See Royal Caribbean's Newest Giant Cruise Ship, Utopia of the Seas

Table Of Content

• Cruises
• Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean plans to return to the basics: smaller cruise ships.
• The biggest cruise ship ever built is about to touch water for the first time
• Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member
• Photos: See the New World’s Largest Cruise Ship (Icon of the Seas) Sail for the First Time

"I don't really see Icon of the Seas doing a Norwegian Fjord or Alaska trip." The arrival of the Icon Class is one of the biggest stories in the cruise world in more than a decade — on a scale with the debut of the Oasis Class in 2009. Icon of the Seas boasts 18 passenger decks — two more than Wonder of the Seas. There also are two crew-only decks at the bottom of the ship, giving it a total of 20 decks. The Oasis Class included the previous size leader in the cruise world, Wonder of the Seas. Add in 2,350 crew members, and Icon of the Seas could sail at times with nearly 10,000 people on board — also a new record.

Cruises

Crown's Edge is a fear-inducing adventure course that's about 49 feet tall and 44 feet wide. It combines a ropes course, skywalk, and thrill ride into one jaw-dropping experience. Groups of four can ride together and boomerang off of a lotus leaf while soaking up some incredible ocean views. Mardi Gras will hold up to 6,630 passengers per sailing with every berth filled.

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean plans to return to the basics: smaller cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean to Build Next Mega Cruise Ship in France - The Maritime Executive

Royal Caribbean to Build Next Mega Cruise Ship in France.

Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Princess Cruises has announced that its largest ship ever, the Sun Princess, will make its U.S. debut in October 2024. The ship will allow guests to visit their favorite Caribbean destinations on seven- and 14-day itineraries departing from Florida.

The biggest cruise ship ever built is about to touch water for the first time

While the industry shifted towards building cruise ships that bigger than ever, Carnival Cruise Line resisted the trend to build megaships for many years. Princess Cruises has revealed that its newest cruise ship, Sun Princess, will be homeporting in Port Everglades, Ft. The cruise line’s first LNG-powered cruise ship will be sailing a series of five-day and seven-day Caribbean cruises that will visit the Bahamas, the eastern Caribbean, and the Western Caribbean. Back in January, before COVID-19 halted cruising around the world, two of the biggest big-ship cruise lines -- Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises -- were just starting up sailings with their biggest ships ever. Another major brand, Carnival Cruise Line, was just months away from rolling out its own record-sized vessel. Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, 7 swimming pools and 8 “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas with entertainment and dining.

In 2023, Carnival Cruise Line’s president had announced bookings for their cruises had reached an all-time high. Like most of the cruise industry, demand for cruising has been unprecedented within the last year. Most cruise ships are sailing near full capacity with cruisers paying higher cruise fares than pre-pandemic. Capacity for 2024 is projected to be even higher than 2023 for Carnival Cruise Line. The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas—which will be the largest cruise ship in the world—will debut to passengers for the first time.

Drinking spots will include an English-style pub serving beer made on board as well as a new gin bar concept, a first for MSC Cruises. Like the Oasis Class ships, MSC World Europa will be able to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with all berths filled — 6,762 to be exact. Viking isn't the only major line getting into expedition cruising in 2022.

As with earlier Royal Caribbean ships, it'll even have an indoor ice-skating rink. In all cases, the new ships that are on the way already are available for booking — and, indeed, booking up fast. Every Oasis Class ship that has rolled out has been a little bigger than the last. The float out of Wonder of the Seas is scheduled to take place around 7 a.m. The vessels towered over their communal dock like skyscrapers, casting a dark shadow over their relatively tiny shared pier. Icon of the Seas is just the first of three sister ships Royal Caribbean has on order for delivery by 2026 that will make up its new Icon Class.

Photos: See the New World’s Largest Cruise Ship (Icon of the Seas) Sail for the First Time

The cruise line says it's adding five swimming holes, eight hot tubs, and three water slides to the upcoming vessel. Last month, the vessel sailed the open ocean for the first time, as staffers spent four days testing the main engines, hull, brakes, steering system and other components. Perched at the top of Icon, the Aqua Theater will feature wraparound ocean views and an ... Icon of the Seas is just the first of three sister ships Royal Caribbean has on order for delivery by 2026 that will represent an all-new class of vessels at the line — to be called the Icon class. The line also has one more Oasis-class ship on order for delivery in 2024. Icon of the Seas will have 28 cabin and suite types to suit every type of traveler, including the aforementioned family cabins, inside cabins with extra-large walk-in closets and panoramic ocean-view rooms in the AquaDome.

