TheMaxRebo

So for my upcoming cruise on Icon in February was pointed out that Hideaway Beach is now bookable in the cruise planner under Perfect Day ... so far you can book cabanas or a day pass ... so guess you can't just stop by you have to purchase a day pass just to get into the area Details of the Day Pass: Overview You’ve landed on our private island and found the ultimate beachfront party in paradise just for adults — Hideaway Beach. Swim right up to the popping Hideaway Bar, fueled by non-stop, DJ-spun beats. Or soak up the rhythm at four more watering holes serving expertly crafted libations. Keep the energy fed with tasty pizzas from Slice of Paradise and flavorful all-American faves from Snack Shack. Space is limited and may sell out — so book before your cruise to secure your spot and score the biggest savings! Highlights Settle into the scene with in-water hammocks, resort-style loungers, and umbrellas to keep you made in the shade. Turn up the party vibe and dance to sun-soaked DJ sets at the best swim-up bar in The Bahamas. Take your bar crawl to the tropics at five spirited spots serving refreshing drinks. So whether you cool off with an ice-cold draft at the beach bar or sip cocktails with live music and a view at On the Rocks, you’ll have plenty of ways to shake things up. Head to Slice of Paradise to savor tasty pizzas and imaginative craft cocktails. And Snack Shack crushes cravings with juicy burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, and fresh salads that will keep you coming back for more. What's Included Full day access to Hideaway Beach, featuring live music and non-stop beats spun by a live DJ. Complimentary in-water hammocks, resort-style loungers, and umbrellas. Complimentary bites from Snack Shack and Slice of Paradise. Temperature-controlled pools. Important details and advisements Hideaway Beach is adults-only (18+). Drinks are available at an additional charge unless a beverage package has been purchased. The minimum age to consume alcohol is 21. Opening/closing times vary by sailing and ship arrival/departure time. Drink responsibly.

We had our first RCL cruise this past Feb and definitely debated if we should do the water park or not. It wasn't quite as expensive as you are seeing but was still well over $100/person We opted not to and honestly found there was a ton to do on the island without it. So if you are wondering if you *need* to do this to get the full experience/have enough to do for first timers I say you definitely don't - we don't regret not getting it and are definitely not getting it either on our upcoming cruise in Feb'24

We are thinking the same as airfare has been higher too, so have to add that on to the higher cost for the latest/greatest ships out of Miami, etc So do a slightly older (but still great) ship out of New York / Bayone and we save $ on cruise and don't have to fly

Maybe just as we are family of 5 and the week we normally go but I checked Treasure for same week we are going on Icon, just a year out (so 2024 for Icon vs 2025 for Treasure) and my all in for a family infinite balcony on Icon was under $8k. For the Treasure the starting point indicates was $11,093 (and that is before on sale) Edit: ok, I just priced out the ICON for that same week in 2025 and prices really seem to have gone up over 2024 - I can't price out 5 people online but for the same room category I have in 2024, that room with 4 people (so one less person) is just under $11k, so same or maybe even more than Treasure I stand corrected - oh well. Guess glad I booked when I did for 2024 on Icon

Well, to make me feel better about the Icon pricing I took a look at the Disney Treasure .... yowsas

I definitely noticed prices going up and even noticed the price of the package increased for our sailing since we booked We initial got the deluxe drink package for 20% off ... well, just checked and they no had "buy one get one 50% off" - so in effect 25% off each for 2 people - but when I priced it out that extra 5% only came to a few dollars as the starting point went up from our initial purchase Definitely don't buy anything you aren't comfortable with as it will make you uneasy or just not happy about each drink you get as you feel you are just trying to get your money's worth or just associating it with an unhappy purchase You can just bring a bottle of wine per person and then get the occasional drink and enjoy it all vs buying something you aren't all in on

Thanks for sharing ing the link. Does sound like a full experience and while not cheap, that would cost a lot more on land Wonder if you have the drink package if any discount skid this included the cocktails Hoping to book this for my birthday when we are in the Feb 17ths sailing next year

This got posted in another thread but thought it would be good to add her too The free pizza isn't going anywhere

Definitely bummed to see they are even considering this. This is one of the very few places open for food very late and one of the food options my son really ate. It almost became a tradition to pick him up at the kids club and then go down and get pizza together IF this came along with keeping the windjammer open later or some other late included option I guess I could deal, but not expecting that Definitely not happy and definitely would make me less likely to pick RCL

I agree that planning is a bit of a challenge - even some of the dining venues, like the Empire Supper Club, we don't have a lot of details on (price, etc) One thing I noticed too is it is confusing to know if for sure our cruise is stopping at Roatan or not as it isn't listed but when you look at excursions they have "Day 3- cruising" but then you can book things for Roatan for that day

