Icon of the Seas: The Ultimate Family Cruise Ship

When Icon of the Seas has its inaugural sailing next January, it will be the largest cruise ship in the world. This ship is packed with wow-worthy amenities and activities, making it one of the most anticipated cruise ships of the Royal Caribbean fleet. Icon of the Seas promises to be the ultimate place for family fun at sea. Here are the top things families can look forward to on the Icon. 

Surfside Neighborhood

Onboard amenities and activities are grouped into distinctive “neighborhoods” on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The Surfside neighborhood will appear for the first time on the Icon and is designed as an all-day, stay-and-play area for families with children six and under. Parents can watch their littles play in Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay splash pad areas from the comfort of a nearby infinity pool. The neighborhood also includes Royal Caribbean’s signature carousel, an arcade, and a playground. Various dining options within the Surfside neighborhood ensure good eats and treats are never too far away. Options include:

• Lemon Post—a juice bar featuring lemonade-based concoctions.
  
• Sugar Beach— an ice cream and candy shop.
  
• Bites, Surfside Eatery, and Wipeout Cafe—grab-n-go style quick-service eateries.
  

The fun begins after taking a slide from the Central Park neighborhood into Surfside. 

Family-Friendly Accommodations ​

Icon of the Seas lives up to its reputation of being the ultimate family destination, with its amenities and accommodations. There are 28 types of staterooms aboard, with various layouts for families with three to six guests. Many of these family-friendly rooms are found within the Surfside neighborhood, so the amenities of the play area are always nearby. Here are some of the spacious stateroom types aboard the Icon:

Surfside Family Suites 
These suites feature 1.5 bedrooms and sleep up to four guests. The room includes a separate bedroom and a split bathroom so that multiple family members can get ready for a fun evening aboard the ship at the same time. Guests of these rooms enjoy Sky Class amenities, including priority dining reservations, access to the suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen, and flexible arrival and departure times. 
   
Family View Balcony 
These staterooms include a private balcony that overlooks the Surfside neighborhood. The room features a seating area, a pull-out sofa bed, and space for up to four guests. 
   
Interior Family Rooms 
Interior family rooms offer more space than traditional interior rooms, with a window overlooking the Surfside neighborhood. The room features a seating area and a king-sized bed or two full beds, sleeping up to four guests. 

Ultimate Family Townhouse 
This condo-at-sea is the largest and most luxurious cabin aboard the Icon. It’s a full-size three-story townhouse, complete with a private entrance to Splashaway Bay and a backyard. There’s a private movie room, two bedrooms, a whirlpool, and its iconic feature: a slide from the second to the first floor. The townhouse sleeps eight guests.

Thrills & Chills

Adventure awaits cruisers at Thrill and Chill Islands—separate neighborhoods on the ship’s upper decks. One of the most anticipated attractions is Category 6, a full-scale waterpark (the largest at sea). The park includes six slides, including Pressure Drop, a 66-degree open free fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; and family raft rides. Adrenaline seekers will love Crown’s Edge, a skywalk/ropes course where you can swing 154 feet above sea level. You’ll find three decks of water fun here, including the Royal Bay pool, the largest pool at sea, the first suspended infinity pool on a cruise ship, and much more. There’s a wide range of activities like mini golf aboard the ship, too. 

Teen and Kid Clubs ​

Royal Caribbean’s children and teen programs will return to the Icon. They include Social 020, an exclusive teen space with a 3D movie theater, an arcade, and a teen-only nightclub. Adventure Ocean offers interactive, fun, and educational programs for kids three to twelve. Children participate in age-appropriate activities like science experiments, story times, and DreamWorks movie showings. 

Perfect Day at CocoCay ​

All Icon sailings include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. Perfect Day at CocoCay has everything you need for a day of surf and sun, including a waterpark with the tallest water slide in North America, a zipline, and a helium balloon adventure. Several splash areas and playgrounds dot the island for children to enjoy fun in the sun. There are also several beaches for everyone in the family to enjoy. 

Family Sailing Adventures aboard Icon of the Seas 

Icon of the Seas will sail out of Miami for seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. In addition to Perfect Day at CocoCay, other ports of call include Cozumel, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts. The Icon is already making waves, with the largest single-day bookings in Royal Caribbean history when reservations were released this past October. The ship will begin sailing in January 2024. Reservations are currently available for cruises through April 2025. Ready to book your ultimate family vacation on the Icon? Get a free quote for your trip with Just Add Magic Travel®. If you have questions, feel free to contact me directly! 
   
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