Icon of the Seas Guide & Review (with Video)
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is officially the largest cruise ship in the world, and it’s unlike anything we’ve ever experienced at sea. Divided into eight neighborhoods, with brand-new dining concepts, jaw-dropping entertainment, and more pools than any other ship in history, Icon is designed to be the ultimate family vacation.
We sailed on Icon of the Seas ourselves, so everything you’ll read here comes from first-hand experience — not just a press release. This is our complete ship guide and honest review, covering the best (and worst) parts of Royal Caribbean’s newest mega ship.
Watch our full video ship tour here:
What You’ll See in the Video
In our tour, we cover all eight neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas, from the record-breaking Category 6 waterpark in Thrill Island to the relaxing infinity pool at The Hideaway. You’ll see every pool, including the massive Royal Bay Pool, along with complimentary dining spots like AquaDome Market, Park Café, El Loco Fresh, and Surfside Bites. We also step inside specialty dining venues and bars, from the upscale Empire Supper Club to the lively Swim & Tonic swim-up bar. Entertainment highlights include Broadway-style productions like The Wizard of Oz, high-energy aqua shows, and spectacular skating in Absolute Zero. Plus, we show some of our favorite hidden gems such as the Overlook Lounge and Rye & Bean coffee bar.
Quick Ship Facts
Class: Icon Class (first in class)
Launched: 2024
Passenger Capacity: 7,600
Crew: 2,350
Decks: 20 (18 passenger)
Cost: $2 billion to build
The Eight Neighborhoods of Icon of the Seas
Thrill Island
High on Deck 18, Thrill Island is where you’ll find Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides. There’s also the FlowRider surf simulator, Lost Dunes mini-golf, and the controversial Crown’s Edge ropes course (up to $90 per person for a 90-second ride).
We loved the vibrancy of this area — bold, colorful, and full of energy. But with only one FlowRider, lines can get long when the ship is full.
Chill Island
The resort-style pool deck is home to multiple pools, colorful loungers, and hot tubs spread across different levels. The Royal Bay Pool is the largest at sea, holding 40,000 gallons of water. Adults can head to Swim & Tonic, Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar, or retreat to the quieter Cloud 17.
We liked how the levels and shaded nooks helped spread out crowds, but cabanas and reserved loungers came with steep upcharges — over $600 per day in some cases.
Top tip: Head to Deck 17 for a more quiet space.
The Hideaway
Suspended at the back of the ship, the Hideaway is an adults-only infinity pool with stunning wake views. It’s a gorgeous spot, but loungers were often claimed by 9 a.m. Reserving day beds costs around $200 per day and includes water and towels.
The bar is buzzing all day, though the space goes quiet at night once the pool closes.
Top tip: Arrive early if you want a free sun bed.
Surfside
Replacing the Oasis Class Boardwalk, Surfside is designed for families with younger kids. It has a splash pad, play areas, Surfside Bites (complimentary snacks), Sugar Beach (paid candy shop), and the Surfside Carousel (free to ride).
We found Surfside a bit underwhelming compared to the charm of the old Boardwalk — sparse and noisy by day, empty at night. Families will still appreciate the kid-focused dining and play options, along with touches like street entertainers and storytellers.
Top tip: Surfside Diner is quiet at breakfast and a great alternative to the buffet.
AquaDome
A completely new concept for Royal Caribbean, the AquaDome dominates the ship’s forward top decks. It hosts spectacular shows featuring diving, acrobatics, and special effects — though reservations sell out quickly.
We loved the AquaDome Market, a food hall with complimentary Mediterranean bites, Asian dishes, crepes, and mac & cheese. It’s some of the best free food we’ve had on a Royal Caribbean ship. The Overlook Lounge is a stunning observation space with floor-to-ceiling windows, and Rye & Bean is a favorite for coffee and cocktails.
The only letdown? The AquaTheatre itself is much smaller than on Oasis Class ships, and reservations were hard to get.
Top tip: If you have a AquaTheatre reservation you will still need to arrive early to get a good view point. The “Sky Pods” here are free to use, first come, first serve, and are very private with power outlets.
Central Park
A lush green escape in the heart of the ship, Central Park has been reimagined with brighter colors and better sea views through new window cut-outs. Dining here includes Chops Grille, Izumi, and Park Café. We especially enjoyed the new Bubbles Champagne Bar and the piped-in bird sounds that create a tropical resort feel.