Yup - and worked for us. We used to do Disney but they just priced us out. We did RCL for the first time this past February after a week on Symphony was less than 4 days in the Wish, even after adding in unlimited dining. And my family had a blast and are now booked on Icon for next February But their adds are definitely going after that Disney Family crowd with calling Icon the ultimate family vacation and now Utopia as the ultimate family weekend

I suspect for a lot of non-locals they will combine this with a stay in the Orlando area ... Do 3 - 4 days at the theme parks and then 3-4 days on the cruise Very popular structure for folks cruising Disney Cruise Line - they have their newest ship doing similar 3 and 4 day cruises

Feels a lot like following the Disney Cruise Line model of the new ship doing the 3 or 4 night cruises with a stop at the private island Good way for families to try out cruising with all the bells and whistles and can also add it on to a week long trip to Florida (so do 3-4 days at the theme parks and then 3-4 days cruising)

yeah, I was hoping they might do something different with the Main Dining Room, but seems pretty much the same, but the Aquadome Market Place sounds like a great addition

Got an email today from Royal Caribbean about the dining on ICON indicating about over 20 places to eat. The main new info I see is about the Supper Club which will be called the Empire Supper Club and is a new restaurant in Central Park: - Indulge in an evening of extravagance with an eight-course menu of premium American cuisine, carefully curated with expertly prepared plates from caviar to wagyu. - Each dish is exquisitely paired with a beverage that will elevate your experience to next-level nouveau. - All while a swanky three-piece band accompanies each course with upscale — and unexpected — renditions of modern favorites to transport you to a bygone era of sophistication and glamour. no price listed but it does have a 3 out of 4 $ indication Other locations discussed in the email: - Izumi in the park (the to-go sushi part) - Aquadome Market: the first in the fleet food hall featuring Feta Mediterranean, Mac's, Toast and Garden, Asian Faves (perhaps named GNGR, wording was weird), and Creme del la Crepe, plus a bar - Pearl Cafe - Surfside Eatery - Surfside Bites - Celebration Table (a VIP table for 12) - Main Dining Room

I don't know for sure but I wouldn't be surprised if they intentionally oversell it a little, expecting that a certain % will cancel, and then when that didn't happen they had to course correct (pun intended) Probably want those ships as full as possible given the high cost week of travel

We were on Symphony and at least on this ship the Vitality cafe did the Starbucks lattes and mochas and stuff just like at Cafe Promenade so I got everything there in the morning Though Cafe Promenade also had booze so when I wanted an iced coffee with a shot of Bailey's I had to go there

I did this every morning - I took my seapass, my wife's, and my daughter's and went to the vitality cafe and got specialty coffees for myself and my wife and a fruit smoothy for my daughter (she had the refreshment package)

It varies by cruise, etc but with the precise discount booking online we paid, I think, $246 / person

We just had our first RCL cruise and got the UDP and that was one concern I had We went right to one of the restaurants after boarding and made all our reservations and got everything we wanted - only thing we had to switch days for two as the one we wanted for that first night was full, but other than that, no issue In the end for our week we did 5 dinners (ate in the MDR the other nights) and 3 lunches (sea days) plus one stop at Playmakers. So overall I think we got our $ worth for sure.

Welcome to the Presidents Week sailing of the latest Royal Caribbean ship - Icon of the Seas! We just returned from our sailing for that same week on Symphony of the Seas (our first Royal Caribbean Cruise) and are very excited for next year! We are a family of 5, myself, my wife, and 3 kids (oldest will turn 15 on the sailing, and then a 12 year old and 9 year old) - we have one of the new Family Infinite Balcony rooms booked. The younger 2 are very excited for the bunk bed area! What are you most looking forward to with the new ship?

Thanks! And I see later in the article it discusses it further and seems like it would be 1 full service and then a second time for either setting up the bed or putting it away - guests won't be expected to do that themselves - so that is more than sufficient I thinking. Thanks!

That is the part I am interested to see about ... I am fine with one "full" service a day, but would rather not have to either out away or set up the extra bed space we use as a family of 5 Guess I would be totally cool with 1 and 1/2 services a day lol

We are a family of 5 so that aspect is definitely a concern for us - well, maybe not concern, but I guess the aspect we would miss the most from no longer having service twice a day .... Just nice to have the room put together/ away for day time and then re-set up for sleeping in the evening. We would definitely be fine with just 1 "full" cleaning a day but would miss that aspect

We were on Symphony of the Seas a week or so ago (boarded on Feb 18) and we made our Specialty Dining reservations at 150 Central Park - went there right after boarding (had a 10:30am boarding time) and took care of all of our specialty dining for the week there