Everything I LOVED & HATED about cruising on Icon of the Seas
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- Royal Caribbean got almost everything perfect with their newest and biggest cruise ship, but there were a few things I disliked about my recent cruise on Icon of the Seas.
When itineraries on Icon of the Seas became available to book nearly a year and a half ago, I immediately booked a cabin for the first sailing. Having cruised on most of Royal Caribbean’s ships, I was interested to see how Icon of the Seas would stack up against the rest of the fleet.
Here are the 5 things I loved (and 4 I hated) about my vacation on the world’s biggest cruise ship.
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You were on the inaugural Icon cruise and we were on it the second week in March. Judging from your videos, there are a few things that were a little different. Many of the things you showed in your video didn't have nearly the amount of people as we did on ours. Our week was at capacity and also spring break time.
There were lots of kids and the kids were also around all of the pools. Yes, there were kids at Thrill Island and all the water slides etc. but they also invaded the pools. The kids were to be expected but the unsupervised kids were not appreciated. Not just the pool area either. We were surprised to see how many young children were basically allowed to run around the ship without any parents anywhere to be seen. Sometimes, one child all by themselves. Certainly seems like a safety issue to us. Especially on a ship this size.
Typical of a pool area, lots of people come out early morning and stake out "their chairs". Even though there are occasional signs placed around, and several chair head covers placed about every third or fourth chair, saying you can't save chairs or your things will be picked up by the pool attendants. They don't enforce it at all so why bother with signage.
Yes, the ship is beautiful, with lots of activities and plenty of places to eat. but the price is much higher than other ships, and it will remain that way as long as there is the demand. In fact, looking at the prices on upcoming Icon cruises, prices have increased significantly since we booked.
Some of the negatives stated from the video are minimal as far as we are concerned. The baskets in the room may not be the way we would do it, but so what. Starbucks, never use them so cry me a river and get a cup of coffee elsewhere. Room location, that is everyone's responsibility to check on that when booking any ship.
We are frequent cruisers and would we book this ship again? We were glad we tried the Icon but it is doubtful we would go again. There are lots of ships that may not be as big, but are just as nice at a much better price. There is the wow factor with the Icon, but after a little bit of time onboard, it really is just another of the many ships to enjoy. We saw a lot of first time cruisers with families that had their eyes wide open with excitement and I'm sure they would have enjoyed themselves.
Be aware that there are many up charges for things to do and food in certain areas on the ship. Yes, there is free but there are also upcharges so watch for them. An example, if you do the Eastern cruise and stop at Coco Cay, you can use the free chairs and umbrellas or go to the areas where it will cost you from $100 to $1,000 a day to rent. Most of those were also rented when we were there, and I don't get it.
Finally, RCL built a new cruise terminal to handle the Icon and they did an outstanding job. Probably one of the easiest processes getting on the day we left and the easiest getting off when we got back at the end of the week.
My wife and I will be cruising on Wonder of the Seas in April.
I guess with this starting price tag, there are two options: either no one buys it, or we assume it's a fair price. This year, prices have risen so much that, after the cutbacks we experienced last year, my family is clear that cruises are no longer an option. They literally aren't worth what they're asking for, but still, they are full...
Thanks for the review!!
Other option is sail on older ships. Whether Royal Caribbean or any other major cruiseline, the older ships are much less expensive than the newest ship in a fleet.
No plans right now it is a little too pricey. Thank you for the review
I loved baskets because they provided extra storage for shoes to put under the bed and we kept shelves for other stuff. It’s an upgrade so you don’t have to bring those ugly over the door hangers for shoes
Your video clips are great! I felt like I had a better understanding of where things are and what they look like - thank you! Although our sailing isn't until Sept. I'm already looking forward to it. I wonder if they will change those metal baskets in the cabins; your assessment of them is right on the mark.
Everyone made a comment about those metal baskets...
Thank you for watching, and have fun in September!
Great tip on the obstructed balcony in Central Park. 🚢🚢
Very good review. Thank you.
