Icon of the Seas review: What's it like on the world's largest cruise ship?

Table Of Content

• History
• Ships
• Balcony cabins
• Record-Breaking Ship Features
• ALWAYS ASWELL TIME
• Queen Elizabeth 2

The U.S. government helped finance a portion of the construction, ensuring that the ship could easily be converted into a troop carrier or hospital ship if the need arose. The United States was retired from service in 1969 but stood at the ready as a reserve ship for the U.S. Moreover, there has been a renewed focus on environmental sustainability. Cruise companies now prioritize eco-friendly practices to preserve the beauty of our oceans and destinations.

History

If you’re looking for budget-friendly options without compromising comfort, the Interior and Promenade Staterooms are perfect for you. These rooms offer breathtaking views of the open sea, making them an excellent choice for anyone who wants to savor the ocean’s beauty. When sailing on Icon of the Seas, you’ll have a couple of options to choose from. A key aspect making Icon of the Seas stand out is its eco-friendly features.

Ships

But what's it really like to sail the 250,800-ton, 7,600-passenger Icon of the Seas? With a kid-approved sprawling aquapark, a pool just for grownups, plus plenty of bites to fuel up for bolder bonding — your whole crew will never want to leave. Here's an insider's guide to what is included onboard Icon of the Seas vs. what is considered extra.

Balcony cabins

Choose a different pool for every day of the week, including Royal Bay — the largest pool at sea. Next-level views are never far away, with an array of infinity edges to keep you connected to the ocean. Like other Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Icon of the Seas offers an abundance of family-friendly activities. As with many famous cruise ships, Pacific Princess' years at sea were not always smooth sailing. In 1998, crew members reportedly used the ship in a drug smuggling operation in the Mediterranean. Its final voyage as Pacific Princess was in 2002, when Princess replaced the vessel in the fleet with the former Renaissance Cruises' R Three, which still holds the name Pacific Princess.

Found on Deck 16 aft, it's home to all the wild top-deck attractions Royal Caribbean is known for — as well as some new thrills. 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.

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The Icon class (formally Project Icon) is a class of cruise ships ordered by Royal Caribbean International to be built by Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland. As of 2024 this class is the largest cruise ship class ever constructed. You might wonder if Icon of the Seas' fares are all-inclusive — they are not. You will pay extra for soda and alcoholic beverages, specialty restaurants, spa treatments and select activities. The Royal Promenades on Royal Caribbean ships have always been compared to shopping malls because the long corridors are lined with restaurants, bars and shops and suffer from a lack of natural light. The second-level dead ends also frustrated guests trying to get from point A to B on a megaship.

ALWAYS ASWELL TIME

Take a deep breath and let gravity take over on the Pressure Drop, the first open free-fall slide at sea. Enjoy a thrilling night out at the casino or a leisurely afternoon shopping in the onboard boutiques. Sip on artisanal cocktails and dance under the stars at the Magic Carpet or the Rooftop Garden. Pamper yourself at The Spa, or squeeze in some exercise at The Fitness Center. Our award-winning ships have everything you could ever ask for—and much, much more.

Queen Elizabeth 2

Don't miss Toto and other puppets created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Surfside features the Sugar Beach candy shop and Sunshine & Sundries, which sells plush dolls and kid swim gear you forgot to pack. Don't miss Royal Bling in the AquaDome, where you can buy Royal Caribbean logo jewelry, including a bejeweled chalice that costs $100,000 and comes with a free lifetime drinks package on all Royal Caribbean ships. The ship offers a mix of programming from Latin dance classes to liquor tastings, spa seminars, pool games, trivia and more.

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What is Included on a Cruise for Suites Guests?

Sign up for a wine tasting with one of our expert sommeliers, or take a hot glass class and learn how to make your own piece of art. Arrange a romantic picnic at the rooftop Lawn Club, where you can lounge on a half-acre of real grass while gazing at the ocean. The theater is the marquee attraction within the ship's Deck 15 AquaDome neighborhood — if the draw is not the dome itself. The giant 363-ton glass-and-steel structure offers guests 220-degree ocean views. Inside, you'll find dining and drinking venues, cozy lounge space, a Royal Caribbean logo jewelry store and new cabins with panoramic views through the dome. The FlowRider surf simulator, Lost Dunes miniature golf, the Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall and the sports court are all Thrill Island staples.

