In 2024, Royal Caribbean launched two huge ships which have garnered plenty of media buzz — and as they need to. Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are a few of the largest ships on the planet, with a few of the most spectacular and ground-breaking options within the cruise business.
So, how do you decide which one to sail on on your upcoming cruise? Right here’s every thing you want to know when deciding between Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
Building
Whereas each ships debuted in 2024, Icon of the Seas welcomed company first, setting sail on its inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024.
Icon of the Seas was initially ordered in 2016, as the primary ship of the Icon class, and development started in 2021. Constructed at Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland, Icon of the Seas gained standing as one of the crucial costly ships to be constructed, ever. Simply how costly was it? Royal Caribbean paid about $2 billion!
Utopia of the Seas, in the meantime, was introduced in 2019, and development started at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, in 2022.
Initially, Royal Caribbean meant to debut the ship in late 2023. Nonetheless, the ship was not delivered till 2024, leading to its maiden voyage going down on July 19, 2024. This ship price fairly a bit much less to construct, at round $1.35 billion.
Each ships could be powered by way of LNG (liquified pure fuel), and Icon of the Seas was the primary Royal Caribbean ship to function this functionality. Utopia of the Seas is at present the one Oasis-class ship to function this functionality.
Ship Sizes and Capability
So how do Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas measure up, by way of dimension? Right here’s how the 2 examine.
As you possibly can see, Icon of the Seas is sort of a bit bigger than Utopia of the Seas (about 6% bigger), with two extra passenger decks.
Nonetheless, should you’re taking a look at passenger capability at double occupancy, you’ll discover that, regardless of its smaller dimension, Utopia of the Seas can really maintain extra cruisers. It’s because the vessel has extra total staterooms and suites than Icon of the Seas.
Ship Courses
Icon of the Seas kicked off Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class. The category consists of the biggest cruise ships ever constructed, and Icon of the Seas has been no disappointment so far as dimension is worried.
Three whole Icon-class ships are deliberate, with Star of the Seas scheduled to launch in 2025 and an unnamed ship scheduled to launch in 2026. Metal slicing started for Star of the Seas in February 2023, whereas metal slicing started for the unnamed ship in January 2024.
In distinction, Utopia of the Seas is a part of a long-standing class within the Royal Caribbean household: the Oasis class. Utopia of the Seas is the sixth Oasis-class vessel, and a last, seventh Oasis-class vessel is anticipated to debut in 2028.
The Oasis class initially launched in 2009, with the namesake Oasis of the Seas. Different ships within the class embody Attract of the Seas, Concord of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Surprise of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas stands out from the pack as the biggest Oasis-class ship so far.
Up till Icon of the Seas debuted, the Oasis class featured the biggest cruise ships within the business and introduced quite a few adjustments to the business, together with the neighborhood idea that’s develop into anticipated on Royal Caribbean ships total.
Neighborhoods
Talking of neighborhoods, which of those themed areas of the ship are you able to anticipate aboard Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas options eight neighborhoods, together with:
AquaDome
Central Park
Chill Island
Royal Promenade
Surfside
Suite Neighborhood
Thrill Island
The Hideaway
Utopia of the Seas additionally options eight neighborhoods, however they differ barely. They embody:
Royal Promenade
Central Park
Boardwalk
Leisure Zone
Pool & Sports activities Zone
Youth Zone
Vitality Spa & Health
Suite Neighborhood
The 2 share Royal Caribbean’s basic Central Park and Royal Promenade neighborhoods. In the event you’ve by no means sailed with Royal Caribbean earlier than, the previous is actually a park-like ambiance, with plant partitions and entry to plenty of leisure and eating venues.
The Royal Promenade can be a middle spot for plenty of motion, with venues, eating places, and retail areas alongside a central walkway. Likewise, each ships have a Suite Neighborhood. Nonetheless, issues differ from right here.
Utopia of the Seas’ different neighborhoods are fairly in step with what you possibly can anticipate to see on different Oasis-class ships and all neighborhoods are named in such a approach that they’re fairly self-explanatory.
Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas vs Surprise of the Seas: A Big Comparability
For instance, the boardwalk affords a family-friendly boardwalk-like ambiance. The pool and sports activities zone homes the pool and sports activities zones. The youth zone is the place you’ll discover children golf equipment. The leisure zone is dwelling to theaters, and the Vitality Spa space is the place you’ll discover wellness facilities, together with the spa.
Icon of the Seas’ 5 distinct neighborhoods, in distinction, are just a little extra uniquely named and just a little extra attention-grabbing. AquaDome is dwelling to the AquaTheater and nightlife.
Chill Island affords 4 swimming pools and a handful of bars. Thrill Island affords waterslides and Surfside likewise has a kiddy pool, in addition to different kid-focused facilities, like the youngsters’ golf equipment. The Hideaway is a quiet spot with its personal pool and a bar.
