Wander With Wonder - Discovering Wow Moments Around the World or Across the Street
Royal Caribbean offered a sneak peek of their newest ship, Icon of the Seas. Book now for sailings in 2024 and beyond.
If you’re looking to plan an epic family or multigenerational vacation in 2024 and beyond, put Royal Caribbean’s newest gem, Icon of the Seas , on your travel bucket list. At present, Icon of the Seas is in Turku, Finland. I had the opportunity to be one of the first to step onto Icon of the Seas and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview at what the CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley, calls the World’s Best Family Vacation.
During my day-long Icon of the Seas preview, I donned a hard hat and steel-toed shoes and toured several common areas and two staterooms in the Surfside Family Suites area. There were monitors throughout the ship that allowed me to see renderings of what the finished spaces will look like when Icon is completed later this year.
Icon of the Seas. Photo Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean Introduces Icon of the Seas
The Icon of the Seas is still being built in Finland. However, thanks to modern technology and Royal Caribbean’s team of creative innovators, I took a virtual tour of the ship in late 2022. I had an immersive experience of what passengers will see on board the ship. I got to meet some of the brains and inspiration behind what goes into designing passenger experiences on board Royal Caribbean cruises and talk through some of the thought processes that have led us to the (almost!) launch of the new Icon Class.
After receiving my virtual sneak peek of the ship and talking to key members of Royal Caribbean’s team, the overarching theme is more. The Icon of the Seas will begin with 7-night sailings out of Miami. The sailings will alternate between the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Both routes will include Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s island in the Bahamas .
With seven pools, a full water park at sea, and nearly limitless dining and entertainment options, the new Icon of the Seas promises lots of things for families and multigenerational groups to do together. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
Eight Percent Finished and On Track for January Maiden Voyage
As of mid-May 2023, Icon of the Seas is approximately 80% finished. The ship is an active construction site with an estimated 2,600 workers on board each day, working to handle basic safety and infrastructure tasks before the Royal Caribbean brand puts on its special touches.
You have to use your imagination to visualize this massive construction project. Still, anyone who has sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class Ships can visualize the ship’s common areas starting to take shape. Standing at the entrance to Central Park, on Deck 8, one can clearly see the space taking shape.
View of Central Park under construction on Icon of the Seas. Photo by Jill Robbins
The next step in Icon of the Seas’ development is the sea trials, expected to happen in midsummer. Before going into service, the ship will travel to Cadiz, Spain. The lush, resplendent vegetation appearing in Central Park will be planted in a warm-weather climate.
Entertainment News on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
The spectacular AquaDome will feature two shows. The signature show will be AquaNation! A second, more kid-focused show will be Pirates vs. Mermaids . There will be two shows in the Absolute Zero ice rink theater, Starburst and Once Upon a Time .
The Icon of the Seas AquaDome is under construction. Photo by Jill Robbins
The Royal Theater will feature Royal Caribbean’s branded superhero show, The Effectors, and a 90-minute production of The Wizard of Oz, with what Nick Weir, Royal Caribbean International’s Senior Vice President of Entertainment, promised would be dazzling special effects that showcase the latest technology. Think epic, digitally created tornado on larger-than-life entertainment screens.
The rendering of Icon of the Seas ‘ AquaDome upon completion. Photo courtesy Royal Caribbean
New Neighborhoods on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
The Icon of the Seas includes eight neighborhoods offering different themed activities day and night. Five of the neighborhoods are new to Icon of the Seas. Three are returning favorites that Royal Caribbean loyalists may recognize.
Thrill Island
As the name suggests, Thrill Island is for the thrill seeker in your group. A full water park at sea includes six different attractions, from breathtaking drop slides to mat racers to family raft slides at sea. Thrill Island also offers Crown’s Edge, an exciting attraction. It includes a skywalk, ropes course, and other fun rides, including “seeing travelers swing 154 feet above the ocean.” Full details on Crown’s Edge are still to come.
Crown’s Edge will be ultimate in thrills at sea for those who dare. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
Chill Island
Chill Island has three pools: an infinity pool, a swim-up bar with the catchy name—Swim & Tonic—and a separate adults-only area.
Icon of the Seas will feature a swim-up bar called Swim & Tonic. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
Surfside
Surfside caters to families with kids under six. I had the opportunity to see a mock-up of this space at Royal Caribbean’s Miami headquarters. What impressed me most is the balance between “Wow, this is great for kids” and still checking the boxes for an elevated deck experience for adults. There’s a kid’s pool, splash pads, a signature carousel, and many options for grabbing food and drinks. Families with kids older than six will find Surfside near other onboard kids’ programming and activities.
