promenade

Your adventure begins in the Royal Promenade, the ship's atrium. This two-level atrium is a hub with entertainment venues, restaurants and shops. Your first "wow" moment starts at The Pearl. This stunning focal point is made up of approximately 3,600 kinetic tiles and serves as a support structure for three decks. It also makes a special photo opportunity! #postitoninsta

For a quick bite, you'll want to visit the Pearl Cafe, which replaces Cafe Promenade on other Royal ships, serving coffee, grab-and-go snacks, pastries, sandwiches and more.

If pizza is calling your name, head to Sorrento's. On the Icon, this space has a larger and more open seating area. Boleros, a Latin-themed bar, invites you to relax with classic cocktails like mojitos and hurricanes. The Schooner Bar is also located here, a nautical-themed lounge that has a new look with open space and a fresh menu with drinks such as the old-fashioned or rum-spiked daiquiri. And the 1400 Lobby Bar is a new venue that opens the Royal Promenade to the outdoors.

For a little entertainment, check out Dueling Pianos, a first-of-a-kind bar where dueling pianos create nightly sing-alongs. If you're craving Italian food, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar serves up traditional favorites, including veal meatballs and hand-tossed pizza, accompanied by a selection of wines.

Just a short escalator ride down from the Royal Promenade, and you'll find the Casino Royale. There are 30 game tables, 360 slot machines and a slew of sports screens to catch the game.

Central Park

The Central Park neighborhood aboard the Icon of the Seas is an open-air space surrounded by live plants, seating and colorful gardens. Central Park is a concept that was carried over from the Oasis class of ships. Decorated with brightly colored shutters and balcony-facing rooms, this area has plenty of seating, including tables for dining.

Here's what you'll find at Central Park:

• Izumi in the Park: A grab-and-go sushi restaurant. Inside, there are teppanyaki tables.
• Park Café: A complimentary venue that serves breakfast and lunch, with a selection of sandwiches and salads.
• Lou's Jazz n' Blues Club: Catch a live jazz band while enjoying refreshing drinks.
• Chops Grille: Indulge in a specialty menu at this restaurant. The offerings here are at an additional cost.
• Trellis Bar: This bar serves handcrafted cocktails and appetizers.
• Bubbles: A walk-up style champagne bar with a selection of champagne by the bottle or glass. This is where Mommy Frog likes to start her day with a morning bellini or mimosa! 
• Retail Shops: Central Park also has designer and name-brand shops.

Surfside

Surfside is a fun neighborhood on the Icon of the Seas that's designed exclusively for families! Here, families have everything they need in one convenient area.

• Splashaway Bay: Dive into fun at Surfside's very own water park, Splashaway Bay. This play area has slides, geysers, a drench bucket, mini slides and the Baby Bay splash zone. Adults can relax at the back of this area in the adult pool.

• Surfside Eatery: A family-friendly, complimentary buffet. From pancakes to pasta, the menu offers kid-friendly favorites.
• Beach-themed Carousel: The tadpoles will enjoy the bright and colorful carousel. Rides are complimentary.
• Surfside Bites: A complimentary eatery with popcorn chicken, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza bread and french fries. For those with a sweet tooth, indulge in cinnamon sugar churros, confetti cookies or fruit skewers.
• Sprinkles: Cool off with complimentary soft-serve ice cream at Sprinkles Ice Cream. This is where you'll find our two kiddos! Soft-serve becomes their main staple on any Royal Caribbean cruise.
• The Lemon Post: A "mommy and me" bar where the whole family can order drinks. Adults can enjoy cocktails while the kids sip on non-alcoholic beverages.
• Pier 7: For an elevated dining experience, visit Pier 7, a specialty restaurant offering an all-day brunch menu and kids eat free! The menu includes surf and turf tacos, mango lime shrimp tostadas, fluffy pancakes and smoked salmon benedict.

