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Interactive ship matchup

Compare cruise ships side by side

Choose two or three ships and see the meaningful differences—without a fake winner, live-price claims or a login.

Facts stay factsNo paid rankings or hidden scores
Routes stay honestRepresentative examples—not live inventory
Your trip stays privateNo login or booking number

Build your matchup

Choose two ships. Add a third if it helps.

Choose from any ship menu. Each selection comes from our current library of 32 sourced ship guides.

Showing MSC World America and Icon of the Seas.

Useful starting points

Suggested ship matchups

Suggested matchupMSC World Americavs.Icon of the SeasOpen the full comparison →Suggested matchupMSC World Americavs.MSC SeashoreOpen the full comparison →Suggested matchupIcon of the Seasvs.Wonder of the SeasOpen the full comparison →Suggested matchupMargaritaville at Sea Islandervs.Margaritaville at Sea ParadiseOpen the full comparison →Suggested matchupDisney Wishvs.Disney TreasureOpen the full comparison →Suggested matchupNorwegian Aquavs.Icon of the SeasOpen the full comparison →

Cruise Made Clear take

Different strengths—not a universal winner.

Use these sourced facts and clearly labeled fit notes to decide which tradeoffs suit your trip. See how we research →

A

MSC Cruises

MSC World America

MSC’s most U.S.-focused World-class experience, with an extensive dining lineup and a large family district.

Editorial fit notes

Multigenerational familiesYacht Club travelersMega-ship fans
Read the full MSC World America guide →
B

Royal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas

One of the broadest family-resort experiences at sea, with distinct zones for different ages.

Editorial fit notes

FamiliesWaterpark fansMultigenerational groups
Read the full Icon of the Seas guide →

Side by side

Ship basics

Capacity figures are approximate and cruise lines can publish different occupancy measures.

Overall feel

AMSC World America

Seven districts include Family Aventura, the Aqua Deck, World Promenade, Zen Area and MSC Yacht Club.

BIcon of the Seas

Icon-class neighborhoods pair the Category 6 waterpark, AquaDome and family-focused Surfside.

Original build year

This is the vessel’s original build year, not necessarily the year it joined its current brand.

AMSC World America

2025

BIcon of the Seas

2024

Class and scale

AMSC World America

World Class
Mega ship in this guide

BIcon of the Seas

Icon Class
Mega ship in this guide

Approximate guests

Treat these as orientation only; berth basis and published capacity definitions vary.

AMSC World America

~5,240

BIcon of the Seas

~5,610

Guide highlights

AMSC World America

  • Seven districts
  • Cliffhanger swing
  • World Promenade

BIcon of the Seas

  • Category 6 waterpark
  • AquaDome
  • Surfside

Side by side

Dining

These are the choices currently documented in our guides, not a guaranteed complete venue count. Inclusion can change by fare, package, cabin category, meal period and sailing.

Dining approach

AMSC World America

Main restaurants and buffet dining are included, while specialty venues and flexibility depend on the booked experience and package.

Cruise-line-level context; confirm the exact ship and fare.

BIcon of the Seas

Main dining and the Windjammer buffet anchor the included choices, with casual and specialty restaurants varying by ship.

Cruise-line-level context; confirm the exact ship and fare.

Typically included

AMSC World America

Show choices listed in this guide
  • Main dining restaurants assigned by experience
  • Il Mercato Buffet
  • La Brasserie Buffet
  • Luna Park Pizza & Burger
  • Selected quick-service stations

BIcon of the Seas

Show choices listed in this guide
  • Main Dining Room
  • Windjammer Marketplace
  • AquaDome Market
  • Pearl Café
  • Park Café
  • Surfside Eatery
  • Surfside Bites
  • El Loco Fresh
  • Sorrento’s Pizza
  • Coastal Kitchen — eligible suite guests

Usually extra or restricted

AMSC World America

Show extra or restricted choices
  • Eataly at sea
  • Butcher’s Cut
  • Kaito Sushi
  • Kaito Teppanyaki
  • Hola! Tacos & Cantina
  • Paxos Greek Restaurant
  • Sweet Temptations
  • Room service and delivery — terms vary by experience

BIcon of the Seas

Show extra or restricted choices
  • Chops Grille
  • Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
  • Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
  • Pier 7
  • Hooked Seafood
  • Playmakers food
  • Starbucks
  • Desserted milkshakes
  • Celebration Table
  • Room service — service charge outside continental breakfast
  • Empire Supper Club

Side by side

Pools, activities and entertainment

Compare the actual spaces your group will use, not a made-up feature score.

