I've sailed on 4 cruise ships. Here's how I think Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas compares — see inside.

Brittany ChangAug 5, 2023, 16:05 IST

The Icon of the Seas during sea trials next to an early rendering of the ship.Royal Caribbean International

As a travel reporter, I have sailed on four ships each from separate cruise lines.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas could be different from any vessel I've been on.

I've sailed on my fair share of cruise ships during my tenure as a travel reporter with Insider. But if Royal Caribbean fulfills everything it has promised with the Icon of the Seas, this upcoming mega vessel could be unlike any ship I've traveled on before.

The soon-to-be world's biggest cruise ship's amenities, long list of dining venues, and new-to-industry staterooms are already making it a standout vessel.

And I think other cruisers might already be agreeing with me: Royal Caribbean saw its largest booking day ever when reservations opened in late 2022 for the ship's upcoming sailings. Michael Bayley, the cruise giant's CEO, later crowned the $2 billion vessel as the "best-selling product in the history of our business" in a call with investors.

Now, the Icon of the Seas maiden voyage in late January is almost sold out with only a handful of accommodations left starting at a little over $4,670 per person, according to Royal Caribbean's b ooking page .

Here's how the brand's next ship could compare to the four I've sailed on before.

Over the last two years, I've had both the pleasure and displeasure of traveling on the Celebrity Cruises' Apex, Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas, Margaritaville at Sea's Paradise, and Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima.

The pool deck on the Norwegian Prima.Brittany Chang/Insider

Over the last two years, I've had both the pleasure and displeasure of traveling on the Celebrity Cruises' Apex, Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas, Margaritaville at Sea's Paradise, and Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima.

To preface this, different cruise lines cater to different travelers — so it might not be fair to compare the Icon of the Seas to the Celebrity Apex or Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise's 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill.Brittany Chang/Insider

To preface this, different cruise lines cater to different travelers — so it might not be fair to compare the Icon of the Seas to the Celebrity Apex or Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

However, the Apex's modern and fashionably designed spaces made it one of the sleekest ships I've been on.

An outdoor lounge on the Celebrity Apex.Brittany Chang/Insider

In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Norwegian's Prima were designed to appeal to families.

The mini-golf course on the Norwegian Prima.Brittany Chang/Insider

The Prima had standouts like a flashy mini-golf course, great food, a go-kart track, and a virtual-reality arcade. The latter two will be the amenities to beat.

The Norwegian Prima's go-kart course.Brittany Chang/Insider

The Wonder of the Seas similarly won my heart with its peaceful park, boardwalk, exciting water show, and colorful pool deck.

The Boardwalk neighborhood on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.Brittany Chang/Insider

Despite these two high-water marks, I have a feeling the Icon of the Seas will cruise by both to win the hearts of traveling families when it begins revenue cruises in late January 2024.

The Icon of the Seas under construction.Brittany Chang/Insider

Despite these two high-water marks, I have a feeling the Icon of the Seas will cruise by both to win the hearts of traveling families when it begins revenue cruises in late January 2024.

Both the Wonder of the Seas and the Prima have water slides. But the Icon of the Seas' water park will overshadow any predecessors.

The Icon of the Seas under construction next to an early rendering of the ship.Brittany Chang/Insider, Royal Caribbean International

One of the Prima's most exhilarating activities was its freefall dry slide that drops travelers down 10 decks in just seconds.

The walkway leading up to the Drop dry slide.Brittany Chang/Insider

The Icon of the Seas has the typical pools, surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, and mini-golf course.

An early rendering of the Icon of the Seas.Royal Caribbean International

These aren't your typical rectangular swimming pools surrounded by perfectly symmetrical lounge chairs.

A rendering of the infinity pool.Royal Caribbean International

As for food, all of the ships I've sailed on have the typical buffets and premium steakhouses.

People at the buffet on the Wonder of the SeasBrittany Chang/Insider

But I have no doubt the Icon of the Seas will be able to emulate this same feeling: The ship will have 40 restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues.

A rendering of the Icon of the Seas.Royal Caribbean International

And for those who crave the luxury of the Celebrity Apex, the Icon of the Seas will have a few dining venues that could compete with the more adult-friendly cruise line.

A rendering of the Empire Supper Club.Royal Caribbean International

And for those who crave the luxury of the Celebrity Apex, the Icon of the Seas will have a few dining venues that could compete with the more adult-friendly cruise line.

Unfortunately, I've been disappointed by Royal Caribbean's accommodations before.

My balcony stateroom aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.Brittany Chang/Insider

But it already seems like the rooms aboard the Icon will be flashier than its predecessor.

A rendering of the Ultimate Family Townhouse.Royal Caribbean International

Cruise ship suites have been getting more luxurious. But few will compare to the Icon's Ultimate Family Townhouse.

The three-floor Ultimate Family Townhouse will be an expensive getaway for families with children.Royal Caribbean International

For traveling families who don't have $75,000 to drop, the ship will also have options like the family infinite ocean view balcony stateroom.

The family infinite ocean view balcony stateroom under construction next to its early rendering.Brittany Chang/Insider

Of course, I won't know for sure if the Icon of the Seas will reign supreme over the previous four ships I've sailed on.

The Icon of the Seas during sea trials next to an early rendering of the ship.Royal Caribbean International

I grew up playing with Cabbage Patch Dolls. At 42 years old, I decided to visit Babyland General Hospital, the 'birthplace' of the dolls.

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I've sailed on 4 cruise ships. Here's how I think Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas compares &mdash; see inside.

Over the last two years, I've had both the pleasure and displeasure of traveling on the Celebrity Cruises' Apex, Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas, Margaritaville at Sea's Paradise, and Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima.

To preface this, different cruise lines cater to different travelers — so it might not be fair to compare the Icon of the Seas to the Celebrity Apex or Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

However, the Apex's modern and fashionably designed spaces made it one of the sleekest ships I've been on.

In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Norwegian's Prima were designed to appeal to families.

The Prima had standouts like a flashy mini-golf course, great food, a go-kart track, and a virtual-reality arcade. The latter two will be the amenities to beat.

The Wonder of the Seas similarly won my heart with its peaceful park, boardwalk, exciting water show, and colorful pool deck.

Despite these two high-water marks, I have a feeling the Icon of the Seas will cruise by both to win the hearts of traveling families when it begins revenue cruises in late January 2024.

Both the Wonder of the Seas and the Prima have water slides. But the Icon of the Seas' water park will overshadow any predecessors.

One of the Prima's most exhilarating activities was its freefall dry slide that drops travelers down 10 decks in just seconds.

The Icon of the Seas has the typical pools, surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, and mini-golf course.

These aren't your typical rectangular swimming pools surrounded by perfectly symmetrical lounge chairs.

As for food, all of the ships I've sailed on have the typical buffets and premium steakhouses.

But I have no doubt the Icon of the Seas will be able to emulate this same feeling: The ship will have 40 restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues.

And for those who crave the luxury of the Celebrity Apex, the Icon of the Seas will have a few dining venues that could compete with the more adult-friendly cruise line.

Unfortunately, I've been disappointed by Royal Caribbean's accommodations before.

But it already seems like the rooms aboard the Icon will be flashier than its predecessor.

Cruise ship suites have been getting more luxurious. But few will compare to the Icon's Ultimate Family Townhouse.

For traveling families who don't have $75,000 to drop, the ship will also have options like the family infinite ocean view balcony stateroom.

Of course, I won't know for sure if the Icon of the Seas will reign supreme over the previous four ships I've sailed on.

I've sailed on 4 cruise ships. Here's how I think Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas compares — see inside.