Central Park on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
Whereas each ships are dwelling to Central Park neighborhoods, there are slight variations whenever you take a look at these areas on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas — and the Central Park neighborhood on Icon of the Seas has been hailed as total higher as compared.
On Utopia of the Seas, the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 can be dwelling to retail outlets, Izumi, Izumi within the Park, Park Café, the Trellis Bar, Rising Tide Bar, 150 Central Park and Chops Grille.
At every finish of the neighborhood, there are elevator banks, and suites and staterooms alongside the perimeter of the ship, surrounding the neighborhood.
On Icon of the Seas, the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 likewise options Chops Grille, Izumi, Izumi within the Par, the Trellis Bar, Park Café and retail house, however it additionally consists of Lou’s Jazz ‘N Blues and The Pearl, a novel artwork function. One finish of this deck, past Central Park, additionally homes the Empire Supper Membership.
The Royal Promenade
Equally, there are slight variations between the Royal Promenade on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
On the previous, the Royal Promenade is on Deck 5, and also you’ll discover plenty of retail right here, in addition to Boleros, Sorrentos, Café Promenade, Starbucks, just a few bars, and visitor providers.
On the latter, the Royal Promenade stretches throughout Deck 5 and 6 and consists of the entire above, plus Level & Feather, the Crown & Anchor Society, 1400 Foyer Bar, Pearl Café and Schooner Bar. You too can see The Pearl artwork set up all through the Promenade (sure, it’s actually that huge!).
Do observe that, on each of those ships, on the ends of the Royal Promenade, you’ll discover additional venues, such because the ships’ theaters and fundamental eating rooms (despite the fact that these aren’t technically straight on the promenade itself.
Staterooms and Suites
You’ll don’t have any scarcity of stateroom and suite choices whilst you’re aboard both of those ships. Nonetheless, there are just a few variations in what they provide. Because the lead ship in a brand new class, Icon of the Seas launched just a few new stateroom choices.
Icon of the Seas
Inside Plus staterooms
Panoramic Ocean View staterooms
Household Infinity Balcony staterooms
Surfside Household View inside cabins
Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins
Infinite Central Park View balcony cabins
An Inside Plus stateroom is mainly a greater, extra luxurious inside stateroom. Panoramic Ocean View staterooms supply panoramic ocean views, after all, however solely inside the AquaDome neighborhood.
Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins are the primary of their form for the cruise line. A glass wall separates the cabin’s balcony from the remainder of the cabin, however then that cup wall could be moved out of the best way fully.
Household Infinity balcony rooms are the household model of this, however you get extra space and, should you’re within the Surfside neighborhood, you’ll be proper in the entire family-friendly motion, near kid-favorite facilities.
Past the brand new choices aboard Icon of the Seas, different staterooms on this ship embody:
Commonplace inside cabins
Spacious inside cabins
Central Park View inside cabins
Ocean view cabins
Ocean view balcony cabins
Ocean view massive balcony cabins
Central Park balcony cabins
Then, although, there are additionally the suites. Suite choices aboard Icon of the Seas embody:
The Final Household Townhouse
Surfside Household suites
Junior suites
Sundown Junior suites
Sky Junior suites
Sundown suites
Panoramic suites
Infinite Grand suites
Proprietor’s suites
Grand suites
The Royal Loft
Icon Loft Suites
A few of these are brand-new additions to the Royal Caribbean lineup.
For instance, the Surfside Household suites are positioned within the Surfside neighborhood and are outfitted with every thing a touring household may wish. The Final Household Townhouse can be new, and a brand new tackle Royal Caribbean’s present Final Household suite.
Icon Loft suites are two-floor suites with plenty of luxurious, and Infinite Grand suites function the aforementioned infinite balcony. Panoramic suites are likewise new, and solely accessible within the AquaDome.
Utopia of the Seas
When evaluating staterooms and suites on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas, you’ll discover there’s numerous overlap. Nonetheless, do keep in mind that, despite the fact that Utopia of the Seas is smaller than Icon of the Seas, it does have extra staterooms.
Listed below are the choices for staterooms on Utopia of the Seas:
Studio single cabins
Digital balcony inside cabins
Spacious inside household cabins
Promenade view inside cabins
Boardwalk and Central Park-view inside cabins
Boardwalk and Central Park balcony cabins
Oceanview cabins
Household oceanview cabins
Spacious balcony cabins
Extremely-spacious household balcony cabins
And listed here are the choices for suites on Utopia of the Seas:
Junior suites
Grand suites
AquaTheater suites
House owners suites
Crown loft suites
Royal loft suites
Solarium suites
The Final Household suite
As you possibly can see, Utopia of the Seas actually affords plenty of those self same Oasis-class stateroom and suite choices you could find on all of its sister ships.
