A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage

Table Of Content

• The World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Coming in January—Here's What It's Like Inside
• The customizable Mediterranean-style wrap at the five-stall food hall
• CardMatch
• Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)
• Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas will be world's biggest cruise ship, with room for nearly 10,000 people

We’re including Azamara Onward as a bonus because it’s not actually a new ship, in fact, it debuted in 1999. Most recently, you might recognize it as Princess Cruises’ Pacific Princess. In 2021, Carnival Corporation (Princess Cruises’ parent company) announced that it had sold the vessel to Sycamore Partners, which owns Azamara. MSC World Europa will be 21 decks high — three decks higher than the Oasis Class ships. But it'll be less long and less wide than the Oasis Class ships, leaving it about 10% smaller in overall size.

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Coming in January—Here's What It's Like Inside

Charlotte Amalie, the capital, is more charming in name than in presence, but I still all but jump off the ship to score a juicy oxtail and plantains at the well-known Petite Pump Room, overlooking the harbor. From one of the highest points in the small city, the Icon of the Seas appears bigger than the surrounding hills. As a coddled passenger with a suite, I feel like I am starting to understand what it means to have a rank and be constantly reminded of it. There are many espresso makers, I think as I look across the expanse of my officer-grade quarters before closing my eyes, but this one is mine. I spent my time there perched at one of its in-water loungers, contently splashing my legs around the water, wondering if I actually hated cruises.

The customizable Mediterranean-style wrap at the five-stall food hall

Construction of the brand-new vessel took over 900 days, and the delivery was met with a celebration with cruise line executives, crew members, and shipyard employees present. 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. In addition to the new stateroom designs, Royal Caribbean built Icon to cater to families, meaning that more than 82% of all cabins will accommodate three or more passengers.

CardMatch

If relaxing isn't on your agenda, head to Thrill Island, where you will find the Category 6 water park, FlowRider surf simulator, and part skywalk, part ropes course, and part thrill ride Crown's Edge, which will take you 154 feet above the ocean. From the cruise line's first-ever swim-up bar to the largest pool at sea, infinity-edge Cove and Cloud 17 Pools, Chill Island is, undoubtedly, going to be the best pool deck at sea. Whether you're counting down the days until your Icon cruise or cannot fathom stepping foot on a ship that size, there's no denying that the launch of Icon of the Seas is a major milestone in the cruising industry. Perched at the top of Icon, the Aqua Theater will feature wraparound ocean views and an ... [+] awe-inspiring waterfall as guests enjoy a bite or drink.

Icon of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean's first new class of ship since Quantum of the Seas launched in 2014. There will also be a three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox. For rooms with a view, the Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in AquaDome are expected to be some of the best on-board according to the cruise line. That’s about how much it costs—per person—for a spot in the Sunset Suite aboard some voyages on the Icon of the Seas. “When you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing,” he added.

Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)

Outside, airy spaces will include interconnected decks and promenades. Expect lots of natural light, suites that offer 270-degree views, eight restaurants, and more. Yes, the ship is on the smaller side, but it just proves that, sometimes, great things come in tiny packages.

There are more dining venues onboard Icon of the Seas than any other ship in the fleet

Measuring a staggering 1,198 feet, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas was delivered today at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland and is on schedule for her maiden voyage from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean on January 27, 2024. After completing the first round of European sea trials, Royal Caribbean’s newest – and its largest, the cruise line boasts – is one step closer to its January 27 inaugural voyage. "We have purposely designed the ship to give more space for people," he said. "We believe, even at 7,500 guests, it won't feel to you like your entire hometown has joined the ship," said Schneider.

If all goes as planned, the record-breaking vessel will begin sailing in the Caribbean in January 2024. Move over Wonder of the Seas, there is officially a world’s new largest cruise ship. Icon of the Seas — the highly anticipated new vessel from Royal Caribbean — has officially joined the cruise line’s fleet. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. It won't be quite the world's biggest cruise ship, though it will be close.

A Look Inside the World's Largest Cruise Ship, Launching January 2024 Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler

A Look Inside the World's Largest Cruise Ship, Launching January 2024 Condé Nast Traveler.

Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Norwegian Prima

New features on this ship are minimal, as Viking Cruises has long attempted to keep its experiences similar across its ships, for guest experience continuity. Accordingly, expect the same decor and design, as well as restaurants and entertainment, that you might’ve already experienced on past Viking cruises. Each and every year, we cover the biggest and best new cruise ships that you can look forward to in the year ahead (and that you can, in some cases, already book for your next cruise!). And, each and every year, we’re amazed at how the cruise industry continues to take the cruising experience to the next level. The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas—which will be the largest cruise ship in the world—will debut to passengers for the first time. The cruise ship, called Icon of the Seas, is massive – measuring 1,198 feet long with 250,800 gross tonnage.

Pinnacles, it is explained to me over translucent cantaloupe, have sailed with Royal Caribbean for 700 ungodly nights. Pandemic Pinnacles took advantage of the two-for-one accrual rate of Pinnacle points during the pandemic, when sailing on a cruise ship was even more ill-advised, to catapult themselves into Pinnacle status. The 1,196-foot-long, 20-deck Icon of the Seas is packed with bars, restaurants, and things to do.

And now I understand what the maître d’ was saying to me on the first day of my cruise. He wasn’t saying “pendejo.” He was saying “Pinnacle.” The dining room was for Pinnacles only, all those older people rolling in like the tide on their motorized scooters. At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop. But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected.

In a twist, the ship will have three separate buffet restaurants as well, each with its own ambiance. As for its onboard offerings, MSC Cruises is taking a page from Royal Caribbean's playbook by breaking down the public areas of MSC World Europa into districts. They will include an adults-only "Zen district" and a separate "family district" that houses as many as 10 new kids facilities. There also will be a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars. Royal Caribbean's first Oasis Class ship, Oasis of the Seas, debuted in 2009. The line added additional Oasis Class vessels in 2010, 2016 and 2018.