Royal Caribbean makes popular cruise ship pool adults only
Although Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line that has long designed its ships for family vacations, its newest cruise ships have broad appeal and are attracting more young adults than ever.
Today, about half of Royal Caribbean cruise passengers are Millennials and younger, and that includes adult Gen Z vacationers in their 20s as well as Millennials who don't have kids.
Royal Caribbean is attracting younger audiences not just because of its ships' thrilling onboard attractions, entertainment, and nightlife, but for its resort-style pools and bars, too.On its newest Icon Class ships, adults can enjoy elevated beach club vibes at The Hideaway, an adults-only area at the back of the ship that features a wraparound bar and suspended infinity pool offering unmatched ocean views.
But The Hideaway isn't the only area of the ship that was designed specifically for adults.
Originally, Royal Caribbean planned to make top-deck Cloud 17 the adults-only area of the ship, but changed things up shortly before Icon first set sail. The Hideaway made more sense as an adults-only space tucked away at the back of the ship.
That doesn't mean that Cloud 17 and other onboard hangouts aren't popular spots for adults who want to relax on the pool deck, however.
One unique pool within Chill Island has always made more sense as an adults-only space. But Royal Caribbean never took steps to keep kids out of the area — until now.
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Royal Caribbean makes Swim & Tonic swim-up bar adults only
Royal Caribbean just made its cruise ship swim-up bar, Swim & Tonic, adults only, according to Royal Caribbean Blog, an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line.
A passenger sailing aboard Icon of the Seas sent a photo to Royal Caribbean Blog of a new 'adults only' sign posted at the entrance to Swim & Tonic.
A tropically themed pool area featuring a swim-up bar and tables and loungers in the water, Swim & Tonic is a popular spot for adults vacationing with and without kids.Swim & Tonic was previously open to passengers of all ages, and kids often joined their parents in the in-water bar. Now, the popular Icon of the Seas pool is off limits to anyone under the age of 18.
Although Royal Caribbean hasn't commented on the reason behind the change, the cruise line likely added the new rule in response to passenger feedback.
Icon of the Seas passengers have long argued that Swim & Tonic should be an adults-only space.
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Adults have valid concerns about kids in Swim & Tonic
For many passengers, it's not only about maintaining a relaxing vibe in what's intended to be a refreshing swim-up bar space, it's about keeping pool water out of their drinks.
'I hated the fact that kids were allowed in the swim-up bar. Got pool water in my drinks because of the kids splashing,' Lopsided_War1859 wrote in a thread about the issue posted in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit.
Another passenger's experience revealed something else that causes a problem when kids play in the swim-up bar pool.
'My husband and I weren't able to visit the swim-up bar once on our honeymoon due to the pool being closed for cleaning. It was a daily occurrence for kiddos to have an accident of some sort in that pool,' Gold-Anything4801 noted.Royal Caribbean passengers have also argued that there are plenty of other pools for kids to play in on board Icon of the Seas, including other pools in and around central Chill Island, but there's only one true adult pool — the infinity pool in The Hideaway.
Making Swim & Tonic adults only is a move that makes sense to many cruisers, and passengers will surely be eager to see if the new rule applies to Swim & Tonic on the newest Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, too. Star of the Seas sets sail on its first cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida in August.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
, or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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