People have always been fascinated by sailing on the sea. When you hear the name Titanic, you think of luxury, tragedy, and mystery. Now, let’s think about the year 2024 when a new huge ship called the Icon of the Seas is introduced. This new ship is much bigger and more advanced than the Titanic.
Let’s compare these two ships in terms of their design, technology, luxury, and safety features. We will explore the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas vs Titanic, two famous ships from different times but both loved for their adventures on the sea.
Titanic vs Icon of The Seas Size Comparison
When the RMS Titanic was built in 1912, it was seen as the biggest moving object ever created. The Icon of the Seas surpasses the Titanic in size and capabilities, reflecting over a century of maritime engineering advancements.
Since then, ship design has come a long way. Modern cruise ships like the Icon of the Seas are much larger, safer, and more advanced than the Titanic, showing how much technology and shipbuilding have improved over the past century.
The Titanic and the Icon of the Seas are very different ships. The Titanic was built over a hundred years ago, while the Icon of the Seas is a modern marvel. The contrast between these two ships is amazing. The Titanic was once considered the best ship in terms of engineering, but the Icon of the Seas now represents the latest in maritime technology. The differences between these two ships show how much shipbuilding and the cruise industry have improved over time. Comparing these two ships gives us a look at how ocean travel has changed and what passengers expect now compared to in the past.
Titanic Size
- Length: 883 feet (269 meters)
- Beam (width): 92 feet (28 meters)
- Height: 175 feet (53 meters)
- Gross tonnage: 46,328 GT
- Passenger capacity: 2,435
- Crew capacity: 892
- Total capacity: 3,327
- Decks: 10
Icon of the Seas Size
- Length: 1,198 feet (365 meters)
- Beam (width): 213 feet (65 meters)
- Height: 196 feet
- Gross tonnage: 250,800 GT
- Passenger capacity: 5,610 (double occupancy), up to 7,600 at maximum capacity
- Crew capacity: 2,350
- Total capacity: 7,960 (at double occupancy), up to 9,950 at maximum capacity
- Decks: 20
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic Size Comparisons
Length: Icon of the Seas is about 36% longer than the Titanic.
Width: Icon of the Seas is more than twice as wide as the Titanic.
Height: Icon of the Seas is about 43% taller than the Titanic.
Gross tonnage: Icon of the Seas is more than 5 times larger in terms of internal volume.
Passenger capacity: Icon of the Seas can accommodate more than three times as many passengers at double occupancy.
Total capacity: At maximum capacity, Icon of the Seas can hold about three times as many people as the Titanic.
Decks: Icon of the Seas has more than twice as many decks as the Titanic.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic Size Comparison Chart
Here is the Titanic compared to Icon of the Seas:
| Specifications | RMS Titanic | Icon of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Ship Class | Olympic Class | Icon Class |
| Gross Tonnage | 46,328 GT | 250,800 GT |
| Length | 883 Feet | 1,198 Feet |
| Width | 92.5 feet | 213 feet |
| Height | 175 feet | 196 feet |
| Total Decks | 10 | 20 |
| Guest Decks | 9 | 18 |
| Guest Capacity | 2,435 | 7,600 |
| Crew Capacity | 874 | 2,350 |
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic Speed Comparison
Icon of the Seas maximum speed is 22 (25 mph) and cruising speed is 18 to 20 knots (21 to 23 mph). While Titanic maximum speed was 24 knots (28 mph), and cursing speed was 21 knots (24 mph). Both ships have similar cruising speeds of 21 knots and can reach about 23 knots (25 mph).
