Royal Caribbean is known for building some of the biggest cruise ships in the world and after sailing on both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, I finally understood why these ships get so much attention. Icon of the Seas began sailing in early 2024, and Utopia of the Seas joined later in the same year with its own fresh energy and fun vibe.
After experiencing both ships myself, I am sharing a helpful guide to explain the real differences and similarities between them. In this comparison, I share what stood out to me, from ship size and neighborhoods to food, entertainment, and bars, so you can understand how each ship brings its own style at sea.
This Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas guide is written to help you choose the ship that fits your travel style and gives you the best cruise experience possible. Let us take a closer look at how these two Royal Caribbean giants compare.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Ship Class Difference
The Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas belong to different ship classes within Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The Icon of the Seas is the lead ship of the Icon class. On the other hand, the Utopia of the Seas is the 6th ship in the Oasis class, which was previously the largest cruise ship class in the world.
The Icon class is slightly larger and has more modern technology and amenities than the Oasis class.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Size Comparison
Utopia of the Seas Size Specs
- Gross Tonnage: 236,860 GT
- Length: 1,188 feet (362 meters)
- Width: 211 feet (64 meters)
- Maximum guest capacity: 6,988
- Guest capacity at double occupancy: 5,668
- Crew capacity: 2,290
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
Key Differences
- The Icon of the Seas is larger in terms of gross tonnage, being about 13,940 GT heavier.
- Icon of the Seas is slightly longer (10 feet) and wider (2 feet) than Utopia of the Seas.
- Icon of the Seas capacity has a higher maximum guest capacity (612 more guests), but Utopia of the Seas has more double occupancy capacity (58 more guests).
- Icon of the Seas has a slightly larger crew (60 more crew members).
Both ships are massive and represent the pinnacle of modern cruise ship design, with the Icon of the Seas being the newer and slightly larger vessel overall.
You can also check my comparison of Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas to see all the details and differences.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Deck Comparison
Both Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are massive cruise ships with multiple decks, each offering a variety of amenities and experiences. Utopia of the Seas belongs to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class which have 16 passenger decks and 18 total decks.
In comparison Icon of the Seas, as the first of the Icon class, is a bit bigger with 20 total decks and 18 passenger decks. The layout and features on each deck can vary significantly between ship classes.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Construction Cost
The Utopia of the Seas construction cost is around $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion USD same as Wonder of the Seas. The Ship is being built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France and will start sailing in July 2024.
The Icon of the Seas construction cost is $2 billion USD. The Icon of the Seas was built at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.
The Icon of the Seas has a higher construction cost due to its more advanced features, newer technologies, and larger size. The difference in shipyards also highlights Royal Caribbean’s strategy of working with multiple experienced European shipbuilders for their largest vessels.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Itineraries
Both ships focus on Caribbean itineraries and sail from Florida, but with some differences in home ports and specific routes. The exact itineraries may vary by season and can be subject to change.
Utopia of the Seas Itinerary
Utopia of the Seas cruise ship will sail to the Caribbean. It will sail from Port Canaveral (Orlando) in Florida. The itineraries are 3 or 4 nights to the Bahamas. Stops may include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau, Cozumel, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.
Icon of the Seas Itinerary
Icon of the Seas is mainly used for Caribbean cruises. It is based in Miami, Florida. The Icon of the Seas itineraries are 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Stops include Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Cozumel, and Roatan.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Neighborhoods
Utopia of the Seas (Oasis Class) 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 (Icon Class) has following 8 Neighborhoods:
- Surfside
- Chill Island
- Thrill Island
- AquaDome
- Central Park
- The Hideaway
- Royal Promenade
- Suite Neighborhood
Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have 8 neighborhoods. 3 neighborhoods are the same on both ships. The other neighborhoods are different. Both ships feature Central Park, Royal Promenade, and Suite Neighborhood though they may have different layouts or amenities.
Utopia of the Seas retains the traditional Vitality Spa and Fitness Center and Entertainment Place as distinct neighborhoods.
