My $540-a-night cabin on the world's largest cruise ship was shockingly small and disappointing

Brittany ChangFeb 14, 2024, 21:44 IST

I'm not sure a family of four could happily coexist in the $3,790 per person ocean-view balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas cruise ship.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I recently sailed on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas.
I stayed in an ocean-view balcony cabin, which starts at $3,787 per person in 2024.

If you're assuming the new world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, must have giant guest cabins, I'm here to give you a reality check.

You're wrong. So wrong.

Sure, if you’re shelling out over $100,000 a week for the ship’s most expensive Ultimate Family Townhouse suite, you’ll probably find the 2,523-square-foot, three-floor mansion perfectly comfortable.

But if you’re like me — a normie who can’t afford a seven-day vacation that costs more than a luxury car — your stateroom on the behemoth 1,198-foot, 20-deck ship might be smaller than you’d expect.

Royal Caribbean invited me on Icon of the Seas’ complimentary, three-night preview sailing in late January — a week before the ship’s official debut.

Royal Caribbean's giant Icon of the Seas cruise ship entered service on January 27.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Royal Caribbean invited me on Icon of the Seas’ complimentary, three-night preview sailing in late January — a week before the ship’s official debut.

A cool 80% of its 2,805 cabins were designed for families — a sharp increase from previous vessels, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters.

The ship's most expensive Ultimate Family Townhouse was designed to be a private playground for children.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

A cool 80% of its 2,805 cabins were designed for families — a sharp increase from previous vessels, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters.

But I’m not sure a family of four could peacefully coexist in my balcony cabin.

The cabin had a balcony, bed, living "room" with a closet, and a tiny bathroom.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Equally disgruntling could be its price: Icon’s ocean-view balcony cabins currently start at $3,787 per person in 2024.

The long desk had plenty of drawers and a hairdryer.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

At least the stateroom guarantees great views of the ocean.

The 50-square-foot balcony was stocked with two chairs and a small table.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But when I dragged myself back inside, my ocean breeze-induced peace was quickly replaced with a list of complaints.

A heavy glass sliding door separated the balcony from the bed. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

It didn’t help that the sheets were unusually uncomfortable.

The bed had an adjacent TV and bedside tables with outlets.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The hotel room at sea can sleep up to four travelers thanks to the living room’s sofa bed.

The cabin had quiet, neutral, and blue decor — a stark contrast to the rest of the colorful and loud ship.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I’ve seen some small bathrooms. I live in a New York City apartment, after all.

It might've been the smallest bathroom I've ever seen.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

And the amenities fell short. I was hoping for more than a two-in-one body wash and shampoo.

The only standout feature was the bench inside the shower.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Is it too much to ask for bath towels that don’t pill all over your face? I have a skincare routine to upkeep here!

The drawer cut into the bathroom's entry door.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Ample storage should be a priority for any cruising family, especially in a small four-person cabin.

The storage options could make up for the cabin's sore points.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But I, ever the opinionated, have a bone to pick with the latter.

The metal baskets were an audio nightmare.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

In defense of Royal Caribbean, my balcony cabin did come with all the bare essentials.

The cabin is 254 square-feet including the balcony.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But at $540-per-night and per-person, I had hoped for a near-perfect hotel room at sea.

Bring your own conditioner: The shower had two-in-one body wash and shampoo.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

However, some traveling families could find this price justifiable.

The course puts a nautical spin on mini-golf.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

So think of it this way: You’re not paying $3,790 per person to bicker with your kids about who gets to use the tiny bathroom first.

The water park has six slides, including what its operator is calling the tallest at sea.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

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My $540-a-night cabin on the world's largest cruise ship was shockingly small and disappointing

Royal Caribbean invited me on Icon of the Seas’ complimentary, three-night preview sailing in late January — a week before the ship’s official debut.

A cool 80% of its 2,805 cabins were designed for families — a sharp increase from previous vessels, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters.

But I’m not sure a family of four could peacefully coexist in my balcony cabin.

Equally disgruntling could be its price: Icon’s ocean-view balcony cabins currently start at $3,787 per person in 2024.

At least the stateroom guarantees great views of the ocean.

But when I dragged myself back inside, my ocean breeze-induced peace was quickly replaced with a list of complaints.

It didn’t help that the sheets were unusually uncomfortable.

The hotel room at sea can sleep up to four travelers thanks to the living room’s sofa bed.

I’ve seen some small bathrooms. I live in a New York City apartment, after all.

And the amenities fell short. I was hoping for more than a two-in-one body wash and shampoo.

Is it too much to ask for bath towels that don’t pill all over your face? I have a skincare routine to upkeep here!

Ample storage should be a priority for any cruising family, especially in a small four-person cabin.

But I, ever the opinionated, have a bone to pick with the latter.

In defense of Royal Caribbean, my balcony cabin did come with all the bare essentials.

But at $540-per-night and per-person, I had hoped for a near-perfect hotel room at sea.

However, some traveling families could find this price justifiable.

So think of it this way: You’re not paying $3,790 per person to bicker with your kids about who gets to use the tiny bathroom first.