Royal Caribbean
Icon of the Seas
- Cruises
- 14
- From
- $820
Ship comparison
Icon of the Seas vs Mardi Gras
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
- Cruises
- 12
- From
- $363
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Icon of the Seas is a mega Royal Caribbean ship carrying 5,610 passengers, in service since 2024. Mardi Gras is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,282 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose Icon of the Seas if you want better-rated entertainment, more space per passenger or more crew per passenger: it outscores Mardi Gras for entertainment (10.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 44.7 gross tons per passenger (vs 34.1) and it has a crew member for every 2.4 passengers (vs 3.0).
Choose Mardi Gras if you want a lower starting fare: its cruises start from $363 (vs $820).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Icon of the Seas | Mardi Gras | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2024 (better) | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | 250,800 | 180,000 |
| Passengers | 5,610 | 5,282 |
| Crew | 2,350 | 1,745 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.4 (better) | 3.0 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 44.7 (better) | 34.1 |
| Decks | 20 | 17 |
| Length | 1,192 ft | 1,130 ft |
| Beam | 213 ft | 137 ft |
| Speed | 25 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 14 | 12 |
| Upcoming sailings | 76 | 102 |
| Cruise lengths | 6 to 9 nights | 4 to 7 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $820 | $363 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Icon of the Seas leads on 2 of the ten, Mardi Gras on 0, with 8 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Royal Caribbean
Icon of the Seas
The massive Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest megaship, made its maiden voyage in January 2024 as the world's largest cruise ship, clocking in with a gross tonnage of 250,800. It carries a whopping 5,610 passengers at double capacity, though the ship can squeeze in up to 7,600.
Sailing now
14 cruises on sale, from $820.
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
When you step on board Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras, which debuted in July 2021, you will see all the great features you have come to expect from Carnival Cruises and then find all the new treasures on this ship.
Sailing now
12 cruises on sale, from $363.
Questions
Icon of the Seas or Mardi Gras?
Which is bigger, Icon of the Seas or Mardi Gras?
Icon of the Seas is bigger at 250,800 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Mardi Gras. Icon of the Seas carries 5,610 passengers and Mardi Gras carries 5,282.
Which ship is newer, Icon of the Seas or Mardi Gras?
Icon of the Seas is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2024 against 2021 for Mardi Gras.
Which has more space per passenger?
Icon of the Seas, with 44.7 gross tons per passenger against 34.1 on Mardi Gras. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Icon of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers against one for every 3.0 on Mardi Gras.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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