Dock Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas side-by-side, and you’re likely to notice a couple things. The first is that as the largest and second-largest cruise ships in the world, respectively, they’re both massive. The second is that, despite their similar size, they look a bit different.
If you’re unfamiliar with the details of the vessels, it can be overwhelming to figure out which of these two behemoths is the better fit for your next sailing.
From onboard vibe and cabin options to entertainment, here are some of the key similarities and differences in a showdown of Utopia vs. Icon of the Seas.
Size
Even though Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are currently the world’s two biggest cruise ships, there’s still a size difference between the two.
At 250,800 gross registered tons, 20-deck Icon of the Seas carries 5,610 people on a double-occupancy basis (when there are two people booked in each cabin) and about 7,600 passengers when every berth is filled. That’s in addition to 2,350 crew members.
While still incredibly large, the slightly smaller 18-deck, 236,473-ton Utopia of the Seas can accommodate 5,668 travelers at double occupancy and roughly 6,988 guests when it’s full. Nearly 2,300 crew members work on board.
Although Icon of the Seas has two more decks than Utopia, it carries fewer people than Utopia does at double occupancy but more when it’s full. That’s because Royal Caribbean specifically designed Icon of the Seas for families, assuming that parents would share cabins with their children.
In the line’s 2024 second-quarter earnings call, Royal Caribbean executives said the ship has been operating with a 132% load factor, meaning it routinely sails with more than two people — sometimes three, four or even five — per cabin.
Layout
To understand the layout of Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon, you’ll first need to know about Royal Caribbean’s neighborhood concept. Each distinct area of the ship groups popular themed offerings together in a layout that helps to control passenger flow.
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The original vessels in the Oasis Class, to which Utopia of the Seas belongs, had seven neighborhoods, which have carried through to Utopia.
The seven neighborhoods are:
- Central Park: An outdoor promenade with shops, bars and restaurants that’s also home to more than 10,000 live plants — with a resident gardener — and inward-facing balcony cabins that overlook the space
- The Boardwalk: A boardwalk-style open-air space with a hot dog stand, a candy and ice cream shop, arcade games, a carousel, inward-facing balcony cabins and the innovative wake-facing AquaTheater, which features high-diving shows
- The Royal Promenade: An indoor social hub with a mall-like vibe where passengers will find a pub, a karaoke lounge, two cafes (including a Starbucks), retail outlets and guest services. Inward-facing cabins with windows overlook this neighborhood, and occasional parades and parties take place here.
- Pool and Sports Zone: The place for active outdoor pursuits and watery fun, incorporating surf simulators, rock climbing walls, miniature golf, a sports court, a zip line, bars, the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss dry slide (which drops 10 decks to The Boardwalk), teen clubs, an arcade, grab-and-go casual dining, four pools and several hot tubs, as well as kids water play areas and waterslides
- Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center: The place for all things related to health, wellness, fitness and pampering, featuring free-to-use exercise equipment, for-fee fitness classes and personal training, a sizable jogging track, Ping-Pong tables, and spa and salon services like massages, manicures, pedicures and hairstyling
- Entertainment Place: A tucked-away cluster of indoor entertainment venues like casinos, a comedy club, a nightclub, the ship’s main theater, an art gallery, and Studio B — a multipurpose space that houses ice skating, laser tag and theme parties
- Youth Zone: The location for Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean’s kids club, which encompasses activity and learning rooms and separate spaces for babies and toddlers, kids and tweens; also where passengers will find the escape room (on ships that have one)
As Royal Caribbean has evolved its ships over time, new neighborhoods have been added. In addition to the ones above, Utopia of the Seas has an eighth zone — the Suite Neighborhood. It affords access to a private sun deck with hot tubs, a dedicated lounge, a sit-down restaurant and 24-hour concierge service for passengers booked in the vessel’s most expensive accommodations.
With the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, of which Icon of the Seas is a part, a few of the key areas have been removed, relocated and reimagined, making Icon feel a bit more segmented than Utopia of the Seas.
Like Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas has eight neighborhoods, but only three of them — Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood — are the same as the ones you’ll find on Utopia.
Note: Although Icon of the Seas doesn’t have the Youth Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center and Entertainment Place neighborhoods, the ship still offers the Adventure Ocean kids club, onboard spa and fitness facilities and a cluster of similar entertainment venues.
Brand-new neighborhoods on Icon include:
- Surfside: A dedicated space for families with young children, offering family-friendly eateries and a bar with mocktails, a candy shop, an arcade, a carousel, a playground, kids splash areas and a wake-facing infinity pool; replaces The Boardwalk
- AquaDome: A giant dome-like glass and steel structure with 220-degree ocean views that houses a now-indoor AquaTheater for high-diving and acrobatic shows and the AquaDome Market, Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, as well as bars and a Royal Caribbean gift shop
- Chill Island: Replaces the “pool” portion of the Pool and Sports Zone found on Oasis Class vessels; offers four pools — including one with a swim-up bar — sun loungers, hot tubs and cabanas for rent
- Thrill Island: Replaces the “sports” portion of the Pool and Sports Zone; features staples like the rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf course and sports court. It also has a ropes course-style attraction and the largest water park at sea, which incorporates multiple waterslides.
