Icon of the Seas is marketed to ship the “final household trip.” With the biggest waterpark at sea, devoted neighborhoods, numerous eating choices, and around-the-clock leisure, it is clearly constructed for households. Nevertheless, my associate and I, each in our mid-20s, boarded with out youngsters and nonetheless discovered it spectacular.
Usually, we want crusing with extra adult-focused strains, together with Superstar and Princess. However regardless of being overwhelmingly family-focused, the world’s largest cruise ship promised to supply a lot for child-free vacationers like us. Plus, we’re nonetheless younger and do not thoughts the occasional ship-oriented cruise, in comparison with itinerary-driven sailings.
Initially, I used to be frightened that we would remorse spending over $7,000 on Icon of the Seas. That is not a small lump of change, and with the best planning, we might have toured Europe for 2 weeks, visiting culturally wealthy cities and attempting new delicacies.
Nevertheless, as quickly as we stepped on board, it was clear Icon wasn’t one other mega-ship. I’ve spent over 50 nights on Oasis Class ships and thought I knew what to anticipate, however Icon of the Seas raised the bar in each approach — a minimum of for Caribbean holidays.
The adult-only areas weren’t boring
Take the whole lot you already know in regards to the Solarium and throw it out the window. On Icon of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean staple was changed with The Hideaway.
It is much less about stress-free away from youngsters, as Thrill Waterpark is dangling above your head, and extra about channeling the high-energy ambiance of the ship in an adult-only setting.
Consider it as stylish seashore membership meets rooftop lounge. The DJ spins tunes all afternoon whereas bartenders preserve the drinks flowing. Generally, it felt like a Las Vegas pool celebration however much less overwhelming.
Personally, I favored it finest at sea, because the infinity pool gave strategy to essentially the most mesmerizing wake views ever. Nevertheless, for those who’re in search of somewhat extra solitude, you might prefer it on a port day.
One factor to notice is that, in contrast to the Solarium, I discovered there weren’t many shaded chairs. So, ensure you pack loads of sunscreen, except you propose on spending a variety of time on the bar.
If you happen to’re in search of a second of quiet, I might suggest The Overlook. Although it lacks swimming pools, you will not miss out on any views because of the AquaDome’s floor-to-ceiling home windows.
We might nonetheless embrace our interior youngster
We could not resist a number of the ship’s sights — significantly the one-of-a-kind Class 6 Waterpark. With six water slides, it is virtually like Thrill Waterpark from CocoCay was introduced onboard!
Okay, possibly that is a little bit of an exaggeration (might you think about in the event that they logistically pulled off including Daredevil’s Peak to a ship?!), however the waterpark was severely spectacular.
My favourite slide was the Storm Surge raft experience. Although we needed to shimmy a bit to get going, it picked up pace as quickly as we pushed off, splashing us round curves and boomeranging up the over-water “leaf.”
We took benefit of the complimentary waterpark very first thing within the morning and when docked in CocoCay. As such, we by no means waited greater than fifteen minutes for a slide.
Whereas on Icon, we additionally splurge on the Crown’s Edge and Royal Escape Room. Crown’s Edge examined my bravery, as I am sometimes not a fan of entice door rides.
Nevertheless, Crown’s Edge is in contrast to something I’ve ever achieved on a cruise ship. Strolling over the aspect of the ship on the impediment course whereas watching the ship glide by means of the ocean was surreal (and nonetheless feels a bit like a fever dream).
The Royal Escape Room was additionally extra enjoyable than I anticipated. The immersive space-themed puzzle required everybody to work collectively. It challenged our problem-solving abilities and communication, particularly in the beginning after we have been divided into two teams and separated.
Professional tip: Verify on embarkation day to see if there’s an ongoing deal for Crown’s Edge. We paid $35 per particular person, nevertheless it was simply $10 on the primary day in Miami.
Learn extra: 10 classes discovered after attempting Icon of the Seas for the primary time
The leisure was top-tier
Final November, I sailed with Disney Cruise Line for the primary time in practically a decade and forgot how superb their theater productions have been.
