Icon of the Seas evaluation: What’s it like on the world’s largest cruise ship?

That is bigger than fleetmate Marvel of the Seas, the 2023 document holder for the world’s largest cruise ship. To check, Marvel of the Seas measures 235,600 tons and carries 7,084 passengers at most occupancy.

Nevertheless, Marvel of the Seas beats Icon of the Seas in a single particular space: cabins. Marvel of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, whereas Icon of the Seas will solely have 2,805. That is as a result of Royal Caribbean has styled Icon of the Seas to draw extra households, with 80% of cabins designed to accommodate greater than two company.

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Icon of the Seas additionally borrows the Oasis Class use of “neighborhoods” — themed areas of the ship with a mixture of points of interest and eating, ingesting and buying venues. It options eight neighborhoods, together with three returning areas from its sister ships and 5 which can be unique to its new class of ships.

From the bottom deck to the best, listed below are the eight neighborhoods and what you may look forward to finding on board.

Royal Promenade

The Royal Promenade is a Royal Caribbean staple discovered on all Voyager, Freedom and Oasis Class ships. Icon of the Seas presents a two-deck model of this indoor mall-like area with a number of buying, eating and ingesting institutions. Highlights of Icon’s Royal Promenade are floor-to-ceiling glass home windows on both aspect that deliver gentle and sea views into the area and The Pearl, the ship’s iconic indoor sphere that capabilities as an inventive stairway and in addition because the help construction that holds up that part of the ship.

Surfside

Surfside, on Deck 7 aft, is a neighborhood devoted to younger households. It is open to the sky and the again of the ship. A slide leads from Deck 8 all the way down to the neighborhood, and the realm is mere steps from the Journey Ocean children membership and Social 020 teen membership on Deck 6.

The stay-all-day vacation spot for youths beneath 7 and their grownup caregivers options family-friendly eateries, the Lemon Publish bar with a menu of matching kid-and-adult mocktails and cocktails, a carousel, an arcade, a splash space with slides aimed on the youngest splashers and an infinity pool for grown-ups.

Regardless of its title, Surfside is not going to be dwelling to Royal Caribbean’s surf simulator, the FlowRider.

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Central Park

One other open-to-the-sky neighborhood, the greenery-filled Central Park makes a return on Icon. On Deck 8, it lures grownup cruisers to its bars and eating places for a romantic date evening or stroll in its onboard park, that includes dwell bushes and crops. New venues right here embrace a grab-n-go window for Izumi’s sushi, the intimate and upscale Empire Supper Membership, jazz membership Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues and the walk-up Champagne venue, Bubbles.

AquaDome

Icon of the Seas doesn’t have a Boardwalk, but it surely does supply its personal model of that neighborhood’s standard AquaTheater. The AquaTheater — which hosts acrobatic and diving reveals in a high-tech stage/pool — has been moved from its outside, lower-deck, back-of-ship location on Oasis-class ships to an indoor, upper-deck, front-of-ship spot on Icon.

The theater is the marquee attraction inside the ship’s Deck 15 AquaDome neighborhood — if the draw isn’t the dome itself. The large 363-ton glass-and-steel construction presents company 220-degree ocean views. Inside, you may discover eating and ingesting venues, cozy lounge area, a Royal Caribbean emblem jewellery retailer and new cabins with panoramic views by the dome.

Chill Island

Aft of the AquaDome is Chill Island, Icon’s major pool space that includes 4 of the ship’s seven swimming pools amongst its three decks. It’ll embrace the road’s first swim-up bar, Swim and Tonic, and what Royal Caribbean is claiming is the biggest pool at sea. Swimming pools and sizzling tubs are positioned alongside the sides of the ship so company can take within the sea views whereas soaking within the water.

Cabanas will probably be out there to lease on this neighborhood, however there will be loads of free lounge area, too.

The Hideaway

Excessive above Surfside, in the back of Deck 15, is The Hideaway — Royal Caribbean’s tackle an adults-only seashore membership. The primary attraction right here is the primary suspended infinity pool at sea. It is flanked by tiered lounge area, sizzling tubs and a bar specializing in Champagne and Champagne-based cocktails.

Thrill Island

Thrill Island is Icon’s go-to neighborhood for adrenaline-pumping actions. Discovered on Deck 16 aft, it is dwelling to all of the wild top-deck points of interest Royal Caribbean is understood for — in addition to some new thrills.

The FlowRider surf simulator, Misplaced Dunes miniature golf, the Adrenaline Peak mountain climbing wall and the sports activities court docket are all Thrill Island staples. Class 6 is the biggest water park at sea, that includes an open free-fall slide, the tallest drop slide at sea, household raft slides that accommodate 4 riders directly and two mat-racing slides. The Crown’s Edge is a ropes course-style attraction primarily based round a large model of the ship’s crown-and-anchor emblem.

Suite neighborhood

The ship’s remaining neighborhood spans decks 16 to 19. The Suite neighborhood is a mixture of most of the ship’s prime suites plus eating places, lounges and outside areas unique to suite company and a few of Royal Caribbean’s most loyal vacationers. Icon of the Seas’ suite neighborhood is Royal Caribbean’s largest restricted-access enclave for suite company, a la Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven.

The Coastal Kitchen restaurant returns, however is now two decks excessive, with home windows overlooking the AquaTheater. The solar deck has been reworked into The Grove, a multistory area that includes an alfresco restaurant and bar, pool, sizzling tub and lounge areas.

