The Best Free Things On Board Icon Of The Seas

Icon Of The Seas Offers Plenty Of Included Onboard Activities And Free Places To Eat During Your Next Great Escape.

By Amanda Mesa | Published: February 15, 2024 | Updated: February 5, 2026

Budget usually plays a big role in any kind of vacation planning — it certainly does for me. I’m always looking for escapes that offer great value and a diverse range of included activities, especially if my travel group includes kids, teens or older adults. Recently, Icon of the Seas topped my list of the best affordable vacation options. The largest ship in the world and the latest addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Icon of the Seas offers an array of complimentary experiences designed to cater to a wide range of ages and preferences.

Among the many highlights is Category 6, the largest water park at sea. This sprawling thrill zone is home to six record-breaking slides and family-friendly rides sure to get your adrenaline surging. There’s also a huge rock-climbing wall with six racing lanes and a whimsical mini golf course that offers jaw-dropping views with every putt.

If you love great entertainment, you’ll be happy to learn this cruise ship showcases dazzling performances on stage and on ice every night of your sailing — at no additional cost. And the dining scene is out of this world. The ship is home to more than 20 restaurants, at least half of which are complimentary to cruise guests. From fast-casual Mexican fare and yummy pizza by the slice to multi-course dinners and comfort foods from around the world, there really is something for even the most discerning foodies in your travel group — at no additional cost, to boot. Here are some of the top included onboard activities and free places to eat on board Icon of the Seas.

What’s Free on Icon of the Seas

● Adrenaline Peak℠ rock climbing wall.

● Category 6 waterpark, the largest water park at sea.

● FlowRider® Surf Simulator, which funnels 30,000 gallons of water into perfect swells all day.

● Lost Dunes mini golf course.

● Sports Court, with everything from basketball to table tennis.

● Surfside, a neighborhood of kid-friendly activities and experiences.

● Pools designed for the whole family to enjoy.

● Entertainment, from Broadway-style performances to shows on ice.

● Food to cure every craving.

1. Adrenaline Peak

I grew up scaling rock-climbing walls at shopping centers near my house, and seeing one now always fills me with a deep sense of nostalgia. However, those strip-mall rock-climbing walls are nothing compared to the one on board Icon of the Seas. Adrenaline Peak is a massive vertical course with plenty of hard-to-reach crags, six racing lanes and varying levels of difficulty, allowing amateur climbers to work their way from easy to advanced scrambles at their own pace. Pros, on the other hand, will love the challenge offered by the toughest route — and the breathtaking ocean views that await all the way at the top. There’s no additional cost to access Adrenaline Peak, earning this epic attraction a top spot on my list of best free things to do on board.

2. Category 6: Icon Of The Seas Water Park

Another highlight on board Icon of the Seas is Category 6, the largest water park at sea. Located in the ship’s Thrill Island neighborhood, Category 6 boasts six record-breaking waterslides that range from solo chutes to raft slides you can ride with friends and family. The most intense slide at the park is the Frightening Bolt, which currently holds the record for the tallest slide at sea. Then there’s the Pressure Drop®, an open free-fall slide that offers brave riders a few moments of weightlessness before they plunge into the abyss below.

If you want to start off with a buddy for an added boost of courage, hit the Storm Chasers® first. This mat racing duo is the first of its kind at sea and takes riders side-by-side on an exhilarating journey filled with hairpin twists and turns. For families who want to ride together, there’s Hurricane Hunter® and Storm Surge® — two new raft slides that have enough room for the entire group. Like Adrenaline Peak, Category 6 and all the slides and rides within are accessible to all cruise guests for free.

3. FlowRider Surf Simulator

If you’ve ever sailed on a Royal Caribbean ship before, you’ve probably either seen or experienced the FlowRider for yourself. This beloved surf simulator funnels 30,000 gallons of water into perfect swells all day, every day. It’s one of the cruise line’s top-rated attractions, so of course, you’ll find one on board Icon of the Seas. You can hang out on the sidelines and cheer on your friends as they try to stay upright, or hit the water and polish your own pop-up as many times as you like during your vacation. Admission to the FlowRider is included in your cruise fare.

