Tour the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas

The Ultimate Family Townhouse on Royal Caribbean’s new ship Icon of the Seas is quite possibly the pinnacle of family cruise ship accommodations. You would expect nothing less on the world’s largest cruise ship with the best family-centric suite available. This three-level, over-the-top Townhouse is its own destination, with surprises and fun at every corner. We checked out (and played!) in the Ultimate Family Townhouse during a recent cruise on Icon of the Seas to give you a special tour inside. 

First, here is a rundown of the stats of the Ultimate Family Townhouse:

• 2,523 total square feet 
• Sleeps up to eight guests in total 
• Three-level space with two balconies 
• Includes three full bathrooms 
• Ensuite kitchenette and dining room 
• Exclusive access to Surfside neighborhood 

Entrance to The Ultimate Family Townhouse is located on Deck 8 on the far aft of the ship. It’s distinguished by a brightly painted red entrance area and a bright neon sign proclaiming ‘We Are the ULTIMATE FAMILY’. My first thought as I walked in was ‘Wow - Royal Caribbean has done something special’! 

As you enter the mega-suite, you are greeted by two funky-fun bright pink loungers, colorful design elements all around, and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase Surfside and the ocean views around you. To the right is a door with a private entrance to the Surfside neighborhood, a perk that is only for guests staying in this townhouse. To the left, is the entrance to the living area of the Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

The Ultimate Family Townhouse’s first floor has all the family gathering spaces, with a living room, game area, kitchenette, and media center. The first thing you immediately see as you make your way into the living room is not the views, the ample comfortable seating, or the magnitude of the space, but a bright red two-story slide smack in the middle of the Townhouse. Painted above the slide’s ending is ‘Welcome Home’, one of the many fun and playful design elements that are included all around the space. 

The living room is bright, with cushy couches and loungers, with smiley face and pizza-shaped pillows, and lots of kid-friendly spaces to play in and spread out. There’s a TV on one wall and behind are ginormous two-story windows, allowing lots of light in the room. In this area just under a curve to the slide is a fun-kid-approved nook that is entered via a (literal) hole in the wall. Once you enter, there is a fun colorful green lounge space with windows. It’s a surprising and fun space to lounge and watch the waves as you sail around with your family to the next port stop.

As you make your way through the living room, a door in the back of the townhouse leads to a space that’s part media center, game room, and overall just a fun place for kids to play around in. There are four swivel chairs posted in front of a TV, a built-in wall seating area that looks like a face, and even more space to roam.

The grey, red, and black colors are bold, fun, and kid-approved. This room also has a mini-kitchenette area, complete with a sink, coffeemaker, and refrigerator. There’s also a door off this room that leads to one of the three full-sized bathrooms in the suite. 

Just off this room is an area that’s part dining table and part arcade. It’s a large, touch-operated interactive table with games and other fun activities to keep kids and adults entertained for hours. 

The mega-suite has a wraparound balcony, that spans the exterior footprint of the townhouse. It’s huge. There are several seating areas and the townhouse’s private hot tub hidden in the corner. Off the balcony side closest to Surfside, there are great views overhead of the pool and the action below on the ship. 

All bedrooms are located on the second floor of the Ultimate Family Townhouse, accessible via an interactive staircase. What’s an interactive staircase, you might ask? The Ultimate Family Townhouse staircase is a brightly colored room with ballon-shaped light fixtures overhead. As you ascend the stairs, violin music plays as you go up each step. It’s incredibly fun for adults and kids alike. This feature can be turned off if preferred.

Once you reach the top of the stairs, there is a landing area with the entrance to the slide as well as two netted hammock-esque seating areas with pillows that have a (secure) view into the space below. 

On one side of the second level, you will find the adult’s bedroom - a room unlike the rest of the townhouse and designed to give adults ‘zen’ vibes in this otherwise bold and energetic space. The decor here is blue, grey, and beige, with similar bedding and storage elements that look like traditional staterooms you will find in other parts of the ship. There’s a king-sized bed, TV, balcony access, and large blackout shades to cover the windows that overlook outside.

The adult’s bathroom similarly follows the same calming grown-up theme, with beige coloring, two sink vanities, and a huge walk-in rainfall shower. There’s a lot of storage and a lot of space as a whole for parents to escape and enjoy a bit of relaxation in this space.

Next to the adult's room is the kid's room. This bedroom can accommodate up to four total, however, the beds are convertible and can either be converted into a couch or folded up into the wall. All four-bed spaces are decorated with bold green and blue colors, each with its personal TV for watching cartoons or superhero movies. There’s a large full-size closet and plenty of room for storing toys and clothes. One element I loved - the lights on the ceiling that were reminiscent of glow-in-the-dark stars! 

The kid’s bathroom area is purposely designed for kids and is the exact opposite of the one for adults. As you walk in, the bold green and blue color palette continues, with fun-designed double green sinks, an ocean theme painted around, and a shower-tub combo. 

The kid’s and adult’s rooms are directly connected. One fun element incorporated by Royal Caribbean in the design is a small tiny pop-out door that kids can crawl through between the two spaces. Overall, both rooms are incredibly spacious, and every inch has been well-thought-out in terms of best utilizing the area and making it both fun and functional. 

Ready to head out of the Ultimate Family Townhouse and go explore more of Icon of the Seas? Just zip down the slide to the living floor, and make your way back to the main entrance of the Townhouse. Remember that door by the entrance that takes you to Surfside? Exit that area and head down your own private staircase that’s accented with a white fence. At the bottom is the Townhouse’s own private pool table, seating area, more fun nooks, and an ultra-private gate entrance out to the larger ship. 

Want to have a dream family vacation and stay in the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas? It’s possible, but it’s going to cost, and you are likely going to have to wait for access. In total, the suite runs around at an average range of $80,000 per sailing but can be higher due to sail date/demand. For example, here’s pricing on a future sailing in the Ultimate Family Townhouse on (soon-to-be sister ship) Star of the Seas for December 2025. This suite for three guests will set you back over $131,834! 

The majority of 2024 sailings are sold out for this spectacular Icon of the Seas Townhouse, and the 2025 availability is filling up fast. If you manage to snag this room for your family, you truly are in for the ultimate vacation! 

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