Dining Reimagined on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas Dining Preview

More than 20 Choices for Every Occasion Include a New Eight-Course Experience and the Cruise Line’s First Food Hall

To whet your appetite for Royal Caribbean International’s new ship Icon of the Seas in January 2024 I bring you a preview of dining experiences onboard. With more than 20 new and signature ways to dine and make memories, a combination of elevated experiences, spots for quick bites and venues made for families with kids, there is something to satisfy even the most adventurous appetite.

From casual to upscale restaurants, you can expect live music or chefs who put on a show, Ivon of the Seas will feature options for every occasion and mood.

On the menu are new venues like the upscale Empire Supper Club, a swanky and lavish eight- course experience; AquaDome Market – Royal Caribbean’s first food hall – and Izumi in the Park, an all-day window with fresh sushi and more. The variety of new flavour’s complement the favourites on board that range from Italian to Japanese and Mexican, including 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.”

Whether it’s refueling on the go between the six record-breaking waterslides at Category 6 in Thrill Island or the whole family sitting down for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Surfside neighbourhood designed for young families, there are spots to grab a bite and a drink in and around each of Icon’s eight neighborhoods.

Elevated Dining Experiences on Icon of the Seas

Empire Supper Club

Situated near the lush Central Park neighbourhood, the new experience is an extravagant night out with a taste of old New York. Bringing it to life is an 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 Favourites on Icon of the Seas

The good times continue at signature venues like Central Park’s American steakhouse, 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.

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 flavours from around the world, along with a section and selection designed for kids.

From bow to stern, the whole family can have their pick from signature

There are options like sushi and hibachi cooked by an expert chef who puts on a show at the Asian- inspired Izumi, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade for some friendly competition and bar bites, and Sprinkles for ice cream all day and night.

The lineup of new and returning favourites join the recently announced bars and nightlife that will light up Icon, including spots for families like The Lemon Post in Surfside, with a menu for adults and another for kids; and Dueling Pianos in Royal Promenade, the cruise line’s first dueling pianos bar.

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. Flavours range from sweet and savoury crepes at Creme de la Crepe to macaroni and cheese with a twist of tasty toppings at Mac’s, to fresh pittas 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 Insta-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.

Desserted

For a sweet ending, or a sweet treat at any time, Desserted is 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 – only steps away from the private pool, whirlpool and cozy spots to hang out.

Family and Kids-Approved Eats

Anyone cruising with children will understand that what appeals to adults for lunch or dinner, doesn’t necessarily meet the exacting requirements of younger cruisers. On Icon of the Seas the kids will be well catered for onboard.

Surfside Eatery

The new buffet dedicated to families at the heart of Surfside, the stay-all-day neighbourhood 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.

Summary of Dining on Icon of the Seas

Whether you are young or old, prefer to eat on the go or dine in a formal setting, there is a venue just right for you onboard the new Icon of the Seas. The only issue I can see is that a 7 night cruise won’t be long enough to enjoy them all! Now that sounds like the perfect excuse to book another cruise.

I don’t know about you, but this has left me really hungry! Where will you head for your first meal on Icon of the Seas?