Despite technological advancements, cruise ships like Icon of the Seas are not designed for speed, but for leisure and comfort. Modern cruise ships focus on amenities and fuel efficiency rather than speed.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Construction Cost
Icon of the Seas estimated cost is approximately $2 billion (2023-2024), one of the most expensive cruise ships ever built. In contrast, the original cost of Titanic is £1.5 million (1912) which is approximately equal to $210 million in today’s money. The Icon of the Seas costs nearly 10 times more than the Titanic in inflation-adjusted terms. This reflects the much larger size, advanced technology, and luxurious amenities of modern cruise ships.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Ticket Cost
Icon of The Seas Ticket Cost
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise prices vary widely based on factors like cabin type, sailing date, and itinerary. 7-night Caribbean cruise ranged from about $1,800 to $3,000 per person for interior cabins. Balcony cabins costs around $2,500 to $4,500 per person for a week-long voyage. Suites and more premium accommodations could cost $5,000 to $20,000+ per person or more. The Ultimate Family Townhouse is the most expensive suite and costs around $70,000 or more for 7-Night cruise.
Titanic Ticket Cost
The cost of Titanic tickets varied greatly depending on the class of travel. The Titanic’s ticket prices in 1912 ranged from £7 (about $30) for third-class to £870 ($4,350) for first-class suites.
When adjusted for inflation, the price for third class would be approximately $870 and for the first class $124,000 in 2024.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic Amenities
Icon of the Seas and Titanic have main differences in accommodations, pools, and dining options. These differences show how cruise ship design has improved over the years. Both ships were made to impress people during their time. Titanic changed transatlantic travel with its luxury, while Icon of the Seas gives families a new vacation experience at sea. Titanic had fancy First Class rooms but fewer choices for other passengers. On the other hand, Icon of the Seas has many cabin options for all guests, from small rooms to big family suites.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Dining & Bars
The Icon of the Seas offers more dining and bar options and can accommodate more guests, while the Titanic’s offerings were more limited, and class segregated. All passengers on Icon of the Seas have access to multiple dining venues unlike the class-restricted dining on Titanic.
Icon of the Seas Restaurants & Bars
Icon of the Seas features over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Complimentary Dining Venues: It includes Main Dining Room (multi-level), Windjammer Marketplace (buffet), Coastal Kitchen (suite guests only), Sorrento’s Pizza, Café Promenade, El Loco Fresh (Mexican) and more.
Specialty Restaurants (Additional Fee): It includes Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Hooked Seafood, Chops Grille (steakhouse), Teppanyaki, The Mason Jar, Empire Supper Club and more.
Bars and Lounges: Bubble’s Champagne Bar, Schooner Bar, Boleros (Latin-themed), The Attic (comedy club), Music Hall, Spotlight Karaoke, AquaDome Bar, The Overlook, Trellis Bar and others.
AquaDome: A venue with restaurants and bars.
Central Park: An open-air neighborhood with dining options.
Royal Promenade: It features various eateries and bars.
Titanic Restaurants & Bars
The Titanic compared to modern day cruise ships had separate dining rooms for each passenger class (First, Second, and Third)
First Class Restaurants: First Class Dining Saloon, À la Carte Restaurant (later named Ritz Restaurant), Café Parisien, and Verandah Café.
Second Class had several lounges and smoking rooms for passengers.
Third Class had a general room that served as a dining area and social space.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Accommodations
The Icon of the Seas compared to Titanic offers more cabins and a wider variety of accommodation types, including larger and more luxurious suites.
Icon of the Seas has 2,805 total cabins for families and groups of all sizes. It has 28 different room options and 8 new suite categories for families. The Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas is 1,772 sq ft and much larger and more expensive than any accommodation available on the Titanic.
The Titanic had 840 cabins. These cabins were divided among the different classes as follows:
- First Class: 416 cabins
- Second Class: 162 cabins
- Third Class: 262 cabins
The Titanic had 4 Deluxe Parlor Suites on B and C Deck each with private promenade. This suite was the best suite on the ship. First Class cabins were the most spacious and lavishly decorated, while Third Class cabins were much more basic and often shared.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Activities
The Icon of the Seas offers a wider range of activities including many modern attractions and entertainment options not available in the Titanic’s era.
