Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are the most important ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, however which one do you have to select?
If you happen to’re planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s arduous to go mistaken with an Icon Class ship. These megaships are the most important on this planet and supply unbeatable facilities and sights. Whether or not it is the Class 6 Waterpark or the indoor ice-skating rink, there are limitless methods to have enjoyable onboard.
At present, there are two ships within the Icon Class: Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. For probably the most half, the 2 vessels are equivalent. You’ll discover lots of the identical eating places, bars, leisure venues, and cabins onboard.
Even nonetheless, there are a number of variations between the 2 ships that will make you select one over the opposite.
Right here’s all the pieces it is best to think about when selecting between Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
First, the place do you need to embark in your cruise?
Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas depart from totally different cruise ports in Florida, so it’s essential to think about the place you’d wish to sail from earlier than you e book.
Icon of the Seas calls Miami residence, whereas Star of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral.
So far as transportation logistics, each ports supply professionals and cons.
Port Canaveral is positioned considerably removed from Orlando Worldwide Airport. Driving from the airport to the port takes slightly below an hour, and rideshare costs could be as excessive as $80 every means. Shuttles can be found, too, which begin round $25 per individual.
The Port of Miami, however, is nearer to Miami Worldwide Airport. You possibly can count on to spend round $30 for the 20-minute trip. You even have the choice of flying into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport, which is a 40-minute drive from the Port of Miami.
It’s all the time really helpful to reach in your embarkation metropolis the day earlier than your cruise departs. Each Orlando and Miami supply loads to do earlier than you embark.
If you happen to’re cruising on Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral, you may think about spending a number of days at Common Studios or Disney World earlier than your cruise. This may be a good way to increase your journey and expertise Orlando’s high sights.
These cruising from Miami on Icon of the Seas can benefit from the metropolis’s highlights earlier than embarking. You may select to spend the evening in South Seaside, discover nightlife in Brickell, or take a avenue meals tour in Little Havana.
Both embarkation port is a wonderful alternative. In the end, I like to recommend looking out flight choices from your private home airport to Orlando and Miami. If flight itineraries and costs are considerably higher at one airport, you may need to think about cruising from that port as an alternative of the opposite.
Is one ship inexpensive than the opposite?
Icon Class cruise ships might supply an unbelievable variety of issues to do onboard, however they aren’t low-cost. For many 7-night itineraries, you may count on to pay between $1,300 and $2,000 per individual for an inside cabin.
Star of the Seas launched a yr after Icon of the Seas, however costs are comparable between the 2 vessels. You’ll discover little distinction in cruise fare, and costs might differ drastically relying on the month you sail, in addition to how far upfront you e book the cruise.
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Typically Icon of the Seas could be priced larger than Star of the Seas, and vice versa.
Let’s check out a number of itineraries to gauge how costs may differ:
7-night Western Caribbean itinerary throughout hurricane season
Inside cabin, taxes and costs included:
- Icon of the Seas: $1,205 per individual
- Star of the Seas: $1,483 per individual
7-night Japanese Caribbean itinerary in November
Inside cabin, taxes and costs included:
- Icon of the Seas: $1,628 per individual
- Star of the Seas: $1,607 per individual
7-night Japanese Caribbean itinerary in June
Inside cabin, taxes and costs included:
- Icon of the Seas: $2,048 per individual
- Star of the Seas: $2,096 per individual
For probably the most half, value variations between the 2 ships are negligible. As all the time, you’ll need to e book your cruise additional upfront to snag the bottom deal. Plus, you may all the time reprice the crusing up till the ultimate fee date to economize if the worth drops.
Leisure is comparable, however Broadway exhibits differ
Like all of Royal Caribbean’s new ships, each Icon and Star of the Seas supply stellar leisure choices.
Even a complete week isn’t lengthy sufficient to expertise the huge array of leisure selections. Whether or not stay jazz music in Central Park or a high-energy piano efficiency at Dueling Pianos, each night presents a wide array of issues to expertise.
