Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship and the primary in a totally new class for Royal Caribbean. So, there’s lots to study earlier than your cruise. We spent ten days on this new cruise ship and have give you these 22 knowledgeable Icon of the Seas ideas, tips, and secrets and techniques that you must know earlier than setting sail.
Our 22 Skilled Icon of the Seas Ideas, Methods, and Secrets and techniques You Have to Know
Don’t Let the Measurement Scare You
Sure, Icon of the Seas is over 250K gross tons with 20 decks, 8 neighborhoods, and over 40 eating places, bars, and lounges. However, don’t let the scale scare you. Having sailed on lots of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class and Oasis-class ships, we personally loved Icon of the Seas extra.
In our opinion, we just like the structure higher and thought that the ship felt extra spacious general than Oasis-class vessels. The Royal Promenade is extra open, and the reimagined neighborhoods assist to disperse the crowds higher.
Specifically, there are devoted areas for adults, households, and teenagers with all of the facilities wanted to remain all day. So, you’ll be able to carve out your individual area with out feeling like you’re surrounded by 6,000 different visitors.
Be Positive to Strive the New Free Eating Choices
On a totally new ship, after all you’ll discover a number of new eating choices. Whereas there are new up-charge venues, there are additionally many new informal and complimentary choices. And we made positive to strive all of them!
A few of our private favorites embrace the AquaDome Market, Pearl Cafe, and Surfside Bites. AquaDome Market is a brand new meals corridor serving up gyros, mac n’ cheese, small Asian dishes, crepes, and extra. The Pearl Cafe is an evolution of the Cafe Promenade serving elevated breakfast, lunch, and to-go objects all through the day. Surfside Bites is a brand new takeout window within the household neighborhood serving up popcorn rooster, burgers, and churros.
Whereas Park Cafe is a staple on many Royal Caribbean ships, this Central Park model options tapas within the evenings. There’s additionally Basecamp providing snacks in Thrill Island and a second buffet, Surfside Eatery.
Youngsters Eat Free at Pier 7
With the addition of latest complimentary eating choices, there are additionally a number of new specialty eating choices. Pier 7 is one in all them. This informal restaurant within the Surfside neighborhood has a beachside vibe that’s good for households.
The venue serves brunch and dinner with an a la carte menu that includes objects like shrimp tostados, seafood cioppino, and a California burger, together with brunch objects like Dawn Benedict and pancakes.
And the very best half is that children below 12 eat free! Now, mother and pa can get pleasure from elevated menu objects whereas nonetheless spending time with the youngsters.
Snag Your AquaTheater Seats Early
In case you are conversant in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class, then you definitely most likely know that the AquaTheater options a number of the greatest manufacturing reveals discovered wherever at sea, or on land for that matter. Whereas in a brand new location, you gained’t need to miss these reveals on Icon of the Seas both.
As an alternative of being exterior within the Boardwalk neighborhood aft on the ship, you’ll discover all of the high-diving and acrobatics indoors within the AquaDome neighborhood ahead on Deck 15 on Icon of the Seas.
The signature productions right here do require reservations however seating is first come, first served. Thus, one in all our knowledgeable Icon of the Seas ideas is to scope out your perfect seats early. You possibly can then seize a drink from the close by Rye & Bean bar whereas awaiting all of the motion.
Previous to showtime, employees will come round to scan your SeaPass card to make sure that you do have a reservation. No, you gained’t be capable to sneak in to the present this fashion, as you can be requested to go away when you don’t have a reservation for that individual showtime.
You Can Do Extra With the App
Royal Caribbean is all the time in search of methods to innovate, and so they’ve performed that with all elements of Icon of the Seas. Even the app has new options to streamline processes so you’ll be able to spend extra time having fun with the ship and fewer time ready in line.
As an illustration, there’s a new chat function the place you’ll be able to ask questions as a substitute of ready in line at Visitor Providers. An AI-based “virtual assistant” is the primary line of protection however somebody onboard from Visitor Providers can be monitoring and can reply when wanted.
You can too now view and order all of your pictures inside the app. In reality, the complete Photograph Gallery is actually absent on Icon of the Seas other than a small space behind the Pearl that doubles as a shore tour and photograph gallery desk and works off of a digital queue system.
Know Your Cabin Choices
Icon of the Seas launched a number of new cabin choices for Royal Caribbean. There are 28 various kinds of rooms, together with probably the most controversial infinite balcony cabins. So, earlier than you guide your cruise, ensure you know all of the cabin classes and subcategories. It will make sure you decide the best one on your journey social gathering.
As an illustration, if you’re taking a look at balcony cabins, you’ll have the selection between ocean view balconies, Central Park view balconies, Surfside household view balconies, together with infinite balconies.