Thank you for watching!
Great review! I need one of those icon of the seas Starbucks cup!
Loving the video!!! Unfortunately, bigger is definitely not better.😊
Wow Royal is wrong for not indicating that those Central Park cabins are obstructed view.. it looks like every one of them are technically obstructed with those colorful shutters blocking the view as well… I’m glad I saw this video, I will not be booking any cabin in Central Park when I eventually book icon. I like the traditional balconies better than those infinite balconies.
The ship looks amazing, but that balcony would have pissed me off. How can they not list that as an obstructed view? You cant look down...
Thanks for the very nice review! Icon is a masterful feat of engineering and so beautiful. Seems to me like the things you "hated" are pretty minor in the grand scheme, but with such a heavy price tag, it's good to let people know what to expect. I wonder if you can even tell you're on a ship based on the sheer size of it. I'm sure there are people who will book it just for the experience and possibly forego some or all of the ports, which would be the only way to see and do most of what's available on the ship.
It's incredible that no matter the state of the economy or how tight things are for most people, bookings for these new ships - especially from Royal and Carnival - sell like hotcakes. I won't be sailing on Icon anytime soon, mainly because A) I can't afford it and B) the closest ports to us are Galveston and NOLA. We're looking at Harmony for July 2025, and I've heard good things.
No matter the economy some people have the money to afford it. I am currently on a cruise with Holland American Line and most people are retirees and some children with Spring Break and these people spare no expenses. Mostly Caucasian and Chinese. I see few Blacks on this trip because someone told me it is more for conservative groups. A woman told me she would never go on Carnival it has too much noise. Who once to go on cruise do so because when you died you cannot take anything with you.
loved
So really on three complaints that are hard to avoid. Prices will go down as the ship ages. I am guessing RCL will make adjustments seeing congestion caused by Starbucks in a congested location.
I was on last week and we loved it
I just got off wonder of the seas, awesome time we have 2 boys 15,16 they seemed a little bored at times. They probably would have liked icon better but for myself being 50 I think icon is too busy and expensive, better for a younger couple with younger kids
6:35 “Unfortunately these cabins are not listed as obstructed by Royal Caribbean”
Wow that feels almost criminal, especially since you’re paying such a premium for those cabins.
I can NOT afford Icon of the Seas...its looks really beautiful....I'm still in the class with Freedom and Independence...
I’m booked for January and sooo excited! Can you tell me what is the soonest you can purchase the drink and dining packages? And what are the prices round about?
We'll be there January 25th, hope to see you
@@tracihines9283 We will be there January 11-18
I'm looking at April 2025 of next year and I'm torn if I go on Symphony or Icon. On Symphony I could do an interior GTY for 2900 or on Icon I could do interior GTY for 5500 (for 3 people). It sounds like you don't think that would be a good choice of finances, right? In addition, I could do an Ocean View Balcony GTY for 4k on SoS.
We love icon of the seas! Great pros and cons!!
Just got back from icon of the seas and have noticed how bad their app is. Group messages were always broken with names of guest coming in as another person. The app would constantly freeze so booking shows or just seeing the time of shows was always difficult
I am cruising March 23rd on icon of the sea
Location of the Starbucks is crazy💀💀💀
I'll be on the Icon of the Seas, Nov.2-9. Question? Is there any on board credits on this ship?
Yes there were a few available
Cruising used to be a great value, but lately it has become way too expensive. After all the port fees, gratuities and other
"fees". Just noticing how the cruise lines are money grabbing lately.
Cruiselines took on billions in debt during the pandemic shutdown. You can find less expensive cruises on older ships, but the market will take time to stabilize and become a better value.
Everything is so expensive...groceries cars homes...
