Hero Of The Seas

The 2027-built Hero of the Seas cruise ship (currently under construction) is RCI-Royal Caribbean's fourth ICON-Class vessel, scheduled for delivery and inauguration in June 2027. Her sisterships are Icon of the Seas (2024), Star of the Seas (2025), and Legend of the Seas (2026).

These liners are currently the world's largest (~6% larger than Wonder OTS/OASIS Plus-class). "Project Icon" is the name of this cruise ship class ordered by RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (shipowner). All units are being built by Meyer Werft's Shipyard in Turku, Finland.

The vessel (IMO number 1083023) will be Bahamas-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US-based company, trademarked brand, and subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). Founded in 1968, RCI currently controls over one-fifth of the global cruise market. RCI also operates RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage.

All RCI ships have names ending with "of the Seas".

Each ICON-class vessel has a passenger capacity of 5610 (lower berths) and a GT of 250,800 tons, making them the largest cruise ships in the world.

On May 5, 2022, an RCI spokesperson announced that the ICON class would exceed the OASIS class in both passenger capacity and tonnage, making ICON ships the largest ever built. On October 20th, RCI revealed more details, including the vessel's exact volume (250,800 GT) and maximum capacity (9950/7600 passengers + 2350 crew). For comparison, the OASIS PLUS class ships have ~227,000 GT and a max capacity of 8800 (6410 passengers + 2390 crew).

Initially, the ICON ship design was announced with ~5200 passengers and ~200,000 GT.

Decks and Cabins

Of all Hero of the Seas staterooms (2805 total, in 28 grades), ~70% are balcony cabins and over 80% accommodate three or more guests. The ship has 179 suites, 1815 balconies, 276 oceanviews (including 12 Panoramic) and 744 inside cabins (534 Standard plus 214 Interior-Facing/Promenade View Balcony). Infinite Balconies are 693 (615 Standard plus 78 Family). There are 50 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

Star OTS introduced 14 new cabin categories for RCI - Inside Plus, Panoramic Ocean View (redesigned cabins and suites), Infinite Balcony, Family Infinite Balcony, Surfside Family Suite, Sky Junior Suite, Sunset Suite, Sunset Corner Suite, Icon Loft Suite, and the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

"Panoramic Ocean View" cabins and suites are located in the AquaDome Neighborhood and feature floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows.

"Infinite Balcony" cabins are "French Balcony"-style staterooms with drop-down panoramic windows enclosing the terrace. These accommodations convert into an indoor space (separated by accordion doors) at the push of a button. This category debuted as Edge Veranda Infinity on Celebrity Cruises' EDGE-class ships.

"Family Infinite Balcony" cabins sleep up to six and include split bathrooms, a separate kids' bedroom (with bunk beds), and an infinite balcony.

"Surfside Family Suite," located in the Surfside Neighborhood, accommodates four, has a separate kids' bedroom (convertible into a lounge), and comes with Royal Suite Class perks.

"Sunset Corner Suite" (fleet's first) are aft-facing staterooms with large wraparound terraces.

The "Ultimate Family Townhouse" is a three-deck suite designed for families, featuring private access to Surfside Neighborhood, an indoor dry slide, media/cinema room, karaoke room, and a spacious terrace.

The three-deck Suite Neighborhood houses all the top-tier staterooms. It features an exclusive two-deck Sundeck and an expanded Coastal Kitchen (suite-only restaurant on two levels, overlooking the AquaTheater). A larger exclusive sundeck (reserved for Star Class and Sky Class suites) includes its own swimming pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, and a new suite-only casual dining venue (The Grove) offering Mediterranean specialties.

Suite categories (high to low grade) include Family Townhouse, Royal Loft, Icon Loft, Owner's, Infinite Grand, Grand, Sunset Corner, Surfside Family, Sunset, Junior, and Panoramic (windowed suites).

ICON ships also debut a new patented crew cabin design with L-shaped bed layouts.

The ship has 19 decks, of which 18 are passenger-accessible and 12 house cabins.

RCI's ICON-class vessels offer 40+ food & beverage concepts (including 23 fleet-firsts) and 26 fleet-first features (amenities and technologies), including 15 water activities.

For detailed information on RCI's ICON ships see the ship's Wiki page.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

RCI's ICON class features the OASIS class' Central Park Neighborhood - an open-air, multi-deck space inside the ship with live vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers). The design also includes the fore-located Solarium - a two-deck, adults-only relaxation complex (covered by a glass rooftop) with its own cafe/bistro, bar, thalassotherapy pool, large Jacuzzis, indoor sunbathing areas (deckchairs, loungers, daybeds), and an outdoor sundeck.

The Sun Deck (midship) spans two levels and is fitted with a large swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing area. A series of columns (midship-aft) support the waterslides and the ropes course.

The stern (as on the OASIS liners) is open-deck with cascading suite terraces.

