Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas will turn the tables in January 2024 with an unrivaled selection of dining options created for every kind of family and traveler. A combination of upscale experiences, quick meal locations, and family-friendly venues, there are more than 20 new and distinctive options for adventure-hungry travelers to eat and create memories.
The first-of-its-kind amalgamation of the best vacation experiences will offer options for every occasion and mood, including restaurants, walk-up windows, informal and luxury dining options, live music, and chefs who put on a show. New dining options include the posh and opulent eight-course Empire Supper Club, AquaDome Market, Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, and Izumi in the Park, an all-day window serving fresh sushi and other dishes. The new flavors are a nice compliment to the classics already on board, which include Italian, Japanese, and Mexican favorites like Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Izumi, and El Loco Fresh.
“The experiences had over great food are at the heart of so many shared memories that we could all use more of in our day-to-day. We’ve designed Icon of the Seas to offer every guest, no matter their tastes, age and mood or the occasion, a variety of ways they can easily make those moments their way every day while on vacation,” said Linken D’Souza, vice president, food and beverage, Royal Caribbean International. “If vacationers want to stick to their favorites, like kids and their chicken tenders, or mix it up every night and try new flavors, more than 20 experiences across Icon’s eight neighborhoods make that possible – without compromise – more than ever.”
Here’s a look at what to expect.
Elevated dining experiences:
- Empire Supper Club – Near the Central Park neighborhood, the new experience is eight-course menu of premium American cuisine, from caviar to wagyu; a drink paired with every dish; a swanky three-piece band playing unexpected renditions of modern favorites; and more.
- Celebration Table – Special occasions and milestones get the VIP treatment at the new 12-seat private experience. Paired with AquaDome’s sweeping ocean views, guests can have their choice of exclusive American, Italian, Asian and seafood menus, along with the option to add a personal touch with ambient plus-ups and menu upgrades.
- Returning favorites include Chops Grille, and Trellis Bar, with its debut menu of bites; the Dining Room, where three levels are matched with three courses; Hooked Seafood in AquaDome; Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Bar, new to Royal Promenade; the now two-level Coastal Kitchen in the Suite Neighborhood; and the exclusive Chef’s Table experience.
Spots for quick bites:
- AquaDome Market – The lineup at Royal Caribbean’s first food hall brings five different stalls and a selection of wines and beer to the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Flavors range from sweet and savory crepes at Creme de la Crepe to macaroni and cheese with a twist of tasty toppings at Mac’s, to fresh pitas and bowls at Feta Mediterranean, to Asian-inspired treats like Korean beef and broccoli at GNGR, and sandwiches and salads at Toast and Garden.
- Izumi in the Park – The all-day window debuts next to the first Izumi restaurant in Central Park, serving up fresh sushi and street food to go like taiyaki ice cream with Instagram-worthy toppings.
- The Pearl Cafe – A new stop for bites day or night, like freshly toasted sandwiches and ready-made salads, the cafe sits between The Pearl and floor-to-ceiling ocean views in Royal Promenade.
- Basecamp – The new spot to refuel between memory-making in Thrill Island, Chill Island and The Hideaway serves drinks and treats like pretzel bites with cheese and crispy shrimp bao buns. For a sweet ending, nearby is Desserted, the new milkshake bar with over-the-top shakes, including adults-only boozy options.
- The Grove – The new al fresco and casual Mediterranean dining option conveniently located on the suite sun deck in the Suite Neighborhood.
- Returning favorites include Central Park’s Park Cafe – now open in the evening for tapas – El Loco Fresh, the grab-and-go spot for Mexican delights in Chill Island; Sorrento’s signature pies and a different specialty pizza for every day of the week in Royal Promenade; and the most expansive Windjammer buffet that offers an equally expansive menu of flavors from around the world, along with a section and selection designed for kids.
Family and kids-approved eats:
- Surfside Eatery – The new buffet dedicated to families at the heart of Surfside, the stay-all-day neighborhood for young families, has options for all ages to enjoy at breakfast, lunch and dinner, including twists on kids classics for the grownups.
- Pier 7 – It’s about the all-day brunch at this new venue in Surfside, serving up casual California-inspired dishes like surf-and-turf tacos, smoked salmon benedict and sharable platters.
- Surfside Bites – Surfside’s pit stop makes maximizing every minute of adventure easy, thanks to the walkup window and its menu of quick snacks like burgers, popcorn chicken, cinnamon-sugar donut holes and more.
- Returning favorites include Asian-inspired Izumi, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade for some friendly competition and bar bites, and Sprinkles for ice cream all day and night.
Beginning in January 2024, Icon will depart from Miami year-round on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises that stop at places including CocoCay, The Bahamas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras. These cruises are part of Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Perfect Day program. In the upcoming months, more information regarding the first Icon Class ship will be made public. Visitors can explore everything the Icon of Vacations has to offer by visiting Icon of the Seas: the Icon of Vacations.
