Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is known for its biggest and most famous cruise ships in the world. In the world of cruising, the two top ships are Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas which are like cities on the sea offering many experiences for all travelers.
You have to choose between these two big ships: will you pick Wonder of the Seas or Icon of the Seas? Let’s compare Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas to see which one is better in this battle.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Class Difference
The Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are both Royal Caribbean cruise ships, but they belong to different classes. Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the Icon Class, while Wonder of the Seas is the 5th ship in the Oasis Class.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Size Comparison
Icon of the Seas Size Specs
- Gross Tonnage: 250,800 GT
- Length: 1,198 feet (365 meters)
- Width: 213 feet (65 meters)
- Maximum Guest Capacity: 7,600
- Guest Capacity at Double Occupancy: 5,610
- Crew Capacity: 2,350
- Cabins: 2,834
Wonder of the Seas Size Specs
- Gross Tonnage: 235,600 GT
- Length: 1,188 feet (362 meters)
- Width: 210 feet (64 meters)
- Maximum Guest Capacity: 7,084
- Guest Capacity at Double Occupancy: 5,734
- Crew Capacity: 2,300
- Cabins: 2,874
Key Differences
- Icon of the Seas is 15,200 GT heavier, 10 feet longer, and 3 feet wider than Wonder of the Seas.
- Icon of the Seas can hold more passengers at once with a maximum capacity of 7,600 compared to Wonder’s 7,084.
- Wonder of the Seas has more cabins with 2,874 compared to Icon of the Seas’s 2,834.
In summary, Icon of the Seas is larger and can hold more passengers, while Wonder of the Seas has more cabins and a higher double occupancy capacity.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Deck Comparison
Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are big cruise ships with lots of things to do on different decks. Wonder of the Seas has 16 passenger decks and 18 total decks, while Icon of the Seas has 18 passenger decks and 20 total decks. Icon of the Seas is a bit bigger, with two more total decks than Wonder of the Seas. This means Icon of the Seas can offer more activities and amenities.
The layout and features on each deck can be very different between these two ships. Icon of the Seas compared to Wonder of the Seas has extra decks that allow for new and unique experiences.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Passenger Capacity
Icon of the Seas can hold up to 7,600 passengers, with 5,610 in double occupancy. Wonder of the Seas can accommodate up to 7,084 passengers, with 5,734 in double occupancy.
Icon of the Seas has a higher total passenger capacity while Wonder of the Seas has a slightly higher double occupancy capacity. This suggests that Icon of the Seas have more cabins designed to accommodate additional guests beyond double occupancy.
Double occupancy refers to the standard capacity with two guests per cabin. The total passenger capacity includes all possible berths filled including additional beds, pull-out sofas or pullman beds in cabins and suites.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Construction Cost
The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas construction cost $2 billion USD, one of the most expensive cruise ships ever built. The Icon of the Seas was built at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.
The Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas construction cost is around $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion USD same as Utopia of the Seas (6th Oasis Class Ship). The Ship was built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Both ships were built in Europe at well-known shipyards that focus on making large cruise ships but in different countries.
The higher cost for Icon of the Seas reflects its status as the lead ship of a new class with the latest technologies and innovations. It’s common for the first ship in a new class to be more expensive due to design and development costs. Factors like increased size, new features, and advancements in technology contribute to the higher price tag.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Itineraries
Icon of the Seas focuses on the Caribbean, appealing to those who love tropical vacations or want to try the newest ship in popular vacation spots. Wonder of the Seas now sails in the Mediterranean, attracting travelers who want to explore Europe.
Icon of the Seas Itinerary
Icon of the Seas sails in the Caribbean region from its home port in Miami, Florida. The typical itineraries are a 7-night Eastern Caribbean trip that includes stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Kitts & Nevis. Another option is a 7-night Western Caribbean trip with stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, and Cozumel in Mexico.
