Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class contains 5 cruise ships which have change into famend for being greater and extra modern than some other cruise ships crusing the seas in the present day.
Right here’s the whole lot you have to find out about this ground-breaking group of ships, so you’ll be able to determine if an Icon-class cruise is in your future.
In This Article:
- The Icon Class at a Glimpse
- What Makes the Icon Class So Particular?
- How the Icon Class Ships are Laid Out
- High Progressive and Distinctive Options within the Icon Class
- Ought to You Be Apprehensive About Crowds When Crusing on an Icon Class Ship?
- Who’s the Icon Class Finest for?
- Professionals of Crusing on an Icon Class Ship
- Cons of Crusing on an Icon Class Ship
- So is an Icon Cruise Proper for You?
The Icon Class at a Glimpse
The 5 vessels within the Icon-class embody Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, and two which are but to be named.
| Ship | Entered Service | Gross Tonnage | Visitor Capability (Double Occupancy) |
| Icon of the Seas | Jan. 27, 2024 | 248,663 | 5,610 |
| Star of the Seas | Aug. 31, 2025 | 248,663 | 5,610 |
| Legend of the Seas | July 11, 2026 | 248,663 | 5,610 |
| TBA | Estimated 2027 | Estimated 248,663 | Estimated 5,610 |
| TBA | Estimated 2028 | Estimated 248,663 | Estimated 5,610 |
What Makes the Icon Class So Particular?
When the brand new Icon of the Seas launched in 2024, it was a giant deal — a massive deal. Each actually and figuratively. The cruise neighborhood couldn’t wait to get its palms on this ship that was reportedly greater and higher than something that had ever come earlier than it.
And it’s true — this ship has confirmed to be fairly particular, as have people who have come after it.
The Icon class options the most important ships on the earth, by a protracted shot, each when it comes to gross tonnage and visitor capability. Whereas the vessels carry 5,610 visitors at double capability, they’ll deal with roughly 7,600 visitors, plus greater than 2,000 crew, after they’re stuffed to their max.
The ships additionally launched a brand-new format to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, with redesigned areas that match the wants of the trendy cruiser.
Moreover, Royal Caribbean actually went all out with providing the final word in choices (whether or not you’re in search of issues to do, locations to eat and drink, or simply selecting your stateroom or suite). Ships are additionally crammed with high-end tech and the whole lot new-new-new.
Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas Dimension Comparability – Details and Stats
Mainly, even for those who’ve been cruising all of your life, like me, the Icon-class continues to be going to be a brand-new expertise like none you’ve ever had earlier than.
How the Icon Class Ships are Laid Out
Most Royal Caribbean ships function “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas themed round a sure exercise or perform, just like the Royal Promenade or Central Park. Nevertheless, the Icon-class vessels expanded on this concept, with new, extra deliberate neighborhoods.
The Icon ships function eight neighborhoods in complete:
- The Suite Neighborhood
- Royal Promenade
- Central Park
- Surfside
- The Hideaway
- Chill Island
- Thrill Island
- AquaDome
Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood usually are not new to the category, however the remaining 5 neighborhoods are.
The AquaDome is the place one of many class’s most inventive and distinctive (for my part) options lives. The enormous, glass dome on the ship’s bow affords wonderful views, a glossy and modern aesthetic, two bars, a couple of eating choices and the AquaTheater.
Thrill Island is house to the most important waterpark at sea, with record-breaking slides in addition to alternatives for different thrills and journey, on the zip line and sports activities courts.
Chill Island affords a number of swimming pools, a number of bars and eating places and a swim-up bar (a function that was utterly new for Royal Caribbean when it was launched on Icon of the Seas).
Value Studying: Icon of the Seas Cabins and Suites Information
The Hideaway is an adults-only space with a bar and an infinity pool.
Surfside, lastly, is the spectacular family-geared neighborhood, with staterooms designed with households’ wants in thoughts, a carousel, splash pool, video games and kid-friendly eateries.
