ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S HERO OF THE SEAS INTRODUCES THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF FAMILY VACATION EXPERIENCES | News

Meet the hero of family vacations: Royal Caribbean has unveiled Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon Class ship and a bold evolution of family adventure arriving in Miami in August 2027. As part of the groundbreaking Icon Class that combines beach retreats, resort escapes and theme park thrills, Hero will raise the bar with more records and iconic ways for families to make lifelong memories. Hero’s eight neighborhoods will be home to the most swimming pools at sea, a record 28 dining options and cooking classes for all ages, brand new family raft slides, new accommodations for multi-generational families – including the three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse – and more

Vacations on Hero will open soon on Royal Caribbean’s website, and Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members can book starting Wednesday, April 1, ahead of the official opening on Thursday, April 2.

“Icon Class has truly set a new standard for family vacations, and Hero of the Seas takes it one step further,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “With more water, more excitement and more choices for all ages, we’ll continue to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and deliver the experiences families look for when they vacation together.”

More ways to splash out

Vacationers can dive into nine different pools – most of them at sea – including family-friendly areas, a new Caribbean-inspired pool, three adults-only options, the largest swim-up bars at sea and more.

Hero introduces Coconut Cove, a brand new swimming pool just steps away from the tropical Caribbean bar The Lime and Coconut. With sun loungers in the water and poolside service for refreshing drinks, vacationers can relax overlooking the lush greenery of the Central Park district.
The adults-only Hideaway oasis will now feature two pools, including the largest swim-up bar at sea for tropical cocktails and an in-water DJ booth for non-stop party vibes.
Familiar favorites are updated with more space to splash and relax in the expanded Swim & Tonic pool and swim-up bar for adults, plus new water features at Splashaway Bay, the water park designed for young children in the family-friendly neighborhood of Surfside.
More adventure

The adventure will reach new heights in Hero of the Seas with more action-packed thrills that the whole family can experience together.

In Category 6 – the largest water park at sea – adventurers can tackle two new family raft slides, including the first funnel raft slide at sea, along with new variations on the mat racing Storm Chasers duo.
Vacationers can test their mettle on Crown’s Edge – part skywalk, part zipline experience 50 meters above the ocean – or catch waves on the FlowRider surfing simulator.
Families can challenge each other to a friendly competition at the Adrenaline Peak climbing wall, Lost Dunes mini golf course and sports courts for pickleball, basketball, soccer and more.
More dining

Hero serves the whole family’s favorite dishes with 28 dining options, bringing global flavors and immersive experiences to the table.

The newest supper club experience, Orleans Parish Supper Club, is a multi-course dining venue featuring live jazz, craft cocktails and gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine inspired by the elegance of the early 20th century French Quarter.
Royal Railway – Hero Station will bring to life the most immersive dining experience at sea, transporting adventurous guests to new destinations by rail carriage through a combination of entertainment, food and technology.
Hands-on cooking classes will be held in the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood at a yet-to-be-revealed new location. Families of all ages can learn kitchen skills together, from fun recipes for little ones to more advanced courses focused on chopping and baking.
The AquaDome Market food hall returns with four new stall concepts, plus desserts at Crème de la Crêpe and freshly squeezed juices at Simply Pressed.
The all-encompassing dining offering also includes fleet favorites such as sushi at Izumi and the walk-up window Izumi in the Park; family fare at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, premium steaks at Chops Grille and fresh catches at Hooked Seafood. Plus, families can fuel up all day at all-inclusive takeout spots like Basecamp for burgers and tater tots, El Loco Fresh for Mexican fare and Sorrento’s for pizza.
More family stays

Hero is equipped with more options than ever for families to stay in style and celebrate every occasion.

The Ultimate Family Treehouse is a dream come true for kids and kids at heart, featuring a three-deck treehouse with a rooftop deck and private hot tub, a two-deck teen area and two master bedrooms each with their own bathroom and balcony.
Families can stay in rooms designed just for them in the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse with direct access to Surfside; Surfside Family Suites and Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies.
For luxurious accommodations, vacationers can relax in style in the Royal Loft Suites and Icon Loft Suites for spacious comfort with fantastic ocean views. Additionally, Interior Plus and Sunset Suites provide a comfortable stay for vacationers resting up for the next big day of adventure.

Signature Icon Class favorites return to Hero, from the restaurants, bars, floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the breathtaking Pearl – the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture – in the Royal Promenade neighborhood to the open-air Central Park filled with more than 30,500 real plants, restaurants and take-out booths for sushi, champagne and more. Plus, the boldest entertainment takes center stage with new productions in the Royal Theatre, the grand Aqua Theater and Absolute Zero – the largest ice arena at sea – along with live music venues day and night.

Hero takes vacationers on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures from Miami, each vacation visiting Royal Caribbean’s top-rated exclusive destination during Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Guests can choose between weeklong Caribbean vacations, wandering Western Caribbean spots such as Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, or exploring the crystal clear waters in Eastern Caribbean locations in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

Vacations on Hero can now be booked on the Royal Caribbean website.