![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/57NM6W37ZNCE3HRMA7CPG7RT64.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f93d2c6c2634ecc5c473d0fb704851743ba72619190020d6123ca5fe31966f3&width=400&height=225)
Empire Supper Club serves an eight-course menu with American cuisine. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MV2TPIAWOJEHFPDEFPOT3DJA5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=180e4dfabad763e59ed1414e29281d79df1accb624b6a5783c6381a875d67c65&width=400&height=225)
The Icon of the Seas cruise ship by Royal Caribbean sails from Miami around the Caribbean for seven-day journeys. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3BR3YAMQWFHQ3GPTFV65PG27IM.jpg?smart=true&auth=09a52fe06f10850c058ac7b97629d853af1a04f6e4efc0aa5184349c713252bf&width=400&height=225)
The ship is divided into eight neighbourhoods, including one called Central Park. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TWWJN5WSRJAA3NJZ3Y3ZYI3ITE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8d2ca8dc085243f96be2f6f6b53951a4ecccb33e6720e81ae90af28008ecc234&width=400&height=225)
Each neighbourhood has themed artworks and installations, such as a flamingo in family-friendly Surfside. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T3T26L7LCVA4LKKULG5UON3BUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=01bb9e373ba0c409cb38ba7872da41e8d9effbff1141dd5d013d60bb97af46f8&width=400&height=225)
Adventure Ocean is a stay-all-day neighbourhood, with activities for children aged 6 months to 12 years. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBKVDRDRONGGJDFCKV7YS25TEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=42a7a5beabf184bc29b3304bb58297957bee9a3b7192d7faaa1b207608204a33&width=400&height=225)
Highlights on Thrill Island include Lost Dunes mini golf, fallen palms and beached planes and ships. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BPWC4VQHFRHUZGAAVRSIY4PCHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e29b29c65023a4cf9b6d8de56091832f44c1089cd8bf97b0143177069c592621&width=400&height=225)
The Overlook in AquaDome offers wrap-around ocean views and the AquaTheatre. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H6FKB23ZGVH5DKVKQBIHAQL6IY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d99b82aba0cd3c400e617b2788ec888d87cd142da7c4d6d7c4234fc8b83d822e&width=400&height=225)
Surfside Eatery is a buffet-style restaurant. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OBOQSICBW5BJRPEPVMAAZHQTJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dcfa6a31a936c5ae9999392385cab955f992ccb57112547409e5e83e3ccee1f&width=400&height=225)
The Pearl Cafe offers salads and sandwiches, and has floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Photo: Royal Caribbean
The Category 6 water park has six slides, including the Storm Surge raft for four. Photo: Royal Caribbean
A luxe cabin in Icon of the Seas. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ERZHR6KSWFHKPJZOFL7L3PYADY.jpg?smart=true&auth=15865ca48621416eeb21ca3bf8204ac3640612a71c6c3c7384c8360b2157877f&width=400&height=225)
Lou's Jazz 'n Blues club at Central Park. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U46I4QAGPRGYNMMKKJ7FMAO434.jpg?smart=true&auth=aef8d31e23def14731003e2bc209ef116e9f653a8743bf7b84fc42966575a5b9&width=400&height=225)
The Pearl, an experiential installation, on the Royal Promenade. Getty Images
The Ultimate Family Townhouse is the ship's most lavish cabin. Photo: Royal Caribbean International
The townhouse has a private patio with stairs leading to the Surfside arena. Photo: Royal Caribbean International
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJRFR3URRVHJBGW2WPXYWYY7JM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8197b2864781ce9ede4921daa9197e9ee651bb5d515da2696f54aec43fab666&width=400&height=225)
Surfside caters to children and teenagers with an arcade. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CG2FJUQ65BDLLDEVHPZ2AWIHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d221e1765067c30ab7228fcb75dc90c1dd45778182bd08d69f5dec4cd57a0de&width=400&height=225)
The ship even has a theatre. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PYTEHM3KV5GOLO4ASWTQZZVT7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=74f5b02a984b90d1c58e73828503f50bef9e2b66e5d14cb9df9725558068778a&width=400&height=225)
The Water's Edge is one of several swimming options. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/57NM6W37ZNCE3HRMA7CPG7RT64.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f93d2c6c2634ecc5c473d0fb704851743ba72619190020d6123ca5fe31966f3&width=400&height=225)
Empire Supper Club serves an eight-course menu with American cuisine. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MV2TPIAWOJEHFPDEFPOT3DJA5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=180e4dfabad763e59ed1414e29281d79df1accb624b6a5783c6381a875d67c65&width=400&height=225)