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What I liked about Icon of the Seas

It is surprisingly simple to get round

You would possibly assume you’d spend every week misplaced on the biggest cruise ship on the planet. However you may study your manner round Icon of the Seas in a day. That is as a result of the neighborhood idea (arranging themed points of interest in a single space of the ship) makes it simple to determine the place you are going.

The Royal Promenade on decks 5 and 6 is the central public area, flanked by the principle eating room and the theater. Its higher stage results in Deck 7’s family-focused Surfside, which leads as much as leafy Central Park. (And in the event you do not need to hit Surfside, you may get instantly from The Royal Promenade to Central Park by way of stairs by the Pearl Cafe.)

Chill Island, Thrill Island, The Hideaway and The Aquadome all move into one another throughout the ship’s prime decks. The AquaDome is on the entrance (simple to recollect as soon as you have seen the surface of the ship with its bulbous brow), with The Hideaway and the water park on the again for stability.

It is not good; I positively acquired rotated within the big elevator lobbies (there are two, every with 12 elevators), and I by no means remembered which areas had been on the ahead or aft ends of the Royal Promenade. However the few useless ends are simply realized; entry the Hideaway from Thrill Island (not the Windjammer), Absolute Zero from Playmakers and the Royal Theater from the Promenade (not by the on line casino). You may be a professional very quickly.

The lighter, brighter Royal Promenade is the most effective within the fleet

The Royal Promenades on Royal Caribbean ships have at all times been in comparison with buying malls as a result of the lengthy corridors are lined with eating places, bars and outlets and endure from a scarcity of pure gentle. The second-level useless ends additionally pissed off company making an attempt to get from level A to B on a megaship. So the cruise line rethought out the promenade area on Icon of the Seas, and got here up with a profitable design that is lighter and extra inviting.

Royal Caribbean ditched the promenade-facing cabins for multideck-high glass partitions that flood the area with gentle. The necessity for a substitute structural help led to the creation of The Pearl, the central point of interest artwork piece of the neighborhood. The cafe behind it’s a win for its cozy windowside seating with killer views and elevated cafe snacks.

One other win is that the higher stage is now an entire circle, so you may stroll from the ahead to the aft elevator banks and again on each decks of the Royal Promenade. There’s even a stairwell up into Central Park.

Plus, a number of the new venues on the promenade are rapidly changing into visitor favorites. The hip 1400 Bar, with its craft cocktails and central indoor-outdoor location, and Dueling Pianos Bar had been taking place sizzling spots on my crusing.

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The reveals are unimaginable

My favourite evenings mix dinner and a present, and the top-notch leisure is one thing I’ve at all times liked about Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas brings it in a giant manner with its new reveals.

I used to be dreading a 90-minute model of “The Wizard of Oz” however fell in love with Icon’s manufacturing as a result of its artistic use of flying know-how, beautiful costumes and units, cute puppets and trendy staging. “Starburst,” the ice present, mixed some stellar skating strikes with an unimaginable juggler, and the AquaTheater is at all times killer it doesn’t matter what these divers, dancers and acrobats are doing.

I used to be additionally happy to see that Icon of the Seas will introduce shorter reveals at earlier present instances for households with younger children within the AquaTheater and Absolute Zero ice rink.

What I did not love about Icon of the Seas

Thrill Island is extra excessive than I anticipated

Our favorites had been the 2 household raft slides, the place two to 4 riders slide collectively in spherical rafts. However there wasn’t a fundamental physique slide {that a} child might journey time and again with out a buddy or dad or mum alongside. All of the others had steep drops or had been face first and tremendous quick, with an excessive amount of water in your eyes and nostril.

Reverse the water park, the brand new Crown’s Edge ropes course can be not a play-all-day, kid-friendly course, like those I’ve tried on Carnival cruise ships and Nice Wolf Lodge. The course is extraordinarily brief, with a vertigo-inducing part over the open ocean. It is also acquired a steep entry payment (the water park is free).

I hoped that Thrill Island can be a spot the place older children and their dad and mom might spend a whole afternoon hopping from journey to journey. The Misplaced Dunes minigolf course and the mountain climbing wall are very accessible. However I might price the water park and ropes course extra T for teen than E for everybody.

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New Infinite Ocean View Balcony cabins are a combined bag

On Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean added a brand new type of balcony room: the Infinite Ocean View Balcony. An thought borrowed from sister line Movie star Cruises, these cabins deliver the balcony sitting space into the cabin’s inside to create an extended room. To deliver the contemporary air in, the far wall of every cabin is a wall of glass, and the highest half can roll down on the push of a button (like a automotive window).

A few of these cabins look out over the ocean, whereas others face inwards, overlooking Central Park.

I liked the additional cabin area and the extra sitting space going through a window. Nevertheless, we not often opened the window as a result of it messed with all the room’s local weather management as warmth (or, in my case, chilly breezes) flooded the cabin. Plus, noise from different decks, just like the poolside DJ, additionally infiltrated all the room.

The brand new rooms additionally had a number of design flaws, which had been repeated in different classes as properly. These included a scarcity of outlet selection by the beds, clunky wire baskets beneath the wardrobe that had been onerous to entry as a result of they had been too near the cabin’s couch and presumably not sufficient normal storage for anybody touring as a household in a single room.

Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Royal Caribbean cruisers may have 14 new cabin and suite sorts to select from out of 28 complete lodging sorts. Many of those are family-friendly rooms that sleep 4 company; some can accommodate six or eight company. In complete, 313 cabins and suites are listed particularly as family-focused lodging, although many common room sorts can sleep greater than two company.

Inside cabins

Essentially the most reasonably priced rooms on Icon of the Seas are inside cabins (they usually’re nonetheless not low-cost). Along with normal 156-square-foot inside cabins and 178-square-foot Spacious Inside cabins, new 157-square-foot Inside Plus rooms characteristic extra-large walk-in closets.

Icon of the Seas additionally options 187-square-foot Surfside Household View Inside cabins (changing Boardwalk View cabins) and equally sized Central Park View Inside cabins. These rooms do have home windows, however they appear inward onto the neighborhoods.

No rooms on Icon of the Seas are listed as providing the “digital balconies” discovered on choose Royal Caribbean ships.

Ocean-view cabins

Icon of the Seas has solely two varieties of ocean-view rooms with a window however no balcony. Its new Panoramic Ocean View rooms are inside the AquaDome, providing floor-to-ceiling home windows quite than the usual image window. They may also be bigger than the usual balcony cabin at 258 sq. toes (in comparison with 160 to 187 sq. toes).

Balcony cabins

Nearly all of Icon of the Seas’ cabins are balcony rooms, starting from 196 to 285 sq. toes in indoor area, with non-public verandas of fifty to 70 sq. toes. The ship introduces 4 new varieties of balcony cabins to the fleet.

The Infinite Ocean View Balcony cabin design takes an thought from Royal Caribbean sister line Movie star Cruises, the place as an alternative of a regular balcony exterior to the ship, the room contains a glass wall with a window that may roll down midway (like a automotive window) to permit contemporary air in. There are additionally curtains to shut off that space from the remainder of the cabin to create a veranda-like area.

Moreover, Icon has an extra-long household model of this room sort. The Household Infinite Balcony cabin can sleep as much as six individuals, with an alcove that includes higher and decrease beds for youths, a separate sleeping space for grown-ups, a residing space and a break up lavatory (rest room and sink in a single room and bathe and sink within the different).

Additionally new to Icon are smaller Surfside Household View Balcony cabins and Infinite Central Park View Balcony cabins. Central Park balcony rooms, which look out over the inside’s open-to-the-sky neighborhood, are available in common balcony variations as properly. Icon additionally options a whole bunch of ordinary balcony cabins searching to sea.

I stayed in an Infinite Central Park View Balcony cabin, which has the identical cabin design because the common Infinite Balcony room however overlooks the inside neighborhood as an alternative of the ocean. As I stated above, I adored the extra inside area, however did not make a lot use of the window. Along with local weather management points, once I opened the window in my room, the noise from across the ship flooded my cabin, and I am unsure any conversations I had on my “balcony” can be non-public.

I additionally found that every one the inward-facing rooms of any class lack privateness. From my room, I might see straight into the cabins throughout from me. I watched individuals leaning on their balcony and room attendants cleansing cabins. And, sure, I did see a dude in his underwear one morning. Any time we wanted to alter garments and as soon as it acquired darkish exterior, I might shut the curtains, altering my beautiful room with a view into an inside cabin with no pure gentle.

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Suites

Royal Caribbean presents three tiers of suites, and every subsequent tier comes with rising Royal Suite-class perks and facilities.

Icon’s Sea-tier suites embrace Junior Suites and 4 new Sundown Junior Suites with expansive balconies.

The Sky tier contains a number of new suite sorts, beginning with the Surfside Household Suites. These 269-square-foot suites sleep 4 with a glassed-in residing space that may flip right into a children bed room at evening, plus an actual 53-square-foot balcony overlooking the Surfside neighborhood.

Sky Junior Suites have the identical format as common Junior Suites however are excessive up on the ship’s prime decks. Friends in these suites obtain further Sky-tier perks (resembling entry to all of the Suite neighborhood facilities), whereas common Junior Suites include extra restricted facilities. Sundown Suites and Sundown Nook Suites characteristic extra-large balconies and beds that face the ocean quite than a wall.

Panoramic Suites are inside the ship’s iconic AquaDome construction, with floor-to-ceiling glass home windows. You will not miss the balcony if you’re gazing out to sea out of your stylish sitting space in entrance of the glass wall.

The Infinite Grand Suite presents the brand new convertible balcony design together with a bigger area that sleeps 4 and features a break up lavatory, helpful when a number of company have to prepare on the similar time.

Of the 9 prime Star-tier suites, just one, the Royal Loft, is on different Royal Caribbean ships. Seven of those prime lodging are new Icon Loft Suites, two-deck-high lodging with two bedrooms, two loos, a big balcony with a personal eating space and floor-to-ceiling home windows.

The creme de la creme of suites on board is the three-deck-high Final Household Townhouse, an evolution of the Final Household Suite that wowed company on Oasis-class ships. Along with child and grownup sleeping areas, this 1,772-square-foot top-level suite options an in-suite slide, a movie-viewing room, a karaoke machine and spacious indoor residing areas.

It additionally presents 751 sq. toes of outside area divided amongst two balconies and a “yard” with a pingpong desk, outside seating and a white picket fence main on to all of the Surfside neighborhood points of interest. It could possibly sleep as much as eight company.