Like all RCI ships, Hero OTS also has a FlowRider (surf simulator positioned aft-starboard on the top deck), an island-themed Mini-Golf Course (Lost Dunes), Rock-Climbing Walls (Adrenaline Peak), and the fleet's largest ice arena (Absolute Zero).

Star OTS offers 10 new dining concepts (out of 20 venues total), of which 11 are complimentary and 9 specialty/at fee.

The onboard retail shopping complex spans four decks (5-6-8-15) and includes 14 retail shops. Stores sell duty- and tax-free products such as perfumes, cosmetics, fashion clothing and accessories, watches, jewelry, liquor, tobacco, confectionery, games and toys. A Tech Shop offers electronics, gadgets, batteries, headphones, walkie-talkies, and Nintendo 3DS consoles. The Splash Store sells sunscreens, skincare, and swim accessories, while the Health Essentials Store sells toiletries and medicines.

Neighborhoods

Star OTS has seven swimming pools (spread across five decks), nine outdoor Jacuzzis/whirlpools, and the fleet's largest waterpark with six waterslides (including the largest at sea).

Below are listed the pools' operational hours:

• (Chill Island Neighborhood/Deck 15) Royal Bay Pool (starboard, with 2 Jacuzzis), Cove Pool (portside infinity pool/adults-only), and Hideaway Pool (aft/beach club-themed) are open 9 am-10 pm.
• (Chill Island Neighborhood/Deck 17) Cloud 17 Pool (adults-only solarium/sundeck, capacity 250, starboard, with whirlpool) is open 8 am-7 pm.

Like the OASIS and OASIS PLUS ships, the ICON ships feature eight themed neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Thrill Island, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Surfside, and Suite Neighborhood.

(Deck 5 and Deck 6) The Royal Promenade spans two levels and includes staterooms plus 15 F&B venues (bars, lounges, cafes, restaurants) such as Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Pearl Cafe (24-hour grab-and-go, similar to Cafe Promenade, offering complimentary sandwiches, croissants, salads, sweets, coffee, tea, sodas), Campfire Cookie (patisserie), Sorrento's Pizzeria, Thorn & Thistle (English pub with darts and live music), Boleros (Latin-themed bar with live performances), 1400 Bar (named after the ship's hull number, with piano music), Spotlight Karaoke Bar, The Attic (comedy club), Starbucks, Crown Lounge (exclusive for Diamond and above), Dueling Pianos Bar, and Music Hall (on decks 3-4). The Royal Promenade also houses the four-deck-high kinetic art sculpture "The Pearl" and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

The Pearl is a kinetic art sculpture with ~3000 computer-driven tiles arranged in a Fibonacci sequence. It recreates natural effects such as waves, breezes, and stars, reacting to real-time tidal and wind data. It measures 14 m (45 ft) high and 16 m (52 ft) in diameter, offering constantly changing multisensory experiences.

Hero OTS' Royal Promenade is 110 m (362 ft) long and, unlike previous designs, features floor-to-ceiling windows with unobstructed ocean views. On Deck 5 (starboard Embarkation Area) is the "1403 Lobby Bar" (indoor/outdoor seating, juice-based drinks, cocktails), named after the ship's hull number.

(Deck 8) Central Park is 20% larger than on OASIS ships and houses thousands of plants, live music, and venues such as Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Chops Grille, Park Cafe, Lincoln Supper Club, Trellis Bar, Schooner Bar, Desserted (milkshake bar), Lou's Jazz 'n Blues, and Bubbles (champagne bar). Central Park is an outdoor relaxation zone within the ship.

Central Park's garden features 30,500+ live plants, multi-deck-high columns, green walls, pathways, and soundscapes of birds and insects. Informational signage details the plants and trees onboard.

The Lincoln Park Supper Club (debuted as Empire Supper Club on Icon OTS) is styled after 1930s Chicago, with two nightly seatings (6 pm and 8:30 pm), an eight-course menu paired with exclusive cocktails/wines, and live band performances. With just 38 seats, it is considered RCI's most elegant restaurant. Cost: ~US$200 per person.

"Izumi in the Park" offers sushi-to-go, spicy beef gyoza, and desserts like bubble waffles and ice cream cones. Open 11:30 am-10:30 pm, with takeaway bento boxes available.

Suite Neighborhood spans decks 16-18, with a two-floor exclusive sundeck (pool and Jacuzzi), and two restaurants (for Star- and Sky-class passengers only): The Grove (alfresco Mediterranean buffet) and Coastal Kitchen (154 seats, two levels).

(Deck 15/aft) The Hideaway is a beach club-themed pool deck featuring the first suspended infinity pool at sea, with tiered terraces, Jacuzzis, a poolside bar, and Windjammer Marketplace buffet. Two types of daybeds (in-pool and oceanview) can be reserved, with amenities including water, towels, champagne, and beverage service. Prices: US$250-350 (in-pool) and US$200-300 (oceanview).