High Progressive and Distinctive Options within the Icon Class
The Pearl
It’s onerous to elucidate The Pearl for those who haven’t seen it for your self, however I’ll give it a shot!
A part of the reimagined Royal Promenade, The Pearl — created by the Brooklyn-based artwork studio BREAKFAST — is a three-deck sphere that options an artwork set up made up of greater than 3,000 high-tech tiles. The tiles change primarily based on music, in addition to information associated to precise, real-time wind and tide data.
A staircase leads cruisers up by and inside The Pearl to view this artwork set up up shut. It’s additionally one of many first belongings you see as quickly as you board the ship, so it actually will get your cruise off on the precise foot. Once you ascend the staircase, you’ll discover spectacular views and The Pearl Café.
Technically, The Pearl is the most important kinetic artwork sculpture on the earth.
The AquaDome
The AquaDome is the most important glass and metal construction to be featured on any cruise ship.
Actually a dome, it affords 220-degree ocean views and, as already talked about, many public areas, together with bars, eating places and the cruise line’s staple AquaTheater amphitheater. There’s additionally a 55-foot waterfall — no massive deal.
The Class 6 Waterpark
The 17,000-square-foot Class 6 waterpark is critically jaw-dropping. It additionally made waves by racking up an enormous variety of “firsts” at sea.
Not solely is it the most important waterpark at sea total, nevertheless it additionally boasts the largest raft slide at sea, the tallest waterslide at sea, the primary open free-fall slide at sea and extra. From the Horrifying Bolt to Stress Drop, there’s a distinct slide for on daily basis of the week.
Then, whereas not technically a part of the waterpark, the Royal Bay Pool within the Chill Island neighborhood can be the most important pool at sea.
The Expansive Eating
Whereas it won’t be all that thrilling to some, for foodie vacationers like myself, extra and higher eating on a cruise ship is all the time a plus.
The Icon-class blew me away with the ships’ greater than 20 restaurant choices (and once you add on the locations to seize a drink, too, the quantity climbs to above 40).
As a lot as you strive, it’s onerous to slot in all of these eateries in a single crusing!
A few of the highlights, although, embody the AquaDome Market, which is a meals hall-style eatery.
Subsequent, every ship has its personal high-end supper membership, with completely different themes relying on the ship. Icon of the Seas’ supper membership has a Jazz Age NYC vibe. Star of the Seas faucets into Nineteen Thirties Chicago. Legend of the Seas channels the golden age of Hollywood.
Then, whereas it’s not on Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas, the Royal Railway eating expertise is on Legend of the Seas. Beforehand, it was simply on Utopia of the Seas. It’s an immersive expertise whereby you dine in what seems like an actual rail automobile, with surroundings projected out your home windows.
The Elevators
The elevators? Actually?
Yep, for those who ask nearly anybody who’s sailed on an Icon-class ship concerning the elevators, they’ll most likely have one thing complimentary to say.
There are 22 complete elevators on the ship, however these aren’t simply any elevators. They’ve been outfitted with spectacular tech that helps to attenuate wait instances.
For instance, quite than everybody ready for an elevator, selecting their particular person decks after which all of these folks crowding into no matter empty elevator opens subsequent, which then has to cease at each single chosen deck… these are destination-based elevators.
So, you decide your deck and then you definately’re assigned a selected elevator to get on. That manner, the elevator takes everybody who’s going to the identical vacation spot, normally instantly there. There’s no enormous quantity of stopping and beginning.
Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas vs Surprise of the Seas – A Large Comparability
Plus, the elevators harness AI capabilities to trace cruisers’ utilization throughout the day and regulate their availability accordingly. They’re much more sustainable, with elevators shifting up utilizing the vitality generated by elevators happening.
Cool, huh?
Ought to You Be Apprehensive About Crowds When Crusing on an Icon Class Ship?