So, should you actually desire a stateroom or suite that provides one thing contemporary, new and thrilling, take into account reserving Icon of the Seas on your cruise, and ebook one among its brand-new choices, just like the Inside Plus staterooms or one of many a number of new family-focused staterooms or suites.
Eating Venues
There are some cruise ship eating venues which might be simply classics, and that you just’ll discover on each single Royal Caribbean ship. Nonetheless, many have unique-to-them eating places, particularly should you’re evaluating two ships from totally different courses, as is the case when taking a look at Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
Listed below are the eating places you possibly can look forward to finding on every ship.
As you possibly can see, you positively received’t be left wanting for choices on both ship. Nonetheless, as you try these Royal Caribbean classics like Windjammer Café and Sorrento’s, don’t neglect to additionally remember to strive the most recent choices on both ship.
The Spare Tire is a brand-new choice on Utopia of the Seas, providing fast bites by way of a meals truck by the pool. One other newcomer simply on this ship is Royal Railway: Utopia Station. This specialty eating choice brings luxurious rail journey to the cruise business, as diners take their seats in a prepare eating automotive and watch a digital panorama roll previous the home windows.
Learn Additionally: Icon of the Seas Eating places – Eating Venue Information
Considered one of Icon of the Seas’ standout new eating places is the Empire Supper Membership, for a high-end eating expertise in an Artwork Deco-style setting. Icon of the Seas additionally boasts a secondary buffet, Surfside Eatery.
Bars and Lounges
You’ll likewise don’t have any scarcity of locations to seize a drink on both of those ships. Right here’s how the choices break down.
Icon of the Seas’ standout new bar is Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues, a lounge the place you possibly can take pleasure in stay jazz alongside along with your libations. The Pesky Parrot, in the meantime, is the standout new watering gap on Utopia of the Seas, and is a tiki bar with fashionable aptitude.
Swimming pools and WaterSlides
In the event you’re all in regards to the water enjoyable throughout a cruise, you could wish to set your sights on Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas has six waterslides, whereas Utopia of the Seas solely has three (plus 5 swimming pools).
The truth is, Icon of the Seas can declare the biggest waterpark at sea, with not simply these six waterslides, but additionally seven swimming pools and 9 sizzling tubs. Plus, for the adults, there’s the world’s longest swim-up bar at sea, within the adults-only space.
The waterslides are record-breakers, too, and embody Stress Drop, the primary open free-fall slide at sea; Scary Bolt, the tallest drop waterslide at sea; Storm Chasers, the primary mat-racing slide at sea; and Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter, the primary family-friendly raft experience at sea. Nonetheless, regardless of having all these distinctive waterslides, there’s something lacking on Icon of the Seas.
Leisure and Actions
Past swimming pools and waterslides, each Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas supply wonderful leisure and exercise choices for each type of cruiser. On each ships, you’ll discover:
Casinos
Carousels
Miniature golf programs
Sports activities courts
Rock-climbing partitions
Comedy golf equipment
Escape rooms
Laser tag
Ice skating
Icon of the Seas additionally has a ropes course. In the meantime, Utopia of the Seas affords a zipper line. Additionally discovered on Utopia of the Seas is the favored Final Abyss dry slide function, positioned on the ship aft and 10 tales excessive. This function is well-known throughout the Oasis-class, however it isn’t featured on Icon of the Seas.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Which is Greatest?
When evaluating two enormous, stellar ships like this, you will have quite a bit to think about. As you examine and distinction staterooms and suites, eating places and waterslides, although, don’t neglect to additionally take into account these ships’ itineraries.
Whereas each ships sail from Florida, Icon of the Seas is crusing its inaugural season out of Miami, whereas Utopia of the Seas’ inaugural season sails from Orlando. Royal Caribbean has branded Utopia of the Seas as a weekend getaway ship, with shorter sailings, whereas Icon of the Seas is providing longer sailings all throughout the Caribbean, from the Japanese Caribbean and on over to Mexico.
Icon of the Seas has additionally positively been designed as a family-friendly ship, and it reveals. Households will love the family-centric Surfside neighborhood, in addition to the wealth of family-friendly enjoyable, plus so many family-friendly stateroom and suite choices. In distinction, Utopia of the Seas places much less of a give attention to households and provides you extra of a basic, Oasis-class expertise.
Price Studying: Royal Caribbean Facilities You Ought to Pre-E book
The entire above thought of, which ship is greatest for you’ll rely upon what sort of traveler you might be, who you’re touring with and the way lengthy you wish to journey.
In the event you solely have just a few days to get away, Utopia of the Seas is a no brainer. In the event you’re touring with kiddos and need them to have a stellar time, Icon of the Seas is a straightforward selection. In the event you’re touring as a pair and need fewer household crowds and a basic Royal Caribbean expertise, Utopia of the Seas delivers.
On the finish of the day, although, neither ship is a poor selection. Each are huge, outfitted with all the most recent and best facilities and able to give you a memorable trip.
