We Visited Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Under Construction

Join us in witnessing the making of Icon of the Seas — The World’s Ultimate Family Vacation.
Follow along as we tour the ship in her current form, being prepared for her early-2024 debut!

*Icon of the Seas* is currently undergoing outfitting at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland.
**PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

With eight distinct neighbourhoods, twenty-eight ways to stay, and brand-new ways to play for all ages, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas is truly the Ultimate Family Vacation. Since the big iconic reveal in October 2022, Icon has made waves, and raised the bar and redefined the standards for a cruise vacation.

And with just seven more months left to her highly-anticipated debut, we were invited to the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, for a sneak peek at the world’s newest icon in her current form - under construction, and taking shape.

Rendering of *Icon of the Seas* **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

Arriving At Meyer Turku

We arrived bright and early on a bus to the Meyer Turku Shipyard.

Can you spot *Icon*? **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Safety Briefing

Before we started the tour, we were briefed on safety measures, and issued with Safety Equipment.

We also got *Icon of the Seas* notebooks! **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Our First Steps Aboard Icon

First impressions? She’s HUGE!

*Icon of the Seas* towers above us. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

And once aboard, we were given an opportunity to tour the vessel’s various neighbourhoods in their growing stages. Take a look at some of the pictures below:

Surfside — The Family Neighbourhood

Surfside is Royal Caribbean’s first-ever neighbourhood dedicated to families, with spaces for babies, kids, teens and adults all in one part of the ship.

Artist’s Impression of *Water’s Edge* in Surfside Neighbourhood. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

Artist’s Impression of *Surfside*. **PHOTO; ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

And this is the Surfside neighbourhood as it looks today. You can see the balconies and windows that make up the Surfside Family Suites, which overlook the neighbourhood.

Surfside Neighbourhood, as of 10 May 2023. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

We also enjoyed drinks that would be served at Surfside as refreshments!
**PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Central Park — The Garden At Sea, Renewed And Rejuvenated

Central Park first made its debut on Oasis of the Seas in 2009. On Icon, it has been re-designed. The garden will be more vibrant and projected to boast 20% more plants. It also acts as the main thoroughfare to multiple dining venues like Izumi.

Artist’s Impression of *Central Park*. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

And this is the current progress on Central Park. You can also compare it to the artist’s impression we were shown of the same space!

We were also shown the future site of Bubbles - the walk-up champagne bar located within Central Park.

Future site of *Bubbles*. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

We had another opportunity to quench our thirsts. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Also, check out the lift lobby leading to Central Park - a two-deck open-air space.

Royal Promenade — Now Includes Sea Views!

The Royal Promenade is a Royal Caribbean classic. Its central location makes it the ship’s main thoroughfare to all sorts of venues like Absolute Zero, and also acts as an events space. It also houses the Pearl Cafe, which features the orb (named “The Pearl”) that was seen early into the ship’s construction.

Pearl Cafe will also house the first-ever windows into the Royal Promenade, bringing in natural light and ocean views to the central hub of the ship for the first time!

Fun Fact: The Pearl is actually structurally-integral to the deck above.
We learnt that in order to have floor-to-ceiling windows, the area around The Pearl required support columns. And in true Royal Caribbean fashion, the design team came up with the idea of The Pearl, instead of settling for normal support columns.

Artist’s Impression of *The Pearl*. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

Artist’s Impression of *Pearl Cafe*. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

The *Royal Promenade* is the main thoroughfare for many places aboard *Icon*. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

The site of *Pearl Cafe*, as of 10 May 2023. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Refreshments were provided as well!. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Thrill Island — Icon’s Playground

If it makes you scream, it’s probably found in Thrill Island! Attractions here include Category 6 - the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking water slides, and Crown’s Edge - an Obstacle Course suspended 47 metres above sea level, hanging off the huge Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Logo!

Artist’s Impression of Category 6. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

Artists’ Impression of Crown’s Edge. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

And this is Thrill Island as it looks today:

Category 6 Waterpark in Thrill Island. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

The massive Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Logo, which makes up part of Crown’s Edge.
**PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

And the space below will be the site of Base Camp - a Food & Beverage offering within the Thrill Island neighbourhood.

The space that will become *Basecamp* - a F&B outlet within Thrill Island.
**PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Artist’s Impression of *Basecamp*. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

Sampling of *Basecamp*’s Food options. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

AquaDome — Tranquil by Day, Vibrant by Night

No other neighbourhood aboard Icon stands out more architecturally than the AquaDome. A tranquil oasis with all-around ocean views by day, it gives way to a vibrant centre for bars and restaurants by night. At its core sits the re-imagined AquaTheatre, now located inside the dome, shielded from the elements.

And this is AquaDome as it stands today:

The AquaTheatre as of 10 May 2023. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Artist’s Impression of the *AquaTheatre* situated within the AquaDome.
**PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

We were also shown a demonstration of the AquaTheatre’s various capabilities and equipment!

Another angle of the AquaDome, from the Overlook Lounge.

The Overlook as of 10 May 2023. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Artist’s Impression of *The Overlook*. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

The Overlook Bar as of 10 May 2023. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Suite Neighbourhood — Upsized With New Amenities

The Suite Neighbourhood first began as the Suite Club on Asia-based Spectrum of the Seas. It was then expanded into a full-fledged neighbourhood on Wonder of the Seas. The popularity of the Suite Neighbourhood since has prompted its appearance on Icon of the Seas, now spanning four decks, including The Grove - a two-deck Sun Deck which also offers Mediterranean cuisine al-fresco.

The Suite Neighbourhood Sun Deck on *Icon of the Seas*, as of 10 May 2023.
**PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Artist’s Impression of *The Grove* Sun Deck in the *Suite Neighbourhood*. **PHOTO: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL**

Refreshments at the Suite Sun Deck! **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

We were also introduced to the various Suite accommodations, and other amenities within the Suite Neighbourhood. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Family-Oriented Accommodations

A family-oriented ship requires family-oriented accommodations. Aboard Icon of the Seas, guests will find a number of stateroom categories that sleep in excess of 5 guests. During our visit, were able to tour one such room in an advanced stage of completion.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony Stateroom

Sleeping up to 6 guests, these staterooms feature separate sleeping quarters for different age groups. Kids will be glad to have their own space with bunk beds. Split bathrooms allow the space to be utilised by multiple people. Connecting rooms are also available for larger groups, with private foyers joining the two rooms.

Take a look at the photos below of one such stateroom, #9310.

The Kids’ Sleeping Area with bunk beds. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Split Bathrooms found in the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony Stateroom.
**PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Overview of Stateroom #9310. **PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

Info-Sharing Sessions

Q&A Session

We also had a small Q&A session with the key appointment holders of the Royal Caribbean Group.

Entertainment Showcase

We also had a presentation by Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean Group, Nick Weir, about the various entertainment options and shows aboard Icon. He also explained the differences between Absolute Zero and Studio B — the Ice-Rink found on other Royal Caribbean ships.

SVP of Entertainment Nick Weir on the differences between Absolute Zero (right) and Studio B (left).
**PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY**

See More Here:

Check out more of our day at our Facebook Page, in the embedded post below!

ICON OF THE SEAS - SHIPYARD VISIT Today, we visited Royal Caribbean International's #IconOfTheSeas at the Meyer Turku...
Posted by Singapore Cruise Society on Wednesday, 10 May 2023

READ MORE

Featured