Hero of the Seas will join Royal Caribbean’s fleet next year as the company’s newest Icon class ship, featuring nine pools, a new waterslide and 28 restaurants.
Building on the success of Icon and Star of the Seas, as well as Legend of the Seas scheduled to open this year, Hero of the Seas will debut from Miami in August 2027 with more water features and new dining facilities. With a gross tonnage of 248,663 tons, the ship can accommodate 5,654 guests and 2,350 crew members in two-person capacity on seven-night itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
“The Icon class truly sets a new standard for family travel, and Hero of the Seas furthers that vision,” Michael Bailey, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said in a news release. “By offering more water, more thrills and more choices for all ages, we continue to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and deliver the experiences families are looking for when vacationing together.”
Our newest pool is Coconut Cove, a new pool with views of Central Park and located “just steps away” from the ship’s tropical Caribbean bar, The Lime and Coconut. The adults-only Hideaway features two pools on Hero and now features “the largest swim-up bar at sea.” Swim & Tonic will also have an expanded swim-up bar and pool that has been “refreshed” and expanded by 30%.
The Category 6 waterpark will offer vacationers two new family raft slides. This includes the first funnel raft slide at sea and a “new twist” on Matt Race’s Storm Chasers duo slide.
Fan-favorite amenities such as the Flowrider surfing simulator, Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall, Lost Dunes mini golf course, and sports courts will return on the new ship.
Onboard dining options include a new fine-dining restaurant, Orleans Parish Supper Club, featuring live jazz music, craft cocktails, and multicourse dinners featuring gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine inspired by the early 20th century French Quarter. Hero of the Seas also features Royal Railway Hero Station, which serves international cuisine in an immersive vehicle setting and takes guests to new destinations.
Aquadome Market will feature four new food stands, as well as Crème de la Crepe and Simply Press Juice Bar.
In the culinary experience space, Hero is hosting hands-on cooking classes for families at a new venue that has yet to be revealed.
Fan-favorite specialty restaurants include Izumi, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Chops Grill, and Hooked Seafood, as well as takeout options at Basecamp, El Loco Fresh, and Sorrento Pizza.
Hero of the Seas will also expand the cruise line’s family suites with a three-deck stay with a rooftop terrace and private Jacuzzi, and the ultimate family treehouse with a two-deck teen space and two main bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and balcony. The ultimate family townhouse is also back with a new ship.
For cruisers who have sailed Icon-class ships in the past, the returning amenities, including Pearl’s kinetic art sculpture, outdoor Central Park, Aquatheater and Absolute Zero, will all be familiar.
In August 2027, Icon of the Seas will relocate to Galveston to make room for Hero of the Seas in Miami. Legend of the Seas, meanwhile, will sail from Fort Lauderdale during the winter and spend the summer in the Mediterranean after making its debut in Florida this November. Star of the Seas will continue to operate weekly itineraries from Port Canaveral until further notice.
For more information, visit royalcaribbean.com.
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