By
Alex Smith |
Icon of the Seas will feature five new neighbourhoods, Royal Caribbean has revealed, as the cruise line shared the first details of its newest ship.
The Icon-class ship is set to debut in January 2024, and will feature a range of new dining venues, entertainment offerings, and the largest waterpark at sea.
"With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. "From the moment they step on board, every experience is specifically designed to give them the best vacation anywhere on land and at sea. With Icon of the Seas, we've taken this to a new level and made the ultimate family vacation."
The first of the five new neighbourhoods is Thrill Island, an area with a ‘lost island adventure theme’. The neighbourhood will feature Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six slides including Pressure Drop, the cruise industry’s first open free-fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo. It will also include Crown’s Edge, an attraction that is part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride and will see guests swing 154 feet above the ocean.
The Chill Island neighbourhood will offer four pools including Swim & Tonic, the cruise line’s first swim-up bar, while Surfside will be designed for young families, with the Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay children’s areas. The Hideaway will offer ocean views from the first suspended infinity pool at sea, surround by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.
Finally, the AquaDome will be situated at the top of the ship, offering wraparound ocean views and featuring a waterfall centrepiece. During the night, guests can visit restaurants, bars and an enhanced AquaTheater, which will feature a transforming pool, four robotic arms, projections and more.
Three returning neighbourhoods will also appear onboard the ship, including new enhancements. The Royal Promenade will feature its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, along with more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges. Central Park will offer more ways to dine and be entertained, while the Suite Neighborhood will offer a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove – and a two-story Coastal Kitchen.
Icon of the Seas will offer new layouts made for families of three, four, five, and more, including the Family Infinite Balcony, Surfside Family Suite, and three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse. The cruise line will also offer new Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in AquaDome, as well as new layouts for crew accommodation.
The ship will also be the first in the cruise line’s fleet to use fuel cell technology and be powered by LNG fuel, as well as featuring shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems.
"Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritising experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures. We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise. It's this first-of-its-kind combination that makes Icon the future of family vacations, and that future is here."
The new vessel will sail year-round, seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, USA, each of which will visit Royal Caribbean International’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.