Introverts, look away: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, set sail on January 27, marking a new era in the mega-cruise-ship boom.
The start of Icon's service has been a long time coming for the cruise brand and fans of massive ships. Royal Caribbean and Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard began constructing the behemoth vessel in 2021. A year later, the cruise line saw its largest booking day as reservations opened for the Icon of the Seas in October 2022.
Since then, Michael Bayley, the CEO and president of Royal Caribbean International, has been touting the new ship as "the best-selling product in the history of our business." And for good reason: From its colossal size to its over 40 restaurants and bars, Icon overshadows almost all of its predecessors.
I joined the ship's complimentary, three-night preview sailing on January 20. Take a look at what it's like on the $2 billion floating resort designed to accommodate up to 9,950 people — 2,350 crew and 7,600 guests.
Let’s start with the classic fan favorite: the pools.
Four of the ship's seven swimming holes are on Icon's version of a traditional pool deck, Chill Island. Here, travelers can float around a 5,800-square-foot pool and a smaller one with a swim-up bar.
But Chill Island isn't Icon's crème de la crème.
With wild outdoor amenities, including a water park, lounging by the pool fell low on my to-do list.
Instead, it's Thrill Island — the go-to place for all things, well, thrilling.
While there, guests can step into a harness to traverse one of the ship's most adrenaline-pumping activities: Crown's Edge. Expect to dangle 154 feet above the ocean when the floor unexpectedly drops from under your feet.
Not interested in spending a few milliseconds wondering if you’re about to plunge to your death?
Icon of the Seas' amenities also include the more peaceful mini-golf course, sports court, rock-climbing wall, and surf simulator, all near — and below — Crown's Edge's elevated course.
Guests will find the perfect mix of excitement and fun at the neighboring six-slide water park — without the sweaty palms.
The over-17,000-square-foot mecca of screaming children — and adults — includes a 46-foot-tall drop slide and what Royal Caribbean says is the first family-raft slide on a cruise ship.
The slides’ water was heated during my chilly day at sea.
But learn from my mistake: You'll probably guzzle your body weight in warm water if you scream during the drops.
If it’s not evident yet, the Icon of the Seas was designed to target families — so much so that an entire section of the ship is dedicated to children under 6.
Surfside, about 10 decks below Thrill and Chill Islands, is where younger travelers can romp around the water playground, spin around the eclectic carousel, and spend their parents' money at the arcade.
A giant pink flamingo statue grounds this quaint neighborhood, while the unlimited soft-serve ice cream and churro stands keep families with a sweet tooth coming back.
The youngest sailors can also wind down with Surfside's bedtime-story readings.
Like me, travelers without youngsters may quickly learn to avoid these spaces.
Fortunately, sections such as Hideaway and its suspended infinity pool are kid-free. So is Cloud 17, another pool, and the nighttime comedy show.
Central Park, a centerpiece on many Royal Caribbean mega ships, isn’t adult-only.
But significantly fewer children frolic around this open-air destination than the rest of the ship.
This neighborhood has no loud activities, slides, or giant flamingos.
Instead, it's a quiet and contemplative space embellished with over 30,550 live plants, luxury stores, restaurants, and bars.
Central Park also has a live jazz club.
But compared to the rest of the ship's entertainment lineup, Lou's Jazz 'n Blues likely isn't among the most coveted show venues.
Good luck snagging a seat at the AquaTheater for a showing of the popular 'Aqua Action!'
This display of divers, nine-foot-tall robotic arms, synchronized swimmers, and skateboarders replaces the typical — ahem, cringe — cruise song-and-dance show.
No ice skaters are in this performance, though — they're busy with the ship's other ice-skating show.
But if you're partial to a marvelous musical moment, the primary — dry — theater also does a savory rendition of 'The Wizard of Oz.'
Keep your expectations within reason: Toto is half-puppeteer, half-puppet dog. Both are equally expressive.
After a full day of activities and shows, hungry guests have 21 restaurants at their disposal.
But only about half of Icon of the Seas' restaurants are complimentary. This includes the buffet, Central Park's café, and the five-venue food hall.
Be prepared to pull out your wallet for sushi, lobster, steak, and rabbit.
The most expensive dining venue, Empire Supper Club, costs over $200 a person. Fortunately, you can drink the pain of this price away: it includes a cocktail pairing.
Icon offers plenty of other booze-and-cruise opportunities with 20 bars on board.
Almost every section of the ship presents opportunities to drink.
At night, the Royal Promenade and its strip of seven watering holes — including karaoke and dueling-piano bars — becomes a do-it-yourself bar crawl.
AquaTheater’s neighboring Rye and Bean adds a tea and coffee-powered flair to cocktails, while Surfside’s Lemon Post flexes a lemonade-stand-inspired drink menu.
If you choose to booze it up, the 1,198-foot-long, 250,800-gross-ton giant cruise ship likely won't be the cause of your seasickness or hangover — I, the self-proclaimed Queen of Motion Sickness, barely felt it move during my three-night trip.
I frequently retreated to my stateroom to take a break from the overwhelming ship.
But ironically, even thinking about the number of cabins can feel overwhelming. Icon's 2,805 floating hotel rooms comprise 28 cabin categories, including several new ones for Royal Caribbean.
But even the cheapest, windowless interior cabin can be costly.
During its first year in service, the giant vessel will operate year-round seven-night sailings from Miami to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Icon's least expensive 2024 sailing currently starts at almost $2,590 a person.
At about $370 per person a day, sailing on Royal Caribbean's new product costs as much as some premium cruise lines.
But let's not forget this price also includes admission to a water park, nightly shows, half of the dining options, and the exhaustion that will inevitably come with being overwhelmed by the giant floating resort.
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