I was one of the first guests on Royal Caribbean's $1,800-per-person Icon of the Seas. Nothing prepared me for what it was like on the world's largest cruise ship.

Brittany ChangFeb 3, 2024, 18:24 IST

Royal Caribbean's giant Icon of the Seas cruise ship lived up to its equally giant hype — maybe in the worst way possible.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I spent three nights on Royal Caribbean's new world's largest cruise ship, the 9,950-person Icon of the Seas.
The 1,198-foot-long beast was overflowing with flashy amenities I never imagined possible on a ship.

Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas isn't a regular cruise ship. It's a cool cruise ship — one that will overwhelm you so much, you'll end up retreating to your tiny cabin more than you expected.

Love it or hate it, the 250,800-gross-ton vessel is here and hard to ignore. At 1,198 feet-long and 20 decks tall, the Icon of the Seas and its rainbow spaghetti-like water park stands out from its comrades at Miami's bustling cruise terminal.

Get used to the sight: The new world's largest cruise ship will be homeported there for a year of seven-night cruises.

Looking at a ship of its size, it's hard not to wonder: Has science gone too far? Is it as overwhelming as it seems? Is it safe? Will it blow a hole in the ozone layer?! (The answers, in order, are: maybe, yes, yes, maybe.)

Royal Caribbean probably doesn’t care if you hate its new floating vacation destination.

Icon of the Seas docked at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Like the travelers who scrambled to book it in 2022, spurring the largest reservation day in Royal Caribbean’s history, boarding the Icon has been a long time coming for me.

The ship has nine hot tubs.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Like the travelers who scrambled to book it in 2022, spurring the largest reservation day in Royal Caribbean’s history, boarding the Icon has been a long time coming for me.

However, no amount of research or construction tours could’ve prepared me for my three nights on the Icon.

Icon of the Seas has six water slides.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The cruise line has been marketing its new product as the “ultimate family vacation.”

The AquaDome has several lounges and bars.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

If you have a toddler, have fun spending most of your time at Surfside.

The Surfside neighborhood features an arcade, a water playground, and an all-day brunch spot where children eat for free.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I am not a six-year-old, but who am I to resist Surfside’s snack stand’s complimentary churros?

Surfside was designed for children younger than six years old.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Instead of Surfside, I spent most of my afternoon at Thrill Island.

Thrill Island puts a nautical spin on mini-golf.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The fear I felt on the 46-foot-tall drop slide was the first emotion I’ve experienced in weeks.

Royal Caribbean says one of the water slides is the tallest at sea.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Again, it pains me to say that I loved the adrenaline-pumping Crown’s Edge.

Participants must suit up in a jumpsuit and harness to participate in the course, elevated well above the deck.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

After seeing the course, I quickly realized why she asked.

Crown's Edge is elevated above Thrill Island. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Thrill Island has quieter classics like a sports court and rock climbing wall.

Thrill Island has outdoor activities like a surf simulator.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

By the second afternoon, desperate for quiet, I trotted past the water park and mini-golf course to look for the ship’s adult-only outdoor lounge.

Royal Caribbean says the Icon of the Seas is the first cruise ship to have a suspended infinity pool.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Unfortunately, I quickly learned this venue was more like a pool club than a quiet retreat.

A DJ and speakers kept a lively pace at the adult-only section. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The complement to Thrill Island is Chill Island, home to four of Icon’s seven — yes, seven — pools.

The Icon of the Seas has seven pools, including a 5,800-square-foot one that royal Caribbean says is the largest at sea.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I could not have survived the excessive walking without Icon’s elevators, as frustrating as they were.

The large elevator lobbies help control the crowds.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I, a certified baby, was overwhelmed by all of this. The elevators, the monstrous pool deck, the jungle-like waterpark.

Pearl Cafe's large seating area is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and peaceful chatter.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I could either pay extra to go to the spa or return to my cabin to escape the hustle and bustle.

My ocean-view balcony cabin had 50 square-feet of private outdoor space.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

However, my ocean-view balcony cabin was blasphemously cramped for the world's largest cruise ship.

The cabin had modern amenities like a TV with Chromecast and a touchscreen thermostat that also controlled the lights. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

On the bright side, my cabin had a decent amount of storage and a TV with Chromecast.

It was the smallest cruise stateroom bathroom I've ever seen.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

And I’ll say it — the food was mid.

El Loco Fresh is the ship's complimentary Mexican-inspired buffet.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The buffet’s chilled, marinated calamari was unexpectedly my favorite bite during my three nights at sea.

The buffet had soup and international food stations.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The food hall, a first for Royal Caribbean, had refreshing options like crepes and Mediterranean-inspired wraps and bowls.

