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The Ultimate Family Townhouse is Royal Caribbean's most expensive cruise ship suite. It's not uncommon to find rates around $80,000 to $100,000 for a family of four. The 1,772-square-foot suite is comprised of three stories and has a private "backyard" that leads directly to Surfside. A world of sensory discoveries awaits you at the AquaDomeSM — the most immersive scene at sea. From a towering shapeshifting waterfall that cascades into a dive pool to dining options designed to pique your culinary curiosity. The 7,600-guest Icon of the Seas has seven pools and nine hot tubs.
Family rooms redefined
You will have plenty of diversity, which is something older Royal Caribbean ships usually struggle with. At the time of writing, the lowest advertised fare on Royal Caribbean's website for a cruise onboard Icon in 2024 starts at $3,005 per person for an interior room for the March 23 sailing. 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. It's where they can stay and play all day, especially since there's no need to head to the Windjammer for lunch.
Amenities and Entertainment
The new Icon of the SeasSM introduces the coolest innovations at sea. Watch ice skaters dazzle with double axels at our biggest ice arena ever. Or marvel at performances that push the bounds of bravery beneath a mesmerizing, morphing waterfall. But compared to the rest of my mediocre meals on Icon of the Seas — including dinner at a specialty restaurant — my complimentary pork pita wrap from the food hall's Mediterranean-inspired stall was admittedly pretty decent. There's a reason Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship is only operating seven-night sailings. The AquaDome, at the front of the ship on Deck 15, is also an enclosed circular area that just happens to be the ship's largest glass and steel structure.
The AquaDome Has It All: Food Hall, AquaTheater and Very Cool Space Called The Overlook
Icon of the Seas℠ brings on thrills never imagined, next-level chill never dreamed possible and a fusion of art and innovation never expected. It routinely holds gatherings for LGBTQ+ and solo travelers, though the ship does not have any solo or studio cabins. She also covers travel, lifestyle, food and beverage for Indulge Magazine, the Miami Herald and PureWow.
The ship is the cruise line's first-ever LNG-powered vessel
Because Icon of the Seas is a new class, there are lots of venues, spaces and attractions that are brand-new to Royal Caribbean -- and cruising overall. Keep in mind that these are just some of the many onboard experiences I’m most looking forward to onboard Icon of the Seas. While there are a slew of restaurants, bars, pools and activities I didn’t cover, do not let that keep you from exploring even more things to do on Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean has 28 different Icon of the Seas cruise ship cabins you can choose from, with an eye to provide the most spacious rooms designed by the cruise line. The Royal Suite Class benefits will be available on Icon of the Seas, and that includes three decks of space for suite guests. Think Las Vegas pool party, you'll find the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Because Royal Caribbean wants Icon of the Seas to rival any family land resort, the amount of space dedicated to water slides is meant to rival shoreside resorts. Royal Caribbean wanted to go beyond just having water slides, so Icon will introduce the first water park at sea. When she launches in early 2024, Icon of the Seas will become the largest cruise ship in the world.
To avoid any surprises when you get on the ship, however, it is important that you understand what is and isn't included. Onboard, guests will find the largest waterpark and ice rink at sea, new neighborhoods to explore, the cruise line's first-ever food hall, and so much more. Coastal Kitchen has been the suites-only restaurant on several ships.
Any shorter of an itinerary, and you might not have time to experience all it has to offer. The Grove has a large al fresco Mediterranean restaurant where suite guests can eat their meals poolside. Because The Grove is open to suite guests, you can certainly expect to find families in the space. FRight under Thrill Island, The Hideaway is Icon of the Seas' adults-only pool and sundeck. While it's for adults, don't expect this area to be quiet; as you can see, it's directly under the Category 6 waterpark, and a few decks above Surfside.
Unlike Oasis Class ships, Park Cafe will be open in the evening for late-night bites until 10pm. There will be a combination of new dining concepts and returning favorites on Icon of the Seas, and some will be included with your cruise fare. Something else different about the Royal Promenade is there's the largest ice arena yet in "Absolute Zero." One major feature you will quickly notice on The Promenade is The Pearl, which the cruise line describes as a multi-sensory experience built with 3,000 kinetic tiles. Of course, there will still be a Trellis Bar in Central Park, and it will have a new look and offer food for the first time. The 20-deck high ship comes in at 250,800 tons will be more than 6% bigger than Wonder of the Seas and able to hold up to 7,600 passengers.
Entry to the adults-only beach club includes access to a protected cove surrounded by plenty of loungers, a massive infinity pool with a swim-up bar and a DJ booth, and a variety of bars and restaurants. Going into the sailing, I knew a three-night stay wouldn't be nearly enough time to experience everything the ship had to offer, so I spent my days scurrying around trying to sample as many of its amenities as I could. Impressively, it only took me about a day and a half to learn Icon's layout — largely because it's divided into seven thematic "neighborhoods" on board, each with its own attractions, restaurants, and bars. Central Park, for instance, is a lush atrium with fine dining, a jazz bar, and even a walk-up Champagne bar, not to mention more than 30,000 plants. Icon of the Seas’ true wow factor, however, is arguably found on its upper decks, where the ship’s multigenerational family focus shines brightest. Nevermind that the area is home to multiple pools and more than a dozen bars and eateries; some of Icon of the Seas’ most emblematic attractions are found here.
Dial up action-packed adventures or unplug and chill while you explore some the most sought-after eastern and western Caribbean islands on the planet. Make the most of every minute in the ultimate week-long family getaway to the eastern and western Caribbean. Plus, stops to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas – on every sailing. In keeping with the family theme found throughout the ship, Icon of the Seas rooms are designed for groups. Half of the ship’s 28 cabin categories are new to the line, including the much-talked about three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse, which costs a cool $80,000 a week and includes a slide from the top level down. Deck 15 is home to AquaDome, one of Icon of the Seas’ new neighborhoods that’s housed within a 363-ton glass dome.
Instead, there's The Hideaway, which was designed to have a Las Vegas pool party vibe and features the first suspended infinity pool at sea, an expansive bar area, day beds, whirlpools, and lounge chairs. Although a day was nowhere near enough time to cover every inch of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, we did our best. The ship is the first of the Icon Class, and there are two more coming, including Star of the Seas, which is debuts in summer 2025.
Crew on Icon of the Seas cruise ship rescues 14 people stranded at sea - NBC News
Crew on Icon of the Seas cruise ship rescues 14 people stranded at sea.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Set to open a new class of ships in the company’s fleet, the vessel will have a very a unique design, with a full set of new features and state-of-the-art green technology. Turn up bold adventures at some of the most beautiful destinations in the Western Caribbean. Marvel at lush tropical jungles in Roatán, trek through Mayan ruins in Cozumel – and brave the tallest waterslide in North America at our game-changing private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
There will be one FlowRider surf simulator onboard, as well as other brand staples like Adrenaline Peak – the ultimate rock-climbing expedition, Sports Court, and a totally reimagined Lost Dunes mini-golf course. Guests are strapped in and walk 154 feet above the ocean for this experience. It lasts about two and a half minutes and culminates with a drop-through portion, which Royal Caribbean described as "pretty scary." Royal Caribbean has plans for the best pool deck at sea with Chill Island. Icon of the Seas will begin offering cruises from Miami in January 2024.
Central Park has been a beloved feature of Oasis-class ships, so it's no wonder that it's part of the Icon Class, too. There are a few cool changes that solidify the leafy neighborhood as a quieter area on an otherwise frenetic ship, suitable for date night. For adults who hate sharing a hot tub with teenagers, the Hideaway whirlpools will be a nice oasis.
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