Royal Caribbean has unveiled its new mega-ship, “Hero of the Seas,” which is set to become the world’s largest cruise ship when it launches in summer 2027, with its maiden voyage scheduled from Miami on Aug. 11, 2027. The 20-deck vessel will be able to accommodate about 7,600 passengers and roughly 2,350 crew members, according to Sunorama, the company’s exclusive representative in Israel.
According to the announcement, Hero of the Seas will be the fourth ship in the Icon class and is due to arrive in Miami in August 2027, where it will replace Icon of the Seas, which will relocate to Galveston, Texas. The new ship will feature eight distinct “neighborhoods” and nine pools — the highest number ever on a cruise ship — including a Caribbean-inspired pool with in-water loungers and an adults-only area with two pools, swim-up bars and a built-in DJ station.
In addition, the ship will include a children’s water park and a record-breaking water park among the largest at sea, featuring a family raft ride and two tube slides. On deck, passengers will also find a suspended walking track and a zip line — both rising about 47 meters (154 feet) above the ocean — along with sports facilities including basketball and soccer courts, a climbing wall and mini golf.
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An adults-only area with two pools, swim-up bars and a built-in DJ station.
(Photo: Royal Caribbean)
The ship will offer 28 dining venues, along with cooking workshops for all ages. Accommodation options will include new family offerings, including, for the first time, a three-level “treehouse-style” suite featuring a rooftop terrace with a Jacuzzi, a teens’ room and two bedrooms.
Cruises aboard the vessel will depart from Miami to the eastern and western Caribbean, including a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay in the Bahamas. Destinations may include Honduras, Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, as well as St. Maarten and St. Thomas. Prices start at about $1,752 per person for a three-night cruise and around $2,371 per person for a seven-night sailing.
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A three-level “treehouse-style” suite featuring a rooftop terrace with a Jacuzzi, a teens’ room and two bedrooms
(Photo: Royal Caribbean)
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Prices start at about $1,752 per person for a three-night cruise and around $2,371 per person for a seven-night sailing
(Photo: Royal Caribbean)
At the same time, the company is preparing to launch another Icon-class ship, Legend, which will begin sailing in Western Europe in July 2026. The seven-night itineraries will include routes between Rome, Florence, Marseille, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, as well as sailings from Barcelona to Rome. Prices start at about $1,591 per person from Rome and $1,626 per person for an August cruise from Barcelona to Rome.
“The Icon series has set a new standard for family vacations, and Hero of the Seas takes that vision one step further,” Udi Schnabel, CEO of Sunorama, said. He added that early booking allows travelers to secure the best prices and most desirable cabins.