I was one of the first guests on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas — these are the 9 things you should know about what it’s like on the world’s largest cruise ship

I was one of the first guests on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas — these are the 9 things you should know about what it’s like on the world’s largest cruise ship

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I attended one of Icon of the Seas’ preview cruises and spent most of my three nights lost and overwhelmed by its size and amenities.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider


  • Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will begin its first seven-night sailings in January 
  • The new world’s largest cruise ship has unprecedented features like a six-slide water park.
  • These are the nine things travelers should know about what it’s like on the new mega-ship.
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I was one of the first guests to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel: The $2 billion Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship.

Yes, it was giant. Yes, I’ve never seen anything like it. And yes, it was a sensory overload. (I think I need a vacation from this vacation.)

The Icon of the Seas ship is unlike any existing floating resort. As the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class, the 250,800-gross-ton vessel overshadows virtually all of its predecessors — in size and in the number of water slides, pools, dining venues, and stateroom options.

Ahead of its January 27 debut, Royal Caribbean invited me on a complimentary, three-night preview sailing. Unfortunately, I spent most of my time lost and overwhelmed.

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To prevent this for yourself, these are the nine things you should know before your 2024 Icon of the Seas vacation.

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1. If you have a dinner or show reservation, start heading over much earlier than expected.

Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The Icon of the Seas can accommodate almost 10,000 people including crew.

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Crossing a 1,198-foot-long, 20-deck ship takes time, especially with the crowds of up to 7,600 guests, slow elevators, and inevitable distractions.

As an often punctual person, I was shamelessly late to almost every event. It turns out I can’t walk the length of the world’s largest cruise ship in two minutes.

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2. Thankfully, the most coveted activities are located in the same section.

water park on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The water park has six slides, including what Royal Caribbean is calling the tallest at sea.

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Thrill Island is home to the Icon of the Seas’ best amenities.

Adrenaline addicts can get their fix at the water park’s six slides, surf simulator, and Crown’s Edge rope course that suspends participants more than 150 feet above the water.

For more nervous travelers, this area also has a sports court, mini-golf course, and rock climbing wall.

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3. You’re probably underestimating the number of children you’ll see on the ship.

pool deck  on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The Icon of the Seas has seven pools.

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About 25% to 30% of cabins on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels — which includes the previous world’s largest Wonder of the Seas — were designed for families, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters during the sailing.

On this new ship, a cool 80% of its 2,805 cabins can accommodate parents and their children.

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If you fear young children, steer clear of Surfside.

surfside on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The Surfside neighborhood features an arcade, a water playground, and an all-day brunch spot where children eat for free.

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Surfside was designed for families with children six years old and younger.

This colorful getaway — complete with a giant pink flamingo and an eclectic carousel — is where the youngest guests can seek out daytime romps around the water playground and nighttime story readings.

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4. The ship has a handful of adult-only spaces.

infinity pool on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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Royal Caribbean says the Icon of the Seas is the first cruise ship to have a suspended infinity pool.

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Reprieve from the army of screaming children can be found in no-kid zones like the DJ-helmed Hideaway. Here, adults can luxuriate in a beach club-like suspended infinity pool with a cocktail in hand and no kids in sight.

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5. Some of Icon’s amenities have a luxury price tag.

Ultimate Family Townhouse on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The Ultimate Family Townhouse can accommodate up to eight guests.

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The most expensive two-story Ultimate Family Townhouse is being booked for between $100,000 to $200,000 a week, according to a Royal Caribbean worker stationed at the cabin.

Despite this hefty cost, the eight-guest cabin is already reserved for most of 2024.

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If you have the cash to ball out on the 1,772-square-foot townhouse, why not splurge a bit more for the $200-per-person dinner?

Empire Suppler Club  on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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Empire Supper Club features live music and a cocktail pairing.

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“Ya like jazz?” Good. Empire Supper Club’s multi-course meal pairs options like rabbit and oysters Rockefeller with cocktails and live jazz.

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6. You could still blow past your vacation budget without splurging on these luxuries.

El Loco Fresh complimentary food  on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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El Loco Fresh is the ship’s complimentary Mexican-inspired buffet.

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Only about half of the ship’s 21 dining venues are complimentary.

The days of unlimited lobsters on cruises are gone: The coveted crustacean costs extra in the main dining room. So does dinner at the sushi, steakhouse, seafood, and Italian restaurants, to name a few options.

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If you’re a drinker, you’ll be buzzing to see Icon’s 20 bars and nightlife venues.

Overlook bar  on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The Overlook is one of many watering holes.

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But without a beverage package, the cost of these drinks could quickly add up.

And they’re hard to avoid: There are opportunities to booze it up everywhere you go. One neighborhood — the watering hole-lined Royal Promenade — practically becomes a bar crawl at night.

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7. Speaking of — booze plus cruise no longer equals piña coladas and mai tais by the pool.

Bubbles champagne bar on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The Central Park neighborhood is home to a small Champagne bar, Bubbles.

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The Icon flexes a unique list of watering holes, including a dueling piano venue and a swim-up bar.

Young adults will also be delighted to see their beloved espresso martini at Rye and Bean, which puts a boozy spin on teas and coffee.

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8. Your cabin could be smaller than expected.

balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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My ocean view balcony cabin had 50 square-feet of private outdoor space.

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Royal Caribbean assigned me an ocean-view balcony cabin during the three-night cruise.

As a solo traveler, the 204-square-foot interior was surprisingly cramped.

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I’m not sure a family of four could peacefully coexist in this little stateroom.

bathroom of ocean view balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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The ocean view balcony cabin had a small bathroom that only accommodates one person at a time.

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I should’ve packed elbow pads: The bathroom was so small, I accidentally hit the walls more frequently than I’d like to admit.

One more small gripe: I hate two-in-one body wash and shampoo. And I would’ve loved some conditioner for my chlorine-soaked hair.

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9. The nighttime entertainment is diverse for a cruise line that follows the typical “dinner-and-a-show” model.

Wizard of Oz show on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

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“The Wizard of Oz” is one of the ship’s six shows.

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Icon’s shows include an ice skating performance and a water-based spectacular with nine-foot-tall robotic arms and high divers.

For Broadway enthusiasts, the ship also hosts a rendition of “The Wizard of Oz.” As an anti-cruise, anti-musical cynic, the musical was, I hate to admit, impressive and entertaining. Hard not to be childishly delighted by the sight of Dorothy and Toto flying around the theater in a large suspended bed.

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This post was originally published on Business Insider

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