Icon of the Seas has made waves throughout the industry as she prepares for her inaugural cruise in just a few days. On a ship this large, with so many incredible venues, you will never be able to get bored, whether you are on a 7 day cruise, a back-to-back cruise, or even back-to-back-to-back cruise! Part of the reason for this has to do with the many "Neighborhood" spaces onboard.
The Neighborhoods are areas of the ship, each with their own distinct vibe and personality. As you cruise you will discover your favorite neighborhoods that you will keep going back to time and time again, and with the amount of people onboard (Icon can hold over 7000 at full capacity), no one spot will feel too crowded because of how divided up the ship is. Here are all the incredible Neighborhoods onboard Icon of the Seas:
AQUADOME | This is the huge glass dome in the crown of the ship. Royal took the AquaTheater from the Oasis Class ships, and moved it into the dome on Icon, creating a distinct new neighborhood that offers a lounge space, Hooked Seafood, a coffee and cocktail bar, shopping, a new food hall, and of course, the incredible AquaTheater show in the new semi-circular format, so everyone has the best views in the house!
SURFSIDE | The Surfside Family Neighborhood is located in the aft on Deck 7, and is the family fun zone onboard! Kids and parents alike can spend the whole day there, enjoying the splash pad, wading pools, carousel, the Surfside Eatery for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, quick grab-and-go options at Surfside Bites, and of course a Sprinkles soft serve station. In addition the Arcade is located here, along with some retail, the new Pier 7 restaurant, and Lemon Post- the spot for a delicious cocktail or kiddo mocktail!
CHILL ISLAND | Up toward the top of the ship you will find the relaxing Chill Island. Here there are several different sundeck spaces located on Deck 15, 16, and 17. On each level you can grab a drink at the Lime and Coconut Bar (there are 4 Lime and Coconuts on the ship!), and then relax in the sun, or at one of the incredible pools. The Swim and Tonic pool offers a swim-up bar, the perfect place to hang out with friends and catch a few rays. The Cloud 17 Pool is located at the edge of the ship, with an infinity feel, so you don't know where the pool water ends and the ocean begins! The largest of the pools is on Deck 17- the Royal Bay pool, and nearby is the delicious El Loco Fresh where you can grab complimentary Mexican cuisine to enjoy poolside.
THRILL ISLAND | This is the space for the adventurers and risk takers! Category 6, the largest water park at sea, is located here, offering 6 distinct water slides from raft slides to the tallest drop slide at sea! For another stomach dropping activity, look no further than the Crown's Edge, a rope course and zipline off the side of the ship. Guests will be harnessed in and then make their way around the course, ending on the "edge", 16 stories above the water, where the platform will drop out from beneath and they will zipline back around and to the finish line. At the very aft you will also find the FlowRider surf simulator where you and your friends can try a bit of surfing or bodyboarding. There is also a bit of rock climbing at Thrill Island, with beautiful ocean vistas surrounding you.
For more chill vibes, grab a putter and take to the mini golf course- Lost Dunes. And while you are in Thrill Island, don't forget to grab some delicious waffle chicken or cheese curds at the brand new fast-casual food venue- Basecamp.
THE HIDEAWAY | This is the adult-only section located above the Surfside Family Neighborhood at the very aft of the ship. It is very private, as the only access is stairs leading down from Thrill Island. Here there are several hot tubs, a sundeck space, a bar, and the first suspended infinity pool at sea!
ROYAL PROMENADE | The classic Royal Caribbean venue that has been on many ships before Icon, the Royal Promenade is the center of the ship, and on Icon it is bigger and better than ever before! At the very heart of it is The Pearl, a huge orb-like main staircase that leads to the complimentary Pearl Cafe for a quick bite, and incredible views off the side of the ship. This is the first time large windows and natural light have been in the Promenade, and it truly makes the space feel even larger and more spacious.
In addition to the Pearl Cafe, there are several other food and bar options including the Schooner Bar, Dueling Pianos, Boleros, Sorrento's Pizza, Starbucks, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, and Point & Feather Pub. There are also several retail options including the Crown & Anchor for all your Royal and Icon merch, and the guests services desk is also located here. At the very aft is the main dining room, as well as Absolute Zero, the ice rink venue where you can enjoy a bit of skating as well as the incredible ice shows!
CENTRAL PARK | One of the favorite neighborhood venues from the Oasis Class ships has been brought to Icon, but with a few incredible changes. There are still thousands of live plants, including 4 live plant walls- all taken care of by the ship's onboard horticulturist. As you stroll through the park, you can stop by the Trellis Bar, Lou's Jazz & Blues, or Bubbles for a delicious drink with friends. Izumi Hibachi and Sushi has been relocated to the park on Icon, and includes a new takeout window where guests can order sushi and bubble cone ice cream as late as 10pm! Chops Grill is also in the park, with indoor and outdoor seating, and a new butcher's counter where you can select the exact cut of meat you would like!
There is retail throughout, so you can shop for some diamond jewelry or a watch to remember your time onboard. At the center of the park is the Park Cafe, a complimentary quick-bites stop with delicious sandwich options.
THE SUITE NEIGHBORHOOD | The neighborhood designed specifically for suite guests has been expanded on Icon. The Grove is the new pool and sundeck space, with 2 different levels offering a variety of loungers and daybeds, a hot tub, and a relaxing pool. In addition the Grove Restaurant is a small buffet offering fresh Mediterranean fare, complemented by the Grove Bar just across the way with skilled bartenders and delicious cocktail options.
Just below is the Coastal Kitchen Restaurant, with a new location overlooking the Aquadome. Here guests can relax in the lounge space, grab a drink, and then sit down for a superb dinner while watching the incredible Aqua Show right from their table.
Booking Your Cruise
Now that you are ready to book your next family vacation on Icon of the Seas, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the spaces inside and out, and have an incredible relationship with Royal Caribbean. Our advisors will craft the memorable cruise vacation of a lifetime for you, your friends, family, or group at an incredible rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.
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