Here’s a comparison of activities on the Icon of the Seas and the Titanic:
Icon of the Seas has
- Zipline
- Casino
- FlowRider surf simulator
- Rock climbing walls
- Ice skating rink
- Mini-golf course
- Crown’s Edge (part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride)
- AquaTheater for high-diving shows
- Royal Theater for Broadway-style shows
- Spa and fitness center
- Kids and teens clubs
Titanic had
- Library
- Gymnasium
- Squash court
- Smoking rooms for men
- Turkish bath and steam rooms
- First-class lounge for socializing
- Shuffleboard and deck quoits on the promenade
- Third-class general room for gatherings and entertainment
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Pools
The Icon of the Seas offers a variety of pools for different preferences and age groups. In contrast, the Titanic had only one pool which was small by modern standards and limited to First Class passengers only.
Here’s a comparison of the pools on the Icon of the Seas and the Titanic:
Icon of the Seas have
- 7 pools and 9 whirlpools spread across the ship
- Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea
- Chill Island featuring 4 of the 7 pools
- Hideaway pool, an adults-only infinity pool
- The Lime & Coconut pool area
- Category 6 water park with 6 water slides and a kids’ aqua park
- AquaDome, an indoor pool area with water shows
Titanic had
One swimming pool for First Class passengers only, located on F Deck. It was used by men as swimming was not a common activity for women in that era.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic Safety Comparison
The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas compared to other ships and Titanic have better safety features than the Titanic. Icon of the Seas has a more stable design and uses high-tech radar to spot dangers like icebergs from far away.
After the Titanic sank, the international maritime treaty SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) was made to improve ship safety. This treaty requires all modern cruise ships to have better lifeboats, safety gear, and emergency plans. These upgrades make Icon of the Seas much safer than the Titanic was a century ago.
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic Lifeboats
The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas compared to other cruise ships has more lifeboats than needed for all passengers and crew. In comparison, the Titanic’s lifeboat capacity was critically insufficient, covering less than half of those on board. Modern cruise ships like Icon of the Seas are designed with much stricter safety standards and regulations.
Icon of the Seas is equipped with 17 large lifeboats. Each lifeboat can accommodate up to 450 people, thus Total lifeboat capacity exceeds the maximum passenger and crew count. Icon of the Seas also features additional life rafts for emergencies, modern evacuation systems and safety protocols.
Titanic compared to modern cruise ships was not carrying enough lifeboats and had only 20 lifeboats (14 standard wooden lifeboats, 2 emergency cutters, 4 collapsible boats). The total lifeboat capacity was 1,178 people. This capacity was insufficient for the 2,224 passengers and crew on board
International Ice Patrol (IIP)
The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas benefits from the International Ice Patrol, established in 1914 as a direct result of the Titanic disaster. IIP uses modern technology to detect and track icebergs.
The Titanic compared to cruise ships had no such service existed. It was relied on visual sightings and radio reports from other ships.
Titanic Vs Icon of the Seas Ship Structure
New cruise ships like Icon of the Seas have many safety features that make them safer for passengers than ships from the Titanic era.
Icon of the Seas is built with a double hull, watertight compartments, and advanced navigation and safety systems. The ship is designed to withstand severe weather and collisions.
The Titanic had a single hull design and 16 compartments that could hold water. It needed at least 4 compartments to be flooded to sink. When Titanic hit the iceberg, it damaged 5 or 6 of its compartments. The Titanic compared to a cruise ship was not strong enough to survive serious damage to its hull.
FAQs – Icon of the Seas vs Titanic
How Big is Icon of the Seas Compared to Titanic?
The Icon of the Seas compared to the Titanic is much bigger. The Titanic was 882 feet long, 92 feet wide, and 175 feet tall. In comparison, the Icon of the Seas is 1,198 feet long, 213 feet wide, and has 20 decks. The Titanic could hold 2,435 passengers, while the Icon of the Seas can accommodate up to 7,600 guests. This shows how shipbuilding and cruise industry standards have improved in the last hundred years.
Where was the Titanic Built?
The RMS Titanic was built in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was constructed by the Harland and Wolff shipyard, which was one of the largest shipyards in the world at the time. The construction began in 1909 and was completed in 1912.
Where was Icon of the Seas Built?
The Icon of the Seas was built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Meyer Turku is known for constructing some of the world’s largest cruise ships. The Icon of the Seas construction began in 2021 and was completed in 2023.