The world's largest cruise ship's staggering facts revealed

Onboard the world's largest cruise ship

Royal Caribbean's latest marvel, Icon of the Seas, set sail on its maiden voyage in January. The mammoth vessel currently holds the record as the world's largest cruise ship and has captured the imagination due not only to its sheer size but also its outrageous opulence.

Read on to explore the staggering numbers behind the super-sized ship and discover the fantastic facilities passengers enjoy. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

The size, scale, and staggering cost

Construction on Icon of the Seas began in 2021 at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

The juggernaut vessel is almost 1,200 feet (366m) long and weighs a staggering 250,800 gross tonnes, surpassing the measurements of all other cruise ships to date. To put that into some kind of perspective, Icon is around five times larger than the Titanic.

Unsurprisingly, its construction price tag was a dizzying $2 billion (£1.6bn).

Incredible capacity of 9,950

Icon is effectively a floating town and can accommodate close to 10,000 people when at maximum capacity, including 7,600 guests and a dedicated crew of 2,350.

Its diverse team of workers hail from 80 different countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Philippines, Jamaica, and Australia. Their roles range from hospitality and performing arts to gardening and maintenance, with the overarching goal of ensuring a seamless experience for guests at all times.

Breaking booking records

In October 2023, tickets went on sale for seven-day voyages to the Caribbean aboard the boat, with prices starting at around $1,537 (£1.2k) per person.

The sales resulted in Royal Caribbean achieving its "single largest booking day in the company's 53-year history", neatly underscoring the excitement surrounding this gigantic new cruise ship.

Room prices start at $1,851 (£1.5k)

While room prices have since increased for week-long voyages, you don't need to be super-rich to board this super-sized ship. Icon offers 28 different room types, giving guests options to suit all needs, whether they're looking for affordability, stunning sea views, or a family-oriented holiday experience.

According to Forbes, interior rooms now range between $1,851 (£1.5k) and $3,300 (£2.6k), while exterior rooms span from $2,061 (£1.6k) to $4,119 (£3.2k). Balcony rooms, which offer a more premium guest experience, start at $2,249 (£1.7k) and can reach up to $5,245 (£4.1k).

Meanwhile, luxury Sunset Suites (pictured) cost a staggering $10,864 (£8.6k) per week per person for those looking to splurge. Costs vary depending on the time of the year, with March to September the peak time to travel.

The most expensive suite costs $75,000 (£59.2k)

The most expensive accommodation is the all-new Ultimate Family Townhouse (pictured). The spacious pad, which can accommodate eight guests, spans 2,523 square feet (234 square metres) across three levels.

Perfect for families with young kids to entertain, it features a multilevel slide, a movie and karaoke area, two private balconies, a whirlpool, and an outdoor dining area.

However, renting out this fun-filled suite for one week is far from cheap and will cost you an eye-watering $75,000 (£59k), according to Business Insider.

20 fun-filled decks

Icon boasts 20 decks brimming over with activities and attractions to keep guests entertained.

Highlights include an adrenaline-pumping surf simulator, a rock climbing wall that offers stunning sea views, a family-friendly mini-golf course, laser tag, arcades, a sports court, a luxurious casino, and a water park.

Eight unique neighbourhoods

Across the 20 decks, the ship is divided into eight unique "neighbourhoods", each offering guests a different experience. Let's delve into each neighbourhood and their standout features...

First up, the Thrill Island neighbourhood, spanning decks 16 and 17, is designed for daredevils. It includes a pulse-racing waterpark (more on that soon) and Crown's Edge (pictured), a heart-pounding ride that allows brave passengers to swing 154 feet (47m) above the ocean.

Surfside neighbourhood

The colourful Surfside neighbourhood (pictured) is the ultimate hotspot for families.

Located on deck seven, activities include swimming areas appropriate for both babies and children, as well as a charming beach-themed carousel, arcades, and family-friendly events and eateries.

The Hideaway

The Hideaway neighbourhood, situated on deck 15, is a designated adult-only area and offers guests an exclusive beach club vibe.

It features the first-ever suspended infinity pool at sea (just one of the record-breaking pools aboard the ship, but more on that soon), a dedicated bar, and a DJ.

Central Park

The open-air Central Park neighbourhood, located on deck eight, is packed with restaurants and nightlife, including numerous live music spots and trendy jazz bars.

But the most impressive feature of this lush area is the four living plant walls, boasting more than 30,550 plants in total.

