Ultrawealthy cruising: See inside Royal Caribbean's most extravagant upgrades and a $100,000-a-week cabin on its Icon of the Seas

Brittany ChangApr 9, 2024, 20:53 IST

Affluent travelers could have a pretty cushy vacation on Royal Caribbean's giant Icon of the Seas cruise ship.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Cruise giants are putting more "pay-to-play" amenities on their new ships.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has high-end upcharge options like a $200-per-person dinner.

Are you looking to ball out on your weeklong vacation aboard the world's largest cruise ship? Get ready to pay $200 for dinner and $100,000 for a cabin.

Vacations-at-sea can be a fairly affordable vacation option. With most cruise lines, your base fare already includes accommodations, unlimited food, endless activities, and the opportunity to see several destinations in one go.

But as more "pay-to-play" amenities show up on board, the more pricey these floating vacations could become. And there's likely no better example of this than Royal Caribbean's new world's largest cruise ship.

Forget tiny interior cabins and dinners at the buffet. On the 9,950-person Icon of the Seas, affluent travelers could have a vacation that rivals even the most luxurious small-ship cruise.

Guests interested in luxuriating in one of Icon’s 179 suites will be paying a minimum of $4,614 per person for a weeklong sailing.

Suites are furnished with high-end toiletries from Malin and Goetz.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Others, like the floor-to-ceiling window-lined Icon Loft, are spread across two floors.

The Icon Loft, shown in a rendering, is 656 square feet, not including the balcony.Royal Caribbean International

But few compare to Icon’s most expensive cabin, the 2,523-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse can accommodate up to eight guests. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told Business Insider that travelers have been 'quickly' reserving the giant cabin for an average of $100,000 a week.

The townhouse's balcony wraps around the living room.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The keycards to these plush suites also open up another exclusive side of the ship: the Suite Neighborhood.

Guests who've booked a suite have access to the ultra-exclusive Suite Neighborhood, shown in a renderingRoyal Caribbean International

The list of exclusive restaurants doesn’t end there, of course.

Affluent travelers could splurge on grilled lobster, fish, and shrimp at restaurants like Hooked Seafood.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Cruisers craving a formal, upscale dinner could instead reserve the rabbit-slinging $200-per-person Empire Supper Club.

Empire Supper Club features live music and a cocktail pairing.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

There are 18 other places to drink on the ship. As usual, none are complimentary.

Caffeinated cocktail-slinging Rye and Bean is located next to the AquaTheater.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Looking for a pampering? Like alcohol, spa treatments are rarely complimentary on cruise ships.

Travelers can rent one of the colorful casitas for a day.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Amenities like the six-slide waterpark and mini-golf course are complimentary to all guests.

Crown's Edge is not for travelers with a fear of heights.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

And why stop there when you can splurge during port days too?

Royal Caribbean has invested $350 million into Perfect Day at CocoCay.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Travelers with young children might want to drop $100 per head for an afternoon at the waterpark.

Royal Caribbean launched Hideaway Beach, the new adult-only section of its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in January.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

A weeklong trip on the new world's largest cruise ship could quickly become an ultra-luxurious vacation.

Amenities like the six-slide waterpark are complimentary.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told BI in late 2023 that new cruise liners generally command a 20% to 50% pricing premium.

Icon of the Seas is sailing out of Miami throughout 2024.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told BI in late 2023 that new cruise liners generally command a 20% to 50% pricing premium.

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Ultrawealthy cruising: See inside Royal Caribbean's most extravagant upgrades and a $100,000-a-week cabin on its Icon of the Seas

Guests interested in luxuriating in one of Icon’s 179 suites will be paying a minimum of $4,614 per person for a weeklong sailing.

Others, like the floor-to-ceiling window-lined Icon Loft, are spread across two floors.

But few compare to Icon’s most expensive cabin, the 2,523-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told Business Insider that travelers have been 'quickly' reserving the giant cabin for an average of $100,000 a week.

The keycards to these plush suites also open up another exclusive side of the ship: the Suite Neighborhood.

The list of exclusive restaurants doesn’t end there, of course.

Cruisers craving a formal, upscale dinner could instead reserve the rabbit-slinging $200-per-person Empire Supper Club.

There are 18 other places to drink on the ship. As usual, none are complimentary.

Looking for a pampering? Like alcohol, spa treatments are rarely complimentary on cruise ships.

Amenities like the six-slide waterpark and mini-golf course are complimentary to all guests.

And why stop there when you can splurge during port days too?

Travelers with young children might want to drop $100 per head for an afternoon at the waterpark.

A weeklong trip on the new world's largest cruise ship could quickly become an ultra-luxurious vacation.

Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told BI in late 2023 that new cruise liners generally command a 20% to 50% pricing premium.