The family market is currently “underserved” by cruise lines, according to Royal Caribbean president and chief executive Michael Bayley.
Royal’s incoming vessel Icon of the Seas features the line’s first neighbourhood Surfside specifically for families and an expanded family stateroom called the Ultimate Family Townhouse Suite.
Speaking at a media event to unveil Icon in Miami this week, Bayley said: “Young families is a big market and we think it’s an underserved market.
“We think that Icon, especially with Surfside is going to deliver against that.”
More than 80% of Icon’s cabins can sleep more than two people, according to Bayley, who added: “Every single one of those staterooms in Surfside is a family stateroom.”
He added: “I think the beauty of Icon is its size, scale, and the combination of the neighbourhoods fit all the demographics in the multigenerational family space.
“It’s not just for young families but it certainly includes young families.”
Bayley also highlighted how the line’s private island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay was included in every itinerary Icon offered during its maiden programme.
He went on to say that healthy competition between cruise lines was “fantastic”.
“When we look at other cruise companies and think they have really good ideas we try to think of something better,” he explained. “That drives improvement in product and brand.”