Icon of the Seas is living up to its name as the largest ship in the world. Australians are wistfully dreaming that she might grace our shores.

With a jaw-dropping size that spans 365 metres and a gross tonnage of  250,800, Icon of the Seas is a first-of-its-kind that dwarfs the Titanic five times over. 

What makes this ship even more iconic is the fact that it’s soccer superstar Lionel Messi who served as its ‘godfather’. 

Moreover, Icon of the Seas had its maiden voyage on January 27 via a 7-day Caribbean Cruise from Miami. In addition, this Royal Caribbean-owned colossus can accommodate an incredible 7,600 guests at full capacity, along with 2,350 crew. 

Meanwhile, while Aussies are keeping their fingers crossed as to the possibility of sailing with the iconic ship from Australia, Cruise Passenger has prepared an ultimate guide to RCL’s newest ocean gem- the world’s largest Icon of the Seas. 

Suites and staterooms

Icon of the Seas boasts a total of 2, 805 staterooms. Of these, 179 are Suites, 1815 are Balconies, 276 are Oceanview and 535 are Interior cabins. Moreover, this colossal lady of the sea has 28 types of accommodation with more categories suited for family cruisers and bigger spaces for group cruisers. 

Accommodation

The iconic Ultimate Family Townhouse accommodates a maximum of eight passengers. This three-level accommodation that spans decks 7 through 9 has an area of 167 square metres with a large balcony that measures 70 square metres. Additionally, the Ultimate Family Townhouse highlights a cinema, an indoor dry slide, a patio and a Royal Genie Service.

Meanwhile, Icon’s two-level accommodation Royal Loft Suite houses a maximum of six passengers. This suite is located midship and spans decks 17 through 18 and measures 139 square metres. The cabin’s balcony has an area of 66 square metres. 

The ship’s 7-stateroom Icon Loft Suite is also a two-level accommodation with an area of 61 square metres. The stateroom’s balcony size ranges from 14-17 square metres. Additionally, the 8-stateroom 1-Bedroom Owners Suite measures 61 square metres in area and has a uniform balcony size of 18 square metres. 

The gigantic vessel also has an 8-stateroom Infinite Grand Suite and 10-stateroom Grand Suite. These suites have a uniform area of 40 square metres with a balcony that ranges between 10-11 square metres.

On the other hand, the 10-stateroom Sunset Corner Suite, 6-stateroom Sunset Suite, and the 78-stateroom Junior Suite and the 42-stateroom Surfside Family Suite measure 25- 45 square metres in area. The size of balconies of these suites varies but a bit larger compared to typical suite balconies on cruise ships. In addition, the Window Panoramic Suite has 10 staterooms and measures 34 square metres in area. 

For the ship’s Infinite Balcony Family Cabin, this 78-stateroom accommodation houses a maximum of six passengers. It has a total area of 27 square metres and a uniform balcony size of 5 square metres. Meanwhile, the 615-stateroom Infinite Oceanview Balcony Cabin and the 908-stateroom Oceanview Balcony Cabin have an area of 19 square metres and a balcony size of 5 square metres. In addition, the ship’s 214-stateroom Promenade View Balcony Cabin also has a 5-square metre balcony and a uniform cabin area of 18 square metres. 

Furthermore, the 264-stateroom Oceanview Window Cabin and the 534-stateroom Interior have a cabin size that ranges from 15 to 18 square metres. 

Royal Suite Class

Royal Caribbean features three Royal Suite classes for cruisers’ ultimate luxury experience and exclusice access to some of the ship’s best features. 

For Star Class staterooms, cruisers enjoy Royal Genie Service, access to complimentary specialty restaurants, coastal kitchen, and Suite Sun Deck. In addition, part of Star Class perks also include deluxe beverage package, VOOM access, and early access to seating in select entertainment venues. Moreover, laundry and pressing services, complimentary gratuities, exclusive concierge service, priority departure, best seats in the house in select entertainment venues are also part of the perks. 