Wonder of the Seas Itinerary
Wonder of the Seas sails in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. It departs from Port Canaveral in Florida for Caribbean trips and from Barcelona in Spain and Rome in Italy for Mediterranean journeys. The itineraries include a 7-night Eastern Caribbean trip to the Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten. There is also a 7-night Western Caribbean trip to the Bahamas, Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Maya. For the Western Mediterranean, the trip includes stops in Spain, Mallorca, France, and Italy.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Neighborhoods
Icon of the Seas has following 8 Neighborhoods:
- Surfside
- Chill Island
- Thrill Island
- AquaDome
- Central Park
- The Hideaway
- Royal Promenade
- Suite Neighborhood
Wonder of the Seas has following 8 Neighborhoods:
- Boardwalk
- Youth Zone
- Central Park
- Royal Promenade
- Suite Neighborhood
- Entertainment Place
- Pool and Sports Zone
- Vitality Spa and Fitness Center
Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas both feature 8 neighborhoods, with 3 common neighborhoods: Central Park, Royal Promenade, and Suite Neighborhood.
Icon of the Seas introduces new concepts like the AquaDome and Surfside, reflecting its more recent design. Wonder of the Seas, on the other hand, maintains the traditional Oasis Class layout with dedicated areas for wellness and suite guests.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Staterooms and Suites
Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, both Royal Caribbean ships offer a diverse range of accommodations to suit various preferences and group sizes.
Icon of the Seas has 2,805 cabins and can accommodate 7,600 guests. In comparison, Wonder of the Seas has 2,874 cabins. Wonder of the Seas compared to Icon of the Seas has higher cabins, but still Icon of the Seas can accommodate atleast 520 guests more.
Icon of the Seas introduces several new stateroom types:
- Panoramic Ocean View staterooms in the AquaDome
- Family Infinity Balcony staterooms for larger groups
- Inside Plus staterooms with improved privacy
- Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins with adjustable glass walls
- Surfside Family View interior cabins
- Infinite Central Park View balcony cabins
Wonder of the Seas offers unique options like:
- Studio single cabins for solo travelers
- Virtual balcony interior cabins
- Promenade, Boardwalk, and Central Park view cabins
Both ships feature a variety of standard cabin types including interior, ocean view, and balcony options.
Suite offerings are extensive on both ships:
- Icon of the Seas includes newer suites option the Ultimate Family Townhouse, Icon Loft Suites, and Surfside Family suites.
- Wonder of the Seas features the Ultimate Family Suite, AquaTheater suites, and Crown Loft suites.
Both ships offer a range of suite categories from junior suites to luxurious options like the Royal Loft and Owner’s suites. The Icon of the Seas, being newer, introduces some innovative concepts like the Infinite Veranda, while Wonder of the Seas benefits from the refined Suite Neighborhood concept.
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Restaurants
Both Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas focus on offering diverse food experiences during their cruises. Each ship has its own unique restaurants to cater to different tastes.
Icon of the Seas introduces new venues like AquaDome Market, Pearl Cafe, Basecamp, Surfside Eatery, Pier 7, and Surfside Bites Restaurants.
Wonder of the Seas has some venues not found on Icon of the Seas like Dog House, Wonderland, and Solarium Bistro. Wonder of the Seas maintains some classic Royal Caribbean venues like Johnny Rockets.
These special restaurants aim to make the cruise experience better by providing a variety of choices for passengers. Both Ships have these restaurants in common:
- Park Café
- Starbucks
- Chops Grille
- Sugar Beach
- El Loco Fresh
- Sorrento’s Pizza
- Coastal Kitchen
- Hooked Seafood
- Windjammer Café
- Main Dining Rooms
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Here’s a comparison of the dining options between Wonder vs Icon of the Seas:
| Restaurants | Icon of the Seas | Wonder of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| AquaDome Market | ✓ | ✗ |
| Basecamp | ✓ | ✗ |
| 150 Central Park | ✗ | ✓ |
| Café Promenade | ✗ | ✓ |
| Empire Supper Club | ✓ | ✗ |
| Celebration Table | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dog House | ✗ | ✓ |
| Izumi in the Park | ✓ | ✗ |
| Johnny Rockets | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pearl Café | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pier 7 | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vitality Café | ✗ | ✓ |
| Wonderland | ✗ | ✓ |
| Solarium Bistro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Surfside Bites | ✓ | ✗ |
| Surfside Eatery | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Grove | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Mason Jar | ✗ | ✓ |
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Bars & Lounges
Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas have many bars and lounges with different styles for different tastes. Icon of the Seas has new ideas while Wonder of the Seas keeps some classic Royal Caribbean Bars. They have familiar Royal Caribbean spots like Trellis Bar and Playmakers sports bar.