- The Hideaway: An adults-only area just below Thrill Island; provides a suspended infinity pool, loungers, hot tubs, a Champagne bar and a party atmosphere
The Royal Promenade has also had a bit of a facelift on Icon of the Seas. Deck 6, which used to overlook the space, now wraps completely around instead of only partially, and a giant three-deck light-up sphere called The Pearl has been added as part art installation and part structural support. It also provides a way for passengers to move between the two decks of the Royal Promenade. Walls of windows on either side bring lots of light into the space.
The Royal Promenade’s lower deck no longer has the hydraulic “levitating” Rising Tide Bar, which has been removed, along with Cafe Promenade. Instead, the usual standalone Starbucks kiosk has moved into a more permanent venue, and the Pearl Cafe has been added one deck above.
You can find more information about changes to Central Park and the Suite Neighborhood in the “Dining” and “Cabins” sections below, respectively.
Theming
Although both ships do a great job of catering to all types of passengers, Icon of the Seas was designed specifically to appeal more heavily to families with the addition of the Surfside neighborhood, as well as a slew of cabins designed to sleep more than two people.
Meanwhile, because Utopia of the Seas is the first brand-new ship to exclusively sail short three- and four-night voyages, Royal Caribbean bills the vessel as the “World’s Biggest Weekend.” It’s perfect for quick getaways, a fact that the line’s executives say lends the ship a more party-hearty — but not uncouth — atmosphere.
If you’re traveling with your children on Utopia, you’ll still find plenty for them to do at the ship’s water play areas and Adventure Ocean kids club, but you’ll also find more live music than ever before. There’s a heavy emphasis on parties, too, including one with a frat party theme and another — a pool party — with music, giveaways and guns that shoot Champagne.
Cabins
Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have standard inside cabins, ocean-view options with windows, rooms with balconies and a variety of suites, including huge ones for families with amenities that are every kid’s dream.
Icon debuted with 14 new cabin and suite types to choose from out of 28 total accommodation types. Many are family-friendly rooms that sleep four passengers; some can accommodate six or eight. In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed specifically as family-focused accommodations, but most standard rooms can sleep more than two people.
Of particular note on Icon of the Seas are new Panoramic Suites, which exist in part of the AquaDome. They offer natural light through part of the structure, which serves as a floor-to-ceiling window in each cabin.
Representing a change to the Suite Neighborhood, new Icon Loft Suites are two-deck-high accommodations, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large balcony with a private dining area and floor-to-ceiling windows.
And, finally, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is the pinnacle of accommodations onboard. The three-deck-high suite is an evolution of the Ultimate Family Suite that wowed guests on Oasis Class ships. In addition to kid and adult sleeping areas, this 1,772-square-foot top-level suite features an in-suite slide, a movie-viewing room, a karaoke machine and spacious indoor and outdoor living spaces.
The only major cabin addition on Utopia of the Seas is a group of Solarium Suites. These bright, airy and spacious digs were added above The Solarium, the ship’s tranquil adults-only space.
Dining experiences
All of your favorite Royal Caribbean dining staples — including Chops Grille steakhouse, Izumi sushi, Giovanni’s Italian, Sorrento’s pizza, Playmakers sports bar, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh Mexican and the Windjammer buffet — have reprised their roles on both Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.
But it’s the new additions that truly stand out on both of these ships.
On Utopia of the Seas, cruisers can enjoy grab-and-go items from the Spare Tire food truck or immerse themselves in for-fee train-themed dinner theater at Royal Railway: Utopia Station. Additional extra-cost options run the gamut from affordable shaved ice to ultrahigh-end Japanese food at Omakase, an eight-course experience that’s limited to just six people at a cost of $130 per person.
If you’re searching for an exclusive dining option on Icon of the Seas, check out the Empire Supper Club, which mixes an eight-course dinner with music for a cost of $200 per person. A major new addition to the Central Park neighborhood, the restaurant seats only 38 people, and it has an art deco theme that’s also a nod to New York.
Or, if you’re celebrating a milestone, you can rent your very own space at Celebration Table. It costs a flat fee of $999 for up to 14 people, and it’s the same price regardless of how many of the seats you fill. It’s located in the ship’s Hooked Seafood restaurant, but you can choose the cuisine you’d like the chef to prepare. The list includes American, Italian, Asian and seafood.
New family-friendly options abound, including Pier 7, a specialty restaurant with a California theme. It’s free for kids and a la carte for adults, and the menu serves items like Baja fish tacos, Korean fried chicken and warm toffee chocolate cake.