Icon of the Seas eating places and bars

Icon of the Seas takes Royal Caribbean’s ingesting and eating sport to the following stage. The road added new-to-the-brand eating places to make sure that each neighborhood had a meals venue simply accessible, with extra quick-service eateries and choices for households.

As well as, the road labored with grasp mixologists to create new and revolutionary bar menus, full with zero-proof mocktail choices, in watering holes all through the ship.

Eating places

Icon of the Seas showcases new eating venues and up to date spins on visitor favorites. From elevated eating experiences to fast bites, here’s what you may count on on board.

The Eating Room: The three-level major eating venue (decks 3, 4 and 5) will supply three programs of worldwide impressed dishes, resembling escargot and spaghetti Bolognese, in addition to the cruise line’s signature dishes. The middle chandelier is gorgeous. Select from a number of set-dining instances or a extra versatile eating plan. You may discover loads of selection, a children menu and waiters prepared to expedite your dinner so you may make a present, even supplying you with your dessert to go. (Included.)

Windjammer Market: It would not be a Royal Caribbean ship with out an infinite pool deck buffet, and Icon of the Seas has its model on Deck 15. The choices are diverse and attractive, with Indian entrees and a gluten-free counter within the again. I used to be impressed with the standard of my meals right here. (Included.)

Sorrento’s Pizza: You may discover a number of eating places inside the Royal Promenade, beginning with Sorrento’s. The favored complimentary all-day and late-night pizza parlor on the Royal Promenade churns out a number of flavors of pies every day. You may additionally discover a soda machine right here. (Included.)

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar: The additional-fee purveyor of pizza, pasta, meatballs and extra Italian specialties discovered on some Oasis Class ships and a smattering of different Royal Caribbean vessels has a brand new location on Icon of the Seas. It is moved from Central Park (on Oasis Class ships) to the higher stage of the Royal Promenade, open to all of the hubbub and foot site visitors of the bustling neighborhood. (Lunch $24.99 per particular person, dinner $54.99)

Pearl Cafe: This new grab-and-go espresso store within the Royal Promenade is your day or evening spot for contemporary sandwiches, pastries and to-go salads. The nice and cozy sandwiches are a lower above what you may discover in its predecessor, the Promenade Cafe, however its cozy seating and stellar views steal the present. (Snacks included, however espresso drinks price additional.)

Playmakers Sports activities Bar & Arcade: Chew right into a juicy burger or an outrageous dessert at this extra-fee bar and grill. You possibly can even order signature cocktails that are available in soccer helmets. Playmakers has been repositioned to Deck 6 in an inside location throughout from Journey Ocean and Social020 on the far finish of the second stage of the Royal Promenade. It makes the bar really feel like extra of a dive and fewer like a family-friendly grill the place you’d take your children for burgers. (A la carte pricing.)

Surfside Eatery: This new family-friendly buffet venue within the Surfside neighborhood is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It serves up kid-friendly informal fare and choices for adults, that means households needn’t trek as much as the Windjammer buffet for meals, and children can play nearby of their dad and mom in the event that they end consuming first. (Included.)

Pier 7: Additionally in Surfside, Pier 7 is the informal specialty restaurant geared toward households eating collectively. It serves California-inspired dishes for lunch and dinner, in addition to breakfast all day (however not at evening). The baja fish tacos and Korean fried hen had been wonderful, and the nice and cozy toffee chocolate cake was completely molten with bruleed marshmallows on prime. Child dishes embrace grilled cheese and hen tenders; brunch choices vary from a pancake board to eggs Benedict. (Included for youths beneath 12; a la carte pricing for adults.)

Surfside Bites: This walk-up window eatery makes it simple to seize fast snacks like burgers, popcorn hen, french fries and cinnamon-sugar churros. (Included.)

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi: One other relocated venue, Izumi takes its rolls, sashimi and juggling hibachi cooks to a brand new and bigger Central Park location with extra hibachi tables. It’ll additionally characteristic a Royal Caribbean first: Izumi within the Park, an all-day grab-and-go window for sushi takeout. (Hibachi $64.99 per particular person, sushi priced a la carte.)

Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s steakhouse returns to Central Park on Icon however with a twist. Friends can now select their very own lower of meat from the butcher’s show. Additionally, an open window offers diners with a view of cooks getting ready their chosen lower. (Lunch $29.99 per particular person, dinner $69.99.)

Park Cafe: This informal favourite for breakfast, lunch and snacks additionally returns to Central Park on Icon of the Seas. Its Royal Kummelweck roast beef sandwich has a cult following. (Included.)

Empire Supper Membership: Designed to evoke an environment of New York Metropolis within the Thirties, this new venue presents an upscale expertise. Friends can savor an extravagant eight-course meal (assume: caviar and wagyu), full with leisure. Every dish is paired with a cocktail created by movie star mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim particularly for Royal Caribbean. A meal right here will set you again some critical money, although with spots for less than 38 company an evening, you may should e book rapidly to get a desk. ($200 per particular person.)

Vitality Cafe: Icon of the Seas’ spa space on Deck 14 is dwelling to a wholesome cafe for extra-fee smoothies and contemporary juices. (A la carte.)