Personally, we favor a traditonal balcony when in comparison with an infinite balcony; thus, we stayed in an ocean view balcony whereas crusing on Icon of the Seas. It actually all comes right down to your private perferences and your finances when deciding on a room kind.
Get Acquainted With the New Structure
Even when you’ve sailed on different Royal Caribbean megaships, it’ll take a bit to get your bearings on Icon of the Seas because the structure is pretty totally different. We propose you evaluation the deck plans previous to your crusing after which spend a while on embarkation day exploring the totally different areas. It will assist make sure that you don’t miss out on something.
For starters, you’ll discover the Royal Promenade is way bigger and now two tales. Right here, you’ll discover some new venues together with some which have been relocated like The Attic comedy membership and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.
Additional, there isn’t a Boardwalk neighborhood; as a substitute, there may be the brand new Surfside neighborhood devoted to households with young children. Subsequently, the AquaTheater is relocated to the entrance of the ship.
It additionally takes some manuevering to seek out Absolute Zero, the brand new ice rink, which may solely be accessed by strolling via Playmakers. The youngsters and teenagers areas are discovered close by as nicely. Equally, there’s an escalator off the Promenade that you just’ll have to take right down to the on line casino.
You Can Get Sushi With out an Izumi Reservation
Izumi is likely one of the hottest Royal Caribbean specialty eating places. On Icon of the Seas, this venue has been relocated to Central Park with sushi and hibachi choices. Like several specialty restaurant, Izumi requires reservations and has an related payment to dine on the venue.
Nonetheless, one in all our Icon of the Seas ideas is that you would be able to truly get sushi and not using a reservation on the brand-new Izumi within the Park take-out window.
The menu options grab-and-go objects at a la carte costs that visitors can get pleasure from wherever, any time of day. So, when you’re within the temper for some sushi however don’t need to take the youngsters to a 2-hour sit-down dinner, that is the right compromise.
We propose you strive the bubble cones too!
You Can Get Starbucks Drinks With Your Beverage Bundle
In case you have a Royal Caribbean drink bundle, you CAN get Starbucks drinks which might be included however you simply have to know the place!
On Deck 5 of the Royal Promenade, there’s a licensed Starbucks kiosk. Right here, you will get frappucinos, refreshers, teas, espresso, chilly brews, and different coffee-based drinks. These drinks WILL price you extra cash although.
One deck above, there’s the Pearl Cafe. Pearl Café is open 24 hours a day and is your go-to spot for snacks and low. This drink menu additionally options espresso and coffee-based drinks, chilly brew, teas, and frappucinos. Whereas not as in depth of a beverage menu, these Starbucks drinks WILL NOT price you extra cash when you’ve got a drink bundle. Cafe Choose espresso playing cards may also be used on these drinks.
In fact, when you don’t have a drink bundle, you’ll pay a la carte for the drinks at both location.
However Milkshakes Aren’t Included
Talking of what’s included and what’s not included within the drink packages on Icon of the Seas, let’s speak milkshakes. As many Royal Caribbean cruisers most likely know Johnny Rockets milkshakes are included on different ships within the fleet. Nonetheless, there’s no Johnny Rockets on Icon of the Seas. As an alternative, there’s the Desserted Milkshake Bar.
Situated in Thrill Island on Icon of the Seas, you would possibly nearly miss it amongst all of the thrills. Whether or not the kiddos need a conventional milkshake or adults need to indulge on a boozy concoction, these will price you further. They aren’t included in any drink packages, and costs vary from $9 to $18 for milkshakes and $7 for floats.
Our vote is to skip them as they appear higher than they style.
There Are Extra Eating Occasions Out there
With regards to the Fundamental Eating Room, Icon of the Seas affords a reasonably typical cruise expertise. The three-story grand eating room is situated on Decks 3, 4, and 5 and has each conventional and My Time eating choices. Like different ships within the fleet, visitors can get pleasure from a rotational menu that adjustments nightly no matter which eating choice they select.
My Time Eating is on the market from 6:30 PM to 9 PM every day within the Deck 3 eating room. Nonetheless, as a substitute of your typical Early and Late seating for conventional eating, Icon of the Seas truly has 4 totally different dinner occasions. The Deck 4 eating room has a 5 PM and eight PM seating and the Deck 5 eating room has a 5 PM, 6:45 PM, and eight:30 PM.
This provides cruisers much more choices. Personally, 5 PM is simply too early for us and eight PM is simply too late, so we love the addition of the 6:45 PM timeslot.
