Icon of the Seas vs. Utopia of the Seas

Before we jump in too deep, if you plan on taking a cruise, reach out to us for additional OBC and access to group rates. We make money through a commission paid by the cruise line, and you get something you can't get on your own, so consider it a win-win. Our services are 100% free; complete the form at the bottom of the page to get started, and someone will reach out in minutes.

Top-level Comparison of the Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas

The ships may seem similar at first glance, but there are some key differences to be aware of, especially if trying to choose between the two. At a high level, the Utopia of the Seas is meant for shorter cruises, whereas the Icon of the Seas is set for week-long cruises. The Icon of the Seas has a much larger passenger capacity with 7,514 passengers vs. the Utopia of the Sea's 5,666. The Icon is longer by 10ft (not much), but in terms of gross tonnage, the Icon of the Seas is significantly larger, with 13,940 more in tonnage than the Utopia of the Seas. While both ships have kids' programs, adults-only areas, and casinos onboard, it's important to understand how these different spaces are represented on each ship. For example, the Utopia of the Seas does not have the suspended adults-only infinity pool (the Hideaway), which brings us to the neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods on the Icon of the Seas

The Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's first Icon-class ship, features eight official neighborhoods, each offering unique experiences for different types of travelers:

AquaDome – A futuristic, glass-enclosed space at the top of the ship, featuring the AquaTheater, restaurants, bars, and stunning ocean views.

Thrill Island – The ultimate adventure zone, home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, the Crown's Edge ropes course, FlowRider, and mini-golf.

Chill Island – A multi-tiered pool area with four distinct pools, including The Cove Pool, Swim & Tonic (the first swim-up bar at sea), and an adults-only area.

Surfside – A neighborhood designed for young families, featuring a dedicated kids' water play area, the carousel, and family-friendly dining.

The Hideaway – An adults-only retreat with a suspended infinity pool, lounge areas, and a relaxed beach club vibe.

Royal Promenade – The main hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, now featuring floor-to-ceiling ocean views for the first time on an RCI ship.

Central Park – A lush, open-air garden filled with real plants, live music, and high-end dining options.

Suite Neighborhood – A private luxury enclave for suite guests, offering exclusive restaurants, a sun deck, and VIP perks.

Neighborhoods on the Utopia of the Seas

The Utopia of the Seas features the standard seven neighborhoods found on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, plus an eight neighborhood, similar to the Icon of the Seas, the Suite Neighborhood.

Central Park: An open-air garden featuring lush greenery, upscale dining, and boutique shopping.

Boardwalk: Inspired by seaside piers, this area offers family-friendly activities, casual eateries, and the AquaTheater.

Royal Promenade: The main thoroughfare of the ship, lined with shops, bars, and entertainment venues.

Entertainment Place: A dedicated zone for nightlife and performances, including theaters, comedy clubs, and casinos.

Pool and Sports Zone: A hub for outdoor activities, featuring multiple pools, sports courts, and attractions like the FlowRider® surf simulator.

Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center: A wellness area offering a full-service spa, fitness facilities, and health-focused dining options.

Youth Zone: A space designed for younger guests, with age-appropriate activities and programs.

Suite Neighborhood: An exclusive area for suite guests, providing private dining, a sun deck, and luxury amenities.

Dining on the Icon of the Seas and the Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas share several dining venues, offering guests familiar culinary experiences across both ships. Here are the restaurants available on both vessels:

Main Dining Room: A multi-level venue offering a variety of themed menus that change nightly, providing a traditional cruise dining experience.

Windjammer Marketplace: A casual buffet-style restaurant serving a wide range of international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sorrento's: A pizzeria located on the Royal Promenade, known for its classic and specialty pizza options, available into the late hours.

Park Café: Situated in the Central Park neighborhood, this café offers quick-service breakfast and lunch items, including the popular Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich.

El Loco Fresh: A grab-and-go spot serving Mexican fare such as burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and tacos, accompanied by a salsa station for customization.

Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean's signature specialty steakhouse, featuring premium cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and decadent desserts in an upscale setting.

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar: A relaxed yet upscale Italian restaurant serving hand-tossed pizzas, house-made pasta, and classic Italian dishes, complemented by an extensive selection of fine wines and specialty cocktails.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi: An Asian-inspired specialty restaurant offering a combination of hibachi-style dining and sushi options.

