Royal Caribbean’s first Icon-class ship, Icon of the Seas, is among the most-anticipated new cruise ships proper now. The cruise line is advertising and marketing the vessel, which is ready to debut in January 2024, because the “best family vacation in the world,” and based mostly on what I’ve seen thus far I do assume it is going to be among the many prime choices for households who love numerous action-packed enjoyable.
As somebody who has been on a dozen ships and covers the cruise business each day, that is the ship I’m personally most enthusiastic about proper now. The Icon-class is an evolution of the Oasis-class in a serious method, and I believe this is among the causes it is going to be so profitable; it’s constructing on the platform of an already extraordinarily common lineup of ships. Here, I assumed I’d compile 5 of the issues I’m most excited for on Icon of the Seas, based mostly on what’s been launched about it by Royal Caribbean thus far.
1. AquaDome
Like the Oasis-class ships, Icon of the Seas may have an area for high-dive exhibits. But not like the Oasis-class ships, it gained’t be an open-air spot on the aft — as an alternative it is going to be a glass-enclosed dome on the ahead a part of the highest deck. The AquaDome is definitely one of many eight “neighborhoods” on Icon, and it encompasses greater than only a theater area for the diving exhibits. By day, the AquaTheater itself will function a hangout area, full with a round waterfall that’s additionally used through the night exhibits.
It will even home eating places — together with Hooked Seafood — a espresso store referred to as Rye & Bean that transforms right into a bar at evening, and retail area. The AquaDome will even be residence to The Overlook, which is like Icon of the Seas’ large tackle an statement lounge. It will embody quite a lot of seating areas, in addition to The Overlook Pods — elevated dialog nooks with 360 diploma views.
If all of that wasn’t sufficient, the rear sides of the AquaDome will really embody cabins, whose floor-to-ceiling home windows are among the dome’s geometric glass panels.
The AquaDome is a completely new idea for Royal Caribbean, and I believe it’s a improbable transfer as they advanced the Oasis-class blueprint to create the Icon-class. The AquaTheater’s location on the aft on the Oasis-class ships is nice if you’re really attending a present, however looks like a waste of priceless outside area through the day. In its place on Icon is the Splashaway Bay children’ water park and infinity-style pool, which to me is a really good use of an open-air space that may get loads of sunshine.
In addition to that, I’m somebody who loves statement lounges on cruise ships. I usually miss them once I’m on a vessel that doesn’t have one. The Overlook is correct up my alley each by way of sensible structure — giving me that statement lounge area — in addition to with inside design. The renderings (particularly the temper lighting at evening) remind me of the moon Pandora within the movie Avatar, which I really like the whole lot about.
2. The Hideaway Pool
I predict that the Hideaway Pool goes to be the *it* pool on Icon of the Seas. It jogs my memory of these swimming pools you see suspended between two buildings or the pool on the prime of the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore. Located within the seashore club-inspired Hideaway neighborhood, the Hideaway Pool is suspended mid-air eight tales up. It options full-size daybeds surrounded by water, with the area additionally providing soft loungers, a close-by bar, and a resident DJ.
I keep in mind when Viking and MSC Cruises pioneered the primary infinity swimming pools at sea, which was such a novel and thrilling characteristic for a cruise ship on the time. I really like the connection that they create with the ocean and it’s wonderful to see them on so many ships now. I really feel that with the Hideaway Pool, Royal Caribbean is taking that concept a step additional and creating one thing with a little bit of a way of hazard (although it is going to be completely protected!) and loads of top, which might be so enjoyable to expertise.
MORE: Wonder of the Seas Dining Guide: Which Restaurants Are Complimentary?
3. Lemon Post
Why am I so excited a few household bar situated in a neighborhood geared in direction of younger children? Because of its lemon theme! I’ve a sure affinity in direction of lemons, which is why I used to be very excited when Royal Caribbean introduced this specific venue on Icon.
Lemon Post is an open-air venue situated within the Surfside household neighborhood proper subsequent to the Splashaway Bay water play space on deck seven. It will characteristic two menus: one for youths and one for adults. To let Royal Caribbean clarify the idea: “With color changing drinks, unique souvenir cups and performative pours, this is not your ordinary lemonade stand.”
While the precise menus aren’t out but — and sure gained’t be obtainable till the ship really debuts — we are able to solely guess that this bar will supply up numerous citrusy, fruity, refreshing drinks good for households to take pleasure in throughout a sizzling afternoon spent within the water. Based on the rendering, the inside design will characteristic numerous lemon parts with an — in fact — yellow and inexperienced colour scheme.
You can guess that if/once I get an opportunity to sail Icon of the Seas, I’ll be taking photographs at Lemon Post and posting them on Instagram ASAP. After all, I’ve to maintain up my lemon-loving popularity!
4. Thrill Island
Thrill Island is one other neighborhood on Icon of the Seas, and — as its title implies — that is the place the ship’s most thrilling actions may be discovered. The focus is the six waterslides, which assist comprise what would be the largest waterpark at sea (17,010 sq. ft!), fittingly referred to as Category 6. The waterpark will characterize loads of firsts for the cruise business, together with the primary household raft experience at sea, the primary duo mat racing slides at sea, and the tallest drop slide at sea. Thrill Island will even supply a contemporary tackle Royal Caribbean’s traditional mountaineering wall, and a shipwreck-themed mini golf course.
I’m a giant fan of waterslides, and the truth that Icon may have six is a large plus for me. I additionally actually take pleasure in mountaineering partitions and themed mini golf — the extra fascinating and detailed the theming, the higher!
Another side of Thrill Island that actually places the “thrill” within the title is Crown’s Edge. Royal Caribbean describes it as “a fear-inducing challenge that’s part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride and an all-out test of your courage.” It takes company over the aspect of the ship, together with an element the place you’re actually dangling over the ocean.
THIS is a part of Thrill Island that I’m a little bit apprehensive about. I’m not towards ropes programs and I’ve achieved them, however they’re not my favourite both. I simply know that the actual fact it’s important to step off a platform and primarily “zip line” for a brief distance over the sting of the ship is likely to be a little bit an excessive amount of for me to truly take pleasure in. But for thrill seekers and those that don’t get horribly wobbly legs on ropes programs, this might be simply the ticket. Otherwise, I’m completely pumped for the whole lot that Thrill Island has to supply!
5. Family Staterooms
Even although I gained’t be using any of Icon of the Seas’ household staterooms anytime quickly, I believe they’re one of the crucial modern, distinctive options of your complete ship — which is saying quite a bit as a result of Icon is totally brimming with Royal Caribbean’s next-level innovation.
There are fairly a number of “family” stateroom classes to select from on this vessel, together with the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony, Surfside Family Suite, and the Surfside Family View Interiors. Without getting method down into the main points — which fluctuate barely for every class — I’ll simply record a number of options that a few of these staterooms have which I believe are so enjoyable and have been so effectively thought-out for households.
- Split bogs
- Separate children’ alcove with bunk beds (every with its personal TV!)
- Games (equivalent to Scrabble) and chalkboards on the partitions
- Separate children’ hangout nook
- Close proximity to the Surfside household neighborhood (some even overlook it)
Icon of the Seas will even characteristic an evolution of the large only-one-per-ship Ultimate Family Suite, which may be discovered on Symphony and Wonder of the Seas. On Icon, the multi-story lodging is named the Ultimate Family Townhouse and it opens proper out into the Surfside neighborhood, placing the household who stays in it proper within the coronary heart of the motion.
There you’ve it! These are the issues I’m most excited for on Icon of the Seas. What are you most trying ahead to on board?
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