4. Lost Dunes

I love a great mini golf course, especially one with a fun theme and some pretty views. The nine-hole putting playground on board Icon of the Seas checks all those boxes. It’s called Lost Dunes, and it offers hours of free fun to guests of all ages. Perched high above the waves on Deck 16, this postcard-pretty Thrill Island attraction offers plenty of obstacles in the form of shipwrecks, plane crashes and fallen palms. Don’t let the whimsical theme fool you, though — this course has several challenging holes that will test your aim and control with the putter. If you’re not thrilled with your score on the first attempt, you can come back and practice again — rounds are totally complimentary.

5. Sports Court

Looking to work on your three-pointer or craving some friendly competition and physical activity? Head over to the ship’s Sports Court. From basketball to volleyball and even table tennis, this guest-favorite activity center is a great place to burn some calories, bond with your loved ones and earn some bragging rights while enjoying the fresh air, sunshine and salty sea breezes. The Sports Court and sports equipment are complimentary for guests of all ages to use at any time during their Icon of the Seas sailing.

6. Surfside

Every parent knows the value of kid-friendly activities and experiences during family vacations. Icon of the Seas offers an entire neighborhood geared toward tots, tweens and their parents. It’s called Surfside, and it’s home to the ship’s Playscape℠ — an interactive fun zone kitted out with colorful slides and climbable features.

Splashaway Bay℠ is also located in Surfside. It’s an aqua park designed for pint-sized cruisers with mini waterslides, spray fountains, water cannons and a huge drench bucket that tips over when little ones least expect it — not to mention a baby splash zone for the smallest sun-seekers. But the crown jewel of this family-friendly neighborhood is its beach-themed carousel, which doubles as the perfect photo spot. All of these attractions are complimentary, too.

7. Pools For Days

As I mentioned earlier, Icon of the Seas is home to seven incredible pools. Access to them is free, too, which means you can literally post up poolside in a different spot every day of the week at no additional charge. There are several options for families, including The Cove℠ Pool and The Royal Bay℠ Pool — the largest pool at sea. Meanwhile, parents can escape to the ultra-chic, beach club-themed Hideaway or the tranquil, Cloud 17℠ while little ones enjoy plenty of free, supervised fun at Adventure Ocean®. Whatever kind of vibe you’re in the mood for, Icon of the Seas has a pool that delivers.

8. Nightly Entertainment

Great entertainment is one of the many reasons why I love cruising, especially when it’s covered in my cruise fare. Icon of the Seas has it in spades, from captivating Broadway-style performances to show-stopping spectaculars on ice that go above and beyond at the biggest ice-skating arena at sea, Absolute Zero℠. There are also plenty of options for adults to live it up after dark — including sing-alongs at Spotlight Karaoke, endless belly laughs at The Attic comedy club, live music at Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues℠ and head-banging concerts at Music Hall. And it’s all included in the price of your getaway.

9. Dining Foodies Will Love

Finally, there’s the food scene on board Icon of the Seas — 20 crave-worthy culinary options that range from Far East flavors to far-flung delicacies from Jamaica to Jaipur. Ten of them are complimentary to cruise guests, including the global fare served buffet-style at Windjammer, melt-in-your-mouth pizza at Sorrento’s, crazy-good Mexican eats at El Loco Fresh® and more. Want to make your cruise truly all-inclusive? Purchase a specialty beverage package and you’ll enjoy unlimited beers, wines and cocktails at the ship’s many bars.

With so many free things to do and free places to eat on board, Icon of the Seas is a fantastic option for an extraordinary yet affordable vacation.

Explore everything the ship has to offer, or find the perfect itinerary.

Disclaimer: Complimentary activities are subject to change and may vary by market and sailing.