The last cruise I took was in 2019, and it wasn’t the best experience. But seeing all that Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Icon of the Seas, had to offer, it was hard not to get on board. Also, as a New Yorker, I was happy to escape the cold. As soon as I accepted to go onto Icon of the Seas, my For You Page on TikTok started showing me staff members, influencers, and other media folks who have already been on the ship, and let me say their content didn’t do it justice.

When you first walk onto the ship, you’re welcomed by friendly staff and a ray of lights that make you feel like you’re stepping onto the red carpet of an award show. Plus, the amenities are endless: entertainment, food, and fun.

Icon of the Seas has it all: a place for you to relax, a variety of cuisines, a space for those with kids to leave them in great care while they’re having a night out, and multiple activities like water slides, rock climbing, mini golf, and more. With over 18 floors, the ship has a name for each section, including AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, Suite Neighborhood, The Hideaway, and Thrill Island.

The fun doesn’t stop on the cruise. Considered the Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can enjoy a day at the Thrill Waterpark with 14 water slides, soar up to 450 feet high in a helium balloon for island views, or zipline in the Bahamas. Also, one of my favorites, Hideaway Beach, is at CocoCay — a beachfront paradise just for adults. Hideaway Beach has music, drinks, and great food. The Hideout cabanas are a mini paradise, with a speaker to play your tunes, a mini fridge at your disposal with whatever you want, and the best part, you can escape the heat and cool down with AC.

Aside from all the fun you can have on the world’s largest cruise line, tradition has it a new cruise has to have a padrino. The Icon of the Seas’ godfather is renowned Argentine fútbol player Lionel Messi. “Family is everything to me, and it was exciting to participate in welcoming what is the world’s best family vacation to Miami,” Messi said on a press statement. “Everything I’ve seen on Icon of the Seas is next level. There are experiences for the whole family to make memories that they’ll remember forever.”

While the ship may be sold out for the rest of the year, you can start planning for a stay for 2025 and 2026. Learn more about Icon of the Seas and book your stay here — you won’t regret it.

Travel and accommodations were provided to the author by Royal Caribbean for the purpose of writing this story.