It’s hard to avoid the hype about Icon of the Seas, which, when it sets sail in January 2024, will be the largest cruise ship in the world — and the first new class of ship for Royal Caribbean since Quantum Class was launched a decade ago. This is one big and vibrant ship — and by big we mean a 280,000-ton vessel that can carry 5,620 guests at double occupancy and as many as 7,600 at maximum capacity. Icon of the Seas features eight neighborhoods, seven pools, nine hot tubs, six waterslides, 20 restaurants, and more than 15 bars and lounges among its 40 nightlife “hot spots.” 

While Icon of the Seas has an indoor/outdoor central atrium design similar to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, five of its eight neighborhoods are entirely new concepts. They are Aquadome (a combination of the Oasis Class Solarium and AquaTheater featuring a 55-foot waterfall), Chill Island (a three-deck pool area featuring the largest pool at sea), Surfside (designed for families with young kids), The Hideaway (a beach club with a multilevel terrace and whirlpools), and Thrill Island (home to the adrenaline-rush-inducing Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides). And yes, both the Royal Promenade and Central Park are back by popular demand and there’s also a Suite Neighborhood housing some of the most audacious and indulgent accommodations we’ve seen. Icon of the Seas will cruise year-round from Miami on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.