Crown’s Edge is Cheaper on Port Days
The Crown’s Edge is Royal Caribbean’s try at a ropes course on one in all its ships. Nonetheless, not like the ropes programs on NCL or Carnival, this exercise is an up-charge. We’ll give Royal Caribbean that it’s extra themed with adventurers needing to flee from Thrill Island. However, the one actual draw of this 90-second attraction is when the ground drops from beneath you and also you zip line over the sting of the ship.
So, we do suppose the value is a bit steep. Though the value dropped drastically because it’s preliminary launch at $89, it was nonetheless $49 on our crusing for a sea day or $39 for a port day. In the event you actually need to check out this attraction, we recommend you join within the app for a port day to avoid wasting cash.
Alternatively, you may also examine your cruise planner for any gross sales and promotions pre-cruise as some cruisers have lately reported even decrease costs.
Know the Necessities for Class 6
In the event you and the household plan to check out the thrilling Class 6 water park on Icon of the Seas, you’ll need to know the necessities first. These points of interest are actually geared for tweens and teenagers, so the youthful kiddos most likely gained’t make the reduce.
The Class 6 Waterpark is dwelling to six slides and 5 distinctive points of interest. These waterslides embrace two physique slides, two household raft slides, and two mat racing slides.
- Strain Drop
- Horrifying Bolt
- Storm Chasers
- Storm Surge
- Hurricane Hunter
Cruisers should be 52” tall to journey the physique slides, Strain Drop or Horrifying Bolt. To compete in opposition to household and mates on the Storm Chasers mat-racing duo slides, riders have to be not less than 48” tall. Likewise, all relations should be not less than 48” tall to journey the Hurricane Hunter or Storm Surge household raft slides.
There Are Shops Across the Ship for Charging Units
The times of disconnected cruising are previously. No matter whether or not or not you need to disconnect from the skin world whereas on trip, you’ll doubtless nonetheless use your smartphone. Even when it’s solely to speak with members of your journey social gathering or to view the every day schedule.
Seemingly although, you’ll have smartphones, earbuds, tablets for the youngsters, and possibly even laptops that might want to keep powered. Fortunately, there are a number of spots round Icon of the Seas with shops for charging such gadgets.
The Pearl Cafe and the Overlook within the AquaDome are two such locations. So, you’ll be able to calm down with a view and possibly even seize a snack or a drink whilst you let your gadgets cost. This eliminates the necessity of getting to return to your stateroom to cost them up. In fact, we all the time convey a moveable energy financial institution as nicely particularly when going ashore.
Don’t Let the Elevators Out Good You
Whereas clever elevators have been a factor on land for some time now, they’ve solely simply begun popping up on cruise ships. After we heard that Icon of the Seas would have them, we had been skeptical. Our first expertise with such elevators was on an MSC ship and it was a catastrophe. So, how would they work on the biggest cruise ship on the earth?
Fortunately, Icon of the Seas has loads of massive elevator banks, so there have been by no means any points requesting a journey up or down all through the day. Even throughout busy occasions, like after a present or after dinner, the system had no points discovering area for everybody needing a carry.
All visitors have to do is choose a deck and an elevator will likely be assigned to them. When the elevator arrives, it can take you (and the opposite visitors additionally assigned to the elevator) to your required locations with none fumbling with elevator buttons. Throughout our crusing, this course of was fast and environment friendly, usually giving us an categorical journey with few stops. So, we’ll take that as a win!
There’s a Sea Day Brunch
As a comparatively newer providing, Royal Caribbean ships now have a sea day brunch. This happens on the primary sea day and is distinct from the opposite days of the crusing which supply breakfast and/or lunch. The menu is a hybrid of breakfast and lunch objects. It consists of dishes like a cheese plate, potato soup, omelets, pancakes, rooster and waffles, steak frites, and extra.
Brunch is on the market from 8:30 AM to 12 PM within the Deck 3 MDR, and there’s no additonal cost for this meal. It’s the right approach to begin your cruise when you select to sleep in a bit on that first sea day. Though we wouldn’t suggest sleeping in as there may be a lot to do and see in simply seven days!
Ebook Early for the Finest Worth
This Icon of the Seas tip truly applies to all cruises. However, as the latest and largest ship within the fleet, Icon of the Seas comes with a hefty price ticket. Thus, it’s much more vital to guide your Icon of the Seas cruise early to safe the very best value.
We sometimes guide our cruises 8 months to a yr prematurely. Although, Royal Caribbean has Icon sailings open to guide via April 2026. So, planning a visit for one or two years sooner or later is certainly potential. In fact, there may be all the time the potential for final minute offers, however we usually discover that the value of a crusing solely goes up over time.
Reserving forward of time not solely provides you decrease fares, however it additionally provides you a greater choice of cabins and extra time to repay the cruise. Additional, it provides vacationers time to evaluation the ports of name, plan their time ashore, and think about different add-ons like drink packages or specialty eating.
