Icon of the Seas vs. Utopia of the Seas: Which One is Right for You

“Bigger is better” was Royal Caribbean’s motto when designing its latest two ships, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. Both vessels debuted to much fanfare in 2024 as the first (Icon) and second (Utopia) largest cruise ships in the world. If you are considering a vacation on either of these shiny new ships, you may wonder which one is right for you. 

Below, we share details on each ship’s features, itineraries, member reviews, and more to help guide your decision-making process. 

Ship Details:

Icon of the Seas

• Debuted January 2024 in Miami, Florida 
• 1,198 feet/365 meters long
• 5,610 total guests (double occupancy); 2,350 crew
• 2,805 total staterooms
• 20 total decks with 8 neighborhoods 
• 7 Pools and 9 Whirlpools 

Icon of the Seas is the first of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class vessels. If you are looking for ‘new’ on a Royal Caribbean ship, Icon has it. It’s high-tech and meticulously designed, with 8 neighborhoods designed to move a large number of guests throughout the ship. With such a high passenger capacity, this is key so that you never feel overwhelmed by the number of other cruisers vacationing alongside you. 

The eight neighborhoods are Thrill Island (home to the water slides, surf simulators, and the new ‘Walk the Plank’ thrill activity), Chill Island (home to the main pool areas and a swim-up bar), the Surfside family neighborhood, Central Park, The Hideaway adult-only area, the Suite Neighborhood (a special ship-within-a-ship section for guests in suite accommodations), the AquaDome, and the Royal Promenade (a central gathering area with restaurants, shops, and more). 

Read more about Fast Facts about the Icon of the Seas here.

Dining

There are over 40 ways to eat and drink your way through the Icon of the Seas. You will find many Royal Caribbean staple eateries, like Windjammer, Sorrento’s, Giovanni’s, a multi-level Main Dining Room, and Chops Grille. There are many new Royal Caribbean dining experiences on Icon, including the Pearl Cafe, Basecamp, AquaDome Market, Surfside Eatery, and the Empire Social Club. 

Read more on Icon of the Seas dining here. 

Staterooms 

Icon of the Seas has a whopping 2,805 staterooms, with 28 categories to choose from. No matter your party size or accommodation preferences, you will likely find something that fits your needs. Options range from Interior rooms (accommodating two guests at 156 sq ft.) to the ship’s grand Royal Loft Suite (occupancy six at 1,482 sq ft.) or the Ultimate Family Townhouse (occupancy eight at 1,772 sq ft.). 

If you are traveling with younger cruisers, we recommend looking into the Surfside neighborhood staterooms, which are near the family-centric areas. Those seeking a luxury experience and willing to pay more should consider any of the ship’s suites, which have access to the Sky Class amenities of a special restaurant, sun deck, lounge, and concierge.

Related: Tour the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas 

Activities

What would the world’s biggest ship be without mega-activities and entertainment? Here’s just a small sample of what you can see and take part in on Icon: water shows in the AquaTheatre, productions of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ or ‘Showband’ in the Royal Theatre, live music everywhere, family events, line dancing, workout classes, spa events, trivia games, sing-alongs, dance parties, classes, and more. The opportunities are endless on the Icon of the Seas. 

Most activities are suitable for families; however, some evening events, like comedy shows, dance parties, or casino tournaments, are adults-only. Kids and teens do have their own dedicated spaces, with special events and spaces like laser tag, an escape room, theme parties, and more. 

Learn More about Icon of the Seas from our Expert Review

Utopia of the Seas

• 1,188 Feet/362 Meters Long 
• 5,688 Guests / 2,290 Crew
• 2,834 Staterooms 
• 18 Total Decks with over 40 total bars and restaurants 

Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class ship. If you’ve sailed an Oasis Class vessel before, you will find many of the same venues, eateries, and favorite onboard spots, but with new designs and updated elements. 

This ship offers only 3- or 4-night short sailings, which Royal Caribbean has deemed the ‘ultimate weekend.’ This is reflected in the programming and the ship’s approach to offering many fun and energetic activities. 

Like Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas has eight neighborhoods: Central Park, The Royal Promenade, The Boardwalk family area, the Pool & Sports Zone, the Entertainment Zone, the Youth Zone, Vitality Spa and Fitness, and the Suite Neighborhood, these areas are spread throughout the ship. Be sure to consult a map on embarkation day before you set out to find your chosen venues. We also recommend reviewing the ship's deck plans before boarding so you are familiar with the layout. Deck plans can be found in the Shipmate app, which can be used throughout your cruise as Wi-Fi onboard is not needed, provided the ship guide is downloaded before departure.

Read Related: First Look at Utopia of the Seas

Dining

Utopia of the Seas offers an extensive selection of included and specialty dining offerings, with many eateries being returning guest favorites. There are so many options you may need to come back again and again to eat at all the venues! 

Specialty dining includes Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Izumi, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, The Mason Jar, Playmaker’s Sports Bar, Johnny Rocket’s, Sugar Beach, and Starbucks. A featured specialty restaurant is Royal Railway - Utopia Station, an interactive dining experience that will transport you from the high seas of the Caribbean to the Wild West. 

The Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Park Cafe, Royal Cafe, El Loco Fresh, Sprinkles, Solarium Bistro, Boardwalk Dog House, and Sorrento’s are included options. A new included eatery on Utopia is The Spare Tire, a food truck-inspired grab-and-go spot by the Pool Deck. 

There are 23 bars and lounges on the ship. If you want a beverage, one is always nearby on Utopia of the Seas. Highlights include the Pesky Parrot, a new tiki-themed bar, and a two-story Lime and Coconut pool bar on decks 15 and 16. 

Explore more on Utopia of the Seas Dining here.

