In 2024, Royal Caribbean launched two massive ships which have garnered lots of media buzz — and as they need to. Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are a number of the largest ships on the planet, with a number of the most spectacular and ground-breaking options within the cruise trade.
So, how do you choose which one to sail on to your upcoming cruise? Right here’s every part you must know when deciding between Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
Building
Whereas each ships debuted in 2024, Icon of the Seas welcomed company first, setting sail on its inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024.
Icon of the Seas was initially ordered in 2016, as the primary ship of the Icon class, and development started in 2021. Constructed at Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland, Icon of the Seas gained standing as some of the costly ships to be constructed, ever. Simply how costly was it? Royal Caribbean paid about $2 billion!
Utopia of the Seas, in the meantime, was introduced in 2019, and development started at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, in 2022.
Initially, Royal Caribbean meant to debut the ship in late 2023. Nonetheless, the ship was not delivered till 2024, leading to its maiden voyage happening on July 19, 2024. This ship price fairly a bit much less to construct, at round $1.35 billion.
Each ships will be powered by way of LNG (liquified pure fuel), and Icon of the Seas was the primary Royal Caribbean ship to function this functionality. Utopia of the Seas is at the moment the one Oasis-class ship to function this functionality.
Ship Sizes and Capability
So how do Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas measure up, when it comes to measurement? Right here’s how the 2 evaluate.
| Stats | Utopia of the Seas | Icon of the Seas |
| Gross Tons | 236,473 | 250,800 |
| Size | 1,188 ft | 1,198 ft |
| Passenger Capability (Double Occupancy) | 5,668 | 5,610 |
| Passenger Capability (Most Occupancy) | 6,988 | 7,600 |
| Crew | 2,290 | 2,350 |
| Staterooms | 2,834 | 2,805 |
| Passenger Decks | 16 | 18 |
As you may see, Icon of the Seas is sort of a bit bigger than Utopia of the Seas (about 6% bigger), with two extra passenger decks.
Nonetheless, when you’re taking a look at passenger capability at double occupancy, you’ll discover that, regardless of its smaller measurement, Utopia of the Seas can truly maintain extra cruisers. It’s because the vessel has extra general staterooms and suites than Icon of the Seas.
Ship Lessons
Icon of the Seas kicked off Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class. The category consists of the biggest cruise ships ever constructed, and Icon of the Seas has been no disappointment so far as measurement is worried.
Three complete Icon-class ships are deliberate, with Star of the Seas scheduled to launch in 2025 and an unnamed ship scheduled to launch in 2026. Metal chopping started for Star of the Seas in February 2023, whereas metal chopping started for the unnamed ship in January 2024.
In distinction, Utopia of the Seas is a part of a long-standing class within the Royal Caribbean household: the Oasis class. Utopia of the Seas is the sixth Oasis-class vessel, and a remaining, seventh Oasis-class vessel is anticipated to debut in 2028.
The Oasis class initially launched in 2009, with the namesake Oasis of the Seas. Different ships within the class embrace Attract of the Seas, Concord of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Surprise of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas stands out from the pack as the biggest Oasis-class ship so far.
Up till Icon of the Seas debuted, the Oasis class featured the biggest cruise ships within the trade and introduced quite a few adjustments to the trade, together with the neighborhood idea that’s turn out to be anticipated on Royal Caribbean ships general.
Neighborhoods
Talking of neighborhoods, which of those themed areas of the ship are you able to anticipate aboard Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas options eight neighborhoods, together with:
- AquaDome
- Central Park
- Chill Island
- Royal Promenade
- Surfside
- Suite Neighborhood
- Thrill Island
- The Hideaway
Utopia of the Seas additionally options eight neighborhoods, however they differ barely. They embrace:
- Royal Promenade
- Central Park
- Boardwalk
- Leisure Zone
- Pool & Sports activities Zone
- Youth Zone
- Vitality Spa & Health
- Suite Neighborhood
The 2 share Royal Caribbean’s traditional Central Park and Royal Promenade neighborhoods. Should you’ve by no means sailed with Royal Caribbean earlier than, the previous is really a park-like ambiance, with plant partitions and entry to a lot of leisure and eating venues.
The Royal Promenade can be a middle spot for many motion, with venues, eating places, and retail areas alongside a central walkway. Likewise, each ships have a Suite Neighborhood. Nonetheless, issues differ from right here.
Utopia of the Seas’ different neighborhoods are fairly in keeping with what you may anticipate to see on different Oasis-class ships and all neighborhoods are named in such a approach that they’re fairly self-explanatory.
Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas vs Surprise of the Seas: A Large Comparability
For instance, the boardwalk provides a family-friendly boardwalk-like ambiance. The pool and sports activities zone homes the pool and sports activities zones. The youth zone is the place you’ll discover children golf equipment. The leisure zone is dwelling to theaters, and the Vitality Spa space is the place you’ll discover wellness facilities, together with the spa.
Icon of the Seas’ 5 distinct neighborhoods, in distinction, are a bit of extra uniquely named and a bit of extra fascinating. AquaDome is dwelling to the AquaTheater and nightlife.
Chill Island provides 4 swimming pools and a handful of bars. Thrill Island provides waterslides and Surfside likewise has a kiddy pool, in addition to different kid-focused facilities, like the children’ golf equipment. The Hideaway is a quiet spot with its personal pool and a bar.
Central Park on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
Whereas each ships are dwelling to Central Park neighborhoods, there are slight variations if you take a look at these areas on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas — and the Central Park neighborhood on Icon of the Seas has been hailed as general higher compared.
On Utopia of the Seas, the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 can be dwelling to retail retailers, Izumi, Izumi within the Park, Park Café, the Trellis Bar, Rising Tide Bar, 150 Central Park and Chops Grille.
At every finish of the neighborhood, there are elevator banks, and suites and staterooms alongside the perimeter of the ship, surrounding the neighborhood.
On Icon of the Seas, the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 likewise options Chops Grille, Izumi, Izumi within the Par, the Trellis Bar, Park Café and retail area, but it surely additionally consists of Lou’s Jazz ‘N Blues and The Pearl, a singular artwork function. One finish of this deck, past Central Park, additionally homes the Empire Supper Membership.
The Royal Promenade
Equally, there are slight variations between the Royal Promenade on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
On the previous, the Royal Promenade is on Deck 5, and also you’ll discover a lot of retail right here, in addition to Boleros, Sorrentos, Café Promenade, Starbucks, just a few bars, and visitor providers.
On the latter, the Royal Promenade stretches throughout Deck 5 and 6 and consists of the entire above, plus Level & Feather, the Crown & Anchor Society, 1400 Foyer Bar, Pearl Café and Schooner Bar. You can even see The Pearl artwork set up all through the Promenade (sure, it’s actually that massive!).
Do be aware that, on each of those ships, on the ends of the Royal Promenade, you’ll discover additional venues, such because the ships’ theaters and primary eating rooms (although these aren’t technically straight on the promenade itself.
Staterooms and Suites
You’ll haven’t any scarcity of stateroom and suite choices when you’re aboard both of those ships. Nonetheless, there are just a few variations in what they provide. Because the lead ship in a brand new class, Icon of the Seas launched just a few new stateroom choices.
Icon of the Seas
- Inside Plus staterooms
- Panoramic Ocean View staterooms
- Household Infinity Balcony staterooms
- Surfside Household View inside cabins
- Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins
- Infinite Central Park View balcony cabins
An Inside Plus stateroom is principally a greater, extra luxurious inside stateroom. Panoramic Ocean View staterooms supply panoramic ocean views, after all, however solely throughout the AquaDome neighborhood.
Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins are the primary of their sort for the cruise line. A glass wall separates the cabin’s balcony from the remainder of the cabin, however then that tumbler wall will be moved out of the way in which solely.
Household Infinity balcony rooms are the household model of this, however you get extra space and, when you’re within the Surfside neighborhood, you’ll be proper in the entire family-friendly motion, near kid-favorite facilities.
Past the brand new choices aboard Icon of the Seas, different staterooms on this ship embrace:
- Customary inside cabins
- Spacious inside cabins
- Central Park View inside cabins
- Ocean view cabins
- Ocean view balcony cabins
- Ocean view massive balcony cabins
- Central Park balcony cabins
Then, although, there are additionally the suites. Suite choices aboard Icon of the Seas embrace:
- The Final Household Townhouse
- Surfside Household suites
- Junior suites
- Sundown Junior suites
- Sky Junior suites
- Sundown suites
- Panoramic suites
- Infinite Grand suites
- Proprietor’s suites
- Grand suites
- The Royal Loft
- Icon Loft Suites
A few of these are brand-new additions to the Royal Caribbean lineup.
For instance, the Surfside Household suites are positioned within the Surfside neighborhood and are outfitted with every part a touring household may need. The Final Household Townhouse can be new, and a brand new tackle Royal Caribbean’s present Final Household suite.
