From the second I stepped onboard Icon of the Seas, I used to be wowed.
I’ve cruised on 18 of Royal Caribbean’s 27 cruise ships, and as somebody who sometimes prefers smaller ships, I used to be bowled over by simply how a lot I cherished the cruise line’s latest ship.
Whereas Icon of the Seas stands out as the largest cruise ship on the earth, her spectacular traits transcend simply her measurement.
Past the apparent—stellar leisure, trendy cabins, and a plethora of onboard actions—it was the smaller touches on Icon of the Seas that blew me away. I used to be impressed by the quantity of ocean views, number of new eating choices, and considerate design of the ship’s eight neighborhoods.
I had solely three days onboard throughout a media preview cruise, and this was not practically sufficient time to expertise all of the ship needed to provide. That being stated, my quick time onboard simply had me come to the conclusion that Icon of the Seas is my favourite ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
Associated: Our full information to Icon of the Seas
From the stylish new meals corridor to the attractive Royal Promenade, listed below are 5 the explanation why the latest Royal Caribbean ship is my favourite—and why I can’t wait to get again onboard.
I cherished the The Overlook, which affords unmatched views and ambiance
Of all of the model new areas to discover on Icon of the Seas, I used to be maybe most excited to take a look at The Overlook, a hangout area within the entrance of the AquaDome.
The AquaDome—an 82-foot-tall glass dome on the ahead high of Icon of the Seas—is a powerful feat of engineering inside itself. And whereas the AquaDome is most recognized for its indoor AquaTheater leisure venue, my favourite side of this space is The Overlook.
When you’ve got sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum or Oasis Class ships, you need to be conversant in the ships’ indoor Solariums, that are positioned in the identical space as The Overlook. But as a substitute of creating this one other pool area on Icon of the Seas, the cruise line did one thing extra modern: they created The Overlook.
The Overlook is an indoor lounge with a number of the most breathtaking views you’ll discover wherever on the ship. I discovered myself drawn to The Overlook throughout my time onboard. With its comfy seating, floor-to-ceiling home windows, and shut proximity to 2 bars, I may simply spend a complete day within the space with no regrets.
Associated: Icon of the Seas AquaDome: What to anticipate
In case you can snag one of many coveted Overlook Pods, you’re in for a deal with. Inside The Overlook are 4 seating areas—referred to as pods—a few of that are elevated off the bottom. Not solely are these pods a superb place for that excellent Instagram shot, however they’re, certainly, an elegant hangout area.
Whether or not you’re imbibing along with your journey get together or difficult new mates to a sport of playing cards, the pods present a scenic, semi-private space to calm down within the AquaDome neighborhood. As a plus, the pods have a number of shops below the seats, which makes them an ideal place to plug in a tool if you want to get any work accomplished whereas onboard.
Household-focused areas are condensed into one place, making the expertise fantastic for each children and adults
Icon of the Seas was designed to be the final word household trip, and it appears she has lived as much as the hype. Not solely does the ship have its personal waterpark, however Icon options kid-friendly favorites like a carousel, mountain climbing wall, child splash pad, mini golf course, and playground, amongst different actions.
As a 20-something with out children, I used to be nervous about simply how family-focused Icon of the Seas can be. Though I’ve cherished my cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, the vessels don’t essentially have a central “hub” for households. I at all times discovered them to be barely overpacked with children.
Icon of the Seas, however, has particular neighborhoods designed with households in thoughts. Surfside, as an example, is designed virtually completely for younger youngsters, with kid-friendly eating places, an arcade, Splashaway Bay aqua park, and a bar that includes “mommy and me” cocktails and mocktails. Moreover, Thrill Island, house to the Class 6 Waterpark, is one other standard space designed for households.
Associated: Icon of the Seas Surfside neighborhood: What to anticipate
Throughout my cruise, it appeared that Royal Caribbean’s thorough design of those neighborhoods was profitable—they have been full of households and younger youngsters.
Some potential cruisers crusing with out children have been postpone by Icon of the Seas’ overt advertising and marketing towards households. For my adults-only getaway, although, I discovered these family-focused neighborhoods to be a plus. As a result of households have been drawn to particular zones of the ship, the remainder of the vessel felt far more adult-focused.
The AquaDome Market affords a superb addition to Royal Caribbean’s eating choices
The business’s trendiest eating idea in current ship builds has been the meals corridor, and Royal Caribbean has caught on to that pattern with the launch of the AquaDome Market.
Both in lieu of or along with a buffet, cruise strains like Virgin Voyages and Norwegian have debuted a meals market on new ships, which affords a collection of made-to-order dishes from particular person stands, every providing a unique delicacies.
I’ve to confess I used to be jealous once I learn my coworkers’ critiques of those meals halls on our sister website Cruise.Weblog. Not solely did these meals halls look unquestionably cool, however they supplied delicacies you’d be exhausting pressed to seek out in a standard buffet, together with Spanish tapas and Japanese ramen.
So once I boarded Icon of the Seas, my first cease was the AquaDome Marketplace for lunch. {The marketplace}, positioned contained in the ship’s AquaDome neighborhood, affords 5 meals stands providing all the things from hen pita wraps to bacon mac n’ cheese and quite a lot of paninis. This venue is complimentary for friends.
Associated: Icon of the Seas restaurant and eating information
My favourite station on the AquaDome Market is GNGR, which affords Asian-inspired rice and noodle bowls. Protein choices embrace candy and bitter shrimp, ginger beef, and hen teriyaki, and bowls are topped with fried vegetable spring rolls. Whereas parts are on the smaller aspect, this allowed me to strive different choices available in the market as nicely.