Izumi in the Park: A to-go sushi window located in Central Park, offering freshly made sushi rolls and Japanese sweets for a quick and convenient dining option.

Hooked Seafood: A specialty restaurant focusing on New England-style seafood dishes, such as Maine lobster rolls, drunken mussels, and Maryland crab cakes.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade: A sports bar featuring classic bar bites, numerous large-screen TVs for sports viewing, and an arcade area for entertainment.

Sprinkles: A poolside ice cream station offering soft-serve selections throughout the day.

Here are the restaurants available on Icon of the Seas but not on Utopia of the Seas:

Empire Supper Club: An upscale dining venue offering an eight-course menu paired with live jazz music, reminiscent of old New York City glamour. 

Celebration Table: A private dining experience designed for special occasions, featuring a customizable menu in an intimate setting. 

Pier 7: Located in the Surfside neighborhood, this venue offers all-day brunch with a California-inspired menu, including dishes like surf-and-turf tacos and smoked salmon benedict. 

AquaDome Market: Royal Caribbean's first food hall, featuring five different stalls offering a variety of cuisines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Basecamp: Situated near Thrill Island, this spot serves drinks and treats like pretzel bites with cheese and crispy shrimp bao buns, catering to guests seeking quick bites between adventures. 

Desserted: A milkshake bar offering over-the-top shakes, including boozy options for adults, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings. 

The Pearl Café: Open 24 hours, this café provides quick bites like freshly toasted sandwiches and ready-made salads, conveniently located in the Royal Promenade. 

Surfside Eatery: A buffet dedicated to families, offering options for all ages at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, located in the Surfside neighborhood. 

Surfside Bites: A walk-up window in Surfside serving quick snacks like burgers, popcorn chicken, and cinnamon-sugar donut holes. 

The Grove: An al fresco Mediterranean dining option located on the suite sun deck in the Suite Neighborhood, exclusive to suite guests.  

And finally, these are the restaurants available on Utopia of the Seas but not on Icon of the Seas:

Royal Railway – Utopia Station: An immersive dining experience designed to resemble a vintage train car, offering a unique culinary journey. 

The Mason Jar: A specialty restaurant focusing on Southern cuisine, serving dishes like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and other comfort food classics. 

150 Central Park: An upscale dining venue located in the Central Park neighborhood, offering a farm-to-table menu with fresh, seasonal ingredients. 

Chef's Table: An intimate, exclusive dining experience where guests enjoy a multi-course gourmet meal paired with fine wines, guided by the ship's chef. 

Sugar Beach: A sweet shop offering a variety of candies, ice creams, and other confections, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. 

Johnny Rockets: A 1950s-style diner serving classic American fare like burgers, fries, and milkshakes. While Johnny Rockets is available on other Royal Caribbean ships, its presence on Utopia of the Seas is notable. 

Differences in Suite Offerings

Both ships offer excellent suites, including the Ultimate Family Suite; however, there are some unique offerings between the ships.

Suites on the Icon of the Seas, but not the Utopia of the Seas:

Ultimate Family Townhouse: A three-level suite designed for families, featuring an in-suite slide, a private cinema room, a wrap-around balcony with a whirlpool, and direct access to the Surfside neighborhood. 

Suite Neighborhood: An exclusive area for suite guests, offering a private two-story sun deck, a dedicated restaurant called The Grove, and a suite lounge. 

Suites on the Utopia of the Seas, but not the Icon of the Seas:

Solarium Suite: Exclusive to Utopia, this suite provides 280-degree views from the front of the ship, with a spacious living and dining area that allows guests to enjoy panoramic ocean vistas. 

Suite Neighborhood: Similar to Icon, Utopia offers a dedicated suite area with private amenities, including access to the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen restaurant. 

Key Differences

Icon of the Seas features the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-level suite with family-centric amenities like an in-suite slide and private cinema.  Icon's suite guests have access to The Grove, a private restaurant within the Suite Neighborhood, while Utopia's suite guests enjoy the Coastal Kitchen and Suite Lounge.  

Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas FAQs

What class is Utopia of the Seas?

Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. As the sixth and final ship in the Oasis class, Utopia brings enhanced entertainment, dining, and thrill experiences, including the longest Ultimate Abyss dry slide at sea and a vibrant pool deck with resort-style pools and lively bars. Designed for short getaways, Utopia of the Seas is optimized for weekend cruises to the Bahamas with stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

What is unique about Utopia of the Seas?