Icon Loft suites are two-floor suites with a lot of luxurious, and Infinite Grand suites function the aforementioned infinite balcony. Panoramic suites are likewise new, and solely accessible within the AquaDome.
Utopia of the Seas
When evaluating staterooms and suites on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas, you’ll discover there’s various overlap. Nonetheless, do keep in mind that, although Utopia of the Seas is smaller than Icon of the Seas, it does have extra staterooms.
Listed here are the choices for staterooms on Utopia of the Seas:
- Studio single cabins
- Digital balcony inside cabins
- Spacious inside household cabins
- Promenade view inside cabins
- Boardwalk and Central Park-view inside cabins
- Boardwalk and Central Park balcony cabins
- Oceanview cabins
- Household oceanview cabins
- Spacious balcony cabins
- Extremely-spacious household balcony cabins
And listed here are the choices for suites on Utopia of the Seas:
- Junior suites
- Grand suites
- AquaTheater suites
- House owners suites
- Crown loft suites
- Royal loft suites
- Solarium suites
- The Final Household suite
As you may see, Utopia of the Seas actually provides lots of those self same Oasis-class stateroom and suite choices you’ll find on all of its sister ships.
So, when you actually desire a stateroom or suite that gives one thing recent, new and thrilling, contemplate reserving Icon of the Seas to your cruise, and ebook one among its brand-new choices, just like the Inside Plus staterooms or one of many a number of new family-focused staterooms or suites.
Eating Venues
There are some cruise ship eating venues which might be simply classics, and that you simply’ll discover on each single Royal Caribbean ship. Nonetheless, many have unique-to-them eating places, particularly when you’re evaluating two ships from completely different lessons, as is the case when taking a look at Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
Listed here are the eating places you may look forward to finding on every ship.
| Restaurant/Eating Choice | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas |
| 150 Central Park | No | Sure |
| AquaDome Market | Sure | No |
| Basecamp | Sure | No |
| Café Promenade | No | Sure |
| Celebration Desk | Sure | No |
| Chef’s Desk | No | Sure |
| Chops Grille | Sure | Sure |
| Coastal Kitchen | Sure | Sure |
| Canine Home | No | Sure |
| El Loco Recent | Sure | Sure |
| Empire Supper Membership | Sure | No |
| Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar | Sure | Sure |
| Hooked Seafood | Sure | Sure |
| Izumi Hibachi & Sushi | Sure | Sure |
| Izumi within the Park | Sure | Sure |
| Johnny Rockets | No | Sure |
| Fundamental Eating Rooms | Sure | Sure |
| Park Café | Sure | Sure |
| Pearl Café | Sure | No |
| Pier 7 | Sure | No |
| Playmakers Sports activities Bar & Arcade | Sure | Sure |
| Solarium Bistro | No | Sure |
| Sorrento’s Pizza | Sure | Sure |
| The Spare Tire | No | Sure |
| Starbucks | Sure | Sure |
| Sugar Seaside | Sure | Sure |
| Surfside Bites | Sure | No |
| Surfside Eatery | Sure | No |
| The Grove | Sure | No |
| The Mason Jar | No | Sure |
| Windjammer Café | Sure | Sure |
As you may see, you undoubtedly received’t be left wanting for choices on both ship. Nonetheless, as you take a look at these Royal Caribbean classics like Windjammer Café and Sorrento’s, don’t neglect to additionally make sure you attempt the most recent choices on both ship.
The Spare Tire is a brand-new choice on Utopia of the Seas, providing fast bites by way of a meals truck by the pool. One other newcomer simply on this ship is Royal Railway: Utopia Station. This specialty eating choice brings luxurious rail journey to the cruise trade, as diners take their seats in a prepare eating automotive and watch a digital panorama roll previous the home windows.
Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas Eating places – Eating Venue Information
One in all Icon of the Seas’ standout new eating places is the Empire Supper Membership, for a high-end eating expertise in an Artwork Deco-style setting. Icon of the Seas additionally boasts a secondary buffet, Surfside Eatery.
