Icon of the Seas is advertised to deliver the "ultimate family vacation." With the largest waterpark at sea, dedicated neighborhoods, countless dining options, and around-the-clock entertainment, it's clearly built for families. However, my partner and I, both in our mid-20s, boarded without kids and still found it impressive.
Typically, we prefer sailing with more adult-focused lines, including Celebrity and Princess. But despite being overwhelmingly family-focused, the world's largest cruise ship promised to offer plenty for child-free travelers like us. Plus, we're still young and don't mind the occasional ship-oriented cruise, compared to itinerary-driven sailings.
Initially, I was worried that we'd regret spending over $7,000 on Icon of the Seas. That's not a small lump of change, and with the right planning, we could have toured Europe for two weeks, visiting culturally rich cities and trying new cuisine.
However, as soon as we stepped on board, it was clear Icon wasn't another mega-ship. I've spent over 50 nights on Oasis Class ships and thought I knew what to expect, but Icon of the Seas raised the bar in every way — at least for Caribbean vacations.
The adult-only spaces weren't boring
Take everything you know about the Solarium and throw it out the window. On Icon of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean staple was replaced with The Hideaway.
It's far less about relaxing away from kids, as Thrill Waterpark is dangling above your head, and more about channeling the high-energy atmosphere of the ship in an adult-only setting.
Think of it as chic beach club meets rooftop lounge. The DJ spins tunes all afternoon while bartenders keep the drinks flowing. Sometimes, it felt like a Las Vegas pool party but less overwhelming.
Personally, I liked it best at sea, as the infinity pool gave way to the most mesmerizing wake views ever. However, if you're seeking a little more solitude, you may like it on a port day.
One thing to note is that, unlike the Solarium, I found there weren't many shaded chairs. So, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen, unless you plan on spending a lot of time at the bar.
If you're seeking a moment of quiet, I'd recommend The Overlook. Though it lacks pools, you won't miss out on any views thanks to the AquaDome's floor-to-ceiling windows.
We could still embrace our inner child
We couldn't resist some of the ship's attractions — particularly the one-of-a-kind Category 6 Waterpark. With six water slides, it's almost like Thrill Waterpark from CocoCay was brought onboard!
Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration (could you imagine if they logistically pulled off adding Daredevil's Peak to a ship?!), but the waterpark was seriously impressive.
My favorite slide was the Storm Surge raft ride. Though we had to shimmy a bit to get going, it picked up speed as soon as we pushed off, splashing us around curves and boomeranging up the over-water "leaf."
We took advantage of the complimentary waterpark first thing in the morning and when docked in CocoCay. As such, we never waited more than fifteen minutes for a slide.
While on Icon, we also splurge on the Crown's Edge and Royal Escape Room. Crown's Edge tested my bravery, as I'm typically not a fan of trap door rides.
However, Crown's Edge is unlike anything I've ever done on a cruise ship. Walking over the side of the ship on the obstacle course while watching the ship glide through the ocean was surreal (and still feels a bit like a fever dream).
The Royal Escape Room was also more fun than I expected. The immersive space-themed puzzle required everyone to work together. It challenged our problem-solving skills and communication, especially at the beginning when we were divided into two groups and separated.
Pro tip: Check on embarkation day to see if there's an ongoing deal for Crown's Edge. We paid $35 per person, but it was just $10 on the first day in Miami.
Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time
The entertainment was top-tier
Last November, I sailed with Disney Cruise Line for the first time in nearly a decade and forgot how amazing their theater productions were.
Though The Wizard of Oz still fell a little short compared to Tangled: The Musical, it was one of the best Broadway-style productions I've seen on a Royal Caribbean ship (Mamma Mia is still my favorite!).
The set design was impressive, and I loved the costumes, particularly the colorful Munchkins in Munchkinland.
Another obvious standout was the aqua show. When we first explored the AquaDome, we were a little disappointed to see how small the AquaTheater was.
However, the intimate setting enhanced the experience because we felt closer to the action. I won't spoil much, but prepare for skateboarders and acrobatic tricks set against an indoor waterfall!
Additionally, I thought the comedy show was on par with comedians I've seen on Carnival, which are arguably funnier than Royal's standard line-up. Simeon Kirkiles had the entire comedy club laughing for his entire set!
Thoughtful stateroom upgrades
Overall, I was impressed with the changes to Royal Caribbean's cabin experience. The bathroom, in particular, was a major upgrade compared to ships as new as Wonder of the Seas. I've never seen a standard shower that large and functional before!
I was also impressed with the storage. Though just two of us in the room, we had plenty of space leftover — and we're huge over-packers. The redesigned storage space felt more functional and helped us keep everything organized throughout the week.
Next time, however, I think I'd opt for an ocean-view room, even if it didn't have a balcony. I had previously cruised in interior-facing cabins on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, but I didn't remember how much the lack of privacy bothered me.
Because we kept the curtains closed so often when changing and sleeping, the cabin didn't get as much natural light as expected.
That said, our travel agent quoted us over $6,000 for an ocean-view balcony, which seemed outrageous for a weeklong Caribbean cruise. Instead, we opted for the more affordable Neighborhood GTY fare, which cost around $3,800. We figured that we'd still have a balcony and wouldn't be in the room much to care.
It was the right decision because the cheaper stateroom gave us a more flexible budget to splurge on add-ons like drink and dining packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and onboard merchandise, bringing our total spend to over $7,400.
Quality dining options, both complimentary and specialty
I'll be the first to admit that I think Royal Caribbean's complimentary dining has gone downhill in recent years. When we booked Icon, I wanted to minimize my time in the dining room, fearing that sailing on the largest cruise ship would mean rushed service and underwhelming food.
We booked the Unlimited Dining Package for $665, and phew, did we get our money’s worth. From juicy filets at Chops Grille to tasty shrimp tostadas at Pier 7 and tender lobster tails at Hooked, we never felt like we were eating on a cruise ship.
By the fourth day, however, we realized our eyes were much larger than our stomachs. Though I don't think I'd get the Unlimited Dining Package again (three days is plenty!), Icon of the Seas should definitely be on any foodie's radar.
There are also enough complimentary options to completely avoid extra-cost restaurants, ranging from the brand-new AquaDome Market to El Loco Fresh, the Pearl Café, Sorrento's, the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer, Basecamp, and Surfside Bites.
Bottom line
Icon of the Seas is easily the best ship in the Caribbean right now. Even without kids, we were constantly entertained, whether listening to music in Lou's Jazz 'n Blues or staying up for the balloon drop in the Royal Promenade.
For our first time on Icon, I think we experienced as much as we could, even overexerting ourselves at times. If we were to return, we'd take things at a slower pace, perhaps spending two days ashore instead of three.
That said, Legend of the Seas in Europe is not on our radar. Between exploring Mediterranean cities and taking advantage of everything the ship has to offer, I think'd we quickly wear ourselves down. When it comes to port-intensive itineraries, we prefer smaller ships since the vessel is not our primary focus.
