My First-Ever Cruise Was on the Largest Ship in the World—Here’s My Honest Review of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

True to its moniker, the world’s largest ship is a stunning behemoth that, upon arrival, made all the other ships casually parked in the port look like bath toys. Powered by liquefied natural gas—a more energy-efficient and cleaner burning fuel source—the Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s most sustainable ship to date. At full capacity, it can house 7,600 passengers with 28 different types of accommodations ranging from an infinite ocean-view balcony to a $100,000 three-story family townhouse.

To keep all those people happy, the ship features seven different pools, nine hot tubs and over 40 restaurants with cuisines ranging from coastal seafood to Japanese hibachi. Marketed as the ultimate family vacation, the ship’s stand-out features shine a light on multigenerational fun, from epic waterslides and mini golf to comedy shows and craft cocktails.

As a first-time cruiser, the boat can be overwhelming with 20 decks full of places to explore and activities to book. Luckily, the Royal Caribbean app makes it easy to both prep for your trip prior to leaving and organize your stay while on board. Though I logged way more steps than I ever anticipated (a plus!), the ship’s layout made its size feel less daunting. Divided into eight different neighborhoods each with their own unique function and theme, the overall flow felt seamless and convenient with numerous elevators, easy accessibility and tons of open space. Here are a few of my favorite neighborhoods onboard:

• Thrill Island: Highlights include Category 6 (the largest waterpark at sea featuring the tallest drop slide and the first family raft slide at sea), Crown’s Edge (a part ropes course, part zip line experience that suspends passengers out over the open ocean), as well as cruise classics like the FlowRider surf simulator, a sport court, a rock-climbing wall and family-friendly mini golf.
• Chill Island: The place to be to have the ultimate lounge day, featuring swim-up bars, whirlpools and tropical refreshments.
• The Hideaway: An adult only (18+) area featuring the first suspended infinity pool at sea with ocean views and a dedicated DJ and bar.

• Surfside: As the first neighborhood designed specifically for kids, Surfside has everything young families would need to stay and play all day, including a splash pad, a baby pool, an arcade and an underwater-themed carousel, plus five different dining options the whole family can enjoy.
• Central Park: This open-air hub features tons of live greenery for a full-theme immersion. Similar to its stateside namesake, there are seven unique bars and restaurants that call this neighborhood home, including a blues club and a walk-up Champagne bar.

• AquaDome: With panoramic views of the open ocean, the AquaDome is home to the most epic aqua show this writer has ever seen. Hosted at the AquaTheater, the highly anticipated experience features high divers, synchronized swimmers and the first-ever aerial pas de deux (duet dance). It’s weird and wonderful in the most extraordinary way. A must-see for anyone lucky enough to snag a seat.
• Royal Promenade: A mainstay in many Royal Caribbean vessels, the Royal Promenade is located at the heart of the ship. In addition to 15 bars, restaurants and lounges, this neighborhood includes a dueling piano bar, music hall and comedy club. At the center of it all is The Pearl, a multi-sensory immersive structure that features kinetic tiles and specialized lighting to mimic the movement of water.

Though the number of dining options onboard is impressive, the quality at certain locations was a little lackluster. My favorites included Izumi for sushi and hibachi, Sorrento’s for all-you-can-eat thin-crust pizza and Pearl Café for 24-hour snacks, both sweet and savory. I was also pleasantly surprised by the breakfast and lunch buffet options at both Windjammer and Surfside Eatery (which has a menu catered to a much younger age bracket but hey, sometimes you just need a chicken nugget).

The main dining room, however, was a miss for me. A standard in all Royal Caribbean ships, the table service offerings were perfectly fine (I did like my salmon), but largely boring and mass-produced. After ending the meal with a curdled crème brûlée that resembled scrambled eggs, it was a one-and-done experience.

In addition to the standard buffet options, Icon of the Seas also features laidback brunch spots, kid-approved bites and extravagant dining experiences like the Empire Supper Club complete with a live jazz band, an eight-course meal and cocktail pairings.

Unlike some of the food offerings, the specialty cocktails on board were a memorable highlight. Each bar has its own curated list of libations that are intriguing and innovative—not to mention delicious. The 1400 Lobby Bar, a mainstay in the Royal Promenade, features unique twists on classic cocktails like a pineapple pisco sour and a rose and grapefruit Aperol spritz. And if you’re still on the espresso martini train (no shame) both Point and Feather and Rye & Bean offer top-notch blends. So whether you like Bombay or Bulleit, there’s truly something for everyone—including a handful of zero-proof options.

More interested in the destination than the journey? The Icon of the Seas currently offers six different routes sailing to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean with highlights including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. All round-trip voyages depart from Miami, Florida, and most include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas—a private island resort owned by Royal Caribbean.

Though the cruise I went on was a shortened version of their standard week-long package, we did spend a few sunny hours on Perfect Day at CocoCay, which features white sand beaches, tons of pools, overwater cabanas and a massive waterpark with heart-pounding thrills (including the tallest waterslide in North America). My favorite part of the island had to be Hideaway Beach, the brand-new adults-only oasis with swim-up bars, in-water hammocks and stunning views of the ocean.

As the newest vessel in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, a vacation on the Icon of the Seas does not come cheap. Prices vary depending on your preferred travel route, but for a standard seven-day cruise, dynamic pricing starts at $3,600 per week for two people in an interior stateroom when booked directly through Royal Caribbean. Luckily, this price also includes meals and beverages at select restaurants, most entertainment options and a number of daily activities, but if you’re traveling with multiple people or are looking for a bigger room with a better view, prepare to shell out even more.