Royal Caribbean just announced another exciting new feature for Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship
Royal Caribbean is getting lavish with a new restaurant planned for Symbol of the Sea — the massive new cruise ship will launch in early 2024.
The world’s largest cruise line revealed plans on Thursday for an upscale dinner club along the ship’s tree-lined Central Park area that will offer a “taste of old New York” with American favorites, drinks paired with every dish and three-piece bands provide entertainment.
Called the Empire Supper Club, the venue will be the ship’s most luxurious dining establishment and will serve an eight-course menu of what the airline calls fine American cuisine. Royal Caribbean says caviar and wagyu beef will be among the dishes that appear in front of diners as they are entertained with “surprise performances of modern favorites” from the band at family.
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Royal Caribbean has yet to announce pricing for the reservation-only venue, but a spokesperson has hinted to TPG that it won’t be cheap. Royal Caribbean is using the word splurge to describe what customers can expect.
Royal Caribbean is just the latest cruise line to rekindle the interest of dinner clubs, which first began in the 1930s and 1940s. In their classic form, dinner clubs offer the ultimate dining experience. A full evening experience combines classic club cocktails (think old fashioned and Harvey Wallbangers), American staples like prime rib chops with sides, and a night of music and even can dance.
The dinner club experience has emerged in recent years on ships run by Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal yacht And The Cunard . Series.
Empire Supper Club is just one of more than 20 other restaurants and eateries that Royal Caribbean said on Thursday will be available on Icon of the Seas.
For the most part, the eateries will be familiar to Royal Caribbean fans, as they are essentially versions of locations that already exist on other Royal Caribbean ships.
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Related: Preview Icon of the Seas under construction
That said, another notable new option, in addition to the Empire Supper Club, would be AquaDome Market – Royal Caribbean’s first food court.
In the AquaDome atop the ship — a large, glass-enclosed space that will be one of the iconic features of the Icon of the Seas — the market will feature five stalls serving different food options open for meals. breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The five food stalls will include Creme de la Crepe, a place that serves crepes, and a macaroni and cheese shop called Mac’s.
The other outlet will be Feta Mediterranean, serving fresh breads and bowls; GNGR, which will serve Asian-inspired dishes like Korean beef and broccoli; and Toast and Garden, will provide sandwiches and salads.
A private dining experience called the Celebration Table will also be available in the AquaDome area for up to 12 people. In a space with sweeping views, it will be a flexible dining experience as booking passengers can choose from separate American, Italian, Asian and seafood menus with other menu upgrades as well. available.
Related: Everything you need to know about booking Icon of the Seas tickets
Other new food options for the ship announced Thursday include Izumi in the Park, a fresh takeaway sushi shop in the ship’s Central Park area. It will be next to a version of the Izumi sushi restaurants that the line has on other ships.
Royal Caribbean’s signature dining venues are returning on Icon of the Seas including the American steakhouse Chops Grille, located in the ship’s Central Park area; Hooked Seafood, will be in the AquaDome area; and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Bar, will be located within the ship’s Royal Promenade.
Additionally, the ship’s Central Park area will now feature a Trellis Bar serving a light menu and wine. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships now have a Trellis Bar in the Central Park area serving drinks only.
At 250,600 tons, the Icon of the Seas will be 6% larger than the largest cruise ships currently in operation. It will also offer a larger range of eateries, bars and deck attractions than any cruise ship ever built.
It will be able to hold up to 7,600 passengers — also a new record for a passenger ship.
The vessel is the first in a new series of Royal Caribbean ships (the Icon-class series) that will eclipse its record-breaking Oasis class in size and performance.
Related: 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained
Currently under construction at a shipyard in Finland, Icon of the Seas will launch in January 2024, operating seven-night trip to the Caribbean beyond Miami.
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