Icon of the Seas seems to have more specialized and themed bars, such as the jazz lounge and dueling pianos venue. Wonder of the Seas maintains some classic Royal Caribbean Bars like the Bionic Bar and has dedicated lounges for suite guests and loyalty program members.
These options give passengers lots of choices for fun and relaxation on their trip. Royal Caribbean keeps popular places and adds new ones to give passengers a mix of old favorites and fresh experiences.
Icon of the Seas has new ideas while Wonder of the Seas keeps some classic Royal Caribbean Bars.
Both Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas Ships have these Bars and Lounges in common:
- Boleros
- The Attic
- Trellis Bar
- Casino Bar
- English Pub
- Schooner Bar
- Diamond Club
- Cantina Fresca
- The Lime & Coconut
- Giovanni’s Wine Bar
- Playmakers Bar & Arcade
Here is the comparison between Icon vs Wonder of the Seas Bars & Lounges:
| Bars & Lounges | Icon of the Seas | Wonder of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bionic Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Swim & Tonic Pool Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Rising Tide Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Schooner Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Solarium Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Suite Lounge | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dueling Pianos | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Hideaway Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Wipeout Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vue Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| 1400 Lobby Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Basecamp Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bubbles | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues | ✓ | ✗ |
| Music Hall | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Grove Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Lemon Post | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Overlook | ✓ | ✗ |
| Rye & Bean | ✓ | ✗ |
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Activities and Entertainment
Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas offer many activities and entertainment options like pools, waterslides, and shows. Some activities may cost extra. Icon of the Seas includes around 80% activities in the base fare, while Wonder of the Seas includes about 79%. Both ships have similar features, but each also has unique attractions.
Icon of the Seas being the newer ship introduces several innovative concepts and record-breaking attractions, while Wonder of the Seas maintains many features of the Oasis class with some enhancements.
Both Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas Ships have these Activities and Entertainment in common:
- Arcade
- Casino
- Karaoke
- Mini Golf
- Carousel
- FlowRider
- Waterslides
- Whirlpools
- Music Hall
- AquaTheater
- Sports Court
- Central Park
- Comedy Club
- Fitness & Spa
- Royal Theater
- Absolute Zero
- Splashway Bay
Here is the comparison between Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Activities:
| Activities & Entertainment | Icon of the Seas | Wonder of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Skating | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rock Climbing Wall | ✗ | ✓ |
| Running Track | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zip Line | ✗ | ✓ |
| Solarium | ✗ | ✓ |
| Table Tennis | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Perfect Storm | ✗ | ✓ |
Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Pools and Waterslides
Icon of the Seas has 7 pools and 9 whirlpools. It has the biggest waterpark at sea called Category 6 with 6 waterslides. One of its thrill slides is Pressure Drop. It also has family raft slides named Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter. Another attraction is Storm Chasers, which is the first mat-racing waterslide on a ship. There are surfing simulators called FlowRider.
Wonder of the Seas has 4 main pools and 10 whirlpools. It features the Perfect Storm waterslide trio: Typhoon, Cyclone, and Supercell. It has the Ultimate Abyss dry slide which is a notable thrill feature. The ship also offers FlowRider surf simulators.
Wonder of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Which One is the Best?
Choose between Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas based on what you like. Icon of the Seas is a newer, more advanced ship for people who want the latest cruise technology. It will likely be busier with more people. Wonder of the Seas is a bit older but still modern and offers a great cruise experience and offers different trips like Mediterranean cruises. It might be better for those who prefer a quieter environment or are familiar with its layout.
Both ships are good for different types of travelers and have different routes. Both ships promise a top-notch cruise with lots of entertainment, dining, and activities. If you like new stuff and family activities, you might like Icon of the Seas. If you prefer different travel spots and a classic experience, Wonder of the Seas could be your choice.
FAQs – Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas
How Much bigger is Icon of the Seas than Wonder of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas is 15,200 GT heavier, 10 feet longer, 3 feet wider, and can accommodate 520 more guests than Wonder of the Seas.
How Many Passengers Does Wonder of the Seas Hold?
The Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas Cruise Ship can hold up to 7,084 guests, with a maximum of 5,734 guests at double occupancy.
How Long Did It Take to Build Icon of the Seas?
The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship was built in 900 days, starting with the first steel cut in June 2021 in Turku, Finland.