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If all goes as planned, the record-breaking vessel will begin sailing in the Caribbean in January 2024. Royal Caribbean's first Oasis Class ship, Oasis of the Seas, debuted in 2009. Each of the ships has been a little bigger than the last, and they're all more than 20% bigger than any other cruise vessels afloat. As is typical for expedition ships, it's a tough vessel, with a reinforced bow that lets it bump through ice in polar regions and extra tanks for fuel and food. It also has its own landing craft on board to bring people ashore in remote locations as well as kayaks and even submarines for exploring (the latter being something that is relatively rare on cruise vessels of any type).

Clocking in at 250,380 gross tons and measuring nearly a quarter mile long (1,198 feet to be exact), the vast ship will sport a total of 20 decks, 18 of which will be accessible to guests. The ship will sail weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, and each will visit Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, with its multiple beaches and Thrill Waterpark, home to 13 waterslides. Bookings open Monday for Royal Caribbean's past guests and Tuesday to the public.

But after a few good vacations at sea, these no-longer-new-to-cruising guests might start craving quieter ships or more bespoke itineraries. Icon of the Seas also features the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six decktop waterslides. In addition, it'll have a record seven pools, including what Royal Caribbean is billing as the first suspended infinity pool at sea.

One of the most anticipated on-board amenities will be the largest waterpark at sea. With six “record-breaking” slides including Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide, a 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea, Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea. When completed, the ship will be 20 decks high and 1,198 feet long and measure 250,800 gross tons. To compare, Wonder of the Seas is 1,188 feet long and measures 235,600 tons.

Designed to carry just 264 passengers, it'll be a ship loaded with outdoor equipment for off-ship adventure, including kayaks and bikes. It'll also boast a staggering 24 Zodiac boats for waterborne exploring and landings in remote areas — enough to get every passenger off the ship at the same time (something that isn't always the case with expedition ships). And it'll be home to 26 expedition guides including scientists, historians and naturalists who will lecture regularly on board and lead guided tours on land. Holding just 298 passengers, Evrima will be a small, yacht-like vessel with an elegant, residential look (as you might expect for Ritz-Carlton). Like the earlier Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas will offer multiple main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. Inside the vessel, you'll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine, plus a huge casino, spas and theaters with real Broadway shows.

The line also has one more Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, on order for delivery later this year. Royal Caribbean's massive, 20-deck-high Icon of the Seas arrived in Miami on Wednesday after undergoing regulatory inspections in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Photos: See the New Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Icon of the Seas Sail for the First Time

Table Of Content

• Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line
• Learn About Credit Cards
• Card Type
• The Best New Cruise Ships of 2023
• The biggest cruise ship ever built is about to touch water for the first time
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

These rooms will have an extended living area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bow and out across the ocean. And if all that isn't enough, there will be four Royal Suites with a Sleeping Beauty theme — two of which feature an insane two-story floorplan. If it does (and we're sure hoping so), it'll be a notable event in the cruise world, marking the entry of one of the luxury hotel world's most famous brands into cruising. In some cases, the new ships will be arriving months behind schedule due to pandemic-related construction delays at the shipyards that are building them. Thanks to such delays, the arrival of a few ships that had been scheduled for delivery in 2022 will be pushed to 2023. Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas will touch water for the first time as it's "floated out" from a dry dock at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, where it has been under construction for more than a year.

Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line

What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents. Carnival Cruise Line announced today that the company has finalized an agreement with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build another giant cruise ship. The new ship is scheduled to debut in spring 2027, according to the cruise line.

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'Biggest, baddest ship on the planet': World's largest cruise ship stokes environmental concerns - CNBC

'Biggest, baddest ship on the planet': World's largest cruise ship stokes environmental concerns.