You’ll certainly feel like you’re on the world’s largest cruise ship given the sheer size and scale of the vessel. While not having quite the same name recognition as our top four ships, the original Carnival Mardi Gras holds a significant spot in cruising history as Carnival's first cruise ship. The Crown & Anchor® Society is our way of recognizing and rewarding our most loyal guests. The more you sail with us, the more points you earn toward exclusive benefits and privileges you can enjoy before and during your next luxury cruise with Royal Caribbean®.

The guest services and NextCruise desks are located on the Royal Promenade by the pub. A conference facility and medical center are located on the ship's lower decks. You'll also stumble upon live music across the ship, from the pool deck to Central Park to the pub. In Central Park, guests find the new jazz club Lou's Jazz 'n Blues, with cocktails themed to the biggest jazz cities around the world. The walk-up Champagne venue, Bubbles, features mimosas, bellinis and other bubbly-based drinks. The Trellis Bar is also back, now with an extra-fee food menu to accompany your beverage of your choice.

Two are raft slides that accommodate two to four people, and two are toboggan-style forward-facing racing slides. Most of the slides are pretty extreme, and little kids (and their wussy parents) might find them too intense. The Infinite Grand Suite offers the new convertible balcony design in conjunction with a larger space that sleeps four and includes a split bathroom, useful when multiple guests need to get ready at the same time. There are also curtains to close off that area from the rest of the cabin to create a veranda-like space. Icon of the Seas has only two types of ocean-view rooms with a window but no balcony.

The ship’s elegant design and exquisite amenities create an atmosphere that appeals to those who desire a sense of belonging in a refined setting. A new restaurant, The Grove, is available for suite guests on Icon of the Seas as well. This casual Mediterranean restaurant is located outdoors on the suite sun deck and provides a more laid-back yet still exclusive dining option for suite guests.

The World's Most Famous Cruise Ships

Table Of Content

• Category 6 waterpark
• Specialty Cruises: Ships Tailored for Unique Experiences
• Icon of the Seas: World’s Largest Cruise Ship
• Category 6 Waterpark
• What I loved about Icon of the Seas
• Stays with views for days

So, when you set foot on Icon of the Seas, feel the excitement in the air, and know that you’re witnessing a unique and groundbreaking moment in the world of cruise travel. From state-of-the-art recreational facilities to the tallest waterslide in North America, you’ll find plenty of excitement that will leave your heart racing. While onboard, you can also expect to see LED lighting and smart glass technology, which helps regulate temperature and maintain comfort in shared spaces without compromising on energy use.

Category 6 waterpark

Strap in and step onto the walkway for a fear-inducing challenge that’s part skywalk, part obstacle course, part thrill ride and an all-out test of courage. But hurry — when you least expect it, the floor beneath your feet could disappear, leaving you dangling high over the ocean. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean’s swim-up bar at Perfect Day at CocoCay has been a huge hit, and they brought this concept onboard Icon of the Seas with the new Swim & Tonic swim-up bar. If that doesn’t sound thrilling enough, the walkway drops for the second part of the ride, and you suddenly find yourself swinging 154 feet above the ocean back to safety. Though the ship is the line's largest, it's easy to get around, with lots of crowd control measures in place.

Specialty Cruises: Ships Tailored for Unique Experiences

On Icon of the Seas, you’ll find a wide range of adventure activities to make your cruise unforgettable. Perfect your pop-up on the FlowRider surf simulator and ride the waves like a pro. These are just a few examples of the specialty restaurants you will encounter during your time on Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas: World’s Largest Cruise Ship

With dazzling spaces and avant-garde design that bring the outdoors in, these ships will forever change the way you think about cruising. Dine at any of the 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges on board, including Eden, a lush green oasis that will tantalize all of your senses. Unwind at the Resort Deck, where you can take a dip in a martini hot tub, relax in the adults-only Solarium, or admire the view from the expansive Rooftop Garden. The Suite Neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is the largest suite neighborhood to date. The neighborhood spans three decks and includes a two-level suite sun deck with a private pool, whirlpool, and outdoor lounge spaces. By day, passengers can relax in one of the AquaDome’s comfortable seating areas with expansive, 220 degree views of the ocean.

From reducing carbon emissions to implementing waste management systems, they are committed to creating a better future for all of us. Amidst the aftermath of the infamous shipwreck tragedy, the cruise industry faced significant impacts. You may be wondering how this could possibly affect you, a member of this close-knit community that desires belonging. Well, my friend, let me assure you that these impacts have left no stone unturned. In this moment of chaos and despair, humanity unites in a quest for hope and safety. Despite the looming darkness that engulfs the ship, there is solace in knowing that amidst tragedy, we find strength and connection with one another.

