ScooterScott22

Agree that it sucks about losing the ability to book a refundable JS but the amount of the deposit really doesn’t bother me.  More up front just means that I will owe less at final payment.

Very interesting discussion....but unfortunately, I don't have anything useful to add !  I am so very bad at visualization from renderings.  It is difficult for me to visualize how this is all going to look and flow.
Truly, I have heard nothing regarding menu(s) or how the addition of the Grove is going to affect the suite area, but I believe that the additional options for dining will only help...so long as they have staff to cover all of the areas.  I don't know if Royal is saving the "big reveals" for the suite neighborhood until last for a reason or if it is just less important to them than all of the family-oriented options....but very little has been released as far as I can tell.
I can't wait until 12-7-24 when we will be Star Class on Icon !!  This is the only SC booking I have and it will probably be the last one for a while, but I can't imagine a better way to make sure we get to experience everything...so I'm really looking forward to it.
PS.  From the renderings, it appears that the Grove area is going to be a lot of unshaded areas.  You will not find me there, if that is the case !

Hey Royal Caribbean Blog community, thought it might be interesting to see what people think, have heard or know about the Icon's Suite dining.  There are a few people that hear things, and some suite snobs that know the details about suite life. Would like to know what people have heard, any thoughts or roumors. about the differences or changes for Icon's suite dining and impact to the guests.  
Personally have only loosely followed the Icon's announcements, so really just started looking a little more in depth.  The addition of the Grove seemed to be one of the key changes and there doesn't seem to a lot of detail out there yet.  Also the two story CK is nice but wondering if that really expands the number of guests since a hot topic on these boards is Jr. Suite access for dinner.  
For the Grove, since there is really limited details on the internets, any news on menus, style of dining or anything really?   it seems to be similar to what we experienced on MSC's Yacht Club with outdoor dining on the suites sundeck/pool area.  What are the thoughts on Grove menu?  It is said to be Med, which might be a little harder of a concept as a counter style, so it seems more likely to be a casual sit down place.  It does seem from the pictures like it could be a little more geared towards a sit down restaurant than a grab and go or buffet type venue.  A real sit down venue requires more staffing, so wondering if that will be more like the artwork Royal has posted implies or if they made any changes.

With Costal Kitchen doesn't seem like there will be too many surprises.  As for the cuisine, its likely that the CK menu would be along the lines of the rest of the fleet.  The big change seems to be in the layout.  Everyone is reporting that Coastal Kitchen will encompass two deck but, in reality does that increase square footage or amount of tables?  Because it has a U shape it may not actually be more usable space.  

Anyone have word on how this may impact seating.  Also any word on how the bar area will be included.  I could see dining on one level and bar/lounge on another.  Just wondering since doing a quick count, if every suite is at max capacity, Icon would have something like 25 more guest with access to CK than Symphony, which has the potential highest number of Star and Sky guest in the fleet currently.  The Max guest count for Star/Sky is 438 and adding Sea brings the total to 718.  Jr. Suites could really be left fighting for diner reservations in some circumstance.   
  
Would love to hear anything that is confirmed about the differences or thoughts.

Hey Royal Caribbean Blog community, thought it might be interesting to see what people think, have heard or know about the Icon's Suite dining.  There are a few people that hear things, and some suite snobs that know the details about suite life. Would like to know what people have heard, any thoughts or roumors. about the differences or changes for Icon's suite dining and impact to the guests.  
Personally have only loosely followed the Icon's announcements, so really just started looking a little more in depth.  The addition of the Grove seemed to be one of the key changes and there doesn't seem to a lot of detail out there yet.  Also the two story CK is nice but wondering if that really expands the number of guests since a hot topic on these boards is Jr. Suite access for dinner.  
For the Grove, since there is really limited details on the internets, any news on menus, style of dining or anything really?   it seems to be similar to what we experienced on MSC's Yacht Club with outdoor dining on the suites sundeck/pool area.  What are the thoughts on Grove menu?  It is said to be Med, which might be a little harder of a concept as a counter style, so it seems more likely to be a casual sit down place.  It does seem from the pictures like it could be a little more geared towards a sit down restaurant than a grab and go or buffet type venue.  A real sit down venue requires more staffing, so wondering if that will be more like the artwork Royal has posted implies or if they made any changes.

With Costal Kitchen doesn't seem like there will be too many surprises.  As for the cuisine, its likely that the CK menu would be along the lines of the rest of the fleet.  The big change seems to be in the layout.  Everyone is reporting that Coastal Kitchen will encompass two deck but, in reality does that increase square footage or amount of tables?  Because it has a U shape it may not actually be more usable space.  

Anyone have word on how this may impact seating.  Also any word on how the bar area will be included.  I could see dining on one level and bar/lounge on another.  Just wondering since doing a quick count, if every suite is at max capacity, Icon would have something like 25 more guest with access to CK than Symphony, which has the potential highest number of Star and Sky guest in the fleet currently.  The Max guest count for Star/Sky is 438 and adding Sea brings the total to 718.  Jr. Suites could really be left fighting for diner reservations in some circumstance.   
  
Would love to hear anything that is confirmed about the differences or thoughts.

We have seen the Royal Up bid go into spot were it was not modifiable when they were assigning rooms.  If your cruise is about a month out, it is likely that they are starting that process.  It seems to depend on the room inventory and the timeframe can vary a little but that is usually near the 30 day mark.

