The Icon of the Seas and Carnival Celebration are both cruise ships that sail from Miami, Florida. Icon of the Seas belongs to Royal Caribbean and the Carnival Celebration belongs to Carnival Cruise Line. In this post I compare some basic facts between the Icon of the Seas and Carnival Celebration.
High Level Overview Of Each Ship
Carnival Celebration
The Carnival Celebration launched in 2022 and is the second ship in Carnival Cruise Line's Excel class fleet. As of the time of writing, the Carnival Celebration sails a variety of 6,7, and 8 night cruises from Miami, FL.
Icon of the Seas
The Icon of the Seas launched in 2024 and is the first ship in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class. As of the time of writing, the Icon of the Seas sails 7 night cruises from Miami, FL.
Carnival Celebration
The Carnival Celebration launched in 2022 and is the second ship in Carnival Cruise Line's Excel class fleet. As of the time of writing, the Carnival Celebration sails a variety of 6,7, and 8 night cruises from Miami, FL.
Icon of the Seas
The Icon of the Seas launched in 2024 and is the first ship in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class. As of the time of writing, the Icon of the Seas sails 7 night cruises from Miami, FL.
Comparing Carnival Celebration & Icon of the Seas:
Comparing Ship Lengths:
The Icon of the Seas is approximately 68 feet longer than the Carnival Celebration when comparing the two published lengths. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is 1,198 feet while the Carnival Celebration is 1,130 feet.
The Icon of the Seas is approximately 68 feet longer than the Carnival Celebration when comparing the two published lengths. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is 1,198 feet while the Carnival Celebration is 1,130 feet.
Comparing Number of Guests:
Typically cruise ship guest occupancy is measured in double occupancy. This counts each room as having exactly two guests and excludes the fact that rooms can sometimes have only 1 guest while other times rooms may have 3, 4, or maybe 5 guests. The Icon of the Seas can hold 5,610 guests at double occupancy and the Carnival Celebration can hold 5,374 guests at double occupancy. The Icon of the Seas has a double occupancy count of guests at 236 higher than the Carnival Celebration.
Typically cruise ship guest occupancy is measured in double occupancy. This counts each room as having exactly two guests and excludes the fact that rooms can sometimes have only 1 guest while other times rooms may have 3, 4, or maybe 5 guests. The Icon of the Seas can hold 5,610 guests at double occupancy and the Carnival Celebration can hold 5,374 guests at double occupancy. The Icon of the Seas has a double occupancy count of guests at 236 higher than the Carnival Celebration.
Comparing Number of Crew Onboard:
The crew onboard the Icon of the Seas and Carnival Celebration are from all over the world as both cruise lines hire internationally. Icon of the Seas has approximately 2,350 crew and the Carnival Celebration has approximately 1,735 crew.
The crew onboard the Icon of the Seas and Carnival Celebration are from all over the world as both cruise lines hire internationally. Icon of the Seas has approximately 2,350 crew and the Carnival Celebration has approximately 1,735 crew.
Comparing The Number of Decks:
The Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, but only 15 of these decks are for guests. Onboard the Carnival Celebration there are 15 decks for guests (Carnival didn't publish the total number of decks so I don't have a count of how many are crew only). The ships are tied for the number of passenger decks.
The Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, but only 15 of these decks are for guests. Onboard the Carnival Celebration there are 15 decks for guests (Carnival didn't publish the total number of decks so I don't have a count of how many are crew only). The ships are tied for the number of passenger decks.
Onboard Zones:
Carnival and Royal Caribbean divided up each ship into different zones/neighborhoods onboard. The Carnival Celebration is divided into 6 zones onboard called Celebration Central, The Gateway, Summer Landing, 820 Biscayne, Lido, and The Ultimate Playground. The Icon of the Seas is divided into 8 neighborhoods called Aquadome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, Suite Neighborhood, The Hideaway, and Thrill Island. Within each of these different areas guests on both ships can find a variety of different lounges, venues, bars, and/or restaurants/eateries.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean divided up each ship into different zones/neighborhoods onboard. The Carnival Celebration is divided into 6 zones onboard called Celebration Central, The Gateway, Summer Landing, 820 Biscayne, Lido, and The Ultimate Playground. The Icon of the Seas is divided into 8 neighborhoods called Aquadome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, Suite Neighborhood, The Hideaway, and Thrill Island. Within each of these different areas guests on both ships can find a variety of different lounges, venues, bars, and/or restaurants/eateries.
Deck Plans:
Deck plans are a great way to see the layout of a ship and see where venues onboard are located. Below are links to both ships' deck plans (each link will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide).
Carnival Celebration Deck Plan
Icon of the Seas Deck Plan
Deck plans are a great way to see the layout of a ship and see where venues onboard are located. Below are links to both ships' deck plans (each link will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide).
Carnival Celebration Deck Plan
Icon of the Seas Deck Plan
Onboard Amenities & Features:
Both the Carnival Celebration and Icon of the Seas have a variety of onboard amenities, venues, and dining. Since these two ships belong to different cruise lines, I'm not going to compare the onboard experiences available in this post. If you would like to read more on each ship's onboard features and amenities I recommend checking out Carnival and Royal Caribbean's websites. Links will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide to the respective cruise line website.
Carnival Celebration on Carnival's Website
Icon of the Seas on Royal Caribbean's Website
Both the Carnival Celebration and Icon of the Seas have a variety of onboard amenities, venues, and dining. Since these two ships belong to different cruise lines, I'm not going to compare the onboard experiences available in this post. If you would like to read more on each ship's onboard features and amenities I recommend checking out Carnival and Royal Caribbean's websites. Links will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide to the respective cruise line website.
Carnival Celebration on Carnival's Website
Icon of the Seas on Royal Caribbean's Website
Please keep in mind any of the information in this article is subject to change. While the best efforts have been made to provide an accurate article, please keep in mind mistakes can occur. I recommend you use this research as a starting point and additional research before using this information.