Bars and Lounges
You’ll likewise haven’t any scarcity of locations to seize a drink on both of those ships. Right here’s how the choices break down.
| Bar/Lounge Choice | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas |
| Bell & Barley | No | Sure |
| Boleros | Sure | Sure |
| Cantina Fresca | Sure | Sure |
| Diamond Membership | Sure | No |
| English Pub | Sure | No |
| Playmakers Bar & Arcade | Sure | Sure |
| Pool Bar | Sure | No |
| Rising Tide Bar | No | Sure |
| Schooner Bar | Sure | Sure |
| Solarium Bar | No | Sure |
| Swim & Tonic Pool Bar | Sure | No |
| The Attic | Sure | Sure |
| The Hideaway Bar | Sure | No |
| The Lime & Coconut | Sure | Sure |
| Trellis Bar | Sure | Sure |
| Wipeout Bar | No | Sure |
| Vue Bar | No | Sure |
| 1400 Foyer Bar | Sure | No |
| Basecamp Bar | Sure | No |
| Bubbles | Sure | No |
| On line casino Bar | Sure | Sure |
| Dueling Pianos | Sure | No |
| Giovanni’s Wine Bar | Sure | Sure |
| Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues | Sure | No |
| Rye & Bean | Sure | No |
| The Grove Bar | Sure | No |
| The Lemon Submit | Sure | No |
| The Overlook | Sure | No |
| Music Corridor | Sure | No |
| The Pesky Parrot | No | Sure |
Icon of the Seas’ standout new bar is Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues, a lounge the place you may get pleasure from stay jazz alongside along with your libations. The Pesky Parrot, in the meantime, is the standout new watering gap on Utopia of the Seas, and is a tiki bar with fashionable aptitude.
Swimming pools and WaterSlides
Should you’re all concerning the water enjoyable throughout a cruise, you might need to set your sights on Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas has six waterslides, whereas Utopia of the Seas solely has three (plus 5 swimming pools).
The truth is, Icon of the Seas can declare the biggest waterpark at sea, with not simply these six waterslides, but in addition seven swimming pools and 9 sizzling tubs. Plus, for the adults, there’s the world’s longest swim-up bar at sea, within the adults-only space.
The waterslides are record-breakers, too, and embrace Strain Drop, the primary open free-fall slide at sea; Horrifying Bolt, the tallest drop waterslide at sea; Storm Chasers, the primary mat-racing slide at sea; and Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter, the primary family-friendly raft trip at sea. Nonetheless, regardless of having all these distinctive waterslides, there’s something lacking on Icon of the Seas.
Leisure and Actions
Past swimming pools and waterslides, each Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas supply superb leisure and exercise choices for each form of cruiser. On each ships, you’ll discover:
- Casinos
- Carousels
- Miniature golf programs
- Sports activities courts
- Rock-climbing partitions
- Comedy golf equipment
- Escape rooms
- Laser tag
- Ice skating
Icon of the Seas additionally has a ropes course. In the meantime, Utopia of the Seas provides a zipper line. Additionally discovered on Utopia of the Seas is the favored Final Abyss dry slide function, positioned on the ship aft and 10 tales excessive. This function is well-known throughout the Oasis-class, however it isn’t featured on Icon of the Seas.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Which is Finest?
When evaluating two large, stellar ships like this, you could have lots to think about. As you evaluate and distinction staterooms and suites, eating places and waterslides, although, don’t neglect to additionally contemplate these ships’ itineraries.
Whereas each ships sail from Florida, Icon of the Seas is crusing its inaugural season out of Miami, whereas Utopia of the Seas’ inaugural season sails from Orlando. Royal Caribbean has branded Utopia of the Seas as a weekend getaway ship, with shorter sailings, whereas Icon of the Seas is providing longer sailings all throughout the Caribbean, from the Jap Caribbean and on over to Mexico.
Icon of the Seas has additionally undoubtedly been designed as a family-friendly ship, and it reveals. Households will love the family-centric Surfside neighborhood, in addition to the wealth of family-friendly enjoyable, plus so many family-friendly stateroom and suite choices. In distinction, Utopia of the Seas places much less of a deal with households and offers you extra of a traditional, Oasis-class expertise.
Value Studying: Royal Caribbean Facilities You Ought to Pre-E book
The entire above thought of, which ship is greatest for you’ll rely on what sort of traveler you’re, who you’re touring with and the way lengthy you need to journey.
Should you solely have just a few days to get away, Utopia of the Seas is a no brainer. Should you’re touring with kiddos and wish them to have a stellar time, Icon of the Seas is a straightforward alternative. Should you’re touring as a pair and wish fewer household crowds and a traditional Royal Caribbean expertise, Utopia of the Seas delivers.
On the finish of the day, although, neither ship is a poor alternative. Each are massive, outfitted with all the newest and best facilities and able to give you a memorable trip.
