World's largest cruise ship sets sail

Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship sailed on its maiden voyage this past weekend, almost a year and a half after its unveiling in the media. The “buzz” about the ship was so positive that RCL had the biggest advanced-booking week in its history. Icon of the Seas will offer week-long itineraries in the Caribbean, all of them including a stop at CocoCay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.

            Able to carry up to 7,600 passengers, Icon is being described as the biggest cruise ship ever to sail. It’s nearly 1,200 feet long, 213 wide at the beam and its 20 decks tower above the waterline. By comparison, the Titanic was less than 900 feet long, only 92 feet wide and had 10 decks, carrying just under 2,500 passengers. Icon is massive, to be sure, and it has to be, in order to house all of its incredible attractions and amenities.

            The ship is divided into eight distinct “neighborhoods,” five of them brand-new, and each with its own offerings. Thrill Island features a Category 6 waterpark, the largest at sea, and Crown’s Edge, where guests can walk 154 feet above the ocean. There’s a surf simulator, mini golf and rock climbing. For relaxation, Chill Island houses four of the ship’s seven pools, giving sun worshipers plenty of space to burnish their tans, but there’s also plenty of shade for guests who just want to relax. Surfside, the line’s first neighborhood designed for young families, offers pools, an arcade, a carousel and more. Central Park, a neighborhood on the next deck up, features walking paths winding through gardens with more than 30,000 plants, plus a slide that takes guests right down to Surfside.

            On Deck 15, the Hideaway is kid-free, similar to the adults-only area of CocoCay. Hideaway has an infinity pool, whirlpools and a DJ providing music. Then there’s the AquaDome, an enclosed steel-and-glass structure at the front of the ship, hosting the “Aqua Action!: Range of Emotion” show, which combines diving with aerial dance, skateboarding and more. Other shows on board include “The Wizard of Oz” in the Royal Theater and “Starburst: Elemental Beauty” in the Absolute Zero ice arena.

            Dining options are always important for cruisers, and Icon of the Seas offers plenty, with more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, half of which are new to the line. The AquaDome Market serves Mediterranean fare; Izumi in the Park offers sushi and street food; and the Empire Supper Club provides a smaller, intimate venue with seating for only 38, enjoying a multi-course meal, cocktail pairings and live jazz. The Rye & Bean serves coffee and coffee-infused cocktails, and the Swim & Tonic is the line’s first-ever swim-up bar.

            Staterooms are state-of-the-art and offer floor plans ranging from standard single-room cabins with a small bath, up to town houses and family suites where floors are connected by slides as well as stairs. Which leads to the big question: how expensive is it to sail on the Icon? Fares vary by sailing date, of course, but as of this writing, RCL was offering 7-day sailings for an average cost per person as low as $1,799, for an inside cabin on a January 2026 cruise. Many of the ship’s 2024 cruises are already sold out, but we can get you on board yet this year, and certainly in ’25, for rates that look pretty reasonable, considering what you’ll be getting. Remember, these prices are cruise-only, based on double occupancy. Children may have reduced rates, and of course airfare is not included.

            Ready explore the world’s most fantastic cruise liner? Give us a call, and we’ll get you on the Icon of the Seas for what promises to be an unforgettable cruising experience!