Staterooms

There are 2,834 staterooms on Utopia of the Seas. Options range from Interior Rooms (Sleeps 1-6; 150 - 270 sq. ft.) to the impressive 2,605 sq. ft. Royal Loft Suite. 

Staterooms vary in size and capacity, so no matter your party size, there’s likely something to fit your needs. 

Activities 

Being billed as the ‘world’s biggest weekend,’ group parties are big for Utopia of the Seas. As such, many onboard events are themed for an adult audience; however, some family programming is offered. Enjoy mingling with your fellow sailors at options like the Revolutionize Dance Party, Royal Kappa Phi party, Silent Toga!, or multiple daily pool parties. 

Guests sailing on Utopia will be ‘wow-ed’ with entertainment like aqua shows, ice skating shows, theatre performances, live music, comedy shows, and more. 

Related: What’s Free on Utopia of the Seas

Learn More about Utopia of the Seas from our Expert Review 

Member Reviews

One of the best ways to learn more about these ships is through our Member Reviews, submitted by guests who have sailed on them. Below are quotes from reviews for the Icon of the Seas and the Utopia of the Seas. Note—As Utopia launched in July 2024 vs. Icon’s January launch, fewer reviews may be available, at least for now, for Utopia of the Seas.

It’s going to be difficult to take a cruise other than Icon of the Seas. Everything is so organized, with regard to crowd control. There are so many activities and shows to do and see. The ship is beautiful. They’ve created a small Central Park in the middle of the ship that is outside with plenty of shops and restaurants. The elevators are amazing! - Member bfloria2 on Icon of the Seas

My overall experience was superb, I was able to go in with a plan every day and attack the activities. The service was great. The entertainment and talent was fantastic. I never wanted it to end. - Member MoniqueCollins on Utopia of the Seas

This was our first cruise and the experience and service were great. There was a lot to do and a lot to enjoy with entertainment. The staff was amazing. Not a single dull moment the whole week. - Member GuriKP on Icon of the Seas 

Overall this trip was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Our favorite place to hang out was the adults-only solarium. Beautiful views and relaxing atmosphere. There was so much to see and do onboard the ship that 3 days was not enough time. We will definitely be visiting Utopia of the Seas again in the near future! - Member CLeffert on Utopia of the Seas

See All Icon of the Seas Member Reviews and Utopia of the Seas Member Reviews

Itineraries 

Itineraries are a key differentiating factor in deciding to sail on the Icon of the Seas or the Utopia of the Seas. 

Icon of the Seas homeports from PortMiami and offers 7-day Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Depending on your sailing, you may visit Roatan, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Philipsburg, Charlotte Amalie, Basseterre, or Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. These cruises offer a mix of at-sea and port days to round out your week-long voyage. If you are looking for multiple ports of call and a full 7-night cruise experience, Icon of the Seas fits the bill. 

Utopia of the Seas homeports year-round from Port Canaveral and offers 3- and 4-night cruises. Itineraries include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau, and at least one at-sea day to explore the ship. If you are short on time and have only a few days to travel, Utopia of the Seas would be the preferred option. 

Explore Top Itineraries for Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas:

Pricing 

There is no way to sugarcoat it - prices for sailings on both ships come with a higher sticker price as they are the newest in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Travelers are itching to get out and experience these shiny new ships that have been in the news and are getting rave reviews on Cruiseline.com and Shipmate. 

Demand for sailings on Icon of the Seas is incredibly strong, with Royal Caribbean reporting its highest booking numbers for a ship even months before the vessel launched. As it is a new class of ship and in high demand, prices for this ship are a premium. Depending on your sail date, stateroom preference, and itinerary, expect to pay more to cruise on the Icon of the Seas. In 2025, Royal Caribbean will debut Icon’s sister ship, Star of the Seas, which may reduce prices for Icon; however, we have yet to see this, and the demand remains very strong. 

If you do your research, cruise deals can be found for Icon of the Seas. Check out our Best Deals on Icon of the Seas article for the top cruise deals on the ship at the best available prices. The sailings listed in the article will help you target sailing dates with higher availability and more budget-friendly pricing. Keep in mind that high-demand dates such as Holidays, Spring Break, and Summer are less likely to offer deals and should be booked well in advance for the best pricing and choice of stateroom.

Although the sailings are shorter, prices for cruises on Utopia of the Seas are higher than those on other Royal Caribbean ships with similar itineraries. Royal Caribbean fans love Oasis Class ships, and right now, everyone wants to experience all the new features of Utopia. As the ship has a few years of sailings under its belt, we will likely see pricing go down, but in the meantime, expect to pay a premium to sail on Utopia.

For those traveling in a group, keep in mind that special amenities are available, such as discounts, onboard credit, and, with enough people, even free cabins. These extra amenities can help bring down the overall price for a cabin, so get your friends and family together for a weekend you won’t soon forget!

Keep an eye out for deals on Utopia of the Seas here to see the best prices for sailings on the ship. 

Which Ship to Choose?

Unfortunately, we can’t answer this question because both ships are amazing!

Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas offer many of the same mega-sized amenities and great features, which make them both ideal vacation options. Each ship has pros and cons, but it really depends on your personal preferences and what you want in a cruise vacation. 

In our opinion, the deciding factors in picking one of the two ships would be determining how long of a cruise you want (7 nights vs. 3 to 4 nights), how much you are willing to spend, what fits your travel parties’ needs, and which amenities you want on your cruise. 

No matter which ship you choose, your cruise experience on the Icon of the Seas or Utopia of the Seas will be memorable. Happy sailing, and don’t forget to come back to Cruiseline.com or Shipmate and write a review of your cruise when you return.  

Explore All Cruises on Icon of the Seas

Explore All Cruises on Utopia of the Seas