Start with Icon of the Seas if…
One of the broadest family-resort experiences at sea, with distinct zones for different ages.
- Families
- Waterpark fans
- Multigenerational groups
Cruise ship comparison
Icon of the Seas vs. Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Icon- and Oasis-class resort ships, side by side.
The useful distinction
What changes between these ships?
Icon of the Seas emphasizes the newer Icon-class family and waterpark concept through Surfside, Category 6 and the AquaDome. Wonder of the Seas uses the established Oasis-class formula with Central Park, Boardwalk and the AquaTheater, and now includes short Bahamas and Perfect Day patterns in this guide. Both are large, active ships; trip length and the spaces your group will use are key distinctions.
Quick fit check
Which ship should you start with?
These are editorial fit notes, not a ranking. Use the side-by-side facts below to test the fit.
Start with Wonder of the Seas if…
A strong choice when the ship itself should supply several days of activities.
- Active families
- Multigenerational groups
- Big-ship explorers
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 →
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 →Royal Caribbean
Wonder of the Seas
A strong choice when the ship itself should supply several days of activities.
Editorial fit notes
Active familiesMultigenerational groupsBig-ship explorers
Read the full Wonder of the Seas guide →Side by side
Ship basics
Capacity figures are approximate and cruise lines can publish different occupancy measures.
Overall feel
AIcon of the Seas
Icon-class neighborhoods pair the Category 6 waterpark, AquaDome and family-focused Surfside.
BWonder of the Seas
Eight-neighborhood Oasis-class design with Central Park, Boardwalk and the AquaTheater.
Original build year
This is the vessel’s original build year, not necessarily the year it joined its current brand.
AIcon of the Seas
2024
BWonder of the Seas
2022
Class and scale
AIcon of the Seas
Icon Class
Mega ship in this guide
BWonder of the Seas
Oasis Class
Mega ship in this guide
Approximate guests
Treat these as orientation only; berth basis and published capacity definitions vary.
AIcon of the Seas
~5,610
BWonder of the Seas
~5,700
Guide highlights
AIcon of the Seas
- Category 6 waterpark
- AquaDome
- Surfside
BWonder of the Seas
- Central Park
- AquaTheater
- Ultimate Abyss
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
AIcon 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.BWonder 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
AIcon 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
BWonder of the Seas
Show choices listed in this guide
- Main Dining Room
- Windjammer Marketplace
- Solarium Bistro
- Park Café
- Café Promenade
- Sorrento’s Pizza
- El Loco Fresh
- Boardwalk Dog House
- Vitality Café
- Coastal Kitchen — eligible suite guests
Usually extra or restricted
AIcon 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
BWonder of the Seas
Show extra or restricted choices
- Chops Grille
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
- Hooked Seafood
- 150 Central Park
- The Mason Jar
- Johnny Rockets — lunch and dinner
- Starbucks
- Sugar Beach
- Room service — service charge outside continental breakfast
Side by side
Pools, activities and entertainment
Compare the actual spaces your group will use, not a made-up feature score.
Pools and water
AIcon of the Seas
Show pools and water features
- Category 6 waterpark
- Royal Bay Pool
- Swim & Tonic
- Cloud 17
- The Cove Pool
- Splashaway Bay
BWonder of the Seas
Show pools and water features
- Multiple pools and whirlpools
- Perfect Storm waterslides
- Splashaway Bay
- Adults-only Solarium
Activities
AIcon of the Seas
Show activities
- FlowRider
- Crown’s Edge
- Adrenaline Peak climbing wall
- Lost Dunes mini golf
- Sports court
BWonder of the Seas
Show activities
- Ultimate Abyss dry slide
- FlowRider surf simulator
- Zip line
- Sports court
- Carousel
Entertainment
AIcon of the Seas
Show entertainment
- AquaDome productions
- Ice-skating shows
- Main theater productions
- Live music and comedy
BWonder of the Seas
Show entertainment
- AquaTheater shows
- Ice-skating productions
- Main theater shows
- Live music and comedy
Casino and smoking policy
Casino rules can vary by ship, region and sailing. Confirm before booking if smoke exposure matters.
AIcon 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.
BWonder 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
AIcon of the Seas
Show kids and teen spaces
- Surfside family neighborhood
- Adventure Ocean
- Teen spaces
- Arcade
BWonder of the Seas
Show kids and teen spaces
- Adventure Ocean
- Teen spaces
- Wonder Playscape on Wonder
Adult spaces
AIcon of the Seas
Show adult spaces
- Adults-only Hideaway
- Cloud 17
- Central Park
- Casino and nightlife
BWonder of the Seas
Show adult spaces
- Solarium
- Central Park dining and bars
- Casino Royale
- Late-night lounges
Spa and wellness
AIcon of the Seas
Show wellness choices
- Vitality Spa
- Fitness center
- Running track
BWonder 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
AIcon 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.BWonder 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
AIcon 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.BWonder 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
AIcon of the Seas
Headline attractions can require reservations, carry restrictions or cost extra. Large ships also reward advance planning.
BWonder 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
AIcon of the Seas
Miami
Representative finder snapshot; deployments change.BWonder of the Seas
Miami
Representative finder snapshot; deployments change.Itinerary examples
AIcon of the Seas
- 7-night Eastern Caribbean
- 7-night Western Caribbean
BWonder of the Seas
- 3–4 night Bahamas and Perfect Day getaways
- 7-night Eastern or Western Caribbean examples
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
AIcon of the Seas
BWonder of the Seas
Casino policy source
AIcon of the Seas
BWonder of the Seas
Core ship page reviewed
AIcon of the Seas
July 2026
BWonder of the Seas
July 2026
Keep deciding
Check the actual sailing before you book.
Open both full ship guides, then confirm the exact date, route, fare inclusions, cabin and current policies with the cruise line.