Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Icon of the Seas is the largest in the world. We got a sneak peek inside the ship, from the water park to the cabins and even the thrill rides.
My legs were shaking and my heart was beating a little faster, but I carefully stepped over the side of the world’s largest cruise ship and was catapulted 154 feet above the ocean.
Thankfully, I was securely strapped into a harness on the overhead tracks, so I only dangled above the waves for a few seconds before safely returning to the top deck of Royal Caribbean’s brand new $2 billion cruise ship. I’m here.
The new thrill ride is called Crown’s Edge and involves walking over a series of shapes, including a cross, before waiting for the platform below to give way and propel you into the void.
It was even scarier than riding the highest drop slide at sea, which I had done earlier in the day. I stood with my arms and legs crossed on a clear trapdoor 48 feet above deck, watching the water cascade below. Suddenly, I was free-falling down the 282-foot-long tube and into the pool, gasping for air. It was truly breathtaking!
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After all this excitement, I relaxed in the evening by watching the first production of The Wizard of Oz at sea. It was as good as anything you see in the West End. It also included a scene in which the puppets Toto and Dorothy are seen flying on a bed above the audience during a cyclone. .
These were the highlights of just one day of our Icon of the Seas preview cruise. Icon of the Seas is so large that it looks more like a moving island than a cruise ship. It has a crew of 2,350 people and can carry up to 7,600 passengers. The 18 passenger decks are packed with eight separate “districts”, over 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as her seven pools.
I’m no stranger to big ships and have previously been on most of the record-holding Oasis class ships. Still, when I pulled into Miami, I was still struck by the size of the icon.
I toured the largest suite, the Ultimate Family Townhouse. The suite is three stories tall, sleeps up to eight people, and features a slide, movie area, two private balconies, and even a patio with a ping pong table. It costs up to £65,000 a week and has already sold out this year.
At Thrill Island, atop the ship, we sampled the largest waterpark at sea, complete with drops, freefalls, and raft slides. There’s also a twin mat racing chute, like the old Helter Skelter.
Next door is the three-story Chill Island, home to four of the ship’s seven pools and a swim-up bar. And then there’s The Hideaway, featuring the first infinity pool suspended above the ocean. For families with young children, there is a large area called Surfside with a private pool and restaurant. Another new feature is the Aquadome, which hosts water shows and features a 55-foot-tall water curtain, or giant shower.
Crew members who have sailed aboard an Oasis-class ship will be familiar with Central Park, a relaxing area surrounded by trees, plants, and flowers surrounded by restaurants.
The Royal Promenade, a central shopping and dining mall, has an additional 15 restaurants. Here you’ll find The Pearl, a gigantic structure with 3,600 movable metal tiles. Its main purpose seems to be to be a great backdrop for selfies. There is a growing trend in the cruise industry to offer dedicated areas to high-spending customers, and the Icon has a four-deck suite neighborhood.
During our three busy days on board, we didn’t get to try all the restaurants, including steakhouse, sushi, Italian, and seafood, or visit all the bars (though we tried). However, the food I ate was delicious.
Entertainment includes shows, a piano bar, comedy club, 16-piece orchestra, supper club, and karaoke. But the real star? It’s Rover, a golden Labrador who lives on board and captivates the hearts of all the passengers he meets on his daily walks.
Icon of the Seas, which will make its maiden voyage on January 27th, is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a vacation packed with sunshine, activities, food, drink and a wide selection of entertainment, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
With two more sister ships already under construction, cruise line executives clearly believe this ship will be a hit. The only question is: Will there be room in the Caribbean for them all?