AquaDome Market: The road’s first meals corridor will characteristic 5 eating choices — Feta Mediterranean (contemporary pitas and bowls), Toast and Backyard (sandwiches and salads), Mac’s (macaroni and cheese with diverse toppings like beef chili or bacon), GNGR (Asian dishes like tofu-vegetable stir-fry and sweet-and-sour shrimp with pineapple) and Creme de la Crepe (each candy and savory choices). (Included.)

Celebration Desk: The brand new non-public 12-seat eating expertise offers a super backdrop for celebrating milestone occasions. Select from unique American, Italian, Asian and seafood menus. The desk is about up inside Hooked Seafood. (Pricing could range.)

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Hooked Seafood: Discovered within the AquaDome neighborhood, this New England-style seafood venue is the place to go if you’re craving oysters, fish & chips and lobster rolls after staring on the waves all day lengthy. (Lunch $24.99 per particular person, dinner $64.99.)

Sprinkles: Assist your self to ice cream at this Chill Island poolside lineup of soft-serve machines. You may additionally discover a soft-serve machine within the Surfside neighborhood. (Included.)

El Loco Recent: Quick-casual Mexican hits the spot after a day within the solar. Decide up a fast lunch or dinner at this Chill Island outpost. (Included.)

Basecamp: While you’ve labored up an urge for food after all of the sliding, climbing and browsing at Thrill Island, head to Basecamp to gas up. Order a sizzling canine, heat pretzel and tater tots totally free, or pay a la carte for consolation meals like hen waffle bits, shrimp bao buns and Wisconsin cheese curds. (A la carte pricing.)

Desserted: Thrill-seekers can take pleasure in a distinct type of rush at this milkshake bar within the Thrill Island neighborhood. You may discover sugary choices for youths and spiked variations for grown-ups. At $14 a milkshake, we anticipated greater than only a cute picture; get a cone of soft-serve and prime it with a cookie or brownie from the buffet, and you may replicate the style totally free. (A la carte pricing.)

Coastal Kitchen: This restaurant, unique to suite company and Royal Caribbean’s top-tier Pinnacle loyalty program members, contains a new two-story format overlooking the AquaTheater. (Included for choose company.)

The Grove: Icon’s expanded Suite neighborhood now features a informal, alfresco Mediterranean restaurant, reserved for suite company. (Included for choose company.)

Bars

Royal Caribbean is doubling down on the craft cocktail craze with Icon of the Seas. The road labored with grasp mixologists to create new bar ideas and menus to take the ship’s ingesting sport to the following stage. In case you’re sport to attempt all of them, purchase your drink package deal upfront of your cruise once they’re usually discounted.

The Royal Promenade is dwelling to Royal Caribbean’s first double-pianist bar, Dueling Pianos. The 2 performers take requests and contain company in musical enjoyable. It’s positively changing into a sizzling spot at evening. That does not imply the lone pianist on the Schooner Bar on the alternative finish of Deck 6 is feeling lonely. The nautical-themed bar is at all times a fan favourite.

You may additionally discover dueling espresso bars right here — the devoted Starbucks venue on Deck 5 and the Pearl Cafe, serving espresso drinks on Deck 6. Different Royal Promenade bars embrace 1400 (the place for craft cocktails that pay homage to the cruise line’s historical past), Highlight Karaoke (for that musical buzz), Boleros (the at all times standard bar and lounge for Latin music and dancing) and the Level & Feather pub.

Down on decks 3 and 4, the Music Corridor is the place to jam out and dance to dwell music. Subsequent door, the on line casino, after all, has its personal bar.

You may not assume the ship’s household neighborhood would have a bar, however the Lemon Publish within the Surfside zone serves each cocktails for the dad and mom and mocktails (elevated lemonade mixes and overly candy colourful juice concoctions) for the youngsters.

In Central Park, company discover the brand new jazz membership Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues, with cocktails themed to the largest jazz cities world wide. The walk-up Champagne venue, Bubbles, options mimosas, bellinis and different bubbly-based drinks. The Trellis Bar can be again, now with an extra-fee meals menu to accompany your beverage of your selection.

Within the AquaDome, the Overlook is a beautiful lounge that includes particular nooks (Overlook Pods) and wraparound home windows offering improbable ocean views. Order the Overlook Bar’s signature drink, the AquaDome Spritz, unique to this ship and venue. The brand new espresso store Rye & Bean will supply caffeine hits and cocktails starring tea and low. (Do not miss the chai Previous-Normal that smells nearly as good because it tastes.)

Beverage locations in Chill Island embrace a three-story Lime and Coconut Bar (now with frozen cocktail machines) and Cantina Fresca (serving margaritas). Swim & Tonic is the road’s first swim-up bar.

The Basecamp bar in Thrill Island is the place to regular your wobbly post-ropes-course knees with a drink, or you may order a Desserted milkshake with a shot of Baileys or Fireball. The Hideaway Bar serves the adults kicking again of their no-kids-allowed resort-style infinity pool hangout.

Suite company will discover bars unique to them within the Coastal Kitchen restaurant and the Grove solar deck. The spa additionally retains company refreshed with the Vitality Cafe smoothie bar.

Icon of the Seas actions

A Caribbean cruise is all about enjoyable within the solar, and Icon of the Seas’ higher decks are the place to be.

Chill Island is the ship’s three-deck pool space with a number of swimming pools and sizzling tubs located alongside the perimeters of the ship for gorgeous ocean views. You may additionally discover a few ping-pong tables and a dry slide from Deck 16 to fifteen. Open-air cabanas can be found to lease.

