It’s no secret that Royal Caribbean keeps raising the bar for itself, always bringing something fresh to the cruise world. When Icon of the Seas debuted in 2024, it drew huge attention from the media and cruise fans alike. Two years on, we finally got to experience it ourselves. Here’s our reality of sailing the Icon of the Seas.
It’s built as neighbourhoods, not just decks
Icon is the biggest ship we’ve ever sailed on, but it’s designed so that people are spread out rather than funnelled into the same few spaces. There are eight neighbourhoods, and each has its own vibe and places to grab food and drink. You can stay in one area and still enjoy everything the ship has to offer.
Royal Caribbean is known as a family cruise line, and with around 5,600 guests at double occupancy (and up to roughly 7,600 at full capacity), there will be plenty of families with kids on board. We found that to be true, but it’s the line we chose, and the neighbourhoods let you find your own pace. We spent most of our time in the AquaDome, Central Park and Chill Island, which suited us best depending on our mood and the time of day. If you’re after somewhere calmer, Central Park is a good bet, though families still set the overall tone of the ship.
The honest bit: Crowds are the most debated topic among Icon cruisers. Some find the layout handles them surprisingly well, while others struggle to find a quiet corner at peak times. On sea days, it’s naturally harder to get loungers right beside the pool, but if you don’t mind a minute or two’s walk, there are plenty to go around.
The attractions are firsts, not just bigger versions
This is where Icon earns its reputation. Crown’s Edge, the ship’s newest thrill, is not to be missed if you’re an adrenaline junkie. Sadly, strong winds meant our booking was cancelled twice, so we’ll have to save it for next time.
The entertainment impressed us, from the Broadway-style productions to the ice show. It’s still mind-blowing to watch West End-quality theatre included in your cruise fare. The Wizard of Oz was cleverly adapted for a ship’s theatre, and the other headliners, the ice show and the aqua show, were also beautifully produced and executed.
The honest bit: The premium experiences often come with extra costs. Specialty dining, the Empire Supper Club (around $200 per person) and private island days all add up, and Icon’s fares tend to be higher than on other Royal Caribbean ships. It’s worth setting a budget before you board.
It holds the “world’s largest” title as a class
Icon and her sister ships are the largest cruise ships in the world, at about 250,800 gross tons. But size alone doesn’t make a ship good. What impressed us was how well the features work together. The moment we saw the Pearl in the middle of the two-storey Royal Promenade, the sheer size of this ship became real.
The honest bit: Size brings logistics. Specialty restaurants seat only a fraction of the ship at any one time, so book your reservations early or you may end up on standby.
Each ship has its own personality
Icon, Star and Legend share a design DNA but not an identity, and that’s part of the fun of this class. Icon feels like the mothership: the original that her sisters have learned from, and yet she feels iconic precisely because she was the first of her kind.
The honest bit: Food is where opinions split most. Some guests think the included restaurants are better than expected, while others feel you need the specialty packages for standout meals. We’ve had better complimentary food on other cruise lines, but Icon still offers more than enough free options if you don’t want to spend extra: the main dining room, the buffet, Pearl Cafe, Sorrento’s, Surfside Bites and the new AquaDome Market and Basecamp.
It’s a growing class, not a one-off
As of this writing, Icon entered service in 2024, Star of the Seas followed in 2025 and Legend of the Seas in 2026, with Hero of the Seas due in 2027. More Icon-class ships are already on order. That’s reassuring for cruisers: this is a long-term direction for the line, not a one-time experiment.
Sustainability tech is a defining feature
Icon runs on LNG, and the newer ships in the class build on that with waste heat recovery and shore power connectivity, as part of Royal Caribbean’s goal of launching a net-zero ship by 2035.
The honest bit: LNG burns more cleanly than traditional marine fuel but is still a fossil fuel, and some environmental groups have raised concerns about methane leakage. It’s progress rather than a finished solution.
Our verdict
For us, Icon is an innovative, one-of-a-kind ship with so much to experience on board. We enjoyed the specialty dining, world-class entertainment and sheer innovation, and we can’t wait to see more of the Icon class.
Best for: Families, first-timers and anyone who wants a resort at sea.
Maybe look elsewhere if: You prefer a quiet, traditional cruise with smaller crowds, or you’re on a tight onboard budget.