Chill Island

The sprawling Chill Island neighbourhood spans decks 15, 16, and 17 and is filled with spots where guests can sit back and bask in the sunshine, complete with breathtaking ocean views.

Stand-out features include the Royal Bay, which, at 5,813 square feet (540 square metres), is the largest pool at sea, and Swim & Tonic, Royal Caribbean's first-ever swim-up bar at sea.

The AquaDome

The most visually jaw-dropping neighbourhood is arguably the AquaDome, located on decks 14 and 15. This section of the ship boasts wraparound ocean views and features a show-stopping 55-foot-tall waterfall.

AquaDome is also home to Royal Caribbean's first food hall and provides guests with the opportunity to watch fantastic water shows at the AquaTheater.

Royal Promenade

Located on decks five and six, the Royal Promenade neighbourhood is the first to feature floor-to-ceiling ocean views.

The area is positively buzzing with bars and restaurants, but its most impressive feature is Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena at sea. Here, guests can watch dazzling live performances or take to the ice themselves.

The Suite neighbourhood

Last but by no means least, the Suite neighbourhood is reserved purely for passengers staying in the Royal Suite Class. Spanning decks 16 to 19, it offers high-paying guests an additional slice of luxury during their time aboard.

The area is equipped with a multi-level sun deck with its own pool and whirlpool, while the VIP guests can enjoy a range of exclusive bars and dining options.

40 bars, restaurants, and lounges

Neighbourhoods aside, the cruise ship caters to all appetites, with more than 40 bars, restaurants, and lounges to choose from.

Among them are the likes of Pier 7, which offers beachside brunches; Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, serving up classic Italian-style favourites; and SurfSide Bites, which provides family-friendly options like hotdogs and popcorn chicken.

One truly wow-worthy dining spot is the opulent Empire Supper Club (pictured), where guests can devour dishes such as oysters and Wagyu beef with shaved truffle while sipping on premium cocktails and enjoying live jazz.

50 entertainers aboard

Icon sails with a cast of 50 musicians, actors, and comedians who keep passengers entertained with live shows.

Among the entertainment headline acts is a 16-piece orchestra and the first-ever at-sea performance of The Wizard of Oz.

Seven incredible swimming pools

Icon boasts seven different pools, each designed with its own unique vibe. As mentioned, Icon is home to the Royal Bay (pictured), which is currently the largest pool at sea. There's also the Hideaway Pool, the first-ever suspended infinity pool at sea, and Swim and Tonic, the first-ever swim-up bar at sea. So what about the incredible pools we haven't covered yet?

The Water's Edge Pool is a family-friendly swim spot, Cloud 17 offers a super-chilled atmosphere, while Cove Pool is located portside, providing stunning views. And finally, there's The Grove, located in the Suite Neighbourhood, which is exclusive to Royal Suite Class guests.

In addition to the seven swimming pools, guests also have access to nine whirlpools.

Six record-breaking slides

A key attraction aboard Icon is the Category 6 waterpark. With six record-breaking waterslides (pictured) it's – you guessed it – the largest at sea.

The adrenaline-pumping Frightening Bolt is the tallest slide at sea at 46 feet (14m) tall, while the daring Pressure Drop is the first freefall waterslide to set sail. What's more, the waterpark features two family raft slides, as well as two exhilarating mat racer slides.

The Wonder of the Seas

Prior to the launch of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's fleet already boasted the world's largest cruise ship.

Wonder of the Seas (pictured) first set sail in 2022 and is only fractionally shorter than Icon. It can carry a total of 7,084 guests, with an international crew of 2,204 people. The vessel boasts 18 decks, just two less than its larger (yet younger) sister.

Environmental credentials

Royal Caribbean claims Icon is 24% more energy efficient than required standards, making it the company's most sustainable ship yet. It's powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the dual-fuel engines work alongside various energy efficiency initiatives and industry-leading environmental programs, such as the first waste-to-energy system at sea.

The ship also produces 93% of its fresh water onboard via a reverse osmosis/desalination plant and is landfill-free. The company also has plans to introduce a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

A negative impact?

However, critics have argued that using LNG as fuel contributes to emissions of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.

Bryan Comer, director of the International Council on Clean Transportation’s marine programme, told The Guardian: "[Royal Caribbean] is doubling down by calling LNG a green fuel when the engine is emitting 70 to 80% more greenhouse gas emissions per trip than if it used regular marine fuel. Icon has the largest LNG tanks ever installed in a ship. It is greenwashing.”

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