Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class includes five cruise ships that have become renowned for being bigger and more innovative than any other cruise ships sailing the seas today.
Here’s everything you need to know about this ground-breaking group of ships, so you can decide if an Icon-class cruise is in your future.
In This Article:
- The Icon Class at a Glimpse
- What Makes the Icon Class So Special?
- How the Icon Class Ships are Laid Out
- Top Innovative and Unique Features in the Icon Class
- Should You Be Worried About Crowds When Sailing on an Icon Class Ship?
- Who is the Icon Class Best for?
- Pros of Sailing on an Icon Class Ship
- Cons of Sailing on an Icon Class Ship
- So is an Icon Cruise Right for You?
The Icon Class at a Glimpse
The five vessels in the Icon-class include Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, and two that are yet to be named.
| Ship | Entered Service | Gross Tonnage | Guest Capacity (Double Occupancy) |
| Icon of the Seas | Jan. 27, 2024 | 248,663 | 5,610 |
| Star of the Seas | Aug. 31, 2025 | 248,663 | 5,610 |
| Legend of the Seas | July 11, 2026 | 248,663 | 5,610 |
| TBA | Estimated 2027 | Estimated 248,663 | Estimated 5,610 |
| TBA | Estimated 2028 | Estimated 248,663 | Estimated 5,610 |
What Makes the Icon Class So Special?
When the new Icon of the Seas launched in 2024, it was a big deal — a big deal. Both literally and figuratively. The cruise community couldn’t wait to get its hands on this ship that was reportedly bigger and better than anything that had ever come before it.
And it’s true — this ship has proven to be pretty special, as have those that have come after it.
The Icon class features the largest ships in the world, by a long shot, both in terms of gross tonnage and guest capacity. While the vessels carry 5,610 guests at double capacity, they can handle approximately 7,600 guests, plus more than 2,000 crew, when they’re stuffed to their max.
The ships also introduced a brand-new layout to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, with redesigned spaces that fit the needs of the modern cruiser.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean really went all out with offering the ultimate in options (whether you’re looking for things to do, places to eat and drink, or just choosing your stateroom or suite). Ships are also filled with high-end tech and everything new-new-new.
Read Also: Icon of the Seas Size Comparison – Facts and Stats
Basically, even if you’ve been cruising all your life, like me, the Icon-class is still going to be a brand-new experience like none you’ve ever had before.
How the Icon Class Ships are Laid Out
Most Royal Caribbean ships feature “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas themed around a certain activity or function, like the Royal Promenade or Central Park. However, the Icon-class vessels expanded on this idea, with new, more deliberate neighborhoods.
The Icon ships feature eight neighborhoods in total:
- The Suite Neighborhood
- Royal Promenade
- Central Park
- Surfside
- The Hideaway
- Chill Island
- Thrill Island
- AquaDome
Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood are not new to the class, but the remaining five neighborhoods are.
The AquaDome is where one of the class’s most creative and unique (in my opinion) features lives. The giant, glass dome on the ship’s bow offers amazing views, a sleek and contemporary aesthetic, two bars, a few dining options and the AquaTheater.
Thrill Island is home to the largest waterpark at sea, with record-breaking slides as well as opportunities for other thrills and adventure, at the zip line and sports courts.
Chill Island offers multiple pools, multiple bars and restaurants and a swim-up bar (a feature that was completely new for Royal Caribbean when it was introduced on Icon of the Seas).
Worth Reading: Icon of the Seas Cabins and Suites Guide
The Hideaway is an adults-only area with a bar and an infinity pool.
Surfside, lastly, is the impressive family-geared neighborhood, with staterooms designed with families’ needs in mind, a carousel, splash pool, games and kid-friendly eateries.
Top Innovative and Unique Features in the Icon Class
The Pearl
It’s hard to explain The Pearl if you haven’t seen it for yourself, but I’ll give it a shot!
Part of the reimagined Royal Promenade, The Pearl — created by the Brooklyn-based art studio BREAKFAST — is a three-deck sphere that features an art installation made up of more than 3,000 high-tech tiles. The tiles change based on music, as well as data related to actual, real-time wind and tide info.
A staircase leads cruisers up through and inside The Pearl to view this art installation up close. It’s also one of the first things you see as soon as you board the ship, so it really gets your cruise off on the right foot. When you ascend the staircase, you’ll find spectacular views and The Pearl Café.
Technically, The Pearl is the largest kinetic art sculpture in the world.
The AquaDome
The AquaDome is the largest glass and steel structure to be featured on any cruise ship.
Literally a dome, it offers 220-degree ocean views and, as already mentioned, many public spaces, including bars, restaurants and the cruise line’s staple AquaTheater amphitheater. There’s also a 55-foot waterfall — no big deal.
The Category 6 Waterpark
The 17,000-square-foot Category 6 waterpark is seriously jaw-dropping. It also made waves by racking up a huge number of “firsts” at sea.
Not only is it the largest waterpark at sea overall, but it also boasts the biggest raft slide at sea, the tallest waterslide at sea, the first open free-fall slide at sea and more. From the Frightening Bolt to Pressure Drop, there’s a different slide for every day of the week.
Then, while not technically part of the waterpark, the Royal Bay Pool in the Chill Island neighborhood is also the largest pool at sea.