Posted: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

With a length of 1,086 feet, MSC Grandiosa is a stretched version of MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima – the previous size leaders at the line. Like the two earlier ships, its most notable feature is a massive interior promenade lined with bars, eateries and shops covered with a dazzling "digital sky" made with LED screens. In June, the Icon of the Seas successfully completed its initial round of sea trials and sailed the ... For a seven-night trip to the eastern Caribbean, rooms with an exterior view start at $2,061 for a September voyage and go up to $4,119 for a March voyage; rooms with a balcony start at $2,249 in September and increase to $5,245 in March.

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For instance, the pool deck is still obscured, as are several new neighborhoods like the family-friend Surfside that sits in the split of the ship at the back. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer. While Thrill Island is chalked full of brand-new experiences, the cruise line is also bringing back some fan-favorites, including the FlowRider surf simulator and rock wall.

The Best New Cruise Ships of 2023

Among the most notable newcomers will be Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship ever built (and by big, we're talking about a ship that can hold nearly 7,000 passengers). Originally set to debut in 2021, it's now scheduled to begin sailing in March. Earlier this year, guests at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island were the first to revel at the historic sight of the world's largest cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, docked side-by-side. While megaships are standard for the cruising industry today, Carnival Cruise Line only built its first giant cruise ships starting with Mardi Gras in 2021. In fact, the cruise line had years of stagnant ship design and innovation.

But Norwegian Prima still will pack a lot of over-the-top amenities, including a go-kart track that spreads over three decks (a cruise industry first). Like other expedition ships, Viking Octantis also sails with a large and seasoned "expedition team" that includes biologists, botanists, geologists, glaciologists and ornithologists who lecture regularly. Royal Caribbean is set to launch four more megaships by 2028 — representing about a third of its total fleet. Cruising fans are particularly excited about the arrival of Icon of the Seas as it will mark the first time in 15 years that a cruise line has launched a new class of ship that will eclipse all others in size and amenities.

The biggest cruise ship ever built is about to touch water for the first time

The line until now has resisted the trend among major brands to build ever-bigger vessels. MSC Grandiosa also has all the deck-top pizzazz that we've come to expect from MSC Cruises, including a sprawling waterpark with multiple waterslides called the Wild Forest Aquapark, and a stunningly large main pool area. The ship also harbors race car simulators, a flight simulator and exclusive shows created in partnership with Canada's famed Cirque du Soleil. "It means more people can experience something. It means that there's a lot more amenities and activities onboard the cruise ship," McDaniel said. "The more people they can put on a cruise ship, of course, the better business they do, the more money they make." One of 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges along the ships promenade, Coastal Kitchen will be a ...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, arrives at PortMiami - NBC 6 South Florida

Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, arrives at PortMiami.

Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This all changed with the debut of Mardi Gras, which was the flagship vessel of the Excel Class. The brand-new class would be home to Carnival Cruise Line’s most advanced cruise ships in the company’s history. Mardi Gras was built to be around 36% bigger than anything Carnival Cruise Line had built before. This giant new Carnival ship isn't in operation yet, but it will be soon, and it'll be like nothing Carnival fans have ever seen.

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Also noticeable is the ship’s vertical hull, enormous name along the side, and the introduction of “infinite balconies” along the mid-section of the ship. The unique balconies feature a large windowed wall that closes to give more space in the cabin or drop down halfway to create a balcony space for the entire room. Base Camp is the dining venue in Thrill Island that will offer complimentary options, as well as some available for an additional charge. With a 46 foot drop and 360 degree loop, it will be the tallest waterslide at sea that will begin with you inside of a capsule waiting for the trap door to release. According to Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, "It is a thrill at every single turn. No matter what your age, you can have a great time on Thrill Island."

But as the sister ship to what will soon be the world's largest cruise vessel, we could expect the Star to be another mammoth cruise liner. The vessel will undergo another round of sea trials later this year before officially launching in Miami early next year, according to Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas will primarily take cruisers to the islands of the eastern and western Caribbean on seven-night itineraries.

The new ships are coming even as many lines have yet to resume sailings with all the vessels in their existing fleets. While lines have been permanently retiring some older ships in recent months in anticipation of a slow restart to cruising, the leaders of the biggest cruise companies have said they have no plans to cancel orders for new ships. They've said they would rather keep the new ships and eliminate older ships if they need to cut capacity in the short term.