The new AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean’s first food hall experience and offers a variety of cuisines like Mediterranean, Asian, mac ‘n’ cheese, salads, sandwiches and desserts free of charge. Or check out the Pearl Cafe for complimentary small bites and coffee drinks.
Entertainment
Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas present a variety of theater shows, comedy, high-diving acts, Royal Promenade parades and themed parties, as well as a ton of live music and daily activities to keep passengers busy.
As for what’s different, the AquaTheater on Icon of the Seas has moved from The Boardwalk neighborhood — Deck 6, aft, on Oasis Class ships like Utopia — to the new AquaDome, which is indoors instead of open-air. Performances on both ships involve synchronized swimming, dancing, high-diving, acrobatics and more. Utopia’s show, dubbed “Aqua80,” incorporates songs from the ’80s but with a modern twist, and “Aqua Action!,” performed on Icon, has a movie theme.
Similarly, both vessels have their own ice rinks with specially developed ice-skating performances. On Icon of the Seas, the Absolute Zero ice rink, found on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade, replaces Studio B, which is on Deck 4 on Utopia of the Seas. The new and improved version on Icon is round instead of rectangular, and the shows also differ in theme.
On Icon, “Starburst” is themed around the elements (carbon, helium, etc.). Group, solo and pairs skating numbers are combined with next-level juggling by a character dubbed “The Starman.” On Utopia, “Youtopia” presents a blend of contemporary and retro music, gorgeous costumes (some that look like candy) and nearly flawless execution.
In the main theater, passengers can expect to find “All In” on Utopia. The show celebrates some of history’s most iconic parties and music festivals like Studio 54 and Burning Man. However, if Broadway-style shows are what you seek, Icon of the Seas might be more your speed; the ship features performances of “The Wizard of Oz” on board.
As mentioned, Utopia of the Seas is focused more on parties than any other Royal Caribbean ship. Onboard soirees include Senses, a pool deck party where cruisers will find house music and sunset scenes on the giant outdoor movie screen; ReZolution, where passengers wear white and become living art through a series of high-tech projections; and Plunge, a daytime pool party
And, finally, what would any Royal Caribbean cruise be without a Royal Promenade parade? On Utopia, you can join in “The Effectors Homecoming Parade.” It’s a departure from the full show “The Effectors” performed in the Royal Theater on Icon of the Seas. The homecoming parade on Utopia picks up the storyline at the end of the theater production when (spoiler alert) the band of superheroes — Captain Viz, Lume, Pixel and Reverb — defeat their archnemesis, Crash, and his sidekick, Burn.
Itineraries and pricing
One of the biggest areas in which the ships differ is itinerary. While Utopia of the Seas focuses strictly on three- and four-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral near Orlando, Icon of the Seas runs weeklong voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami.
Both ships include calls on Perfect Day at CocoCay, the line’s private island, on most of their routes. Utopia visits mainly Nassau in the Bahamas, Perfect Day and Cozumel in Mexico with little deviation.
Due to its longer schedules, Icon offers a wider variety of port calls, including stops at St. Kitts and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten, the Dutch side of St. Martin; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; plus Labadee, Haiti, another of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, depending on the itinerary.
In terms of pricing, because Icon of the Seas offers seven-night cruises while Utopia’s are only three and four nights, the former will cost more overall to book.
When I compared per-night pricing just before publication, the least expensive Icon of the Seas sailing I could find was $1,186 per person for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing in January 2025. That works out to $169 per person, per night, for an inside cabin — not a bad price, considering Icon of the Seas is the industry’s largest (and also one of its newest) vessels.
Comparatively, the least expensive Utopia of the Seas voyage I located for the same time period was $593 per person for a four-night Bahamas and Perfect Day sailing. That’s $148 per person, per night — slightly less than Icon of the Seas’ cheapest nightly rate.
Rates will vary by sailing date, destination and cabin type, but due to demand, both ships are on the higher end of Royal Caribbean’s pricing. You should expect to pay a premium for cabins on both Icon and Utopia.
Bottom line
When it comes to Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas, they’re both large ships that have plenty on board for passengers of all ages to do, see, eat and drink. Both have excellent kids clubs, phenomenal entertainment, a plethora of bars and restaurants and a wide selection of cabin types.
If you’re looking for a short cruise, a weekend getaway or a sailing that will cost you less overall, or if you want more of a party atmosphere, Utopia of the Seas should be your pick. Of the two, it’s also the best ship if you’re a fan of the original Oasis Class neighborhoods.
However, prospective Royal Caribbean cruisers will likely feel more at home on Icon of the Seas if they’re cruising with young children and want a dedicated family space, have a larger budget or want a weeklong voyage, or prefer to sail on the absolute largest cruise ship afloat.
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