The Expansive Dining
While it might not be all that exciting to some, for foodie travelers like myself, more and better dining on a cruise ship is always a plus.
The Icon-class blew me away with the ships’ more than 20 restaurant options (and when you add on the places to grab a drink, too, the number climbs to above 40).
As much as you try, it’s hard to fit in all of those eateries in a single sailing!
Some of the highlights, though, include the AquaDome Market, which is a food hall-style eatery.
Next, each ship has its own high-end supper club, with different themes depending on the ship. Icon of the Seas’ supper club has a Jazz Age NYC vibe. Star of the Seas taps into 1930s Chicago. Legend of the Seas channels the golden age of Hollywood.
Then, while it’s not on Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas, the Royal Railway dining experience is on Legend of the Seas. Previously, it was just on Utopia of the Seas. It’s an immersive experience wherein you dine in what feels like a real rail car, with scenery projected out your windows.
The Elevators
The elevators? Really?
Yep, if you ask just about anyone who’s sailed on an Icon-class ship about the elevators, they’ll probably have something complimentary to say.
There are 22 total elevators on the ship, but these aren’t just any elevators. They’ve been outfitted with impressive tech that helps to minimize wait times.
For example, rather than everyone waiting for an elevator, picking their individual decks and then all of those people crowding into whatever empty elevator opens next, which then has to stop at every single chosen deck… these are destination-based elevators.
So, you pick your deck and then you’re assigned a specific elevator to get on. That way, the elevator takes everyone who’s going to the same destination, usually directly there. There’s no huge amount of stopping and starting.
Read Also: Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas – A Giant Comparison
Plus, the elevators harness AI capabilities to track cruisers’ usage across the day and adjust their availability accordingly. They’re even more sustainable, with elevators moving up using the energy generated by elevators going down.
Cool, huh?
Should You Be Worried About Crowds When Sailing on an Icon Class Ship?
Of course, when you unveil that your new cruise ship can hold more than 7,000 people, that’s going to lead to one big question: How are the crowds?
Even if you love sailing on a mega ship with all its options, most cruisers do not enjoy crowds.
However, there’s good news: Icon-class ships don’t feel crowded, and it’s not just me saying it. This has been a continual point of discussion among the cruise community on Reddit.
In one thread from 2024, a cruiser said that there was really only two times that they felt Icon of the Seas was crowded, during the first-night promenade balloon drop at midnight, and then at the breakfast buffet on a sea day. Otherwise, they noted, the ship was so well laid out that it never felt overwhelmingly crowded.
In another thread from summer of 2025, one poster said that Icon of the Seas was the least-crowded-feeling Royal Caribbean ship that they’d ever been on.
They credited the ship’s well-defined neighborhoods for this fact, as they help spread the crowds out, and also mentioned those high-tech elevators.
Who is the Icon Class Best for?
There are a few types of cruisers who are really going to enjoy sailing on an Icon class ship the most.
Families
Royal Caribbean really knocked it out of the park when it came to making these ships as family-friendly as possible.
Not only is the Surfside neighborhood entirely geared at making family cruises more enjoyable, but the ship offers family-specific suites and staterooms, family-friendly restaurants and entertainment galore.
For the best family vacation, with bolder bonding across the board, pick an Icon ship.
Foodie Cruisers
I already mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating again. If you travel to eat, you’re going to really appreciate all of the restaurant options aboard Icon of the Seas and its sister ships.
Not only do you get tons of options, but these are actually interesting and creative options that go beyond the typical main dining room, buffet, steakhouse, Italian eatery and sushi joint that you’d find on just about any cruise ship.
You’ve got a food hall. You’ve got the supper clubs. You have the 24/7 Pearl Café. You have the Royal Railway experience.
Cruisers Who Don’t Mind Skipping Port Days
Some cruisers cruise for the ports. They’re all about seeing as many destinations as possible over the course of their itineraries.
Other cruisers cruise for the ship. If you fall into this camp, you’ll likely love an Icon-class cruise. With so much to do right on the vessel, there’s no need to disembark to find ways to fill your days.
Plus, it’s worth noting that these popular ships stop at some of the most popular ports — the Bahamas, Cozumel, CocoCay, etc. So, chances are likely you may’ve already seen these destinations in the past.
Pros of Sailing on an Icon Class Ship
So what are the pros of sailing on an Icon-class ship?
- Lots to do and plenty of options at every turn, no matter what you’re in the mood for
- Family-specific amenities, venues and staterooms
- Unique attractions that you won’t find on any other ships
- New tech and innovative offerings for the best of 21st century cruising
Cons of Sailing on an Icon Class Ship
- You won’t find a very intimate atmosphere here (some cruisers on Reddit have mentioned the inability to make friends with fellow cruisers on Icon class ships, the way you can on smaller ships)
- High prices — you can expect that Royal Caribbean is going to charge a premium for its best, biggest ship, unless you find some special offers or last-minute cruise deals
So is an Icon Cruise Right for You?
An Icon cruise isn’t going to be for everyone, but it’s definitely for a lot of people.
If you love lots of options, want a family-friendly cruise and really value getting the newest and best in the industry, then sailing on an Icon-class ship will be right up your alley.
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If, though, you value the more low-key, less-busy cruising experience, and the opportunity to see the same fellow cruisers on a regular basis, you might want to opt for a smaller ship.
