World’s largest cruise ship revealed with nine pools, 28 places to eat and giant waterpark

With a three-storey treehouse suite, a sprawling waterpark and dozens of places to eat, the new vessel is aimed squarely at the booming family cruise market

The world’s largest cruise ship has been revealed, with room for more than 5,600 passengers, nine pools, 28 places to eat, a giant waterpark and a range of family-focused attractions.

The Hero of the Seas, due to enter service from Miami in August 2027, will carry 5,654 guests at double occupancy, employ 2,350 crew and contain 2,814 staterooms across 20 decks, including 18 guest decks.

Operator Royal Caribbean is pitching it as a floating family resort, with the most pools at sea, a record 28 dining venues and a series of new accommodation options aimed at larger groups travelling together.

Among the headline features is a three-storey family treehouse suite, with a rooftop terrace, private whirlpool, two main bedrooms and a two-deck space for teenagers. 

Other accommodation will include a three-level family townhouse with direct access to the Surfside area, family suites and ocean-view balcony rooms.

Onboard attractions will include what the company describes as the largest waterpark at sea, with new family raft slides including what it says is the first funnel raft slide at sea. 

Other features include a skywalk and zipline-style experience suspended 154ft above the ocean, a surf simulator, climbing wall, mini-golf and sports courts.

The ship will also boast 28 dining spots, including a Cajun and Creole supper club with live jazz, an immersive rail-themed restaurant, cooking classes for families and an updated food hall. Fleet mainstays including sushi, steak, seafood, pizza and grab-and-go venues will also be on board.

The ship will also retain features from the wider Icon Class, including an open-air Central Park lined with more than 30,500 real plants, a large aqua theatre and what is billed as the largest ice arena at sea.

Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean, said: “Icon Class truly set a new standard for family vacations, and Hero of the Seas takes that vision even further. 

“With more water, more thrills and more choices for all ages, we’re continuing to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and delivering the experiences families are looking for when vacationing together.”

The ship will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, with every voyage including a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

“Western routes will include Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, while Eastern sailings will call at Philipsburg, St Maarten, and Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas.”

READ MORE: ‘The Wolseley to open first hotel in New York as Minor launches global luxury brand‘. The Wolseley, long known in London as one of the capital’s best-known dining rooms, is to become a hotel brand for the first time, with a 76-room New York property set to open in early 2027.

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_{Main image: Hero of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, is set to launch in 2027 with nine pools, 28 dining venues and a giant onboard waterpark. Picture: Royal Caribbean}