First Impressions of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the World’s Largest Cruise Ship

I’m presently on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the most important cruise ship ever constructed. It’s a 3 night time preview cruise for members of the media and journey brokers earlier than the ship’s inaugural voyage this weekend.

After spending just a few nights onboard, listed below are my first impressions of Icon of the Seas.

One of many first issues that stood out to be in regards to the Icon of the Seas is the quantity of house on the ship. The Royal Promenade is a lot extra open that different Royal Caribbean cruise ships and all the venues have open facades as an alternative of a doorway to get in them.

Whereas Icon of the Seas is a model new class of ships, those that have sailed on an Oasis class vessel will discover the fundamental structure of the ship semi-familiar however with one key distinction. The cruise line linked the neighborhoods and it’s a lot simpler to get from one to a different now.

There’s a stairway to get from the Royal Promenade to Central Park.  From Surfside, which is situated the place Boardwalk is on Oasis class ships, you may go straight to Central Park or the Royal Promenade from it. I imagine this can drastically enhance the movement of visitors across the ship for individuals who are involved with the variety of passengers the ship carries.

One other ache level that Royal Caribbean appears to be like to have fastened is the elevators.  The hallway the place the elevators are situated is big and there’s 10 in every one. They’re sensible elevators, you push the ground you’ll and it tells you which of them elevator to get in.

At a press briefing yesterday, the cruise line stated that they’re utilizing AI with the elevators to maneuver folks across the ship quicker.  Although the brand new system is already quicker than the outdated one, they stated in just a few months that they’ll be capable of tweak it for optimum efficiency primarily based on information from the primary few cruises.

Icon of the Seas may be very colourful, from the shutters in Central Park to the primary pool deck. Because the ship is crusing to the Caribbean, it immediately places you in trip mode.

There are greater than 40 eating and drink venues on Icon of the Seas. I’m been trying to strive as a lot of them as attainable on this three day cruise. We may have a whole rundown of all over the place to eat on this ship when the cruise is over.  Thus far, it’s been nice.

Royal Caribbean has changed Cafe Promenade with the Pearl Cafe and it’s top-of-the-line adjustments Royal Caribbean did on this ship. There’s a 25-30 foot glass window which supplies an ideal view of the ocean when you’re crusing. I’m truly sitting there proper now writing this primary impressions article.

Below all the couches, there are 110 retailers and USB, together with USB-C, so you may plug in laptops and telephones and work on this house. Extra folks than ever are working whereas on cruises and this space goes to be standard for that.

Royal Caribbean has actually raised the bar on leisure on Icon of the Seas.  Yesterday, I used to be in a position to view STARBURST: Elemental Magnificence in Absolute Zero, the cruise line’s new oval ice rink.  For individuals who know me, you recognize I’m often not into most cruise leisure. Nonetheless, this present was phenomenal and beloved how they introduced in Viktor Kee as a visitor star in it.  I keep in mind watching him make it into the highest 10 on America’s Obtained Expertise and he’s probably the most unbelievable juggler I’ve ever seen.

The largest headliner present on Icon of the Seas is a full stage manufacturing of The Wizard of Oz. I used to be in a position to catch the primary half of the present yesterday (had dinner so missed the second half) however plan on watching the remainder of it as we speak as it is going to have two extra performances. Anybody who’s a fan of the traditional film goes to like this present.

The AquaDome is one thing you need to see and expertise. It’s additionally an ideal lounge throughout the day with unbelievable views over the ship’s bow.

The Dueling Pianos venue is successful and standing room solely.

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We’re staying in an ocean view balcony cabin on deck 8. It has a good dimension bathe, loads of energy retailers, a sofa, and a very good dimension balcony. It has every thing you want for a cruise.

The crew have been superior as at all times. After I was getting a Coke on CocoCay, the bartender noticed me and stated, you got here into the Schooner Bar the opposite day and in addition ordered a Coke. I didn’t keep in mind him however he remembered me. Royal Caribbean does have a few of the finest crew members within the business.

For individuals who have younger youngsters, you’re going to like Surfside. I’ve a 3 yr outdated boy and need he was right here with me. He won’t ever need to depart Surfside and it’s such an ideal house for youths.

Situated the place Boardwalk is on Oasis class ship, Surfside takes up this complete space and has every thing from a waterpark to eating places. It’s far and away the perfect space at sea for households with younger youngsters.

I’ve not seen Rover but, the resident canine on Icon of the Seas. She’s a Golden Retriever and I heard she’s going to spend a variety of time in Surfside with the youngsters.

In an effort to attach visitors to the ocean as a lot as attainable, now you can see the ocean from Central Park.

I’m going to go and expertise extra of Icon of the Seas.  There’s the world’s largest cruise ship waterpark on the highest deck calling my identify and different options that I want to take a look at earlier than I get off the ship tomorrow.

Cruise Fever may have extra about this model new cruise ship as soon as the cruise is over so keep tuned for these articles. You’ll be able to observe alongside on our cruise on Icon of the Seas on Fb, X, Instagram, and TikTok (Username: @CruiseFever).