Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas will feature first “Ultimate Family Treehouse”

Royal Caribbean is sharing details about its fourth Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas, which arrives in Miami in August 2027.

Hero will “raise the bar” with more records and ways for families to “make lifelong memories,” the company wrote in a press release.

Hero's eight neighbourhoods will be home to the most pools at sea, a record-breaking 28 dining venues and cooking classes for all ages, new family raft slides, new accommodations for multigenerational families – including the three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse – and more.

Vacations on Hero will soon open 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 truly set a new standard for family vacations, and Hero of the Seas takes that vision even further," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, in a statement. "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."

More ways to splash

Guests will be able to dive into nine pools, including family-friendly spaces, a new Caribbean-inspired pool, three adults-only options, the largest swim-up bars at sea and more.

Hero will introduce Coconut Cove, an all-new pool steps away from the tropical Caribbean bar, The Lime and Coconut.

The Hideaway adults-only oasis will now feature two pools, including the largest swim-up bar at sea for tropical cocktails and an in-water DJ booth for nonstop party vibes.

Familiar favourites will be revamped with more room to splash and unwind at the expanded Swim & Tonic pool and swim-up bar for adults, plus new water features at Splashaway Bay, the aquapark designed for young kids in the Surfside family neighborhood.

More adventure

Adventure will reach new heights on Hero of the Seas with more thrills.

At Category 6, adventurers can take on two new family raft slides, including the first funnel raft slide at sea, along with new twists on the mat-racing Storm Chasers duo.

Vacationers can test their courage on Crown's Edge – part skywalk, part zip line experience 154 feet above the ocean – or catch waves on the FlowRider surf simulator.

Families can challenge one at Adrenaline Peak rock-climbing wall, Lost Dunes mini-golf course and sports courts for pickleball, basketball, soccer and more.

More dining

Hero serves up 28 dining spots, including the newest supper club experience, Orleans Parish Supper Club, a multi-course dining venue with live jazz, craft cocktails, and gourmet Cajun and Creole dishes inspired by the early 20th century elegance of the French Quarter.

Hero Station transports adventurous diners by train car to new destinations through a combination of entertainment, food and technology.

The family-friendly Surfside neighboirhood will host hands-on cooking classes in a new venue to be revealed. 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 will return with four new stall concepts, plus desserts at Crème de la Crêpe and freshly squeezed juices at Simply Pressed.

The dining lineup will also include fleet favourites like sushi at Izumi and the walk-up window Izumi in the Park; family-style dishes at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, premium steaks at Chops Grille and fresh catches at Hooked Seafood.

Plus, families can refuel throughout the day at grab-and-go spots with everything included like Basecamp for burgers and tater tots, El Loco Fresh for Mexican plates and Sorrento's for pizza.

More family stays

Hero is decked out with more options for families to stay in style.

The Ultimate Family Treehouse is “a dream come true” for kids and kids at heart with a three-deck treehouse featuring a rooftop terrace and private whirlpool, a two-deck teen space, and two main bedrooms each with their own bathroom and balcony.

Families can stay in rooms designed just for them at the three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse with direct access to Surfside; Surfside Family Suites and Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies.

For levelled-up accommodations, vacationers can unwind in style at the Royal Loft Suites and Icon Loft Suites for spacious comfort with prime ocean views.

Plus, Interior Plus and Sunset Suites offer comfortable stays for vacationers resting up for the next big day of adventure.

Signature Icon Class favourites will return on Hero, from the Royal Promenade neighborhood's restaurants, bars, floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the jaw-dropping Pearl – the world's largest kinetic art sculpture – to the open-air Central Park lined with more than 30,500 real plants, restaurants, and pick-up windows for sushi, champagne and more.

New productions will also debut in the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater and Absolute Zero – the largest ice arena at sea – along with spots for live music day and night.

Hero will take vacationers on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures from Miami, with every vacation visiting Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

Guests can choose between weeklong Caribbean vacations to Western Caribbean spots like Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, or explore Eastern Caribbean locales at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

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