It’s Cruise Ship Monday!
Today brings us Royal Caribbean International’s Icon-class–Icon of the Seas (2024), Star of the Seas (inaugural sailing August 31, 2025), Legend of the Seas (coming in 2026) and an unnamed vessel (coming in 2027).
Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship at 248,663 tons. She has 20 decks and is 1198 feet long. She houses 7 pools, 9 whirlpools and 6 record-breaking water slides. As the only Icon-class ship currently in operations, there is literally nothing else like it. However, Star of the Seas is debuting this August, Legend of the Seas is coming next August and a still unnamed vessel will debut in 2027. Each coming Icon-class ship promises to be just as large and offer just as many amenities and entertainment options.
Icon-class ships feature eight “neighborhoods” with unique themes and attractions. The Aquadome is located at the top and front of the ship, and features the incredible AquaTheater show and a 55-foot waterfall. Surfside is the ultimate neighborhood for young families. It holds Water’s Edge Pool, a space intended for adults to enjoy while kids enjoy Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Chill Island is a next level pool deck. Four of the seven pools are found here and include the line’s first swim up bar at sea and the largest pool at sea. Thrill Island is the space for risk takers offering the largest water park at sea, Category 6, and a rope course and zipline off the side of the ship, Crown’s Edge.
The adults-only Hideaway is located above Surfside at the very aft of the ship. It showcases the first suspended infinity pool at sea surrounded by a terrace, whirlpools, a variety of seating and a bar. The classic Royal Promenade is at the center of the ship and was revamped for the Icon-class ships. Passengers will find more windows here and the largest ice area they have built. Central Park is a favorite venue from the Oasis-class ships that was made bigger and better for the Icon-class ships. There is also a Suite Neighborhood for those living the suite life. It encompasses three decks of space with a two-level suite sun deck. There are dining venues for suite passengers as well as an upgraded pool deck, private pool, whirlpool, and a new Mediterranean dining venue.
Icon of the Seas features more bars, lounges, restaurants, shops and venues than are imaginable. Guests will find live music, a walkup champagne bar, Dueling Pianos in Royal Promenade, a live jazz club, a coffee bar, and so much more. There is a Playmaker Sports Bar & Arcade, a huge casino, comedy clubs, indoor skating rinks, Broadway-style shows–the list goes on. Of course, there is ice cream!
Icon of the Seas sails year-round from Miami offering alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Star of the Seas is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral on August 31, 2025 and offer 7-night Western Caribbean cruises. Legend of the Seas is scheduled to debut in August 2026 sailing 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, Spain for the summer season.