Utopia of the Seas sets itself apart with:

• The Longest Ultimate Abyss Slide – At 259 feet, it’s the longest dry slide at sea.

• Royal Railway – Utopia Station – A train-themed dining experience, exclusive to Utopia.

• Five Pools & Three Lime & Coconut Bars – Including a new infinity pool at the ship’s aft.

• Themed Beach Bash at Perfect Day at CocoCay – A Bahamas-focused itinerary with an exclusive onboard beach party experience.

• The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant – A country-themed bar and restaurant featuring live music, moonshine cocktails, and comfort food.

Utopia of the Seas is built for fun and relaxation, making it a perfect weekend getaway ship.

Is Utopia of the Seas the same as Icon of the Seas?

No, Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are completely different ships.

• Utopia of the Seas is the final Oasis-class ship, focusing on short, fun-packed Bahamas getaways.

• Icon of the Seas is the first of the new Icon-class, offering longer sailings with an all-new ship design featuring eight neighborhoods, the largest waterpark at sea, and a revolutionary AquaDome.

Both ships offer incredible experiences, but Icon is a next-gen mega-ship, while Utopia refines and enhances the beloved Oasis-class experience.

Is Icon of the Seas the biggest cruise ship?

Yes, Icon of the Seas is officially the largest cruise ship in the world, surpassing all previous records.

Gross Tonnage: 250,800 GT

• Length: 1,198 feet

• Capacity: Over 7,600 guests at full occupancy

• Sailings: Year-round from Miami, Florida

Utopia of the Seas, while slightly smaller, is still a mega-ship and holds the record as the largest Oasis-class ship.

What makes Icon of the Seas different?

Icon of the Seas introduces:

• Category 6 Waterpark – The biggest waterpark at sea, featuring six massive slides.

• AquaDome – A glass-covered entertainment space with high-dive shows, panoramic ocean views, and dining.

• The Hideaway – The first suspended infinity pool at sea, with a beach-club vibe.

• Thrill Island & Crown’s Edge – Home to record-breaking waterslides and the Crown’s Edge, a skywalk that ends in a drop over the ocean.

• Surfside Family Neighborhood – A dedicated family area with kid-friendly pools, restaurants, and activities.

Icon of the Seas is designed to combine the best of a luxury resort, waterpark, and private island—all in one ship.

Is Icon of the Seas the largest waterpark at sea?

Yes! Category 6 Waterpark on Icon of the Seas is officially the biggest waterpark at sea, featuring:

• Six Record-Breaking Slides

• Pressure Drop – The first open free-fall slide at sea.

• Frightening Bolt – The tallest drop slide at sea.

• Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter – Family raft slides for up to four riders.

• Storm Chasers – The first dueling mat-racing slides at sea.

In addition to the slides, Icon of the Seas has seven pools, including the largest swim-up bar at sea, Swim & Tonic.

Does Icon of the Seas have an adults-only area?

Yes! Cloud 17 is the adults-only area on Icon of the Seas, featuring:

• A private infinity pool away from the family areas.

• The Lime & Coconut Bar with frozen cocktails and ocean views.

• Exclusive lounge spaces for relaxation.

For a more party-oriented adults-only space, The Hideaway features a floating infinity pool with a DJ and beach-club vibes.

What is the most expensive room on the Icon of the Seas?

The most expensive suite on Icon of the Seas is the Ultimate Family Townhouse, priced at around $100,000 per week during peak sailings.

It includes:

• Three levels of living space.

• A private slide connecting floors.

• A wraparound balcony with direct access to Surfside.

• A cinema room, karaoke stage, and games for the family.

This one-of-a-kind suite is the ultimate VIP experience for families.

How old is Utopia of the Seas?

Utopia of the Seas launched in July 2024, making it Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis-class ship. It is designed primarily for short weekend sailings to the Bahamas.

Does Utopia of the Seas have a laser tag?

No, Utopia of the Seas does not feature a laser tag arena.

However, it does offer Studio B, which hosts:

• Ice-skating shows and other entertainment.

• Adventure Ocean and teen activities.

• A variety of interactive game and puzzle experiences.

For laser tag, ships like Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas include dedicated arenas.