The Hideaway
The hideaway is for you if you’re seeking those beach club vibes. Located 135 feet above the ocean, The Hideaway boasts uninterrupted ocean views, a multi-tiered sun terrace, and the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
AquaDome
The AquaDome is a transformational space that allows guests to relax with drinks by a waterfall by day and take in next-level aquatic entertainment by night.
Returning Neighborhoods on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean fan favorites haven’t been left out. Icon of the Seas includes a Central Park that offers a plethora of cafes, restaurants, bars, and entertainment options, mini golf at Lost Dunes, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, Royal Caribbean’s ice area, Absolute Zero, and more.
One of Royal Caribbean’s favorite onboard neighborhoods is Central Park. It’s going to be included on the Icon of the Seas !
Ways to Stay – Stateroom Options on Icon of the Seas
Whether you’re looking to stay on a budget or book the ultimate splurge, there’s something for every vacationer here. Inside staterooms start at $1,099 per person. While there are cheaper cruises, this is a solid starting price point for a seven-night cruise with this many onboard options. The top-of-the-line townhouse (complete with a white picket fence and mailbox, no less!) goes for a whopping $60K. As you can see, there’s quite a variance in pricing.
My media presentation in Miami focused heavily on the all-new Surfside Family Suites, ideal for families with young children. These middle-tier staterooms have adorable kid’s alcoves tucked away from the adult’s sleeping area. I was impressed by the space (I took a VR tour using a headset, so I had a fun preview of what the space will look like) and liked how the kid’s beds were proper beds and not pull-out/pull-down berths. The virtual stateroom I toured still managed a decent amount of floor space without having the kid’s beds put away during the day, so I’m curious to see what the actual staterooms look like.
The Surfside Family Suites include WiFi, a dedicated pool area, and a dedicated dining area. There’s also special access to the Surfside neighborhood I described above.
Using the booking link , you can see more stateroom options and prices. Keep reading for booking info.
Surfside Family Suites are geared toward families with kids under six. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
Other Firsts on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s most sustainable cruise ship. Perpetuating its goal toward a clean energy future, Icon is the line’s first ship with fuel cell technology. It is powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), the cleanest burning marine fuel. Vacationers place increasing importance on the footprint of their vacation activities. I predict these initiatives will be a selling point with eco-conscious cruisers who want the assurance that their leisure time is the least impactful path.
Although I didn’t get a preview of the crew quarters, I did learn that the Icon of the Seas took crew member input into the design of the crew quarters and other below-deck amenities. One of the things that consistently wows me about cruise vacations is how hard the crew works to make the guest experience pop. I am happy the people in charge include their ideas in the ship’s design.
What We’re Still Waiting to Hear
Although Royal Caribbean has been regularly rolling out information on what will be their largest ship, they’re still keeping a few tidbits up their sleeve. The Pearl, which will be part of the arrival experience, hasn’t been fully revealed. I got a sneak peek of this space and a preview of the digital light show that is part of the interior walls, but the promise of “more than a staircase” remains a bit of a mystery for now.
There’s also another experience inside the AquaDome that we’re still waiting to hear details on, and there’s a new intimate dining venue that the cruise line is keeping under wraps for now. The fact that it is a dining venue has not been officially confirmed, but my inside sources and the cruise industry rumor mill all point to this being a small dining venue suited to special occasions.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, teased the yet-to-come details as “mind-blowing.” I can’t wait to see what’s next. Icon of the Seas is set to debut on January 27, 2024, with a season of seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings out of Miami.
A rendering of Bubbles, a champagne bar on Icon of the Seas. Photo courtesy Royal Caribbean
Articles Related to Royal Caribbean Introduces Icon of the Seas: A New Class of Cruise Ship
The best reasons to choose a luxury cruise for your next vacation
Cruising Alaska on Quantum of the Seas
Five Things to Know About Cruises Before You Board the Ship
Cruising to Norway on Holland America Rotterdam
Family Getaway at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona
Cruising Iceland on the New Norwegian Prima
How to Take a Vacation Everyday and Why You Should
Princess Cruises: Rediscovering the Love Boat
Booking Now for 2024 Cruises
Want to book a vacation on board the Icon of the Seas ? You can book now for early 2024 cruises. Check out the ship’s fact sheet for more information on the Icon of the Seas . When planning your trip on the Icon of the Seas, another cruise line, or a trip to the Caribbean , let Wander with Wonder be your guide.
.
Royal Caribbean Introduces Icon of the Seas: A New Class of Cruise Ship
The post Royal Caribbean Introduces Icon of the Seas: A New Class of Cruise Ship appeared first on Wander With Wonder .
All Rights Reserved Travel