The Icon of the Seas cruise ship by Royal Caribbean sails from Miami around the Caribbean for seven-day journeys. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3BR3YAMQWFHQ3GPTFV65PG27IM.jpg?smart=true&auth=09a52fe06f10850c058ac7b97629d853af1a04f6e4efc0aa5184349c713252bf&width=400&height=225)
The ship is divided into eight neighbourhoods, including one called Central Park. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TWWJN5WSRJAA3NJZ3Y3ZYI3ITE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8d2ca8dc085243f96be2f6f6b53951a4ecccb33e6720e81ae90af28008ecc234&width=400&height=225)
Each neighbourhood has themed artworks and installations, such as a flamingo in family-friendly Surfside. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T3T26L7LCVA4LKKULG5UON3BUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=01bb9e373ba0c409cb38ba7872da41e8d9effbff1141dd5d013d60bb97af46f8&width=400&height=225)
Adventure Ocean is a stay-all-day neighbourhood, with activities for children aged 6 months to 12 years. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBKVDRDRONGGJDFCKV7YS25TEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=42a7a5beabf184bc29b3304bb58297957bee9a3b7192d7faaa1b207608204a33&width=400&height=225)
Highlights on Thrill Island include Lost Dunes mini golf, fallen palms and beached planes and ships. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BPWC4VQHFRHUZGAAVRSIY4PCHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e29b29c65023a4cf9b6d8de56091832f44c1089cd8bf97b0143177069c592621&width=400&height=225)
The Overlook in AquaDome offers wrap-around ocean views and the AquaTheatre. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H6FKB23ZGVH5DKVKQBIHAQL6IY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d99b82aba0cd3c400e617b2788ec888d87cd142da7c4d6d7c4234fc8b83d822e&width=400&height=225)
Surfside Eatery is a buffet-style restaurant. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OBOQSICBW5BJRPEPVMAAZHQTJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dcfa6a31a936c5ae9999392385cab955f992ccb57112547409e5e83e3ccee1f&width=400&height=225)
The Pearl Cafe offers salads and sandwiches, and has floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Photo: Royal Caribbean
The Category 6 water park has six slides, including the Storm Surge raft for four. Photo: Royal Caribbean
A luxe cabin in Icon of the Seas. Photo: Royal Caribbean
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ERZHR6KSWFHKPJZOFL7L3PYADY.jpg?smart=true&auth=15865ca48621416eeb21ca3bf8204ac3640612a71c6c3c7384c8360b2157877f&width=400&height=225)
Lou's Jazz 'n Blues club at Central Park. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U46I4QAGPRGYNMMKKJ7FMAO434.jpg?smart=true&auth=aef8d31e23def14731003e2bc209ef116e9f653a8743bf7b84fc42966575a5b9&width=400&height=225)
The Pearl, an experiential installation, on the Royal Promenade. Getty Images
The Ultimate Family Townhouse is the ship's most lavish cabin. Photo: Royal Caribbean International
The townhouse has a private patio with stairs leading to the Surfside arena. Photo: Royal Caribbean International
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJRFR3URRVHJBGW2WPXYWYY7JM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8197b2864781ce9ede4921daa9197e9ee651bb5d515da2696f54aec43fab666&width=400&height=225)
Surfside caters to children and teenagers with an arcade. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CG2FJUQ65BDLLDEVHPZ2AWIHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d221e1765067c30ab7228fcb75dc90c1dd45778182bd08d69f5dec4cd57a0de&width=400&height=225)
The ship even has a theatre. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PYTEHM3KV5GOLO4ASWTQZZVT7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=74f5b02a984b90d1c58e73828503f50bef9e2b66e5d14cb9df9725558068778a&width=400&height=225)
The Water's Edge is one of several swimming options. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/57NM6W37ZNCE3HRMA7CPG7RT64.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f93d2c6c2634ecc5c473d0fb704851743ba72619190020d6123ca5fe31966f3&width=400&height=225)
Empire Supper Club serves an eight-course menu with American cuisine. Getty Images
World's largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas designed to feel like 'walk in neighbourhood'
The National speaks to a Royal Caribbean VP about the new ship's curated artworks, family-friendly cabins and Category 6 water park
![Panna Munyal](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F06bc983d-10c7-433f-960a-1e9f892c4c24.png?smart=true&auth=3257c870e2e2c7661a245c0f4c9b3cadc5d2d951b708186dcf323bfa54659374&width=70&height=70)
Panna Munyal
26 January, 2024
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