One of the stalls had variations of macaroni and cheese.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The complimentary three-deck main dining room had a rotating menu.

My crab cake appetizer had a refreshing "salad."Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Only half of Icon's 21 dining venues are complimentary. If you want luxurious lobsters and steaks, you’ll have to ball out on a specialty restaurant.

Speciality meals include raw oysters, lobster tails, and sashimi.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

If I still drank, I would’ve drowned my disappointment at one of the 20 bars and nightlife venues.

One of Thrill Island's pools has a swim-up bar.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

At night, the Royal Promenade also hosted a family fun parade with energetic dancers and a leader who looked suspiciously like Cap’n Crunch.

The nighttime parade had a confusing collection of costumes.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But none of the shows topped Icon’s “Aqua Action!” and “The Wizard of Oz."

Entertainment on the Icon of the Seas includes a nighttime show at its water-based theater.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I hate most song-and-dance cruise shows — they’re often boring, tacky, and cringe-worthy.

"The Wizard of Oz" is accompanied by a16-piece live orchestra.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Despite my disappointment with the dining and cabin, activities like the musical make Icon of the Seas a great option for families with kids.

The Central Park neighborhood is filled with live plants.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Sure, the tiny stateroom could lead to some bickering. And you'll probably end up walking several miles a day just to navigate the ship.

Surfside has a candy shop, Sugar Beach.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But there’s likely no better option than Royal Caribbean's new mega ship if you’re a parent seeking an action-packed cruise that will keep your children sufficiently entertained.

Icon of the Seas will sail to Perfect Day at CocoCay throughout 2024.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But there’s likely no better option than Royal Caribbean's new mega ship if you’re a parent seeking an action-packed cruise that will keep your children sufficiently entertained.

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I was one of the first guests on Royal Caribbean's $1,800-per-person Icon of the Seas. Nothing prepared me for what it was like on the world's largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean probably doesn’t care if you hate its new floating vacation destination.

Like the travelers who scrambled to book it in 2022, spurring the largest reservation day in Royal Caribbean’s history, boarding the Icon has been a long time coming for me.

However, no amount of research or construction tours could’ve prepared me for my three nights on the Icon.

The cruise line has been marketing its new product as the “ultimate family vacation.”

If you have a toddler, have fun spending most of your time at Surfside.

I am not a six-year-old, but who am I to resist Surfside’s snack stand’s complimentary churros?

Instead of Surfside, I spent most of my afternoon at Thrill Island.

The fear I felt on the 46-foot-tall drop slide was the first emotion I’ve experienced in weeks.

Again, it pains me to say that I loved the adrenaline-pumping Crown’s Edge.

After seeing the course, I quickly realized why she asked.

Thrill Island has quieter classics like a sports court and rock climbing wall.

By the second afternoon, desperate for quiet, I trotted past the water park and mini-golf course to look for the ship’s adult-only outdoor lounge.

Unfortunately, I quickly learned this venue was more like a pool club than a quiet retreat.

The complement to Thrill Island is Chill Island, home to four of Icon’s seven — yes, seven — pools.

I could not have survived the excessive walking without Icon’s elevators, as frustrating as they were.

I, a certified baby, was overwhelmed by all of this. The elevators, the monstrous pool deck, the jungle-like waterpark.

I could either pay extra to go to the spa or return to my cabin to escape the hustle and bustle.

However, my ocean-view balcony cabin was blasphemously cramped for the world's largest cruise ship.

On the bright side, my cabin had a decent amount of storage and a TV with Chromecast.

And I’ll say it — the food was mid.

The buffet’s chilled, marinated calamari was unexpectedly my favorite bite during my three nights at sea.

The food hall, a first for Royal Caribbean, had refreshing options like crepes and Mediterranean-inspired wraps and bowls.

The complimentary three-deck main dining room had a rotating menu.

Only half of Icon's 21 dining venues are complimentary. If you want luxurious lobsters and steaks, you’ll have to ball out on a specialty restaurant.

If I still drank, I would’ve drowned my disappointment at one of the 20 bars and nightlife venues.

At night, the Royal Promenade also hosted a family fun parade with energetic dancers and a leader who looked suspiciously like Cap’n Crunch.

But none of the shows topped Icon’s “Aqua Action!” and “The Wizard of Oz."

I hate most song-and-dance cruise shows — they’re often boring, tacky, and cringe-worthy.

Despite my disappointment with the dining and cabin, activities like the musical make Icon of the Seas a great option for families with kids.

Sure, the tiny stateroom could lead to some bickering. And you'll probably end up walking several miles a day just to navigate the ship.

But there’s likely no better option than Royal Caribbean's new mega ship if you’re a parent seeking an action-packed cruise that will keep your children sufficiently entertained.