It took 900 days to complete the Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas. Touted as the ultimate family vacation cruise ship, the grand vessel sailed into Miami with Captain Henrik Loy at the helm in January 2024. Crowds gathered at the waterfront to marvel at her beauty and size.
“Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, making its biggest debut.”
This ship is the first to feature 40 restaurants, bars and lounges among 8 different theme neighborhoods that include Thrill Island, Surfside, The Hideaway, Central Park, Chill Island, AquaDome, Royal Promenade and Suite Neighborhood.
What also makes this ship unique is there are 2,805 staterooms on the Icon of the Seas with 28 types of accommodations. There are over 50% new room types on the ship, including 8 new suite categories. Rooms are designed specifically with families in mind, with more than 82% of all rooms that can accommodate three or more guests.
More than 70% of the rooms have balconies for guests to open and step outside for fresh marine air and to capture sunrise and sunset ocean views, as well as different ports of call.
Accommodations include Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony, Icon Lofts, Infinite Grand Suites, Interior Plus, Sky Junior Suites, Spacious Infinite Ocean View and Central Park View Balcony, Sunset Corner Suites, Sunset Junior Suites, Sunrise Suites, Surfside Family View Balcony, Surfside Family View Interior, Surfside Family Suite and the Ultimate Family Townhouse.
Located in the surf-theme Surfside neighborhood, The Ultimate Family Townhouse is designed for families with small children and teens.
Surfside is a lively neighborhood where adults can have as much fun as their little ones. There are three water experiences, multiple dining options, whimsical artwork, an arcade, candy store, family activities and a soft-serve ice cream venue.
The distinctive suite features a white picket fence and mailbox at the aft of Surfside. Spanning three levels among 1,772 square feet, this is the largest of the 179 suites on the state-of-the-art ship. It's an ideal home-away-from-home offering all the comforts one desires. This first-of-its-kind suite for Royal Caribbean International is decorated in bright primary colors with whimsical carpeting that includes a piano key design.
Young guests will enjoy plush toys, comfortable furnishings, and a long two-story in-suite slide. There is also a cinema and gaming area, karaoke, and 751 square feet of outdoor balcony space.
Below the townhouse, grownups can soak up the ocean views at the Water's Edge pool while keeping an eye on the kids. This is one of the 7 swimming pools on the ship. Toddlers and young child can play in a safe splash zone playground. Also nearby is a Playscape offering climbing and sliding fun.
The separate Master Bedroom offers a king size bed dressed in luxury bedding. There is a sliding door and balcony for ocean views and fresh air. Also in the room is a flat screen television and a large closet with a safe and two plush bathrobes.
This room offers privacy and space for some alone time away for the kids.
The resort-like tiled walk-in shower in the bathroom has a large rainfall shower head. There are his and hers sinks and upgraded beauty amenities.
Those staying in the Ultimate Family Townhouse will discover the ultimate-at-sea experience includes additional perks that include dedicated concierge service, priority boarding and departure privileges, and reserved entertainment seating for the AquaTheater, Absolute Zero Ice Skating Show and Royal Theater.
Attention to fun is detailed throughout the blue and yellow second bedroom and bathroom. Both are decorated to appeal to little ones. Step into the spacious bedroom offering a bunk bed and a sofa bed to accommodate up to three guests.
The whimsical octopus-theme bathroom features two uniquely shaped bright yellow sinks, round mirrors and light blue tile flooring. There is a bottom drawer in the vanity that pulls out to become a step stool to provide little passengers more height at the sink.
Just outside the second bedroom door is a large and curly red tube slide to travel down to the living room area and kitchenette. It's a fun way to get down to the game tables, cinema, and outdoor private bubbling Jacuzzi hot tub.
The Surfside neighborhood is home to some colorful specialty restaurants. The Lemon Post Bar features two menus - one for adults and one for kids providing mocktail beverages.
Surfside Eatery offers main bites and sweet bites dedicated for all ages. There is a convenient pick-up window for those roaming around in their wet bathing suit.
Also in this neighborhood is a sweet shop filled with treats and candy-designed seating. Nearby at Sprinkles guests can order soft-serve ice cream topped with sprinkles.
The California theme at Pier 7, has crispy Baja fish tacos, margaritas, crunchy mango lime shrimp tostadas, and shareable platters. It's just steps from the Ultimate Family Townhouse. During brunch the venue provides indulgent dishes such as smoked salmon benedict and a fluffy pancake platter.
Up on Decks 16 and 17 is Thrill Island, a 17,000-square-foot outdoor area where guests can scale new heights and participate in an array of adventures. Category 6 is the largest waterpark at sea, and Pressure Drop is the first open freefall slide at sea. Guests can slide on Storm Chasers, the first mat-racing duo slides. Frightening Bolt is the tallest drop slide at sea, and families can ride on rafts down slides at Hurricane Hunter and Storm Surge.
Also in this area is FlowRider where guests can test their balance skills by riding a boogie board in water rushing down a thrilling wave simulator.
Test your bravery skills at Crown's Edge, strap in and step onto a walkway that leads outside of the ship. Courageous guests will walk 154 feet above the ocean below.
Chill Island offers a pool for every mood with prime ocean views. Four of the seven pools on Icon of the Seas are at the heart of the three-decks 15, 16 and 17. There are plenty of areas to kick back, soak up the sun, or enjoy the views in the shade.
Nearby spots for food and beverages include The Lime & Coconut, El Loco Fresh & Cantina Fresca and Windjammer.
Every cruise on the Icon of the Seas includes a visit at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. This private destination features a one-of-a-kind Thrill waterpark with 14 waterslides.
The island has plenty of white sand beaches, a hot air balloon, a lagoon-style swimming pool, and a variety of dining venues.
Guests can reserve one of the overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club located at Hideaway Beach. This area is a dedicated beach club where guests can enjoy drinks, bites, lunch, exclusive cabanas, music and an infinity swimming pool.
Icon of the Seas sails 7 nights cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. On the Eastern Caribbean sailings, passengers will cruise from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. The ship also sails to Charlotte Amalie at St. Thomas, and San Juan, Puerto Rico before spending a day in the Bahamas at CocoCay.
The Western Caribbean sailings begin in Miami, Florida with visits to Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, Cozumel in Mexico, and a Perfect Day at CocoCay before returning back to Miami.
Cruise prices start at around $2,000+ per person for interior cabins and $3,500+ per person for suites. Specials on certain sailings include up to $600 off, 60% off second guest, and kids sail for free.
