Royal Caribbean has revealed Hero of the Seas, the latest Icon of the Seas vessel – the largest cruise ship in the world.
Set to launch in Miami in August 2027, the ship combines beach retreats, resort escapes and theme park thrills in one go.
It will be home to the most pools at sea and a record-breaking 28 dining venues – as well as the world’s largest water park at sea.
It will also boast new accommodation for families – including a three-story ultimate family treehouse.
Guests on board will be able to dive into nine distinct pools – including family-friendly spaces, a new Caribbean-inspired pool, three adults-only options, the largest swim-up bars at sea and more.
Holidays on Hero will soon be available to book on Royal Caribbean’s website, and the official opening will be on Thursday, April 2.
Hero will introduce Coconut Cove, steps away from the tropical Caribbean bar, The Lime and Coconut.
Meanwhile, the Hideaway adults-only oasis will now feature two pools, including the largest swim-up bar at sea for tropical cocktails and an in-water DJ booth.
Royal Caribbean’s new Hero of the Seas has been revealed – and is set to launch next year
It has nine distinct pools – the most at sea ever recorded, an impressive feat
Familiar favorites will be revamped with more room to splash and unwind at the expanded Swim & Tonic pool and swim-up bar for adults, plus new water features at Splashaway Bay, the aquapark designed for young kids in the Surfside family neighbourhood.
At Category 6 – the largest waterpark at sea – adventurers can take on two new family raft slides, including the first funnel raft slide at sea, along with new twists on the mat-racing Storm Chasers duo.
You can also test your courage on Crown’s Edge – part skywalk, part zip line experience 154 feet above the ocean – or catch waves on the FlowRider surf simulator.
Families can challenge one another to friendly competition at the Adrenaline Peak rockclimbing wall, Lost Dunes mini-golf course and sports courts for pickleball, basketball, soccer and more.
Plus, Hero serves up 28 dining spots – a record figure.
The newest supper club experience, Orleans Parish Supper Club, is a multi-course dining venue with live jazz, craft cocktails, and gourmet Cajun and Creole dishes inspired by the early 20th century elegance of the French Quarter.
Meanwhile, Royal Railway – Hero Station will bring to life the most immersive dining experience at sea that transports adventurous diners by train car to new destinations through a combination of entertainment, food and technology.
The family-friendly Surfside neighbourhood will host hands-on cooking classes in a new venue to be revealed.
A standout new dining experience is the Orleans Parish Supper Club, complete with jazz music
Families can also enjoy new cooking classes on board the vessel
Families of all ages can learn kitchen skills together, from fun recipes for little ones to more advanced courses focused on chopping and baking.
The AquaDome Market food hall will return with four new stall concepts, plus desserts at Crème de la Crêpe and freshly squeezed juices at Simply Pressed.
The all-encompassing dining lineup will also include fleet favorites such as sushi at Izumi and the walk-up window Izumi in the Park, family-style dishes at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, premium steaks at Chops Grille and fresh catches at Hooked Seafood.
Plus, families can refuel throughout the day at grab-and-go spots with everything included such as Basecamp for burgers and tater tots, El Loco Fresh for Mexican plates and Sorrento’s for pizza.
Hero is decked out with more options than ever for families to stay – notably, the Ultimate Family Treehouse has a three-deck treehouse featuring a rooftop terrace and private whirlpool, a two-deck teen space, and two main bedrooms each with their own bathroom and balcony.
Alternatively, you can stay at the three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse with direct access to Surfside, Surfside Family Suites and Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies, the Royal Loft Suites or Icon Loft Suites and more.
Other ship highlights include the Royal Promenade with restaurants, bars, floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the jaw-dropping Pearl – the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture – and the open-air Central Park lined with more than 30,500 real plants.
Plus, there will be new productions at the Royal Theater, the marquee AquaTheater and Absolute Zero – the largest ice arena at sea – along with spots for live music day and night.
Staying at the Ultimate Family Treehouse is perfect for families on board
The ship is also home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea
Hero will take guests on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures from Miami, with every vacation visiting Royal Caribbean’s top-rated exclusive destination at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Guests can choose between weeklong Caribbean vacations wandering Western Caribbean spots like Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, or explore crystal-clear waters in Eastern Caribbean locales at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean, said: ‘Icon Class truly set a new standard for family vacations, and Hero of the Seas takes that vision even further.
‘With more water, more thrills and more choices for all ages, we’re continuing to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and delivering the experiences families are looking for when vacationing together.’
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