Royal Caribbean will have a radically different Royal Promenade with next-generation upgrades on Icon of the Seas

Onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, you will find a larger, wider, longer, and higher Royal Promenade.

The second you step foot on Icon of the Seas, you will be greeted by sweeping ocean views and the first-ever multi-sensory super structure called “The Pearl.” 

“The Royal Promenade is a classic with Royal Caribbean and has evolved significantly. It’s an amazing hub for the entire community onboard the ship,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean.”

“…it always has been this place where people meet and have fun together, and that is certainly true for Icon.” 

At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the seas is longer than a football field, and for the first time, it brings ocean views into the ship’s main thoroughfare through floor-to-ceiling windows and the 4100 Lobby Bar the connects the neighborhood to the outdoors. 

Related: The Ultimate Icon of the Seas Dining & Lounges Guide

“The number of the hull on every ship is unique to that ship,” explained Linken D’Souza, Vice President of Food & Beverage for Royal Caribbean International. 

“On Icon of the Seas that number was 4100, and so the 4100 Lobby Bar is a tribute to all of the hardworking folks who built this amazing and iconic ship.” 

During the day, you’ll find delicious tropical juice-based drinks. In the evening, the menu will feature pre-prohibition cocktails in the evening, focusing on classics like Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. 

In order to fully open up the Royal Promenade, though, Royal Caribbean had to navigate numerous structural changes and come up a creative solution: The Pearl. This three-deck high sphere is a multi-sensory experience built with 3,000 kinetic tiles. 

“When guests walk onboard, they will see a massive structure that we call ‘The Pearl.’ They may not know what it is, but the scale of it alone is enough to take your breath away,” remarked Jennifer Goswami, Director or Product Development for Royal Caribbean International.  

On Deck 6 behind The Pearl, guests will find the Pearl Cafe in place of Cafe Promenade. In addition to the familiar grab-and-go bites, the Pearl Cafe will serve up freshly toasted croissants, hot chocolate croissants, croissant sandwiches, sweets, and other specialty desserts. 

While the Royal Promenade will be full of firsts and unlike any other Promenade it in the fleet, it will be home to many fan-favorites, too, such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.

Usually, specialty restaurants are in quieter areas onboard the ship. On Oasis Class vessels, for instance, you could find the majority of them in the Central Park neighborhood. Placing this venue in the Royal Promenade will allow guest to be in the middle of the action. If you want a quieter experience, there will be intimate seating in the back of the restaurant. 

Related: Royal Caribbean will offer swanky supper club and food hall on new Icon of the Seas when it launches

There will also be Sorrento’s that will feature antipasti on a rotational basis and beer on draft. 

In addition to the restaurants, this neighborhood will be a lively hotspot thanks to the other bars and lounges that can be found here, including Boleros and Schooner Bar.

To enhance the overall experience, both of these Royal Caribbean classics will have a more open layout, so the music and energy are able to spill into the Royal Promenade. 

Similarly, Point and Feather, the onboard pub, will pull the bar into the center space of the neighborhood. 

Another first for the cruise line will be the Dueling Pianos bar on Deck 6. This is not your average piano bar. Each night, two pianists will take requests and go key-to-key in a friendly competition. 

Directly below Dueling Pianos is Spotlight Karaoke, which debuted on Oasis of the Seas after an extensive $165 million revitalization in 2019. Onboard Icon, though, you will find the best karaoke stage in the fleet! Plus, there will be private rooms for those who want a more intimate karaoke experience. 

Since Icon is meant to be the ultimate family vacation, it makes sense that Adventure Ocean can be accessed from the Royal Promenade, too.

Located in the heart of the ship, there are dedicated venues for children and teens, such as the brand-new Social 020, which offers teens an escape from parents that features state-of-the-art video game systems and movie room. 

For younger guests between the ages of 6-months and 12-years-old, Royal Caribbean is bringing back (and upgrading) their Adventure Ocean facilities.

Here, they will find age-appropriate rooms and activities, including a workshop that incorporates arts, crafts, and fun science experiences. There will even be an Adventure Ocean theater! 

In terms of entertainment, the Royal Promenade will be home to the largest ice arena at sea — Absolute Zero — with over 2,850 square feet of ice. It is different from other ice rinks on older Royal Caribbean ships, too, as it has been redesigned in an oval space that has two hidden entrances, allowing performers to enter the rink at high speeds and get right into the action! 

When not being used for shows, guests will have the opportunity to go skating. It can also be converted into a laser tag arena. 

Located in the forward of the ship is the Royal Theater. All of their past developments with technologies have been integrated into this space, allowing for the ultimate storytelling experiences at sea. 

“The Royal Promenade has been a staple of ours since the Voyager Class ships,” said Jason Liberty, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

“Watching it grow not only in size but experience through the Freedom Class, Oasis Class, and now onto Icon Class is really remarkable. So you’re going to see a larger, wider, longer, higher Promenade that’s going to have a lot more experiences.”

How much longer until Icon of the Seas sets sail?

In June, Icon of the Seas successfully completed her first round of sea trials.

During these tests, she traveled hundreds of miles, during which the main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise, and vibration levels were all tested. 

Related: 11 reasons Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will change the cruise industry

Between preparing for the trials and the tests themselves, there were over 2,000 specialists who put in more than 350 hours of work in helping Icon of the Seas pass this important milestone. 

There’s around round of sea trials scheduled for later in 2023 to make sure that Icon of the Seas is in tip-top shape before she is delivered to Royal Caribbean prior to her January 27, 2024 maiden voyage.