ICON OF THE SEAS
April 4, 2026 | Miami, Florida
Just before sunrise on April 4, 2026, the illuminated Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) dominated the scene at PortMiami. The massive ship was preparing for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise later that afternoon, with calls at Costa Maya, Roatán, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay before returning to Miami.
Entering service in 2024, Icon of the Seas introduced a new generation of ships for Royal Caribbean International. Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, she became the world’s largest cruise ship when delivered and introduced new Royal Caribbean concepts including the AquaDome, Thrill Island, Surfside, and The Hideaway.
Information List
Name: Icon of the Seas
Operator: Royal Caribbean International
Year Delivered: 2023
Year Entered Service: 2024
Shipyard: Meyer Turku, Turku, Finland
Class: Icon Class
Length: 1,198 feet (365 meters)
Tonnage: Approximately 250,800 GT
Passenger Capacity: 5,610 double occupancy
Maximum Capacity: Approximately 7,600
Crew: Approximately 2,350
Staterooms: 2,805
Total Decks: 20
Fuel: LNG / dual-fuel
Country of Registry: Bahamas
IMO Number: 9829930
History and Features
Construction and Entry Into Service:
Royal Caribbean announced the development of the Icon Class with Meyer Turku in 2016.
Construction of Icon of the Seas began with the cutting of steel in June 2021.
The ship was floated out in December 2022 and completed sea trials during 2023.
Meyer Turku delivered the vessel to Royal Caribbean in November 2023.
Icon of the Seas arrived in Miami in January 2024, with soccer star Lionel Messi participating in her naming celebration.
Her maiden passenger voyage departed Miami on January 27, 2024.
At approximately 250,800 gross tons, she became the largest cruise ship in the world when she entered service.
Design and Features:
Icon of the Seas is organized into eight neighborhoods, continuing and expanding a concept Royal Caribbean introduced with the Oasis Class.
The AquaDome dominates the forward upper decks and contains the AquaTheater, restaurants, bars, and panoramic observation areas.
Thrill Island includes Category 6, a large waterpark with six waterslides, along with the Crown’s Edge attraction.
The Hideaway features a suspended infinity pool overlooking the ship’s stern.
Central Park continues Royal Caribbean’s open-air garden concept with thousands of living plants surrounded by restaurants and lounges.
Surfside was designed as a dedicated neighborhood for families with younger children.
Chill Island contains several of the ship’s major pools and outdoor relaxation areas.
The redesigned Royal Promenade incorporates extensive exterior glass, giving the traditionally interior space more natural light and views of the sea.
Service:
Miami became the ship’s first year-round homeport when Icon of the Seas entered service in 2024.
Her regular schedule has primarily consisted of seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas is a regular destination on many of her itineraries.
On April 4, 2026, the ship was preparing to depart Miami on a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise.
The itinerary included Costa Maya, Roatán, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay before returning to Miami on April 11.
As of September 2026, Icon of the Seas remains in active Caribbean service with Royal Caribbean International.
Environmental and Technical Features:
Icon of the Seas was Royal Caribbean’s first ship designed to operate primarily using liquefied natural gas.
Her dual-fuel engines can operate using LNG or conventional marine fuel.
The ship also incorporates fuel-cell technology, shore-power capability, waste-heat recovery, and an air-lubrication system designed to reduce resistance beneath the hull.
These systems made Icon of the Seas Royal Caribbean’s most energy-efficient ship when she entered service.
Icon Class:
Icon of the Seas is the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class.
The class represents a completely new ship platform rather than an extension of the earlier Oasis Class.
Star of the Seas became the second member of the class in 2025.
Additional Icon-class ships are planned as Royal Caribbean continues expanding the series.
The class combines Royal Caribbean’s neighborhood concept with new family areas, large outdoor attractions, and LNG-capable propulsion.
Legacy:
Icon of the Seas marked one of Royal Caribbean’s largest changes in ship design since Oasis of the Seas entered service in 2009.
She became the world’s largest cruise ship when delivered in 2023.
The AquaDome, Surfside, Thrill Island, Category 6, and The Hideaway introduced several new concepts to the Royal Caribbean fleet.
As the first Icon-class vessel, she established the design and onboard concepts being carried forward by the next generation of Royal Caribbean ships.
