The short answer: Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's first Icon Class ship: 248,663 gross tons, 5,610 guests at double occupancy, eight neighborhoods, seven pools and Category 6, which Royal Caribbean calls the largest waterpark at sea. It sails 7-night Caribbean cruises from Miami to Perfect Day CocoCay, and moves to Galveston in August 2027.
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How big is Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas debuted in January 2024 as the biggest cruise ship in the world. Royal Caribbean says its sister ships, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, now match it in gross tonnage. The key numbers:
- Gross tonnage: 248,663 (Royal Caribbean)
- Guests: about 5,610 at double occupancy; Guinness World Records lists a maximum of 7,600
- Crew: 2,350
- Length and decks: 1,196 feet, 20 decks, 18 of them passenger decks
- On board: eight neighborhoods, seven pools and more than 40 places to eat and drink
Comparing it with other big ships? The cruise ship classes guide lines up Icon, Oasis and the other big Royal Caribbean classes, and two big family ships compared helps if you're torn.
What are the neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas?
The ship is split into eight neighborhoods, so it's easier to find your kind of day:
- Thrill Island: Category 6 waterpark, Crown's Edge, Adrenaline Peak climbing wall and the Sports Court.
- Chill Island: several pools, including Royal Bay, plus the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar.
- Surfside: the young-family neighborhood, with Splashaway Bay, a carousel, an arcade and casual eateries.
- The Hideaway: an adults-only beach-club area with a suspended infinity pool.
- AquaDome: the AquaTheater, AquaDome Market, Hooked Seafood and the Rye & Bean bar.
- Central Park: an open-air garden for strolling, dining and Lou's jazz club.
- Royal Promenade: the indoor “main street” of shops, bars, restaurants and a comedy club.
- Suite Neighborhood: several decks of suites with a restaurant and sundeck just for suite guests.
What waterparks and thrills are on Icon of the Seas?
- Category 6, which Royal Caribbean calls the largest waterpark at sea, has six slides, including family raft slides and racing slides.
- Crown's Edge is part skywalk, part ropes course, 154 feet above the ocean. Riders must be at least 49 inches tall.
- Seven pools, including Royal Bay, which Royal Caribbean calls the largest pool at sea, and The Hideaway, which it calls the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
- More included fun: FlowRider surf simulator, Adrenaline Peak climbing wall, Lost Dunes mini golf, ice skating and laser tag.
- Shows: AquaTheater performances with a 55-foot waterfall, ice shows in Absolute Zero, and theater, comedy and live music.
Planning your sea days? See things to do on a mega-ship sea day.
What dining is included on Icon of the Seas, and what costs extra?
Royal Caribbean says the fare includes all-you-can-eat dining at 17 complimentary eateries. Included spots it names are the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, AquaDome Market, Sorrento's Pizza, El Loco Fresh, Basecamp, Surfside Bites, Surfside Eatery, Pearl Café, Park Café and Sprinkles. The Grove and Coastal Kitchen are for suite guests only.
Specialty dining is an optional upgrade. Venues not on the included list include the Empire Supper Club, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and Hooked Seafood. Drink packages and Wi-Fi cost extra too. We'll tell you whether a dining or drink package makes sense for your crew before you buy one.
What are the best cabins on Icon of the Seas, and which should you avoid?
- Families of up to six: Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony rooms have a separate bunk space with its own TVs and a split bathroom.
- Families with young kids: Surfside Family Suites sleep up to four (two adults, two kids), with a kids' nook and views over Surfside.
- Big groups: the three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse sleeps up to eight, with an in-suite slide, a cinema room and a private entrance to Surfside.
- Couples: Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony rooms turn the living area into a balcony at the push of a button. Sunset Corner Suites have wraparound balconies.
- Views on a budget: Panoramic Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows near the AquaDome, but no balcony.
What to avoid: on any mega-ship, the cabin to avoid is the one that doesn't fit your crew. Light sleepers should check what's directly above and below a room on the deck plan, since pool decks, entertainment venues and busy family areas can mean noise. Surfside views are fun for families with little kids, but not for couples who want quiet. We check the deck plan around every cabin before we recommend it. See also how to pick the right cruise cabin and guarantee cabins vs choosing your room.
Where does Icon of the Seas sail from, and what are the itineraries?
Miami (now): 7-night round-trip Caribbean cruises, each with a day at Perfect Day CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas:
- Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day: Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day CocoCay. On the sailing we checked, the ship leaves Miami at 4:30 PM and returns at 6:00 AM on day 8.
- Western Caribbean & Perfect Day: Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; and Perfect Day CocoCay.
Galveston (from August 2027): Royal Caribbean says Icon moves to Galveston, Texas, for six- to eight-night Western Caribbean cruises that include Roatán, Cozumel and Costa Maya. Details are in the 2027 Galveston mega-ship guide and 2027 cruise ship moves by home port.
Flying in? The Miami cruise planner covers flights, airport-to-port transfers and the hotel night before, and Miami hotels lists places to stay. Port sequences can change by sailing, so we confirm the stops for your date. Preview Cozumel and St. Thomas.
