What Are Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class Cruise...

Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class contains 5 cruise ships which have change into famend for being larger and extra progressive than every other cruise ships crusing the seas at present.

Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to find out about this ground-breaking group of ships, so you possibly can resolve if an Icon-class cruise is in your future.

The Icon Class at a Glimpse

The 5 vessels within the Icon-class embrace Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, and two which are but to be named.

What Makes the Icon Class So Particular?

When the brand new Icon of the Seas launched in 2024, it was an enormous deal — a large deal. Each actually and figuratively. The cruise neighborhood couldn’t wait to get its fingers on this ship that was reportedly larger 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 largest ships in the world, by an extended shot, each by way of gross tonnage and visitor capability. Whereas the vessels carry 5,610 company at double capability, they will deal with roughly 7,600 company, plus greater than 2,000 crew, once they’re stuffed to their max.

The ships additionally launched a brand-new structure to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, with redesigned areas that match the wants of the fashionable 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 every thing new-new-new.

Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas Size Comparison – Facts and Stats

Mainly, even in case you’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 operate, 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 whole:

• The Suite Neighborhood
• Royal Promenade
• Central Park
• Surfside
• The Hideaway
• Chill Island
• Thrill Island
• AquaDome

Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood should not new to the category, however the remaining 5 neighborhoods are.

The AquaDome is the place one of many class’s most artistic and distinctive (in my view) options lives. The large, glass dome on the ship’s bow affords wonderful views, a smooth and modern aesthetic, two bars, a couple of eating choices and the AquaTheater.

Thrill Island is dwelling 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 Guide

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. 

Prime Modern and Distinctive Options within the Icon Class

The Pearl

It’s onerous to clarify The Pearl in case you 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 art 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 based mostly on music, in addition to information associated to precise, real-time wind and tide information. 

A staircase leads cruisers up by means of 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 proper foot. Whenever you ascend the staircase, you’ll discover spectacular views and The Pearl Café.

Technically, The Pearl is the most important kinetic artwork sculpture on this planet. 

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 large deal. 

The Class 6 Waterpark

The 17,000-square-foot Class 6 waterpark is severely 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, however it additionally boasts the most important raft slide at sea, the tallest waterslide at sea, the primary open free-fall slide at sea and extra. From the Scary Bolt to Strain Drop, there’s a distinct slide for each day 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’ more than 20 restaurant options (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, embrace 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 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, in case you ask nearly anybody who’s sailed on an Icon-class ship concerning the elevators, they’ll in all probability have one thing complimentary to say. 

There are 22 whole elevators on the ship, however these aren’t simply any elevators. They’ve been outfitted with spectacular tech that helps to attenuate wait occasions.

For instance, relatively than everybody ready for an elevator, selecting their particular person decks after which all of these individuals 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 definitely’re assigned a selected elevator to get on. That means, the elevator takes everybody who’s going to the identical vacation spot, normally instantly there. There’s no big quantity of stopping and beginning.

Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas – A Giant Comparison

Plus, the elevators harness AI capabilities to trace cruisers’ utilization throughout the day and alter their availability accordingly. They’re much more sustainable, with elevators shifting up utilizing the vitality generated by elevators taking place.

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 individuals, that’s going to result in one large query: How are the crowds?

Even in case you love crusing on a mega ship with all its choices, most cruisers don’t take pleasure in 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 continuing level of debate among the many cruise neighborhood on Reddit.

In one thread from 2024, a cruiser stated that there was actually solely two occasions 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 nicely laid out that it by no means felt overwhelmingly crowded. 

In another thread from summer of 2025, one poster stated 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 likewise talked about these high-tech elevators.

Who’s the Icon Class Finest for?

There are a couple of varieties of cruisers who’re actually going to take pleasure in 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 potential.

Not solely is the Surfside neighborhood fully geared at making household cruises extra pleasing, 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, however it’s price repeating once more. For those who journey to eat, you’re going to actually respect the entire restaurant choices aboard Icon of the Seas and its sister ships.

Not solely do you get tons of choices, however these are literally fascinating and inventive choices that transcend the standard predominant eating room, buffet, steakhouse, Italian eatery and sushi joint that you just’d discover on nearly any cruise ship.

You’ve obtained a meals corridor. You’ve obtained the supper golf equipment. You will have the 24/7 Pearl Café. You will 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 potential over the course of their itineraries.

Different cruisers cruise for the ship. For those who 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 widespread ships cease at among the hottest ports — the Bahamas, Cozumel, CocoCay, and many others. So, likelihood is seemingly you could’ve already seen these locations previously. 

Execs 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 points of interest that you just received’t discover on every other ships
• New tech and progressive choices for the most effective of 21^st century cruising

Cons of Crusing on an Icon Class Ship

• You received’t discover a very intimate ambiance right here (some cruisers on Reddit have talked about the lack to make pals with fellow cruisers on Icon class ships, the way in which you possibly can on smaller ships)
• Excessive costs — you possibly can count on that Royal Caribbean goes to cost a premium for its greatest, largest ship, except 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, however it’s undoubtedly for lots of people. 

For those who love a lot of choices, need a family-friendly cruise and actually worth getting the most recent and greatest within the business, then crusing on an Icon-class ship might be proper up your alley.

If, although, you worth the extra low-key, less-busy cruising expertise, and the chance to see the identical fellow cruisers regularly, you would possibly need to go for a smaller ship.