Just looked over this thread and wondering if I am missing something.  We had booked The Key for last month's cruise and cancelled it when we switched to a suite.  Since almost all of The Key perks are similar of lesser than the suite perks, it was not worth it.  The priority embarkation/disembarkation and wifi (one per guest) are the biggest influence here and they included in the suite, right?  The boarding lunch would be easily trumped by having access to Costal Kitchen.  Not sure there really is any value to The Key if you have the suite booked.

There are all kinds of scenarios.
Maybe they have medical equipment like a CPAP or medication.  Never a good idea to check that stuff, better to carry it on.  But who wants to drag that around?
Bringing bottles of wine?  That goes in carry on, which is a drag to haul around for a few hours.
Maybe you are @AshleyDillo bringing someone all the crystal blocks she doesn't want.  Why drag them around?  

The thing I don't get about the Key luggage perk is why anyone would need it?

If you didn't need it to board, why not just check it?
 
And if you needed it to board, why wouldn't you want to keep it with you?

Just looked over this thread and wondering if I am missing something.  We had booked The Key for last month's cruise and cancelled it when we switched to a suite.  Since almost all of The Key perks are similar of lesser than the suite perks, it was not worth it.  The priority embarkation/disembarkation and wifi (one per guest) are the biggest influence here and they included in the suite, right?  The boarding lunch would be easily trumped by having access to Costal Kitchen.  Not sure there really is any value to The Key if you have the suite booked.

Just looked over this thread and wondering if I am missing something.  We had booked The Key for last month's cruise and cancelled it when we switched to a suite.  Since almost all of The Key perks are similar of lesser than the suite perks, it was not worth it.  The priority embarkation/disembarkation and wifi (one per guest) are the biggest influence here and they included in the suite, right?  The boarding lunch would be easily trumped by having access to Costal Kitchen.  Not sure there really is any value to The Key if you have the suite booked.

We were surprised to see a bridge tour offered for the suites the other week.  We have done that in Star class and know that has returned last year.  Last week we were sailing in Sky class and they offered it on one of the sea days.  So more things/perks might be for forthcoming.

No, just reply to the concierge if you were going to attend.

Having only been in a suite once ever (last May on Harmony) and staying in my 2nd ever on Wonder in a few weeks, which will likely be my last suite for quite a while (which is fine, we have a great time cruising frugally), please let me know what else no longer exists for suite guests. 🤣
Joking aside, those sail away helipad parties do sound fun. After nothing but Oasis class (and one Radiance trip in Alaska) for many years, we had our own sail away party on the Indy helipad in October. I had to use a D voucher for my drink but we were the last of 7 ships to leave PC that day and we had a lengthy horn battle with Mariner who left just before us so there's that.

There verandas in a Grand Loft Suite, sounds like 10320 or 10720.  We did that for our family of three and for Alaska the extra balcony is great.  The room is great but those corner rooms are a little smaller than the middle GLS.  Enjoy the cruise and the room.
It might be easiest to add the dining package for your party that are not in the suite.  You can work out meals but it will make things so much easier.  It will not put you or the genie into an awkward situation.  They can easily make a dining reservation for the whole party.  It avoids putting the servers in a position to sort orders and charges if you all have have the UDP.  

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.
 

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.
 

There verandas in a Grand Loft Suite, sounds like 10320 or 10720.  We did that for our family of three and for Alaska the extra balcony is great.  The room is great but those corner rooms are a little smaller than the middle GLS.  Enjoy the cruise and the room.
It might be easiest to add the dining package for your party that are not in the suite.  You can work out meals but it will make things so much easier.  It will not put you or the genie into an awkward situation.  They can easily make a dining reservation for the whole party.  It avoids putting the servers in a position to sort orders and charges if you all have have the UDP.  

The official answer to this question is, "...Star Class service is only for Star Class passengers...".  If you ask this question of your Genie before boarding, it is almost 100% guaranteed that this is the answer you will get.  
However....once you get onboard I would be very surprised if your request was denied.  It will depend upon your Genie and how strict they are, regarding the rules.  Personally, I have never had a reasonable request denied....but do not be disappointed if the answer is, "no".  That is the official answer to your question.
I would also expect for your parents to be included in any entertainment reservations/seating that you attend.
Enjoy the OPS.  It is a wonderful suite.

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.
 

As for the rooms being ready early, you may experience some variety.   Reviewing our three suite cruises in the past year.  
Star class on Allure we were taken right to the room after boarding and I can say we were there before noon.  I’ll share that our Sky class room on Harmony Deck 17, crown loft suite, was ready by 12:15.  Flip side of that our Sky class Owners loft suite on Quantum was not ready until 2pm.  
My guess is that deck 17 may be ready earlier than other staterooms so if you are doing Sky class in a CLS, there is a chance rooms are ready earlier but that could be ship or Cruise specific. Other Sky class rooms are likely more typical times.  
 

Be aware that dummy bookings or people shopping an itinerary will impact visible cabin inventory.  The website will hold back a cabin for a time period if someone was in the middle of booking but did not complete.  Think it as the cabin has to be “re-shelved” for display.  The only way to know exactly how many rooms are open is talking with a travel agent or Royal.

Are you departing out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale?  There is a passport office not far from the Miami port that does “emergency” passports.  You need to make an appointment but turn around can be same day.  If you are already traveling with your birth certificates you have the documents.   
https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/miami-passport-agency.html

On the sister ship Quantum and it is a standard door for the ship.  

The iPhone measure app is really struggling with the ship motion but the door seems to measure about 26-28 inches.

Sure, go ahead and arrive early since everyone else will too!  This is just the line for security.

Sure, go ahead and arrive early since everyone else will too!  This is just the line for security.