Table Of Content
- World's largest cruise ship that's 5 times larger than the Titanic set to make its debut
- Costa Smeralda (Costa Cruises)
- The world’s largest cruise ship has 20 decks, 7 pools and would cover almost 4 city blocks
- Harmony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
- On the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, Thrills and Space to Chill
- The live jazz bar
- Cruises

But the maître d’ politely refuses me entry in an English that seems to verge on another language. “I’m sorry, this is only for pendejos,” he seems to be saying. Meanwhile elderly passengers stream right past, powered by their limbs, walkers, and electric wheelchairs.
Our Honest Review of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas (the Largest Cruise Ship in the World) - Good Housekeeping
Our Honest Review of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas (the Largest Cruise Ship in the World).
Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
World's largest cruise ship that's 5 times larger than the Titanic set to make its debut
"The enthusiasm and excitement for Icon are undeniable in more ways than one," Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in October. The RMS Titanic was once considered the largest ship in the world before it met its demise in the Atlantic Ocean. Now, Royal Caribbean International has created a "first-of-its-kind" ship nearly five times that size that will soon make its debut. When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed in October 2022, the ship spurred the single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbean’s then 53-year history, according to the cruise line. The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.
Costa Smeralda (Costa Cruises)
Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.
The world’s largest cruise ship has 20 decks, 7 pools and would cover almost 4 city blocks
Icon of the Seas first opened up for reservations in October of last year while the cruise industry was still recovering from the downturn it faced during the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, prices started at $1,537 a person, but they have since increased by a few hundred dollars. The ship, which is leaving South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics, was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates. Featuring 28-room types on board, layouts have been designed with for families in mind and can accommodate three, four, five guests in options like the Family Infinite Balcony and Surfside Family Suite. Royal Bay Pool in the new Chill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas will be the largest pool at ... It is fully possible to cruise on Icon without spending anything extra on food.
Harmony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Many of them seem to be originally from Queens (“Corona was still great when it was all Italian”), though they are now spread across the tristate area. We bond over the way “Ron-kon-koma” sounds when announced in Penn Station. This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. It's the first show-at-sea I've seen with a waterfall and nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and so far, it's one of my favorites. The ship's riff on Broadway-approved "Wizard of Oz" — 16-piece live orchestra and flying bed included — delighted me, a hater of most musicals. There's no need to grab coffee before harnessing up for the part-zipling, part-agility Crown's Edge course.
On the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, Thrills and Space to Chill
I may have failed to mention that all this time, the Icon of the Seas has not left port. As the fiery mango of the subtropical setting sun makes Miami’s condo skyline even more apocalyptic, the ship shoves off beneath a perfunctory display of fireworks. After the sun sets, in the far, dark distance, another circus-lit cruise ship ruptures the waves before us. We glance at it with pity, because it is by definition a smaller ship than our own.
The live jazz bar

Cruise Hive looks at the top ten biggest cruise ships in the world by gross tons. Royal Caribbean is known for operating some of the world’s largest cruise ships, creating vacation resorts at sea, and in early 2024, its long-awaited new vessel will aim to redefine big ship cruising once again. Icon of the Seas, the first in Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class of cruise ships, is set to make its debut in January.
I show my blue Suite Sky SeaPass Card (more on this later, much more) to a smiling woman from the Philippines, and she tells me to go “aft.” Which is where, now? As someone who has rarely sailed on a vessel grander than the Staten Island Ferry, I am confused. It turns out that the aft is the stern of the ship, or, for those of us who don’t know what a stern or an aft are, its ass. The nose of the ship, responsible for separating the waves before it, is also called a bow, and is marked for passengers as the FWD, or forward. The part of the contemporary sailing vessel where the malls are clustered is called the midship. Icon of the Seas has plenty of live music venues — including rowdy karaoke and dueling pianos bars, if that counts.
More Royal Caribbean
To avoid any surprises when you get on the ship, however, it is important that you understand what is and isn't included. From the cruise line's first-ever swim-up bar to the largest pool at sea, infinity-edge Cove and Cloud 17 Pools, Chill Island is, undoubtedly, going to be the best pool deck at sea. If you’re keen to become part of cruising history, some tickets are still available for the inaugural sailing out of Miami. An ocean view cabin for the 7-day trip starts at $2,772 per person, based on two sharing. The main attraction here is the first suspended infinity pool at sea, flanked by tiered lounge space, hot tubs and a champagne bar. Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the cruise line’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas and fuel cells, which are similar to batteries but do not need to be recharged.

There’s Surfside, a kids’ neighborhood full of sugary garbage, which looks out onto the frothy trail that the behemoth leaves behind itself. Thrill Island refers to the collection of tubes that clutter the ass of the ship and offer passengers six waterslides and a surfing simulation. There’s the Hideaway, an adult zone that plays music from a vomit-slathered, Brit-filled Alicante nightclub circa 1996 and proves a big favorite with groups of young Latin American customers. Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis-class and 25th cruise ship from Royal Caribbean. It is slightly larger than her sister ships that were built earlier, making her the third largest cruise ship.
The Royal Loft, aimed at high-rolling adults, offers two bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a spacious balcony starting at $40,000. Also new on Icon of the Seas is the Celebration Table, a private 12-seat dining experience perfect for a milestone anniversary. In addition to the traditional buffet, there is a family-focused buffet in the Surfside neighborhood, together with several grab-and-go outlets throughout the ship. Despite the focus on families, there are plenty of spaces for adults to escape. Icon of the Sea's Central Park, an open-air green space, is designed to offer adult guests a serene setting, perfect for romantic dinners or tranquil strolls amidst the plants and trees.
But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected. I spent my time there perched at one of its in-water loungers, contently splashing my legs around the water, wondering if I actually hated cruises. The ship was finally delivered from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland after a delay on December 5, 2019.
A large deck canopy is a new design feature that will provide both airflow and shade, without feeling restrictive. The ship’s stern also features a terrace with lounge space and an infinity pool. The LNG-powered, 18-deck ship will be outfitted for e-LNG in the future. It will also offer new entertainment not previously seen on past ships, alongside spacious wellness areas. Outside, airy spaces will include interconnected decks and promenades. Like Royal Caribbean, TUI Cruises is also planning to debut two ships in 2024.
The ship will sail weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, and each will visit Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, with its multiple beaches and Thrill Waterpark, home to 13 waterslides. Bookings open Monday for Royal Caribbean's past guests and Tuesday to the public. When completed, the ship will be 20 decks high and 1,198 feet long and measure 250,800 gross tons.
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