I saw Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas being built and I'm convinced the next world's largest cruise ship could shake up the industry

Brittany ChangJul 16, 2023, 18:25 IST

In January 2024, the Icon of the Seas will sail as the world's largest cruise ship.Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

In May, I visited Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas while it was under construction in Finland.
In January 2024, the ship will begin service as the world's largest cruise vessel with 2,805 rooms.

In May, I trekked from New York City to Finland to see Royal Caribbean International's work on the Icon of the Seas. And after a day on the floating construction site, I can confidently say this mega vessel could shake up the cruise industry once it debuts in January 2024.

The cruise line has already seen plenty of buzz for the vessel ahead of its debut. Royal Caribbean said it saw its largest booking day in the company's history when reservations opened for the Icon of the Seas in October 2022. And after just a few hours, the 7,600-guest ship's maiden voyage from Miami to the Caribbean was nearly sold out.

Months later, Michael Bayley, the cruise line's CEO, crowned the Icon of the Seas as the "best-selling product in the history of our business" in a call with investors.

In mid-May, the cruise line invited a group of reporters to visit the upcoming Icon of the Seas while under construction in Turku, Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

But in June, the cruise giant announced its upcoming ship had completed the first round of sea trials.

Royal Caribbean International

And if touring the ship several months ago taught me anything about the future vessel, it's that all of the attention it has received so far is warranted.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

These are the nine reasons I think the vessel will shake up the family cruise industry.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

1. Other cruise ships will be physically stunted by the Icon — it will be 1,198 feet-long.

Brittany Chang/Insider

2. The Icon of the Seas has more dining and drinking venues than any ship I've been on so far.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

This includes a swim-up bar for adults, a grab-and-go sushi station, espresso martinis at Rye and Bean.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

3. Royal Caribbean is promising the Icon will be home to the world's largest water park at sea.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

Three of its water slides will be a first for the cruise line.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

4. Besides the water park, there are plenty of onboard activities for families.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

For example, activities like Crown's Edge rope course could leave its thrill-seeking participants suspended 155 feet above the ocean.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

But for travelers who don't want to break a sweat, there are less intense places to spend their time, such as the carousel, arcade, or children's water park.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

5. Pool decks will no longer be rows of pool chairs surrounding one or two large pools.

Royal Caribbean International

Instead, the behemoth vessel will have what Royal Caribbean calls a "suspended infinity pool."

Royal Caribbean International

6. The ship will have 28 different staterooms and suites that will make up its 2,805 hotel rooms at sea.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Of these 28 categories, 14 will be new to the brand.

Royal Caribbean International

7. The cruise line is elevating its live entertainment at the AquaDome with add-ons like robotic arms and a waterfall.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

Besides this venue, the ship will also have ice shows.

Royal Caribbean International

8. Royal Caribbean is growing the neighborhood exclusive to travelers who have booked suites.

Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

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I saw Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas being built and I'm convinced the next world's largest cruise ship could shake up the industry

In mid-May, the cruise line invited a group of reporters to visit the upcoming Icon of the Seas while under construction in Turku, Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard.

But in June, the cruise giant announced its upcoming ship had completed the first round of sea trials.

And if touring the ship several months ago taught me anything about the future vessel, it's that all of the attention it has received so far is warranted.

These are the nine reasons I think the vessel will shake up the family cruise industry.

1. Other cruise ships will be physically stunted by the Icon — it will be 1,198 feet-long.

2. The Icon of the Seas has more dining and drinking venues than any ship I've been on so far.

This includes a swim-up bar for adults, a grab-and-go sushi station, espresso martinis at Rye and Bean.

3. Royal Caribbean is promising the Icon will be home to the world's largest water park at sea.

Three of its water slides will be a first for the cruise line.

4. Besides the water park, there are plenty of onboard activities for families.

For example, activities like Crown's Edge rope course could leave its thrill-seeking participants suspended 155 feet above the ocean.

But for travelers who don't want to break a sweat, there are less intense places to spend their time, such as the carousel, arcade, or children's water park.

5. Pool decks will no longer be rows of pool chairs surrounding one or two large pools.

Instead, the behemoth vessel will have what Royal Caribbean calls a "suspended infinity pool."

6. The ship will have 28 different staterooms and suites that will make up its 2,805 hotel rooms at sea.

Of these 28 categories, 14 will be new to the brand.

7. The cruise line is elevating its live entertainment at the AquaDome with add-ons like robotic arms and a waterfall.

Besides this venue, the ship will also have ice shows.

8. Royal Caribbean is growing the neighborhood exclusive to travelers who have booked suites.