The cruise line also confirmed that the new vessel will also feature cutting-edge innovation, as it will be powered by LNG, or liquified natural gas. Norwegian Encore is big enough to have room for an entire go-kart track and laser tag area on its top deck -- yeah, these are now things on cruise ships. And there's plenty of room to spare for pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone.

Ultimate Guide to Carnival Dream

Table Of Content

• Daily Fun
• Carnival Dream Staterooms
• Read Cabin Reviews
• Deluxe Ocean View (Obstructed View)
• Carnival Dream drydock 2021

In addition to twin beds that convert to king-sized, the cabin has two bunk beds and a sofa bed. What's interesting about these 193 oceanview staterooms is the bathroom configuration.Like the family cabins on the Disney Cruise Line ships, the Carnival Dream family quint cabins have two baths. One is a full bathroom (sink, toilet, shower), and the second bath has a junior tub, shower, and sink. Launched in 2009, the Carnival Dream is a large cruise ship with lots of fun spaces, entertainment, good dining options, and plenty of onboard activities for all ages. The company has certainly exceeded its own expectations with the Carnival Dream. Make yourself at home in spacious and comfortable accommodations — many with ocean views and balconies.

Daily Fun

The ship feature's the line's Dr. Seuss and Build-A-Bear partnerships, as well as a robust kids club divided into three age groups. Kids also get their own menu in the main dining room, with staples like chicken nuggets, mac 'n cheese and spaghetti. Passes are sold for the length of the cruise only, and are priced per person or per couple. A day pass costs $40 per passenger; cruise-length prices depend on the number of days (a seven-night cruise, for example, costs $139).

Carnival Dream Staterooms

Whether you prefer to get in the pool or just sit beside it, you’ll have plenty of options aboard Carnival Dream. The main pool is a pretty packed area, so if you don’t fancy all the action, go to the adults-only pool, for a more relaxing vibe. Once one of the largest ships on the seas, now, Carnival Dream doesn’t quite rank so highly among the world’s biggest cruise ships, but it still offers a lot to love. Here’s everything you need to know about this ship’s history, recent refurbishments and what you can expect during a Carnival Dream cruise. As the namesake and oldest of the three sister ships in Carnival Cruise Line's Dream Class, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream offers a little something for just about every taste. If you prefer wild and crazy dancing late into the night, no problem, but if you'd you rather a relaxing day by the pool sans kids, you can find that, too.

Read Cabin Reviews

The largest cabin on the ship is a wheelchair-accessible Ocean Suite, with more than 400 square feet of inside space and a 110-square-foot balcony. There’s a main pool that can get quite busy, but then also an adults-only pool that’s a little more on the quiet side. However, the ship has received multiple refurbishments since, including in 2012, 2017 and 2021. These refurbishments brought new restaurants and entertainment spaces to the ship.

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Cruise week report: Carnival spring break cruises, MSC Cruise mistakes to avoid, toiletries to pack for, and more!.

Posted: Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Deluxe Ocean View (Obstructed View)

So stay cool and take in the bar’s vacation vibe while you kick back on your cruise – that’s what official bar mascot Blue the Iguana would tell you. Enjoy conversation and your favorite drink with friends at various fun lounges and watering holes, such as the popular RedFrog Rum Bar, where you can try Carnival's very own ThristyFrog Red Beer. Other chic venues include the always popular BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Sam's Piano Bar where you can hear your favorite tunes.

The third (ages 9 to 11) includes a karaoke machine, air hockey and foosball tables, and PlayStation 2 and Wii video game consoles. A reception desk provides parents with a convenient venue to check their kids into and out of the program. There's also a guard who keeps an eye on the entrance when the facility is open.The activities planned for the kids are fun, but also include an educational element related to the ship's Caribbean itineraries. We designed Carnival Dream Balcony staterooms for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, and this stateroom features a balcony that's even wider than our standard balcony. Enjoy the extra outdoor space, along with all the standard Carnival stateroom amenities.

Balcony (8E)

The best way to fill your day on shore is to explore our vacation destination's hot spots. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Click on top left to choose a different ship or use the menu above which is specific for Carnival Dream. If you do, though, prefer hitting up the gym, you can do that, too, at the fitness center that’s outfitted with all the standard gear.

