Currently under construction in Finland, the Icon of the Seas is set to become the world’s largest cruise ship.
Introducing a new class to Royal Caribbean International’s fleet, the vessel is poised to kick off a year-round program in the Caribbean when it debuts in early 2024.
Cruise Industry News took a closer look at the itineraries of the ship’s maiden season.
Eastern Caribbean with St. Kitts
Date: Year-Round departures starting in January 2024
Length: Seven nights
Homeport: Miami (United States)
Complete Itinerary: Basseterre (St. Kitts); St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands); and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas)
After arriving in North America in late January, the Icon of the Seas is starting its inaugural season with a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.
The itinerary, which is set to be repeated through the end of 2024, includes visits to St. Kitts and St. Thomas. Before returning to its PortMiami homeport, the 250,800-ton cruise ship is also scheduled to dock at Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Eastern Caribbean with St. Maarten
Dates: Year-Round departures starting in February 2024
Length: Seven nights
Homeport: Miami (United States)
Complete Itinerary: Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas); St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands); and Philipsburg (St. Maarten)
A second week-long cruise to the Eastern Caribbean will also be offered by the ship during its inaugural season. Following a similar route, the Icon of the Seas sails to Perfect Dat at CocoCay and St. Thomas before visiting St. Maarten instead of St. Kitts.
Sailing from Royal Caribbean’s homeport in Miami, the seven-night cruise also features three full days at sea.
Western Caribbean with Honduras
Dates: Year-Round departures starting in March 2024
Length: Seven nights
Homeport: Miami (United States)
Complete Itinerary: Roatán (Honduras); Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas); Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico)
Starting in March, the Icon of the Seas is set to offer seven-night cruises to Mexico, Honduras and the Bahamas.
Sailing from PortMiami, the itinerary features visits to three different destinations in the Western Caribbean: Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatán.
Set to be repeated through the end of 2024, the route also sails to Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and includes two full days at sea.
Mexico and Bahamas
Dates: Feb. 3 and Feb. 17, 2024
Length: Seven nights
Homeport: Miami (United States)
Complete Itinerary: Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas); Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico)
In addition to its regular Western Caribbean schedule, the Icon of the Seas is set to offer a different itinerary to the region in February.
With two departure dates, the seven-night journey includes one extra day at sea, as well as stops at Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel ports. Before returning to Miami, the vessel also pays a visit to Perfect Cay at CocoCay – where it remains docked for ten hours.