This is a whole new kind of adventure with new thrills that change the way you play for good. Like six record-breaking waterslides and an all-out test of courage dangling high above the ocean. Brace yourself for Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides. Admission is free if you want to hang out and wade in the water, though alcoholic beverages will cost you extra unless you purchase a Specialty Beverage Package. The package is a great deal, and it includes beers, wines, and other vacation libations at bars such as the Lemon Post. Icon-class ships are Royal Caribbean’s latest testament to their unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled vacation experiences, and you’re right at the heart of it.

What I loved about Icon of the Seas

The Adventure Ocean space is further divided into the Hangout, with video games and digital game tables; the Arena for sports and active play; and the Workshop for science experiments and art projects. A theater space is set to host a black-light, interactive puppet show that families can participate in together. Chill Island is the ship's three-deck pool area with multiple pools and hot tubs situated along the sides of the ship for stunning ocean views. You'll also find a couple of ping-pong tables and a dry slide from Deck 16 to 15.

You'll receive a SeaPass card that functions as your shipboard ID, room key and credit card. You'll charge shipboard purchases (drinks, souvenirs, extra-fee meals, shore excursions and so on) to your onboard account, and Royal Caribbean will charge your credit card on file once the cruise ends. You can check your onboard bill in the cruise line's app or at Guest Services. Royal Caribbean guests of legal drinking age can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne onto Icon of the Seas at boarding. If you want to drink that bottle outside your cabin in a restaurant or lounge, you must pay a $15 corkage fee.

Stays with views for days

Certain suite guests and upper-tier loyalty program members receive complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks before you sign up for a package. The costumes are creative and fun (including glow-in-the-dark and light-up outfits), and the use of lighting and video on the walls and the ice sets a spacey scene. The round ice stage makes it easier for the skaters to use the entire space to get up speed to do jumps and tricks. You'll gasp at the impressive lifts, spins and jumps the skaters can execute on a moving ship.

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Icon of the Seas is a groundbreaking ship for Royal Caribbean, introducing new venues, attractions and accommodation styles while bringing back and evolving fan favorites from past ships. Entertainment is next-level, and the ship's amazing attractions are sure to please all types of vacationers with multiple interests. The room stewards and dining staff on Icon of the Seas are friendly and helpful and deserve an extra thank-you. Royal Caribbean makes that easy by charging you an automatic gratuity of $18 to $20.50 per person per day, depending on your cabin category, added to your onboard account and final bill. You are allowed to adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking, but please don't — even if you are disappointed by the service.

Royal Caribbean has one of the fastest Wi-Fi systems at sea, called Voom, and you can take advantage of this on Icon of the Seas. Currently, Wi-Fi packages with streaming bandwidth start at $30.99 per day for one device (or $24.99 per day per device for packages accommodating two, three or four devices), though prices do change over time. Live bands perform at night in The Music Hall on decks 3 and 4 by the casino. The main show, "Aqua Action!" doesn't have a storyline, as far as I could tell, but is meant to push the boundaries of entertainment and wow every audience. You'll witness an aerial pas de deux, dancing robotic arms, crazy high dives and dancing with a lot of splashing. Arrive early because the seating area is surprisingly small given the size of the ship and the popularity of these shows.

You will, however, want to book quickly to obtain your preferred restaurant and show reservations. It might be difficult to be spontaneous and still get to see and eat everything you wish. T-shirts, shorts, athletic wear, casual sundresses and bathing suits are commonly worn on board and ashore. Passengers can smoke in Icon of the Seas' casino while playing or in a designated outer area on Deck 17 by the Cloud 17 pool area.

As you indulge in your spa experience, take a moment to appreciate the calming ambience and allow yourself to fully disconnect from the everyday hustle and bustle. For music lovers, the Music Hall offers an excellent selection of live bands and dance floors to keep you grooving all night long. These eateries are included in your cruise fare, so there’s no need to worry about additional charges while you enjoy the diversity of flavors. The Interior Staterooms offer cozy and functional living spaces, while the Promenade Staterooms feature charming windows that overlook the lively promenade area. These rooms come with all the essential amenities you need for a pleasant trip, including en-suite facilities and comfortable bedding.

Experience the unforgettable onboard entertainment provided by these cruise ships. Immerse yourself in live performances, dazzling shows, and non-stop excitement. Step into a world of belonging as you join fellow passengers in the grand theater for Broadway-style musicals that will leave you breathless.