The only drawback is noise bleed from the pool deck above, especially during live music and deck parties.
Top Tip: The Park Cafe is always quiet on boarding day.
Royal Promenade
Bigger and brighter than ever, the Royal Promenade now spans two decks and features The Pearl, an enormous steel sphere that doubles as seating and a staircase hub. The new Pearl Café replaces Café Promenade, offering improved complimentary snacks.
We liked the variety of bars — Schooner, Boleros, Point & Feather pub, and the stunning new 1400 Lobby Bar with its floor-to-ceiling windows. But many venues felt too small, with trivia and karaoke filling up 30–40 minutes before starting. Noise often clashes between venues, too — you can be listening to piano in Schooner Bar while karaoke blares from Spotlight nearby.
Top Tip: Behind the perl is some comfortable seating with power outlets and great views.
Suite Neighborhood
An exclusive enclave for suite guests, featuring private pools, sundecks, lounges, and restaurants. We’ll cover this in a separate post, but it’s one of the most impressive suite setups we’ve seen at sea.
Dining on Icon of the Seas
Food was a pleasant surprise. Complimentary venues like AquaDome Market, El Loco Fresh, Park Café, and Surfside Bites offered more variety than we’ve seen on other Royal Caribbean ships.
Specialty dining ranged from staples like Chops Grille and Izumi to the new Empire Supper Club ($200 per person, even with a $70 discount). While fellow guests raved about the quality, we found the price hard to justify — especially since only one of us drinks alcohol.
In the main dining room, menus match the rest of the fleet. We found the food inconsistent and the menus already a little tired.
Included Dining Venues
Main Dining Room – classic three-course dinners with rotating menus
Windjammer Marketplace – expansive buffet with international stations and plenty of natural light
AquaDome Market – food hall with five stations (Mediterranean, Asian, mac & cheese, crepes, and more)
Park Café – light bites including sandwiches, soups, salads, and Royal’s signature kummelweck roast beef sandwich
El Loco Fresh – casual Mexican with tacos, burritos, nachos, and salsa bar
Sorrento’s – pizza by the slice or whole pie, available late into the night
Pearl Café – 24-hour grab-and-go pastries, sandwiches, and coffee
Surfside Eatery (Diner-style) – family-focused buffet restaurant with kid-friendly options
Surfside Bites – grab-and-go snacks like chicken tenders, fries, and sandwiches
Extra-Charge Dining Venues
Empire Supper Club – luxury prix-fixe dinner with live jazz (approx. $200 pp)
Chops Grille – Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse
Izumi – hibachi tables and à la carte sushi
Izumi in the Park – takeaway sushi and soft-serve ice cream window
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar – hearty Italian classics and hand-tossed pizza
Hooked Seafood – New England-style seafood and raw bar
Pier 7 – Surfside’s all-day California casual spot
Desserted – milkshakes, elaborate ice cream sundaes, and over-the-top desserts
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade – pub-style food like wings, burgers, and loaded nachos, plus beers and cocktails
Room Service – available 24/7 (complimentary continental breakfast; all other orders carry a delivery fee)
Bars and Lounges
Icon of the Seas has more than 15 bars and lounges, and while we loved the variety, we found many of them too small for a ship carrying nearly 7,500 passengers. Popular spots like Schooner Bar and Spotlight Karaoke filled up 30–40 minutes before events even started, and sound often bled from one venue into the next — so you could be enjoying the piano in Schooner but still hear karaoke nearby.
That said, some venues were real highlights. We loved 1400 Lobby Bar, a stylish new addition with panoramic windows and excellent cocktails, and Rye & Bean, a hybrid coffee and cocktail bar in the AquaDome that quickly became one of our favorite hangouts. Swim & Tonic, Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea, was another standout, even if it could get crowded.
Overall, the atmosphere is fun and lively — but if you want a quieter drink, you’ll need to head to tucked-away venues like Overlook Lounge or Boleros at off-peak times.
Full List of Bars & Lounges
1400 Lobby Bar – stylish venue with sea views and signature cocktails
Rye & Bean – coffee by day, cocktails by night in the AquaDome
Boleros – Latin-inspired lounge with dancing and live bands
Schooner Bar – classic piano bar
Spotlight Karaoke – private rooms and main stage singalongs
Point & Feather Pub – traditional English pub with live music
Pearl Café Bar – casual spot for coffee and grab-and-go drinks
Overlook Lounge – quiet observation lounge in the AquaDome
Music Hall – two-story live music venue with rock bands and DJs
Swim & Tonic – Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar
The Lime & Coconut – multi-deck poolside bar
Bubbles – champagne and sparkling wine bar in Central Park
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade – beers, cocktails, and snacks
Casino Bar – centrally located in the casino
Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues – intimate venue with live jazz and blues
Trellis Bar – outdoor Central Park cocktail bar
Entertainment on Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean is known for entertainment, and Icon pushes the bar higher:
The Wizard of Oz (Royal Theater): A full Broadway-style production with a 16-piece live orchestra.
SHOWBAND Live!: A high-energy concert with the Royal Caribbean band.
Aqua Action! (AquaDome): Diving, acrobatics, and stunts in the AquaTheatre.
Pirates vs. Mermaids (AquaDome): A family-friendly acrobatic water show.
Starburst (Absolute Zero Ice Rink): The largest ice cast at sea performing with immersive projections.
Live music is everywhere, from Latin beats in Boleros to pub sing-alongs and late-night deck parties. The casino is buzzing most evenings too.
Pro tip: Book shows early in the app and arrive 45 minutes before curtain for the best seats.
📸 Photo idea: The Wizard of Oz performance in the Royal Theater
Alt text: Icon of the Seas Wizard of Oz Broadway show in Royal Theater.
Spa & Fitness
The Vitality Spa offers everything from massages and facials to a full thermal suite, though treatments come at premium prices. Fitness fans will appreciate the spacious gym with panoramic sea views, stocked with modern cardio and weight machines. Group classes like spin and yoga are available at an extra charge.
📸 Photo idea: Gym with sea views
Alt text: Icon of the Seas fitness center with ocean view treadmills.
What’s Included on Icon of the Seas?
✅ Your stateroom and daily housekeeping (once per day, twice in suites)
✅ All main meals in the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, Park Café, El Loco Fresh, AquaDome Market, Pearl Café, Sorrento’s Pizza, and Surfside Bites
✅ Most onboard entertainment, including Broadway shows, aqua shows, and ice shows
✅ Pools, hot tubs, water slides at Category 6, mini-golf, sports court, and fitness center access
✅ Kids clubs (Adventure Ocean and teens’ lounge)
✅ Basic drinks like water, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and tea
What’s Not Included on Icon of the Seas
❌ Specialty dining venues like Chops Grille, Giovanni’s, Empire Supper Club, Hooked Seafood, Izumi, and Pier 7
❌ Alcoholic beverages and soda (unless you buy a drinks package)
❌ Room service ($7.95 fee per order, except for continental breakfast)
❌ Gratuities/service charges (prepaid or billed daily to your onboard account)
❌ Wi-Fi packages (sold separately)
❌ Spa treatments, thermal suite, and fitness classes
❌ Crown’s Edge ropes course, cabana rentals, and reserved loungers
❌ Shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean or third parties
Who Is Icon of the Seas For?
Families are the clear focus — with Surfside, kids’ clubs, waterparks, and family-sized cabins. But Icon isn’t just for kids. Couples and adult travelers can enjoy spaces like The Hideaway, Cloud 17, Rye & Bean, and specialty dining.
If you’re looking for a quiet, traditional cruise experience, Icon may not be the best fit. But if you want the biggest, boldest, and most entertainment-packed cruise ship ever built, it delivers
Our Honest Verdict
Icon of the Seas impressed us with its bold design, open spaces, and higher-than-expected food quality. The entertainment is world-class, and the ship feels modern and energetic throughout.
But it’s not perfect. Bars and lounges feel too small, Surfside lacks the charm of the old Boardwalk, and the number of upcharges (loungers, cabanas, even attractions) feels like nickel-and-diming. Prices are also steep — nearly double what some other Royal ships cost.
That said, Icon of the Seas absolutely delivers on its promise: the ultimate vacation for families and thrill-seekers alike.
📸 Photo idea: Icon of the Seas sailing at sunset
Alt text: Icon of the Seas at sea, world’s largest cruise ship.