Pools and water

AMSC World America

Show pools and water features
  • Aqua Deck pools
  • Aquapark
  • Whirlpools
  • Zen Area adult-only pools

BIcon of the Seas

Show pools and water features
  • Category 6 waterpark
  • Royal Bay Pool
  • Swim & Tonic
  • Cloud 17
  • The Cove Pool
  • Splashaway Bay

Activities

AMSC World America

Show activities
  • Cliffhanger overwater swing
  • The Harbour family activity area
  • Sports and game spaces
  • World Promenade

BIcon of the Seas

Show activities
  • FlowRider
  • Crown’s Edge
  • Adrenaline Peak climbing wall
  • Lost Dunes mini golf
  • Sports court

Entertainment

AMSC World America

Show entertainment
  • Panorama Lounge
  • Luna Park Arena
  • Theater shows
  • Live music and promenade events

BIcon of the Seas

Show entertainment
  • AquaDome productions
  • Ice-skating shows
  • Main theater productions
  • Live music and comedy

Casino and smoking policy

Casino rules can vary by ship, region and sailing. Confirm before booking if smoke exposure matters.

AMSC World America

Casino with smoking permitted while playing

MSC permits smoking in casinos during opening hours for guests who are seated and playing.

BIcon of the Seas

Casino Royale

Smoking and non-smoking areas are used on most sailings. Casinos are non-smoking on departures from Australia and the United Kingdom; rules differ for China and Hong Kong departures.

Side by side

Families, adults and wellness

A ship can serve several audiences, but the amount and placement of dedicated space still change the feel.

Kids and teens

AMSC World America

Show kids and teen spaces
  • Family Aventura district
  • MSC Kids Clubs by age
  • Teen spaces
  • The Harbour

BIcon of the Seas

Show kids and teen spaces
  • Surfside family neighborhood
  • Adventure Ocean
  • Teen spaces
  • Arcade

Adult spaces

AMSC World America

Show adult spaces
  • Zen Area
  • MSC Aurea Spa
  • Casino
  • MSC Yacht Club exclusive areas

BIcon of the Seas

Show adult spaces
  • Adults-only Hideaway
  • Cloud 17
  • Central Park
  • Casino and nightlife

Spa and wellness

AMSC World America

Show wellness choices
  • MSC Aurea Spa
  • Thermal area
  • Fitness center
  • Beauty salon and barber

BIcon of the Seas

Show wellness choices
  • Vitality Spa
  • Fitness center
  • Running track

Side by side

Cabins and accessibility planning

These are cruise-line-level planning notes. Request exact accommodations before sailing.

Cabin approach

AMSC World America

A broad cabin mix runs from interior rooms to balconies, suites and the private MSC Yacht Club enclave on these ships.

Line-level guidance; categories and layouts vary by ship.

BIcon of the Seas

Interior, ocean-view, balcony and suite categories are joined by ship-specific family and neighborhood accommodations.

Line-level guidance; categories and layouts vary by ship.

Accessibility planning

AMSC World America

MSC publishes reduced-mobility and accessible-cabin guidance; assistance should be arranged before embarkation.

Confirm needs and availability directly with the cruise line.

BIcon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean publishes accessible-stateroom and assistance guidance; travelers should request specific accommodations before sailing.

Confirm needs and availability directly with the cruise line.

Worth knowing

AMSC World America

Dining time, drinks, service benefits and flexibility vary materially by booked experience. Compare the fare, not just the ship.

BIcon of the Seas

Headline attractions can require reservations, carry restrictions or cost extra. Large ships also reward advance planning.

Side by side

Homeports and representative itineraries

These examples are not a live schedule, price or availability search.

Homeport snapshot

AMSC World America

Miami

Representative finder snapshot; deployments change.

BIcon of the Seas

Miami

Representative finder snapshot; deployments change.

Itinerary examples

AMSC World America

  • 7-night Eastern Caribbean
  • 7-night Western Caribbean

BIcon of the Seas

  • 7-night Eastern Caribbean
  • 7-night Western Caribbean

Side by side

Sources and freshness

The month below records when the linked core ship page was reviewed. Dining inclusions, policies and deployments can change independently.

Official ship source

AMSC World America

Open the official MSC World America page ↗

BIcon of the Seas

Open the official Icon of the Seas page ↗

Casino policy source

AMSC World America

Open the official casino or smoking policy ↗

BIcon of the Seas

Open the official casino or smoking policy ↗

Core ship page reviewed

AMSC World America

July 2026

BIcon of the Seas

July 2026

How to use this

Compare what changes the vacation.

Start with fit

Look at the atmosphere, age groups and spaces your party will actually use.

Then check the fare

Dining, packages and access can change by cabin category and booked terms.

Finish with the route

Confirm the exact sailing, homeport and ports on the cruise line’s current site.