VACATIONS
Icon of the Seas: where will the largest passenger ship in the world sail in 2024?
Ice rink, water park, zip line, miniature golf, surf area, more than 15 restaurants and 28 different cabins, including a family triplex.
From today, 25 October 2022, you can book tickets on the largest cruise ship in the world which will open its doors and set sail in 2024, aiming to revolutionize vacations for everyone: families, couples, friends, retirees, whether for adventure, relaxation, or something else.
Introducing the world’s largest ship
The first ship of the so-called Icon Class will see the light of day at the end of 2023 before its debut in January 2024. It’s a feat that offers 28 cabin types, designed for each type of guest with a variety of options, sea views and bountiful space.
There are new designs for families of three, four, five and more members, such as the Family Infinite Balcony and the Surfside Family Suite (with spaces for children separated from adults) and the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, with its own white picket fence and mailbox. Two suites will have the most stunning views, Sunset Corner Suites and AquaDome’s Panoramic Ocean Views.
What will the Icon of the Seas offer in 2024?
Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, has confirmed the very different and separate spaces with totally different activities that will be:
- Thrill Island: a climbing wall experience.
- Category 6, the largest water park at sea, with six record-breaking slides; Pressure Drop and its 66-degree incline make it the industry’s first open free-fall slide; the 14-metre high Frightening Bolt, the highest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family slides at sea with four passengers per raft; and Storm Chasers, the cruise ship’s first mat racing duo.
- Crown’s Edge zip line: travellers glide down from around 45 metres above the ocean.
- Seven pools for seven moods: Swim & Tonic, the line’s first aquatic bar at sea; Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; Cove Pool, infinity pool style; plus two pools for under-6s, Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. The Hideaway, a beach club on a cruise ship, is the best of the best.
- Bars and restaurants: The Lime & Coconut, which includes Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar. Plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges, including Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on the Royal Promenade and the Asian-inspired Izumi in Central Park.
- And more... There will also be mini golf at Lost Dunes, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak and Absolute Zero, Royal Caribbean’s largest ice rink.
In terms of sustainability, Icon of the Seas will be the cruise line's first ship with fuel cell technology and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest marine fuel. Together with other measures, such as connection to the shore power grid and waste heat recovery systems, the new ship will be the cruise company's most sustainable to date.
Icon of the Seas routes
The soon-to-be-iconic ship will sail year-round on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Each cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, where adventurers can create their ideal vacation day.
In January they will launch an adults-only destination, Hideaway Beach, with a large pool, private cabanas with their own pool. Tourists will also visit Caribbean jewels such as Cozumel (Mexico), Philipsburg (St. Martin) and Roatán (Honduras).