Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas: What it’s like to stay on the largest cruise ship in the world
Royal Caribbean's brand-new Icon of the Seas is 365m-long, boasts 20 decks and loads of things to do. CNA Lifestyle's Joyee Koo went onboard to check it out during its inaugural voyage from Miami last month.

(From left) One of the six waterslides on Icon of the Seas, front view of the ship, a three-storey Family Townhouse (Photo: Royal Caribbean)
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Having experienced a few cruise trips in my life, my favourite aspect of cruising is the convenience of having everything within walking distance. If your travel companion isn't interested in something, you can easily go your separate ways. However, the downside is being confined to the ship with a limited range of activities, and without the beverage package, boredom might set in sooner rather than later.
So, when the opportunity to go aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas presented itself, I was intrigued. It's touted as the world's largest cruise ship – but how extensive could it be?
Let's just say I was not at all prepared for what awaited me.

The 365m-long vessel set sail from Miami on Jan 27, its maiden journey a seven-day island-hopping trip through the Caribbean. And my initial reaction upon seeing it at the port was simply: Wow.
The colourful, vibrant waterslides immediately caught my eye, and in comparison to the other nearby cruises, they all seemed like mere babies next to this colossal ship.
Before the grand voyage was an equally grand naming ceremony complete with fireworks and the presence of a certain Lionel Messi, the cruise's official ambassador. The world-renowned footballer and his Inter Miami teammates were there to bid us adieu.



While Messi sadly did not sail off with us, there were plenty of things to keep me occupied. After all, the ship boasted 20 decks, with 18 accessible to guests. Given its considerable length, a journey from one end to the other takes at least 15 minutes, depending on how fast you walk. My room happened to be situated at the farthest point, so I did clock many steps (45,000 to be exact) during my stay, which unintentionally helped to counterbalance the numerous meals I enjoyed on board.


INTRODUCING THE NEIGHBOURHOODS
Royal Caribbean's cruise experience is famed for its distinctive zones, which it calls "neighbourhoods," and Icon of the Seas had eight, comprising five new ones and three upgraded favourites.
In the new neighbourhood of Thrill Island, you'll find a waterpark hosting six slides, aptly named Category 6, and I was told it's the largest waterpark at sea. Now, I do enjoy going on waterslides, but the one thing I can't stand is the endless lines for rides. Lucky for me, on this ship, the wait wasn't too bad. The crowd was pleasantly dispersed due to the myriad of other activities onboard.
I mustered the courage to try two of the family raft slides, Hurricane Hunter and Storm Surge. Admittedly, they seemed scarier due to the screams of the passengers who went before me – probably just for the thrill. In reality, it wasn't bad at all.
However, I drew the line at the more intense slides, particularly the Frightening Bolt, touted as the tallest drop slide at sea. Picture this: The floor vanishes beneath you, and you free-fall before hurtling through a 360-degree loop. No thanks, not for me!




Another new zone was The Hideaway, featuring the first suspended infinity pool at sea in this exclusive adult-only section. This pool was a real crowd-pleaser, likely due to the direct and unobstructed view of the ocean. There's also a dedicated bar with lively party soundtracks, creating a beach club atmosphere. Despite the bustling crowd, there were plenty of sun lounges chairs, so I managed to snag myself one, reclined and stared into the ocean.


And, of course, let’s not forget a section made just for the little ones. The Surfside neighbourhood was Royal Caribbean's first dedicated space for families with young ones, where adults and kids ages six and under can stay and play all day.
There were three water experiences, including a pool for grown-ups, a bar (because we want the adults to have fun as well), a complimentary carousel, an arcade and a dedicated space just for teens. You can also grab poolside snacks here, like hotdog buns, popcorn chicken, and the absolute favourite, fries!




Perched atop Icon was AquaDome, a new zone where the ambiance transformed throughout the day. In the daytime, it's a tranquil oasis where you can relax on one of the many sofas, sipping on coffee or tea while losing yourself in the mesmerising ocean view. Come night-time, the atmosphere becomes more vibrant as the bars come to life.
But the highlight of this space was the theatre. Here, the ground can magically collapse into a swimming pool, setting the stage for aquatic performances. Divers can plunge from impressive heights, seemingly disappearing into the transformed "ground." The theatre also featured a waterfall, reminiscent of the vortex in Changi’s Jewel.


If you want to chill, where would you go? The answer was Chill Island! The ship had seven pools, and three of them were here, including what's touted as the largest pool at sea that also featured a swim-up bar. One thing I remembered from a previous cruise trip was that I didn't really get a chance to fully enjoy the pools because they were always so crowded. However, with seven pools and nine whirlpools around the ship, there was plenty of space for everyone.

Loyal fans of Royal Caribbean would be familiar with the Royal Promenade, the first area you encounter upon stepping inside the ship. A standout feature in this zone was a gigantic spherical structure known as "The Pearl." This not only serves as an experiential installation but also functions as a structure designed to open and allow more natural light to come in.

