Royal Caribbean just announced the newest member of the Icon Class to join the fleet! Hero of the Seas® will set sail out of Miami beginning in August 2027. Hero will feature many of the same high-end attractions and amenities as its sister ships, Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas (setting sail in August 2026), and will be among the largest cruise ships in the world. Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class has upleveled the entire cruising industry, making these ships one-stop destinations for thrilling attractions, one-of-a-kind adventures, relaxing retreats, and top-notch entertainment. Here is what you need to know about Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship:
Bookings are now available for Hero of the Seas. Call our Royal Caribbean travel agents at Wishing On A Star Travel® at 1-888-678-TRIP to secure your room on this new ship!
Hero Of The Seas: An Overview
Hero of the Seas is the fourth ship in the Icon Class and the 29th ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. However, it’s not a copy-and-paste version of other Icon Class ships. While it will have a similar layout, Hero of the Seas will feature unique entertainment options, more family-friendly spaces, and new accommodations that will make you forget you’re on a cruise ship.
Neighborhoods
Royal Caribbean’s neighborhood design breaks the ship into distinct areas, each with its own unique personality and purpose. Hero of the Seas features the same eight neighborhoods as its sister ships, with updates that expand and enhance critical features. Here are a few notable neighborhoods:
Hideaway
This adult-only neighborhood is larger than on other Icon Class ships, with nearly double the pool space. This area will include two pools, including the largest swim-up bar at sea and a suspended infinity pool. In-pool loungers, built-in drink counters, and poolside bar service from Swim and Tonic (only steps away) create an amazing adult-only retreat. Its new location on the aft of the ship allows you to enjoy remarkable ocean views—all while taking a dip and sipping a tropical cocktail.
Surfside
This neighborhood is designed for all-day family fun. On Hero of the Seas, Splashaway Bay Aqua Park has been updated to include more kid-friendly water features, including water cannons, drench buckets, and two small waterslides. There is also a family-friendly pool, an arcade, a carousel, and a playground. This neighborhood is also home to Adventure Ocean®, the ship’s kids club.
Royal Promenade
The ship’s central atrium is called the Royal Promenade. It’s home to restaurants, lounges, and tons of floor-to-ceiling windows for amazing ocean views. It also features the ship’s primary landmark, The Pearl, with the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture.
Central Park®
This multi-level open deck area features over 30,000 tropical plants. It’s quiet and serene, with a wide range of staterooms. You’ll also find several restaurants, including some of the ship’s signature specialty restaurants like Chops Grille℠, Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen, and 150 Central Park.
Suite Neighborhood
This suite-only neighborhood gives suite guests quick access to Royal Suite Class perks, including The Coastal Kitchen (the ship’s suite-only 5-star restaurant), the concierge lounge, and an exclusive sundeck. Suites in this area also have the best views on the ship.
Thrill Island
This neighborhood is home to the ship’s most adrenaline-inducing attractions, like the Category 6 Waterpark, the Flow Rider® surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, mini golf, sports courts, and Crown’s Edge®.
Attractions
One of the primary differences between Hero of the Seas and its sister ships is the expanded pools, deck areas, and water-based activities. The ship will include nine pools, more than any other cruise ship in the world. These pools offer options from lively, family-friendly fun to adult-focused, serene retreats. The new Coconut Cove is a Caribbean-themed pool area located next to The Lime and the Coconut bar. The pool features in-water loungers and poolside bar service so you can keep relaxing and soaking up the sun. The Category 6 Waterpark is also expanded on this ship, featuring two new family slides, including the first funnel raft slide at sea. Established favorites have also gotten an update, like the dueling Storm Chasers mat racing slides. The Royal Bay Pool is another family-friendly pool that also features in-water lounges and elevated whirlpools, so you can relax while keeping an eye on the kids. With so many stateroom options to choose from, partner with a Royal Caribbean travel advisor to help you pick the perfect layout and location for your family.
Accommodations
A plethora of stateroom options gives families of all sizes space to relax and refresh from the on-board activities. Hero of the Seas offers a wide variety of family-focused staterooms, featuring split bathrooms, tucked-away living rooms, and separate living spaces. Choose a Surfside Family Suite if you have young adventure seekers who want to be in the heart of it all. These suites feature a split bathroom and a kid’s nook with a TV and sofa, and are steps away from kid-friendly experiences in the Surfside neighborhood. If you want more space with gorgeous ocean views, choose a Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony. These rooms sleep up to four guests and feature bunk beds, a separate kid area, a seating area, and an extended living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that open for a more balcony-like feel.
The Ultimate Family Treehouse is the biggest and most luxurious suite on board, accommodating up to 12 people. This three-story stateroom features a rooftop terrace, a private whirlpool, and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy ocean breezes. It has two primary bedrooms (each with its own private bathroom and balcony) and two additional bathrooms. There’s also a dedicated teen space with a game room and a private spiral staircase.
Hero of the Seas will also include the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a two-story accommodation that sleeps up to eight guests and features a dining room, kitchenette, movie room (with a popcorn machine), and a jaw-dropping slide that twists from the upper to the lower level. The townhouse is also close to Surfside, making it ideal for families.
Dining
Hero of the Seas includes a record-setting 28 dining locations for every palate and preference. Dining options included with your cruise fare are similar to other eateries found on Icon Class ships, like Sorrento’s Pizza, Basecamp, the AquaDome Market, El Loco Fresh, the Windjammer, and the Main Dining Hall. Several specialty dining locations also return to this ship, like Izumi Japanese Cuisine, Hooked Seafood℠, and Chef’s Table.
Hero of the Seas will also include its own themed Supper Club, which first premiered on Star of the Seas. On this ship, you’re transported back to an early 20th-century New Orleans jazz club, complete with live musicians, authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, and cocktails. The ship will also feature an immersive dining experience called Hero Station, which allows cruisers to enjoy a multi-course meal themed like a vintage train diner car. There will also be multigenerational cooking classes on board for kids of all ages.
Entertainment
Royal Caribbean is known for its straight-from-Broadway productions at the Royal Theater, which remain part of the entertainment lineup aboard Hero of the Seas. This ship will also include other Icon Class ship entertainment venues like The AquaTheater (home to high diving and water-based dance shows), Absolute Zero ice skating rink, and more live music, DJ booths, and countless on-board activities.
Itineraries and Destinations
Hero of the Seas will set sail from Miami for seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Every cruise also stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Cruises to the Western Caribbean stop at popular Caribbean destinations like Roatan, Honduras, as well as Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Eastern Caribbean cruises stop at gorgeous destinations like St. Maarten and St. Thomas.
Set Sail Aboard Hero Of The Seas Beginning August 2027
With so much to do on board, you should partner with a certified Royal Caribbean travel advisor like our team at Wishing On A Star Travel to help you make the most out of your vacation. We will help you pick the ideal stateroom for your family, book excursions, and plan any extras or add-ons to make your trip unforgettable. Your iconic vacation starts here: get your free quote today!