(Deck 15/forward) AquaDome, under a glass dome with 220-degree ocean views, houses the largest-at-sea waterfall. By day it is a relaxation space, while at night it transforms into AquaTheater with high-diving aquatic and aerial shows. Features include multimedia effects, stage lifts, robotic arms, and a deepwater pool. Venues include Rye & Bean (coffee shop/bar) and AquaDome Market (complimentary food hall with five stands serving Greek, Asian, French, and American fare).

Other AquaDome venues include Hooked Seafood (specialty restaurant), Celebration Table (VIP Chef's Table), and the bow-facing Overlook Lounge (two-level observation lounge, 164 seats).

(Deck 7/aft) Surfside Neighborhood is family-focused, with staterooms, Water's Edge infinity pool, a carousel, Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, Adventure Ocean (kids' club), Social020 (teens' lounge), arcade, Lemon Post Bar, ice cream station, Sugar Beach candy shop, and family dining venues (Surfside Bites, Surfside Eatery, Pier 7).

(Deck 16/aft) Thrill Island houses Crown's Edge (glass-bottom skywalk, ropes course, zip line, thrill ride), and Category 6 Waterpark (largest at sea, 1580 m2/17,010 ft2, six slides including the tallest, longest, and fastest at sea). Basecamp Bar serves complimentary and a la carte food and drinks.

(Deck 20) is the waterpark entry, with height/weight requirements for slides ranging from 42-55 inches and 265-595 lbs.

Chill Island spans decks 15-17 with four pools, including Royal Bay Pool (largest at sea), Cove Pool (infinity), Sprinkles ice cream bar, and Cloud 17 (adults-only sundeck). Swim & Tonic (RCI's first swim-up bar) has capacity for 12 people.

Top-deck dining includes El Loco Fresh (Mexican), Cantina Fresca, AquaDome Market, and Hooked Seafood.

The ship has 22 destination elevators plus staircases, one escalator linking decks 2-5, and a midship-aft staircase connecting Royal Promenade, Surfside, and Central Park. Destination elevators reduce crowding by directing guests to specific lifts.

The Main Dining Room spans decks 3-5 aft, offering rotating three-course menus and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Royal Theater (decks 3-5, forward) doubles as a cinema and hosts Broadway-style productions, aerial shows, lectures, trivia, and game shows. Signature shows include "Hairspray," "Flight," and "The Wizard of Oz," with rotating Headliners and game shows like "Love and Marriage."

Absolute Zero (decks 4-5) is the fleet's largest ice rink, offering complimentary skating sessions, ice shows, games, and laser tag. Evenings feature RCI production ice shows.

Star OTS also has the Royal Escape Room (puzzle/adventure gaming), the two-level Vitality Spa and Fitness Center, and Music Hall (live bands, DJs, dancing).

Signature restaurants include Wonderland, Celebration Table, and Johnny Rockets.

Star OTS hosts grand shows in three venues: Royal Theater ("Effectors," "Wizard of Oz," "Back to the Future: The Musical"), AquaDome ("Aqua Nation!," "Pirates vs Mermaids"), and Absolute Zero ("Starburst," "Once Upon A Time").

On ICON-class ships, RCI also introduced 60 new cocktails.

Family-themed activities

Hero OTS is Royal Caribbean's fourth ship (after Icon OTS, Star OTS, and Legend OTS) with a dedicated "family ambassador." Known as "Admiral Awesome," this professional hosts family events such as the Surfside "Larger-than-Life Family Festival," "Steel Pan Family Jam," Big Shark Block Party, and "Once Upon a Bedtime Story."

Surfside features two complimentary dining venues (Surfside Bites and Surfside Eatery) and the specialty Pier 7. The Lemon Post Bar serves cocktails and mocktails. A soft ice cream station is complimentary, while Sugar Beach offers premium sweets and ice cream.

Other Surfside highlights include Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, Adventure Ocean, Social020, and Challenger's Arcade. RCI's ICON ships also have a resident dog onboard.

Crew Neighborhood (staff and crew cabins and facilities)

The four-deck Crew Neighborhood houses 2350 staff in redesigned L-shaped cabins, each with TV, writing desk, sockets with USB ports, storage, privacy curtains, and fixed lower/upper berths. New facilities include The Clubhouse (crew lounge with bar, massage chairs, games), Beauty Salon, Store, Game Room, Gym, and a Crew Buffet with live cooking stations. A multipurpose Messhall hosts training and events.

Each ICON ship has 23 galleys serving 27 dining venues with 425 chefs. Supplies are stocked for up to three voyages (21 days).

Itineraries

The Hero Of The Seas itinerary program (inaugural cruise date, the USA homeport for the Caribbean, and call ports/destinations) will be announced in the coming months.