by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:30 PM ET, Wed August 16, 2023
Set to be an extravaganza of water slides, pools, entertainment, unique neighborhoods, and luxe accommodations, travel advisors were given a glimpse this morning of the latest jaw dropping details of Icon of the Seas, a ship that will be the largest in the world.
“The theme of ‘water, water everywhere’ is exactly what you’re going to feel when you step on board this ship,” Joanne Schimelman, vice president of sales and national accounts for Royal Caribbean, said during today’s Coffee Talk with Royal Caribbean, a monthly gathering that provides updates on Royal Caribbean news.
During the one hour webinar-style program, Schimelman and host Vicki Freed shared the latest progress on the ship, which is slated to embark on its first sailing in January 2024.
In addition to showcasing the latest images of the ship’s interior, the briefing included discussion about the many neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas, its entertainment offerings, and its staterooms and family suites. And of course, there was plenty of discussion about the mind boggling water slides and water spaces aboard the ship.
Aquadome
One of the most unique spaces on the ship is a massive sun-filled space known as the Aquadome, which will be the largest freestanding dome at sea and one that includes 180 degrees of uninterrupted ocean views.
The Aquadome will also be the location of the ship’s high-tech Aquatheater. The main show that the theater will host is titled Aqua Action, which as the name implies, will be an action-packed performance featuring the latest technology.
“The show will be exactly what it says…it will be a lot of action in the aqua,” said Nick Weir, senior vice president, Royal Entertainment & Royal Caribbean Productions.
“Because the venue is so spectacular, we just thought why not make the venue the star?" added Weir. “We’re really celebrating all of the amazing technology…We’re adding all sorts of new elements.”
Normally, creative people are handed a theater and then they are tasked with finding a way to fit the show into the limitations of a theater, Weir explained. But that’s not the case with the Aquatheater on Icon of the Seas. Instead, the theater was build to accommodate a show idea.
“This is really taking live theater into the movie business. This is how you create a movie. You come up with an idea and build the sets. In this case, we had come up with an idea for a show and built a theater around it with the latest technology,” said Weir.
There will even be robots utilized to construct scenery for the theater.
“It’s going to be the biggest wow anyone’s ever seen. Not just at sea. It will be the biggest wow anyone’s ever seen in any theater anywhere in the world,” added Weir.
And keeping the ship’s goal of being the ultimate family vacation in mind, the theater will also be staging a production of the beloved family movie The Wizard of Oz.
“We’re going to do something to The Wizard of Oz that’s never been done,” Weir said, “ We are going to take the best elements that have ever been created from the stage performances of Wizard of Oz and we’re going to take the best iconic moments from the movie versions and meld them together. It’s going to be a version of Wizard of Oz no-one has ever imagined.”
Rendering of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Thrill Island
Thrill Island is the ship’s adrenaline pumping water park, a space designed to defy all previous versions of ship water parks.
“We’re going to measure our success of Thrill Island by the volume of the screams. And I mean fun screams, where the kids are having a great time,” said Schimelman.
When designing the space for Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean looked to the success it had with Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Thrill Water Park.
“You almost feel like you are in Thrill Water Park at Coco Caye when you are in this area of the ship. The size of the slides are just draw dropping,” said Schimelman. “We’re going to have a lot of family fun in this area.”
There are two family raft slides and one of the slides within the space is clear acrylic at the bottom and extends off the side of the ship.
Thrill Island, includes far more than slides, as well. There’s also a comfortable Base Camp area, a spot designed to be a gathering and relaxation space for guests, while family members are scattered enjoying Thrill Island. Additional features include complimentary and for-pay food options, an adult’s bar, and a milk shake bar.
The all-new Chill Island on Icon of the Seas. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Chill Island
Need a little relaxation? Head to the Chill Island neighborhood. Located on an upper deck neighborhood and includes four pools and six whirlpools. One of the pools is the largest pool ever to set sail.
“This one is massive and its deeps and it’s going to have a couple of hot tubs and whirlpools in the pool. So it will be part of the same space,” explained Schimelman.
Yet another pool called Cloud 17, is an adult only offering for those who are 18 and above. This pool will include its own bar, and a water’s edge pool.
Icon of the Seas' Surfside neighborhood. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Surfside
Yet another neighborhood aboard Icon of the Seas, Surfside is an area that’s designed to be a family neighborhood offering plenty of ways to play.
“This is really a stay-all-day area with many ways to splash, play, sip, and eat,” said Freed. “Everything your family needs for a day a fun is here in Surfside.”
Highlights include a Splashaway Bay aqua park and a Baby Bay designed to be appropriate for the youngest children. There’s also a pool for adults in the same area, so that all members of the family are happy, said Freed. Surfside will also feature a custom-designed carousel and family friendly dining venues.
Royal Promenade
The promenade space aboard Icon of the Seas has also been revamped and rethought compared to previous promenade spaces on other ships.
In the past, guests would board the ship promenade and there would be shopping and food, and it would be a “transit space.” The new promenade is a striking two-story space designed to be the heart of the ship that includes floor to ceiling windows and a blend of entertainment, shopping, and restaurants. The space will include Pearl Cafe, 1400 lobby Bar, Dueling Pianos, Music Hall, Schooner Bar, and Spotlight Karaoke, among many other offerings.
“We call this the best family vacation in the world, but families come in all shapes and sizes,” said Schimelman. “Families aren’t necessarily just people with kids…There are so places and spaces and venues and activities and experiences for couples and adults as well.”
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