The Hideaway is an adults-only retreat with sizzling tubs, lounge chairs going through the ship’s wake and an infinity pool cantilevered over the perimeters of the ship 15 decks up. You possibly can solely entry The Hideaway from above on Deck 16; do not attempt to lower by the Windjammer Market like we did. You will not get there.

Thrill Island consolidates all of Icon of the Seas’ high-octane actions into one space alongside Deck 16 aft. Right here, you may discover the FlowRider surf simulator, Misplaced Dunes minigolf programs and mountain climbing wall.

Most of Thrill Island is dominated by the Class 6 water park with six slides. Two are raft slides that accommodate two to 4 individuals, and two are toboggan-style forward-facing racing slides. One is a drop slide and the opposite is a 90-degree plunge. Many of the slides are fairly excessive, and little children (and their wussy dad and mom) would possibly discover them too intense.

Additionally new on Icon of the Seas is the Crown’s Edge ropes course. Its declare to fame is that the course takes you across the ship’s big emblem, out over the ocean, with a zipper line end. Nevertheless, there’s not a lot else to the attraction; it is presumably the shortest ropes course we have ever traversed. You may spend extra time gearing up than you’ll having fun with the course. Crown’s Edge presents a enjoyable thrill, however I do not assume it is value paying $89 per particular person for one run of the course.

The ship’s Vitality Spa on Deck 14 presents salon providers for women and men, plus all of your favourite spa therapies and an extra-fee thermal suite with heated loungers and aromatherapy showers. The health middle is separate, positioned on decks 5 and 6 (although the Deck 5 entrance is off the jogging observe that loops that deck). It is a sprawling health club, with area upstairs for health lessons.

In case you’re in search of kid-friendly water play areas, the Surfside household neighborhood is your vacation spot. It options Child Bay for diapered tots; Splashaway Bay, with a dump bucket, water sprayers and junior waterslides; and an infinity pool for grownups and older siblings. Youngsters may also take pleasure in a climbing construction and the carousel with its colourful cartoon creatures to journey.

The Journey Ocean children membership and Social 020 teen lounge, each on Deck 6, are the it areas for the under-18 crowd. Journey Ocean is well accessible from Surfside, with a protracted entrance hallway peppered with gaming screens so children may be entertained whereas they wait to be checked in (or dad and mom can sneak in a sport whereas they wait to select up).

Not like on older ships, Journey Ocean is split into AO Infants, the nursery for ages 6 to 36 months; AO Juniors for 3- to 5-year-olds, with their very own play area; and the principle Journey Ocean membership for youths ages 6 to 12. The Journey Ocean area is additional divided into the Hangout, with video video games and digital sport tables; the Area for sports activities and lively play; and the Workshop for science experiments and artwork initiatives. A theater area is about to host a black-light, interactive puppet present that households can take part in collectively.

Drop-off play at Journey Ocean is free through the day and early night; it is an hourly price per little one after 10 p.m. The nursery additionally costs per hour for drop-off at any time.

Social 020 is hidden between Playmakers and the Absolute Zero ice skating rink. It has gaming pods, hangout nooks and cozy seating, and foosball tables. It is meant to be a spot for teenagers ages 13-17 to fulfill up and hang around, however a lot of the teenager programming will happen across the ship. Search for teen-only takeovers of the water park and Hideaway Pool, VIP seating for choose reveals, group dinners at Izumi and unique laser tag play.

Absolute Zero is the ship’s skating rink, accessed from Deck 6. In case you’re impressed by the solid of its reveals, you may lace up and check out a number of spins throughout open skating hours on sea days. That is sometimes the place Royal Caribbean hosts its laser tag video games as properly.

On the alternative finish of Deck 6, Icon’s escape room sits throughout from the Crown Lounge for Crown & Anchor VIPs.

It’s important to search to search out the ship’s on line casino on Deck 4. The On line casino Royale has all of your favourite slots and desk video games. Different nightlife choices embrace Highlight Karaoke for embarrassing visitor performances, Music Corridor for dancing, Dueling Pianos and Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues for dwell music and Playmakers for watching sports activities and taking part in desk video games.

You may additionally come upon dwell music throughout the ship, from the pool deck to Central Park to the pub.

The ship presents a mixture of programming from Latin dance lessons to liquor tastings, spa seminars, pool video games, trivia and extra. Test the road’s app or the printed Cruise Compass every day e-newsletter so you do not miss occasions across the ship.

Household programming in Surfside will probably be led by Admiral Superior, who’s kind of the household cruise director. You will not miss him in his wild, brightly coloured outfits. Actions embrace the Bigger Than Life Household Pageant (with big video games and face portray) and night bedtime tales.

You may discover memento and jewellery outlets all through the ships, however predominantly in Central Park and alongside the Royal Promenade. A Park West artwork gallery is right here, too.

Surfside options the Sugar Seaside sweet store and Sunshine & Sundries, which sells plush dolls and child swim gear you forgot to pack. Do not miss Royal Bling within the AquaDome, the place you should purchase Royal Caribbean emblem jewellery, together with a bejeweled chalice that prices $100,000 and comes with a free lifetime drinks package deal on all Royal Caribbean ships.