After all, once you unveil that your new cruise ship can maintain greater than 7,000 folks, that’s going to result in one massive query: How are the crowds?
Even for those who love crusing on a mega ship with all its choices, most cruisers don’t get pleasure from crowds.
Nevertheless, there’s excellent news: Icon-class ships don’t really feel crowded, and it’s not simply me saying it. This has been a continuous level of debate among the many cruise neighborhood on Reddit.
In one thread from 2024, a cruiser mentioned that there was actually solely two instances that they felt Icon of the Seas was crowded, throughout the first-night promenade balloon drop at midnight, after which on the breakfast buffet on a sea day. In any other case, they famous, the ship was so effectively laid out that it by no means felt overwhelmingly crowded.
In one other thread from summer time of 2025, one poster mentioned that Icon of the Seas was the least-crowded-feeling Royal Caribbean ship that they’d ever been on.
They credited the ship’s well-defined neighborhoods for this reality, as they assist unfold the crowds out, and in addition talked about these high-tech elevators.
Who’s the Icon Class Finest for?
There are a couple of kinds of cruisers who’re actually going to get pleasure from crusing on an Icon class ship essentially the most.
Households
Royal Caribbean actually knocked it out of the park when it got here to creating these ships as family-friendly as doable.
Not solely is the Surfside neighborhood totally geared at making household cruises extra pleasant, however the ship affords family-specific suites and staterooms, family-friendly eating places and leisure galore.
For the most effective household trip, with bolder bonding throughout the board, decide an Icon ship.
Foodie Cruisers
I already talked about it, nevertheless it’s price repeating once more. If you happen to journey to eat, you’re going to essentially respect all the restaurant choices aboard Icon of the Seas and its sister ships.
Not solely do you get tons of choices, however these are literally attention-grabbing and artistic choices that transcend the everyday essential eating room, buffet, steakhouse, Italian eatery and sushi joint that you simply’d discover on nearly any cruise ship.
You’ve acquired a meals corridor. You’ve acquired the supper golf equipment. You may have the 24/7 Pearl Café. You may have the Royal Railway expertise.
Cruisers Who Don’t Thoughts Skipping Port Days
Some cruisers cruise for the ports. They’re all about seeing as many locations as doable over the course of their itineraries.
Different cruisers cruise for the ship. If you happen to fall into this camp, you’ll seemingly love an Icon-class cruise. With a lot to do proper on the vessel, there’s no have to disembark to seek out methods to fill your days.
Plus, it’s price noting that these common ships cease at a few of the hottest ports — the Bahamas, Cozumel, CocoCay, and many others. So, likelihood is seemingly you could’ve already seen these locations up to now.
Professionals of Crusing on an Icon Class Ship
So what are the professionals of crusing on an Icon-class ship?
- Heaps to do and loads of choices at each flip, it doesn’t matter what you’re within the temper for
- Household-specific facilities, venues and staterooms
- Distinctive sights that you simply gained’t discover on some other ships
- New tech and modern choices for the most effective of 21st century cruising
Cons of Crusing on an Icon Class Ship
- You gained’t discover a very intimate ambiance right here (some cruisers on Reddit have talked about the lack to make mates with fellow cruisers on Icon class ships, the way in which you’ll be able to on smaller ships)
- Excessive costs — you’ll be able to anticipate that Royal Caribbean goes to cost a premium for its finest, greatest ship, until you discover some particular affords or last-minute cruise offers
So is an Icon Cruise Proper for You?
An Icon cruise isn’t going to be for everybody, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly for lots of people.
If you happen to love a number of choices, need a family-friendly cruise and actually worth getting the latest and finest within the trade, then crusing on an Icon-class ship will probably be proper up your alley.
Extra From Cruise Hive
If, although, you worth the extra low-key, less-busy cruising expertise, and the chance to see the identical fellow cruisers frequently, you would possibly wish to go for a smaller ship.
What Are Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class Cruise Ships?
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