For that amount you could do the MSC yacht club and live like a king 🤴
It can be joke with RC to advertise cheap fares and then find out they charge extra for so many other things. Ripcord $50 for 2 minutes, North Star $50, Renting a Casita $300, Starbucks $$, specialty restaurants $$$$, are they telling me that a steak from the main dining room is different than at the restaurant that charges me more money. Meals are included on cruises, I'm not about to pay more money for basically the same food. I have been on over 25 cruises with RC and I did this once, it's a total ripoff. BTW; great videos
Actually the steak at a specialty restaurant is significantly better than the included option. It's like comparing a $40 steakhouse on land to getting a steak at Outback.
This isn't just Royal Caribbean; Norwegian is even worse at having extra charges for a lot of the ship; Carnival also charges extra for many food options.
@@dchenkin02 Most all of the companies are charging for extra items
That's what I worry about - all the extra costs for onboard activities, hidden costs, uncharged, etc.
The fare is expensive enough.
Nothing about Icon seems appealing to me, other than all of the complimentary dining options. Too many people, and much too expensive. I'll stick with Liberty and Anthem. I'm looking forward to sailing on both again this year.
Wait...are guests actually allowed to skate on the ice rink?
Yes, during designated times!
Y'all paid OVER $5k and couldn't even get a suite?!?!?!?!?!?! Y'all are insane
You have to Pay a cost to be 1st! She said it was an inaugural cruise. Subsequent cruises will be less.
This should be called the romper room ship. If you are an adult who doesn’t want a million kids running all over, book with celebrity cruises or some other that caters to adults not children.
This is the same as when the Australian women’s relay team were disqualified from a gold medal for jumping in the pool in celebration before all swimmers were finished. It’s very sad but, unfortunately that’s the rule.
Unsinkable?, Just like they said for the Titanic???
Think not.
I just got back from this ship. I’ve been sailing with Royal for over 20 years and I’m done with them. The ship is great for families, LOT’s of stuff for kids to do. However, if being trapped in an overcrowded Chucky Cheese for 7 days isn’t your idea of relaxing, this isn’t for you. There’s almost no place to go to get away from it. Kids are absolutely everywhere…sports bar, swim up bar…everywhere and in every area that should be an adult only space. There’s a very small area in the back of the ship for adults only and it’s located under the water slides and was very crowded any time I went there. The ship is big enough that there could be something for everyone (kids and adults), but Royal doesn’t attempt to accomplish that with just a little bit more adult space for those that just want to relax for a little while. For me, it was a colossal waste of money.
Who the hell goes on a cruise expecting to see no kids everywhere... I get it, your older now or maybe your one of those edgy young adults who hate kids for whatever reason, but man... Theres Virgin for you I guess, any other cruise line... Will have a lot of kids cause guess what? Vacations are something families do a lot... 20 years and you figured out just now that RC is not an adult only cruise? C'mon!
Have you considered this ship wasn't made for you? As if the waterslides and the centrally located kids splash zone weren't a big enough hint
@@rogerayala6878 I was told Carnival is for kids
@@laraelawrence247 oh... No lol... I mean there are kids allowed but usually Carnival are reffered to as the "party cruise", its the cheapest cruise and people basically go to drink and get wasted... I wouldnt really recomment Carnival to anyone but people that want to party hard all day and night!
I love Chuck E Cheese, but your point is well taken 🫡
$50 per ride???!!!!! What the F""'!
Afterall: it did cost $US 2Billion too make.
Hated? Pretty strong word. How about disliked?
How could anyone “hate” anything about Icon?😂😂😂
So you hated the location of the Starbucks.. you mentioned 942 other coffee shops on the ship.. lol how much coffee can one person drink? Lol
I like the smaller ships
Way too many people on this one.
A simple google will tell you the passenger to square foot space of any cruise ship. The smaller ships are actually more crowded.
you must have a hard life lol.
Far too expensive. The cruise lines are prioritizing the weathy now.
Icon of the Seas is supremely tacky, very low class. Those who love this ship will be right at home at your local Trailer Park.
What?
😂
Your end-of-sentences vocal fry is unbearable. Just so you know.
😂😂😂
“Hated”?👎. 😱
Im going on the new Utopia of the Seas in October! its a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas