Icon of the Seas: Ultimate cabin guide

With 1,815 balcony cabins, 276 ocean-view rooms, 179 suites and 535 interior cabins residing within Icon of the Seas' city-like interior, it’s easy to understand the ship's new benchmark status for cruise-going exploits.

Looking to book a cruise on the new mega liner, but bombarded with information overload regarding which cabin to book? Here’s a quick rundown on what awaits you – with all the faff removed.

The first thing worth noting about Royal Caribbean’s new flagship is the scale. Roughly five-times larger than RMS Titanic, stretching 1200 feet in length and weighing in at 250,800 tonnes, Icon is no mere cruise liner. There are more bedrooms here than in most towns.

Icon of the Seas is certainly poetry in motion, and each moment brings a heightened sense of exhilarating occasion. We’ve unmistakably entered a new and exciting chapter for the cruise industry, both in terms of size and revolution – but especially when it comes to accommodation.

Royal Caribbean’s efforts with Icon of the Seas have undoubtedly beckoned a fresh era for ship-based innovation, and that’s hugely apparent when examining the ship’s cabins.

Around 80 per cent of the rooms on Icon can host up to five guests, which is more than double the amount on other Royal Caribbean sister ships, making it easier for multi-generational families to stay in the same accommodation.

Icon of the Seas offers 2,805 staterooms in total, with over 28 grades to choose from – including Panoramic Ocean View, Infinite Balcony and the cosseted Ultimate Family Townhouse.

More than 80 per cent of cabins can accommodate three or more people (emphasising the focus on group travel), with 70 per cent providing balcony access, and 50 wheelchair-accessible cabins set aside for those who require them.

Accessibility has been designed into the ship’s core, providing 22 elevators that interconnect the main decks, positioned in the forward and aft atriums.

What’s the largest cabin room onboard Icon of the Seas?

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is the largest room on board, coming in at 1,772 sqft over three floors, and the second room in the ship’s Star Tier category.

At a cost of US$75,000 (£59,000) per week, it can sleep eight guests, boasts two private balconies, comes with its own mini cinema and karaoke room and a multi-level slide that connects so you can skip the stairs. It even has its own exclusive entrance to Icon’s Surfside, the first neighbourhood in the Royal Caribbean portfolio designed exclusively for young families.

Those looking for something a little more modest, however, can opt for Ocean View Balcony and Central Park View Balcony category rooms. Each comes with soft double beds, plasma screen TVs and ample storage space, while sliding glass doors offer direct access to a private terrace equipped with reclining chairs and private views.

For the first time ever on a Royal Caribbean ship, guests staying in premium rooms will find a variety of luxury amenities and experiences exclusive to them over in the Suite Neighbourhood.

Here, suite-only guests can soak up rays on the two-story Grove Suite Sun Deck, take a dip in the private pool and hot tub, or enjoy upscale cuisine at one of two restaurants – all VIP only.

What cabin categories are there?

A bit like looking through the menu in a swanky restaurant (the Empire Supper Club is a good place to start), Icon of the Seas boasts of 28 different categories to choose from. Of those cabin categories, 14 are new for RCI-grade accommodations – offering larger rooms designed for families and groups.

These include:

• Inside Plus
• Panoramic Ocean View (redesigned/both cabins and suites)
• Infinite Balcony
• Family Infinite Balcony
• Surfside Family Suite
• Sky Junior Suite
• Sunset Suite
• Sunset Corner Suite,
• Icon Loft Suite, and
• Ultimate Family Townhouse

What does each cabin include?

All cabins aboard Icon of the Seas include two twin beds (which can be converted to a Royal King-size double bed) and an en-suite bathroom (toilet, shower, vanity sink, bath/shower products and hairdryer) as standard, alongside generous closet and drawer space.

Each cabin has a sitting area, populated by a mirrored desk, a couch/sofa-bed, smart HDTV – providing on-demand movies, internet access and infotainment system, a direct-dial telephone, minibar, electronic safe box and closet-kept lifejackets.

Each room also comes with USB charging points, mood lighting, individual air-conditioning and European and US/UK electrical outlets. 24-hour room service is available for all those midnight cravings, too.

Never again will you have to cruise without access to perfectly-fired burgers or an all-night fry-up. Healthier options are also available *ahem*.

As we now exist in a greener world, you don’t need to worry about the environmental damage caused by each cabin’s air-conditioning, either. The system features a computer-monitored climate control that switches down to save energy when the cabin is not occupied – judged by the scanning of SeaPass cards when disembarking the cruise liner to enjoy shore excursions or venture into the dining areas.

Balcony staterooms all showcase a floor-ceiling sliding glass door, opening into a private veranda, whereas ‘Panoramic Ocean View’ suites can be found in the swish AquaDome Neighbourhood, supplying floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows.

All cabins on Icon of the Seas will have several amenities designed to enhance the experience with technology and AI.

The Royal Caribbean app boasts a digital key feature, which allows you to open your cabin door with your phone instead of the SeaPass card. You can also control the television with the app, as well as the cabin mood lighting and temperature.

What about balcony and terrace cabins?

‘Infinite Balcony’ and ‘French Balcony’ cabins offer all the standard amenities previously mentioned, but with an added bout of class – featuring a drop-down panoramic wall enclosing the private terrace.

It’s a brilliant piece of design, allowing these cabins aboard Icon of the Seas to convert and include the veranda as an indoor space at the touch of a button – something that was first seen on Celebrity Cruises' Edge-class ships.

The ’Family Infinite Balcony’ comes with Icon’s trademark Infinite Balcony (as the suite category name alludes to), accommodating up to six people with a separate children’s bedroom (featuring bunk beds) and split bathrooms.

Any ‘Surfside Family Suite’ (found in the Surfside Neighbourhood) can accommodate four people, provides a separate kids bedroom that can also be converted in a lounge, and all occupants receive Royal Suite Class perks. More on that later.

For something utterly decadent, why not try a ‘Sunset Corner Suite’? These fleet-first cabins resemble aft-facing stateroom elegance but with large-wraparound terraces for quiet enjoyment of the seascape.

The three-deck neighbourhood

All the top-tier staterooms onboard Icon of the Seas can be found in the 3-deck Suite neighbourhood, allowing access to an exclusive two-level sundeck and an expanded two-deck Coastal Kitchen – which remains private to all suite-carrying passes.

Opted for a Star Class or Sky Class suite? Congratulations, you gain access to a larger (and much more exclusive) sundeck with its own swimming pool and outdoor Jacuzzi, alongside a casual restaurant – The Grove – serving traditional and speciality cuisine from the Mediterranean.

Suites in this neighbourhood are clustered into categories (high to low grade):

• Family Townhouse
• Royal Loft
• Icon Loft
• Owner's
• Infinite Grand
• Grand, Sunset Corner
• Surfside Family
• Sunset
• Junior
• Panoramic (with windows)

Icon of the Seas’ also showcases an Icon-class four-deck neighbourhood that houses 2350 crew members, featuring redesigned crew cabins, all with double occupancy and TV, storage space, writing desks, electric and USB sockets and privacy curtains.

Royal Genie Service: Suite cabin perks

Staterooms in Star Class enjoy the added perk of Royal Genie Service, exclusive access to the Suite Lounge, Suite Sun Deck, Coastal Kitchen Restaurant, Grove Restaurant and complimentary amenities – such as free internet access, gratuities, the Deluxe Beverage Package, restocked cabin minibar, Refreshment Package and laundry pressing service.

You can also reserve seats through your Royal Genie in selected venues and enjoy priority entrance to activities aboard the cruise ship.

Staterooms in Sky Class include a concierge service, access to the Coastal Kitchen, Grove restaurant, Suite Lounge, Suite Sun Deck), complimentary Internet and priority embarkation/debarkation/dining reservations.

Sea Class staterooms passengers can enjoy dining at Coastal Kitchen, while all three classes come with a Lavazza coffee machine in each suite.

Full cabin guide

Family Infinite Balcony

• View: Ocean view
• Occupancy: 6
• Room size: 285 sqft
• Convertible balcony size: 50 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1.5
• Number of cabins: 7
  

Infinite Balcony

• View: Ocean view
• Room size: 200 sqft
• Convertible balcony size: 50 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 419

Ocean view large balcony

• View: Ocean view
• Room size: 204 sqft
• Balcony size: 65-70 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 84

Connecting ocean view balcony

• View: Ocean view
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 204 sqft
• Balcony size: 50 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1

Icon Balcony

• View: Ocean view
• Room size: 204 sqft
• Balcony size: 50 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 738

Panoramic Ocean View

• View: Ocean view
• Occupancy: 3
• Room size: 258 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 12

Central Park Infinite Balcony

• View: Central Park View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 200 sqft
• Balcony size: 50 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 196

Central Park View Balcony

• View: Central Park view
• Room size: 196 sqft
• Balcony size: 50 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 42

Surfside Family View Balcony

• View: Surfside view
• Room size: 196 sqft
• Balcony size: 50 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 172

Central Park View Interior

• View: Central Park view
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 187 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 45

Surfside family View Interior

• View: Surfside view
• Room size: 187 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 20
• Spacious Interior

Ocean View Cabin

• View: Ocean view
• Room size: 160-187 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 264

Inside Cabin

• View: Interior
• Room size: 178 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 192/75

Inside Plus

• View: Interior
• Occupancy: 2
• Room size: 157 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 203

Star Class - Full suite guide

Ultimate Family Townhouse

• View: Ocean View + Surfside View
• Occupancy: 8
• Room size: 1,772 sqft
• Balcony size: 751 sqft
• Balcony (main level): 220 sqft
• Balcony (second level): 90 sqft
• Backyard: 251 sqft
• Bedrooms: 2
• Number of cabins: 1

Royal Loft

• View: Ocean View + Chill Island View (Deck 17)
• Occupancy: 6
• Room size: 1482 sqft
• Balcony size: 705 sqft
• Bedrooms: 2
• Number of cabins: 1

Two-deck-high stateroom with panoramic ocean views of Icon and the ocean. Dining area with wet bar and piano.

The private balcony features a whirlpool and dining area with a bar and sink.

Icon Loft Suite

• View: Ocean View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 656 sqft
• Balcony size: 151-183 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 7

Two decks high with panoramic views. The master bedroom is on the second level. The bathroom includes a shower for two people.

You'll find a balcony with a dining area.

Star Class benefits

• Complimentary gratuities
• Complimentary internet
• Expedited boarding and departure
• Reserved premium seats in select entertainment venues
• Priority entrance to many onboard activities
• Suite Lounge access
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Exclusive access to Royal Genie Service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove
• Complimentary specialty restaurants
• Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package
• Complimentary Refreshment Package
• Still and sparkling water replenished Daily
• Complimentary minibar stocked with Coca-Cola, beverages, and water
• Complimentary laundry and pressing services
• Luxury mattresses and pillows
• Frette linens
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sky Class - Cabin guide

Owner's Suite

• View: Ocean View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 658 sqft
• Balcony size: 190 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 8

The Owner's Suite has a dedicated bedroom area with a door. Stone entry bathroom with tub, shower, and two sinks.

Living room with table and a sofa that converts to a double bed.

There is a private balcony with a table and chairs.

Sunset Corner Suite

• View: Ocean View & Surfside View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 380-480 sqft
• Balcony size: 280-360 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 10

Royal Caribbean's internal research revealed that guests wanted to see the ship's wake, so this type of cabin was created. Wrap-around balcony with endless views from the aft of the ship.

Stone entry bathroom with tub and shower with two sinks.

Living area with table and sofa that converts to a double bed.

Sunset Junior Suite

• View: Ocean View & Surfside View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 320-330 sqft
• Balcony size: 115-130 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 4

The Sunset Junior Suite has panoramic views and a corner balcony. At over seven feet tall, the ceiling is the tallest of all the Junior Suites.

Compared to standard Junior Suites, these staterooms have a much larger balcony, perfect for soaking up as much of that fresh Caribbean air as possible.

Junior Suite

• View: Ocean View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 322 sqft
• Balcony size: 80 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 66

Floor-to-ceiling ocean views are available in this Junior Suite. You'll find these staterooms located at the forward of the ship on Decks 9, 10, and 11.

Sunset Suite

• View: Ocean View & Surfside View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 390 sqft
• Balcony size: 96-120 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 6

The draw of this suite is the floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to the balcony. As the name suggests, this suite guarantees some epic sunset views.

There's a full bathroom with a tub and two sinks. The living area has a sofa that converts to a double bed.

Infinite Grand Suite

• View: Ocean View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 431 sqft
• Convertible balcony size: 102 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 6

This is the only suite with an infinite balcony that extends into the interior living space.

This cabin also has a split-compartment bath.

Grand Suite

• Icon-Grand-Suite-1
• View: Ocean View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 431 sqft
• Balcony size: 108 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 10

You'll find floor-to-ceiling views, with the living room that has a sofa bed that converts to a double bed.

Panoramic Suite

• View: Ocean View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 370-440 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 10

These suites are located within the AquaDome and feature a full bathroom with a tub, a seating area with a sofa, and panoramic views with an extended seating area.

Sky Junior Suite

• View: Ocean View
• Occupancy: 4
• Room size: 322 sqft
• Balcony size: 80 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1
• Number of cabins: 8

This is the first Junior Suite that has Sky Class benefits and is located within the Suite Neighbourhood. You'll enjoy perks like all-day access to The Grove and Coastal Kitchen, exclusive Concierge access, and priority departure and dining reservations.

There are floor-to-ceiling benefits, with a dressing area in the bedroom and a full bathroom with a tub.

Surfside Family Suite

• Surfside family suite
• View: Surfside View
• Occupancy: 4 (2 Adults & 2 Kids)
• Room size: 269 sqft
• Balcony size: 53 sqft
• Bedrooms: 1.5
• Number of cabins: 42

This suite was designed with families in mind so everyone has their own space. You'll find a kids' nook with a pullout sofa.

There is a split bathroom and a private balcony that overlooks the brand-new Surfside Neighbourhood, where families are encouraged to stay and play all day.

Sky Class benefits

• Concierge service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove
• Specialty bottled water upon arrival
• Complimentary internet
• Priority boarding and departure
• Priority dining reservations
• Suite Lounge access
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker
• Sea Class Benefits
• Dinner at Coastal Kitchen
• Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker
• Suite neighbourhood

Accessible suites and staterooms

• Icon Loft (922 sqft, up to four guests)
• Surfside Family Suite (386 sqft, up to four guests, two adults and two kids)
• Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (616 sqft, up to six guests)
• Spacious Infinite Central Park View Balcony (374 sqft, up to four guests)
• Ocean View Balcony (381 sqft up to four guests)
• Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony (374 sqft, up to four guests)
• Surfside Family View Balcony (365 sqft, up to four guests)
• Ocean View (278 sqft, up to three guests)
• Interior (285 sqft up to three guests)
• Junior Suite

Amenities for Accessible Staterooms

• Elevator in two-level Icon Loft
• 5-foot wheelchair turning radius
• Roll-in Showers
• Showers offer a handheld shower head and a bench
• Wider doors
• Cabin technology
• App function

All cabin information and associated pictures/3D renderings are courtesy of Royal Caribbean.