Thrill Island

Hold on to your hats as we make our way up to Deck 16 – Thrill Island! The Category 6 water park is the largest at sea, complete with six record-breaking waterslides. The Frightening Bolt holds the record for the tallest drop waterslide at sea. And the Pressure Drop takes the prize for the first open free-fall waterslide on a cruise ship.

If waterslides aren't your thing, stay with us. Thrill Island has something for everyone, including:

• Lost Dunes Mini Golf: Tee off on the sunken treasure-themed mini golf course for a swashbuckling good time.
• FlowRider: Experience the thrill of surfing on the FlowRider, a surf simulator that's sure to make a splash.
• Sports Court: Shoot some hoops or try your hand at tennis, pickleball or even soccer on the sports court. You'll also find the Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall here.
• Crown's Edge: Calling all adrenaline junkies! Crown's Edge is a combination of a ropes course and a thrill ride. It's the closest you'll get to "walking the plank." Just as you step onto the edge of the "plank," the floor collapses beneath you, and you swing out 145 feet above the ocean!

In addition to the activities above, Thrill Island is also home to family adventure games and rotating pop-up activities, keeping every visit fresh and exciting.

As for foodie options, Basecamp is the place to go. From waffle chicken nuggets and cheese curds, there's something for everyone.

For dessert, head over to the Desserted Milkshake Bar. Indulge in milkshakes such as the Chocolate Castaway, Strawberry Shipwreck, Minty Mariner and the Oreo Oasis. These treats are not included in the drink package, but worth the splurge.

Chill Island

Now that we've amped up the excitement at Thrill Island, let's cool things down at Chill Island, the relaxation zone aboard the Icon of the Seas.

Here is where you'll find Swim & Tonic, the largest swim-up bar at sea. There is cozy seating, lounge chairs and casitas available for rent for an additional fee. Oh, and here's a fun twist (literally!). The tadpoles can use the colorful twisty slide to get from one deck to another.

For water lovers, there are seven different pools to dive into, including Royal Bay, which is the largest pool at sea.

El Loco Fresh is a complimentary Mexican eatery. Tacos, quesadillas, and burritos are on the menu, complete with a salsa station to add extra flavor to your dishes.

For the grown-up frogs, Cloud 17 is an adults-only area on the Icon of the Seas. This exclusive retreat, designed for ages 18 and up, is a pool deck.

Cloud 17 is surrounded by loungers for relaxing. And for those poolside drinks, the Lime & Coconut is a three-level high bar that serves frozen cocktails. However, the third level is exclusive and can only be accessed via Cloud 17.

The Hideaway

And now for the hottest spot on the Icon of the Seas, The Hideaway! It's the "it" place for ages 18+. At the center is the first suspended infinity pool at sea. It hovers a whopping eight stories high, with two hot tubs and the Hideaway Bar. The party vibes are in full swing thanks to a live DJ. In addition, loungers, day beds and a terrace lounge surround the entire area.

Windjammer Marketplace is the main buffet on the ship. It's complimentary for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even picky eaters will find something they love here. Windjammers is huge, with plenty of seats and great views of Surfside and Thrill Island.

Suite Neighborhood

For those staying in a Grand Level suite or above, the Suite Neighborhood will become your home away from home. This inclusive space is accessible to guests occupying any of the suites on the ship. The area has a private sundeck with comfortable chairs, loungers and casitas, complimentary for suite guests.

Beyond the exclusive two-level sundeck, suite guests have access to private dining options. The Grove offers Mediterranean cuisine and snacks. For upscale dining, Coastal Kitchen is a sit-down restaurant with views overlooking the Aquadome area of the ship.

AquaDome

We'd now like to introduce you to... the AquaDome! This dome covers a giant space at the front of the ship. Inside is the AquaTheatre, where the diving shows take place. These shows are breathtaking and, because of the dome, are protected from the elements. Come rain or shine, bad weather won't ruin the entertainment schedule.

For some relaxation and downtime, be sure to head to The Overlook and chat with friends in the cozy nooks and pods. You can grab a latte or a coffee-infused cocktail at the Rye & Bean.