For Sky Class staterooms, cruisers’ perks include exclusive access to Coastal Kitchen, Suite Sun Deck and Suite Lounge. In addition, concierge services, VOOM, priority departure, and priority dining reservations are also part of the perks. 

Finally, for Sea Class staterooms, passengers enjoy access to Coastal Kitchen. 

Dining and culinary experience

Enjoy diving into the global flavors offered by the world’s largest cruise ship to date. The all-new Icon of the Seas is taking the world by storm especially when it comes to dining and culinary experiences at sea. This Royal Caribbean’s colossal lady of the sea offers a mouth-watering array of dining venues that will satisfy any craving. From casual crowd-pleasers to upscale dining experiences, Icon of the Seas caters to every taste and palates for all occasions.

Complimentary Dining

For a mainstay dining experience, guests surely enjoy the Dining Room. This iconic multi-level dining hub serves up delicious multi-course meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, with world-class cuisine and one-of-a-kind service, it’s a must-visit venue. On the other hand, The famed Windjammer Cafe offers a more casual atmosphere with global cuisines and American favorites for all three meals.

Icon also highlights new additions to the ship’s long list of amazing food hubs. One in particular is the Aquadome Market, the first-ever food hall on a Royal Caribbean ship. This global foodie paradise features five different culinary outposts, allowing guests to experience an international tasting tour without ever leaving the cruise ship. 

Exclusively for suite guests are two upscale complimentary venues – Coastal Kitchen and The Grove. Coastal Kitchen is known for elevated casual dining, while The Grove presents a Mediterranean al fresco experience. Both dining venues are perfect for savoring an elegant yet laid-back meal.

Meanwhile, for guests wanting grab-and-go options, Park Cafe is the place to go with made-to-order sandwiches and salads. In addition, guests shouldn’t miss its signature kummelweck roast beef sandwich. Basecamp also serves as the perfect re-fueling stop between adventures, offering snacks like soft pretzel bites and crispy shrimp bao buns.

The iconic Royal Promenade is now home to more amazing venues like Cafe Promenade for 24/7 coffee, pastries and sandwiches. The new Sorrento’s adds pizza and draft beers to the mix. Additionally, at the relaxed Surfside Eatery, cruise passengers enjoy one of the best casual buffets.

Specialty Dining

Icon of the Seas is definitely elevating dining experience via an impressive lineup of its specialty restaurants. Cruise passengers are in for an epic epicurean dining adventure like no other. 

First up is the Empire Supper Club that transports guests to old New York. This top of the line restaurant in Central Park serves up an extravagant eight-course menu of premium American cuisine like caviar and wagyu beef, expertly paired with beverages. However, for guests  who really want a VIP experience, they may opt to book the exclusive Celebration Table. This private dining room in the AquaDome treats guests to a multi-course family-style feast complete with cocktails and palate-satisfying menu upgrades.

Additionally, no vacation at sea will ever be complete without a classic steakhouse experience, which the popular Chops Grille delivers in style. This renowned steak hub gets an elevated update with jaw-dropping cuts like high-grade wagyu and bone-in tomahawks cooked to perfection. Guests can also watch the chefs work their magic through the open kitchen.

Meanwhile, guests with Italian taste buds surely love Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. This family-style trattoria delivers the flavors of Tuscany onboard with house-made pastas and rustic regional dishes. On the other hand, there’s also the new al fresco Gio’s Terrazzo overlooking the lively Boardwalk.

For guests who want to satisfy their cravings for authentic Asian cuisines, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi is a must-visit venue. This food hall serves the best fresh sushi rolls and flavorful teppanyaki dishes cooked tableside by talented chefs. 

Furthermore, seafood cravers will surely enjoy the fresh catches and raw bar favorites at Hooked Seafood. This laidback New England-inspired food hub serves up coastal classics perfect in satisfying cravings for oceanside flavors.

Onboard activities

Royal Caribbean’s iconic cruising game-changer Icon of the Seas highlights an entirely amazing world of adventures across all eight unique neighbourhoods. Guests get to choose from heart-stopping attractions to serene and more laid back escapes. 