Who is Icon of the Seas best for?
- Families with younger kids: Royal Caribbean pitches Icon as a family ship. Surfside, Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay and Adventure Ocean are built for little ones. See family cruises and multi-generational family cruise tips.
- Thrill-seekers and teens: Category 6, Crown's Edge, FlowRider and Adrenaline Peak.
- Couples and celebrations: The Hideaway, Cloud 17, Swim & Tonic, Central Park and the supper club. See celebrate at sea.
- Groups and reunions: there's something for every age. See group and reunion cruises.
- First-timers: it's big, so a plan helps. Start with the first cruise checklist.
How much does an Icon of the Seas cruise cost, and when should you book?
Fares change with the sailing date, cabin type and demand, so we don't publish one price. Holiday and school-break weeks and family cabins are usually the first to tighten up. Booking early gives you the widest choice of cabins, and if the price drops before final payment, we can check whether your booking can be repriced. More in why to book 2027 cruises early. Remember to budget for extras like specialty dining, drink and Wi-Fi packages, gratuities and the hotel night before.
Why book Icon of the Seas with a travel advisor?
- No extra cost: no Book with the Captain fees and no markup on cruise and hotel bookings. You pay the cruise line's rate.
- The right cabin: We match cabin types to your crew and check the deck plan around each one.
- Price watching: We look for promotions and repricing chances before final payment.
- The whole trip: flights, transfers and a hotel the night before, planned with the ship.
- One contact: by email and chat, from your first quote through sailing day.
Ready to plan your Icon of the Seas cruise?
Tell us your dates, your home airport and who's coming. We'll come back with Icon sailings, cabin options and a plan for getting to the ship. Get my free Icon of the Seas quote from Book with the Captain.
Icon of the Seas FAQ
How big is Icon of the Seas?
Royal Caribbean lists Icon of the Seas at 248,663 gross tons, with about 5,610 guests at double occupancy, 2,350 crew and 18 passenger decks. Guinness World Records gives a maximum capacity of 7,600 guests. Icon Class ships are 1,196 feet long with 20 decks.
Where does Icon of the Seas sail from?
Icon of the Seas currently sails round-trip from Miami on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises that include Perfect Day CocoCay. Royal Caribbean says the ship moves to Galveston, Texas, starting in August 2027, with Western Caribbean sailings that include Roatán, Cozumel and Costa Maya.
What is included in the Icon of the Seas fare?
Royal Caribbean says the fare includes seven pools, the Category 6 waterpark, FlowRider, rock climbing, mini golf, ice skating, laser tag, youth programs, headline shows and 17 complimentary eateries such as the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, AquaDome Market, Sorrento's and El Loco Fresh. Specialty dining, spa treatments and select experiences cost extra.
What are the eight neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas?
Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, The Hideaway, AquaDome, Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood.
Is Icon of the Seas good for families with young kids?
Yes. Surfside is a neighborhood built for young families, with Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, a carousel, an arcade and the Water's Edge pool, and Adventure Ocean youth programs are nearby. Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony rooms sleep up to six, with a separate bunk space for kids.
Is Icon of the Seas good for couples?
It can be. Adults-only spaces include The Hideaway, with its suspended infinity pool, plus Cloud 17 and the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar. Central Park adds quieter dining and Lou's jazz club. It's a busy, family-heavy ship, so couples who want calm should plan around the pool decks.
How much does an Icon of the Seas cruise cost?
Fares change by sailing date, cabin type and demand, so there's no single price. Tell Book with the Captain your dates and crew, and we'll check current fares and promotions for you. There's no Book with the Captain fee and no markup on cruise bookings.
Does it cost more to book Icon of the Seas with a travel advisor?
No Book with the Captain fees and no markup on cruise and hotel bookings: you pay the cruise line's rate. Your cruise is booked with Royal Caribbean at the cruise line's rate.
Book with the Captain isn't an official partner of, or endorsed by, Royal Caribbean International. Ship details can change; confirm with the cruise line before you sail.
Sources (all read Oct 27, 2026)
- Royal Caribbean, "Icon of the Seas" (pools, Category 6, included dining, home ports): royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/icon-of-the-seas
- Royal Caribbean, "Ships by Age" (tonnage, guests, crew, decks): royalcaribbean.com/guides/ships-by-age
- Royal Caribbean, Icon Class guides (length, decks, neighborhoods, venues): royal-caribbean-icon-class-cruise-ships; icon-class-ships
- Royal Caribbean, "Icon of the Seas Rooms": royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/icon-of-the-seas/rooms
- Royal Caribbean, family vacation guide (pools, Crown's Edge height requirement): plan-the-ultimate-family-vacation-onboard-icon-of-the-seas
- Royal Caribbean itineraries: Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day; Western Caribbean & Perfect Day
- Guinness World Records, "Largest passenger liner (cruise ship)" (maximum capacity): guinnessworldrecords.com
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