Although The Wizard of Oz nonetheless fell somewhat brief in comparison with Tangled: The Musical, it was probably the greatest Broadway-style productions I’ve seen on a Royal Caribbean ship (Mamma Mia remains to be my favourite!).
The set design was spectacular, and I liked the costumes, significantly the colourful Munchkins in Munchkinland.
One other apparent standout was the aqua present. After we first explored the AquaDome, we have been somewhat disenchanted to see how small the AquaTheater was.
Nevertheless, the intimate setting enhanced the expertise as a result of we felt nearer to the motion. I will not spoil a lot, however put together for skate boarders and acrobatic methods set in opposition to an indoor waterfall!
Moreover, I assumed the comedy present was on par with comedians I’ve seen on Carnival, that are arguably funnier than Royal’s normal line-up. Simeon Kirkiles had all the comedy membership laughing for his whole set!
Considerate stateroom upgrades
Total, I used to be impressed with the adjustments to Royal Caribbean’s cabin expertise. The toilet, particularly, was a significant improve in comparison with ships as new as Marvel of the Seas. I’ve by no means seen a typical bathe that enormous and purposeful earlier than!
I used to be additionally impressed with the storage. Although simply two of us within the room, we had loads of house leftover — and we’re enormous over-packers. The redesigned space for storing felt extra purposeful and helped us preserve the whole lot organized all through the week.
Subsequent time, nevertheless, I feel I might go for an ocean-view room, even when it did not have a balcony. I had beforehand cruised in interior-facing cabins on Oasis and Attract of the Seas, however I did not keep in mind how a lot the shortage of privateness bothered me.
As a result of we stored the curtains closed so usually when altering and sleeping, the cabin did not get as a lot pure gentle as anticipated.
That mentioned, our journey agent quoted us over $6,000 for an ocean-view balcony, which appeared outrageous for a weeklong Caribbean cruise. As a substitute, we opted for the extra reasonably priced Neighborhood GTY fare, which value round $3,800. We figured that we would nonetheless have a balcony and would not be within the room a lot to care.
It was the best determination as a result of the cheaper stateroom gave us a extra versatile funds to splurge on add-ons like drink and eating packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and onboard merchandise, bringing our complete spend to over $7,400.
High quality eating choices, each complimentary and specialty
I will be the primary to confess that I feel Royal Caribbean’s complimentary eating has gone downhill lately. After we booked Icon, I needed to attenuate my time within the eating room, fearing that crusing on the biggest cruise ship would imply rushed service and underwhelming meals.
We booked the Limitless Eating Package deal for $665, and phew, did we get our cash’s price. From juicy filets at Chops Grille to tasty shrimp tostadas at Pier 7 and tender lobster tails at Hooked, we by no means felt like we have been consuming on a cruise ship.
By the fourth day, nevertheless, we realized our eyes have been a lot bigger than our stomachs. Although I do not suppose I might get the Limitless Eating Package deal once more (three days is a lot!), Icon of the Seas ought to positively be on any foodie’s radar.
There are additionally sufficient complimentary choices to fully keep away from extra-cost eating places, starting from the brand-new AquaDome Market to El Loco Recent, the Pearl Café, Sorrento’s, the Major Eating Room, the Windjammer, Basecamp, and Surfside Bites.
Backside line
Icon of the Seas is definitely the very best ship within the Caribbean proper now. Even with out youngsters, we have been always entertained, whether or not listening to music in Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues or staying up for the balloon drop within the Royal Promenade.
For our first time on Icon, I feel we skilled as a lot as we might, even overexerting ourselves at occasions. If we have been to return, we might take issues at a slower tempo, maybe spending two days ashore as a substitute of three.
That mentioned, Legend of the Seas in Europe is not on our radar. Between exploring Mediterranean cities and profiting from the whole lot the ship has to supply, I feel’d we shortly put on ourselves down. Relating to port-intensive itineraries, we want smaller ships for the reason that vessel is just not our major focus.
