Thrill Island – Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas
Submitted by: Royal Caribbean International
Lead Designers: Jordi Esteban, Jannette Restrepo (Royal Caribbean Group)
Companies Involved: Wilson Butler Architects, Robert Soldo Design
Completion Date: 27/01/2024
This lost island adventure is home to highlights like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides and an immersive storm experience:
- Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with three-four riders per raft and an acrylic lotus cantilevered over the ocean,
- Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea, featuring a nearly vertical acrylic section
- Pressure Drop is the first open free-fall slide
- Storm Chasers, the first mat-racing duo featuring a timer at the end claiming the winner
- The Eye of the Storm features 3 unique storm experiences that blend a variety of water, sound, and light sequences and intensities. A storm experience shakes up the waterpark every 5 minutes as a fun surprise & delight feature for guests to enjoy while meandering throughout + in between the waterpark stair towers
Thrill Island also takes thrill to new heights with Crown’s Edge, the first attraction of its kind. Part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride, it culminates in a surprising, trap-door moment leaving brave souls swinging 154 feet above the ocean. There’s action all around the island with Adrenaline Peak rock-climbing wall appearing like a natural rock shooting up to the sky, a Sport Court on the ”rooftop” of BaseCamp, and the ever popular FlowRider – this time flipped 180 degrees to give the rider a better photo backdrop against the ocean.
While adrenaline-pumping adventure is front & center at Thrill Island, there are so many ways to stay and play. BaseCamp is the “home base” of the neighborhood, serving up grab and go bites from 3 food windows and a unique bar that looks like the islanders started selling drinks off a beached boat. BaseCamp features a resident parrot named Marty, a rather grumpy, yet light-hearted parrot who knows how to crack a few jokes at guests as they walk by. Adjacent to Basecamp is Desserted Milkshake Bar, a deserted shack accessorized with windblown driftwood and buoys from shipwrecks around Thrill Island, and now a popular place for islanders to satisfy their sugar cravings in between thrills.
