The world's new biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, debuts on Saturday

Table Of Content

• The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Liberty of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.
• Best Cruise Restaurants Voyager of the Seas
• The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Radiance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises
• How to Plan Unforgettable Family Cruises Onboard Radiance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Icon of the Seas

Plenty of family-friendly cruise ships have waterslides, but few have six — or even one that requires a multi-person raft. But of all the activities the new world's largest cruise ship has to offer, my eight favorites are, for the most part, ones I've yet to see on another vessel. This 17-acre club will feature a private beach atmosphere with cabanas, beach bars, a food hall, and several pools. Icon of the Seas will sail week long Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas.

The Best Cruise Restaurants Onboard Liberty of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises

Whether it’s the size, accommodations, dining, entertainment, or itineraries, each ship offers something special, making Royal Caribbean a versatile choice for all types of cruisers. With the exploration of the Odyssey of the Seas, we’ve concluded our detailed look at Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, each offering a unique experience at sea. The next section of our guide will provide a comparative analysis of these ships, helping you choose the perfect vessel for your next cruising adventure. Odyssey of the Seas offers a range of itinerary options, appealing to a broad spectrum of travelers. The ship sets sail from various ports, including Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and offers six-night and seven-night Caribbean sailings. This ship, smaller than the Oasis Class vessels but no less impressive, offers a unique blend of intimacy and adventure.

Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.

Additionally, there's an aft pool, carousel, arcade, and kids splash zone. When completed, the ship will be 20 decks high and 1,198 feet long and measure 250,800 gross tons. To compare, Wonder of the Seas is 1,188 feet long and measures 235,600 tons. Avalon is bringing its style of river cruise ship to Portugal's Douro River in 2024, with the 102-passenger Avalon Alegria. The ship will have Avalon's signature Panorama Suites, where the bed faces the river. Size aside, don't expect too much of Viking's award-winning formula to change.

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Best Cruise Restaurants Voyager of the Seas

It is no surprise that the smaller, niche cruise lines – luxury cruises and expedition cruises – did not have as many votes, as fewer travelers have experience with those lines. All the new ships, however, are sure to offer amazing experiences to every guest who sets sail. Royal Caribbean has released details on a new class of cruise ships that will be even larger than the Oasis class. Icon of the Seas will debut in early 2024 as the world’s largest cruise ship at more than 250,000 gross tons.

Launched in 2021, it’s a testament to modern cruise ship design, combining luxury with innovative features. The Wonder of the Seas, launched in March 2022, is a remarkable achievement in the world of cruise ships. As an Oasis-class vessel, it’s not just large; it’s record-breaking, boasting more rooms and suites than any other in the Oasis of the Seas class. The Utopia of the Seas offers a refreshing approach to itineraries, focusing on shorter sailings to the Bahamas. The three-night sailings exclusively visit Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, while the four-night sailings include an additional stop at Nassau, Bahamas. From basic interior staterooms to extravagant suites, the ship offers a wide array of options.

The new ship will be alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami year-round at least through April 2026. As Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship, she will likely share a similar layout to other Oasis Class ships, offering venues and amenities like the AquaTheater, Central Park, Ultimate Abyss, and more. However, Icon of the Seas will only have 2,805 cabins compared to Wonder's 2,867 — despite carrying more people when all berths are filled. That's because Royal Caribbean is targeting this ship to families and planning for the ship to sail with more cabins carrying more than two passengers. What won't change on Ilma is the luxury-minded crew-to-passenger ratio.

But enough gushing — what can you expect from this year’s batch of new cruise ships? Icon of the Seas℠ brings on the most thrilling Western Caribbean adventures for the whole family. Utopia of the Sea will sail three and four night cruises to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral. Cruises will visit Nassau and CocoCay, with the four night cruises adding in a sea day.

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Royal Caribbean begins to spotlight what’s in store with the first look at eight neighborhoods that come alive day and night, including five brand-new adventures and three bold, returning favorites. Each one is a destination in and of itself filled with an array of experiences, live entertainment and ways to grab a bite and a drink, so that everyone can make memories their way every day. There are so many things to do on this cruise ship, you’re going to wish you had more sea days to experience them all. Experience the ultimate adventure and create unforgettable travels with your loved ones. Travel with the best family vacation ideas possible onboard Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas

The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima. I spent my time there perched at one of its in-water loungers, contently splashing my legs around the water, wondering if I actually hated cruises. The beach is located to the west of the island’s pier, adjacent to CocoCay’s Thrill Waterpark. The western side of the island is still undeveloped aside from storage and housing for some crew members, so this is the first project to expand Perfect Day at CocoCay on that side of the island.

Discover the top 9 things to do while traveling onboard Spectrum of the Seas. Icon of the Seas is loaded with features that cater to families traveling together. Start researching the best rooms for families on a cruise ship now to make sure your trip is perfect later. Enjoy a rundown of all the dining options onboard Radiance of the Seas, plus a glimpse of some of the top menu items at each restaurant.

The inaugural cruise will depart on Saturday, January 27 and sail to Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis' Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day At Cococay. This voyage will signify the ship's completion, as the ship will officially be ready for regular service. Icon of the Seas will offer 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida. Instead, families can enjoy the complimentary Surfside Eatery buffet, grab some snacks at Surfside Bites, or splurge on an all-day brunch at Pier 7.

Yet other upcoming ships also fared well with great anticipation in the new year. Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess came in second with 13.93% of the votes, followed closely by the final Oasis-class vessel for Royal Caribbean, Utopia of the Seas, with 13.07% of the votes. At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop.

Everyone can create their own weekend energy with their pick and mix of different types of pools and beaches, flavors from around the world, nightlife, entertainment and more. Here’s is a look at Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, the two new cruise ships from Royal Caribbean debuting next year. The AquaTheater offers stunning shows, while the rock-climbing walls, whirlpools, and laser tag provide active fun for all ages.

The “Star of the Seas” represents a monumental leap in cruise ship innovation, setting a new benchmark in the world of luxury cruising. As Royal Caribbean’s latest addition, this Icon Class ship doubles down on thrilling experiences and relaxing amenities. There will be plenty of other new cruise ships this year (including another Royal Caribbean one), but none of them will compare to Icon in scope, features, or buzz. While Perfect Day at CocoCay features amenities like waterslides and a wave pool, Perfect Day at Lelepa will provide a more tranquil, traditional beach day for visitors. In addition, it will be the world’s first private cruise destination to achieve carbon neutrality, and all energy consumed on the island will be generated from renewable resources. Change is continuous at Royal Caribbean, and the next few years are looking to be monumental for the cruise line, with brand new ships, private island expansions, and exciting itineraries.

Cunard Line’s Queen Anne garnered 5.92% of the vote as the most anticipated new ship, with Viking Vela from Viking Cruises gaining 4.20%. Explora II from Explora Journeys came in with 2.86%, followed by Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray with 1.43% of the vote. Together, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 and Mein Schiff 8 rounded out the voting with just .19% of the vote. Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome. There's no need to grab coffee before harnessing up for the part-zipling, part-agility Crown's Edge course.