Royal Caribbean International recently revealed details about its new cruise ship that aims to offer something for every family member.
Set to sail in January 2024, the ‘Icon of the Seas’ will be the largest passenger ship to sail the seven seas.
“We used as our vision the concept of creating the world’s best family vacation, and we’re making that statement, and we don’t make that statement lightly,” the cruise line’s president and CEO, Michael Bayley, told USA TODAY.
Late last week, the cruise line shared information about the first ship in its new Icon Class. The “Icon of the Seas” will be the line’s largest ship and can accommodate more than 5,600 guests at double occupancy.
Bayley shared that the ship has a mix of chill and thrill. “So, Icon has plenty of thrills and plenty of chills,” he said. The vessel boasts both themes across its 20 decks.
The ship will depart from Miami on year-round Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, with each trip set to visit the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the company’s news release confirmed.
The ship will stop in Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
Guests aboard Icon of the Seas will be split up among eight neighborhoods, including Thrill Island, which is home to the Category 6 water park. Guests can choose from six slides, such as an open free-fall slide, Pressure Drop, or Crown’s Edge, where passengers can walk around the crown and anchor logo at the top of the ship before dropping, swinging more than 150 feet above the ocean.
Chill Island will be home to four of the ship’s seven pools and the line’s first onboard swim-up bar, Swim & Tonic. The ship also offers AquaDome, which features views of the water at the top of the vessel as restaurants, bars, and the line’s AquaTheater.
Guests with children six and under can stay in Surfside, a neighborhood designed for families with young children. Surfside Family Suites, which have alcoves for youngsters, and the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-level space with a mailbox and picket fence, are part of the ship’s 28 stateroom categories.
The ship will also include activities like ice skating and rock climbing.
The ship is also Royal Caribbean’s first to use cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas. And for guests with disabilities, Bayley said, the line builds its ships “above and beyond” ADA compliance. Royal has worked to allow guests to move around the ship without having to take an elevator or climb stairs.
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