INTRODUCING THE ICON OF VACATIONS: ROYAL CARIBBEAN REVEALS ICON OF THE SEAS

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The cruise line still allows guests to order multiple starters, entrees, and desserts. The food was always delivered well-plated and at the appropriate temperatures. We enjoy game shows, but while several were offered, they were at off-times. For instance, the very popular Love and Marriage game show occurred at 3 pm on a sea day. Others, including Family Feud and Majority Rules, were game shows we could not catch due to showtime conflicts.

Celebration Table

There’s also the secluded Cove Pool on Deck 15 for those seeking a little shade. Once again, this infinity pool is surrounded by numerous seating options in the shade along with some bright and funky furniture lining the portside of this deck. The most popular pool on our sailing, at least for adults, was the Hideaway on Deck 15. The Hideaway is one of the eight neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas Suites

My favorite amenities on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas cruise ship - Business Insider

My favorite amenities on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas cruise ship.

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 10:58:00 GMT [source]

Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.

Icon of the Seas itinerary and pricing

At the time of writing, the lowest advertised fare on Royal Caribbean's website for a cruise onboard Icon in 2024 starts at $3,005 per person for an interior room for the March 23 sailing. The inaugural cruise will depart on Saturday, January 27 and sail to Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis' Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day At Cococay. This voyage will signify the ship's completion, as the ship will officially be ready for regular service. The AquaDome Neighborhood is home to an enclosed AquaTheater, as well as a food hall featuring five different food vendors where you can choose from options ranging from mac and cheese to handcrafted Mediterranean bowls.

Icon of the Seas Review

The Sea Tier suites (i.e., Sunset Junior Suites and standard Junior Suites) are the most exclusive, meaning you won't have access to The Grove Sun Deck or Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch. This is the perfect room for someone who prefers an interior room but wants more storage space. Note this design strays from the traditional concept of a balcony, so you will not be able to physically step outside.

Icon of the Seas (World’s Biggest Cruise Ship) Makes Inaugural Cruise This Weekend

Of course, holiday sailings are the most expensive itineraries on Icon of the Seas, in which the same inside cabin is selling for $1,780 and balconies are going for $2,649. Royal Caribbean’s newest ship won’t come cheap for those looking to sail onboard the new Icon of the Seas, especially during its maiden voyage. Also in the AquaDome will be The Overlook and Overlook Pods, the first-of-their-kind elevated nooks at sea. It is a great place to meet up with friends, get comfortable, and look out at the ocean from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Ocean-view cabins

Additionally, there's an aft pool, carousel, arcade, and kids splash zone. Icon of the Seas will sail 7-day cruises from Miami for the foreseeable future. The ship will be joined by a second Icon-class vessel — Star of the Seas — in 2025. That ship will sail from Port Canaveral on 7-day routes to the Caribbean. The biggest story in cruising is finally reaching its most important milestone.

Nevermind that the area is home to multiple pools and more than a dozen bars and eateries; some of Icon of the Seas’ most emblematic attractions are found here. Icon's Royal Promenade has length 110 m/362 ft, and unlike RCI's previous Royal Promenade design has floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed ocean views. Also, on the lower level (in the Embarkation Area starboard on Deck 5) is the "1400 Lobby Bar" (with indoor/outdoor seating, serves juice-based beverages and cocktails). Icon OTS has 7x swimming pools (scattered across 5 decks), 9x outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpools, and the fleet's largest waterpark with 6x waterslides (including the largest at sea).

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Icon of the Seas restaurants and bars

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Drop us an anchor below with your thoughts on this largest cruise ship in the world. Immediately upon entering our room, the bathroom was to the right on the midship wall. The bathrooms were redesigned, offering a rectangular shower with a glass door and a seat.

The new rooms also had a few design flaws, which were repeated in other categories as well. I was also pleased to see that Icon of the Seas will introduce shorter shows at earlier show times for families with young kids in the AquaTheater and Absolute Zero ice rink. Another win is that the upper level is now a complete circle, so you can walk from the forward to the aft elevator banks and back on both decks of the Royal Promenade.

Whether you're counting down the days until your Icon cruise or cannot fathom stepping foot on a ship that size, there's no denying that the launch of Icon of the Seas is a major milestone in the cruising industry. In our years of covering the cruise industry, we’ve never seen a cruise ship like Icon of the Seas nor have we ever seen a new ship create as much buzz. There is also a suspended pool across the back of the ship that provides a spot high up with sweeping views of the horizon.

However, of all the dining on the ship, this was our least favorite. Not to mention, the overall vibe of the Pearl Café is much different. The area is open with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, comfy seating options, and plenty of outlets. So, cruisers can relax or do a little work while enjoying some coffee and snacks throughout the day. Likewise, the Park Café in Central Park still features breakfast sandwiches, a bagel bar, salad bar, and the Royal Kummelweck sandwich.

She also covers travel, lifestyle, food and beverage for Indulge Magazine, the Miami Herald and PureWow. She's traveled extensively around the world, enjoys building unforgettable itineraries and loves introducing readers to lesser-known destinations. Here's an insider's guide to what is included onboard Icon of the Seas vs. what is considered extra.

With a sultry, smooth vibe and specialty cocktails like a hurricane and jazzy saz, it is a relaxing departure from other bars on the ship. Cruisers also have the option of enjoying the music inside the venue or outdoors in the Park. The 1400 Lobby Bar is the new hip watering hole on the Royal Promenade.

In fact, any guest can access any neighborhood onboard Icon of the Seas℠ for free, including Thrill Island, Chill Island, the Royal Promenade, Surfside and the Hideaway. Unlock the shores of the Eastern Caribbean and max out memories like never before on 7-night getaways. Discover all-out adventure in the tropics on every sailing with stops at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Voted Best Private Island by Travel Weekly readers, it’s a place unlike any other. A family vacation doesn’t get any more VIP than in the first-ever Ultimate Family Townhouse — a sprawling adventure-filled pad with three levels of incredible surprises. Finding your crew’s just-right space is easy, with more rooms designed for families.

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