Thrill Island 

Cruise passengers experience every pulse of thrill and excitement in the all-new Thrill Island neighbourhood. Thrill-seekers gauge their limits in Category 6 which is said to be the largest waterpark at sea highlighted by six record-breaking slides. In addition, Icon also has the line’s famous FlowRider surf simulator. Guests also get to enjoy playing mini golf at Lost Dunes and rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak. 

Living up to its name, Thrill Island also features Crown’s Edge – part skywalk, part ropes course, part shocking thrill ride suspended a mind-blowing 154 feet above the ocean.

Chill Island

Chill Island neighbourhood promises a more laid-back beach club atmosphere, and highlights a sun-soaked paradise ideal for relaxation. Spanning three decks, it offers different pools for different vibes. There’s Cloud 17 which is an adult-only retreat and the Swim & Tonic tagged as the line’s first swim-up bar at sea. Additionally, the infinity-edge Cove Pool and the Royal Bay Pool tagged as the largest pool at sea are also part of Chill Island’s best features. 

The Hideaway

The Hideaway, suspended 135 feet above the waves offers a perfect hidden refuge. This neighbourhood offers the luxury of an over-water beach club onboard, anchored by the line’s first suspended infinity pool. In addition, multi-level sundecks and whirlpools circling the pool offer spots to soak in the incredible ocean views and laid-back ambiance.

The Surfside

The new Surfside neighborhood is a family haven designed for kids ages 6 and under. There are kids’ aqua parks and pool areas called the Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay located near the Water’s Edge pool so adults could watch over the youngsters. Additionally, this neighbourhood also houses kids’ favorite arcade, Adventure Ocean, and the Social020 for teens.  

The AquaDome

By day, AquaDome is a lush oasis with sweeping ocean vistas and a dramatic waterfall feature. But at night, it transforms into an immersive venue for restaurants, bars, and the iconic AquaTheater shows taken to new heights with cutting-edge technology like robotic arms and a mind-blowing transforming pool.

Icon of the Seas deck plan

Icon of the Seas’s deck plan boasts a total of 20 expansive decks housing a total of 2, 805 staterooms, 7 pools and 9 whirlpools, 6 waterslides and 22 lifts. 

This Royal Caribbean’s first ICON-class ship is zoned into several theme decks namely the Suite Neighborhood, AquaDome, Chill Island, Central Park, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Surfside, and the Thrill Island. 

Deck 3 houses the ship’s Medical Center and the Conference Center. This Deck also houses the three-decker Main Dining Room that spans through deck 5. On the other hand, Deck 4 features the Royal Theater and the Casino Royale. 

Up on Deck 5 is the Royal Promenade, Fitness Center, Absolute Zero, Sorrento’s, Spotlight Karaoke, and Starbucks. Deck 6 contains The Attic, Dueling Pianos, The Crown Lounge, Schooner Bar, Adventure Ocean Playmakers Arcade and Social020. 

In addition, Deck 7 is the site of Surfside Neighborhood including Pier&, Sugar Beach, Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, and the Water’s Edge Pool. While Deck 8 is where Central Park Neighborhood is located. This deck also houses Izumi, Chp’s Grille, Empire Supper Club, and the Park Cafe. 

Decks 9 through 14 house most of the staterooms with the two-decker Vitality Spa that spans from Deck 12 through 14. Moreover, Deck 15 houses three neighbourhoods, The Chill Island, the Aquadome, and The Hideaway. This deck features the Aquatheater, Celebration Table, The Lime and Coconut, Cove Pool, and the Royal Bay Pool, and Hideaway Pool. This deck also houses the Windjammer Marketplace, Cantina Fresca, and El Loco Fresh. 

The ship’s 16th deck is the site of Thrill Island Neighborhood. This deck also highlights the Coastal Kitchen, Swim & Tonic, Crown’s Edge, Adrenaline Peak, and the Flowrider. 

Furthermore, Icon’s Deck 17 features a Sports Court and Cloud 17 while Deck 18 houses the highly luxurious The Grove. 

You can view Icon of the Seas deck plan here.