I went on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship and saw why bookings are surging to record highs

Companies like Carnival and Norwegian have also seen wild success over the last year, with some now running low on cabins and others charging fares surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

But Royal Caribbean's success, in particular, could be pegged to its shifting attempt to win over families.

Trade group Cruise Line Industry Association called multi-generational cruising one of the top 15 trends in a September 2023 report, noting that 73% of cruisers said they're traveling with at least two generations of family members.

Like other cruise lines, the company now aims to poach families considering land-based vacations. Think US theme park capital, Orlando.

"We've started this transition from being a traditional cruise vacation to being a multi-generational family option that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Orlando and Las Vegas," Jason Liberty, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, told investors in February.

To do this, Royal Caribbean has been "acutely focused" on this family segment, Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told investors on the same call. "And I think Icon of the Seas is a great example of that."

I joined the ship's complimentary, three-night preview sailing on January 20.

Most of my time was consumed by its flashy, kid-friendly amenities, a shortlist of which includes a six-slide waterpark, a theme park-like thrill ride, and a mini-golf course.

For example, the waterpark.

Not every adult would love the 46-foot-tall drop slide. However, children and their parents could gleefully go a few rounds on the multi-person raft slides.

Grandparents could spend an hour playing mini-golf with their grandchildren.

But if they prefer to sit out, they can watch their little ones from the adjacent covered lounge, where they can sip on a drink and pick at finger foods instead.

A "family vacation" doesn't mean the family has to stick together for the entire trip.

Instead, on Icon of the Seas, adults can lounge around the ship's de facto pool club, mai tai in hand, while their children spend their afternoon running around the activity-filled deck.

There's even a watering hole in the one neighborhood designed for toddlers, Surfside.

Large candy-shaped decals line Surfside's walls while a giant flamingo grounds the outdoor space. In between, there's a carousel, small dry and water playgrounds, and even a pay-to-play arcade.

For supervising adults, Surfside has a watering hole: Lemon Post, which flexes lemonade-stand-inspired drinks, both alcoholic and not.

The bar has great views of the water playground, so parents can sip while their kids can play.

Across the way, there's also an all-day brunch restaurant where children eat for free, creating several spaces for multi-generational families to spend time together.

Children can splash around while their grandparents unwind with a cocktail. (Are you sensing a theme yet?)

Or, like most other cruise ships, parents could head to the spa after sending the young ones to the children's and teen's clubs.

I have vague childhood memories of hating cruises — and cruise shows. I remember them being tacky, boring, and plotless.

I wanted an exciting performance. Where are the dramatics?! The plot twists?!

I didn't ask to be fidgeting or sleepy during these shows, but the singers doing boring and campy covers of oldies hits surely did both for me. (Can you tell I was later diagnosed with ADHD?)

Now 20 years older, I still don't love most song-and-dance performances.

However, I'll admit Icon of the Seas' shows were spectacular enough to win me over. The rendition of Broadway hit "Wizard of Oz" — which featured a flying bed and "monkeys" — would've delighted mini-me.

At times, I found the striking display of divers, nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and synchronized swimmers a bit cringey (especially the segment where the swimmers danced with flashlights).

But it was still an impressive show of acrobatic talent — enough to delight attendees of all ages.

If your children enjoy Cirque du Soleil-like acts, they will surely be entertained by "Aqua Action!"

A meal at Empire Supper Club — meant more for adults than children — includes several courses, cocktail pairings, and live music. At $200 a person, it's the most upscale restaurant on the ship.

Yes, there's a dress code. And yes, kids are allowed as well.

The family-oriented waterslides could be a big hit with all demographics as well.

But in my opinion, the most subtly successful way the ship targeted multi-generational guests was through the proximity of relaxing lounges to children-oriented amenities like the water park.

Icon of the Seas' fares have been "double or triple" Royal Caribbean's previous new ship launches, Liberty told investors in February.

The company saw a record-setting booking day when it opened reservations for Icon of the Seas in October 2022 — more than a year before the ship's launch.

A few months later, Bayley called the ship the "best-selling product in the history of our business."