New ideas for Icon of the Seas include AquaDome, Chill Island, Surfside, Thrill Island, and The Hideaway. AquaDome has dining, entertainment, and hot tubs. Chill Island is for relaxing with many pools. Surfside is for families with a water park and places to eat. Thrill Island has exciting activities like slides and a ropes course. The Hideaway is an adults-only retreat with an infinity pool.
Icon of the Seas Pool and Sports Zone is now Thrill Island and Chill Island. The Youth Zone on Utopia of the Seas is now part of Surfside on Icon of the Seas.
These differences reflect Royal Caribbean’s evolution in ship design with Icon of the Seas introducing more specialized areas for different types of activities and experiences.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Cabins & Suites
Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas both offer a variety of cabin types including suites, with Utopia having a higher total number of guest rooms. But Icon of the Seas can accommodate 610 more guests at full capacity compared to Utopia of the Seas despite having fewer individual cabins. Both ships offer a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Utopia of the Seas has 2,834 cabins.
- Suites: 176
- Balcony rooms: 1,918
- Ocean-view rooms: 168
- Interior rooms: 572
Icon of the Seas has 2805 Suites and Cabins.
- Suites: 179
- Balcony Cabins: 1,815
- Ocean-view Cabins: 276
- Interior Cabins: 535
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Dining Options
Both Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas prioritize culinary experiences as a key part of their cruise offerings, providing passengers with diverse dining options. Each ship features its own unique restaurants to cater to various tastes and preferences.
Icon of the Seas distinguishes itself with venues like the Aqua Dome Market, Pearl Cafe, and Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, offering a mix of celebratory, upscale, and Asian-inspired dining experiences.
Utopia of the Seas dining options special restaurants like 150 Central Park, Spare Tire, and The Mason Jar. These dining options make the cruise experience more enjoyable for passengers.
Both Ships have these restaurants in common
- Coastal Kitchen
- Chops Grille
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
- Hooked Seafood
- Main Dining Room
- Park Cafe
- Starbucks
- Sugar Beach
- Izumi in the Park
- Playmakers
- Sorrento’s Pizza
- Windjammer
- El Loco Fresh
Here’s a comparison of the dining options between Utopia vs Icon of the Seas:
| Restaurants | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| 150 Central Park | ✗ | ✓ |
| Aqua Dome Market | ✓ | ✗ |
| Basecamp | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cafe Promenade | ✗ | ✓ |
| Celebration Table | ✓ | ✗ |
| Chef’s Table | ✗ | ✓ |
| Doghouse | ✗ | ✓ |
| Empire Supper Club | ✓ | ✗ |
| Izumi Hibachi & Sushi | ✓ | ✗ |
| Johnny Rockets | ✗ | ✓ |
| Izumi | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pearl Cafe | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pier 7 | ✓ | ✗ |
| Royal Railway – Utopia Station | ✗ | ✓ |
| Solarium Bistro | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sprinkles | ✗ | ✓ |
| Surfside Bites | ✓ | ✗ |
| Surfside Eatery | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Grove | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Mason Jar | ✗ | ✓ |
| The Spare Tire | ✗ | ✓ |
Icon of the Seas vs Utopia of the Seas Bars and Lounges
Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have many bars and lounges for different tastes. They have some common places like Trellis Bar, Playmaker, and Casino bars.
Icon of the Seas has a variety of bars, including pool bars, Swim & Tonic bar, and Lou’s Jazz n Blues with live music. Utopia of the Seas also has unique options like Solarium bar, Wipeout Bar, and Vue Bar. These familiar and new bars give passengers many choices for relaxing and having fun during their cruise.
Both Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas Ships have these Bars and Lounges in common:
- Cantina Fresca
- Casino Bar
- Trellis Bar
- Boleros
- Schooner Bar
- English Pub
- Giovanni’s Wine Bar
- Music Hall
- Playmakers
- Spotlight Karaoke
- The Attic
- The Lime & Coconut
If you’re looking for the latest Royal Caribbean drink prices and bar menus, check them out here for all the details.
