I’m at the moment on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the most important cruise ship ever constructed. It’s a 3 night time preview cruise for members of the media and journey brokers earlier than the ship’s inaugural voyage this weekend.
After spending a couple of nights onboard, listed here are my first impressions of Icon of the Seas.
One of many first issues that stood out to be concerning the Icon of the Seas is the quantity of house on the ship. The Royal Promenade is a lot extra open that different Royal Caribbean cruise ships and the entire venues have open facades as an alternative of a doorway to get in them.
Whereas Icon of the Seas is a model new class of ships, those that have sailed on an Oasis class vessel will discover the fundamental format of the ship semi-familiar however with one key distinction. The cruise line linked the neighborhoods and it’s a lot simpler to get from one to a different now.
There’s a stairway to get from the Royal Promenade to Central Park. From Surfside, which is situated the place Boardwalk is on Oasis class ships, you may go straight to Central Park or the Royal Promenade from it. I consider it will significantly enhance the circulate of visitors across the ship for many who are involved with the variety of passengers the ship carries.
One other ache level that Royal Caribbean seems to have mounted is the elevators. The hallway the place the elevators are situated is large and there’s 10 in every one. They’re good elevators, you push the ground you will and it tells you which of them elevator to get in.
At a press briefing yesterday, the cruise line mentioned that they’re utilizing AI with the elevators to maneuver folks across the ship quicker. Regardless that the brand new system is already quicker than the previous one, they mentioned in a couple of months that they’ll be capable of tweak it for optimum efficiency primarily based on information from the primary few cruises.
Icon of the Seas could be very colourful, from the shutters in Central Park to the primary pool deck. For the reason that ship is crusing to the Caribbean, it immediately places you in trip mode.
There are greater than 40 eating and drink venues on Icon of the Seas. I’m been trying to strive as lots of them as potential on this three day cruise. We may have an entire rundown of all over the place to eat on this ship when the cruise is over. To date, it’s been nice.
Royal Caribbean has changed Cafe Promenade with the Pearl Cafe and it’s among the best adjustments Royal Caribbean did on this ship. There’s a 25-30 foot glass window which offers an ideal view of the ocean when you’re crusing. I’m really sitting there proper now writing this primary impressions article.
Beneath the entire couches, there are 110 retailers and USB, together with USB-C, so you may plug in laptops and telephones and work on this house. Extra folks than ever are working whereas on cruises and this space goes to be common for that.
Royal Caribbean has actually raised the bar on leisure on Icon of the Seas. Yesterday, I used to be in a position to view STARBURST: Elemental Magnificence in Absolute Zero, the cruise line’s new oval ice rink. For individuals who know me, you already know I’m normally not into most cruise leisure. Nonetheless, this present was phenomenal and cherished how they introduced in Viktor Kee as a visitor star in it. I keep in mind watching him make it into the highest 10 on America’s Received Expertise and he’s probably the most unimaginable juggler I’ve ever seen.
The most important headliner present on Icon of the Seas is a full stage manufacturing of The Wizard of Oz. I used to be in a position to catch the primary half of the present yesterday (had dinner so missed the second half) however plan on watching the remainder of it at the moment as it would have two extra performances. Anybody who’s a fan of the basic film goes to like this present.
The AquaDome is one thing you must see and expertise. It’s additionally an ideal lounge in the course of the day with unimaginable views over the ship’s bow.
The Dueling Pianos venue is a success and standing room solely.
Sponsored Hyperlinks
We’re staying in an ocean view balcony cabin on deck 8. It has a good measurement bathe, loads of energy retailers, a sofa, and a great measurement balcony. It has every little thing you want for a cruise.
The crew have been superior as all the time. After I was getting a Coke on CocoCay, the bartender noticed me and mentioned, you got here into the Schooner Bar the opposite day and in addition ordered a Coke. I didn’t keep in mind him however he remembered me. Royal Caribbean does have among the greatest crew members within the trade.
For individuals who have younger kids, you’re going to like Surfside. I’ve a 3 yr previous boy and want he was right here with me. He won’t ever wish to go away Surfside and it’s such an ideal house for youths.
Situated the place Boardwalk is on Oasis class ship, Surfside takes up this whole space and has every little thing from a waterpark to eating places. It’s far and away the most effective space at sea for households with younger kids.
I’ve not seen Rover but, the resident canine on Icon of the Seas. She’s a Golden Retriever and I heard she’s going to spend lots of time in Surfside with the children.
In an effort to attach friends to the ocean as a lot as potential, now you can see the ocean from Central Park.
I’m going to go and expertise extra of Icon of the Seas. There’s the world’s largest cruise ship waterpark on the highest deck calling my title and different options that I would like to take a look at earlier than I get off the ship tomorrow.
Cruise Fever may have extra about this model new cruise ship as soon as the cruise is over so keep tuned for these articles. You’ll be able to observe alongside on our cruise on Icon of the Seas on Fb, X, Instagram, and TikTok (Username: @CruiseFever).