The visitor providers and NextCruise desks are positioned on the Royal Promenade by the pub. Shore excursions and the picture gallery are behind The Pearl on Deck 5. A convention facility and medical middle are positioned on the ship’s decrease decks.

Icon of the Seas reveals

Royal Caribbean is understood for its revolutionary high-tech, large-scale reveals — within the theater, within the water and on the ice. The leisure on Icon of the Seas stays true to model and doesn’t fail to impress.

It is tough to know this early on how onerous will probably be to get a seat at your most well-liked present time with so many individuals on board. It is a good suggestion to determine how early you may e book reveals and e book them upfront on the Royal Caribbean app or the “My Royal Cruise” part of the web site, or as quickly as you board. You may additionally need to arrive early for the most effective seats — or to get in a standby line in case of no-shows.

Icon of the Seas’ Royal Theater is positioned ahead of the Royal Promenade on decks 4 and 5. Its signature present is “The Wizard of Oz,” and also you should not dismiss it. Royal Caribbean has discovered a technique to modernize the present, and the spectacular particular results, together with set items flying above the viewers, will captivate cruisers of all ages. Do not miss Toto and different puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Store.

“Wizard of Oz” employs the biggest-ever orchestra at sea (16 items), so it is no shock that Icon of the Seas’ second theater present highlights their abilities. “Showband!” was not working on my crusing, however the line describes it as an immersive, sensory expertise, using state-of-the-art know-how.

On the alternative aspect of the Royal Promenade on Deck 5 aft is the Absolute Zero ice rink. You possibly can entry it previous Playmakers on Deck 6. The venue contains a round rink versus the sq. ones within the Studio B rinks on sister ships.

Its new present is “Starburst,” which is themed across the components (carbon, helium, and so on.). Group, solo and pair skating numbers are mixed with next-level juggling by a personality dubbed “The Starman.”

The costumes are artistic and enjoyable (together with glow-in-the-dark and light-up outfits), and using lighting and video on the partitions and the ice units a spacey scene. The spherical ice stage makes it simpler for the skaters to make use of all the area to rise up pace to do jumps and tips. You may gasp on the spectacular lifts, spins and jumps the skaters can execute on a transferring ship.

The identical solid may also current a second, shorter, family-focused present referred to as “As soon as Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball.” Within the present’s story, acquainted fairytale characters come to a king’s occasion to entertain the households of the world.

Royal Caribbean’s well-known AquaTheater has been moved from an out of doors area in the back of the ship to the indoor AquaDome on the entrance of the ship on Deck 15. It additionally will run an extended, later major present and a shorter, earlier family-friendly present. Neither had been prepared but on my preview crusing, however we acquired to see a number of numbers, they usually had been jaw-dropping and gorgeous as solely acrobatic/diving/synchronized reveals with robots, wild lighting and video imagery may be.

The primary present, “Aqua Motion!” would not have a storyline, so far as I might inform, however is supposed to push the boundaries of leisure and wow each viewers. You may witness an aerial pas de deux, dancing robotic arms, loopy excessive dives and dancing with quite a lot of splashing. Belief me — you may be mesmerized. Arrive early as a result of the seating space is surprisingly small given the scale of the ship and the recognition of those reveals.

The household present is known as “Pirates vs. Mermaids,” that includes an epic battle to determine who really guidelines the waves.

Icon of the Seas will stick with it Royal Caribbean’s Promenade parade custom with a pirate-themed present referred to as “Ships Ahoy!” Look out for a soon-to-debut Promenade avenue occasion centered on one-hit wonders.

The Attic is the ship’s comedy membership, positioned on the Royal Promenade on Deck 6 ahead. You may positively need to present up early to get a seat for these standard reveals.

Stay bands carry out at evening in The Music Corridor on decks 3 and 4 by the on line casino.

• Seven-night Jap Caribbean voyages with stops at St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Royal Caribbean’s non-public island within the Bahamas, Good Day at CocoCay
• Seven-night Jap Caribbean voyages with stops at St. Maarten (the Dutch aspect of the island of St. Martin), St. Thomas and Good Day at CocoCay
• Seven-night Jap Caribbean voyages with stops at St. Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Good Day at CocoCay
• Seven-night Jap Caribbean voyages with stops at St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s non-public seashore on Haiti
• Seven-night Jap Caribbean voyages with stops at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas; San Juan; and Good Day at CocoCay
• Seven-night Western Caribbean voyages with stops at Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Good Day at CocoCay
• Seven-night Western Caribbean voyages with stops at Costa Maya, Cozumel and Good Day at CocoCay

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Cruises on Royal Caribbean’s latest and largest ship do not come low-cost, and the costs have solely elevated for the reason that ship first went on sale in 2022. Anticipate premium pricing for this extremely sought-after ship.

After we checked in January 2024, the bottom value for an Icon of the Seas crusing was $1,775 per particular person, primarily based on double occupancy, for an inside cabin. The most affordable balcony cabins began at $2,426 per particular person. These costs are for cruises departing in January 2026!

The most costly crusing at current is a New 12 months’s cruise, departing Dec. 28, 2024, with inside cabins beginning at $9,419 and balconies at $10,104 per particular person.

You would possibly surprise if Icon of the Seas’ fares are all-inclusive — they aren’t. The fares embrace meals in the principle eating room, buffet and a handful of different complimentary eating places; most leisure and actions; use of the youngsters membership; and fundamental drinks like normal espresso and tea, milk and choose juices at breakfast. You’ll pay additional for soda and alcoholic drinks, specialty eating places, spa therapies and choose actions.