Serving up tasty-lip-smacking pizza 24-hours-a-day, Pizzeria del Capitano uses fresh ingredients to offer a choice of 5 classic pizzas made to order, or you can make your own with your own selection of toppings. (Lido Deck 10 / portside, replacing the "Pizzeria" poolside bar) BlueIguana Cantina is a complimentary poolside Mexican-cuisine eatery. Among the specialties are fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, salsa bar, a huge selection of toppings. Does a Carnival Dream cruise sound exactly like your dream getaway? See which of this ship’s upcoming itineraries will best fit your family’s travel needs and book your cruise today.

Carnival Dream deck plans

In the afternoon, look for yet more trivia and bingo, cooking or towel animal demos, charades, dance classes, pool and sport deck games and more art, retail and spa seminars. A port day will have a little less action, but you'll still find trivia and spa seminars on your daily Fun Times schedule. Early in the cruise, Encore is also the site of the cruise director's Fun Ashore & Fun Aboard port, shopping and ship talk. Encore, a three-deck high theater (Decks 3, 4 and 5, forward), is the ship's main show lounge. It's used for a variety of nightly entertainment, including song-and-dance revues, variety acts and audience-participation "game shows" like the gender showdown, game show mania and the popular love and marriage show. Carnival Dream's Porthole staterooms give you the classic seafarer's view times two - a pair of round windows providing an affordable view of the ocean.

The Fincantieri Monfalcone-built Carnival Dream was one of the biggest stars in the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked" (2011). Dream is Carnival's first vessel of the DREAM-class, and at the time the biggest-ever built in Italy (until 2016 when was launched Carnival Vista). Sisterships from this series are Breeze and Magic, and also Costa Diadema. If tequila’s more your thing, grab a seat at BlueIguana Tequila Bar where margaritas, Micheladas and more evoke the vibe of Mexico. Or, have the master mixologists at Alchemy Bar create a custom cocktail just for you. It also offers Carnival’s custom brew, ThirstyFrog Red™, as do all the bars on Carnival Dream.

Luckily there’s no shortage of delicious dining options on board. When you’re cruising from Galveston to the Caribbean on Carnival Dream, you’ll have plenty of time for outdoor fun in the sun. Options range from non-stop action at the WaterWorks onboard water park to the ultimate in relaxation at the Serenity Adult Only Retreat. Guests have told us we hit on something special with the cool Caribbean chill of the RedFrog Pub. We've taken the best parts and brought them poolside with the RedFrog Rum Bar, where the frog keeps the fun hopping day and night with all the island flava you know and love.

Join the party at this poolside bar featuring a great selection of frog-approved Caribbean rum-based concoctions available by the glass or pitcher, plus plenty of Carnival’s signature private-label draft beer, ThirstyFrog Red. Your picture window gives you a view beyond your stateroom, to the observation deck outside, including a great sky view. Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control. Family-friendly throughout, Carnival Dream offers Camp Ocean, where kids ages 2 to 11 are kept busy with lots of fun ocean-themed activities and entertainment designed just for them according to age. "Seuss at Sea" and the character parade will give ear to ear smiles.

The highlight is the huge Twister Waterslide, which isn’t for the faint of heart. You'll find two near the Sunset Pool, two in the adults-only Serenity area, four on the outdoor Lanai Deck (Deck 5, two portside, two starboard side) and two on Deck 11, midship. Other popular spots at night are the atrium, Ocean Plaza, (entertainment hub on Deck 5 for live music), Sam's Piano Bar for sessions of sing-along piano tunes, and The Song karaoke lounge.

Before that, the ship received other refurbishments in 2017, with the addition of Carnival-favorite dining options like Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. A similar refurbishment took place in 2012, adding in other restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces. Arrive early for the best stage views, and avoid settling yourself near the theater's poorly placed floor-to-ceiling poles, as they can impede your sightlines. Carnival Dream's two-deck Cloud 9 Spa (Decks 12 and 14) is 23,750 square feet of space dedicated to pampering, relaxation and fitness. At the spa, you'll find the usual array of treatments from massages (Swedish, bamboo, Thai poultice, hot stone) and facials (tri-enzyme, hydralift, microdermabrasion) to wraps, scrubs and ionithermie detox sessions. Other treatments include acupuncture, teeth whitening and medi-spa wrinkle treatments.