Along with GNGR, I cherished my falafel and hummus bowl at FETA Mediterranean, whereas fellow Royal Caribbean Weblog author Angie raved in regards to the tacky choices at MAC’s Mac & Cheese and the Monte Cristo sandwich at Toast & Backyard.
After all, you’ll be able to’t eat at AquaDome market with out attempting a crepe at Crème de la Crêpe. Whether or not a basic crepe with lemon zest and dusted sugar or the decadent Nutella banana possibility, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious with any crepe on the AquaDome market—I attempted all of them!
Though the expansive Windjammer buffet nonetheless affords a far larger variety of decisions in comparison with the AquaDome Market, I discovered myself eating on the AquaDome Market way more often than the latter. The collection of cuisines, made-to-order dishes, and general fashionable vibe of the venue is certain to make this spot successful for the brand new vessel.
The Hideaway is all the things I’ve ever wished in an adults-only hangout area, even when I would miss the indoor Solarium
Icon of the Seas is the one Royal Caribbean ship with out an adults-only Solarium, however there’s a neighborhood instead as a substitute: The Hideaway.
Situated within the ship’s aft, The Hideaway is the one designated adults-only space on Icon of the Seas. The area was designed with “Las Vegas pool get together” in thoughts, and it’s a classy, stylish pool area for adults 18 years and older.
As a result of the Solarium is one in all my favourite areas on different Royal Caribbean ships, I used to be initially disillusioned to listen to the venue would get replaced with The Hideaway. In spite of everything, many Solariums are absolutely indoors, offering a climate-controlled, shaded space for adults to unwind.
The Hideaway, quite the opposite, doesn’t have a lot shade and is open to the weather, but these downsides are overpowered by the sheer coolness of the realm. With a suspended infinity pool, comfy daybeds, two jacuzzis, and The Hideaway Bar, The Hideaway is well my first alternative for a pool day on Icon of the Seas.
Time will inform, nonetheless, whether or not an indoor Solarium is missed by passengers on Icon of the Seas. As a rule, I discovered myself lounging within the Solarium on different ships with out getting into a pool or sizzling tub anyway, so if I’m on the lookout for a quiet, indoor space to calm down, I may try this in The Overlook within the AquaDome as a substitute.
Views of the ocean are considerable within the historically inward-facing Royal Promenade, and I cherished spending time there
Considered one of my important complaints about Royal Caribbean’s latest ships has at all times been the dearth of ocean views. Ships like Surprise of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas are so large that it’s straightforward to overlook you’re on a cruise ship altogether… however honestly, I don’t wish to overlook that I’m on a cruise ship.
Particularly, the Royal Promenade and Royal Esplanade on Royal Caribbean’s ships have historically confronted inward, with little to no ocean views. Positive, the Royal Promenade affords ample alternative for leisure, eating, buying, and actions, however generally all I wished was to take a seat and calm down with a ravishing view.
Whereas designing Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean noticed this shortcoming and determined to fully rethink the Royal Promenade. As an alternative of designing venues to face inward, the cruise line went above and past with ocean views.
Associated: Icon of the Seas Royal Promenade: What to anticipate
From Pearl Café’s expansive, five-deck excessive window to the indoor (and out of doors!) views from the newly debuted 1400 Foyer Bar, pure gentle and ocean views are considerable on Icon’s Royal Promenade.
Whereas the Royal Promenade would normally be a spot I might keep away from in the course of the day in lieu of brighter, ocean-facing venues onboard, I couldn’t get sufficient of the area throughout my cruise. The truth is, I in all probability spent extra time within the Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas than throughout all my cruises on Oasis Class ships mixed.
On most different Royal Caribbean ships, the Royal Promenade is solely a spot to rapidly go by way of in the course of the day. On Icon of the Seas, it’s a vacation spot.
Whereas Icon of the Seas shouldn’t be excellent, it’s fairly darn shut
It’s unattainable to construct a “excellent” cruise ship, however Icon of the Seas comes shut. The considerate design touches, variety of new eating and bar ideas, variety of stateroom choices, and numerous onboard actions are just some of the the explanation why Icon of the Seas is a sport changer for the cruising business.
Even so, not all the things is ideal with Icon of the Seas. It’s exhausting to miss the value tag of crusing on the ship, even when evaluating it to the second latest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Surprise of the Seas.
You’ll be able to count on to pay not less than $2,000 per particular person for an inside room on a 7-night Icon of the Seas cruise. Surprise of the Seas is, on common, round half the fee for a similar kind of cabin.
Associated: How a lot does a cruise price? (2024)
Even if new ships have at all times include a excessive sticker price, Icon of the Seas has taken Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship pricing to a brand new stage.
Moreover, the itineraries on Icon of the Seas are extraordinarily restricted. As a destination-focused cruiser, I virtually completely e book cruises based mostly on the vacation spot slightly than the ship itself. As a result of Icon of the Seas solely affords the identical few Caribbean itineraries week after week, the itineraries should not very engaging.
Nonetheless, Icon of the Seas is the primary ship I sailed on the place I may see myself skipping a port day in an effort to spend extra time onboard. Beforehand, I used to scoff on the concept of staying onboard as a substitute of exploring a brand new port, however there’s a lot to see and expertise on Icon of the Seas to justify skipping a port day. I actually by no means thought I might say that!
Even when holding these downsides in thoughts, there’s no denying that Icon of the Seas gives an distinctive trip expertise. I positively received’t be reserving the ship for each cruise trip I take—my price range would not enable that—however cruising on a ship this magnificent is one thing each cruiser “Loyal to Royal” ought to expertise not less than as soon as.
Thinking about cruising on Icon of the Seas? Try our full ship tour on YouTube right here.