The AquaDome Market is a food hall with most items being complimentary. Take your pick from five different food stalls, such as GNGR or Toast & Garden.

If you love seafood, Hooked Seafood is a specialty restaurant also located in the AquaDome.

Make a stop at Royal Bling to shop for a souvenir or gift. The merchandise includes Royal Caribbean-themed jewelry and branded items.

Dining on Icon of the Seas deserves its own spotlight, with more than 40 options ranging from quick bites like Pearl Cafe to elevated meals at Empire Supper Club. To explore them all, and see which ones made our top picks, hop over to our Icon of the Seas Restaurant Guide!

Icon of the Seas - Entertainment & Recreation

The Royal Theatre is where you'll find Broadway-style shows. "The Wizard of Oz" is the featured musical that dazzles (just like Dorothy's ruby slippers!). Royal Caribbean also has additional rotating productions and headliner acts, so even repeat cruises will find something fresh to enjoy. For some cool moves, head to Absolute Zero, the ice skating rink, which has two different ice skating shows and open skating times during the day. The ice skates are available for your convenience.

To enjoy live music and performances, check out the Music Hall, a two-level area with live music, bands, karaoke and trivia. If you're a sports fan, Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade is the place to be, with giant TVs, and arcade games. Plus, who doesn't like bar snacks such as nachos, burgers and fries?

For a high-dollar dining experience, there's the brand-new Empire Supper Club. This upscale eatery costs about $200 per person and includes an 8-course meal.

Wanna live it up like a VIP? Then be sure to make reservations at the Celebration Table. You and your crew of up to 12 guests can indulge in an exclusive dining experience including your own personal lounge, ocean views and a choice of different prix fixe menus and signature cocktails.

Head to Deck 12 to find the Vitality Spa at Sea, Vitality Fitness Center and Vitality Cafe. The cafe has a menu with refreshing drinks and smoothies, while the spa and salon services include massages, facials, skin treatments and even a blow-dry bar called To Dry For.

Parents can enjoy some alone time while the kiddos dive into the fun at Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean's youth program and kids' clubs. These fun-filled clubs are the place where kids can play, learn and make new friends.

And for the teens, there's a special hangout onboard, Social 020, with immersive gaming and movie nights, giving teens the freedom to chill and connect. For babies and toddlers, AO Babies provides childcare services (ages 6 months to 36 months) for an extra cost.

Worried about staying connected at sea? Don't be! Even in the middle of the ocean you can stay connected with VOOM, Royal Caribbean's "fastest internet at sea." The Surf + Stream package lets you browse, stream, post, video chat and more — and it even works on Perfect Day at CocoCay at no extra charge. Voom internet is a great way to ensure the family stays connected to each other, and to friends and loved ones shoreside!

Icon of the Seas Fun Facts

• The Icon of the Seas is one of the most expensive ships ever built. How much did her construction cost? Oh, just a cool $2 billion. To put this in perspective, the previous Royal Caribbean record holder, Allure of the Seas, cost about $1.43 billion to build.
• Icon of the Seas is the first ship powered by liquified natural gas and fuel cell technology. This greener approach is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 30% and sulfur emissions by almost 100%!
• Rover is the 'Chief Dog Officer' onboard. She is a Golden Retriever whose only job is to bring joy and happiness to her fellow crew and guests. She is managed by her handler, Alison Hubble. We love following her on Instagram!
• Icon of the Seas features more than 75 daily activities across it's neighborhoods — from sunrise yoga to late-night silent discos — making it one of the busiest ships at sea.
• Star of the Seas, the second ship in the Icon Class, officially set sail in August 2025 and is currently homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida.

The Icon of the Seas is a true masterpiece! What are you most excited about? In the comments, let us know when you'll be setting sail! 

Related: Top Reasons Why We Love Sailing on a Royal Caribbean Cruise with Kids

Related: Guide to All the Icon of the Seas Restaurants

Keep hopping!