Associated: 11 additional costs on cruise ships that may drive you nuts — and what you are able to do about them

What to know earlier than you go

Required paperwork

Since Icon of the Seas is at present crusing round-trip from Florida, U.S. residents can sail with both a present passport or an official copy of their beginning certificates and a driver’s license or different government-issued picture I.D. Passports should be legitimate for not less than six months.

The title in your reservation should be the identical as what’s printed in your passport or different official proof of nationality. Double-check in the event you’ve just lately gotten married or go by a distinct model of your title.

In case you’re touring with a toddler for whom you aren’t the authorized guardian, you’ll need to deliver a notarized letter, signed by the kid’s dad and mom or authorized guardians, supplying you with permission to journey with the kid.

Gratuities

The room stewards and eating workers on Icon of the Seas are pleasant and useful and deserve an additional thank-you. Royal Caribbean makes that simple by charging you an computerized gratuity of $18 to $20.50 per particular person per day, relying in your cabin class, added to your onboard account and remaining invoice. You might be allowed to regulate this quantity on the Visitor Providers desk earlier than disembarking, however please do not — even if you’re disillusioned by the service. Gratuities are an essential a part of crewmembers’ paychecks.

An 18% gratuity is added to bar, specialty eating and spa/salon payments. You shouldn’t really feel pressured so as to add a further tip.

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Wi-Fi

Royal Caribbean has one of many quickest Wi-Fi techniques at sea, referred to as Voom, and you’ll reap the benefits of this on Icon of the Seas. At the moment, Wi-Fi packages with streaming bandwidth begin at $30.99 per day for one machine (or $24.99 per day per machine for packages accommodating two, three or 4 units), although costs do change over time.

Typically you may get the most effective reductions on onboard Wi-Fi by buying your plans on-line upfront of your cruise. In case you’re a member of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society cruise loyalty program, verify to see in the event you’re eligible for reductions on Wi-Fi packages.

Sure suite company and upper-tier loyalty program members obtain complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks earlier than you join a package deal.

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Carry-on drinks coverage

Royal Caribbean company of authorized ingesting age can deliver one bottle of wine or Champagne onto Icon of the Seas at boarding. If you wish to drink that bottle exterior your cabin in a restaurant or lounge, you should pay a $15 corkage payment.

Friends may also deliver as much as a dozen normal cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks resembling sodas on board on embarkation day.

Smoking coverage

Smoking (together with e-cigarette smoking) is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those that violate this rule will face a $250 cleansing payment.

Passengers can smoke in Icon of the Seas’ on line casino whereas taking part in or in a delegated outer space on Deck 17 by the Cloud 17 pool space.

Laundry

Icon of the Seas doesn’t supply self-service launderettes. Passengers pays additional for laundry, urgent and dry cleansing providers.

Electrical shops

Cabins on Icon of the Seas have a ton of shops, although not at all times the place you need them. In my Infinite Ocean-View Balcony cabin, I discovered two USB, two USB-C, one North American-style 110-volt outlet and one European-style 220-volt outlet by the desk. Two extra USB shops had been hidden within the shelving throughout from the sleeping space. One aspect of the mattress had a USB outlet and the opposite a 110-volt outlet. (I might have most well-liked to have considered one of every on both aspect of the mattress.)

There’s additionally an outlet for shavers by the lavatory shelving close to the sink.

Foreign money

The onboard foreign money is the U.S. greenback, however you will not want money on the ship. You may obtain a SeaPass card that capabilities as your shipboard ID, room key and bank card. You may cost shipboard purchases (drinks, souvenirs, extra-fee meals, shore excursions and so forth) to your onboard account, and Royal Caribbean will cost your bank card on file as soon as the cruise ends. You possibly can verify your onboard invoice within the cruise line’s app or at Visitor Providers.

The outlets on CocoCay additionally take your SeaPass card. The onboard Starbucks outlet (not different cafes the place Starbucks-brand drinks are offered) ought to take Starbucks reward playing cards and cost by the Starbucks app.

Consuming age

You should be 21 to devour alcohol on Icon of the Seas.

Gown code

In the course of the day, individuals costume casually. T-shirts, shorts, athletic put on, informal sundresses and bathing fits are generally worn on board and ashore. Deliver a cover-up to go from the pool again indoors.

You may additionally need to costume for the actions you propose to do on board. Put on lengthy pants, socks and a sweatshirt for skating in Absolute Zero (and produce one thing heat to put on if you go to one of many reveals); full-coverage swimwear for the FlowRider and waterslides; and closed-toe sneakers and a glasses strap for the Crown’s Edge ropes course (and skip the skirt so you may simply placed on the jumpsuit).

Within the night, the ship does have a urged costume code, both informal (simply look first rate, however shorts are frowned upon at dinner), good informal (good restaurant or date apparel) or formal (your model of fancy). A seven-night cruise will sometimes have two formal nights.

Royal Caribbean ships are fairly informal in regards to the costume codes. What you actually need to keep away from is swimwear, naked toes, pajamas and athletic-style tank tops in the principle eating room and specialty eating places. And costume in your eating venue: You may need to get dolled up extra for a meal on the Empire Supper Membership or Chops Grille than you would possibly at Pier 7 or Giovanni’s.

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