Another signature zone, and my personal favourite, was Central Park, a lush open-air space with a lot of real plants. It becomes quite magical in the evening, when the area gets illuminated and there's live music. The zone also houses several specialty restaurants, which we'll delve into later. One of my preferred bars there was Bubbles, where, as the name suggested, you can enjoy a variety of bubblies!

A MYRIAD OF ACTIVITIES
Similar to other Royal Caribbean cruise lines, passengers can pre-book activities upon boarding. Complimentary offerings included the waterslides, rock-climbing, the FlowRider surf simulator, mini-golf, carousel, and the sports court, featuring options like pickleball, basketball, volleyball and more.
For an additional fee, guests can try a new addition, Crown’s Edge, a ropes-obstacle course around the ship's crown and anchor logo, before the floor beneath collapses, leaving your feet dangling over the ocean for the second part of the obstacle.




MORE WAYS TO WINE & DINE
On the ship, you'll find over 40 restaurants, bars, cafes, and lounges, with some open until 2am – which makes it entirely feasible to enjoy meals throughout the entire day.
Much like other Royal Caribbean cruises, some options are included in your sea fare, such as Windjammer, which offers all-day buffets, and Sorrento’s, where you can get a slice of pizza after a late-night show.



Then there are the specialty restaurants that require an additional fee. During my stay, I tried out two. Izumi was a Japanese spot where you can opt for sushi or hibachi. I chose the hibachi and got treated to a "performance" by an entertaining chef who not only cooked my meal but also performed tricks and sang. I also tried out Giovanni’s Italian restaurant for a hearty Italian meal.
For those in need of a quick grab-and-go snack, the ship has numerous options, such as Cantina Fresca for quesadillas and tacos, or my personal favourite, an afternoon pick-me-up espresso martini from Rye and Bean.



For those wanting to elevate their dining experience, lavish Empire Supper Club had an eight-course experience with a taste of old New York and live music. On the menu was premium American cuisine – from caviar to wagyu – with a drink paired with every dish. Another option was the Celebration Table, which featured an exclusive 12-seat setting with panoramic ocean views, allowing guests to choose from a selection of menus, including American, Italian, Asian and seafood options.

NEW LINEUP OF SHOWS
When it comes to entertainment, the cruise has an extensive array of experiences. For enthusiasts of live music, the Dueling Piano bar featured exactly what it says it would – two pianists dueling it out. Jazz and rock aficionados can head to the Jazz Bar and Music Hall, respectively for live performances. And for aspiring singers, there's the Spotlight Karaoke where they can take centre stage in front of a crowd or in a private room with family and friends.


The new lineup of full-scale shows included the first cruise rendition of the classic Wizard Of Oz, a cutting-edge aquatic performance where high divers plunge in sync with a shimmering, shape-shifting waterfall. There's also a supercharged ice-skating show and some adults-only standup comedy shows.


THE ULTIMATE ACCOMMODATION
Icon of the Seas offers a diverse selection of 28 accommodations, tailored for groups of three, four, five, and more. Options include rooms with unobstructed 222-degree ocean views, and rooms with both ocean and neighbourhood scenery – just like the view from my room. My room featured a soundproof door to the balcony, which helped keep the noise levels down.




In terms of accomodation, the ship's highlight is the 1,772 sq ft three-storey Ultimate Family townhouse, featuring unique amenities like an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine, ping pong table, outdoor seating, and a white picket fence leading to one of the neighbourhoods. The room also comes with the added luxury of a personal butler for tailored services. While it does carry a hefty price tag, we were told that this room is already sold out for 2024!



The itinerary onboard the Icon of the Seas includes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, an exclusive private island designed solely for Royal Caribbean passengers. Other Royal Caribbean cruises navigating the Caribbean also make a pitstop here.
During my journey, we docked on the second day, arriving at 9am. We could hop off and on the ship whenever we want, as long as we returned before 5pm. Overnight stays on the island are currently not permitted.
Upon entering the island, we were warmly welcomed by a delightful group of performers singing their own rendition of Bill Withers’ Lovely Day (aptly changed to Perfect Day!), which instantly put a smile on my face.

The beach offers a myriad of activities, from snorkelling and zip-lining to 13 waterslides, including the tallest one in North America. You can pre-book the activities on the same app that you would use on the ship. While most of these activities come with an extra fee, complimentary options like beach chairs are available. Unable to resist the allure of snorkelling, I plunged into the freezing water and spotted schools of fish.
The rest of my time was spent at the Hideaway beach, an exclusive section that requires an additional fee but provides a more secluded experience. However, there are other complimentary beach options on the island. Food and beverages are easily accessible, and those with a beverage package included in their sea fare can take full advantage of it. Complimentary water and juice are offered at all dining spots.



And there we have it. Did I take a wrong turn on the ship during my stay? Multiple times. Did I get to explore all the restaurants and activities? Not at all. The ship is so vast that I'll have to return for a longer stay, and hopefully, I'll get to experience all the activities then – and savour a few more Espresso martinis.
CNA Lifestyle stayed at the Icon of the Seas at the invitation of Royal Caribbean. Cruise package details can be found on the website.