Why the new Royal Caribbean ship, Icon of the Seas, is blowing everyone's minds

An impressive feat of engineering, to be sure, but what will this behemoth look like from a guest's perspective? Chron got a firsthand look behind the curtain to see what you can expect onboard the Icon of the Seas and how this ship could potentially transform cruise vacations for good.

Inside The Cave: Royal Caribbean's high-tech design studio

Tucked away near the Port of Miami is Royal Caribbean headquarters, where the Icon of the Seas is being virtually built and going through real-life tests. Inside the building, there's an area called The Cave, a high-tech design center where Royal Caribbean engineers can virtually fly over the new ship, tour its various spaces and staterooms and see how guest flow may work, among other things. This is the space where the designer's big plans come to life in 3D and can be translated to a shipyard roughly 5,100 miles away in Finland, where the Icon of the Seas is being built, all in real-time.

In another part of Royal Caribbean's headquarters, designers are building out replicas of spaces that are going to be on the ship. One such area being thought through during our visit was the Surfside neighborhood—and the music playing in the warehouse was the same playlist being tested for the space when it's open on the ship—while a mock-up of one of the adorable water creatures set to be used on the all-new carousel was also on display. There was a space where designers were testing a portable ice cream machine that is worn like a backpack, allowing crew members to deliver ice cream anywhere on the ship. It was like strolling through Q's lab from the James Bond movies.

While these gadgets and layouts being tested may or may not make it onto the Icon of the Seas, it's a sign that Royal Caribbean is actively trying to push the boundaries of what a cruise vacation will look like in the coming years.

Peeking into the ship's unique "neighborhoods"

When the Icon of the Seas is complete, it will be composed of eight distinct neighborhoods—which you can think of as districts—that each have a different vibe. Icon of the Seas will have five new neighborhoods and three that can also be found on other Royal Caribbean ships. Each neighborhood will have live entertainment, places to eat and drink and a wide variety of experiences. Let's dig into each of the new ones individually.

Thrill Island

One of the most anticipated neighborhoods on the new ship is Thrill Island. This is where guests sailing aboard the Icon of the Seas will find Category 6, which Royal Caribbean has billed as the world's largest water park at sea. The park will have six slides and it wouldn't be unwise to expect each will offer serious thrills. Another daring experience to be found on the ship, should cruisers dare attempt it, is Crown’s Edge. It's part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride that will leave travelers suspended 154 feet over the ocean once the floor collapses beneath their feet.

Chill Island

Guests looking for a place to relax and get away from the controlled chaos of Thrill Island will want to go to the neighborhood of Chill Island. Here is where four of the seven pools onboard the ship will be found. This is also where the first swim-up bar at sea, Swim & Tonic, is set to be located.

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Surfside

The Surfside neighborhood is where families can come together for a day of fun in the sun. There are a few splash pads and wading pools for kids, along with a pool reserved for adults. Just steps from the water are lounges, Royal Caribbean’s signature carousel, an arcade and the teens-only venue. 

The Hideaway

The Hideaway is like a beach club with a resort-style pool you'd find in Las Vegas. The neighborhood has uninterrupted ocean views, the first suspended infinity pool at sea and a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools. Adults looking for a good time away from the kids are going to want to go here every single day of their voyage.

AquaDome 

At the top of the Icon of the Seas will be the AquaDome neighborhood. During the day, the space will be a great spot to lounge, read a book and take in ocean views. At night, AquaDome comes alive as a place for a date night or an evening out with friends, with restaurants and bars, as well as shows inside the AquaTheater.

What types of staterooms will Icon of the Seas have?

Icon of the Seas will have 28 different stateroom categories, all of which the company says were designed with intention for every type of traveler. There are new cabin styles made for larger families, like the Family Infinite Balcony and the Surfside Family Suite, the latter of which has a kid's alcove that’s tucked away from adults. For even more room, families can consider the Ultimate Family Townhouse, which will be three stories and its own white picket fence and mailbox. Even the smaller interior rooms, like the new Inside Plus rooms will have an upgraded layout with a larger closet so guests can get the most out of every square foot of their space at sea.

Where is Icon of the Seas sailing?

Starting in January 2024, Icon of the Seas will sail year-round from Miami on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Every cruise will also have a port day at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

"Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "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 first bookings for Icon of the Seas went live on Oct. 25.