Relating to stay music and actions, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are on a good taking part in discipline. You’ll discover the identical bars and lounges on each ships, together with fan favorites just like the Schooner Bar and English-style pub.
The signature exhibits, nonetheless, differ between the 2 vessels. There are three essential leisure venues: the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater, and the Absolute Zero ice rink.
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Reveals within the AquaTheater and Absolute Zero are comparable on each ships. Regardless of having totally different themes and soundtracks, you’ll see lots of the identical stunts, dives, and jumps throughout any present.
The primary distinction in leisure is within the Broadway exhibits within the Royal Theater.
On Icon of the Seas, the Broadway present is Wizard of Oz, whereas Star of the Seas showcases Again to the Future: The Musical.
Each exhibits are equally entertaining, however some company might want seeing one present over the opposite. If Broadway exhibits are an essential a part of the cruising expertise for you, chances are you’ll need to take the 2 exhibits into consideration earlier than choosing a ship.
Eating choices are nearly the identical, however include two main variations
Meals is a vital side of any cruise trip, and there’s no scarcity of locations to eat on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
Most eating venues are precisely the identical between the 2 vessels. You’ll discover traditional eating places just like the Windjammer buffet and Predominant Eating Room, but in addition Icon Class-specific eateries like Pearl Café and Surfside Bites.
Nonetheless, there are two variations in eating to notice between Icon and Star of the Seas.
First are the meals stalls within the AquaDome market. The AquaDome market is a staple of the Icon Class ships, and it presents quick-service bites from a wide range of cuisines all over the world.
There are 5 meals stalls on every ship. Two—Crème de la Crêpe and Feta Mediterranean—are provided on each vessels. The opposite three differ from ship to ship.
On Icon, you may get pleasure from mac n’ cheese at Mac’s, sandwiches at Toast & Backyard, and Chinese language classics at GNGR. Star of the Seas, nonetheless, options BBQ favorites at Pig Out BBQ, spicy Thai meals at Mai Thai, and Latin American avenue meals at La Cocinita.
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Likewise, the supper membership varies from ship to ship, too. This elegant, advantageous eating restaurant combines curated cocktails with a regionally-inspired menu.
The idea is comparable between the 2 ships, however they differ of their theming.
On Icon of the Seas, the Empire Supper Membership incorporates a Twenties New York theme, whereas Star of the Seas’ Lincoln Park Supper Membership transports company to Thirties Chicago.
Associated: Lincoln Park Supper Membership evaluate on Star of the Seas
For probably the most half, although, refined variations between the AquaDome market meals stalls and the supper membership make little distinction within the general expertise onboard Icon or Star of the Seas.
I wouldn’t essentially advocate choosing one ship over the opposite simply due to these minor variations. Relatively, if you happen to’ve already sailed on Icon of the Seas, think about crusing on Star to check out the brand new eating choices.
General, the ships are practically equivalent, and both choice is a unbelievable alternative
Each Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas supply, for probably the most half, the very same expertise.
There are small variations between the ships, however they’re way more alike than they’re totally different. They’ve the identical format, neighborhoods, swimming pools, actions, and onboard thrills.
Variations in art work, eating venues, and leisure productions are minor within the large image of your trip.
As well as, regardless of having totally different homeports, the 2 ships supply the identical itineraries. Each sail 7-night cruises to the Japanese and Western Caribbean, which embody a cease at Excellent Day at CocoCay.
When selecting between the 2 ships, I’d argue there are solely two issues to actually think about:
- The place you’d want to embark in your cruise
- The worth distinction between the ships for a selected week
If you happen to’re hoping to sail in mid-March and Star of the Seas is $500 costlier than Icon, you’re higher off selecting the latter. Likewise, if cruise fares are comparable however a flight to Orlando is $300 cheaper than to Miami, Star of the Seas can be a more sensible choice.
No matter which ship you select, you’re assured to have a one-of-a-kind cruise expertise on an Icon Class ship.