Make Positive to Full Your Verify In Early
You’ll need to regulate your Royal Caribbean app when it will get nearer to your crusing date. The app will let you already know when check-in opens however it’s normally round 45 days previous to your cruise. It’s vital to finish this check-in early to safe an early boarding time. In any case, the sooner you board the ship, the earlier your trip begins!
The check-in course of additionally entails inputting your private info, importing a safety photograph, linking a type of fee for onboard purchases, including passport info, and signing the cruise contract. As soon as all that is full, you’ll be “cruise ready” and ready to make use of the Categorical lane on the terminal on boarding day.
Discover Your Pool Vibe
Together with the opposite reimagined areas on Icon of the Seas, there are additionally some variations on the subject of the standard “pool deck”. This outside area now options three distinct neighborhoods: Chill Island, Thrill Island, and The Hideaway. And there are seven complete swimming pools on the ship! This implies there’s all the time a pool to suit your vibe.
In Chill Island, there’s the Cloud 17 pool on Deck 17 which affords a extra relaxed setting for all cruisers, with loads of padded loungers and a small infinity pool. The Deck 16 Swim and Tonic is one other widespread spot, because it’s Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea. On Deck 15, there’s the record-breaking Royal Bay Pool on the starboard aspect and the secluded Cove Pool for these in search of some shade on the portside.
Adults will need to try the Hideaway. Overlooking the wake, this venue options the primary suspended infinity pool at sea, together with signature cocktails and a seaside membership vibe. And households with little youngsters can entry the Surfside neighborhood’s Water’s Edge pool on Deck 7, together with a separate splash pad and even a water function for infants adjoining to this pool.
Don’t Miss All of the New Bars
Much like eating, Icon of the Seas additionally debuts a number of new bars and lounges with signature cocktails and leisure that you just gained’t need to miss. In reality, there are ten fully new ideas for Royal Caribbean.
Inside the Royal Promenade, there’s the 1400 Foyer Bar and Dueling Pianos. The vigorous Dueling Pianos is wildly widespread, so make sure to arrive early if you would like an opportunity at getting seats for a present. We additionally actually loved the signature cocktails and glamourous decor on the 1400 Foyer Bar.
A few of our different favourite drinks may be discovered on the Lemon Put up within the Surfside neighborhood and Rye & Bean within the AquaDome. There’s additionally a walk-up champagne window and Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues in Central Park, a frozen Lime & Coconut bar, and the tasty Overlook Spritz served on the Overlook Bar.
This “drink around the ship” goes to take some technique to perform!
Be Positive to Make Your Leisure Reservations
Royal Caribbean is all the time within the forefront on the subject of leisure, and Icon of the Seas lives as much as that repute with a number of the greatest manufacturing reveals we’ve ever seen.
The signature leisure on Icon of the Seas happens in one in all 4 venues: Royal Theater, AquaTheater, Absolute Zero, and The Attic. The Wizard of Oz and AquaAction had been our favorites, however the newly redesigned ice rink is kind of spectacular as nicely.
All of those reveals do require superior reservations which may be made pre-cruise in your on-line cruise planner or as soon as onboard the ship. We suggest that you just guide these reveals as quickly as you’ll be able to as a result of they shouldn’t be missed.
If for some motive you’ll be able to’t get reservations, all hope just isn’t misplaced. We had been unable to get reservations for the comedy present in The Attic however had been nonetheless in a position to see the present utilizing the standby line. Simply bear in mind that the queues begin forming nicely earlier than showtime.
Put together Your Cabin
No matter your cabin choice, it’s best to do a number of issues on the primary day of your cruise to prepare the room. We all the time suggest packing magnetic hooks to hold objects like luggage, hats, and coats.
One other packable merchandise we all the time take is an over-the-door shoe organizer. Right here, you’ll be able to place equipment and toiletries like suntan lotion, sun shades, jewellery, cords, and small electronics that can assist you save useful counter area.
Additionally, it would be best to ensure you unpack your garments. Packing cubes will make this job straightforward and arranged, particularly given the brand new steel baskets within the closet. Then, together with your luggage unpacked, make certain to position your suitcase below the mattress; that approach, you’ve gotten as a lot area as potential in your stateroom.
One other merchandise we all the time recommend is a cruise-approved energy adapter for charging gadgets. Nonetheless, Icon of the Seas does have fairly a number of shops, together with USB and USB-C, so it may not be crucial this journey.
Feedback
Do you’ve gotten another Icon of the Seas ideas so as to add to our record? Have you ever cruised on this new Royal Caribbean ship but? Drop us an anchor under to share your experiences crusing on the world’s largest cruise ship.