Here is the comparison between Icon vs Utopia of the Seas Bars & Lounges:
| Bars & Lounges | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| 1400 Lobby Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Basecamp Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bubbles | ✓ | ✗ |
| Deserted Milkshake Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dueling Pianos | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lou’s Jazz ‘N Blues | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pesky Parrot | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rising Tide Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rye & Bean | ✓ | ✗ |
| Solarium Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Suite Lounge | ✗ | ✓ |
| Swim & Tonic | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Overlook | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Vue Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Windjammer Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Wipeout Bar | ✗ | ✓ |
| The Grove Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Hideaway Bar | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Lemon Post | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Lime & Coconut: Frozen | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Mason Jar | ✗ | ✓ |
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Activities and Entertainment
Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have many fun things for guests to do. They both have Mini Golf, Laser Tag, Casinos, and Adult only relaxation area. Icon of the Seas has Waterpark and Rope Courses. Utopia of the Seas has Zip lines and Thrill Slide.
Icon of the Seas includes about 80% activities in the cruise price, while Utopia of the Seas includes slightly more at 85% activities in the standard fare.
Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas Ships have these Activities and Entertainment in common:
- Climbing Wall
- Comedy Club
- Adult Only Relaxation Area
- Aqua theater
- Arcade
- FlowRider
- Ice Skating
- Carousel
- Casino
- Escape Room
- Fitness Center
- Broadway play
- Musical review
- Spa
- Splash Park
- Laser Tag
- Mini golf
| Activities & Entertainment | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Kid’s Play Area | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pool-side Movies | ✗ | ✓ |
| Waterpark | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zip Line | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ropes course | ✓ | ✗ |
| Thrill Slide | ✗ | ✓ |
| Water slides | ✗ | ✓ |
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Pools & Hot Tub Facilities
Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, both have many pools and hot tubs on board for guests to enjoy. These areas are popular spots for socializing, relaxing in the sun, and having drinks. These water features add a lot to the cruise experience, mixing fun and relaxation.
Icon of the Seas offers more pools and hot tubs as compared to Utopia of the Seas. Icon of the Seas has 7 pools and 9 hot tubs, while Utopia of the Seas has 5 pools and 7 hot tubs.
Icon of the Seas vs Utopia of the Seas: Which One is The Best?
Deciding between Utopia of the Seas or Icon of the Seas depends on what you like. Both ships have great things like good food, fun things to do, and nice places to stay. Icon of the Seas is good for families because it has more rooms for families and activities for them.
Utopia of the Seas includes more activities in the price you pay. Icon of the Seas has new and interesting places to eat and things to do. Utopia of the Seas is a mix of things you know from the Royal Caribbean and some new things. The best choice depends on who you are traveling with, where you want to go, how much you want to spend, and what you like to do on a ship.
FAQs about Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
Where does Utopia of the Seas Sail from?
The Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas sails to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral in Florida. The trips are 3 or 4 nights long and include stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau, Cozumel, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.
What class is Utopia of the Seas?
The Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas ship is the 6th ship in the Oasis Class.
When Does Utopia of the Seas Come Out?
The Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas debuted in Port Canaveral (Orlando) on July 19, 2024.
How Big is Utopia of the Seas?
Utopia of the Seas is 1,188 ft long and 211 ft wide with Gross Tonnage of 236,860 GT.
How Long did it Take to Build Icon of the Seas?
The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas took 900 days to build in Turku, Finland, starting with the first cut of steel in June 2021.
Where Does Icon of the Seas Sail From?
Icon of the Seas sails in the Caribbean from Miami, Florida. It offers 7-night trips to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Is Utopia of the Seas Bigger than Icon of the Seas?
Utopia of the Seas is 1,188 ft long and 211 ft wide, weighing 236,860 GT. Icon of the Seas is slightly bigger with 1,198 ft long and 213 ft wide, weighing 250,800 GT.